Democrats are going after Alaska’s Senate race this year, and they’ve landed probably the only candidate that can make it competitive: Mary Peltola.

The former congresswoman on Monday jumped into the race against GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan, adding yet another hard-fought campaign to what Democrats hope is shaping up to be a wave year that could carry them in red states like Alaska.

Peltola certainly doesn’t sound like a typical Democratic candidate as she starts her bid: She’s proposing term limits, is campaigning on “fish, family and freedom,” and has already name-dropped former Republican officials in her state multiple times.

“Ted Stevens and Don Young ignored lower 48 partisanship to fight for things like public media and disaster relief because Alaska depends on them,” Peltola says in her launch video, referencing the former GOP senator and House member, respectively.

“DC people will be pissed that I’m focusing on their self-dealing, and sharing what I’ve seen firsthand. They’re going to complain that I’m proposing term limits. But it’s time,” she says.

Peltola is clearly appealing to the state’s ranked choice voting system and its unique electorate, which elevated moderate Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, over a candidate supported by President Donald Trump. The last Democrat to win an Alaska Senate race was Mark Begich in 2008, though Peltola won the state’s at-large seat twice — even defeating former Gov. Sarah Palin.

Sullivan defeated Begich in 2014, followed by independent Al Gross in 2020; Sullivan also recently voted to extend expired health care subsidies, a sign of the state’s independent streak.

PHOENIX — From Phoenix stores being required to comply with a new shopping cart ordinance to a driver who fled police in a Mesa chase and more, here are some of the top Arizona news stories from Jan. 9-11.

Phoenix stores required to comply with new shopping cart ordinance

Phoenix stores that provide shopping carts to their customers must complete an annual certification to comply with the city’s new shopping cart ordinance.

The new ordinance, which will go into effect on Thursday, is being implemented to reduce the number of abandoned shopping carts in neighborhoods, sidewalks and other public spaces, according to a news release.

If any store fails to comply by the Thursday deadline, those with a retrieval contract will be subject to a $25 fee for every cart returned by the city. A $50 fee will be charged to stores that don’t have a contract

Driver who fled police in Mesa chase hospitalized after crash

A driver who fled Mesa police and crashed early Saturday morning was hospitalized, and he faces arrest once released, authorities said.

Police attempted to stop the man shortly after 2 a.m. near Stewart Road and Southern Avenue. Instead of yielding to police lights and sirens, he fled at high speeds, according to Mesa Police Department spokesperson Jesse Macias.

Police spotted the driver traveling north on the Loop 101 and then east on Loop 202 before exiting onto University Drive.

He continued west on University Drive until he collided with a pole near 64th Street. Officers then took him into custody.

Construction to start on 2nd segment of I-10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor Project

The second part of construction for the Interstate 10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor Project is set to begin, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

This will be the second out of four segments of the project. The full I-10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor Project spans 26 miles of I-10 from the Loop 202 to north of Casa Grande. It is expected to be completed in 2029, according to the project’s general construction duration timeline.

Construction crews will work on the 10-mile stretch of I-10 in both directions from Gas Line Road to south of State Route 387, north of Casa Grande.

2026 Arizona Bike Week motorcycle rally and concert series returns

Arizona Bike Week is returning to WestWorld of Scottsdale for its 29th annual edition this spring.

Arizona Bike Week is set for April 8-12 (Wednesday-Sunday), with concerts each of the first four nights. Admission is free on Sunday.

General admission rally passes, which include access to all four concerts, are on sale now for $192.60, which includes taxes and fees. Upgraded front row experience passes are $390.86, while the top tier option with front stage and elevated deck viewing access is priced at $532.63.

Project to improve SR 347 south of Valley takes step forward with contractor

A project to improve State Route 347 south of the Valley took a step forward this week by selecting a contractor, the Arizona Department of Transportation announced Thursday.

Following an extensive review process, Sundt Construction was selected as the contractor for the SR 347 Improvement Project.

The project’s purpose is to revamp a 15-mile stretch of the highway between Interstate 10 and the city of Maricopa. The section of road runs through both Maricopa and Pinal counties, but for the most part is located within the Gila River Indian Community.

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A California mother has been found guilty of murdering her 2-year-old daughter after the child drowned in the family’s swimming pool while the mom was intoxicated and chatting with men she met on dating apps.

Kelle Anne Brassart, 45, was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder and felony child endangerment in the drowning death of her daughter, Daniellé Pires, at her home in Turlock, according to a statement from the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.

Brassart called 911 around 3:30 p.m. Sept. 12 to report that her daughter was floating in the pool and unresponsive, prosecutors said.

First responders pulled the toddler from the pool and attempted life-saving measures, but she could not be revived.

Surveillance footage later showed the 2-year-old had been left unattended outside for an extended period before falling into the pool, prompting authorities to immediately launch an investigation.

Investigators found that after calling for help, Brassart “remained in the home and never attempted to rescue Daniellé,” District Attorney Jeff Laugero said.

Prosecutors said Brassart spent about 45 minutes on her phone talking to men she met on dating apps while her daughter was left unattended.

Brassart told investigators she was unable to reach her daughter because of a leg injury and claimed she required the use of a wheelchair, Laugero said.

However, evidence presented at trial showed she was able to walk and stand without assistance, including footage showing her driving and attending nail appointments before the drowning.

“Brassart possessed a walking boot and crutches in the home,” Laugero said.

“Video evidence was introduced at trial showing her walking and standing without the use of a wheelchair prior to the drowning.”

Prosecutors also said officers observed signs of impairment at the scene, and empty liquor bottles were found inside the residence.

A subsequent blood alcohol test showed Brassart’s level measured 0.246% at the time of the incident — more than three times California’s legal driving limit.

The child’s father, Daniel Pires, who was at work that day, had allegedly asked Brassart not to consume alcohol while caring for the child, the Turlock Journal reported.

Court records also show she had been ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

“This is a case where the defendant knew, and she didn’t care,” prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Sara Sousa told the court during the trial. “She didn’t care that her daughter was at risk; she didn’t care that she wasn’t watching her, because all she wanted to do was be selfish and get drunk.”

Prosecutors also revealed Brassart was on probation for child abuse at the time of the drowning, and that another child under her care had previously been hospitalized for nearly a week after ingesting medication, according to SFGate.

Following the conviction, Sousa slammed Brassart further for failing “in her duty to care for her child.”

“She not only failed in her duty to care for her child, but she did it in a way that was so reckless and indifferent to human life that her conduct amounted to second-degree murder,” Sousa said.

Brassart is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 5 and faces 15 years to life in prison.