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Arizona domestic violence suspect sentenced to life in prison

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Arizona domestic violence suspect sentenced to life in prison


PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A man has learned his fate after pleading guilty to multiple felony counts of domestic violence crimes.

On Saturday, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that 49-year-old Eric Pastrano has been sentenced to life in prison for domestic violence incidents against his ex-wife in 2023.

On April 2, 2023, Pastrano left a voicemail to his ex-wife, saying he would “bathe her in blood,” and also threatened her life in numerous text messages. He later showed up at her home but left when he saw she had a gun. Officials say the victim’s daughter and granddaughter were home at the time and hid in the bathroom and called police.

Just a month later, on May 9, Pastrano reportedly returned to his ex-wife’s house wearing a ski mask and body armor. He broke into the home, where he shot at the victim’s bedroom door, which barely missed her. Pastrano then went inside the bedroom, where he hit her with the pistol and choked her.

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“Living in fear for your life is no way to live,” said Mitchell. “The relief that this sentencing brings to this victim—in knowing that her perpetrator will never leave prison— is the best outcome for our office.”

Pastrano was a prohibited possessor during these crimes due to previous felony convictions in December 1995, June 2011, and July 2022—these involved violent felonies, including an aggravated assault against his ex-wife.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233 for anyone who is a victim of abuse.

For more information on resources available in the Valley for domestic violence victims, click here.

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Conservative think tank challenges Arizona AG on rental price-fixing records

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Conservative think tank challenges Arizona AG on rental price-fixing records


PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A conservative-leaning think tank is suing Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes over her office’s refusal to fully disclose records related to allegations of rental price-fixing involving major landlords and a property management software company.

The Goldwater Institute filed a public records lawsuit against Mayes, demanding she reveal how many people have filed complaints related to the allegations.

In a news release, the think tank said Mayes has refused to state how many Arizonans claimed the alleged conspiracy actually harmed them.

In February 2024, the AG’s office sued nine landlords, including Avenue5, Greystar, RPM Living, and Weider. State officials also named RealPage, a property management software company, in the lawsuit, alleging it colluded with others to inflate rental prices across metro Phoenix.

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The Goldwater Institute said it had requested full complaint records from Mayes’ office but reportedly only received a numerical count of complaints, without the underlying records.

“I firmly believe in vindicating Arizona’s Public Records Law, which exists to ensure that government remains accountable to the people it serves,” said Michael Bloom, an attorney for the American Freedom Network, which is representing the Goldwater Institute. “Transparency is the cornerstone of public trust.”

Goldwater officials said the AG’s office claimed the information was confidential, but they argue it is not protected under public records law.

The think tank also noted that Mayes’ lawsuit mirrors similar cases filed by other Democratic attorneys general, and partnered with a private law firm to pursue the case, similar to approaches taken in those other states.

Last year, the Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, accusing it of an illegal scheme that allowed landlords to coordinate and hike up rent prices.

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Arizona presses for federal help as new report reveals $33.5M loss in floods

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Arizona presses for federal help as new report reveals .5M loss in floods


GLOBE, AZ (AZFamily) — Arizona lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to swiftly approve Gov. Katie Hobbs’ request for a major disaster declaration for Gila and Mohave counties.

The move brings hope to communities like Globe, which are grappling with the aftermath of destructive and deadly floods in September and October.

Globe Mayor Al Gameros expressed his appreciation for the bipartisan effort.

“It’s amazing that letter was written in this shorter period of time,” Gameros said. “I’m glad that it’s a bipartisan letter. I’m glad that it’s urging the president to immediately sign this and not delay it, because it is important to our rural community.”

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Included in the correspondence is a newly released damage assessment compiled by FEMA, the state, and local leaders.

The assessment of the two counties details significant destruction, including that 312 homes were damaged, with 64 destroyed, 89 suffering major damage, and 159 receiving minor damage. The total estimated loss in dollars is $33,579,081.

Gameros noted the challenges communities face in securing aid.

“We (other mayors) tried to learn, at the same time, learning what the complexity of filing for reimbursement,” he said.

He explained that while the state will reimburse towns up to 75% of costs, federal approval could mean up to 90% is paid back.

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Now, Gameros is anxiously awaiting the Trump administration’s decision, hoping that if the disaster declaration is approved, the process won’t be slow.

“That would really put a hurt in our community as far as us being able to move forward,” he said.

In the meantime, he said they have restaurants open in Globe and urges Arizonans to pay them a visit.

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Kansas football bowl projections following Big 12 Conference loss on road against Arizona

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Kansas football bowl projections following Big 12 Conference loss on road against Arizona


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LAWRENCE — Kansas football lost 24-20 on the road this past weekend against Arizona.

The Big 12 Conference defeat saw the Jayhawks (5-5, 3-4 in Big 12) come up short on what could have been the day it became bowl eligible this season. Coach Lance Leipold and company gave up a late lead against the Wildcats and suffered a disappointing defeat. Bowl eligibility is still possible, as KU navigates an open week, but with the loss, reaching that point has become all the more challenging.

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Before Kansas’ season resumes Nov. 22 on the road against Iowa State, here are some bowl projections for the Jayhawks:

This projection places Kansas in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, scheduled for December 26 in Dallas, Texas. It would put the Jayhawks up against Boise State (6-3, 4-1 in Mountain West Conference). Boise State most recently lost against Fresno State, but is still in contention to play for its conference title.

These projections place Kansas in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, scheduled for December 30 in Shreveport, Louisiana. One has KU facing Kennesaw State (7-2, 5-0 in Conference USA), while the other has KU facing Louisiana Tech (5-4, 3-3 in Conference USA). Kennesaw State beat Louisiana Tech earlier this season.

This projection places Kansas in the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl, which is set for Dec. 23 in Frisco, Texas. It would put the Jayhawks up against California (6-4, 3-3 in Atlantic Coast Conference). California is coming off of a win against now-No. 21 Louisville.

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Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.



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