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Arizona fake elector case: All 18 defendants have entered pleas

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Arizona fake elector case: All 18 defendants have entered pleas


PHOENIX (AP) — Lawyers Boris Epshteyn and Jenna Ellis and former U.S. Senate candidate James Lamon have pleaded not guilty to nine felony charges in a case about trying to overturn former President Donald Trump’s Arizona election loss to Joe Biden.

The hearing Tuesday in a Phoenix courtroom marked the last of 18 arraignments in the fake elector case. Fifteen other people, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Epshteyn, a Trump adviser, is accused of assisting Giuliani in carrying out the scheme to submit fake electors for Trump in Arizona and obstruct the certification of election results by Congress on Jan. 6, 2021.

Prosecutors in Michigan, Nevada, Georgia and Wisconsin have also filed criminal charges related to the fake electors scheme.

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Arizona authorities unveiled the felony charges in late April. In all, charges were brought against 11 Republicans who submitted a document to Congress falsely declaring Trump had won Arizona, five lawyers connected to the former president and two former Trump aides. Biden won Arizona by more than 10,000 votes.

Trump himself was not charged in the Arizona case but was referred to as an unindicted co-conspirator in the indictment.

Arizona authorities say Ellis made false claims of widespread election fraud in the state and six others, encouraged the Arizona Legislature to change the outcome of the election and encouraged then-Vice President Mike Pence to accept Arizona’s fake elector votes.

Lamon, a businessman who lost a 2022 Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat in Arizona, is accused of falsely stating he was a duly elected and qualified elector. Prosecutors have pointed out that Lamon didn’t withdraw his vote even though no legal challenge had successfully changed the outcome in Arizona.

Last year, Ellis was charged in Georgia after she appeared with Giuliani at a December 2020 hearing hosted by state Republican lawmakers at the Georgia Capitol during which false allegations of election fraud were made. She pleaded guilty in October to one felony count of aiding and abetting false statements and writings after reaching a deal with prosecutors.

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All three defendants who plead not guilty Tuesday took part in the hearing by video conference or phone. The Associated Press left telephone messages seeking additional comment from their attorneys. Their trials are slated for Nov. 14.

The 11 people who claimed to be Arizona’s Republican electors met in Phoenix on Dec. 14, 2020, to sign a certificate saying they were “duly elected and qualified” electors and asserting that Trump carried the state. A one-minute video of the signing ceremony was posted on social media by the Arizona Republican Party at the time. The document was later sent to Congress and the National Archives, where it was ignored.

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Arizona

Drowning happens in seconds, Arizona safety experts warn as triple-digit temperatures arrive this week 

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Drowning happens in seconds, Arizona safety experts warn as triple-digit temperatures arrive this week 


GILBERT, AZ — As temperatures climb across Arizona, safety experts and parents say so does the risk around water.

“You brought them here for a reason, and you want them to keep safe at all times, and it’s the most precious things you have. Why, why would you not pay attention to them?” Ernesto Agüero said.

Agüero’s warning comes as families across the Valley head to pools and splash pads to beat the heat.

Experts say drowning can happen silently and within seconds.

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“Drowning is silent. A lot of times it goes unnoticed, but it just takes seconds,” Jay Arthur, president of the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona, said.

The Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona says while child drowning deaths are down compared to recent years, the danger is far from over as summer begins. It comes as the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona (DPCA) hosted its annual “Tapping Into Water Safety” event. The event brought together organizations like the Salt River Project (SRP) and the Phoenix Fire Department.

“You have to watch the kids with your eyes. Eye-to-eye contact is critical. You can’t be on your phone. You can’t be talking to your friend,” Arthur said.

Advocates say one of the biggest misconceptions is thinking you’ll hear someone struggling in the water. Instead, they say prevention starts before a child even gets near the pool.

“Always appoint a water watcher when you have a group of people around water, and that would be an adult that’s responsible for watching the water and they’re not on their phone,” Tanya Hughes, SRP Community Activation Strategist, said.

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Families say the reminders are especially important heading into another Arizona summer.

“You want them to be safe. You want them to know how to behave when they’re in the water,” Agüero said.

Experts say designated water watchers, pool barriers and swim lessons can make the difference. They also warn that distractions like phones or conversations can quickly become dangerous.

“Seconds matter; it is really important because a child can drown in just a matter of seconds,” Arthur said.

With more families potentially spending time in the water this weekend, advocates say now is the time to prepare.

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“We’re telling you, we’re trying to stop this from happening,” Arthur said.





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Where to watch New York Mets vs Arizona Diamondbacks: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 9

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Where to watch New York Mets vs Arizona Diamondbacks: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 9


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Baseball is back and finding what channel your favorite team is playing on has become a little bit more confusing since MLB announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of the league.

We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know Saturday as the New York Mets visit the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.

What time is New York Mets vs Arizona Diamondbacks?

First pitch between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, May 9.

How to watch New York Mets vs Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday

All times Eastern and accurate as of Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 6:32 a.m.

  • Matchup: NYM at ARI
  • Date: Saturday, May 9
  • Time: 7:15 p.m. (ET)
  • Venue: Chase Field
  • Location: Phoenix, Arizona
  • TV: FOX
  • Streaming: MLB.TV on Fubo

Watch MLB all season long with Fubo

MLB regional blackout restrictions apply

MLB scores, results

MLB scores for May 9 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:

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See scores, results for all of today’s games.



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Arizona alum Mike Schmitz named GM of Dallas Mavericks

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Arizona alum Mike Schmitz named GM of Dallas Mavericks


The Dallas Mavericks are turning to an Arizona alum to take over their franchise. The Mavericks on Friday announced the hiring of Mike Schmitz as general manager ahead of next month’s NBA Draft. Schmitz spent the last four seasons on the Portland Trail Blazers staff after serving as a draft analyst for ESPN. Schmitz attended […]



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