Arizona

Arizona GOP wants to ask voters for red-light camera ban, skipping Hobbs’ veto stamp

Published

2 years ago

January 17, 2024

Arizona GOP wants to ask voters for red-light camera ban, skipping Hobbs’ veto stamp

After being shot down by Gov. Katie Hobbs, Republican Sen. Wendy Rogers wants to put a red-light camera ban in place in Arizona without the governor’s signature.

Rogers has attempted to pass legislation that would prohibit cities from using red-light cameras since 2020, saying they infringe on the privacy rights of citizens. Now, the Flagstaff Republican wants to send the ban to the ballot, letting voters decide whether the cameras can be used.

Hobbs vetoed the ban in 2023 because red-light cameras allow law enforcement to allocate resources efficiently, according to a veto letter. Opponents of the ban say the cameras are effective at deterring dangerous driving and allow police to focus on more serious crimes.

In addition to an attempt to get the ban on the ballot, Rogers introduced the same bill that was vetoed last year. During a committee hearing on the measure, Rogers said red-light cameras do not increase safety and can be adjusted to make light times shorter.

“We need to pass this because my constituents want their privacy back,” Rogers said at the hearing.

Red-light cameras are used in many Arizona cities, including Mesa, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson. The cameras can be used to detect violations of speeding restrictions or traffic signs and signals.

ADOT freeway messages may see changes in the upcoming years due to new regulations

The chiefs of police for both Mesa and Paradise Valley testified against the bill at the hearing and said the cameras encourage safer driving and allow police to focus on more serious crimes. Ken Cost, the Mesa police chief urged lawmakers to oppose the bill.

“In Mesa alone, this tool has slowed people down; It has changed driving behavior,” Cost said at the hearing. “Any tool that allows us to be efficient and change any driving behavior is critical to what we do on a daily basis.”

The bill banning the cameras passed the Senate Transportation, Technology and Missing Children Committee on Thursday. The resolution sending the ban to the ballot has not yet been heard by the committee.

Democratic Sen. Christine Marsh, a member of the committee, said in an emailed statement that red-light cameras are effective at reducing crashes and deaths and are a “tool” for police.

“Red light cameras provide one more tool for our law enforcement entities to use, and since most — if not all — branches of Arizona’s law enforcement community are understaffed, I am opposed to taking away a valuable tool,” Marsh said in the emailed statement.

Republican Sen. David Farnsworth, the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, voted “yes” on the bill and said he thinks it’s “great.”

“I think constitutional rights are most important,” Farnsworth said. “The proper role of government is to protect the liberty of the people and that’s what’s vital.”

Reach the reporter at rpriest@gannett.com.

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Arizona

Tracking snap counts and Pro Football Focus grades from Arizona’s win at ASU

Published

15 hours ago

November 29, 2025

Press Room

Tracking snap counts and Pro Football Focus grades from Arizona’s win at ASU

Arizona has brought the Territorial Cup back to Tucson, winning the rivalry game with ASU for the third time in four seasons. And it did so despite some of the worst grades of the season for the team as a whole and the offense specifically.

The UA’s team grade of 69.1 ranked third-lowest in 2025, ironically ahead of two of the other wins in the current 5-game streak. The offensive grade of 62.6 was also better than only the recent wins over Kansas (57.2) and Colorado (55.5).

Defensively it was a different story. Arizona graded at 76.1, which was 6th-best, and its 90.3 run defense grade was the best of 2025.

For the season, Arizona’s overall grade of 87.5 ranks 39^th in FBS. The defense is tied for 21^st at 91.5. Compare those to a season ago when the Wildcats ranked 98^th nationally and their defense was 118^th out of 134 FBS schools.

Below are the snap counts and individual grades of all players who appeared on offense or defense at ASU:

Top overall grades (min. 20 snaps): S Dalton Johnson (83.3), S Genesis Smith (71.7), QB Noah Fifita (71.2), RT Matthew Lado (71.2), LB Riley Wilson (69.0)

Top pass blocking: RG Alexander Doost (85.5), LG Chubba Maae (81.6), RB Ismail Mahdi (76.2)

Top run blocking: RT Matthew Lado (66.2), WR Kris Hutson (62.7), WR Tre Spivey (61.9)

Top pass rushing: LB Chase Kennedy (62.7), CB Treydan Stukes (60.0), CB Michael Dansby (59.7)

Top run defense: Johnson (92.7), CB Ayden Garnes (77.0), Wilson (75.2)

Top tackling: Smith (82.9), Garnes (81.1), LB Taye Brown (79.1)

Top coverage: Dansby (71.4), Johnson (71.3), Smith (68.7)

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Arizona

Wrong-way driver caught on cam, ASU battles Arizona for Territorial Cup | Nightly Roundup

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

Wrong-way driver caught on cam, ASU battles Arizona for Territorial Cup | Nightly Roundup

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PHOENIX – From the terrifying moment caught on camera of a wrong-way driver on I-10, to the duel in the desert as ASU takes on Arizona for the rivalry game, here’s a look at your top stories on FOX10Phoenix.com for Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

1. Wrong-way driver caught on camera

What we know:

During the late night hours of Thanksgiving, a white pickup truck was seen heading the wrong way on Interstate 10’s HOV lane near Baseline Road.

2. Man found lying near roadway prompts hit-and-run investigation

3. Suspect in custody after shooting at South Phoenix apartment

4. Officers use less-lethal means to detain road rage suspect

5. ASU vs. U of A: Fans gear up for rivalry game

A peak at your weather this weekend

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Nightly RoundupPhoenixNews

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Arizona

Arizona pair celebrates decade of friendship that started with wrong text

Published

2 days ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

Arizona pair celebrates decade of friendship that started with wrong text

MESA, AZ (AZFamily) — What began as a mistaken text message has blossomed into a 10-year Thanksgiving tradition that continues to capture hearts worldwide.

Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench are celebrating their tenth consecutive Thanksgiving together, a friendship that started in 2016 when Dench accidentally texted the then-17-year-old Hinton, thinking she was inviting her grandson to dinner.

“There are no accidents. It was meant to be,” Dench said.

The mix-up occurred when Dench sent a Thanksgiving dinner invitation to the wrong phone number. When Hinton responded asking who was texting, Dench replied it was grandma.

“I get this text back saying who is this and I said its grandma and the next message was well send me a picture,” Dench said.

Friendship grows through life’s challenges

What could have been a forgettable mistake transformed into an annual reunion. The pair have supported each other through significant life events, including the death of Dench’s husband in 2020 and her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment last year.

“We just all clicked. It was amazing. We spent hours talking. There was no generation gap. It was just fun and joyful and exciting,” Dench said.

“I love it to spend thanksgiving with so many different types of people,” Hinton said.

The friendship has provided mutual support during difficult times.

“I was able to talk with Jamal and he’s always given me encouragement and I’ve been very blessed,” Dench said.

“It feels like a best friend. She feels like someone you can talk to about anything. So when you go through anything I call her all the time. She answers her phone,” Hinton said.

Both consider each other family now.

“Jamal will always be in my inner circle of family,” Dench said.

“Family she’s family no matter what,” Hinton said.

This year’s celebration was sponsored by Green Giant.

Last year, the pair met virtually while Dench was battling cancer, making this year’s in-person reunion particularly meaningful.

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