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Arizona lawmakers give nod of approval to harsher penalties for AI crimes

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Arizona lawmakers give nod of approval to harsher penalties for AI crimes


SCOTTSDALE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — A Scottsdale mother’s fight to stop scammers from using artificial intelligence is gaining traction among Arizona lawmakers. Legislation, Senate Bill 1599, could make punishments more severe for people who use AI to commit crimes, and at a recent committee hearing, it received unanimous support.

Last year, Jennifer DeStefano received a phone call from a scammer who used AI to clone her 15-year-old daughter’s voice and fake a kidnapping. “She goes, ‘Mom. These bad men have me. Help me. Help me. Help me,’ and starts pleading and crying and sobbing in a voice very familiar that I’ve known for 15 years,’” DeStefano said.

The ransom demand started at a million dollars. That wasn’t possible, so the scammers dropped the price to $50,000. “Not only did they want it in cash, but they also wanted to come pick me up in a white van, put a bag over my head and transport me to my daughter with all the money. And if not, we both were dead,” DeStefano told Arizona state lawmakers. “As I’m making these arrangements, my 13-year-old daughter is listening, thinking she’s lost her sister and now she’s going to lose her mother.”

There was no kidnapping, but for a few minutes, it all felt so real. “I had had an interactive conversation. It was her cries, her sobs, unique to her. A mother knows her child,” DeStefano said.

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On Your Side’s first report on this AI scam captured the attention of Sen. Jon Ossoff from Georgia, who invited DeStefano to testify on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers vowed action. DeStefano is grateful state lawmakers are calling for change as AI technology rapidly improves. “Unfortunately, the police were not able to do anything because there’s no laws in place to allow them to do anything,” DeStefano testified. “Unfortunately, it was considered a prank call.”

State Sen. Justine Wadsack, a Republican, introduced SB 1599, which would amend state law to make using AI in a crime an ‘aggravating circumstance’ in sentencing. Basically, it would make AI a weapon, so just as criminals could face harsher punishments for using a gun while committing a crime, criminals could also face harsher punishments for using artificial intelligence while committing a crime.

DeStefano’s daughter, Brianna, was by her side to tell Arizona lawmakers about her experience. “This scam has deeply affected my life,” she said. “As a young girl still in high school, it’s difficult being able to walk out even just walking my dogs at night. Hanging out with my friends, going to the bathroom alone, you never know where anyone could be at any point in time.”

Brianna says she is not outspoken on social media and doesn’t know where scammers got her voice to clone. But as On Your Side has reported, it doesn’t take more than a few seconds of a voice sample to get a realistic fake. “I want girls to be aware of this instance and know how to protect themselves against this problem as well as the government being able to protect them,” the younger DeStefano said.

There is opposition to the bill. The ACLU of Arizona and Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice are on the record against it. The ACLU believes it’s too broad and doesn’t describe what constitutes artificial intelligence or acknowledge that the use of AI could be incidental to a crime.

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Though the bill received a unanimous vote of support in the Senate Transportation, Technology and Missing Children committee, it has not been scheduled for a vote on the floor. DeStefano is optimistic. “Arizona is being a pioneer and it’s amazing and I’m so thankful,” she said. “This is our government at play, being representatives of the people, speaking for the people and bringing forth our concerns and our needs to protect us.”

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Why Milan Momcilovic Choosing Arizona Would Be Tough Blow for Iowa State Basketball

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Why Milan Momcilovic Choosing Arizona Would Be Tough Blow for Iowa State Basketball


As the Iowa State Cyclones continue to reflect on what was a strong season, one of their top players from last year is in the portal and is the best player available. 

After deciding to come back to college a couple of days ago, Milan Momcilovic is now the best player in the portal and has a number of suitors looking to bring him in. Due to the large amount of money that he is expected to get, it would be a complete shock if he came back to Iowa State at this point. However, where he goes could have an impact on the program. 

Last season, the junior had a breakout year and emerged as one of the best shooters in the country. While there is still work to be done to translate his game to the next level, he is an impact player in college basketball. 

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However, where he might go is the big decision everyone is waiting to see. Currently, it appears to be a three-horse race between the Arizona Wildcats, Kentucky Wildcats, and the Louisville Cardinals. Of the three, the Cyclones certainly don’t want to see him go to one of those schools. 

Momcilovic Choosing Arizona Would Be a Tough Blow

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Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd reacts during the second half in a semifinal of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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If the star shooter for the Cyclones were to choose the Wildcats, it would be a tough blow for Iowa State. While the Cyclones had a great season this year, it was Arizona that was a thorn in their side. 

The Wildcats were able to beat them both in their regular-season matchup and then again in the Big 12 tournament. The game in the Big 12 was an absolute thriller and went right down to the wire. 

While Iowa State might have lost, it was Momcilovic who had a fantastic game in the showdown. Now, as the talented sharpshooter mulls his decision on where to play next year, seeing him go to Arizona would be a tough blow for the Cyclones. 

This was a team that beat them twice last year, and taking one of their best players would likely result in the Wildcats being considered a better team heading into next season as well. 

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While Iowa State did a great job in the transfer portal and has some young talent coming back, losing the best three-point shooter in the country is a big blow. Furthermore, since Kentucky and Louisville aren’t in the Big 12, seeing Momcilovic join one of those squads wouldn’t sting or have an impact on the Cyclones nearly as much. 

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Arizona Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for May 29, 2026

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Arizona Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for May 29, 2026


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The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Friday, May 29, 2026 results for each game:

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Winning Mega Millions numbers

19-24-47-59-65, Mega Ball: 07

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers

2-7-1

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers

02-08-31-32-40

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Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Triple Twist numbers

09-20-23-31-36-40

Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results

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What time is the Powerball drawing?

Powerball drawings are at 7:59 p.m. Arizona time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

How much is a Powerball lottery ticket today?

In Arizona, Powerball tickets cost $2 per game, according to the Arizona Lottery.

How to play the Powerball

To play, select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls, then select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.

You can choose your lucky numbers on a play slip or let the lottery terminal randomly pick your numbers.

To win, match one of the 9 Ways to Win:

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  • 5 white balls + 1 red Powerball = Grand prize.
  • 5 white balls = $1 million.
  • 4 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $50,000.
  • 4 white balls = $100.
  • 3 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $100.
  • 3 white balls = $7.
  • 2 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $7.
  • 1 white ball + 1 red Powerball = $4.
  • 1 red Powerball = $4.

There’s a chance to have your winnings increased two, three, four, five and 10 times through the Power Play for an additional $1 per play. Players can multiply non-jackpot wins up to 10 times when the jackpot is $150 million or less.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Arizona Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to P.O. Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID to any of these locations:

Phoenix Arizona Lottery Office: 4740 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4400. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Tucson Arizona Lottery Office: 2955 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-628-5107. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

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Phoenix Sky Harbor Lottery Office: Terminal 4 Baggage Claim, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4424. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Kingman Arizona Lottery Office: Inside Walmart, 3396 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-753-8808. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://www.arizonalottery.com/.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arizona Republic editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Arizona GOP attorney general debate turns personal with insults, name-calling

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Arizona GOP attorney general debate turns personal with insults, name-calling


PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The two Republicans running for Arizona attorney general faced each other Thursday in a debate that devolved into insults and name-calling.

State Senate President Warren Petersen is running against military attorney Rodney Glassman in the Republican primary. The debate turned chaotic as the candidates clashed.

“Are you asking the questions, Steve?” Petersen said.

The moderator attempted to regain control. “Gentlemen, we’re going to reset,” he said.

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Candidates clash over experience

The debate was the last before early voting begins next month. In between the name-calling, the two candidates argued over their resumes.

Glassman said Petersen does not have the legal experience for the job.

“Warren is just full of information, you can call them lies. He received his law license in December 2023, 28 months ago. He has never filed a lawsuit as a lawyer. He has never prosecuted a criminal as a lawyer,” Glassman said.

Petersen has had a law license for less than three years. He said he worked on cases in Scottsdale while earning his degree. Petersen said his experience as the current state Senate president also counts.

“I have done more in three years than Rodney Glassman will even get done in his life because he’s a trust fund baby who’s just looking for a place. He’s been running for 15 years and he’s lost six elections in a row,” Petersen said.

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History of campaigns

Glassman has not won an elected office since he served as a Democrat on the Tucson City Council in 2007. Glassman is an Air Force attorney with 17 years of experience.

Democratic strategist Matt Grodsky said the real winner was the incumbent, Kris Mayes.

“I thought it was entertaining television. I’m glad Arizona got to see up close why these two individuals should be nowhere near the AG’s office,” Grodsky said.

Voting in the primary begins June 24.

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