Arizona
New push to legalize psychedelic mushrooms for mental health in Arizona
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) — There is a new push to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms in Arizona on a limited basis with new legislation moving through the state capitol. Tuesday, veterans and first responders who’ve seen the effects firsthand are once again putting magic mushrooms in the spotlight, saying it could be a game changer for mental health.
If approved, SB 1570 would open doors to a different kind of treatment. Patients who’ve used psilocybin mushrooms say they help with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. “I have my daughter here who could basically say I’m a changed person. I’m happy again,” said Robert Steele, who served in the Marines.
He says his psychedelic experience was life-changing and helped him process past trauma. “A lot of my problems, withdrawing from people, my anger problems, a lot of them have subsided,” Steele said.
He says using ‘shrooms with therapy helped him avoid a dependence on daily pharmaceuticals. “At one point in time, I used to take over 300 pills a month from the VA,” he said.
While more patients and advocates praise the positive effects of psilocybin, it is still an illegal controlled substance under federal law. There are penalties for both possession and distribution of the so-called magic mushrooms. “The first time I got treatment would be considered underground. I went to Montana, got treatment there. I got treatment in Mexico, California,” Steele said.
Many critics like Dr. Sue Sisley say those unregulated treatments out of the country has impeded scientific studies into the safety and efficacy of psilocybin. “We don’t have any objective data, nothing published in a peer review journal that would influence lawmakers or other community leaders so we need to get this data in place so we can all examine it together to understand what is the potential for these mushrooms,” she said.
The research institute where she works holds a drug enforcement administration license to legally grow the mushrooms. Treatment using them would include a controlled environment and counseling services. “This is not a treatment that everybody will seek,“ said Republican state Sen. T.J. Shope. “It is something that will be done in consultation with a patient’s medical professional in a very clinical close setting.”
Arizona’s Family reached out to the U.S. Attorney here in Arizona to ask where they stand on decriminalizing psilocybin. We’re still waiting to hear back. Supporters of this bill say they’re working closely with the federal government to get FDA authorization. It passed through committee unanimously Tuesday and is headed for a full vote in the Senate.
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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Two hikers were rescued from the peak of a mountain in northern Arizona after being struck by lightning on Tuesday.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the rescue, saying the hikers were saved from the summit of Humphreys Peak.
On Tuesday, the sheriff’s deputies received a call from two male hikers who told officers they had been struck by lightning.
Surprisingly, the two stranded hikers didn’t know each other and were from Flagstaff and Canada.
They were taking photos while at the summit of the mountain when they were hit by lightning, the sheriff’s office confirmed.
Search-and-rescue teams were immediately deployed to the trailhead.
Officials state they requested aircraft support but were denied due to severe weather, including lightning, hail, and heavy rain.
According to the sheriff’s office, rescue teams used two UTV vehicles to reach the victims before completing the rest of the rescue on foot.
“He reported that the other injured hiker had been unable to continue and had stopped near the saddle between Humphreys and Agassiz Peaks, roughly 0.7 miles farther up the trail at 11,800 feet,” read a press release from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.
First responders had to use a litter carry-out to extract the second victim since he was unable to walk due to the steep terrain and his physical condition.
Both hikers were successfully taken to the Incident Command Post in the area, where an ambulance then drove them both to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment and observation.
According to the National Weather Service, lightning kills about 20 people in the U.S. each year, and hundreds more are severely injured.
Lightning strikes occur about 25 million times a year in the U.S.
PHOENIX — State Route 74 was closed in both directions near Lake Pleasant in Peoria on Thursday afternoon due to a crash that killed a woman.
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) said the highway closed at about 1:15 p.m.
The closure was put into place at Lake Pleasant Parkway for the westbound lanes and 87th Avenue for the eastbound lanes.
ADOT did not say when SR74 is expected to reopen.
UPDATE: SR 74 is closed in both directions (WB: Lake Pleasant Pkwy, EB: 87th Avenue) with no estimated reopening time. For current road conditions, check the following:
🖥 https://t.co/3l4R4g60mW
📱 Apple: https://t.co/YMcnUEeWQs
📱 Android: https://t.co/9oINS4ymQP— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) October 23, 2025
The Peoria Police Department told KTAR News 92.3 FM that two vehicles collided and a woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
No other details were released.
Get the latest KTAR News 92.3 FM traffic alerts sent straight to your phone by texting “TRAFFIC” to 620620.
PHOENIX – Lightning prompts rescue efforts on northern Arizona mountain; accidental shooting leads to death of Arizona man; and more – here’s a look at some of your top stories on FOX10Phoenix.com for Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
1. Rescue efforts on northern Arizona mountain
What we know:
Officials with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office say one person was struck by lightning on Humphrey’s Peak, which is located north of Flagstaff, earlier today.
What we don’t know:
Officials say a second person may have been struck by lightning, and crews are working to get up the mountain to see if that is the case.
Read More
2. 3 hospitalized following East Valley shooting
What we know:
Three people are in the hospital following a triple shooting late last night.
Big picture view:
Mesa Police say officers responded to the scene, which is located near Lindsay Road and University Drive, after someone reported seeing someone running after hearing gunshots in the area.
Read More
3. Arizona man dies after gun incident
What we know:
An investigation is underway following an accidental shooting that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old man.
Dig deeper:
The incident, according to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, happened on Oct. 13 at a campground. The victim has been identified as Donald Anthony Stickrath.
Read More
4. Violent store attack caught on camera
What we know:
The Glendale Police Department released a video of a man who it says committed a violent attack at a store and then stole money from the registers.
What’s next:
The suspect, identified as Gilbert Lara, is accused of kidnapping, armed robbery and aggravated assault.
Read More
5. Taking a look at Arizona’s real estate market
What we know:
Experts are weighing on whether it is currently the right time to buy real estate in the Grand Canyon State.
By the numbers:
It has been a rough three years for Arizona real estate. Prices are down nearly seven to eight percent since the peak in July 2022.
Read More
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