Arizona

Raising Hell in Arizona

Published

2 years ago

November 8, 2022

PHOENIX, Ariz.—The Watchers have a tendency to indicate up at sunset—or so I’d heard. And yesterday night, I went on the lookout for them. Round 7 p.m., at a poll drop-off web site subsequent to a juvenile-detention middle in Mesa, simply east of Phoenix, I sat on a concrete bench and waited underneath the car parking zone’s shiny lights. A gradual stream of automobiles drove by means of, and other people hopped out to slide their inexperienced mail-in-ballot envelopes into the large metallic field. After two hours, the Watchers arrived: three ladies in camp chairs, sitting far sufficient away within the semi-darkness to not be simply observed. Every peered on the poll field by means of a set of binoculars.

Right here in Maricopa County, there have been just a few reviews of such citizen surveillance operations: individuals preserving a watch out for so-called mules, who may be stuffing stacks of illegitimate ballots into the bins. Generally, these Watchers have carried weapons. Once I approached the ladies, they declined to inform me their names. All of them appeared to be of their early 60s—round my mother’s age, I saved pondering—and have been bundled up towards the chilly desert air. They sat round a folding desk on which sat journey mugs and a single bag of kettle chips. The trunk of their SUV was open so as, I assume, to obscure their license plate.

“We’re simply doing our due diligence,” one in every of them instructed me. I requested in the event that they have been looking for voters dropping off a number of ballots. “Properly, it’d need to be greater than a pair as a result of individuals drop them off for his or her household,” one other mentioned, with out trying away from her binoculars. So how was it going? I requested. The third girl, carrying a inexperienced visor over her curly hair, checked out me and shrugged: “All of it looks like it’s on the up and up thus far.”

For the previous two years, Maricopa County has served because the beating coronary heart of America’s emergent election-denial motion—ever since then-President Donald Trump misplaced to Joe Biden right here in 2020. Again then, “Cease the Steal” teams protested for weeks to overturn the closer-than-expected outcomes, and a loud partisan evaluate of the outcomes saved nationwide media consideration on Arizona for almost a yr—till even that clown present of an inquiry concluded that Biden had, in reality, received.

Learn: Unhealthy losers

By Monday evening, on the eve of one other election, GOP leaders within the state had spent so lengthy fanning the flames of conspiracy idea that many citizens have been anticipating trickery. Election Day might as soon as have been a second to have a good time democracy and savor the ritual of collaborating within the political course of. However to go to Maricopa County immediately is to go to a spot on excessive alert.

“We’ve got sufficient safety to invade a small nation,” one county chief instructed me on the Tabulations and Elections Heart, which attracted offended protests in 2020 and is now surrounded by heavy plastic Jersey boundaries. The day earlier than, Sheriff Paul Penzone had instructed the press that plainclothes cops could be current at each voting location all Election Day—and that they’d train a “zero tolerance” coverage towards anybody threatening voters or ballot staff, he mentioned.

At that very same press convention, county leaders aimed to get a head begin on debunking among the false narratives that may emerge within the coming days. Invoice Gates, the chairman of the county board of supervisors, and the county recorder, Stephen Richer, reiterated {that a} days-long vote rely doesn’t point out any fraud; that voting machines are examined for accuracy and are usually not prone to hacking; and that ballots are reviewed and processed by a bipartisan workforce of election staff.

Already on Election Day, although, these cautious efforts at transparency and heading off distrust have been undermined by essentially the most unlucky error: Early this morning, tabulation machines in roughly 20 % of Maricopa County’s greater than 200 polling websites stopped working. Voters at these facilities have had to decide on whether or not to place their ballots in a safe field to be counted later on the Tabulation Heart in downtown Phoenix, or to journey to a distinct polling location to forged a vote. (The basis of the machines’ malfunctioning had been recognized and started to be resolved by late afternoon, according to the county elections department.)

No matter voters select, their ballots might be counted, county officers have assured. However the injury has been achieved. The issues have understandably pissed off voters—and, maybe extra dangerously, tossed an infinite hunk of uncooked meat into the ravening jaws of the election conspiracists. “They’re incompetent and/or partaking in malfeasance identical to in 2020,” the state GOP chair Kelli Ward tweeted this morning. She and others have suggested that the tabulators gave the impression to be malfunctioning solely in conservative areas. Kari Lake, the Republican working for Arizona governor, told reporters that she selected to vote in a liberal space “as a result of we wished to verify we had good machines.”

Learn: The novel fringe that simply went mainstream in Arizona

Trump, all the time desirous to reap the benefits of an election-fraud narrative, has weighed in too. “Folks of Arizona, don’t get out of line till you forged your vote,” the previous president posted on Fact Social. “They’re attempting to steal the election with dangerous Machines and DELAY. Don’t let it occur!”

A couple of hours after the tabulation information got here on this morning, Gates and Richer delivered one other impromptu press convention, and shared a video displaying voters what a tabulation machine appears like and explaining that each one legitimate ballots, no matter how they’re submitted, might be counted. Shortly after 4 p.m., in a statement posted to Twitter, Richer apologized for the machine errors and reiterated his dedication to helping voters. The assertion instantly garnered tons of of replies. A couple of thanked Richer for his transparency. However many simply used one phrase, in all caps: “RESIGN.”

There was all the time an honest probability that Election Night time in Maricopa County would culminate, as soon as once more, in offended protests exterior the County Recorder’s workplace and shrill allegations of coordinated fraud. Now, whether or not Republicans win massive tonight or not, that consequence appears likelier than ever.

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Arizona

McDonald’s All-American nominations: 24 Arizona high school boys basketball players eligible

Published

2 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Press Room

McDonald’s All-American nominations: 24 Arizona high school boys basketball players eligible

The nominations are in for the 2025 McDonald’s All-American Games in New York, and 24 high school boys basketball players from Arizona are eligible to be chosen.

Nominees were revealed Wednesday on Instagram for the annual boys and girls games, which will be played April 1 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The selection committee will narrow the list of nominees to 48 at a later date as the top 24 boys and top 24 girls will be on the final rosters.

Here are all 24 nominees for the boys game playing for Arizona schools as a senior. Vote in the poll below the list for the player you most want to see in the prestigious all-star game.

Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 23.

6-8 C, Dream City Christian

6-5 G, Dream City Christian

6-7 F, Phoenix Prep

6-3 G, Supreme Prep Academy

6-3 G, Phoenix Prep

6-10 C, Dream City Christian

6-7 F, AZ Compass Prep

6-3 G, AZ Compass Prep

6-5 F, Perry

6-3 G, Phoenix Prep

6-4 G, Dream City Christian

5-11 G, Hillcrest Prep

6-3 G, Willow Canyon

6-8 F, Perry

6-1 G, Dream City Christian

6-7 F, Bella Vista Prep

6-3 G, Notre Dame Prep

6-7 F, AZ Compass Prep

6-8 F, Sandra Day O’Connor

6-8 F, Marcos de Niza

5-10 G, Prescott

6-7 F, Millennium

6-6 G, Hillcrest Prep

6-3 G, Phoenix Prep

—

To get live updates on your phone — as well as follow your favorite teams and top games — you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App | Download Android App

— Mike Swanson | swanson@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports

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Arizona

Arizona Lottery Powerball, The Pick results for Jan. 15, 2025

Published

10 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Press Room

Arizona Lottery Powerball, The Pick results for Jan. 15, 2025

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

Arizona offers Powerball, Mega Millions, The Pick, Triple Twist, Fantasy 5 and Pick 3 as well as Scratchers, Quick Draw and Fast Play.

Lottery players have seen enormous jackpots recently, with previous winners of both the Powerball and Mega Millions breaking into the top 10 largest jackpots in U.S. lottery history. Money raised from Arizona lottery games goes toward funding higher education, health and human services, environmental conservation and economic and business development in the state.

Powerball

08-41-52-53-58, Powerball: 07, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

The Pick

04-09-11-21-35-40

Check The Pick payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

4-8-3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Fantasy 5

12-13-14-20-28

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Triple Twist

13-15-24-25-26-31

Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results

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.

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/.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy Arizona lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

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

Katie Hobbs: Cooperation key with Mexico on border security

Published

18 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Katie Hobbs: Cooperation key with Mexico on border security

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs met with Mexico’s foreign minister on Tuesday and a day later reiterated plans to continue working with the United States’ southern neighbor on border security and other issues.

Hobbs told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Chris and Joe Show on Wednesday that Mexico has been a good partner for Arizona and anticipates that will continue after Donald Trump returns to the Oval Office.

“We need cross-border cooperation and there’s a lot of actions that the Mexican government has taken that have helped to decrease the numbers of people were seeing crossing,” Hobbs said.

Katie Hobbs bolsters border security

Hobbs on Wednesday also earmarked $17.2 million in funding from the Stopping Arizona’s Fentanyl Epidemic (SAFE) initiative for a number of border security initiatives.

The funding will help with drug interdiction efforts, combatting human trafficking and law enforcement. County sheriffs and local police departments will be the beneficiaries of the funding.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety seized 2,645 pounds of fentanyl, valued at $35.5 million, at the border in 2025.

“A lot of actions they’re taking around the cartels are helping hold them accountable and decreasing the flow of illegal substances into the country,” Hobbs said.

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