PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona state Sen. Mark Finchem has filed a bill that would hold online platforms accountable if they help support prostitution or child sex trafficking.

Finchem, a Republican from Prescott, said Senate Bill 1077 would make it a felony for anyone or any business that knowingly operates an online service that facilitates, promotes or solicits those types of sex offenses.

Violations involving underage teens between ages 15 and 17 would carry a class 5 felony, while those involving children under 15 would be guilty of a class 2 felony.

“Technology should never be used as a shield for those who profit from exploitation,” said Finchem in a news release. “Criminal activity has adapted to the digital age, and our laws must do the same.

The proposal would also penalize platforms that show harmful materials to kids and don’t have “reasonable age verification” established. It also prohibits people from profiting from these types of crimes.

Finchem said the bill came about through working with the chamber’s Human Sex Trafficking Task Force, which was formed by Senate President Warren Petersen, also a Republican. The task force was established to find gaps in Arizona law as technology evolves.

“Protecting children and shutting down modern avenues of exploitation must remain a top priority, and this legislation reflects that commitment,” Finchem said in part.

“It is no secret that sexual predators and human traffickers use the internet to sell the most vulnerable among us for a profit,” said Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes in a prepared statement. “Senator Finchem’s SB 1077 will protect women and children from these criminals, as well as give law enforcement a needed tool in the prevention of crime.”

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• The Arizona Republic sampled expertise on pedestrian right of way from those who know the rules best: law enforcement.
• Unless there is a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing, motorists must yield the right of way to a pedestrian on a crosswalk, according to Arizona state law, A.R.S. 28-792.
• A pedestrian cannot “leave any curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield,” the law states.

Arizonans may think pedestrians always having the right of way is a given. 

State law, however, does not quite reach that conclusion.

When pedestrians have the right of way varies based on the situation. And there is a lot to take into account. 

Making matters more concerning, data from the Arizona Department of Transportation shows that in 2024 there were 2,079 pedestrians involved in traffic crashes in the state. Of these, 263 were killed.

The Arizona Republic sampled expertise on pedestrian right of way from those who know the rules best: law enforcement. 

Here is what you should know about the laws regarding pedestrian right of way in Arizona.

What Arizona law says about pedestrians’ right of way in a crosswalk

Unless there is a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing, motorists must yield the right of way to a pedestrian on a crosswalk, according to Arizona state law, A.R.S. 28-792. Pedestrians also have right of way when a pedestrian is on half of the roadway that the vehicle is traveling or when approaching a vehicle so closely from the opposite half of the road that they are in danger, the law says.

Additionally, the law directs drivers to not try and pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

Are there exceptions to when a pedestrian has a right of way in Arizona?

ARIZONA — Former Arizona Cardinals WR Trent Sherfield Sr. is joining the New England Patriots’ practice squad ahead of their Divisional Round tilt against the Houston Texans.

Sherfield was one of eight Cardinals players that had his contract expire yesterday, effectively making him a free agent. It didn’t take him long to find a new home.

Sherfield played a total of 12 regular season games between the Cardinals and Broncos this year. He signed to Arizona’s practice squad later in the year after a plethora of injuries plagued the Cardinals’ wide receiver room.

For the Cardinals specifically, he had just one target thrown his way through the two games he played after landing in Arizona back in November.

It was initially a homecoming for Sherfield, who began his career with Arizona as an undrafted free agent back in 2018.

“Coming here was a blessing in a lot of different ways,” said Sherfield (h/t AZCardinals.com). “I needed to be here … It’ll be surreal to be back out there.”

Now, Sherfield is a depth piece for one of the league’s hottest teams in New England, who could very well make a push to the Super Bowl if they play to their strengths.

As for the Cardinals, they’re in the midst of a coaching search yet again after Jonathan Gannon was sent packing after three years of service.

“I know our fans are frustrated. I am more frustrated. I know Monti is more frustrated. And so is JG and every one of those coaches and players. We all expected more. But when I look at it, some of the changes that were made with other teams just a year or two years ago, those teams with new coaches from a year or two ago are now in the playoffs, playing this weekend,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said.

“I know we can turn it around, and I’m looking forward to getting going with this search because it’s going to be a great opportunity for us to be that next story where we flip it around.

“We want to win. This was a decision that was based solely off winning. When I look at what other teams have done, and frankly, historically, we’ve done a quick turnaround in our not too distant past, I am looking forward to that, and I hope it’s going to be in the first year, not in the second year,” he said.

“But we’re confident that our search is going to be thorough, it’s going to be broad, and we’re going to select the right coach.”

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