Adelita Grijalva’s historic election as the first Latina representative from Arizona has been met with an unusual delay in her swearing-in ceremony. House Speaker Mike Johnson has yet to schedule the ceremony, despite precedents of immediate swearing-ins following special elections, raising questions of potential political motivations. Grijalva intends to sign a discharge petition to release the Jeffrey Epstein files upon being sworn in, and this could be the motive behind the delay as it could hinder Republican leadership’s efforts to prevent the files’ release. House Democrats, including Minority Whip Katherine Clark, have criticized the delay, citing its impact on Grijalva’s constituents and suggesting the delay is directly related to the Epstein case.
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Democrat Adelita Grijalva secured a victory in the special election for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, previously held by her late father, Raúl Grijalva. This win narrows the Republican majority in the House and fills one of three vacancies, allowing Grijalva to join the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Her presence could be significant as the House addresses crucial matters, including government spending and a push to release more files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Grijalva’s success also adds a crucial vote that may push a petition over the threshold related to the Epstein investigation.
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Maricopa County, Arizona is experiencing an extreme heatwave, with over 400 suspected heat-related deaths this summer. August is on track to be the hottest on record, with daily temperatures reaching at least 110F. While the current death toll is slightly lower than last year, the county is still on track to be the deadliest place for heat in the U.S. due to factors such as the unhoused population, substance misuse, and the impacts of climate change. Despite efforts like cooling centers, the rise in deaths are a result of several factors in the region.
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A wildfire erupted along the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, leading to the destruction of the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and other structures. The fire, which began on July 4th, prompted Arizona’s governor to call for a federal investigation into the National Park Service’s handling of the blaze. Initially managed with a “confine and contain” strategy, the fire rapidly escalated due to adverse weather conditions, eventually forcing evacuations and closures of the North Rim. While no injuries have been reported, the loss of the lodge and other buildings has caused significant damage, with authorities now battling multiple wildfires in the region.
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Coconino County, Arizona, officials have confirmed a death from pneumonic plague. The patient, who presented at Flagstaff Medical Center and died the same day, received initial treatment, but did not recover. This marks the first pneumonic plague death in the county since 2007. Public health officials are investigating the case and have clarified that the recent death is unrelated to a recent prairie dog die-off, which can be an indicator of plague presence.
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A Goodyear, Arizona homeowner is in a dispute with his HOA after being fined for providing free water to neighbors and passersby. The HOA initially cited the homeowner for having a cooler in his driveway, and subsequently issued $100 fines. The homeowner, who says the water is for anyone in need, responded by starting a petition to remove three board members. A special HOA meeting is scheduled to vote on the removal of the board members.
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A recent police report details an alleged murder plot involving four fifth-grade students at Legacy Traditional School in Surprise, Arizona, who planned to fatally stab a classmate and stage it as a suicide. The plot was uncovered after a parent alerted the school about the students’ discussions. According to the report, the motive stemmed from a relationship dispute, with the students allegedly planning the attack during a lunch break. The students, aged 10 and 11, were arrested on charges of threatening and disorderly conduct, and were released to their parents with possible expulsion pending.
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In Tucson, Arizona, a U.S. Marshal was briefly detained by ICE agents due to a mistaken identity based on a general description of a suspect. The marshal’s identity was swiftly verified by fellow law enforcement officers, resulting in his immediate release without further incident. The U.S. Marshals Service did not release further details. This incident follows ICE’s recent record-breaking single-day arrest total of over 2,200 immigrants.
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Jose Hermosillo, a 19-year-old US citizen, was wrongfully detained by border patrol agents in Nogales, Arizona, for nearly 10 days after being found without proper identification. Despite repeatedly asserting his citizenship, he was held until a federal judge dismissed the case on April 17th. This incident highlights a concerning trend of increased wrongful detentions of US citizens by immigration officials under the current administration, mirroring similar cases involving foreign nationals. His release came only after his family provided proof of his citizenship.
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Since Wednesday, at least fifteen Indigenous people in Arizona and New Mexico have reported being stopped, questioned, and asked for citizenship proof by federal law enforcement during immigration raids, sparking widespread fear in tribal communities. These incidents, still under investigation, are occurring amidst a national increase in undocumented immigrant arrests. While the involvement of ICE remains unconfirmed, Navajo Nation officials have contacted various agencies to address these concerns, emphasizing the distress and trauma experienced by those targeted. The Navajo Nation is advising members to carry proper identification and has created resources to aid those encountering such situations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker