Hot Links: Cops Arrest Man in Horrific Beating of Two Little Kids; Mesa's Police Chief Swats at Sheriff's Office Over City Hall Raid; Goddard Would Consider Legalizing Pot

Tragic beating: Cops arrest a 36-year-old man after two boys, 7 and 10, are found with severe head injuries at a Phoenix park. Mesa Police Chief George Gascon fires back at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, arguing that an affidavit used in October's raid on Mesa City Hall was flawed...

By Ray Stern

December 24, 2008

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Tragic beating: Cops arrest a 36-year-old man after two boys, 7 and 10, are found with severe head injuries at a Phoenix park. Mesa Police Chief George Gascon fires back at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, arguing that an affidavit used in October's raid on Mesa City Hall was flawed. Arizona authorities bust a sophisticated, billion-dollar pot ring. During a news conference on the pot ring, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard reportedly says he would consider legalizing marijuana -- and don't forget, he may run for governor in two years. In a vaguely related story, a Mexican beauty queen is caught in a weapons-laden pickup with gang members. No doubt some enterprising songwriter is already working on a narcocorrido for that one. Tim and Willy, longtime Valley morning nuts, will take over the job at KMLE recently held by Dave Pratt, who was seemingly fired.

Two little kids beaten severely at park; 36-year-old man arrested

Mesa Police Chief George Gascon says City Hall raid affidavit was flawed

Miss Sinaloa 2008 busted by Mexican cops

Tim and Willy replace Dave Pratt on popular KMLE morning show

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Ray Stern is the former news editor of Phoenix New Times. He worked as a newspaper reporter in Arizona for more than two decades. He's won numerous awards for his reporting, including the Arizona Press Club's Don Bolles Award for Investigative Journalism.