Arizona Medical-Marijuana Lawsuit Ruling Exposes Ugly Side of Business

The blunt realities of the state’s medical-marijuana industry are exposed in a remarkable ruling on a lawsuit between business partners that features allegations ranging from a “lack of financial controls” to a shady seed deal in a parking lot. The lawsuit’s between the two partners of Uncle Herbs of Payson,…

Joe Arpaio Nailed by Judge’s Questions on Defiance of Court

Whenever federal Judge G. Murray Snow questions Sheriff Joe Arpaio during the sheriff’s ongoing contempt trial, all kinds of muscles tighten at the defense table.  And for good reason, Snow knows the case better than anyone. He also remembers in detail what people say in his court, and he most…

Arizona Driver’s License Rules Change Drastically for REAL ID

Eyeglasses must now come off for Arizona driver’s license and identification photos, but religious head scarves or hats are okay if worn “daily,” according to state Motor Vehicle Division policies designed to meet national REAL ID Act requirements. The latest rules make it easier for a new, digital facial-recognition system,…

Cockfighting Suspect Arrested With 45 Roosters at Phoenix Home

Phoenix police raided the home of a man suspected of raising roosters for cockfighting, finding about 45 birds and other evidence of the banned blood sport. Carlos German Vasquez-Morales, 30, was booked into jail on suspicion of 45 felony counts, then released with a pending court date. The investigation began…

Stephen Colbert’s Audience Boos U.S. Senator John McCain

Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain was booed by the audience last night when he appeared Monday night on The Late Night Show With Stephen Colbert.  The buildup to the comment that drew the audience’s ire came after Colbert asked him if, as one of the senior leaders in the Republican Party, he…

ASU Students Lobby to Allow Guns on Campus

Rallying under a cry for “no more victims,” a group of Arizona State University students has launched a campaign to pressure the school to repeal its on-campus weapons ban. ASU Students for Self-Defense assembled for its first meeting less than 24 hours before a heavily armed man opened fire on…

Joe Arpaio to Speak at Pro-Pot Event in Sun City

This is not a lede from The Onion, but it could be: Anti-dug crusader and former, high ranking U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official Sheriff Joe Arpaio is scheduled to speak to seniors this week at a pro-pot event in Sun City. Sure, Arpaio regularly kvetches about illicit drugs like marijuana…

10 Realistic City Mottos for Phoenix Suburbs

Cities like to make up their own municipal mottoes, like Scottsdale, which calls itself:  “The West’s Most Western Town.” Sure. We decided to take 10 Phoenix suburbs and give them more realistic monikers. Here we go:  10. Apache Junction: “Arizona’s largest trailer park.” (Caution: Language not safe for work.) 9…

Joe Arpaio Wounded on the Stand by Smoking Gun

For Nixon, it was a specific audio tape revealing the president’s obstruction of justice in the Watergate affair. For Reagan’s Iran-Contra scandal, it was an ex-Marine in Nicaragua named Eugene Hasenfus. For Bill Clinton, it was Monica Lewinsky’s stained, blue dress.  But for Sheriff Joe Arpaio, his “smoking gun” is…