ABC15 Arizona

The Phoenix Symphony is preparing to go silent for the remainder of its season, leaving 66 musicians facing layoffs and an uncertain future. More here: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/phoenix-symphony-musicians-face-layoffs-with-season-to-pause 

Who’s watching people out of custody on ankle monitors awaiting trial in Maricopa County, and how does that process work? Those are some of the basic questions the ABC15 Investigators have been asking the Adult Probation Department here in Maricopa County over the last year.

The City of Chandler is looking at a project to widen a busy stretch of Kyrene Road from four lanes to six. The city wants to widen Kyrene Road between the Loop 202 and Chandler Boulevard, from two lanes each way to three.

United Food Bank is planning a major expansion of its Mesa warehouse as demand for food assistance continues to climb across the Valley. More here: https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/mesa/united-food-bank-plans-mesa-warehouse-expansion-as-demand-for-food-assistance-rises 

Maricopa County health officials are working with nonprofits that serve the unhoused after identifying a cluster of tuberculosis cases. More here: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/health-officials-find-cluster-of-tuberculosis-cases-impacting-unhoused-community 

Community organizers in Phoenix are calling on city leaders to invest more in people than expanding policing.

JUST IN: Two brothers have been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after stabbing each other Monday evening, according to Phoenix Police.

The man who has helped produce the Super Bowl halftime show is stepping into the spotlight: Jay-Z will headline the show himself. More here: https://www.abc15.com/entertainment/jay-z-will-headline-the-super-bowl-halftime-show-at-sofi-stadium-in-southern-california 

Democrats say Gov. Katie Hobbs has done more than U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs to help Arizonans with affordability, pointing to a program that wiped out $1 billion in medical debt for Arizonans.

Heavy rain in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah has pushed both reservoirs higher, but experts warn the gains are not enough to reverse years of decline. More here: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/lake-mead-and-lake-powell-water-levels-rising-in-october-but-long-term-outlook-remains-dire 

A federal proposal would count only citizens and permanent residents, raising fears that university cities like Tempe could lose funding tied to population numbers.

A California man will spend the rest of his life in prison for arranging the murder of a Scottsdale barber.

Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur backs Jacoby Brissett as the team's starting quarterback moving forward. #AZCardinals fans: What do you think? 🤔

Faith and community leaders are coming together to call for the safety of election workers as threats to political offices have hit communities nationwide, including in Arizona.

The Justice Department has filed two criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey, accusing him of unlawfully disclosing national defense information and conspiring with others to provide the information to a reporter in 2016.

City leaders adopted a plan to transform 20 miles of South Phoenix along the Rio Salado. The plan, called RIO PHX, is a roadmap for housing, development, parks, and future investment.

The Home of Record Project combines transitional housing, individualized support, and a graduation grant to help veterans work toward independent living.

Veterans facing homelessness may need more than a place to stay. They may also need help finding work, accessing benefits, resolving transportation problems, or caring for a pet.

Roka Akor, one of the Valley’s most celebrated elevated Japanese restaurants, is preparing to open its second location in Gilbert.

The specialty grocer, which recently opened its new headquarters campus in north Phoenix, has set opening dates for its three newest stores in Arizona.

With Halloween just days away and crashes and DUIs reported across the Valley daily, Phoenix police say they’ll be out in full force. Officers plan to increase patrols and keep a visible presence in neighborhoods to cut down on impaired driving and speeding.

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes is defending the state's mail-in voting system as he campaigns for a second term against GOP challenger Alex Kolodin, who sponsored a ballot measure that would require voters to show ID even when voting by mail.

The #AZCardinals lose their 10th straight at home and drop to 2-5 this season. They have given up 30+ points in all five of their losses.

A driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI and other charges after police said he sped away from an attempted traffic stop and crashed into a home in a Gilbert neighborhood.

The Texas barbecue chain has purchased property in the Phoenix area, with a price tag of just over $11 million. MORE: https://www.abc15.com/news/region-northeast-valley/scottsdale/terry-blacks-bbq-to-expand-purchasing-property-in-arizona-for-11-million 

ABC15's Nick Ciletti hosted the sixth annual Yes Day Walk for Autism which raised key funding for SARRC to help individuals living with autism and their families.

Phoenix-based Pederson Group has plans for a new mixed-use project at a prime 34-acre site within Avondale’s evolving commercial core. MORE: https://www.abc15.com/news/business/phoenix-developer-pederson-group-plans-34-acre-mixed-use-project-with-unnamed-grocery-anchor 

For 25 years, Flagstaff has worked to keep its night skies clear enough for people to see the stars, planets and other celestial wonders, even from downtown.

Arizona’s attorney general and secretary of state are suing Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap, asking a court to force him to restore the voter registration status of 25 U.S. citizens. https://www.abc15.com/attorney-general-mayes-sues-recorder-heap-to-restore-voting-rights-of-25-u-s-citizens

More than 480 pumpkins are bringing a little fall color to American Legion Post 138 in Mesa. But the seasonal sales serve a purpose that goes far beyond decorating a front porch. MORE: https://www.abc15.com/entertainment/absolutely-arizona/a-pumpkin-patch-with-a-purpose-in-mesa 

Chandler residents will see a solid waste rate increase in 2027, and water rates could go up as well. MORE: https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/chandler/chandler-approves-solid-waste-rate-hike-tentatively-approves-water-rate-increases 

Arizona's historic legal fight over Colorado River water is drawing a warning from one of the Trump administration's top officials, even as an Arizona congressman defends the state's decision to take the federal government to court.

The National Weather Service has confirmed that two tornadoes touched down during Wednesday's storms, and both have been rated EF1. MORE: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/nws-confirms-two-tornadoes-touched-down-during-wednesdays-storms 

Phoenix police say when they arrived to the scene, they found a man who sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and a woman who sustained life-threatening injuries. MORE: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/2-injured-in-shooting-near-23rd-avenue-and-thomas-road 

When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, police say the driver accelerated and struck an officer who was on a police bicycle before fleeing the area.

The Phoenix Fire Department has obtained fire control at a large recycle yard fire near 19th Ave and McDowell Rd. MORE: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/fire-crews-battle-2-alarm-recycling-plant-fire-near-mcdowell-road 

Several mothers told U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego at a town hall Monday in Phoenix that childcare is out of reach for even many two-income Arizona families. MORE: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/almost-impossible-moms-tell-sen-ruben-gallego-childcare-in-arizona-is-unaffordable 

Fewer students are missing class across Arizona, and districts are working to keep that momentum going. MORE: https://www.abc15.com/news/education/chronic-absenteeism-is-dropping-in-arizona-schools-but-experts-say-more-work-remains 

The Pinal County Planning & Zoning Commission has once again voted against the Horseshoe Energy project proposed near the city of Maricopa. MORE: https://www.abc15.com/news/business/battery-energy-storage-project-rebuffed-once-again-by-pinal-county 

For 50 years, Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) has helped Arizona families navigate the road to homeownership. Now a new grant is making it possible to help even more. MORE: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/chicanos-por-la-causa-expands-housing-counseling-with-25-000-u-s-bank-foundation-grant 

Music filled the air and crowds flooded Mill Avenue on Friday night as downtown Tempe came to life with a celebration of music, art and history. More here: https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/tempe/downtown-tempe-celebration-brings-music-art-and-history-to-refreshed-mill-avenue

Phoenix police have released video from an officer-involved shooting that killed a 24-year-old man whose family and community advocates now plan a vigil to raise awareness about crisis intervention.

JUST IN: An investigation is underway after a crash involving a car and a pedestrian Friday night.Northbound lanes of I-17 near Camelback Road will be closed for an undetermined amount of time.

Homeowners continue cleanup efforts and seek contractors following a suspected tornado in Arizona that caused significant damage but no fatalities. More here: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/homeowners-search-for-contractors-clean-up-after-suspected-arizona-tornado 

Mesa's 20th annual Día de los Muertos festival hits the streets this weekend, continuing a cherished celebration two decades in the making.

An ASU Police Department commander has been placed on administrative leave. More here: https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/tempe/asu-police-commander-placed-on-administrative-leave?g 

JUST IN: Fire crews are battling a fire at a three-story apartment complex near Indian School Avenue and Central Avenue Friday night.

Leaky ceilings and failing AC units are among the building problems some Arizona school districts have been waiting years to fix, as a backlog of state repair grants leaves hundreds of projects unfunded.

Valley Bloom celebrates 10 years at its Alma School thrift store location with discounts, treats and prizes. MORE: https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/chandler/valley-bloom-celebrates-10-years-of-thrift-store-on-alma-school-road 

An artist and dancer, in the prime of her life, was shot and killed in the middle of the night. That’s what happened to Arizona ballerina Colleen Hoopes, whose maiden name was Buckley.