ARIZONA SHERIFF-RACIAL PROFILING
Judge: Ariz. sheriff's office profiles Latinos
PHOENIX (AP) - Attorneys say an appeal is planned after a federal judge ruled that the office of America's self-proclaimed toughest sheriff systematically racially profiled Latinos in its trademark immigration patrols.
The decision Friday by U.S. District Judge Murray Snow marks the first finding by a court that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's office racially profiles people.
It also backs up allegations made by critics that Arpaio's officers rely on race in their immigration enforcement.
Snow also ruled Arpaio's deputies unreasonably prolonged the detentions of people who were pulled over.
A small group of Latinos alleged deputies pulled over some vehicles only to make immigration status checks.
Arpaio's lead attorney Tim Casey says the sheriff's office "has never used race and will never use race in its law-enforcement decisions" and an appeal of Snow's ruling will come "in the next 30 days."
BOYFRIEND SLAYING
Arias foreman: Sentencing decision unfair to jury
PHOENIX (AP) - The jury foreman in Jodi Arias' trial says the panel just couldn't decide whether the killing of her boyfriend was enough to merit a death a sentence.
William Zervakos tells The Associated Press jurors struggled with what they called a flawed system, explaining Arias wasn't "Jeffrey Dahmer or Charles Manson." They thought it was unfair that 12 average Americans who aren't lawyers had to make such a crucial decision.
The 69-year-old said Friday the entire panel believed the slaying was no doubt brutal. But he says they had to take into account Arias' lack of a criminal history or any previous violent behavior.
The same jury on May 8 convicted Arias of murder in Travis Alexander's death, but couldn't reach a decision on whether she should live or die. A new penalty phase is set for July.
AMERICAN AIRLINES-CEO
Trustee opposes $20M payout to American Air CEO
(AP) - The Justice Department says a proposed $20 million severance payment for the CEO of American Airlines is too big and should be rejected.
The proposed merger of US Airways Group Inc. and American calls for American's current CEO Tom Horton to lose that job and become chairman. American has proposed severance pay of almost $20 million, along with lifetime flight benefits.
The objection filed Friday by the U.S. trustee's office says American's bankruptcy plan does not explain why he should get so much money. The objection says Horton's contract calls for him to get $6.4 million if he had left at the end of last year, and raises the question of why he should get so much more money now.
The case is in federal bankruptcy court in New York.
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
Conservatives want to revive pro-religion bill
PHOENIX (AP) - GOP leaders want to revive a bill that would allow people to sue over infringements on religious freedom after it was vetoed by Republican Gov. Jan Brewer.
Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, sent an email to supporters Friday vowing to bring back Senate Bill 1178.
Civil liberties groups say the bill would legalize anti-gay discrimination.
Brewer vetoed the bill late Thursday along with four others. Brewer had told lawmakers not to send her anymore bills until they had made significant progress on her proposed Medicaid expansion plan.
Herrod also says that while she disagrees with Brewer's Medicaid proposal, Brewer remains a strong anti-abortion advocate.
Conservatives worry Medicaid expansion means more money for abortion providers, although public dollars cannot be spent on abortions under federal law.
HORNE-CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Campaign-finance case against Horne still on track
PHOENIX (AP) - A spokesman says Secretary of State Ken Bennett's office isn't being swayed by a lawyer's criticism of campaign finance allegations against Attorney General Tom Horne and an associate.
Attorney Timothy La Sota says in a letter obtained by The Arizona Republic that the allegations are full of holes, based on an unconstitutional law and tainted by investigators' bias.
La Sota represents Kathleen Winn, a Horne employee who ran a committee that supported Horne's 2010 campaign.
Horne and Winn deny there was illegal coordination.
Spokesman Matt Roberts says Bennett's office stands by its conclusion and will soon request legal action.
That referral will go to Horne's office because a judge ruled that it must under Arizona law. An initial version that went to another prosecutor was tossed out.
PHOENIX-BARN FIRE
Phoenix crews herd 7 horses away from barn blaze
PHOENIX (AP) - Firefighters had to herd horses and other animals to safety while battling a blaze that broke out among some makeshift barns in west Phoenix.
Phoenix Fire Department officials say the blaze was spotted about 2 a.m. Friday in a pasture area that also contained about 10 horses.
KPHO-TV says a fire truck was able to maneuver to the barns, chicken coops and other structures and used a jet gun on top of the truck to knock down the flames.
Authorities say seven horses were trapped on the south side of the property and crews had to herd them to safety on the east side.
There's no immediate damage estimate.
Fire officials say the cause of the blaze hasn't been determined yet, but it doesn't appear to be suspicious.
TUCSON-GRADUATION PARTY-SHOOTING
Man fatally shot at graduation party in Tucson
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Authorities have released the name of a man who was fatally shot at a high school graduation party in Tucson.
Tucson police say the victim is 21-year-old Miguel Altamirano.
Police say the shooting occurred about 1:45 a.m. Friday at a party at a westside home for a Cholla High School graduate.
They say about 35 people were at the party when an uninvited guest arrived, an argument ensued in the home's front yard and shots were fired.
Police say a 17-year-old boy was taken to a Tucson hospital with non-life threatening wounds. His name hasn't been released.
Police didn't immediately release any details on the shooting suspect or if that person is still being sought.
GRADUATION-PEDESTRIANS HIT
Woman killed in accident after Ariz. graduation
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Authorities have released the name of a wheelchair-bound woman who was fatally struck by a vehicle while leaving a high school graduation in Tucson.
Northwest Fire District officials say 82-year-old Dorothy Penrod died Thursday night, shortly after arriving at University of Arizona Medical Center.
The woman's 59-year-old nephew also was struck and was listed Friday in extremely critical condition.
Fire District officials say a group of people was crossed a street after watching a relative graduate from Mountain View High School.
They say the group was crossing the road at a spot without a crosswalk or lights and about 600 feet from a lit intersection with traffic signals.
The driver of the vehicle involved in the accident was said to be cooperating with Pima County sheriff's investigators.
ABDUCTION ATTEMPT-ARREST
Man held in abduction try faces multiple charges
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - A 22-year-old man arrested in the attempted abduction of a female jogger in Scottsdale now faces charges in that case as well as several others involving allegations of indecent behavior or assault.
Charges against David Talkington include kidnapping, sexual abuse, assault and public sexual indecency.
Police say in a court document that the charges stem from six incidents between May 14 and Tuesday, including several in which he accosted women in parking lots.
Police say Talkington in one incident threatened a woman by saying he'd blow them both up if she didn't show him her breasts.
The woman took down his vehicle's license plate number and later identified Talkington in a photo lineup.
A Maricopa County Superior Court spokesman says he doesn't know if Talkington has a lawyer yet.
NAVAJO HOUSING FUNDS
Feds warns Navajo about unspent housing funds
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - The Navajo Nation has had trouble spending hundreds of millions of dollars in federal housing funds over the past several years.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says it's now at an unacceptable level of more than $434 million. The department recently warned the tribe that if it doesn't explain how it is complying with federal regulations or return more than $105 million, the tribe could see reductions in grant funding or be replaced.
The chief executive of the Navajo Housing Authority says the warning came as a shock and she'll work to have it rescinded. Aneva Yazzie says it contradicts the results of performance evaluations.
Yazzie says HUD should share the blame for the unexpended balance that the tribe plans to reduce through large-scale development.
TEMPE DEVELOPMENT
Tempe announces $600M office development deal
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Tempe has announced a $600 million office development deal to be built near Tempe Town Lake.
Officials said Friday that the deal is subject to City Council approval of development agreement details next month.
They say the State Farm insurance company will lease office space and anchor the multi-use development called the Marina Heights project.
The development will cover more than 2 million square feet to be constructed on more than 20 acres.
City officials say up to 60,000 square feet of retail amenities will complement the transit-oriented development including food service, coffee shops, restaurants, business services, and fitness facilities.
The site also will feature a nearly 10-acre lakeside plaza, which will be open to the public.
The project is being developed by Ryan Companies US, Inc. and Sunbelt Holdings.
CHANDLER-BACKYARD CHICKENS
Chandler council tables backyard chicken ordinance
PHOENIX (AP) - A proposed zoning change that would allow Chandler residents to keep chickens in their backyards has been tabled until July.
The city's Planning and Zoning Commission had approved the plan May 1.
But the Arizona Republic reports that the City Council voted 4-3 Thursday to delay a decision on the issue until its July 11 meeting.
The proposed ordinance would allow as many as five hens in residential neighborhoods.
The city prohibits chickens or any animal that isn't considered a household pet within 200 feet of a residence. Exceptions are made for agricultural areas and large lots.
Opponents fear that allowing the chickens will bring pests as well as the sounds and smells of a farm to their neighborhoods.
Supporters say dogs and motorcycles are more of a nuisance.
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