TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona’s new heat officer said Friday that he is working with local governments and nonprofit groups to open more cooling centers and ensure homes have working air conditioners this summer in a more unified effort to prevent another ghastly toll of heat-related deaths, which topped 900 statewide last year.

“We don’t want to see that happen again,” Dr. Eugene Livar said of last year’s deaths. “We cannot control it, even though we can control our preparation in response. And that’s what we’ve been focusing on.”

Livar, a physician with the Arizona State Department of Health Services, was named to his post by Gov. Katie Hobbs earlier this year, making him the first heat officer of a U.S. state in the nation. The new position recognizes the serious public health risks posed by climate-fueled extreme heat, which has increased in recent years.

Livar was joined at a news conference to kick off Arizona Heat Awareness Week last week by officials from governments including the neighboring cities of Phoenix and Tempe and Maricopa County, Arizona’s largest county that saw a record 645 heat-related deaths last year. In attendance was climate scientist David Hondula, who will see his third summer as the first heat officer in Phoenix, America’s hottest city.

The increased coordination comes as federal agencies seek better ways to protect human beings from the dangerous heat waves that are arriving earlier, lasting longer and increasing in intensity.

The National Weather Service and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month presented a new online heat-risk system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors with a seven-day forecast that is simplified and color-coded for a warming world of worsening heat waves.

Last summer, Phoenix experienced the hottest three months since record-keeping began in 1895, including the hottest July and the second-hottest August. The daily average temperature of 97 F (36.1 C) in June, July and August passed the previous record of 96.7 F (35.9 C) set in 2020. Phoenix also set a record in July with a 31-day streak of highs at or above 110 F (43.3 C).

This year’s hot season began Wednesday in Maricopa County, where it runs from May 1 through Sept. 30.

Hobbs this year proclaimed May 6-10 as Arizona Heat Awareness Week to draw attention to the dangers of the summer in this arid Southwest state and work on ways to better protect people. Arizona for the first time this year also has an Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan.

Among the new measures the state is introducing are at least a half dozen mobile cooling centers made with shipping containers that are solar powered and can be moved to wherever they may be needed.

The City of Phoenix for the first time this summer is opening two 24-hour cooling centers, one in a downtown public library and the other in a senior center.

Maricopa County has set aside nearly $4 million to expand evening and weekend hours of cooling and respite centers where people can escape the outdoor heat, rest in an air-conditioned space and drink plenty of water. It is also working to help people with limited resources to get help paying their utilities and to have their air conditioners repaired or replaced.

ANITA SNOW Associated Press

Bullhead City observes Heat Awareness Week

BULLHEAD CITY  – The City of Bullhead City will be participating in the upcoming statewide campaign to spread awareness of extreme heat. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has proclaimed Heat Awareness Week from May 6 – 10, to highlight the importance of staying safe during the summer season.

The desert heat can be very dangerous as triple-digit temperatures last through September. The high temperatures increase the risk for heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The City of Bullhead City would like to highlight the resources that are available to encourage community members to prepare for the upcoming extreme heat. During this campaign week, a cooling center will be open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., May 6 – 10 at the Bullhead City Recreation Office, located at 2285 Trane Road (behind the Senior Center).

“We’d like to take a proactive approach and let the community know that we have cool and comfortable options offering respite from the heat.” said City Emergency Services Coordinator Lieutenant Andrew Sevillano. “We will also be providing water and educational packets on heat-related illness prevention.”

Lt. Sevillano reminds everyone that heat-related illness is preventable. Remember to drink plenty of water even if you’re not thirsty to stay hydrated. Avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light, loose fitting clothing and apply sunscreen often. Take the time to check on elderly neighbors and pay extra attention to children and pets during excessive heat.

“In Bullhead City, we are no strangers to the heat, but we can’t tackle this hazard alone,” added Lt. Sevillano. “We need the community to be prepared and to help family, friends and neighbors who may need assistance with issues such as not having access to an air-conditioned space to cool off.”

The Bullhead City Recreation Center is the planned location for a cooling station during excessive heat warnings where temperatures reach 120 degrees. The Optimum Center (formerly named the Suddenlink Center) is currently closed for renovations.

 Here are other locations to escape the heat:

* The Bullhead City Senior Center, 2285 Trane Road, is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. for seniors (50+ years).

* The Homeless Shelter – The Legacy Foundation Christine Stamper Center for Help & Hope – located at 1594 N. Oatman Road, is also open from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., every day.

* The Bullhead City Municipal Pool, 2255 Trane Road, will be open for free when temperatures reach 120 degrees or more. Check www.bullheadcity.com/community/aquatics for a pool schedule, including open swim days.

The City of Bullhead City also has a plan in place in the event of an extended power outage for a cooling center to be available to the public.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — A tiny Philip Morris product called Zyn has been making big headlines, sparking debate about whether new nicotine-based alternatives intended for adults may be catching on with underage teens and adolescents.

Here’s what to know about Zyn:

WHAT IS ZYN?

Zyn is an oral pouch that contains nicotine powder and flavorings like mint, coffee and citrus. The pouches are the fastest-growing segment of the tobacco industry, which has struggled for decades to replace falling cigarette sales.

Zyn is marketed by Philip Morris International to adult tobacco users. Although it doesn’t contain tobacco, U.S. regulators still treat it as a tobacco product.

Competitors sell similar products. Altria, for instance, sells its own flavored pouches called On.

HOW DO NICOTINE POUCHES WORK?

Users stick them between their lip and gums, where they slowly release low levels of nicotine that are absorbed into the bloodstream. Because pouches generally don’t contain tobacco, there’s no spitting, unlike older products like chew and snuff.

Philip Morris representatives say the nicotine-only formulation is part of Zyn’s appeal.

“People can be reluctant to move into an oral tobacco product if they view it as similar to traditional chewing tobacco,” company spokesman Corey Henry said. “Consumer acceptability is a big part of Zyn.”

IS ZYN HEALTHIER THAN OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCTS?

All tobacco products carry serious health risks. Cigarettes are widely understood as the most harmful, increasing the likelihood of cancer, heart disease and lung problems. Chewing tobacco is linked to mouth cancer, gum disease and tooth loss.

But in the last decade or so, researchers and health regulators have begun to acknowledge different levels of harm among different tobacco products.

In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration said a different oral tobacco product, called snus, contains lower cancer-causing chemicals than cigarettes and could benefit smokers who switch.

Snus are similar to nicotine pouches like Zyn, except that they contain fermented tobacco. Studies from Sweden and other places where they are popular have shown lower rates of lung cancer and related diseases compared with other European countries where smoking is more prevalent.

There’s little research on the long-term effects of nicotine pouches, but many researchers expect they will show similarly low rates of carcinogens and other toxic components.

Still, that doesn’t mean they’re safe. A study last year found Zyn and similar products contain low levels of harmful substances such as ammonia and formaldehyde.

WILL THE FDA AUTHORIZE ZYN FOR ADULT SMOKERS?

Currently FDA officials are letting Zyn stay on the market while they review Philip Morris’ marketing application, which was submitted in 2020.

To win FDA authorization, companies generally must show that their products will reduce disease among adult tobacco users without attracting underage use by teens and adolescents.

IS ZYN POPULAR AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE?

Not according to the latest federal data. Only 1.5% of high school and middle schoolers reported using nicotine pouches when surveyed last year. That’s well below the roughly 10% who used electronic cigarettes.

But anti-tobacco advocates point to worrying signs: videos of young people popping the pouches have racked up millions of views on social media in recent months. A similar surge of online activity preceded the rise of Juul, the sleek e-cigarette widely blamed for triggering a spike in teen vaping in the years before COVID-19.

Concerns about Zyn going viral have sparked debate among health experts, parents and even politicians.

The FDA says it’s monitoring underage use of Zyn and other pouches and will take action, if necessary.

CAN ADULT SMOKERS USE ZYN TO HELP QUIT?

Currently only a handful of products are FDA-approved to help with quitting smoking, including medications, nicotine gums and patches. Some researchers point out that Zyn works similarly to some of those products — gradually delivering nicotine that reduces cravings.

But early research suggests Zyn and other pouches may not be enough to help smokers quit.

Ohio State University researchers recently found it took smokers 30 minutes to an hour to get enough nicotine from Zyn to relieve their cravings. With cigarettes, smokers achieved the same nicotine levels — and relief — in five minutes.

For now, Philip Morris is focused on obtaining FDA authorization to stay on the market, and eventually it has said it could seek a reduced-risk designation similar to snus. But no tobacco company — Philip Morris included — has ever asked the FDA to approve their products to help smokers quit completely.

MATTHEW PERRONE AP Health Writer

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PHOENIX – The state’s goal of expanding broadband internet access in rural areas is taking a big step forward with a public-private partnership. The agreement with eX2 Technology is to operate, maintain and lease space in fiber-optic conduit installed along Interstate 17 and Interstate 19, and being installed later this year along much of Interstate 40.

The Arizona Department of Transportation, in partnership with Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Commerce Authority, entered into the agreement recently with eX2 Technology, an Omaha, Nebraska, firm with extensive experience working with state and local governments to manage what is often referred to as middle-mile fiber-optic infrastructure. 

This partnership represents the next step in leveraging state-owned, open-access conduit installed by ADOT to expand broadband internet access to homes and businesses in rural Arizona. It complements a state law that allows private broadband providers to install, operate, and maintain telecommunications equipment within ADOT’s right of way using conduit installed along state highways.

“This investment of a robust statewide middle-mile program will connect Arizonans in rural and tribal lands to quality broadband, providing families access to good jobs, quality health care and education, and positioning Arizona to continue its dynamic growth for years,” Governor Katie Hobbs said. 

In addition to the benefits to rural broadband connectivity, ADOT plans to use the fiber-optic conduit to provide intelligent transportation systems technology, such as overhead message boards, traffic cameras, weather stations and wrong-way driving detection. The infrastructure also will help lay the groundwork for emerging technologies like connected and automated vehicles.

“We appreciate the support and collaboration from the Governor’s Office and our colleagues at the Arizona Commerce Authority and are excited to be a part of this transformative project,” said ADOT Director Jennifer Toth. “We continue to safely connect people and empower our state’s economy.” 

The initial scope for this 25-year agreement includes fiber-optic conduit along I-17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff, I-19 from Tucson to Nogales, and conduit to be installed on Interstate 40 from Flagstaff to California. It will be available for lease by internet service providers looking to expand broadband internet access, something that’s expected to start happening in the coming months.

The new fiber-optic conduit will also advance historic broadband expansion efforts in underserved and unserved areas of the state, including more than $1 billion in funding to implement the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program and Digital Equity Program established through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Representing the largest broadband investments in state history, the programs are overseen by the State Broadband Office, which is housed within the Arizona Commerce Authority, with a goal of  achieving universal broadband access for all Arizonans.

“This agreement represents a significant step forward in our efforts to bring high-speed broadband to all Arizonans,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “The enhanced connectivity along I-17 and I-19 opens new opportunities for rural communities and will catalyze additional public and private sector investments across the state. We’re grateful for Governor Hobbs’ leadership on broadband and our important partnership with the Arizona Department of Transportation.”

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PHOENIX, AZ – Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee announced the appointment of Mohave County Treasurer SueAnn Mello to the State Board of Investment. Treasurer SueAnn Mello has devoted her career to public service in her community. Prior to her election in 2023 as Mohave County Treasurer, SueAnn served as a staff member at the Mohave County Treasurer’s Office for over 16 years.

“I am proud to appoint Mohave County Treasurer SueAnn Mello to the Arizona Board of Investment. Treasurer Mello has shown an exemplary commitment to public service and her experience managing local public funds will bring an important voice to the Board,” said Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee. “Treasurer Mello understands the importance of rural Arizona needs and the responsible stewardship of Arizona taxpayer dollars.”

The State Board of Investment reviews all investment activities of the Arizona State Treasurer’s Office and board members serve as trustees for the Permanent Land Endowment Trust Fund. The Board of Investment is also responsible for the approval of the Treasury investment policy and provides oversight of the AZ529 Education Savings Plan. Treasurer SueAnn Mello will be replacing former Pima County Treasurer Beth Ford, who recently retired after honorably serving on the Board of Investment for 15 years.

“I am grateful to Treasurer Yee for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve on the Arizona State Board of Investment,” said Treasurer SueAnn Mello. “It is an honor to serve Arizona in this capacity and I look forward to contributing to the important decisions in advancing investment growth and prosperity to our state.”

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PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP) — It’s shaping up to be a long wildfire season, with Texas already seeing its largest blaze in recorded history and firefighters becoming overwhelmed with recent blazes in Virginia.

Just in the first three months of the year, more than 2,669 square miles (6,912 square kilometers) were charred in the United States. That’s more than half of last year’s total, and forecasters are predicting elevated risk of fires over the coming months in the Great Lakes region, parts of the Midwest, Southwest and in Hawaii.

“We’re going to be busy. I couldn’t tell you exactly where right now, but we are going to be busy,” said Alex Robertson, acting director of fire and aviation at the U.S. Forest Service.

With fires growing in size and duration, federal officials in charge of juggling resources and dispatching crews are pivoting to a new business model they describe as the biggest shift in wildfire management in decades. They say it will offer more flexibility when responding to wildfires and ensure that there are more personnel with the training and qualifications needed to deal with the most complex fires.

It’s an idea that has been circulating for years due to the strain put on the wildland firefighting workforce as heat waves and historic drought tied to climate change have made wildfires harder to fight in the American West. Scientists have said climate change has made the region much warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make the weather more extreme, and wildfires more frequent and destructive.

In past years, a shortage of top-level Type 1 teams has resulted in Type 2 teams taking on bigger assignments — like those that threaten multiple communities and require more firefighters, aircraft and a constant stream of other resources. This season, 44 leadership teams have been formed to respond to the largest fires across the country.

Managers consider many factors when deciding a fire’s complexity, which can change amid developments ranging from fuel conditions and growth potential to risks to property and cultural resources.

Todd Abel, the deputy fire management officer with Arizona’s Department of Forestry and Fire Management, has been part of wildfire management teams for more than two decades. There have been years when he returned home from an assignment only to pack up and leave again two days later for another one. He recalled doing that eight or nine times one summer.

“That’s why they’re making more teams available for complex incident management,” he said.

In 2021, California marked its largest single wildfire. The Dixie Fire was active for more than three months and grew to 1,505 square miles (3,898 square kilometers). Nearly 2,000 personnel were assigned to that fire.

The following year in New Mexico, more than 3,000 people were assigned to fight the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, a conflagration sparked by two prescribed burns that escaped from forest managers. The largest and most destructive wildfire in New Mexico’s recorded history, it burned for more than four months before it was contained.

Aside from filling top command roles, recruitment of new wildland firefighters has been a priority across federal land management agencies. Many positions are seasonal, averaging six months. Some people don’t return while others are promoted — and both cases leave positions empty.

The Forest Service hopes to hire around 11,300 firefighters this year.

The lengthening of fire season also has changed the makeup of seasonal fire crews and permanent positions. Jeff Rupert, director of the U.S. Interior Department’s Office of Wildland Fire, said that in years past, more than one-third of the workforce consisted of seasonal crew members. That number is decreasing as more permanent positions are required.

New recruits must complete wildland fire training and pass a basic fitness test.

An annual wildfire training academy in Prescott, Arizona, marked a record-setting year, with more than 1,000 people turning out in March for a week of classroom time and work in the field.

Dozens of students kicked up clouds of dust as they used tools to dig their first handline in a place where fire is simulated by pink tape tied to bushes. There wasn’t any choking smoke or chainsaws ripping through the brush while helicopters thundered overhead. Still, the workshop provided students with an idea of what it’s like to fight a wildfire.

Robertson said the first year for a firefighter is the most important.

“It’s when somebody determines whether this line of work is good for them,” he said. “It’s a lot of work where you don’t know where you’re going to be the next day. It’s very dynamic. A lot of unknowns.”

For top-level managers who orchestrate battles against the largest fires, there are new courses that some will have to take — now that Type 1 and Type 2 teams are being reconfigured to form new management teams for complex fires. Between 50 and 90 people will make up the teams, each with expertise in their particular fields.

Jesse Bender, chair of the Incident Workforce Development Group, said the change has to do more with the administrative process of how government agencies respond to wildfires. She called it an opportunity to better align the business of fighting wildfires so the public knows it’s getting a highly trained and experienced group of people who can take care of firefighters on the ground and protect the things that communities value, including homes, wildlife, cultural landmarks and nature reserves.

“The bottom line,” she said, “is we want to make sure we get enough people to all the fires to help those who need it.”

TY ONEIL Associated Press

Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed to this report.

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PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Legislature devolved into shouts of “Shame! Shame!” last week as Republican lawmakers quickly shut down discussion on a proposed repeal of the state’s newly revived 1864 law that criminalizes abortion throughout pregnancy unless a woman’s life is at risk.

The state Supreme Court cleared the way on Tuesday, April 9 for enforcement of the pre-statehood law. Arizona abortion providers vowed Wednesday to continue service until they’re forced to stop, possibly within weeks.

State legislators convened as pressure mounted from Democrats and some Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, for them to intervene.

House Democrats and at least one Republican tried to open discussion on a repeal of the 1864 abortion ban, which holds no exceptions for rape or incest. GOP leaders, who command the majority, cut it off twice and quickly adjourned for the week. Outraged Democrats erupted in finger-waving chants of “Shame! Shame!”

Republican state Rep. Teresa Martinez, of Casa Grande, said there was no reason to rush the debate. She accused Democrats of “screaming at us and engaging in extremist and insurrectionist behavior on the House floor.” The GOP-led Senate briefly convened without debate on abortion.

“We are navigating an extremely complex, emotional and important area of law and policy,” said Martinez, the GOP House whip. “In my opinion, removing healthy babies from healthy mothers is not health care nor reproductive care. Pregnancy is not an illness. It should be celebrated. It is an abortion that terminates life.”

Democratic legislators seized on national interest in the state’s abortion ban.

“We’ve got the eyes of the world watching Arizona right now,” said Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, of Tucson. “We know that the Supreme Court decision yesterday is extreme. And we know that should the 1864 ban on abortion remain a law in Arizona, people will die.”

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs called inaction on the proposed repeal unconscionable.

“Radical legislators protected a Civil War-era total abortion ban that jails doctors, strips women of our bodily autonomy and puts our lives at risk,” she said.

Three Republican legislators openly oppose the ban, including state Rep. Matt Gress, of Phoenix, who made a motion Wednesday to repeal the law. In a statement, he said the near-total ban “is not reflective of the values of the vast majority of our electorate, regardless of political affiliation. … This issue transcends all.”

According to AP VoteCast, 6 out of 10 Arizona voters in the 2022 midterm elections said they would favor guaranteeing legal abortion nationwide. The state recorded 11,530 abortions in 2022, the last data available, according to Arizona’s Department of Health Services.

At Camelback Family Planning in Phoenix, where about one-fourth of Arizona abortions are performed, registered nurse Ashleigh Feiring said abortion services were still available and that staff hope emergency legislation will avoid interruptions or closure.

“Our plan is to stay open as long as possible,” Feiring said. “Our clinic has been shut down twice in the last four years, but we’ve always resumed service.”

At the same time, anti-abortion groups including SBA Pro-Life America urged Arizona residents to oppose a proposed ballot initiative aimed at placing abortion rights in Arizona’s state constitution.

“They would wipe away all pro-life laws put in place by the Legislature, reflective of the will of the people,” SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement.

Hobbs, however, predicted that outrage will motivate voters to enshrine abortion rights directly in state law.

“The fight is not over, for sure” she said.

Grace Harders drove around metro Phoenix on Wednesday looking for an opportunity to sign an abortion rights petition. She said she wouldn’t know what to do if she had an unplanned pregnancy but knew she’d be scared.

“I’m a pro-choice person, and I want to ensure the right for all women,” Harders said.

Abortion rights advocates said they’ve gathered more than 500,000 signatures for the petition from the Arizona for Abortion Access campaign — far above what they need to add a ballot question asking voters to approve a constitutional amendment protecting the right to abortion until viability, when a fetus could survive outside the womb.

Arriving for a campaign fundraiser in Atlanta, Trump said the Arizona court decision went too far and called on state lawmakers to change it even as he defended the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling overturning of Roe v. Wade.

“It’s all about states’ rights,” the former president told supporters and journalists. “It’ll be straightened out.”

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, most Republican-controlled states have started enforcing new bans or restrictions, and most Democratic-dominated ones have sought to protect abortion access.

Meanwhile, voters have sided with abortion rights supporters on statewide ballot measures in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio and Vermont.

The Arizona ruling suggests doctors can be prosecuted for performing the procedure. The 1864 law carries a sentence of two to five years in prison for doctors or anyone else who assists in an abortion.

“Physicians are now on notice that all abortions, except those necessary to save a woman’s life, are illegal,” the Arizona Supreme Court said in its decision, adding that additional criminal and regulatory sanctions may apply to abortions performed after 15 weeks, the state’s previous time limit for the procedure.

Beyond that, the court ruling also ignited concern that enforcement might interfere with handling miscarriages.

Enforcing the 1864 law won’t begin for at least two weeks. However, plaintiffs in the case — including Planned Parenthood — said the delay could last up to two months, based on an agreement reached in a related case.

Planned Parenthood has said it will offer abortion services up to 15 weeks of pregnancy for at least two more months, in line with an agreement in the related case.

Doctors and clinic leaders are anticipating a scramble across the Southwest region to accommodate Arizona residents as they travel out of state for abortion care.

ANITA SNOW and MORGAN LEE Associated Press

Associated Press writers Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix and Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed to this report.

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PHOENIX (AP) — The leader of an offshoot polygamous sect near the Arizona-Utah border has pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport underage girls across state lines in what authorities say was a yearslong scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving children.

Samuel Bateman also pleaded guilty on Monday in U.S. District Court in Phoenix to conspiring to commit kidnapping in a plan to free underage girls who had been taken into Arizona state custody. His plea agreement recommends a sentence of 20 to 50 years in prison, though one of his convictions carries a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.

In pleading guilty, Bateman, 48, acknowledged taking underage brides, having sex activity with them and arranging group sex, sometimes involving child brides. Myles Schneider, Bateman’s attorney, didn’t return a phone call and email seeking comment on his client’s behalf.

Authorities say Bateman, a self-proclaimed prophet who had taken more than 20 wives, including 10 girls under the age of 18, created a sprawling network spanning at least four states as he tried to start an offshoot of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which historically has been based in the neighboring communities of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah.

He and his followers practice polygamy, a legacy of the early teachings of the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which abandoned the practice in 1890 and now strictly prohibits it. Bateman and his followers believe polygamy brings exaltation in heaven.

Bateman was arrested in August 2022 by Arizona state police in Flagstaff after someone spotted small fingers in a door gap on an enclosed trailer. Authorities found three girls — between the ages of 11 and 14 — in the trailer, which had a makeshift toilet, a sofa, camping chairs and no ventilation.

Bateman posted bond, but he was arrested again the next month and charged with obstructing justice in a federal investigation into whether children were being transported across state lines for sexual activity.

At the time of the second arrest, authorities removed nine children from Bateman’s home in Colorado City and placed them in foster care. Eight of the children later escaped, and the FBI alleged that three of Bateman’s adult wives played a part in getting them out of Arizona. The girls were later found hundreds of miles away in Washington state in a vehicle driven by one of the adult wives.

Bateman is accused of giving wives as gifts to his male followers and claiming to do so on orders from the “Heavenly Father.” Investigators say Bateman traveled extensively between Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Nebraska and had sex with minor girls on a regular basis. Some of the sexual activity involving Bateman was recorded and transmitted across state lines via electronic devices.

He is the second man to be convicted as part of the scheme. Businessman Moroni Johnson of Colorado City pleaded guilty last month to a charge of conspiring with Bateman to transport underage girls over state lines.

Four of Bateman’s wives also previously pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to commit tampering with an official proceeding, acknowledging that they witnessed Bateman engage in sexual acts with his child brides and that they participated in the plot to kidnap the eight girls from state custody.

Charges also are pending against four other women identified as Bateman’s wives and two of his male followers, both of whom are charged with using a means of interstate commerce to persuade or coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity, among other charges. The four women and two men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The FBI said Bateman demanded that his followers confess publicly for any indiscretions and share those confessions widely. He claimed that punishments, which ranged from a time-out to public shaming and sexual activity, came from the Lord, the federal law enforcement agency said. Authorities say Bateman instructed some of his male followers to engage in sex with some of Bateman’s wives to atone for the men’s purported sins against the sect leader.

Authorities said Johnson was pressured by Bateman to give up three of his wives as atonement because Johnson wasn’t treating Bateman as a prophet.

Two men charged in the case bought luxury vehicles for Bateman, authorities said. One bought Bateman two Bentleys, while another male co-defendant purchased a Range Rover for Bateman.

Sentencing for Bateman is scheduled for July 15.

JACQUES BILLEAUD Associated Press

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PHOENIX – Wildlife biologists at Arizona Game and Fish have launched a statewide spring adoption drive to find homes for Sonoran Desert Tortoises that have been abandoned or illegally bred in captivity. Just in time for Earth Month, tortoises have emerged from their winter brumation (slumber period) and need permanent homes before desert temperatures climb. Biologists at Arizona Game and Fish Department cite fewer winter adoption applications submitted this past season, leading to plenty of tortoises available, and are asking for the public’s help. To make this process as easy as possible, adoption applications and instructions on how to build a burrow to house the torts are available online, along with resources for tortoise care, feeding, and habitat maintenance on the AZGFD website azgfd.com.

“Earth Month is a time when we raise awareness about conserving and protecting our diverse native wildlife,” said Tegan Wolf, Desert Tortoise Adoption Program Coordinator. “These tortoises are in need of permanent homes and we are asking residents throughout Arizona to help provide a safe, comfortable environment for them to thrive.”

Adoption applicants are asked to provide proof they have an appropriate outdoor shelter, or burrow, available for new torts. Tortoises live outdoors year-round and require outdoor shelter from the elements.

“Spring is a great time to build a burrow and prep your yard for the comfort and enjoyment of both you and your new tortoise,” said Wolf. “These are friendly animals that enjoy exploring gardens and offer a whimsical addition to outdoor living.”

AZGFD: How to Care for Desert Tortoises

Desert tortoises spend their time outdoors and require a burrow enclosure for protection from Arizona temperatures. The biologists at AZGFD offer videos and instructions on creating a burrow online. Adoption candidates must show they have a burrow ready for their new rescued tortoise prior to applying.

Desert tortoises can live for 80 to 100 years. Often, families will enjoy a single tortoise companion for multiple generations. Loyal and true, tortoises are often included in estate planning and wills.

Desert tortoises are completely herbivorous, eating a wide variety of plants in the wild. Ideally, a captive tortoise should be allowed to graze throughout the day on grasses, leafy plants and flowers.

For households interested in multiple torts, separate enclosures are required for each animal. Households must have at least one person over the age of 18 years old in the home. One tortoise is permitted per adult in each Arizona home.

Ready to adopt or donate?

Review the adoption application and visit AZGFD’s social media channels to learn more about your potential tort match. The AZGFD staff frequently shares details about each tortoise’s unique personality and behaviors to find the perfect family match. Before submitting your application, visit the AZGFD adoption page to learn about care, diet, and habitat needs. If you are unable to adopt a tortoise but would like to help, donations cash or check donations are appreciated to help these beautiful native Arizonan tortoises receive the love and care they deserve.

About Arizona Game & Fish

The Arizona Game and Fish Department conserves and protects more than 800 wildlife species using the best available science. The Department receives no general fund tax dollars and relies on discretionary purchases like fishing and hunting licenses, tags or stamps, and via a federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition for its on-the-ground wildlife management activities.

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PHOENIX – With Tax Day just a few weeks away, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is doing its part to take some of the hassle and stress out of filling out those forms. 

MVD’s online portal, azmvdnow.gov, provides a free summary of vehicle license tax and fees paid during 2023 for every vehicle that is registered.

“This is the simplest way for customers to get this information for filing their taxes,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “Getting this report just takes a few seconds and it’s much easier than going into each vehicle to collect all your registration forms and copying them for your tax records. It’s one more convenience that MVD provides to get you out of the line and safely on the road.”

To activate an account, visit azmvdnow.gov and follow the prompts. AZ MVD Now accounts are free and protected by several security protocols that are explained on the site and in an accompanying “how to” video.

The post Make tax preparations easier with AZ MVD NOW first appeared on The Standard Newspaper Online.

PHOENIX – Arizona State Parks and Trails is announcing the winners of its Opt Outside Photo Contest. The agency received more than 1,300 images from more than 500 people during the contest, which ran from November 24, 2023 to January 15, 2024. 

The Opt Outside Photo Contest showcased the talent of photographers and the beauty and diversity of Arizona’s more than 30 state parks. The contest invited photographers of all levels to submit their best shots in Arizona’s state parks for the chance to win prizes and recognition in five categories:

* Living creatures, spotlighting Arizona plants, animals, and insects

* Friendly faces, featuring visitors enjoying the parks 

* Outdoor activities, showcasing the many recreational activities available in the parks, like kayaking, fishing, hiking, camping, etc.

* Landscapes, exhibiting the dramatic views from within the state parks

* Arizona history, illustrating our state’s rich cultural resources and storied past 

“We were overwhelmed by the response to this contest,” said Arizona State Parks and Trails Deputy Assistant Director Michelle Thompson. “It was difficult to choose between the photos because they all showcased the beauty of the parks and the amazing experiences that visitors have in them. With the help of our judges, Tim and Ruth Ellen Elinski of Pin Drop Travel Trailers and Lauren and Owen Steinwall of The AZHikeaholics, we were finally able to determine the winners.”

The grand prize winner, Lindsay Fehrman, will receive a two-night stay in a Pin Drop micro-camper at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, a cave tour for two at Kartchner Caverns State Park, an Arizona State Parks annual pass, an REI gift card for $15, and an AppreciateAZ gift box. Lindsay’s photo showcased Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.

First-place winners are:

* Living Creatures – Justin Alvarez (hummingbird at Patagonia Lake State Park)

* Outdoor Activities – Jessica Novak (bicycling at Lost Dutchman State Park)

* Landscapes – Gurinder Singh (flowers at Catalina State Park)

* Arizona History – Hannah Eaton (tribute wall at Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park)

* Friendly Faces – Austin Easley (child on paddleboard at Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area)

Second place winners:

* Living Creatures – Deirdre Rosenberg (deer at Catalina State Park)

* Outdoor Activities – Thomas Unger (paddle boarding at Lake Havasu State Park)

* Landscapes – Pamela Plummer (lagoon at Dead Horse Ranch State Park)

* Arizona History – Jess Howe (petroglyphs at Lyman Lake State Park)

* Friendly Faces – Bethany Ascoli (child picking apples at Slide Rock State Park)

Third place winners:

* Byron McConnell (spider on cactus at Picacho Peak State Park)

* Outdoor Activities – Jessica Novak (family walking at Patagonia Lake State Park/Sonoita Creek State Natural Area)

* Landscapes – Rhonda Royse (sunset at Catalina State Park)

* Arizona History – Travis Haines (child at Colorado River State Historic Park)

* Friendly Faces – Kasey Boyack (dog on kayak at Roper Lake State Park) 

Honorable mentions:

* Living Creatures – Pat Isaacson (elegant trogon at Sonoita Creek State Natural Area)

* Landscapes – Kirk Chamberlain (night sky at Lost Dutchman State Park)

* Landscapes – Gurinder Singh (lightning at Picacho Peak State Park)

* Arizona History – Christy Van Buhler (gallows at Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park)

* Friendly Faces – Xuankieu Tran (child enjoying s’mores at Dead Horse Ranch State Park)

The contest judges included Arizona State Parks and Trails staff, Tim and Ruth Ellen Elinski, co-owners of Pin Drop Travel Trailers, as well as Lauren and Owen Steinwall of the popular Arizona adventure social media account, The AZ Hikeaholics. Entries were judged anonymously on creativity, uniqueness, clarity/composition, and effectiveness in conveying a story within a state park. 

For more information, including a full list of state parks and a detailed list of submission requirements and contest rules, please visit AZStateParks.com/photo-contest.

The post Arizona State Parks and Trails announces winners of Opt Outside Photo Contest first appeared on The Standard Newspaper Online.