Lita Beck

Phoenix

Multimedia Journalist at KNXV-TV (Phoenix, AZ)

Journalist | Diné | #VegasBorn | Not actively on Twitter | Find me on Bluesky https://t.co/OflYEHYmtS and other apps

Articles

Could Maricopa County end federal oversight of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office?

2 weeks ago | abc15.com | Lita Beck

PHOENIX — Could Maricopa County end federal oversight of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office? Maricopa County's upcoming budget has $34 million set aside for costs related to the longtime settlement of former Sheriff Joe Arpaio's racial-profiling case. That brings the total spent to $352 million. Board of Supervisors Chair Tom Galvin says it's time to revisit federal oversight over MCSO, and the county attorney says she would support that effort.
'Her life mattered': Reward in Emily Pike case increased to $175,000

2 weeks ago | abc15.com | Lita Beck

The state of Arizona has added money to the reward for information leading to an arrest in the death of San Carlos Apache teen Emily Pike. Governor Katie Hobbs announced the additional $25,000 on Wednesday during a ceremonial bill signing for Emily’s Law, which will create a “turquoise alert” system for missing Indigenous people. The legislation was named for the 14-year-old, who was found dead Feb. 14, weeks after she was reported missing from a group home in Mesa.
Why an election dispute could mean cuts to Maricopa County’s proposed budget

2 weeks ago | abc15.com | Lita Beck

PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors gave an initial approval Monday to a $3.955 billion budget. But they said a dispute with the county recorder over election management could mean some small budget cuts. The proposed budget includes a property tax cut, pay raises for Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office patrol officers and detention officers and funding for a new election tabulation center. Board of Supervisors Chair Thomas Galvin applauded the budget’s cutting of the overall tax rate.
Why the closure of a California refinery could mean higher gas prices in metro Phoenix

3 weeks ago | abc15.com | Lita Beck

PHOENIX — Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs is promising to take action to keep gas prices from rising when a California refinery shuts down next year. A fire at that same refinery in Benicia, California, last week has affected gas supplies in the western states that depend on fuel from California. Prices around metro Phoenix are up by about 20 cents since last week, according to data from AAA Arizona.
'Preston's Law' is law of the land in Arizona, Lord family reacts

3 weeks ago | kgun9.com | Lita Beck

PHOENIX — Arizona lawmakers have passed Preston’s Law, a bill named for the 16-year-old San Tan Valley boy who was killed by a group of teens at a party in 2023. Legislators in the House gave final approval on May 6 to House Bill 2611, voting 35-19 to send the measure to Gov. Katie Hobbs. Hear from officials and Preston Lord's family as they react to the passing of Preston's Law. Watch in the player below.
'We finally have hope': Arizona lawmakers pass bill creating turquoise alerts for missing Indigenous people

4 weeks ago | abc15.com | Lita Beck

PHOENIX — Arizona lawmakers have unanimously passed a bill named for 14-year-old Emily Pike that would create an alert system for missing Indigenous people. House Bill 2281, known as “Emily’s Law,” would direct the Arizona Department of Safety to establish a “turquoise alert” systemfor members of federally recognized tribes, including children and teens. “I really do believe that it'll make a big difference in Indian Country,” Emily’s uncle, Allred Pike Jr., told ABC15.
'If he were here, he'd be proud': Arizona Legislature passes 'Preston's Law'

1 month ago | abc15.com | Lita Beck

PHOENIX — Arizona lawmakers have passed Preston’s Law, a bill named for the 16-year-old San Tan Valley boy who was killed by a group of teens at a party in 2023. Legislators in the House gave final approval Tuesday to House Bill 2611, voting 35-19 to send the measure to Gov. Katie Hobbs. “I think if he were here, he'd be proud to know that this wouldn't happen to anyone else again, if this law can be passed with the stiffer penalties,” his mother, Autumn Curiel, said after the vote.
Child-care funding likely to be big battle in state budget talks

1 month ago | abc15.com | Lita Beck

PHOENIX — As the Arizona Capitol gears up for budget talks, clear lines of division between the Republican-led Legislature and Gov. Katie Hobbs are emerging. State Rep. David Livingston, who is leading budget negotiations, told ABC15 he doesn’t expect any new, ongoing spending. “I think if we do pay raises, maybe some transportation and DPS raises, that could be about it,” he said. Pay raises for Department of Public Safety workers and corrections officers are one area of agreement; Gov.
Now-fired Arizona produce inspector accused of human smuggling

1 month ago | abc15.com | Lita Beck

PHOENIX — Governor Katie Hobbs on Monday said her administration is taking steps after the arrest of a now-fired state worker on human smuggling charges. Border Patrol agents arrested Joshua Castro, a produce inspector for the Arizona Department of Agriculture, in Nogales, Arizona, on April 10. “The situation is absolutely unacceptable, and I'm outraged by it,” Hobbs said. Hobbs said Castro was immediately fired.
Gov. Katie Hobbs signs bipartisan fix for disability-services funding shortfall

1 month ago | kgun9.com | Lita Beck

PHOENIX — Arizona finally has a solution for the $122 million budget hole in the state’s disability services after the Legislature passed a bipartisan funding bill. The Division of Developmental Disabilities was set to run out of money in one week, threatening services for nearly 60,000 Arizonans. Without additional funding, the program could not pay claims or offer services until the start of the state’s new budget year in July. Gov.