State Glance
FBI: No ‘current, credible’ threats for NCAA events
PHOENIX — The top FBI official for metro Phoenix says the federal law enforcement agency knows of no “current, credible threats” associated with the upcoming NCAA Final Four tournament but says it’s still important to remain vigilant.
Special Agent in Charge Michael DeLeon says the FBI’s joint terrorism task force will work throughout the week to make sure the basketball games and associated events are secure.
DeLeon and other law enforcement officials spoke at a Monday news conference regarding Final Four security matters.
The two semifinal games are Saturday and the championship game is Monday night, all at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, a Phoenix suburb.
Associated events include Fan Fest at the Phoenix Convention Center and a music festival at Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix.
Senate panel approves DUI tests after fatal crashes
PHOENIX — An Arizona Senate panel has approved a revived version of legislation requiring drug or alcohol testing for drivers involved in major crashes.
Legislators revived the measure after it failed to get a hearing in the House. It would require testing for drivers who cause fatal accidents.
House Bill 2066 is being sought by the parents of an 18-year-old Phoenix Horizon High School graduate who was killed last June. Joe Smith and a man in another vehicle died when a semi-truck slammed into stopped traffic on Interstate 10.
The driver told a state trooper that he was tired but he wasn’t tested or charged. Republican Sen. John Kavanagh called the proposal blatantly unconstitutional.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations voted 6-3 Tuesday to send the measure to the full Senate.
Ariz. Senate joins House in OKing terror law expansion
PHOENIX — The Arizona Legislature has approved a proposal pushed by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich expanding the state’s terrorism laws to include more crimes and adding a mandatory 10 year minimum sentence.
Senate Bill 1350 passed the Senate on a 28-2 vote Tuesday and already passed the House, so now goes to Gov. Doug Ducey for his consideration.
Brnovich said in an earlier interview that current state law is limited to plots or attacks on government buildings and doesn’t have a mandatory sentence. His proposal add plots or attacks on any publicly accessible building and added the minimum sentence.
He pointed to a 2016 case where a Tucson man plotted to attack state facilities and private businesses, but could not be prosecuted for terrorism for the private business plots.
Border Patrol agents arrest 15 carrying bales of marijuana
AJO — U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested people who had carried 21 bales of marijuana across the U.S.Mexico border in the Ajo (AH’-hoh) area of southern Arizona.
Customs and Border Protection says the 13 Mexican citizens and two Guatemalans had more than 518 pounds of marijuana when arrested Saturday.
The agency says agents tracked footprints in the desert to make the arrests.