Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from March 11-13

PHOENIX — Arizona’s three public universities announced tuition proposals for the upcoming school year, a shooting in Phoneix injured two officers, and a recent count finds homelessness in Maricopa County has increased 35% since 2020.

Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.

Arizona’s public universities announce tuition proposals for 2022-23

Arizona State University, the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University released their tuition proposals for the 2022-23 academic year on Friday.

ASU proposed a 2.5% tuition increase for resident undergraduate and graduate immersion students. Out-of-state students would see a 4% increase and international students a 5% jump if the proposal receives approval from the Arizona Board of Regents.

The University of Arizona is proposing a 2% increase in resident tuition and a 5.6% rise in undergraduate non-resident tuition. The rate for non-resident graduate students would not increase. Undergraduates at Arizona are guaranteed the same rate for four consecutive years.

At NAU, tuition would increase by 3.5% for all statewide graduate and undergraduate students under its proposal. NAU guarantees incoming undergraduate resident students the same rate for four straight years under its Pledge Program.

Phoenix police investigate shooting that left 1 officer hospitalized, another injured

One police officer was hospitalized and another was treated for minor injuries after being involved in a shooting in Phoenix on Sunday morning, authorities said.

“It appears that officers were shot by someone hiding in the darkness, literally trying to pick our officers off,” Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said at a press conference.

“One of my officers has come under attack, is becoming all too familiar right now,” Williams said. “This is the seventh police officer shot and 12th injured in the past three months.”

Police said sometime around 1 a.m., while two officers were attempting to pull over a vehicle for traffic violations, someone standing along the road began to fire at the police vehicle.

The officer in the passenger seat of the vehicle was struck in the wrist and taken to a local hospital, police said.

The officer in the driver seat was hit by flying glass fragments and was treated for his injuries.

Maricopa County homeless count up by 35% since 2020

Homelessness in Maricopa County remains on an upward trend and that is anticipated to continue, according to a regional planning agency.

Over 5,000 people were homeless in unsheltered situations on the night of Jan. 25, the Maricopa Association of Governments said Friday after conducting a point in time (PIT) count.

The number of unsheltered county individuals was up 35% from 3,767 in 2020.

“This point in time count underscores what we already know — homelessness is a critical issue for the Valley,” Mesa Mayor John Giles, chair of the MAG Regional Council, said in the release.

“This is a regional challenge that needs regional solutions. These numbers are much more than statistics — they represent individuals, each with their own unique story. They are our neighbors, and our community. We all have a role to play in ensuring their access to safe, attainable housing.”

Company accused of false representations in Arizona agrees to pay nearly $400K

A Utah-based home security company accused of making false representations to its consumers in Arizona has agreed to pay $400,000 under a consent judgement, state officials announced Friday.

Vivint, which allegedly made false claims mainly through its door-to-door salespeople, would pay $75,000 in restitution as part of the consent judgement in a case conducted by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, according to a press release. 

The agreement between the plaintiff and the defendant is pending approval in the Maricopa County Superior Court.

“Whether it’s online or in-person, consumers need to be given truthful and complete information before entering into a contract,” Brnovich said.

“We expect companies to ensure that their salespeople are honest and forthright in their sales to Arizona consumers.”

Country music legend Alan Jackson to visit Glendale on tour in September

Country Music Hall of Famer Alan Jackson will stop by Gila River Arena in Glendale for one show on his LAST CALL: ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD tour on Sept. 30.

Jackson is a three-time Country Music Awards Entertainer of the Year with hits including “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” and “Gone Country.”

Tickets will go on sale Friday, March 18, and can be purchased online.

The 63-year-old will play 16 shows from June 24 to Oct. 8.

“I’ve always admired my heroes like George Jones, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride who just played as much as they wanted to, as long as they could,” Jackson said in a press release. “I’ve always thought I’d like to do that, and I’d like to as long as my health will allow.”

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