Weekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from Jan. 30-Feb. 1

PHOENIX — From an indicted fugitive returning to Arizona to face election fraud charges to the Cardinals hiring Mike LaFleur as their new head coach, here are some of the top Arizona news stories from Jan. 30-Feb. 1.

Fugitive returns to Arizona to face election fraud charges

An indicted fugitive recently returned to Arizona to face election fraud charges, officials announced.

According to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Brent Thomas Kusama — also known as Brent Thomas Tadasi Kusama — was returned from Hawaii to Cochise County after he failed to respond to a summons to appear.

On Wednesday, Kusama made his initial appearance in court and his release conditions were set. They included a $10,000 bond and Kusama surrendering his expired passport to his attorney and being ordered not to obtain a new one.

However, Kusama has been permitted to stay with his family in California pending trial.

Cardinals hire Rams OC Mike LaFleur as head coach

The Arizona Cardinals are hiring former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as their next head coach, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro confirmed the agreement is for five years.

LaFleur, the brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, becomes the second head-coach hire in general manager Monti Ossenfort’s Cardinals tenure, which is entering its fourth season.

Mike LaFleur joins the franchise after spending the past three seasons as the Rams’ offensive coordinator, where he worked under head coach Sean McVay.

NAU student dies at fraternity recruitment event, 3 board members arrested for hazing

Three members of a Northern Arizona University fraternity were arrested on hazing charges after a pledge candidate died at a recruitment event Saturday morning, according to the Flagstaff Police Department.

Officers responded Saturday around 8:45 a.m. to a residence about a half-mile from NAU’s main Flagstaff campus where an 18-year-old man was reported not breathing.

Bystanders inside the home performed CPR before police arrived and police continued lifesaving measures once there, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police learned from witnesses that numerous individuals had consumed alcohol as part of the Delta Tau Delta event, including the deceased 18-year-old.

2 students arrested for allegedly throwing objects at police during anti-ICE walkout in Mesa

Two junior high students who allegedly threw items at police during school walkouts while protesting Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Mesa were arrested on Friday, authorities said.

Their school, Poston Junior High, was one of many around the Valley that participated in walkouts on Friday.

According to Mesa Police Department spokesman Jose Aguirre, one female student will be booked into a juvenile detention facility for allegedly assaulting an officer after she was witnessed throwing items at police.

An officer “placed her on the ground to gain control” and did not tackle her following the alleged assault, Aguirre said.

Two juveniles arrested in connection with attempted robbery, home invasion in Scottsdale

Scottsdale Police arrested two juveniles for an alleged attempted robbery and home invasion Sunday, authorities said.

Officers responded to a call on Windrose Drive and 98th Street around 10:44 a.m. and discovered a home invasion in progress, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.

As officers approached the front door, they saw a woman inside screaming and a juvenile suspect struggling with an adult male. The police forced entry, and the suspects fled out the rear of the house, entered a vehicle and drove away from the area.

Police pursued the suspects until they reached a dead-end at a nearby strip mall. Officers took both suspects into custody without incident or injury.

Related

Live updates for Arizona’s 2026 primaries: Supervisor explains technical issueTechnical issues disrupt a small number of Maricopa County voters on Election DayElection changes could lead to quicker results in Maricopa County, Adrian Fontes says3 defendants sentenced to years in prison in Arizona meth trafficking caseMain roadway between Maricopa and metro Phoenix reopens after fatal incidentArizona voters to choose Republican and Democratic nominees for top education position