Weekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from Jan. 16-18

PHOENIX — From a freeway closure for criminal activity to the Maricopa County Sheriff clarifying his stance on ICE interference and more, here are some of the top Arizona news stories from Jan. 16-18.

Missing 8-year-old girl from Navajo Nation found dead, officials announce

A missing 8-year-old girl from the Navajo Nation has been found dead, officials announced.

Authorities issued a Turquoise Alert for Maleeka Boone on Friday morning after she went missing in Coalmine, Arizona, which is southeast of Tuba City.

Her death was announced by the Navajo Police Department around 1:30 p.m. after a search involving community members, Navajo police officers, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, U.S. Marshals, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigation.

Northbound Interstate 17 reopens in north Phoenix following law enforcement activity

Northbound Interstate 17 has reopened in north Phoenix following a closure on Saturday night, authorities said.

The closure for law enforcement activity was at Pinnacle Peak Road, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

According to the Department of Public Safety, it was due to a minor-injury crash that occurred on the freeway near the Pinnacle Peak off-ramp. 

DPS added the Phoenix Police Department is investigating what led up to the crash in an incident that began off of the freeway. The investigation remains ongoing.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs says she vetoed $1.1 billion Republican tax cut plan

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs announced Friday that she vetoed the tax cut plan passed by Republicans a day earlier.

SB 1106 was the first bill to reach Hobbs’ desk during the new legislative session, which started Monday.

Republicans are calling it the Arizona One Big Beautiful Bill because it would apply President Donald Trump’s tax cuts to the state tax code. The GOP said its plan would deliver Arizonans $1.1 billion in tax relief over three years.

Hobbs, a Democrat, is pushing her own code update called the Middle Class Tax Cuts Package.

Man dies at hospital after shooting at Phoenix QuikTrip, suspect arrested

A man died at the hospital after a shooting in Phoenix on Friday morning and a suspect was found and arrested the next day, authorities said.

Officers responded to reports of shots fired at a QuikTrip gas station in the area of 44th and Oak streets around 7:45 a.m., the Phoenix Police Department said.

Medical personnel with the Phoenix Fire Department arrived on the scene to bring 52-year-old Danny Lyn Kaster to a nearby hospital for his injuries, which were described as life-threatening.

Lyn Kaster later died from his injuries at the hospital.

MCSO Sheriff Jerry Sheridan clarifies stance on handling ICE in the Valley

Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan clarified his stance on how he would handle Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Valley Saturday following comments he made earlier in the week about taking action against any unlawful behavior by them.

In a video posted to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Instagram, Sheridan emphasized that as a “constitutional sheriff” he will arrest anyone who interferes with ICE agents operating in the metro Phoenix area.

“When ICE is here doing their job, of their responsibility, I will be here to protect them to do that and keep people from interfering with them,” Sheridan said. “Anyone will be arrested if they interfere with federal officers doing their duty.”

Sheridan added that he wanted to clarify himself after giving what he called a “pointed answer” to KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos on Wednesday about not being afraid to take action against any unlawful behavior by ICE.

“(It is) my duty as your elected sheriff,” Sheridan said Wednesday. “If they’re doing something that is illegal (or) unlawful, the sheriff will be there.”

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