Weekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from May 1-3

PHOENIX — From the state honoring first responders to some of those same first responders handling a large brush fire near Buckeye and more, here are some of the top Arizona news stories from May 1-3.

Arizona to honor firefighters, peace officers with flags at half-staff on Sunday, Monday

Flags at Arizona’s state buildings will be at half-staff on Sunday and Monday in honor of firefighters and peace officers, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced.

Sunday is National Firefighters Memorial Day and Monday is Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Day.

“We’ve experienced tragic losses in the firefighter and peace officer communities, and I know Arizonans will join me in remembering and honoring all the heroes who died in the line of duty,” Hobbs said in a statement. “We will never forget the courage and service of the men and women we’ve lost in Arizona.

Crews continue to manage large brush fire near Buckeye after State Route 85 closure

Fire crews in Buckeye are closely monitoring a vegetation fire that has grown to approximately 299 acres and is moving to the northeast.

Firefighters responded to the second-alarm fire near Hazen and Rooks roads, just before 4 p.m. on Saturday.

It prompted the closure of State Route 85 due to safety concerns and visibility issues, with the southbound side reopening just after 7 p.m. Saturday and the northbound side just after 8:30 p.m., the Arizona Department of Transportation said.

2 popular Gilbert parks slated for major improvements beginning this year

Construction will begin this year on major improvements at two Gilbert parks, the city announced Friday.

The renovations will benefit the Crossroads and Freestone parks, with the projects getting on-site, hourlong open houses.

Much of the improvement is centered around long-term water stability, as well as upgrades to outdated infrastructure.

5 injured near Phoenix gas station after fight, gunshots

Five people were left injured early Sunday morning in Phoenix after a fight led to gunshots, authorities said.

Detectives believe shots were fired at a QuikTrip located near 29th Avenue and Bell Road, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

When officers arrived at the scene around 5 a.m., an adult female and juvenile female were located with “at least one gunshot wound.” Both were hospitalized with “serious but non-life-threatening injuries,” police said.

Arizona Space Congress meeting sparks beginning of ‘orbital economy’ advancement in state

The recent successful mission of Artemis II flying by the Moon (April 1 to April 11) has the United States firmly back in a space race, and that momentum continued Wednesday at the 2026 Arizona Space Congress.

The meeting helped statewide leaders coordinate strategies on energy creation, workforce development and more, Space Rising co-founder Taryn Struck told KTAR News’ Arizona’s Morning News on Thursday.

“It was a remarkable day bringing together all the sectors from across the state to talk about this next layer of the global economy, which is what we call the orbital economy,” Struck said. “It’s going to require everyone to be part of building this.”

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