Weekend wrap-up: Biggest stories from past weekend in Arizona, nation

PHOENIX — As usual, this weekend flew by. And boy, was it another busy one.

There were several Arizona-related stories that made national headlines, most notably U.S. Rep. Trent Franks resigning effective immediately following reports that he discussed surrogacy with at least two staffers.

Here are some of the biggest stories from the past weekend, both in Arizona and across the nation.

---

Jury finds ex-Mesa police officer not guilty on murder charge

A jury found former Mesa Police Department officer Philip Brailsford not guilty of murdering a man inside a hotel nearly two years ago.

He faced between 10 and 25 years in prison had he been convicted of the second-degree murder charge.

Brailsford was also found not guilty on the lesser charge of reckless manslaughter.

Arizona Rep. Trent Franks resigns effective immediately

U.S. Rep. Trent Franks resigned effective immediately, one day after he announced he was resigning from Congress after he discussed surrogacy with at least two staffers.

In a statement, Franks said he made the decision to resign after his wife was admitted to the hospital in Washington, D.C. “due to an ongoing ailment.”

The announcement came one day after the Arizona representative originally announced that he would resign at the end of January after he said he had surrogacy discussions with several staffers.

But multiple reports offered varying reasons that Franks was resigning.

Politico reported that the aides were “concerned that Franks was asking to have sexual relations with them.”

Franks also allegedly “tried to persuade a female aide that they were in love by having her read an article that described how a person knows they’re in love with someone.”

An aide for the Arizona representative also believed she was the subject of retribution after rebuffing Franks when he allegedly offered her $5 million to carry his child.

The Arizona congressman said he “never physically intimidated, coerced, or had, or attempted to have, any sexual contact with any member of my congressional staff.”

Mac & Gaydos’ Caring for Kids event amounts to thousands of donations

Generosity and caring were all around as the Mac & Gaydos’ annual Caring for Kids event last week, presented by Canyon State Credit Union, amounted to thousands of donations — all for a great cause.

Listeners made donations that ranged from money to diapers at two locations on Friday that will benefit two worthy organizations, Child Crisis Arizona and Arizona Helping Hands.

South Mountain Freeway construction overcomes another legal roadblock

Construction of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway freeway will continue after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district court’s ruling on all issues.

The Gila River Indian Community and a coalition of environmental and community groups have brought the issue to the courts at least six times, citing the destruction of “sacred” lands as a reason to halt the project.

Emotional video of bullied Tennessee boy prompts wave of support

A Tennessee woman’s video of her son recounting being bullied at middle school has prompted a wave of support on social media, from athletes and entertainers to everyday users.

Kimberly Jones said in a Facebook post she had just picked up her son, Keaton, from school because he was too afraid to go to lunch.

In the video, Keaton said other students call him ugly, make fun of his nose and tell him he has no friends. The boy said he has also been subject to physical bullying, when other kids would throw food at him at lunch.

Follow @KTAR923