Weekend wrap-up: Biggest Arizona-related stories from this past weekend

PHOENIX — The news cycle in Arizona this past weekend has been dominated by the statewide teacher walkout and the developments that have came from it.

But there were several other major news events that occurred, including the conviction of Bill Cosby, news of Vice President Mike Pence visiting Arizona and the death of a southern Arizona police officer.

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

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The latest on Arizona’s classroom crisis

Thousands of Arizona educators, support staff and supporters walked out of their classrooms last week in an effort to call on state lawmakers to raise their pay and put more money toward education funding.

The walkouts started on Thursday and were expected to last at least through Monday for multiple school districts across the state.

Catch up on the latest news regarding the statewide walkouts here:

• The state of Arizona’s classroom crisis before statewide teacher walkout began

• Arizona teachers kick off walkout with march on Capitol, massive rally

• Police estimate at least 50,000 march for teachers on Arizona Capitol

• As thousands descend on Arizona Capitol, organizers look ahead

• Devastating Phoenix heat forces Red for Ed walkout to end early

• Teachers meet at Arizona Capitol on second day of walkout, prep for a third

• Some Arizona school districts already have reopened their doors

• Ballot initiative aims to fund Arizona education with higher income taxes

• Arizona lawmakers reach education deal following two days of walkouts

• These Arizona school districts will be closed Monday for teacher walkout

Could climate change be ruining the taste of your favorite craft beer?

Craft beer is a $1 billion industry in Arizona, but a warmer environment has many in the industry worried about its future.

The business owners who run craft beer businesses were concerned about future water shortages and even the flavor of a key beer ingredient: Hops.

Bill Cosby convicted of drugging and molesting a woman

Bill Cosby was convicted of drugging and molesting a woman in the first big celebrity trial of the #MeToo era, completing the spectacular late-life downfall of a comedian who broke racial barriers in Hollywood on his way to TV superstardom as America’s Dad.

Cosby, 80, could end up spending his final years in prison after a jury concluded he sexually violated Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. He claimed the encounter was consensual.

The verdict came after a two-week retrial in which prosecutors put five other women on the stand who testified that Cosby, married for 54 years, drugged and violated them, too.

Arizona attorney general lawsuit over university tuition dismissed

A judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Arizona attorney general Mark Brnovich against the state university system.

Brnovich claimed tuition was so high, it violates the state Constitution. A provisions stated that public university tuition must be as close to free as possible.

The ruling by Maricopa County Superior Court judge Connie Contes said Brnovich has no authority to sue over the issue.

Poll: Arizona Republicans in danger of losing Senate seat

Senate seats previously held by Republicans in Arizona, Nevada and Tennessee are all vulnerable in the midterm elections, according to an Axios/SurveyMonkey poll.

It showed that U.S. Rep Kyrsten Sinema held a nine-point lead over U.S. Rep. Martha McSally, an eight-point lead over former Arizona Sen. Kelli Ward and a 29-point lead over former Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Southern Arizona police officer dies; suspect in custody

A southern Arizona officer who was shot while responding to a carjacking call on Friday has died, the department announced.

“We are mourning as a department and as a community,” Nogales Police Chief Roy Bermudez said.

Nogales Ofc. Jesus Cordova was critically injured near the Villa’s Market in the border city around 2:30 p.m.

Cordova was flown to a Tucson hospital shortly after the shooting.

Pro-Hitler message appears on Arizona electronic road sign

Drivers in an Arizona town were taken by surprise by an electronic road sign that appeared to be praising Adolf Hitler.

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office said it began receiving calls around 2:30 a.m. Friday about a sign along a highway in the town of Queen Creek that was displaying the message “Hail Hitler.”

Pence to appear at Arizona event touting tax overhaul

Vice President Mike Pence will be in Arizona on Tuesday to tout the Republican tax overhaul approved by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump.

Pence will appear at an afternoon event in Tempe hosted by America First Policies, a pro-Trump nonprofit. He’s traveling across the U.S. to highlight the tax overhaul.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jessica Suerth and Mark Carlson and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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