Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Nov. 22-24

Snow at the Grand Canyon, a new free tuition program for University of Arizona medical students and a French-inspired restaurant moving into Scottsdale.

Here are some stories that headlined the news cycle, both locally and nationally, over the weekend.

Winter wonderland: Check out the Grand Canyon covered in snow

The Grand Canyon is undoubtedly one of the most scenic natural habitats on the planet.

Can Arizona’s beloved tourist attraction get even more gorgeous?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we think she looks especially nice with a dusting of snow to highlight her features.

Check out the photos, courtesy of Grand Canyon West, of the national park and its Skywalk observation deck during this week’s winter storm and see what you think.

UArizona offers free med school tuition for in-state practice commitment

The University of Arizona is taking on the state’s doctor shortage and student debt crisis with a new free tuition program for medical students.

The university announced Friday that its medical schools in Tucson and Phoenix will offer free tuition to in-state students who commit to practicing primary care in a designated Arizona community for at least two years.

“In addition to the dire need for more primary care physicians in the state, the issue of student debt is a major roadblock for many people who have the potential to be great doctors,” Dr. Michael D. Dake, senior vice president for UArizona Health Sciences, said in a press release. “It keeps many individuals from even applying to medical school.”

Zinque to open 1st Arizona restaurant in Scottsdale Fashion Square

Foodies, get your December plans in order.

Expanding its reach to the Valley for the first time, French-inspired Zinque is planning to open its doors early next month.

The location will sit in the new luxury wing of Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, with the cafe and wine bar set to open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night gatherings.

3 outfitter guides banned from Arizona forests over illegal operations

Three outfitter guides have been banned from northern Arizona forests after being convicted of illegally operating commercial businesses.

Forest officials say the guides didn’t have the required authorization or permits.

The three guides were sentenced to a year of unsupervised probation and ordered to pay up to $460 in restitution and up to $1,000 in fines. They also must remove any advertisements for tours on national forests within Arizona.

Officials say Mark Truesdell of Sacred Sites Journey, Georgina Rock of Air B&B Experience and Kurt Raczynski of Inner Journeys have been banned from the Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott and Apache-Sitgreaves national forests for a year.

K9 shot, killed during officer-involved shooting in El Mirage

The Glendale Police Department was investigating after an officer-involved shooting left a police K9 and the suspect dead Friday night, authorities said.

The incident occurred around 5:20 p.m. in the area of Grand Avenue and the U.S. 60, according to the El Mirage Police Department.

El Mirage officers were attempting to apprehend 38-year-old Joe Ruelas, who was wanted for aggravated assault. When they attempted to arrest Ruelas, he fled from the scene holding a handgun.

The police officers gave chase with a K9, Koki. The K9 was sent to apprehend Ruelas, who shot and killed Koki. The officers returned fire at Ruelas, who ran out of site.

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