Arizona’s Family Investigates

ICE is increasingly using Mesa Gateway Airport as a deportation hub as it tries to carry out President Trump's aggressive immigration crackdown. Arizona's Family Investigates took a closer look at whose on those flights as some in Congress push for more accountability.

A policy change is making easier for polluters to apply and be granted exemptions under the Clean Air Act.

Arizona's Family Investigates looks at the battle over regulation of prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. A legal battle is brewing pitting the State of Arizona against the markets and even the federal government.

A Marine from Glendale is accused of stealing missile systems and millions of rounds of ammo from his base in California and bringing them back here to sell. We take a closer look at Andrew Amarilla's case, what happened, and why it took so long to stop.

As part of a joint investigation with Arizona's Family, ProPublica, and High Country News, we looked at the battle underway over the agreement cattle ranchers have with the federal government over access to public land. That work found the government is only charging a fraction of what it could - helping billionaires and large corporations. 

ICE bought a property in Surprise, Arizona without informing the community or even city and state leaders of the plan. For weeks, Arizona's Family Investigates has been trying to get more information on what the plans are, how it would work, and when it would open. We look at what we know, what the concerns are, and why the city says there's nothing it can do. 

An East Valley sushi chain was raided by ICE. Court documents show the four restaurants employed undocumented immigrants, using white vans to transport them to-and-from work. We take a closer look at the accusations and what happens next. 

Arizona's Family Investigates found the number of road rage cases in Arizona has doubled over the last four years with deadly consequences. We look at what's fueling it and why holding some of these drivers accountable has been challenging.

A new internal review by the Arizona Department of Child Safety finds systemic issues in the state's child welfare system following the murder of 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste. The review identified five key factors that impacted decision-making after DCS received a dozen calls about the family from the girl's school.

Since Tempe launched its photo enforcement program in June, it's issued 21,000 tickets for speeding and running red lights. But is it making us safer? We investigate. 

The federal lawsuit against the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office dates back nearly two decades. It involves racial profiling of Latino drivers and deputy misconduct. But the reforms have added up. Arizona's Family Investigates takes a closer look at where it stands and why it costs so much. 

During some of the hottest weather of the year, Arizona's Family Investigates found 10 cases of patients released from Phoenix hospitals who ended up on the bus stop out front. In one case, a man died. We look at what hospitals are required to do and why some say more can and should be done. 

Several retired police officers and firefighters reached out to Arizona's Family Investigates after their health insurance provider stopped paying their bills. The Department of Insurance says the company can't do business in Arizona but for some the bills continue to mount. We look into how it happened and what's being done to help these first responders. 

It was one of the worst bicycle crashes in Arizona history. Two cyclists were killed, 17 others injured. But the driver who admitted to causing the crash was only charged with misdemeanors. We look at why and how some say its part of a bigger problem.

Arizona's Family Investigates exposes how cartel-linked thieves are targeting trains in Arizona — stealing TVs, tools, and unreleased shoes.

Long before the Rebekah Baptiste was killed, administrators at her school in Phoenix said they called the state 13 times. They said the 10-year-old and her two younger brothers showed signs of abuse and neglect at the hands of their father and his girlfriend. Phoenix Police confirmed their officers also called. So why didn't the state agency tasked with protecting children intervene? We take a closer look at the case. 

Arizona’s Family Investigates looks into the rise of data centers in Arizona and what is being done to make sure our state’s infrastructure can keep up with the data demand.

Arizona's Family Investigates the background and Arizona connections of Wess Roley, who authorities say intentionally set a fire in Idaho and opened fire on the firefighters that responded, killing two of them. 

Authorities have identified the man they say is responsible for the brutal murder of Arizona pastor William Schonemann. Arizona's Family Investigates looks closer at the man who is in custody, Adam Christopher Sheafe, how authorities found him, and how he had a longer list of targets.

The U.S. Department of Justice dropped its own investigation into constitutional violations by the Phoenix Police Department. Our investigative team recaps what this means for the department who is currently looking for its next leader.

A weather radar meant to warn people of dust storms as they form is still not working as intended. We go behind the investigation to find out what is delaying this critical piece of technology.

Does what you put in your blue bin get recycled? We used AirTags to track recycling in Glendale, Phoenix and Mesa to find out. Some tags ended up out of state, one went international. What's behind that? We investigate. 

Cities in Arizona issue more than 100,000 tickets from traffic enforcement cameras for either running red lights or speeding on Valley roadways. But if you get caught on camera, what are your options? Morgan Loew talks with Amy Cutler about her recent report and how many tickets actually get dismissed. 

A Scottsdale family says their 11-year-old son was sent graphic videos and images by a pedophile while gaming. They told Arizona's Family Investigates they had all the security features enabled and even paid for additional protections. Here's their story and lessons for families on what they can do to better protect their own children.

Investigative reporters Amy Cutler and Morgan Loew, alongside photojournalist Mike Williams, delve into the resurgence of uranium mining across Arizona, the U.S., and globally. The team explores the potential return of uranium mining near Phoenix's largest drinking water reservoir, Roosevelt Lake, and investigates abandoned mines in the Sierra Ancha Mountains. The discussion covers the history of uranium mining, the environmental risks associated with it, and the renewed interest due to rising demands for nuclear energy. Environmentalists and utilities debate the safety and necessity of mining in this critical watershed area, highlighting the tension between the need for energy and the imperative for clean water.

Investigative reporters Amy Cutler and Morgan Loew dive into the case of Mary Blakley, a medical provider from Mojave County accused of conducting fraudulent medical practices over two decades. Blakley, also known as Dr. Mary, offered full-body scans she claimed could detect diseases like cancer, treating patients with unauthorized products. Despite FBI raids, her arrest, and federal charges, some patients still stand by her. The investigation reveals her alleged false medical credentials, the controversial treatments administered, and the Blakleys' involvement in a guns and ammo stockpiling scheme, painting a complex picture of deceit and manipulation.

Bitcoin ATMs are popping up in grocery stores, gas stations, and vape stores. There are hundreds of them across Arizona. But they're not regulated and once you send money to someone, it's nearly impossible to get back. Police are now warning they're being used by scammers. Here's what you should know.

In one of President Trump's first actions in his second term, he gave sweeping pardons to more than 1,500 defendants related to January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He also commuted the sentence of others, including one Arizonan convicted of seditious conspiracy. Arizona's Family Investigates looks into these cases, including some Arizonans who assaulted law enforcement on that day in 2021.

The pandemic brought a dramatic increase in the number of people visiting Arizona’s most remote wild spaces. As a result, federal land managers are working to make it easier to visit these far-flung vistas and mountain ranges. Is there a downside to this? Are we loving our pubic lands to death? Morgan Loew and Amy Cutler hear from Scott Brady of The Overland Journal, as well as Laiken Jordahl from the Center for Biological Diversity, and Gilbert Zermeno, a producer and photographer, who’s visited hundreds of Arizona’s wildest places.

Arizona's Family Investigates takes you behind the months-long investigation that found people asking for money at Phoenix intersections may be linked to a larger group doing the same thing in other cities nationwide.

Once removed from certain cities, red light, and speed enforcement cameras will be returning to streets in Phoenix and Tempe. But in cities and towns that have kept these devices -- are they making a difference? 

Rent prices have soared over recent years in Phoenix and across Arizona. Our investigative team looks into what is to blame and why prices have settled so high. We also hear from Arizona's Attorney General who is taking action against a company that "artificially sets" rent prices on behalf of the largest landlords in the state.

The Arizona's Family Investigates team spent months looking at crashes in the Valley, finding Phoenix is #1 for deadly crashes and pedestrian deaths. We looked at why that is and what the City is doing about it. 

Our investigative team looks at the available data, compares descriptions of news events to our video record, and speaks to experts and critics about the Department of Justice investigation into the Phoenix Police Department. Our investigation finds mischaracterizations, misstatements and errors of fact, and raises the question of whether the DOJ report’s conclusions are accurate.

Alicia Navarro went missing from Glendale at age 14 back in 2019. For years, no one knew where she was. Suddenly, in July 2023, she walked into a police station in Montana near the Canadian border asking to be taken off the missing persons list. How did she get there? Who may have taken her there? Who had she been staying with? Amy Cutler and Jason Barry discuss the developing details of this case that has captivated the nation.

Morgan Loew and Kris Pickel discuss the Phantom Killer case and address final questions about William Huff.

William Huff answers questions about why he murdered two young girls 54 years ago. But his brother says the explanations and the motivations the Phantom offers are disingenuous.

William Huff’s new neighbors react to the news that a child killer has moved in next door. Meantime, a forensic psychiatrist weighs in on whether someone who committed heinous crimes 50 years ago is still dangerous today. And Huff is caught with a young girl in his apartment.

50 years after the murders of Cindy Clelland and Jennelle Haines, their families work to prevent The Phantom from getting released from prison. When their efforts fail, they alert the media. And the leaders of the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency struggle to justify their decision to let a serial killer out of prison.

Morgan Loew and Kris Pickel break down what has happened so far in the Phantom Killer case. This episode includes insight from behind-the-scenes. It will prepare listeners for the next chapter, which moves forward in time 50 years from the time of the murders.

The Army mobilizes a massive search after another child disappears. Meantime, the Sierra Vista Police chief is certain he knows the identity of the killer. And a spelling error in the Phantom’s letter holds the key to the case.

Investigators race against the clock to identify the Phantom. The police chief zeros in on a troubled teenager, but one big misstep causes investigators to overlook the killer. Meantime, the Phantom’s own letters shed light on what motivated him to kill Cindy Clelland.

The killer sends a letter to the police, threatening to strike again and referring to himself as “The Phantom.” Meantime, an army of investigators hunt for an old man driving sedan. And the police chief senses something familiar about the murder of Cindy Clelland.

The year was 1967 in small town USA. Children were used to the freedom to play in the streets, playgrounds and fields of Sierra Vista, Arizona. But all that changed one spring day, when a blonde-haired, brown-eyed little girl disappeared. What followed was a search involving hundreds of police officers, sheriff’s deputies and soldiers from a nearby Army post. It ended with a gruesome discovery and a mysterious letter from someone who called himself “The Phantom.”

True Crime Arizona: The Phantom Killer is a limited series that examines the gruesome murders that terrified a small town 50 years ago. Investigative reporter Morgan Loew spent four years researching the case, interviewing family members of the victims, investigators, members of the killer’s family – and the killer himself. The podcast takes listeners back to the summer of 1967, when one little girl after another disappeared in Sierra Vista, Arizona and the police received a letter written by someone who called himself “The Phantom.” The story continues today, as the killer sheds new light on why he did what he did – all those years ago.