William Pitts
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Multi-Skilled Journalist for 12News | Photographer | Emmy, Gracie, AP, Headliner award winner | wpitts@12news.com | @cronkite_asu | No I don’t have a camera guy
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Articles by William Pitts
Attorney accuses Arizona AG of rushing execution amid rule changes Original
An attorney for the man who shot and killed a DPS trooper in 1995 accuses Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes of rushing his execution. PHOENIX — The attorney for a man convicted of killing a Department of Public Safety trooper is accusing Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes of trying to rush his execution. Ernesto Martinez was stopped on Highway 87 in August 1995, where he shot and killed DPS Trooper Bob Martin. He was arrested after a manhunt and a standoff, then sentenced to death.
St. Louis Blues prospect unlikely to recover after collapsing during college hockey workout, attorney says
TEMPE, Ariz. — St. Louis Blues prospect and college hockey player Matthew Mayich is unlikely to recover after collapsing during a team workout at Arizona State University, according to an attorney representing his family. Mayich, 21, collapsed during an outdoor workout in August and remains hospitalized. His family’s attorney, Rob Carey, said the family has been told Mayich is unlikely to recover. This story continues below.
ASU hockey player who collapsed during workout 'unlikely to recover,' family attorney says
Matthew Mayich, 21, collapsed during the first practice of the season, which was led by a former Green Beret, people at the practice told the family attorney. Example video title will go here for this video Example video title will go here for this video To stream 12News on your phone, you need the 12News app. TEMPE, Ariz. — The ASU Hockey player who collapsed during a workout in August is "unlikely to recover," according to an attorney representing his family.
ASU hockey player who collapsed during outdoor practice is still recovering
21-year-old Matthew Mayich is still recovering after collapsing during an outdoor hockey practice at ASU. Multiple hockey teams have identified Mayich, who is from Ontario, Canada as the player who collapsed. >> Live, local, breaking. Download the 12News app Last Thursday, paramedics were called to the area around Sun Angel Stadium, Arizona State's former baseball stadium, for a heat-related illness.
ASU hockey player who collapsed during outdoor practice is still recovering
ASU hockey player who collapsed during outdoor practice is still recovering 21-year-old Matthew Mayich is still recovering after collapsing during an outdoor hockey practice at ASU. Multiple hockey teams have identified Mayich, who is from Ontario, Canada as the player who collapsed. >> Live, local, breaking. Download the 12News app Last Thursday, paramedics were called to the area around Sun Angel Stadium, Arizona State's former baseball stadium, for a heat-related illness.
ASU hockey player who collapsed during outdoor practice is still recovering
Multiple hockey teams have now identified the player as 21-year-old Matthew Mayich from Ontario, Canada. Example video title will go here for this video Next up in 5 Example video title will go here for this video Next up in 5 To stream 12News on your phone, you need the 12News app. TEMPE, Ariz. — 21-year-old Matthew Mayich is still recovering after collapsing during an outdoor hockey practice at ASU.
Country music icon Dolly Parton dies at 80, Arizona remembers her legacy Original
Example video title will go here for this video Example video title will go here for this video To stream 12News on your phone, you need the 12News app. PHOENIX — Dolly Parton liked to let people think she was the character she played on stage – but she was a lot more than that. She was smart – savvy in business – and a philanthropist who liked to keep most of her donations secret. “Oh, she killed it. It was, it was one of our better shows. Dolly is amazing.
Bullhead City man may lose leg after falling in 120-degree heat
A Bullhead City man will likely lose his leg after being found outside in temperatures over 120 degrees and suffering from severe burns. Grant Siler, 72, was walking outside on August 1 in Bullhead City, when temperatures reached between 120 and 122 degrees. "He loves to go on his walks with God. I call it his wilderness walks," his daughter, Heather Crook, said. Siler is an Army veteran, an Idaho farm boy, and a father. Crook says he was never one to complain about anything, much less a little heat.
EPA loosens summer blend gas rules, potentially affecting prices
Follow EPA loosens summer blend gas rules, potentially affecting prices Updated Fri, August 21, 2026 at 3:09 PM EDT The EPA has loosened some fuel requirements in an effort to lower gas prices and boost reserve levels. The EPA announced Thursday it would allow the "summer blend" of gasoline to phase out two weeks early. Typically states like Arizona stop using summer blend on Sept. 15. The new rule would push that to Sept. 1. Summer blend is more expensive, both to produce and consume.
Can an energy audit save you money during Arizona's summers?
Powered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Key takeaways Powered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Can an energy audit save you money during Arizona's summers?
Arizona's high temperatures could cost you a lot, but experts say your bill doesn't have to be that high. A home energy audit could cut a summer electric bill by nearly half, according to Jonathan Waterworth, with Arizona Energy Efficient Home. Waterworth said most houses waste a significant amount of energy without homeowners realizing it. "The real issues are inside the house," he said.
Is ASU's content creator degree actually a great idea?
ASU is now offering a degree in Content Creation, and a degree about going viral...has gone viral. A degree on how to be a TikToker? A major in Instagram? Social media marketers say yes, and it's a degree that has very little to do with trends and challenges, and more to do with business and marketing. Aiesha Beasley is a full-time content creator in the Valley who makes her own videos and also contracts with businesses to produce videos. "No one's buying from an ad in a newspaper anymore.
Monsoon storm heavily damages historic Route 66 sign
Follow Monsoon storm heavily damages historic Route 66 sign Updated Tue, July 28, 2026 at 10:34 PM UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Key takeawaysPowered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to decide Colorado River's future amid standoff between states
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is expected to make a final decision about the future of the Colorado River and how the Western States will divide the water. Officials are expected to issue a final plan of action on Friday, after the seven Western states that use the river (Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, California and Utah) were unable to come to a new agreement amongst themselves.
How the Phoenix Zoo keeps animals safe during 110+ temps
Follow How the Phoenix Zoo keeps animals safe during 110+ temps Updated Thu, July 23, 2026 at 11:22 PM UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Key takeawaysPowered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
How the Phoenix Zoo keeps animals safe during 110+ temps
As temperatures climb into the triple digits, the Phoenix Zoo is taking steps to keep its animals cool, even the ones adapted to hot climates. With outdoor temperatures reaching 111 degrees, zookeepers gave Beaker, a South American anteater, a bath to help him cool down. Zoo staff said the frequent baths act like an evaporative cooler. Beaker gets wet, then heads into his air-conditioned home to cool off before doing it again.
'Horrible': National Park Service probes mystery illness affecting Grand Canyon rafters
Follow 'Horrible': National Park Service probes mystery illness affecting Grand Canyon rafters Updated Mon, July 6, 2026 at 10:29 PM UTC Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Key takeawaysPowered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Summer temps push roof rats indoors
Follow Summer temps push roof rats indoors Key takeawaysPowered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Roof rats are being driven into Valley homes by triple-digit heat, causing an infestation in Peoria resident Angie Ott's home.
'It's still happening': Class action AHCCCS lawsuit goes forward
A class action lawsuit alleging Arizona moved too slowly to stop the sober living fraud scandal will move forward after a judge denied a motion to dismiss. Lawyers for the plaintiffs in the case held a press conference Friday to give an update on where the case currently stands. Native American advocate Reva Stewart said she is still finding people abandoned, untreated and mistreated.
Arizona ups penalty for buying sex to felony under new law
Follow Arizona ups penalty for buying sex to felony under new law Key takeawaysPowered by Yahoo Scout. Yahoo is using AI to generate key points from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Governor Katie Hobbs signed a bill into law in Arizona that increases the penalty for paying for sex to a class 6 felony, while prostitution remains a misdemeanor.
Why did all the fish die at San Carlos Lake? Drought...and water law, experts say
San Carlos Lake has been closed for nearly three weeks, the entire fish population has died off, and experts say it may happen again. The reservoir, about 160 miles from the Phoenix metro area, has lost so much water that it has caused a massive fish die-off. Rhett Larson, a professor of water law at Arizona State University, says this winter was the worst he has seen in two decades. "This last winter was catastrophically horrible.
Time for a 6th C? Computers are driving Arizona's economy Original
Computers and semiconductors now account for more than $15 billion worth of Arizona's exports. PHOENIX — Most Arizona kids learn the five C's: Copper, Cattle, Citrus, Climate and Cotton. Federal data suggests it may be time to add a sixth, because computers and computer chips are now driving the state's economy.
Sparky unmasked: Second female mascot in ASU history reveals she was in the costume Original
Sydney Lindon-Lake has revealed her secret after three and a half years: she was Sparky all along. TEMPE, Ariz. — Go to an ASU football game, there he is, doing pushups for touchdowns. Go to a basketball game, he's in the Curtain of Distraction. Hockey, he's on the boards. Sparky the Sun Devil is everywhere ASU is. But no one knows who's in the suit. "My finger was shaking over the post button on Instagram," Sydney Lindon-Lake said.
DUI arrests expected to be higher this year Original
Officials say DUI arrests are expected to surpass last year's numbers as police ramp up enforcement over the Memorial Day holiday. MESA, Ariz. — Police agencies across the East Valley have been working together this Memorial Day weekend to pull drunk drivers off the road, and officials say the numbers are already on track to climb past last year's totals.
Memorial Day travel expected to be high Original
Despite rising travel costs, 45 million people are expected to travel this Memorial Day. AAA estimates 45 million people will travel this Memorial Day weekend, slightly more than last year, even as costs have risen across the board. "For Memorial Day weekend, we're going to have 191,000 customers fly through here for American Airlines," said Sophia Philis-Ortiz, VP of Phoenix Operations at American Airlines. "It's getting up there.
Here's where Spirit Airlines' planes ended up after the company abruptly shut down
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — When Spirit Airlines collapsed, it didn't just strand passengers. It left a half-billion dollars worth of leased planes sitting at gates around the country with no pilots, no gate agents and no one in charge. Nomadic Aviation was contracted by the leasing company to get those planes back. He had hours to make it happen. "They said, get ready to go. And by 6 p.m. on Friday, I got a call that said pull the trigger, get flight crews out to all of these various airports.
Microsoft Cares About Your Privacy Mötley Crüe singer's company sues Scottsdale over fatal airport crash
William Pitts A company owned by Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil is suing the city of Scottsdale, claiming the airport bears partial responsibility for a February 2025 plane crash that killed a pilot and destroyed two aircraft. RELATED: Report: Plane's landing gear was 'askew' before crashing at Scottsdale airport Neil was not on board when his plane skidded off the runway and slammed into a second parked plane. The 78-year-old pilot did not survive.
Mötley Crüe singer's company sues Scottsdale over fatal airport crash Original
Vince Neil's company is suing Scottsdale over a fatal 2025 plane crash, claiming a plane should not have been parked alongside the runway. Example video title will go here for this video Example video title will go here for this video To stream 12News on your phone, you need the 12News app.
Waymo riders find knife wedged in back seat
PHOENIX — A girls trip to Scottsdale, Arizona, took a frightening turn when four women climbed into a Waymo for the first time and discovered a knife wedged into the back seat, blade facing toward passengers. Bailey, Jadie, Maddie and Adria were headed to a grocery store when the car beeped at them to buckle up. They were on vacation to Scottsdale from Utah and wanted to try the robot cars.
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