🌱 ACLU Accuses Phoenix Of Violation + No Charges In Osman Shooting

Welcome back, Phoenix! I'm here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 96 Low: 75.

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Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

1. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has accused the city of Phoenix of violating a court order and failing to treat unsheltered individuals with dignity during a cleanup operation at the Zone homeless encampment. The city, however, disagrees with the allegations, stating that they took a human-focused approach and that the assertions made by the ACLU are inaccurate. The ACLU is now requesting a hearing before the city proceeds with the next cleanup block, scheduled for May 24, in order to hold the city accountable for its conduct. (KTAR.com)
2. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell stated that no charges will be filed against Phoenix officers involved in the shooting death of Ali Osman, who was throwing rocks at police in 2022. Mitchell emphasized the significant danger posed by Osman's large and forceful rock-throwing, which threatened the safety of motorists and pedestrians. Osman's family expressed outrage and announced their intention to sue the city and police department for gross negligence and excessive force, seeking $85 million in damages, claiming that less-lethal options were available but not utilized prior to the shooting. (Arizona's Family)
3. Phoenix's decline in the U.S. News & World Reports' Best Places to Live rankings continues for the second consecutive year, with the metro area dropping 43 spots from its previous rank of No. 67 to No. 110 on the list of the top 150 places. The affordability factor is likely a significant contributor to this decline, as the average housing costs in Phoenix have risen sharply since 2019, exceeding the national average. Despite offering a better value compared to similar-sized metro areas, Phoenix's average annual salary remains below the national average. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)

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Today in and around Phoenix:

• Festivin 2023, At Wrigley Mansion & Geordie's (6:00 PM)
• J.White & Friends Concert Series Featuring Jacon Webb, At Hyatt Regency - Downtown Phoenix (6:00 PM)
• Clean Open Mic Night, At Stir Crazy Comedy Club, Glendale (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Gas prices in Phoenix could notably drop by July, according to GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan. “So long as there are not any new issues, we could conceivably see prices that could drop 50-75 cents a gallon by Jul. 4,” Haan said. (KTAR.com)
• Chick-fil-A is expected to open five more new restaurants in metro Phoenix in 2023. Click the link to view the list. (Subscription: The Arizona Republic)
• According to "Compare the Market" research, Phoenix is considered to be an "easy target" for break-ins. Click the link to watch a video and learn more. (12news.com KPNX)

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That's it for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.