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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Arizona just activated its first-ever Turquoise Alert and most residents didn't know what to do
When phones across Arizona lit up with a Turquoise Alert on July 23, 2025, many people wondered: how does this differ from the familiar Amber Alert? When a statewide alert pinged Arizonans' phones in late July—complete with loud emergency tones and bold 'Turquoise Alert' messaging—many residents were caught off guard. Was this a mistake? A glitch? A new kind of Amber Alert? It turns out, it was something new. The Turquoise Alert is Arizona's latest tool in the search for missing people—one that quietly launched this year and was activated for the first time on July 23. And unlike the well-known Amber Alert, which only applies to children in confirmed abduction cases, this new alert is designed to fill the gaps—especially in cases where foul play is suspected but doesn't meet the strict criteria for other systems. Here's what you need to know about the alert's origins, how it works, and why it might just help save lives. What is a Turquoise Alert used for? The Turquoise Alert was created under Emily's Law, named for 14‑year‑old Emily Pike, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe whose tragic disappearance sparked calls for broader emergency notification tools in Arizona. Her body was eventually found along a stretch of U.S. 60 about 19 miles north of Globe, Arizona. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety's website, unlike an Amber Alert—which is used for confirmed child abductions—the Turquoise Alert is designed for missing individuals under age 65 whose disappearance is suspicious, potentially dangerous, and not the result of a runaway situation. It also allows public alerts when local search efforts have been exhausted and community awareness might help. How the first activation played out On the night of July 12, six-year-old Violet Coultas‑Benson traveled from Hawaii with her non‑custodial mother, Sarah, arriving at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Authorities later learned that Sarah had violated a court order—prompting concern and investigation. Arizona activated the Turquoise Alert on July 23, triggering statewide push notifications, digital billboards, and emergency broadcast messages. Within hours, tips poured in—over 30 potential sightings across the state—helping law enforcement locate the pair. By 1 a.m. on July 24, Violet was found safe at a women's shelter in Cottonwood, and Sarah was taken into custody. Why It Stands Out from Other Alerts Scope: Amber Alerts focus on children under 18; Turquoise covers missing people up to age 65 who may be endangered in suspicious circumstances. Reach: Alerts go out via Wireless Emergency Alerts on phones, social media posts, DPS website, and freeway signs handled by the Arizona Department of Transportation. Purpose: It was intentionally broadened during the legislative process—so while it was originally proposed for missing Indigenous individuals, the final version applies to anyone meeting the criteria under Emily's Law. The debut of the Turquoise Alert isn't just about one missing child—it's about recognizing the need for faster, more flexible tools when lives are on the line. By expanding who qualifies for urgent public alerts, Arizona is acknowledging what many families have long argued: not every disappearance fits neatly into a box. And now, with the Turquoise Alert in place, those critical early hours might actually make the difference between a safe return and a tragic outcome. Solve the daily Crossword
Miami Herald
24-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Turquoise Alert Issued For 6-Year-Old Girl in Arizona
A Turquoise Alert has been issued for a 6-year-old girl who was last seen in Arizona with her mother, who does not have custody of her. The Arizona Department of Public Safety said that mother Sarah Coultas is alleged to have fled from Hawaii with her daughter Violet, in violation of a court order. A Turquoise Alert is a public notification system in Arizona designed to help locate missing endangered individuals under the age of 65 under suspicious or unexplained circumstances. The alert was created after the passage of Emily's Law in May 2025, named in memory of Emily Pike, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, who was found dead in February. Her case highlighted the need for an alert system for those who fall outside of the criteria for an Amber Alert. This is the first time the Arizona Department of Public Safety has issued a Turquoise Alert after the system was established in May. Police are seeking to track down Violet Coultas and return her to safety after she was sighted with her noncustodial mother. According to the Turquoise Alert, Violet Coultas was last seen with her mother on video surveillance at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on July 12 at around 10 p.m. The child was last seen wearing a white shirt, pink jacket, pink sweater, light-colored shorts, and white shoes. She is 3 feet 10 inches tall, weighs 43 pounds, and has blonde hair and hazel eyes. Any sightings or information is requested to be reported to 911. Any leads or historic tips can be directed to the Hawaii Police Department. The Hawaii Police Department said in a statement that Coltas was wanted for questioning in connection with a custodial interference investigation before she disappeared with the child. The mother most recently lived in Pa'auilo and worked in Hilo on the island, they said. She is described as being 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, and having straight brown hair and hazel eyes. The pair were spotted together on July 6 at the top of Miloli'i Road in South Kona, Hawaii, before next being seen at an Arizona airport the following week. The Arizona Department of Public Safety said in a statement: "Sarah Coultas is alleged to have fled Hawaii with Violet in violation of a court order." Authorities in both Arizona and Hawaii are working to locate Violet and ensure her safe return. 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dallas Lakes Renamed After Historic Native Tribes in Unanimous Council Vote
The Dallas City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to rename three West Dallas lakes in honor of historic Native American tribes from North Texas. The new names — Comanche Nahmi Lake, Wichita ita:iʔh Lake, and Lipan Apache Mbátí Lake — combine tribal identities with Native words for 'sister.' The change, which applies to lakes along the Trinity River, was met with praise during public comment. 'You're not only recognizing our heritage, you're bringing visibility to the Native community of Dallas and North Texas,' said Rachel Salinas, a councilwoman for the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. 'These lakes will benefit families across Dallas for generations to come.' She reminded the council that her tribe is state-recognized and has lived under 'all Six Flags of Texas.' 'We are a historic state recognized tribe of Texas. We have lived under all Six Flags of Texas and have fought alongside Texas in defense of this land. Our contributions are part of Texas history,' Salinas said. Mark Smith, a Cherokee Nation member and former Dallas resident, called the vote more than just bureaucratic business. 'It's how we affirm our identity, history and presence. These lakes are more than bodies of water. They're spaces where communities gather, where urban families experience nature,' he added. 'They're shared public spaces. Giving them meaningful names is a way of making sure that everyone in Dallas feels seen and included in our city story. We often talk about equity, about inclusion. Naming is one of the most visible public ways to demonstrate these values.' While all council members voted in favor of the renaming, Council Member Cara Mendelsohn of District 12 urged city staff to consider public clarity, emergency access, and historical education when finalizing signage. 'I just hope that there'll be some consideration to making sure that it's pronounceable, that there's easy wayfinding and emergency services can find those locations.' Finally, Mendelsohn added that she hopes additional signage will be installed to aid both emergency services and public education on tribal history. 'I would wonder if there isn't a means to put some sort of historic marker to explain the significance and the meaning of what each of these lakes are, and why?' she said. 'I think it has an incredible history for Dallas. I think people would be interested. And so I hope that that greater context will be added, whether that's through a nonprofit or through the city.'
29-05-2025
- Politics
Appeals court revives Native American challenge to $10B SunZia energy transmission project
A federal appeals court has sided with Native American tribes in their fight against the federal government over a $10 billion energy transmission line designed to carry wind-generated electricity from New Mexico to customers as far away as California. The Tohono O'odham Nation — along with the San Carlos Apache Tribe, the Center for Biological Diversity and Archaeology Southwest — sued the U.S. Interior Department and then-Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in 2024. They argued that the agency failed to properly consult with the tribes on a historic property designation for southern Arizona's San Pedro Valley. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that a lower court erred in dismissing the case last year and ordered the matter to be reconsidered. The panel concluded that a proper consultation would have resulted in the valley being designated as a historic property and that the agency was required to identify historic properties that would be affected and ensure any adverse effects would be avoided, minimized or mitigated before authorizing construction. The Tohono O'odham Nation had vowed when the case was dismissed to pursue all legal avenues for protecting land that it and other tribes consider sacred. Tribal Chairman Verlon Jose reiterated that the tribe will continue to fight for its rights and that Tuesday's ruling marked an important victory in the long-running dispute. 'The Tohono O'odham Nation supports clean, renewable energy — when it is done the right way,' Jose said in a statement. 'With the SunZia project, the federal government failed to work with tribes to protect our cultural resources as required by law." The valley represents a 50-mile (80-kilometer) stretch of the planned 550-mile (885-kilometer) conduit. The route is expected to carry electricity from wind farms in central New Mexico to existing transmission lines in Arizona to serve populated areas as far away as California. The project was among those touted as an important part of former President Joe Biden's goal for a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035. Construction in the San Pedro Valley already is complete, said Matt Dallas, a SunZia spokesperson. 'We are reviewing the opinion, and SunZia remains on track for commercial operation in 2026.' Dallas said. In response to questions about the latest ruling and whether the federal government was in discussions with the tribes, Interior spokeswoman J. Elizabeth Peace said the department doesn't comment on pending litigation. Peace did say the agency 'remains committed to stewarding our natural and cultural resources, honoring tribal trust responsibilities and managing public lands for all Americans.' President Donald Trump in recent weeks has signed a number of executive orders promoting domestic energy production and has cited the need for reliability of the nation's electric grid amid growing demand driven partly by data centers and artificial intelligence.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Appeals court revives Native American challenge to $10B SunZia energy transmission project
A federal appeals court has sided with Native American tribes in their fight against the federal government over a $10 billion energy transmission line designed to carry wind-generated electricity from New Mexico to customers as far away as California. The Tohono O'odham Nation — along with the San Carlos Apache Tribe, the Center for Biological Diversity and Archaeology Southwest — sued the U.S. Interior Department and then-Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in 2024. They argued that the agency failed to properly consult with the tribes on a historic property designation for southern Arizona's San Pedro Valley. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that a lower court erred in dismissing the case last year and ordered the matter to be reconsidered. The panel concluded that a proper consultation would have resulted in the valley being designated as a historic property and that the agency was required to identify historic properties that would be affected and ensure any adverse effects would be avoided, minimized or mitigated before authorizing construction. The Tohono O'odham Nation had vowed when the case was dismissed to pursue all legal avenues for protecting land that it and other tribes consider sacred. Tribal Chairman Verlon Jose reiterated that the tribe will continue to fight for its rights and that Tuesday's ruling marked an important victory in the long-running dispute. 'The Tohono O'odham Nation supports clean, renewable energy — when it is done the right way,' Jose said in a statement. 'With the SunZia project, the federal government failed to work with tribes to protect our cultural resources as required by law." The valley represents a 50-mile (80-kilometer) stretch of the planned 550-mile (885-kilometer) conduit. The route is expected to carry electricity from wind farms in central New Mexico to existing transmission lines in Arizona to serve populated areas as far away as California. The project was among those touted as an important part of former President Joe Biden's goal for a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035. Construction in the San Pedro Valley already is complete, said Matt Dallas, a SunZia spokesperson. 'We are reviewing the opinion, and SunZia remains on track for commercial operation in 2026.' Dallas said. In response to questions about the latest ruling and whether the federal government was in discussions with the tribes, Interior spokeswoman J. Elizabeth Peace said the department doesn't comment on pending litigation. Peace did say the agency 'remains committed to stewarding our natural and cultural resources, honoring tribal trust responsibilities and managing public lands for all Americans.' President Donald Trump in recent weeks has signed a number of executive orders promoting domestic energy production and has cited the need for reliability of the nation's electric grid amid growing demand driven partly by data centers and artificial intelligence.
