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The Journal
12 hours ago
- The Journal
Sitdown Sunday: A Route 66 town, a missing man and a detective who thinks he's cracked the case
IT'S A DAY of rest, and you may be in the mood for a quiet corner and a comfy chair. We've hand-picked some of the week's best reads for you to savour. 1. What happened to Keith King? The road leading to Seligman, Arizona at twilight. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo He left his girlfriend's house in the small town of Seligman on the historic Route 66 and was never seen again. 19 years later, a private detective believes he knows what happened to him, and where to find his body. ( Phoenix New Times , approx 20 mins reading time) Not long after Keith went missing, there were hints of a more nefarious fate. The next day, Wells filed a missing person report with the county sheriff's office. She told deputies that she'd last seen Keith the previous morning in his RV in flip-flops, a T-shirt and gray pants. He was about 170 pounds and 5-foot-10 and wore a mustache. Keith was 'psychotic' and had refused to take his meds, she told them. He also 'believed he was an alien'. Keith had been reportedly spotted two other times before he vanished, according to the sheriff's office report. At about 5:10 p.m. the day before Keith disappeared, an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer spotted him in a parking lot near his truck, which had been towed after conking out on a railroad track west of town. A Seligman man named Bill Wilkins told deputies that he'd seen Keith roughly 11 hours later, walking near a Chevron station. Wilkins had given him a ride home. Then the investigation got weird. 2. Trump v Musk Behind the scenes, here's what led to the spectacular public bust-up between the world's richest man and the President of the United States. ( The Washington Post , approx 10 mins reading time) Advertisement In the aftermath of his Thursday faceoff with Musk, he urged those around him not to pour gasoline on the fire, according to two people with knowledge of his behavior. He told Vice President JD Vance to be cautious with how he spoke publicly about the Musk situation. But although the break between Musk and Trump only exploded into public view on Thursday, cracks in the alliance began to appear much earlier. As Musk's 'move fast and break things' bravado complicated the White House's ambitions to remake American society, the billionaire alienated key members of the White House staff, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and quarreled with Cabinet members, physically coming to blows with one. This account of the unraveling of the alliance between Trump and Musk is based on interviews with 17 people with knowledge of the events, including many who spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk candidly about sensitive conversations. 3. 'She was his meal ticket' Amelia Earhart. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo An excerpt from a new book on the tragedy of American aviator Amelia Earhart, and the role her husband played in the lead-up to her final flights. ( The New Yorker , approx 32 mins reading time) Earhart knew that Putnam would be frustrated by the wasted expenditures and the repair bills caused by her crashing the Electra. She told a friend, 'I've just got to get away for a couple of days by myself, before it drives me crazy.' Upon returning to California, she fled to a tranquil desert ranch near Palm Springs owned by close friends: Jacqueline Cochran, a fiery aviator, and her husband, Floyd Odlum, a financial titan known as the Wizard of Wall Street. Cochran had bluntly warned Earhart against attempting a round-the-world voyage that included Howland Island. 'You just don't have sufficient navigation communication,' she said. 'I don't think you'll ever hit it.' But Earhart wouldn't abandon the idea. Cochran and Odlum adored her, and they had financially supported her flying career. Their feelings toward Putnam, however, were less charitable. 'We didn't like or dislike him at the start,' Odlum later said. 'But we came to dislike him because . . . we thought he was taking advantage of Amelia.' He added, 'She was his meal ticket.' 4. The man Putin couldn't kill A profile of Christo Grozev, the investigative journalist who has exposed numerous Russian spies and assassins, making him a target for the man in the Kremlin. ( The New York Times , approx 23 mins reading time) The trial and its outcome, then, are victories. They are small ones, however, relative to the scope of the threat. The Bulgarians seem to be only one part of a multiyear, multicountry operation to kill Grozev. That in turn is only a small part of what appears to be an ever-broadening campaign by the Kremlin, including kidnappings, poisonings, arson and terrorist attacks, to silence its opponents and sow fear abroad. The story of the resources that were marshaled to silence a single inconvenient voice is a terrifying reminder of what Putin, and beyond him the rising generation of autocratic rulers, is capable of. The story of how that single voice refused to be silenced — in fact redoubled his determination to tell the truth, regardless of the very real consequences — serves as a reminder that it's possible to continue to speak and act in the face of mortal danger. But the damage that was done to Grozev's own life and the lives of the people around him is a warning of how vulnerable we are in the face of unchecked, murderous power. 5. Talking Heads Saoirse Ronan stars in a brand new video for the band's hit Psycho Killer, released to mark the 50th anniversary of their first gig in New York. Director Mike Mills talks about making the video here. Related Reads Sitdown Sunday: 'Don't worry, we're your pals' - the crooked lawyer who stole millions from clients Sitdown Sunday: Two reporters cold called Donald Trump. He picked up - here's what he said Sitdown Sunday: What legacy does Pope Francis leave? ( Variety , approx 9 mins reading time) 'It was a two-day shoot, and it was very minimal financing,' Mills says. 'It's 13 days and each day gets a very strong emotional prompt that she followed through all those different iterations… Half the time was spent like, 'OK, go change your clothes, come back, be incredibly angry and throw the chair. OK, go change your clothes, come back, cry.' It really did feel athletic. She had guidelines, but it was a great ride because you just never knew what the fuck she was gonna do next. You're only seeing a second or two seconds of each little scene, but there's three minutes in there that we shot (of each bit). It was bonkers — so fun and so inventive, and she's so generative of ideas and ways to be in an emotional state that felt really authentic and grounded. All the improvising that's going on, things she's saying that you don't hear, the tip of the iceberg of what she did is what you see. It was so much fun to shoot.' 6. Seabed trawling Jon Ungoed-Thomas and James Tapper report on how a ghost fleet of ships from China are ravaging Africa's waters and damaging marine environments through bottom trawling the ocean floor. ( The Observer , approx 6 mins reading time) More than 80% of the Adriatic Sea has been scarred by bottom trawling, and areas of the North Sea and Irish Sea are also badly affected, with stocks of some fish plummeting. There is a global network of more than 18,000 Marine Protected Areas – designated parts of the ocean where habitats and wildlife are supposed to be prioritised – but bottom trawling is allowed in the majority of the UK's 377. 'Bottom trawling is one of the most destructive fishing methods globally,' said Miren Gutierrez, research associate at ODI Global, the global affairs thinktank. 'It not only indiscriminately removes target and non-target species but also destroys vital seafloor habitats, undermining the regenerative capacity of marine ecosystems.' …AND A CASSIC FROM THE ARCHIVES… After having a bit of a moment during lockdown, miniatures grew a new following after trending on TikTok. This longread from 2023 takes you inside the weird and wonderful – and tiny – world of these little roomboxes and their creators. ( Esquire , approx 26 mins reading time) This is what distinguishes miniatures: this sense that just offstage, there's more going on if you could just get small enough to walk through that little doorway. That's what I was looking to understand. Then Off told me something. 'I put things in drawers,' he said. 'In my rooms.' Those roomboxes are behind glass. But if Off includes a table in a roombox, and that table has a drawer, well: something will be in that drawer. Pencils, a sewing kit, tools, cutlery. Nobody will ever see it. Nobody will ever know it's there, yet putting it in there is an essential part of what Off is doing. It's about a story. 'My whole life,' he said, whether creating roomboxes or connecting with clients to sell real estate, 'has been about the story.' Note: The Journal generally selects stories that are not paywalled, but some might not be accessible if you have exceeded your free article limit on the site in question. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Controversial county attorney receives unwanted gift at her home on Valentine's Day
A controversial county attorney received a disgusting package at her Arizona home just in time for Valentine's Day. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell told Phoenix police on February 14 that somebody had sent her a package containing a 'squished brown substance' she believed was feces with a white envelope that had her name on it, according to a police report originally obtained by the Phoenix New Times. 'Rachel stated that she and her husband went to dinner last night and when they got home, her husband told her there was a package at the door,' the report states. 'After bringing it inside, she opened it and found the bag.' The sender was only listed as 'AS Enterprises' from Allison Park, Pennsylvania, which Mitchell said she researched - and found that it is a service that sends feces through the mail. The company has received numerous complaints to the Better Business Bureau, which notes that it also goes by the name according to the Arizona Republic. Its website says it will send 'your friend, or enemy, a healthy heap of some of the nastiest, stinkiest, fresh poop packages that anyone has ever seen' and even offers different types of animal feces: cow, elephant and gorilla, as well as a combination 'in one big nasty mess.' AS Enterprises also assures its clients that the feces looks and smells disgusting - though it is unclear whether the company uses real dung as its website only says the 'mad scientist' who packages it knows the truth. It also its clients that nothing can be traced back to the sender and even offers a cash payment option to help customers feel more comfortable about their anonymity. But the senders must agree that their intention is sending the feces is for fun and not to threaten or harass the recipient. In Mitchell's case, however, police are investigating the suspicious package as 'harassment by communication,' as the county attorney told officers she wants the sender prosecuted. She provided the cops with footage from her Ring camera, as she shared who she suspected could have sent her the gift. She said that 'off the top of her head' she suspected it could have come from a 'suspended attorney named Vladimir Gagic' whom she accused of harassing her husband. He denied any involvement and said he was never even questioned by Phoenix police when contacted by the New Times - as he questioned whether the investigation was warranted. 'She calls the cops for f***ing fake poop. Really?' Gagic said. 'Is that the best use of law enforcement resources in the county?' Mitchell also suggested the fecal matter may have come from people who were upset at her office for refusing to prosecute an animal abuse case or anti-Israel activists whom she charged with trespassing at Arizona State University's Tempe campus. The county attorney, meanwhile, is also facing a civil suit for giving a plea deal to a soccer coach accused of sexually abusing an underage girl, according to the New Times. But authorities told the Arizona Republic on Monday they are still investigating the incident and did not have an update on whether the feces was tested to be genuine.
Axios
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Thor's Skyr brings an Icelandic treat to Phoenix
When I heard about a new restaurant serving Icelandic food, my first thought was of Scandinavian fish dishes. But this new Grand Avenue cafe is all about the yogurt. State of play: Icelandic restaurateur Unnar Danielsson opened Thor's Skyr last month near downtown Phoenix. As the name implies, the menu revolves around skyr, a traditional yogurt that's basically fermented milk and "something Icelanders survive on during cold winters," Danielsson told the Phoenix New Times. Thor's Skyr began as individual cups sold in grocery stores, but Danielsson branched out. In January, he introduced an automated smoothie kiosk at an LA Fitness in Escondido, California, and he plans to open more inside other gym locations, including in Scottsdale. Zoom in: The menu is smoothie-centric. Bowls start with a skyr base, blended with fruit, nut butters, seeds and protein powders. After everything's blended, it's topped with treats like granola, chocolate chips, fruit, nuts and coconut flakes. They've also got shakes and sandwiches, and you get a complimentary waffle and drip coffee with your purchase. The bowls are low-fat and high-protein, with plenty of gluten-free options. Best bites: I'm not a big yogurt guy, but it turns out I didn't have to be. I meant to get something with skyr, but instead ordered the Hammer Smash Acai Bowl with banana, peanut butter, chia seeds, dates and almond milk, topped with cacao nibs, sliced banana, crushed almonds and shaved dark chocolate. I also had a thin waffle topped with honey and raspberries. The verdict: The bowl was very tasty — sweet but not overpowering, bursting with different flavors — unsurprisingly, it's very peanut butter-forward — and with the toppings adding texture to the blended mix.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
AZ driver's licenses have a secret feature you might not know about
Arizona driver's licenses and identification cards have a slew of special design elements meant to represent the state, but there's one hidden feature you might not know about. The Arizona Department of Transportation took the opportunity to upgrade the cards in 2023 with a new design and a slate of security features. "It was an opportunity to incorporate a bunch of technology into what is perceived as a plastic card," said ADOT spokesperson Bill Lamoreaux. One of those upgrades is a special image that is only visible under black light, something most Arizonans might not have noticed. Here's what to know about the hidden designs visible on Arizona driver's licenses, plus some more features you may not have noticed. One of the most unique features of Arizona IDs are a special design visible only under black light, which was originally reported by the Phoenix New Times. When held under a black light, the front of the ID shows a howling coyote and the back features a Monument Valley scene at night and a scorpion. Embedded in both designs is the "Grand Canyon State," which is the state's nickname. Though the black light design wasn't highlighted when the new card was revealed, the feature helps make the ID cards more secure. "It was a great way for law enforcement or security to verify that the card presented to them is a legitimate Arizona card so under black light you can see those designs," Lamoreaux said. There are other unique design touches to the driver's license and ID cards, all of which were carefully selected to represent the Grand Canyon State. "We wanted to incorporate touches of Arizona for everyone as well," Lamoreaux said. Ringtail: The state mammal is clearly visible on IDs. It became the state mammal in 1986 and is related to racoons and coati. Rays of light: This design feature pays homage to Arizona's flag. Saguaro: This saguaro cactus is an Arizona icon, so it's only fitting that it appears on the IDs. Ponderosa pine: The ponderosa pine was also included in the design to show the different climates in Arizona. Black and white photo: This license switched from color photos to black and white photos. The black and white photo is laser engraved and makes it "less likely to be tampered with and have fake cards out there from Arizona," Lamoreaux said. Those Arizonans who have the Arizona Real ID — also called the Arizona Travel ID — will notice their IDs have a gold or black star in the top right corner. After years of delaying full implementation of the requirement that people have a security-enhanced Real ID to pass airport security, board airplanes or enter federal buildings, anyone who doesn't have a Real ID will be turned away starting May 7, 2025. "Now is a great time to (update your ID) if you don't have the travel ID yet because May 7 is here before you know it and if you fly that's the fastest way to get past TSA," Lamoreaux said. Arizona Republic reporter Michael Salerno contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona IDs have a hidden feature. Have you seen it?
Axios
10-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Mediterranean meets Mexican at Feta Cowboy
The founders of Pita Jungle are adding Mexican flair to their iconic Mediterranean cuisine at their latest concept dubbed Feta Cowboy, which opened late last year. What they're saying: "The Feta Cowboy is pita meets tortilla. It's carne asada meets shawarma. It's wraps meets tortas," owner Bassel Osmani told Phoenix New Times. How it works: The fast casual spot at Warner Road and McClintock Drive in Tempe has some pre-set menu items, but most lunchtime diners during my recent visit opted for the build-your-own selection, which include bowls, pitas and burritos. After selecting a base, you proceed through a Chipotle-like assembly line with protein choices including birria, gyro, falafel, chicken shawarma and brisket. Load up on accouterments like rice, beans and roasted veggies. Finish off with an eclectic drizzling of salsa, tahini or hummus. The intrigue: I chose to build my own bowl, but was a bit bewildered by the thought of combining the Mexican and Mediterranean options.
