Ballot shortages plague Pinal County primary; Grand Canyon could dry without dam fixes; Beloved Italian restaurant closes its doors

Arizona Republic
·2 min read
Kent Volkmer, Pinal County attorney, takes questions from journalists during a news conference on Aug. 3, 2022, in Florence to address ballot issues that took place in Pinal County during primary election day.

A look at some of today's top stories, the weather forecast and a peek back in history.

Problems plague Pinal County primary; hundreds prevented from voting. County officials pledge to restructure elections department.

If water levels in Lake Powell continue to drop, the flow of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon will stop.

Owner Paolo Vetrati announced that his Italian restaurant La Stalla Cucina Rustica, known for pizza and pasta, closed in Phoenix due to 'COVID and unfortunate circumstances.'

Today, you can expect a slight chance of thunderstorms, with a high near 103 degrees. More chances of thunderstorms at night, with a low near 86 degrees. Get the full forecast here.

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Today in history

  • On this date in 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard had its beginnings as President George Washington signed a measure authorizing a group of revenue cutters to enforce tariff and trade laws and prevent smuggling.

  • In In 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed a measure establishing the Department of Energy.

  • In 2009, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il pardoned American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee for entering the country illegally and ordered their release during a surprise visit by former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

  • In 2019, a masked gunman fired on revelers enjoying summer nightlife in a popular entertainment district of Dayton, Ohio, leaving nine people dead and 27 wounded; police said officers shot and killed the shooter within 30 seconds of the start of his rampage.

  • Michael Phelps won the 18th Olympic gold medal of his career as the United States won the medley relay at the London Games. The United States set a world record to win the women’s medley relay. Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova 6-0, 6-1 to join Steffi Graf as the only women to complete the Golden Slam — winning the Olympics and the four majors. Three British athletes won gold medals in Olympic Stadium: Jessica Ennis in heptathlon; Greg Rutherford in men’s long jump; and Mo Farah in the men’s 10,000 meters.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ Briefing: Ballot shortages plague Pinal County primary