PHOENIX — From a new Arizona governor’s race poll to a semiconductor company relocating, here are some of the top Arizona news stories from Aug. 29-31.
New poll on Arizona governor’s race shows 10-point gap in Republican primary
New Republican primary polling shows Karrin Taylor Robson increasing her lead over U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs in the Arizona governor’s race.
However, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs still has a slight advantage in potential head-to-head matchups with either GOP hopeful, according to Noble Predictive Insights (NPI) findings released Thursday.
Polling conducted Aug. 11-18 showed Taylor Robson as the top choice for 37% of registered Republicans. Biggs was at 27%, but 36% remained undecided with under a year to go until the August 2026 primary elections.
“Robson may have the early edge, but Arizona primaries are never won in the opening rounds,” Mike Noble, NPI CEO and founder, said in a press release. “Biggs isn’t going anywhere, and this matchup is on track to be a slugfest between two heavyweights all the way to the finish.”
Planned $2 billion semiconductor packaging facility to relocate in West Valley
A planned $2 billion semiconductor packaging and testing facility is being relocated within one West Valley city, officials announced Thursday.
Tempe-based Amkor is now planning to build its state-of-the-art facility on a 104-acre site within a more than 800-acre parcel of state land that the city of Peoria won in an Arizona State Land Trust auction on Wednesday for $46.7 million.
The new site is located just northwest of the Loop 303 and Lake Pleasant Parkway.
The company had originally planned to build on a 56-acre site not far away in the Five North at Vistancia community near the Loop 303 and Lone Mountain Parkway.
Queen Creek mayor takes leave of absence, to return to duties in late fall
The Queen Creek mayor recently announced she is taking a leave of absence “to give (her family) the dedicated time they deserve,” the city said on Monday.
Julia Wheatley has served as the city mayor since 2023 and before that in a city council position dating back to 2010.
In addition to not returning to her duties till “late fall,” Wheatley said she will also not be “accepting (her) mayoral stipend” during her time away.
“One of the qualities that makes Queen Creek so special is our community’s shared commitment to being family-friendly,” Wheatley said in a statement. “That same value has motivated me to take an unusual but meaningful step for my own family. My children have never known a time when I have not served in elected office, and taking this opportunity will allow me to give them the dedicated time they deserve.”
Lin’s Grand Buffet to reopen all-you-can-eat restaurant in west Phoenix
All-you-can-eat joint Lin’s Grand Buffet will reopen its west Phoenix location on Sept. 10 after completing renovations, a Thursday press release said.
The restaurant at 75th Avenue and McDowell Road made kitchen upgrades, expanded its sushi lineup and added other food items to their laid-out buffet. A few of these include Cajun seafood boil and bourbon chicken.
From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the Wednesday grand re-opening, the Asian buffet will host guests with free entertainment and other family-friendly experiences while offering both its classic and new dishes.
Arizona inmate with 20 years left in sentence erroneously released from prison
An Arizona inmate with over 20 years left in his sentence was apprehended last week after his erroneous release from prison, authorities announced Friday.
David Cramer was let out of the Lewis Complex in Buckeye after fraudulent documentation was uploaded to the court docket, according to the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry.
ADCRR didn’t say when Cramer was released while announcing that he was apprehended on Aug. 20 without incident.
According to prison records, Cramer isn’t due for release until 2047. He was incarcerated in 2014 after being convicted of kidnapping, resisting arrest and endangerment.
The post Weekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from Aug. 29-31 appeared first on KTAR.
