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More eyes on ballot signatures. Less time waiting? Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap says changes to his office’s signature-verification process can deliver both. “Both of them have to agree that this is a signature that corresponds with what we have,” Heap says, describing a system in which two reviewers from different political parties check each signature. If either disagrees, he says, another bipartisan team takes a look. Heap says his office added 100 terminals and is processing about 80,000 signatures a day. His headline promise: finishing signature verification for mail ballots dropped off on Election Day — often called “late earlies” — by noon the following day. Watch Heap explain the changes and why he believes more bipartisan review can help deliver faster election results without sacrificing security.

Election Day is next Tuesday — but what's being done to keep voters safe? Ahead of Nov. 3, former DHS Undersecretary John Cohen breaks down election security and how authorities are preparing. Watch for what voters should know before heading to the polls:

"Do we have enough water?" It's a question Arizona homebuyers are asking — and Jennifer Targe, vice president of the Phoenix Association of Realtors, says it affects all of us. So how can YOU get involved and make your voice heard on Arizona’s water future? @heidi_hommel has more: 💧Water Watch brought to you by @AMWUA

"There's a sentiment right now that people just want something different." Democratic Consultant Stacy Pearson says its very possible Democrats could flip the Arizona legislature in November.

Essa Williams, who was convicted of trying to kill Phoenix police officer Tyler Moldovan, was sentenced Tuesday to two life sentences in prison. He will not be eligible for release for 25 years. "Violence committed against police officers will never be accepted." Phoenix Police Chief Matt Giordano told reporters after the sentencing. “I think the judge set a very high bar today with the sentence and sent a clear message to the criminal element that if they choose to shoot a police officer or exact violence against police officers, they will be held accountable."

BREAKING: Essa Williams, who was convicted of trying to kill Phoenix police Officer Tyler Moldovan, was sentenced Tuesday to two life sentences in prison.

"We'll see on Election Day cause that's the only poll that matters." Chuck Coughlin, president and CEO of HighGround Inc., says he's never seen Democrats lead their Republican opponents in polls the week before an election the way that Gov. Katie Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes are. HighGround's newest polls has Hobbs leading Republican Rep. Andy Biggs by 12.2 points, Mayes leading Senate President Warren Petersen by 11 points and Fontes leading Republican state Rep. Alexander Kolodin by 11.5 points.

"I've never seen it in 20 years." Mike Noble, founder and CEO of Phoenix-based Noble Predictive Insights, explained the drastic findings in his latest poll and what it means for independent voters' sentiment toward Republicans.

46 early voting sites. Roughly 16,500 voters in one day. Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap says early voting is running "like clockwork" after his team had just about 80 days to rebuild the operation. This clip is from our AZ Votes special show. Catch the full-show replay at 7 p.m.

Think concert tickets are expensive? @MikePNoble says political ad spending is projected to hit $11.6 billion this election. He and @JimSharpe break down the numbers on our AZ Votes special show. 📺 We're streaming until 2 p.m., with Secretary of State Adrian Fontes set to join at 1:30 p.m. Watch: Can't watch now? Catch the full-show replay at 7 p.m.

"I'm terrified that they're going to come back in a flag-draped coffin." JoAnna Mendoza says that's the fear she’s hearing from some conservative parents whose children are deployed or awaiting orders amid the Iran war. On the AZ Political Podcast, she describes conversations with voters she calls "McCain Republicans" who are worried about both making ends meet and whether their kids will come home. Mendoza, a Navy and Marine Corps veteran challenging Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, has made opposition to the war part of her campaign. Ciscomani initially supported strikes against Iran but later said he opposed sending ground troops. "This administration promised us no more forever wars," Mendoza says in this clip, questioning Ciscomani’s trust in President Donald Trump's handling of the conflict. For Mendoza, "servant leadership" means listening — even when the conversation is uncomfortable: "That means showing up. That means having difficult conversations with people who are really pissed off." Watch her explain what she’s hearing from military families and why she believes their concerns demand answers:

"Talk is cheap, but people remember actions." Democrat JoAnna Mendoza told the AZ Political Podcast, taking aim at Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani, her Republican opponent in the race for Arizona's 6th Congressional District. Watch:

Arizona authorities are investigating reports that a woman who went missing more than two years ago and was presumed dead has resurfaced in Mexico.

Mortgage rates? Luxury homebuyers may be watching something else: their investment portfolios. Four Arizona ZIP codes rank among the nation's hottest luxury home markets. Tina Tamboer of The Cromford Report joins @AZMorningNews to explain why wealthy buyers — who don’t necessarily need a loan — are more focused on portfolio performance and corporate profits. Watch her break down what drives this corner of Arizona's housing market.

🚨TRAFFIC ALERT: Southbound State Route 143 is closed near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport after a five-vehicle crash.

UPDATE: The roadway has reopened.

Officers shot and killed a man who tried to flee after a traffic stop in Mesa about 2 a.m. today, police said.

After an EF1 tornado swept through Heber-Overgaard, residents have been pitching in to haul away debris and begin putting their neighborhoods back together. 🎤 @balin_om traveled there last Wednesday to capture the cleanup efforts and hear from the people living through the aftermath. As that work continues, local leaders are urging the state to do more. State Rep. Walt Blackman, whose district includes part of the area, requested an emergency declaration from Gov. Katie Hobbs. More: