McCain's illness, Flake's retirement top Arizona stories

PHOENIX (AP) - Tumultuous change in the congressional delegation and the state's stormy politics are among the top Arizona stories of 2017.

The brain cancer diagnosis of longtime Sen. John McCain riveted the nation, with the Republican acknowledging the prognosis is poor.

The state's Republican junior senator, Jeff Flake, decided not to seek re-election next year.

And Republican Rep. Trent Franks resigned in early December amid reports he asked staffers to carry his baby and offered one $5 million.

The changes in the state's delegation set the stage for a political shake-up next year.

Other top stories include the conviction and then pardon of former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the deaths of 10 people in flash floods, the eventual closure of a coal-fired plant and the arrest of a serial shooting suspect in Phoenix.