is directly inspired by previous Diamondbacks jerseys along with "the state's rich cultural diversity and Arizona's desert surroundings," according to a news release
A prominent part of the first City Connect uniform
"Serpientes" -- Spanish for snakes -- reappears on the front of the newest design
Serpientes appears on a bold purple background
The threads will debut Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Arizona's first night of Mexican Heritage weekend
They will be worn every Friday home game throughout the rest of the 2025 season
Arizona's 2001 World Series victory is referenced on the jersey's sleeves
which have a darker look compared with the main colorway
The Diamondbacks clinched the championship while wearing white uniforms with dark purple sleeves
The sleeve trim is a modernized version of what the franchise donned from 1998 to 2006 on its alternate uniforms
A flag patch is on the darker purple colored sleeve of the uniform. (Photo by Kelsey Grant/Arizona Diamondbacks)On the front of the jersey is a snakeskin evolution pattern
which were worn during the same time frame as the sleeve trims
Contrary to their first City Connect design
the Diamondbacks' cap will include the "S" logo in "Serpientes." It makes its on-field cap debut alongside a purple and teal colorway
Arizona wore its typical cap logo "A" in the original design
References to Arizona are still prominent on the uniform
while "Arizona Born" appears on the collar
The jock tag is a silhouette of the state of Arizona with 1998 in the center
"Our new City Connects are uniquely special to our organization
embodying every facet of what makes us the Arizona Diamondbacks
These uniforms represent a great sense of pride for our history
a celebration of our state's deep-rooted culture
whose unwavering dedication and passion for this team is depicted in the jerseys' colors," Derrick Hall
CEO and general partner of the Diamondbacks told ESPN
The Arizona Diamondbacks' Nike City Connect 2.0 uniforms have arrived
The team unveiled the new mostly purple "Serpientes" uniforms early on May 5
and the Diamondbacks will debut the uniforms for their May 9 game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field
The Diamondbacks will wear the jerseys and purple/teal caps again on May 10
and then every Friday home game for the rest of the 2025 season
The uniforms are the second version of City Connect fits after the team first sported sand-colored "Serpientes" uniforms in 2021
The jerseys are inspired by the team's original purple and teal colors from 1998
48 to honor when the team joined MLB and Arizona being the 48th state
and the words "Arizona Born" on the inside of the collar
The snakeskin-patterned pinstripes harken back to the original team uniforms
instead of an "A" or "D" for Arizona or Diamondbacks
features the "S" used in the Serpientes wordmark
Starting May 5 at 10 a.m., fans can find the new City Connect gear at the Chase Field team shop. The team shop also opens when stadium gates open around 5 p.m. for the Diamondbacks' 6:40 p.m. game against the New York Mets on May 5
'They're pretty sick': Diamondbacks players evaluate new Nike City Connect uniforms
the Diamondbacks will give away Geraldo Perdomo City Connect bobbleheads to the first 20,000 fans in attendance
but no photo of the bobblehead was available on the team website so as not to reveal the look of the new uniforms
Ben Verbrugge is a freelance sportswriter with a journalism degree from CSU Dominguez Hills
He is a member of the Los Angeles media and spends most of his time covering the NBA
either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter
or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources
Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content
The Arizona Diamondbacks have officially released their 2025 City Connect uniforms
which could be one of the most popular uniform unveilings of the season
Last year's design was a massive success when the Diamondbacks revealed their sand-colored "Serpientes" uniforms
and the 2025 rendition should prove just as popular among fans
Arizona opted to keep the "Serpientes" moniker as the name on the front of the jersey
the primary color has been changed to purple
and they went with a snake-skin-like texture running up and down the uniform
City Connect designs are always unique and fun
The Diamondbacks players should feel great when they take the field in this new look
and they could give them a slight edge as they look to climb up the standings in the NL West
The entire 2025 City Connect collection is now available for the fans
and the team is set to officially debut the new uniforms on the field later in the week against the Dodgers
Click on any of the images or links to order now. Place your order before it is too late, as these will be in high demand. Fanatics has you covered with officially licensed Arizona Diamondbacks City Connect gear
Buy Arizona Diamondbacks City Connect Gear
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site
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surrounded by the cactus-strewn landscapes of the Sonoran Desert
Its present-day creativity draws on its Native American and Mexican roots
Spanish colonial heritage and Wild West frontier days
Our communities are the building blocks of society
It is through these connections that we know what it means to be human
his love for his community is the driving force behind everything he does
Austin has spent the past five years running Arizona Hugs
a group that provides meals and support for Tempe’s homeless population
He didn’t wake up one morning and decide on a whim to get into charity work; his call to serve arose organically as he built personal relationships with the homeless community
Austin would skate to class and around town
which is how he got to know the folks he lovingly refers to as his “homies.”
Much of the homeless population lived in an area of town known as the river bottom
But Austin was always welcome and soon became a regular fixture down there
When the community showed Austin that they trusted him
“I want to show that same trust right back at you.” Above all
Austin wanted to impart a sense of community
“The best way for someone to get off drugs or work through their trauma is to create a stable
safe environment where their basic needs are met
and they feel safe enough to trust the people around them.”
After working with a few other local groups
what everyone needs is a hug and just that human connection
And it’s really as simple as that with the name
His group served food to the homeless community in Moeur Park on Sundays and also helped them secure mental health treatment
Austin even formed relationships with his community members’ families and made frequent calls to keep them updated on their wellbeing
Austin’s work is hands on and the people he feeds are his friends and his family
“What I realized out on the streets is a lot of folks either don’t have family or they’re not connected to their family,” he says
“The most important thing that we can offer someone on the streets is building family for each other.”
Such strong bonds make the work more meaningful
but deeper connections beget deeper wounds when the community experiences loss
Many of his friends have struggled with substance abuse
and Austin has lost more than a few to overdoses
He fondly remembers one of his friends who recently passed: A talented artist
the man once worked as a tattoo artist before his drug addiction put him out on the streets
which now serves as a beautiful tribute to their friendship
Austin has dedicated his entire life to helping his community and his community has supported him in return
“I don’t get paid for the AZ HUGS work,” he says
That’s why these last couple of years have been incredibly difficult
so the founder of this rehab gave me his old Corolla to drive around
he has been able to continue serving the homeless population of Tempe full time
you won’t see Austin in the park handing out meals because he has been banned from doing so
The City of Tempe has a law that requires a “special event” permit for certain public events
a $100 special event fee “for each day of operation,” and an event space rental fee per day that can range from $125 to $1,500 for non-commercial events
Even once these requirements are fulfilled
this law has applied to events like concerts—not meal service for the homeless
There are nonprofit groups serving meals in the park every single day of the week
Requiring hundreds of dollars of fees for each event isn’t feasible for groups like Austin’s
which at one time was serving meals nearly every day of the week
anyone who continues serving meals without obtaining a permit faces criminal charges
but was told by the City that he would have to discontinue meal service for 60 days while his permit was being considered
had put him in a position where he had to choose between his moral obligations and obeying the law
he accepted the risks and continued serving meals
The City cited Austin every single weekend that AZ Hugs continued to provide meals
he was barred from entering any Tempe public park and was subsequently cited for trespassing every time he continued to show up
when officers arrested Austin while he was picking up dinner supplies
(He hadn’t even gotten to the park yet.) Austin was treated like a criminal and forced to spend the night in jail
the Tempe Municipal Court judge released him without bail on the condition that he did not step foot in a public park
This situation is especially absurd when you factor in the “Neighborhood Event of the Year” award the City had given Austin in March 2022 in recognition of his picnics in the park
The same meal service worthy of praise before was now grounds for arrest
But the City didn’t stop doling out punishments
Austin is a poet and teaches free poetry classes at the local library
the library banned Austin from teaching his classes because of his failure to comply with other City rules—a completely unrelated matter
He would have had no problem continuing service in spite of it all
but he didn’t have the financial resources to keep paying citations or fighting in court
his friends and family were growing concerned
he took a plea bargain to avoid serving more time in jail
he did not know organizations like Pacific Legal Foundation were ready and willing to help him
Austin was dropping off water and ice for the homeless just outside of the park
when he noticed an altercation between two homeless individuals
He instinctively stepped in to de-escalate the situation
he stepped onto a sidewalk that was technically considered part of the park
Law enforcement were called in and he was arrested once again
While others have continued to provide meals
Austin has been relegated to an abandoned bus stop just across the street where he looks on from afar
making sure his community has what they need even if he cannot be with them
Austin wasn’t the only person arrested over the permit ordinance
Seventy-eight-year-old Ron Tapscott is a retired social worker who has built a career around helping others
he began doing community activism with a group he helped start
The organization was built around organizing community activists to deal with municipal government
Realizing how substantial the homeless issue had become
Ron began to shift his focus in that direction
to provide food for the homeless in the same park as AZ Hugs
Ron was warned that he would face punishment if he did not obtain a permit and still continued to serve
Jane Parker is also retired and has devoted her time to serving Tempe’s homeless through her organization H.O.P.E
Jane collects all sorts of items that the community may need
Jane is older and doesn’t feel like she can risk being thrown in jail
so she has done what she can to continue helping without breaking the permit ordinance
Jane addressed city council members during a meeting
pleading with them to correct their behavior and drop the charges against Austin
and you could hear in my voice the emotion.”
the City claimed in a statement that it was actively working to provide aid to the homeless
but there is still a dire need for food service that the City has not been able to meet
the City subcontracted to a group to manage it
and the people that were doing the ground experience there didn’t even know where to find food for people
So the only food that’s provided are people in our coalition that go twice a month to provide food
and Ron have tried to help the government fill the gaps
yet their acts of kindness are being criminalized
The government does not have a monopoly on charity
nor do they have the resources to adequately meet the community’s needs
The Constitution protects the right of every individual to pursue their calling without coming up against government roadblocks
especially when those roadblocks serve no credible public interest
the application and enforcement of the event permits for meal service goes against the public interest by limiting the resources needed by the city’s most vulnerable communities
Pacific Legal Foundation is helping Austin, Ron, and Jane challenge the unconstitutional permit requirement
Ron feels thankful to have PLF in his court
and I think having this level of support with people with the resources that you all bring to this
I think gives us a lot more hope than we may have had without it.”
Austin also expressed his gratitude for knowing there is someone willing to fight with him
I didn’t think that this was a possibility—that’s one of the reasons we felt we had to take the plea
I don’t have any money and I don’t have any way to effectively combat the City in this capacity
They have more power and money and time and resources than I do
“I’m eternally grateful for all of you for taking this case and working with me
When asked what winning the case would mean to him
“It would mean the world to me because the streets are my world.”
Criminalizing charity does nothing to benefit communities
and the special permits law is not just taking food out of the mouths of those who need it the most—it’s also illegal
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Arizona is a popular, yet sometimes expensive
The Grand Canyon State is known for it's natural beauty
No matter where you'd prefer to retire, you'll need to have some money saved up before leaving the workforce
certain cities in the United States are more affordable for retirees than others
to retire in North Carolina would cost you much more than if you were to settle down in Ohio or New Mexico
A recent study found that one Arizona city in particular was among the 20 most affordable places to retire in the United States
Tucson ranked 16th most affordable US city for retirementGOBankingRates ranked Tucson as the 16th most affordable place to retire in the United States
The consumer banking publication used three variables to complete its rankings: monthly expenditure
percent of the population aged 65 or older and an overall livability score out of 100
Monthly expenditure: $1,776Percent of population age 65 and older: 15.8%Livability score: 73Considering retirement in the desert? These 2 Arizona cities were named top spots to retire in the West. Here's why
These are the most affordable cities to retire in and their monthly expenditure
Arkansas: $1,74510 most expensive US cities to retire inGOBankingRates found these cities have the highest monthly expenditures for retirees
GOBankingRates ranked the cities based on “cheapest total cost of living” for seniors
It examined cities with at least 150,000 residents with at least 10% of those residents age 65 or older
as determined by data pulled from the from the U.S
GOBankingRates used several data sources to calculate household expenses
transportation and miscellaneous cost-of-living indexes from Sperling’s BestPlaces
as well as the national average expenditure costs for retired households
as reported in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for retired households
It also pulled average single-family home values from the Zillow Home Value Index for December 2024 and made consistent assumptions on down payments and lending rates across cities to get average housing costs
The livability index from AreaVibes for each location was included in the study’s report as “supplemental information to help determine the quality of life,” but did not factor into the rankings
USA TODAY Network reporter Nate Trela contributed to this article
Officials in Douglas — along the border between Arizona and the Mexican state of Sonora — have declared a state of emergency
The designation could free up additional financial aid from the state and make it easier to impose curfews
says it’s necessary because of policy shifts enacted under President Donald Trump — including his national emergency declaration along the U.S.-Mexico border
Grijalva says those changes stand to hurt his city’s economy
which relies on tourists coming over from Sonora
be proactive and create a preventive position for the city of Douglas,” he said
Grijalva says he hopes the designation sounds the alarm about how federal immigration policy impacts local border communities
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If you've ever felt like you needed a vacation to recover from your vacation
then perhaps sleep tourism would appeal to you
Sleep tourism is based on the idea that travelers want a relaxing, cozy destination to catch up on sleep
a mattress company based in the United Kingdom
analyzed over 50 of the most visited cities in the United States and Europe and made a list of the five most restful
The study looked at factors such as light pollution levels
number of hotels with four or more stars and the number of walking trails
The study ranked Tucson as the second most restful destination in the U.S.
The study cited the city's low levels of light pollution which make it easier to fall asleep at night. Tucson is known for its commitment to keeping the sky dark for its observatories, with strict lighting ordinances and several designated dark sky areas
with 116 walking trails per 100,000 people
giving visitors plenty of places to relax in the desert
Tucson also ranked highly in more traditional tourist categories
It had the highest percentage of hotels with four or more stars among all the American cities considered
"not to mention having the joint-second highest number of average sun hours per day at 10.6 – giving you plenty of time to get outside and take in the sights while earning a well-deserved tan," the study stated
More: 10 reasons Tucson is AZ's most entertaining city, from the Rialto to Old Tucson
MattressNextDay sells mattresses in the U.K
which looked at 50 of the most visited U.S
The study examined at eight factors to create the final score used to rank the cities:
'Only place like this': How one Asian market sparked an oasis of food in a Phoenix suburb
Reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks will wear their yet-to-be-unveiled Nike City Connect uniforms when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers either May 8 or May 9 seem more valid after a photo was leaked of what might actually be what the new jersey will look like
The Diamondbacks have not made anything official and have apparently been waiting on Nike to decide when to share the uniforms with the public
But indications are that an announcement is forthcoming
as a throwback nod to the team's original uniforms when they first took the field as a franchise in 1998
Here's another leaked look at what appears closer to what the jerseys might actually look like
It will be interesting to see what the hat that goes with the uniform looks like as well
Photos of a white hat have been shared via social media
This is to be the Diamondbacks' second City Connect jersey after 2021's sand-colored Serpientes uniform that drew a lot of positive reviews
as they did with the original Serpientes jerseys four years ago
could be an effective counter measure against the large contingent of blue that figures to be in the seats at Chase Field
The San Francisco Giants and Miami Marlins have also unveiled their new City Connect uniforms
The big reveal of the Arizona Diamondbacks' new Nike City Connect Series uniforms is imminent
the team's first City Connect fits since 2021
are set to wear their new uniforms on May 9 when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers
That means the official reveal could come before that
and speculation on social media is that a return to purple with teal from the early days of the franchise will be prominent in the design
Unofficial photos and renderings of the jerseys have been leaked online for weeks
But the Diamondbacks have been tight-lipped about any details regarding the reveal
have mostly expressed support for what they've seen
although there has also been skepticism about whether what's out there is close to what the jerseys will actually look like
There is talk of the use of the word "Serpientes" on the new jersey
which would be in line with the Diamondbacks' first City Connect jersey from four years ago
The sand-colored Serpientes uniform was a hit with Diamondbacks fans
and anything resembling a throwback to the colors of the 2001 World Series championship team has a good chance to be popular as well
The Diamondbacks unveiled the Serpientes jersey a few days before wearing it on the field for the first time
The San Francisco Giants have also unveiled their new City Connect uniforms
Scottsdale was named one of the happiest cities in the U.S
The study examined 182 cities based on 29 key indicators of happiness
income-growth rates and average leisure time per day
analysts calculated a score for each city based on three categories: emotional and physical well-being
Each city was assigned an overall score based on its ranking in the three categories. Scottsdale ranked No. 8 overall, two spots higher from last year's ranking
Gilbert and Chandler also made it to the top 50
and other six Arizona cities were scattered across the rest of the list
Here's why Scottsdale remains one of the happiest cities in the country
along with a roundup of the cities that made the list
Although the popular metro Phoenix city performed better in this year's ranking
it also had a significantly poorer performance in the community and environment category
for which it had ranked fourth overall in 2024
the city showed the biggest difference in the income and employment category
in which it went from the 170th to the 10th place
WalletHub researchers said the study results indicate there are many factors beyond money that play a role in determining residents' happiness levels in a given city
“When deciding where to live to maximize your happiness
you’ll want to pick a city that offers more than just a decent average income," said Chip Lupo
"The ideal city provides conditions that foster good mental and physical health
A 2010 study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that once people make $75,000, they won’t get any higher satisfaction from receiving more money.
Here's a rundown of how nine Arizona cities performed in the study
These are the 10 happiest cities in the U.S.
These are the 10 cities with the lowest happiness score in the U.S.
Tucson was named one of the nation's most entertaining cities in a recent study
The study, conducted by sports betting news site Action Network
analyzed the 100 most populated cities in the U.S
based on the availability of entertainment businesses and activities like museums
The study also considered each city's social media presence by analyzing data such as Instagram hashtags
Tucson ranked as the 12th most entertaining city in the U.S
Here's why Tucson ranked among the top cities for entertainment
as well as a roundup of the cities offering the most entertainment value
These are the 15 most entertaining cities in the U.S.
Las Vegas: 10.00New York: 9.66Philadelphia: 4.51Chicago: 3.96Cincinnati: 3.87Washington: 3.69Seattle: 3.47Minneapolis: 3.44Kansas City: 3.44Los Angeles: 3.30St
N.C.: 3.16Oklahoma City: 3.05Houston: 2.97Is Tucson entertaining or boring
These studies disagreeArizona's second-most populated city overperformed in Action Network's ranking for the social media hashtags category and the number of theaters in the city
Tucson also did not fall behind in the number of museums
among other entertainment businesses evaluated in the study
pushing its placement slightly down the list
Contrastingly, in a different analysis by Solitared from October 2024, Tucson ranked as one of the most boring cities in the U.S.
The study analyzed the amount variety of leisure and entertainment activities in 94 of the most populated cities based on Google Maps listings
Tucson ranked as the 25th most boring city in the country with about 3,433 things to do
It also ranked ninth with the least variety of activities
with 294 unique things to do and a variety score of 6.17
The difference could be due to Action Network's study methodology
where analysts weighted each category to give more significance to some in each city's final entertainment score
Casinos weighted most significantly with 30% weight on the final score
Instagram hashtags and other entertainment businesses weighed 2% or less on the final score
Arizona holds a lot of world records
but one title feels especially on the nose — the sunniest city in the world
The Guinness World Record listing notes that Yuma received sunshine during 91% of the possible hours of sunshine
making it officially the sunniest place in not just the United States but the whole wide world
Here's what to know about sunshine in Yuma
why it is so sunny there and how it compares to other Grand Canyon State cities
plus the top 10 sunniest cities in the United States
Yuma receives an average of 4,015.3 hours of sunshine each year
the average amount of sunshine per year was just 2734.6 hours
Yuma isn't just the sunniest city in Arizona or the United States
it's considered the sunniest in the whole world
though it receives almost 150 hours less sunshine per year
a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix
said that Yuma sees little rain each year because of the pattern of weather systems
Weird world records: 19 of Arizona's, from longest chimichanga to biggest UFO convention
Yuma recently experienced one of its longest dry streaks on record, topping out at 215 days without rain, according to the weather service. The storm system that moved through the state last week ended the streak. The longest dry stretch in Yuma history was 380 days
which started in December 2001 and ended in December 2002
Yuma isn't the only overly sunny city in the Grand Canyon State. Several other Arizona cities are also top the list of sunniest US cities, according to World Meteorological Organization data.
These are the 10 sunniest cities in the United States, according to World Meteorological Organization data.
When looking for a place to spend their golden years, retirees often consider one important factor: safety
A study by GoBankingRates in early December went one step further
ranking retirement cities across the country by safety and the wealth of the community
The list looked at a variety of statistics
such as the violent crime rate per 1,000 residents and the average income for retired households
The scores were then summed to find the top 30 cities that maximize both safety and wealth
as long as at least a quarter of the city's population is age 65 or older
Oro Valley, claimed the No. 1 spot as the safest and wealthiest city in the United States to retire. Oro Valley's average retirement income is $52,098, nearly double the national average of $27,617
The small suburb of 48,000 people north of Tucson is known for its parks and nature trails
with easy access to the Coronado National Forest
Arizona retirement: These 3 Arizona cities were named among the best places to retire in the US. But are they?
Reach the reporter at reia.li@gannett.com. Follow @Reialirui on X
Arizona is blessed with beautiful deserts and cacti
but it's also home to some stunning mountains
according to a new study from WeGoDating.com
"Arizona’s mountains aren’t just beautiful — they’re places that bring people together
offering the chance to fall in love with the moment
and even the company you keep," Amy Harris
The study ranked 106 towns based on weather
affordability and quality of life using factors like winter temperature
Here's what to know about the best mountain towns in Arizona and what makes them so special
Tucson was ranked the top mountain town in the U.S
Here are some key statistics about Tucson's weather and cost of living that
More: This Arizona county is a top spot for vacation homes, study shows. Here's why
Two other Arizona mountain towns were also highlighted in the ranking
“Arizona’s mountain towns are destinations that inspire connection and wonder," Harris said
"Tucson’s year-round sunshine and vibrant culture
and Flagstaff’s blend of adventure and charm offer something truly special for anyone looking to escape and recharge."
Sedona ranked No. 12 on the list for its stunning red rocks
Here are some other statistics about Sedona that the ranking highlighted:
Average winter temperature: 31 degreesSnowfall: 1 inch annuallyDays of sunshine: 303 days a yearMonthly cost of living: $13,830 for a family and $4,200 for an individualFlagstaff ranked low on the list
The study noted it had great opportunities for skiing
Here are some other statistics about Flagstaff that the ranking highlighted:
Top 10 mountain towns in the USThese are the top 10 mountain towns in the U.S.
More: This Arizona roadway named most scenic drive. How to see the breathtaking views
staff are in the thick of making the budget for the next fiscal year
“We try to anticipate some of this, but it’s also linked to the general overall economy and as the economy changes or inflation changes, we also have to take that into consideration. So it makes it very tough,” said budget and finance director Levi Gibson
Glendale is losing around $13 million with the elimination of the rental tax, equal to the city’s parks and recreation department
“Instead of saying, well, let’s go cut something. We just haven’t been able to add anything,” explained Glendale assistant city manager Vicki Rios
Earlier this month, the state Senate passed bill SB 1013 that would require a two-thirds majority vote for any council or board to adopt or raise taxes
“This commonsense taxpayer protection requires the same threshold from local governments as the Legislature when raising or imposing fees
We want to make sure government fully funds its obligations
but we also want to protect our citizens from unnecessary taxation.”
The city of Phoenix is considering raising its Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) to make up for lost revenue
including from the elimination of the rental tax
isn’t going to make that move but hasn’t ruled that out in the near future
“We can sort of absorb or know in advance and plan for something a couple of years out
But it will get to the point where we’re not going to be able to do that,” she explained
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Sedona remains one of Tripadvisor users' most loved destinations
And now they have honored Sedona as one of the best destinations in the U.S. in Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice Destination Awards for 2025
its rank improving from the last two years
TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards are based on the millions of reviews that travelers share on the website
Why Tripadvisor users love SedonaSedona is not only an easy day trip from Phoenix but also a world-class hub for outdoor and wellness tourism
up four spots from its place on the 2024 survey
Sedona is described in a summary on Tripadvisor as "a true oasis
a vacationer’s paradise in the middle of the Arizona desert." Visitors enjoy the Verde Valley city for its red rock buttes and canyons such as Cathedral Rock and Courthouse Butte
hiking opportunities near Bell Rock and in Oak Creek Canyon and the architecture of the Chapel of the Holy Cross
Sedona's abundant resorts and spas were cited as a highlight. While Adobe Grand Villas is the favorite of Tripadvisor users, it's far from the only area resort to receive high accolades. Enchantment Resort, home to the wellness spa resort Mii amo, was named the No. 1 Arizona hotel by U.S
Recognized as an International Dark Sky Community in 214 for its commitment to protect and preserve the night sky, Sedona's stargazing opportunities also impressed Tripadvisor users
who described the night sky as "the best show in Sedona."
Save money: Top 10 free things to do in Sedona, from hikes to the Chapel of the Holy Cross
hotels and restaurants are selected based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor over 12 months
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WalletHub
Some places promote wellness by expanding access to nutritious food and recreational facilities
Others strive to keep healthcare costs affordable for everyone or keep parks clean and well-maintained
When a city doesn’t take care of these important issues
how do Arizona cities rank among the healthiest cities in America
To determine which areas prioritize residents’ well-being, WalletHub compared more than 180 of the most populated U.S
cities across 41 key indicators of good health
Our data set ranges from the cost of a medical visit to fruit and vegetable consumption to the share of physically active adults
FOOD NEWS: 10 celebrity chef restaurants to try in Arizona
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Here’s how the Healthiest Cities in America rank
The Healthiest Cities in Arizona are in bold
Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city
where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category
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cities prioritize sustainability and invest most in protecting the environment
cities across 28 key indicators of environmental friendliness and sustainability
from greenhouse gas emissions per capita and water quality to job opportunities in sustainability
The indicators were then grouped into four categories: environment quality
energy sources and sustainability policies
Each city was assigned a score in every category and the scores were combined to come up with an overall ranking
from the cities leading in green initiatives to those falling behind
Here's what environmental challenges are impacting Arizona cities the most
what local solutions could be implemented and simple ways people can contribute
along with a roundup of the most and least environmentally conscious cities in the U.S
What are the most sustainable cities in America?These are the 10 most sustainable cities in the U.S.
Here are the 10 least "green cities," ranked from least to most sustainable
What policies could be implemented in Arizona cities?Glendale
Gilbert and Chandler rated poorly across all study categories but were ranked especially low for environmental quality indicators like the intensity of the urban heat island effect
who has a doctorate in urban planning and teaches policy analytics at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies
said implementing climate adaptation policies is pivotal in Arizona cities where the impact of urban heat is expected to be exacerbated by droughts and serious changes in rain patterns
with fewer but more severe rains likely to become the norm
The urban heat island effect is at the forefront of metro Phoenix's prolonged and worsening heat
roads and other infrastructure absorb and re-emit the sun’s heat
This contributes to higher low temperatures in the mornings
resulting in more record temperatures in the afternoons
DePaolis said investing in urban reforestation and reducing the density of these heat accumulators would help reduce the number of days above 100 degrees in Arizona cities
It is not just a way of being ‘green’; it makes good business sense," DePaolis said in an email statement
Phoenix is investing in creating more shaded areas in vulnerable areas, with leaders at the city's heat office putting up $50 million from local
federal and private funds into the initiative over the next five years
Phoenix also underperformed in WalletHub's greenest cities ranking
but it was far ahead of the four Arizona cities named among the bottom 10
Phoenix ranked lowest in the transportation category but landed in the top half for sustainability policies
Peoria and other cities also received large sums of money from the U.S
Forest Service in 2023 as part of Biden's $1.5 billion urban forestry initiative
which is also part of his Justice40 plan to address the ways climate change will affect minorities and disadvantaged communities the most
here are some more cost-efficient green policies that McCusker and DePaolis said local authorities can implement to effectively foster environmental protection and alleviate the harmful effects of warming
especially in the most vulnerable communities:
Here are some simple ways people can implement environmental practices without much cost or effort
according to DePaolis and WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo:
Call it a cliché, but Surprise’s rapid growth in recent years has been a bit of a surprise when considering its humble startup from a single acre of farmland almost a century ago
The sprawling community is the eighth largest city in metro Phoenix
and has been among the fastest-growing cities in the nation
U-Haul announced earlier this year that both Surprise and the east Valley community of Queen Creek were in the moving truck company’s top 25 growing cities in the U.S
Surprise was listed at 18 on the U-Haul Growth Index
a 10-spot drop from its previous placement the year prior
Surprise’s current population marked a 12% growth since the 2020 census. The Maricopa Association of Governments projects the population to reach 234,579 by 2030
With that growth has come economic development and an emphasis on city management and leaders to provide recreational activities
the city has its Cactus League Spring Training facility
where the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers call home before the MLB season
However, Surprise’s explosive expansion hasn’t come without any growing pains
Motorists over the years have dealt with traffic woes
namely at the notorious bottleneck where the stretch of U.S
The issue has even thwarted one developer’s plans to bring much-needed housing to the city
let's see how it all began by looking back at the city’s roots and early days
When was Surprise founded?Flora Mae Statler founded Surprise in 1938
the town became an officially incorporated city of Arizona
Statler had once remarked that she would “be surprised if the town ever amounted to much.”
“We are confident that Flora Mae would indeed be surprised by how this once small town has developed and grown into the Surprise of today,” the city boasted on its website
More: It's been 50 years. Do you remember 1975? Here's what Arizona was like back then
wanted to stake a claim on a parcel in the area
she purchased a square mile of farmland along U.S
According to Keller Williams Arizona Realty
Statler paid a whopping 35 cents per acre — for a total of $224
a vacant 4.34-acre parcel listed for sale in Surprise on the site Redfin this month was fetching over $3 million
aptly called "the Original Townsite,” sits on the eastern edge of modern-day Surprise
attracting migrant farmers who were working in the neighboring El Mirage
Nearly 87 years later, the once small farming village now encompasses 110 square miles of incorporated land and is home to roughly 160,000 residents
There are urban and commercial developments, ranches, industrial sites and business parks. There's also plenty of more space to grow, as the city is anticipated to develop much of its vacant land to the north and west of Loop 303
the city is working to preserve at least 2,000 acres of desert running through the heart of the city
The land will be saved for wildlife corridors and open-space recreation
such as parks and trails for bikers and hikers
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While I tend to spend as little time on TwitterX these days as humanly possible, there are still an excellent number of uniform and uniform-adjacent accounts, one of which is that of @SunsUniTracker
is most focused on the Phoenix Suns outfits
but many of his tweets are for other Arizona teams
And he’s got some great photoshop skills as well
This is based on what I've been hearing for a while + some new info
Will post revisions as I learn more. pic.twitter.com/LNOHI7fJaL
— Suns Uniform Tracker (@SunsUniTracker) March 15, 2025
…it seems as though the account may be privy to either some insider info or at the very least
So I certainly wouldn’t say the mockup above is in any way
shape or form what the team will be rolling out later this year when they unveil their second generation City Connect uniform
I do know that D-backs fans love the purple and teal from the team’s original sets
and the team has worn a purple alternate jersey in the past
So a purple City Connect jersey certainly makes sense for the team to adopt as a part of their new CC. I was highly doubtful that the team would use the exact same “Serpientes” wordmark/script from their original tan set
but … there is now a photo of some custom cleats for D-backs LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
which may indeed confirm Suns Uni Tracker’s mockup:
Lourdes’ new cleats basically confirm this is going to be the jersey. pic.twitter.com/ssuWzKYoGC
— Mark (@ImhoffII) March 23, 2025
about the future Diamondbacks CC is that they’ll have a new one in 2025
But if MLB/Nike are looking for another reason to basically print money
releasing a new CC with a purple jersey is pretty much a no-brainer
I’m sure those will be extremely popular with fans if that’s their next direction
Even if this rendering is nothing like what is actually unveiled
how would you feel about Arizona going with a purple jersey (and lets hope not pants) for their new CC
I will admit I understand why the Diamondbacks shifted to Sedona Red but I still think they looked their best during their first few years of existence
If they’re never going back to purple
at least doing so via city connect is a good compromise
aqua,black and copper felt perfectly southwestern
This mockup is self-proclaimed not necessarily accurate
Hoping they go mono-purple just to see the heads explode
Someone will need to do a welfare check on Paul
If its city connect it shouldnt say Arizona it should say Phoenix just saying
I’m pretty sure no one said it would say “Arizona” — I’m using that purple jersey from their past to show they’ve worn a purple top before
it will be a second “Serpientes” jersey
I would love it if they went with “Phoenix” on the front…but I think that’s a long shot
But I’m pretty positive it won’t say “ARIZONA” anywhere on the jersey
but if they did purple on top and teal down below
they would probably go with some black pants with a teal stripe
I like the turquoise over the old teal though
As a Phoenix guy that used to be on twitter all the time
SunsUniTracker was always on with his Suns predictions
He definitely had mock-ups or connections with the Suns
We will see how his Dbacks’ sources are soon
he’s been uncannily good with the Suns predictions/mocks
not to say (nor does SUT say) this is the jersey
But (aside from repeating the Serpientes wordmark?) it all makes sense
I’d love to see “Phoenix” (the could even keep the same script family
We already saw the Astros and Nationals sticking to a theme established previously (at least partly)
so maybe keeping that old “Serpientes” workmark is how they’ll keep their link to CC 1.0
I’d love for SUT to be correct with this
Just going to pick a random thread since you all don’t do an NCAA first and second round recap
This would be a decent alternative uniform for Arizona
Maybe they can just dump the CC name and gimmick for these
and just say they are a rotating alternate uniform for the team
Whether you want to draw from the team’s uniform history
that is fine so long as the uniform looks good and makes sense with the team’s current or past visual identity
Color swapped fauxback designs would be preferable to 99% of the initial CC rollout
but I’m a big fan of the Suns’ original color scheme
Purple and orange would look good on the Snakes
It seems very un-Nike-esque to keep the same concept and just change the color
I can’t think of a way they would make that look good
this would be a great jersey for them if the mockup is true
people liked the serpientes name and hat logo too
add that too historical team colors and a state flag and that might be one of the best of the whole program
Their City Connect 1.0 hat is basically a palette swap of the main D-Backs “A” logo
I love the vests they wore during their World Series win
I don’t think the teal/aqua goes as well either the Sedona red
if I accidentally hit the e instead of the w
it will auto-correct to “either” instead of “with”
No gradients please but otherwise rolling with purple and turquoise plus serpientes is OK with me
that vintage Arizona jersey shown here is very good
maybe even better than their official nickname
but I’ve never been wild about the lettering
I do think the lettering is more effective in these colors than in the original CC
but I wish the shape of the “S” was a little different
I’d also want to see a snake-S as the hat logo instead of the blocky “A.” That thin triangular alternate logo on the lower front of the CC jerseys could also make for a nice cap logo if it were pointing up instead of down
It’s hard to tell what the gradient is going to look like on these in real life
The rendering shows the jersey lying flat
The thick white soles on the cleats suggest that these will be worn with white pants
Anything other than white or grey would be pretty wild
but I think that might be a little too much for an MLB team
Although black pants would be conceivable based on the rendering
those cleats don’t look like something you’d get custom-made to go with black pants
but I think it would be even better if it included the gold/copper as well
I always want to see Arizona teams wear a flag shoulder patch because that flag is cool
but the color-shifting doesn’t do it any favors here
The triangular alternate logo above the laundry tag on the first city connect jersey was designed as a “V” for valley of the sun
You can’t flip it upside-down for a hat logo; then it would lose its meaning
but actually consider purchasing a purple Serpientes jersey if the rumors are true
That throwback arizona jersey is just *chefs kiss* perfect
Since her early days serving Phoenix on the City Council
Kate has been focused on creating the Phoenix of the future: a welcoming
thriving city with ample high-wage jobs and opportunities for all.
Kate spends every day focused on getting things done for Phoenix families
The results speak for themselves: Kate brought a historic $65 billion semiconductor manufacturing plant to Phoenix that’s creating thousands of great-paying career paths; she built coalitions to deliver critical improvements to parks
and city infrastructure; and she is partnering with ASU to build a brand-new medical school in downtown Phoenix. \r\n
Kate is the second elected woman mayor in Phoenix history and one of the youngest big city mayors in the nation
She graduated from Harvard and holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business
Though serving Phoenicians keeps her days busy and her heart full
thriving city with ample high-wage jobs and opportunities for all.
The results speak for themselves: Kate brought a historic $65 billion semiconductor manufacturing plant to Phoenix that’s creating thousands of great-paying career paths; she built coalitions to deliver critical improvements to parks
and city infrastructure; and she is partnering with ASU to build a brand-new medical school in downtown Phoenix.
Discover Phoenix's Legacy Small Business Program
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Submit your application online to recognize special events or causes in the community
Break out the sandbags. The city of Douglas has declared a state of emergency
“All we’re asking for is help,” Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva said
Lest you think this border town is worried about being overrun with undocumented murderers and rapists — that drug cartels are shooting it out on G Avenue — that’s not quite what’s happening here
It’s more that city leaders are worried the town might be abandoned by the residents of nearby Agua Prieta
Opinion: ASU club's 'deport classmates' event is sickening
Grijalva is concerned that President Donald Trump’s actions on the border will leave Mexicans either unable or unwilling to cross into Douglas for fear of being confronted by soldiers intent on protecting Walmart and other local businesses from the scourge of undocumented shoppers
Wonder if Trump recognizes this emergency?The two towns
are interconnected with tiny Douglas dependent on tourism from the much larger Agua Prieta
70% of the city’s sales tax receipts come from south of the border
“We’re so dependent on Mexico,” Grijalva said
as the City Council voted 3-2 to declare an emergency
The city’s emergency declaration qualifies the city for financial aid
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The City of Phoenix Public Transit Department (PTD) provides Phoenix residents with a variety of convenient transit options
which range from local and commuter buses to Dial-A-Ride services for senior citizens and individuals with special needs
The Phoenix Public Transit Department is also the largest member of the Valley Metro/Regional Public Transportation Authority and participates in oversight of the Valley Metro light rail system
Learn more about the different programs and initiatives that will grow public transit in the city
Transportation 2050 plan places additional emphasis on street needs including; street maintenance
new pis exp anding investment in Phoenix for bus service
light rail construction and street improvements
T2050 requires a 15-member Citizens Transportation Commission to represent various facets of the community and oversee the plan
Bus Rapid Transit is a high-capacity bus service that provides a fast
Phoenix is currently seeking community feedback on the identified corridor - 35th Avenue
As a recipient of Federal Transit Administration funding
the City of Phoenix provides the resources for DBEs
Valley Metro is the regional public transportation agency providing coordinated transit services to residents of metro Phoenix
light rail and paratransit service to alternative commuter solutions
Valley Metro’s core mission is to develop and operate a network of transit services
Email: pubtrans@phoenix.gov
SURPRISE, Ariz., Oct. 24, 2024 — A judge threw out the criminal charge looming over the head of an Arizona mom who was arrested for criticizing a city attorney’s pay raise at a city council meeting
The judge called the government’s suppression of Rebekah Massie’s speech “objectively outrageous” and dismissed her trespass charge
“For more than two months I’ve been living with the threat of punishment and jail time — being taken away from my kids
even — for doing nothing more than criticizing the government,” said Rebekah
and I can’t tell you what a relief it is to have people on my side standing up for our rights with me.”
Bret Royle, an attorney at Feldman Royle, represented Rebekah in the criminal case. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression represents Rebekah in her federal lawsuit
city rule that forbids people from criticizing government officials at city council meetings
“That’s the kind of thing that happens in tyrannical countries but should never happen here
No American should face jail time for exercising their freedom of speech
COURTESY PHOTOS OF REBEKAH MASSIE
FIRE’s lawsuit
aims to hold the city accountable for violating Rebekah’s constitutional rights and to obtain damages.
“This is an incredible win for Rebekah and an important message to government bureaucrats around the country that the First Amendment bows to no one,” said FIRE attorney Conor Fitzpatrick
“The fight goes on in Rebekah’s lawsuit against the City of Surprise
We want to make it crystal clear to governments across the United States that brazenly censoring people and betraying the First Amendment comes with a cost.”
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is a nonpartisan
nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty
FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights
promotes a culture of respect for these rights
FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk covers the free speech news you need to stay informed
© 2024 Foundation for Individual Rights and ExpressionP.O
passed an ordinance Tuesday which will end government diversity
Five members of the council voted to approve Ordinance No
which will discontinue the use of city funds for what the measure refers to as “systemic” DEI programming
including training related to the practices and an “Office of DEI."
The ordinance also directs the Scottsdale city manager to reassign to an “appropriate” department and position a “diversity program director” and “compliance coordinator” for the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act
Councilman Adam Kwasman said during the city council meeting the practice of DEI as a whole “runs” policies “through the lens” of “identity categories” like race and sex
it actively prevents diversity of viewpoint," Kwasman said
"It subverts equal opportunity in favor of an artificial equity outcome
It excludes those whose beliefs diverge from a narrow orthodoxy."
Councilwoman Solange Whitehead claimed the ordinance does not serve any purpose
“This is an ordinance that is aimed at accomplishing nothing and solving problems that never existed and
sends a message to the world that this international destination is not open for all,” she said
“There is not one policy at the City of Scottsdale that will change if this ordinance is passed
The measure also calls for "merit-based employment." Under the ordinance
the city council will ensure city employees are hired
as well as protected from what it refers to as “unlawful and anti-meritocratic forms of discrimination.”
Whitehead told attendees of the council meeting that police officers there
as well as “water scientists” making sure the public can drink and survive on tap water
a “purposeful conflation” between the intentions of people who don’t believe in certain government programs and people who have a heart that’s “aimed true and caring toward a diverse crowd
toward somebody – toward a diverse community
to a belief in inclusion,” according to Kwasman
Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com
Customers near the company’s Tolleson facility can get thousands of items delivered by air
The launch in Tolleson advances Amazon's efforts to integrate drones into its sprawling fulfillment network
rather than using standalone Prime Air sites for deployment
The e-commerce giant’s same-day delivery sites are located around large metropolitan areas and near its larger fulfillment centers
giving such facilities access to plenty of customers and inventory
The Federal Aviation Administration’s decision allowing Amazon to fly its MK30 drones beyond an operator's visual line of sight was key to the company’s drone delivery debut in the Arizona city
first-of-its-kind approval for a new drone system and a new operating location following a rigorous FAA evaluation of the safety of our systems and processes," Amazon said in the announcement
Airspace regulations remain a key hurdle in companies' efforts to expand drone delivery services, in addition to high costs and consumer uncertainty
Current drone models also have limitations in what they can deliver, and when. For Amazon's drones, each delivery is limited to one item, and the service isn't available at night or during unfavorable weather like rainstorms, according to the company's website
The drones also won't deliver products if a prior package is still located in the delivery area
Despite the restrictions, Amazon said it has delivered thousands of items in less than an hour via drones since launching the capability in 2022. Beyond Tolleson, the company is also making deliveries in College Station, Texas
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Added fees from the delivery giants are clashing with heightened shipping discounts
but customers have options to limit the impact
The company is exploring new ways to leverage robotics
such as systems to unload trucks and reduce the physical strain on workers
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Residents in Tucson will vote in November on whether to raise the minimum wage for people working in the city to $15
Tucson is one step closer to becoming the second city in Arizona — behind Flagstaff — to pass a $15 minimum hourly wage initiative
The Tucson City Clerk’s office Thursday evening certified the initiative petition for the Tucson Minimum Wage Act, which proposes to raise the minimum wage from $12.15 to $15 in the city by 2025
It will appear on the citywide ballot for the general election Nov
2 and a majority of voters will have to vote yes for it to pass
said he’s optimistic and expects the proposed minimum wage hike to emerge as one of the most talked-about issues this local election season
this is going to be the big thing to vote for,” he said
noting that the races for three seats on the Tucson City Council this year aren’t shaping up to be contested partisan heats
the city raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour for city employees
which meant raises for more than 2,000 people
cities and municipalities across the United States have voted to increase local wages above the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour
the Tucson initiative would increase wages for the estimated 85,000 people who are earning less than $15 an hour within Tucson city limits
(It would not affect rideshare employees and university employees
The initiative would also create mechanisms to protect against wage theft
disincentivize employers from cutting shifts short and prohibit employers from forcing employees to receive their earnings via a pay card
“It’s hard to convince people that raising their wages is a bad thing when they’re barely surviving
And even folks who aren’t in that situation understand the economy is rigged against poor folks,” Boyd said
“I think there’s overwhelming acceptance of that in Tucson
and this is going to be something we’re going to win by a healthy margin.”
including Ward 6 City Councilman Steve Kozachik and Tucson Unified School District board member Natalie Luna Rose
Additionally, the Fight for 15 campaign reported a total of $54,460.54 in campaign contributions from January through March
which included $50,000 from the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
The plan to raise Tucson’s $12.15 hour wage
through a three-year incremental increase is something similar to what campaigns have done across the country
58% of Arizona voters passed a gradual statewide minimum wage increase
which elevated the hourly wage floor from $8.05 in 2015 to $12.15 this year
making it one of the highest hourly wage floors of any state
But, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Living Wage Calculator, that’s still not quite enough for a single person with no children living in Tucson to afford clothing
They would need to work a full-time job earning at least $13.80 an hour; a single person with one child would need at least $28.52
a recent graduate of the University of Arizona who earns minimum wage as a youth services worker
The initial bump in wages was noticeable and appreciated
said she’s since found out it’s not quite enough to pay for medical care
“$12.15 might be a livable wage if you don’t have any ailments
and I’m just a single 25-year-old with diabetes
and other situations much more costly than mine.”
She started working for the Fight for 15 campaign this year
The majority of people she’s spoken to so far
“people seem to have their minds made up.”
the jump to $15 an hour wouldn’t happen right away
It proposes a $13 minimum wage starting April 1
before finally reaching $15 an hour in 2025
the wage rate would be adjusted for inflation each year
“That’s to make sure it does not harm small businesses
Sometimes they’re working with much smaller profit margins
so this is to make sure it won’t put anyone under,” Boyd said
comparing small businesses to national conglomerates like Walmart
counties and cities all over the country have been raising the minimum wage over the past few years
The folks writing this bill were intentional at looking at what worked and didn’t work in other communities.”
small businesses are divided on the minimum wage increase in Tucson
Some of the local businesses that have pledged their support say worker satisfaction influences business
“Every business owner feels the pressure of making payroll
but workers who are paid well are going to raise the bottom line of any business,” said Dwight Metzger
a print shop in South Tucson where the starting wage is already $15 an hour
“People need to take care of themselves at home
people need health care and to be able to pay their rent in order to show up at work and do a good job.”
other business owners have vocalized their opposition to the proposal
“We just can’t afford it,” said Ed Ackerley
owner of Ackerley Advertising and co-president of Tucson Business Owners
“Many of the businesses in Tucson are suffering as it is just trying to stay afloat the last 18 months
To try to come back from reducing staff and barely getting by
and now all of the sudden getting hit with an increase in hourly wage for some companies that could be the last straw.”
Ackerley said his organization also opposes the initiative’s proposal to create a city department of labor standards
which would investigate reports of wage violations
we’re against is the bureaucracy that comes with it,” he said
While his group has current plans to take any legal action against the ballot initiative
Ackerley said it is “planning on educating voters on why this isn’t the right time and right place for this kind of initiative,” ahead of the November election
President & CEO of Tucson Metro Chamber Amber Smith sent out a news release offering a similar disapproval of the Minimum Wage Act
“The act would put Tucson businesses at a disadvantage
forcing them to pay higher wages than competitors elsewhere in our community — including some that could be located right across the street,” Smith said
“The Tucson Metro Chamber supports building an affordable community with competitive wages
The issue of poverty cannot be solved while looking at only one side of the equation
Affordability reflects the cost of goods and services as well as housing
which passed the first $15 minimum wage initiative in Arizona in 2016 with 54% of the vote
According to several media dispatches from Flagstaff
where there was an unsuccessful effort to repeal the measure
the pay bump has produced a mix of results since then
while many others have remained open; some residents felt the wage increase
And that kind of trade-off is why raising the minimum wage in Tucson — or anywhere else — is no “silver bullet” solution to minimizing wage gaps
He noted that while many workers will see wage increases if the initiative passes
those with less education and less socioeconomic standing are more likely than their well-off peers to lose their minimum wage job as a result of businesses adjusting to the new wage scale
“Will it solve all of the disparities in society
I don’t think it will be a very effective device because it will be helpful to some and harmful to others
adding that greater investments in education
drug prevention programs and earned income tax credits
may offer more direct solutions to poverty
But as housing costs continue to rise in a state with some of the lowest investment in education in the country
organizers for the Tucson Fight for 15 campaign said they are trying to put more money in workers’ pockets
we would be the largest city in a Red state to do this,” Billy Peard
a former Democratic candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives and co-author of the Tucson Minimum Wage Act
“I hope we’ll be a big shining example to others
that city governments can and should exercise more influence in the lives of people.”
Todd Martin caught this Northern Cardinal feasting on some Zinfandel grapes at his Tucson home
Kathryn Palmer covers local government for the Arizona Daily Star. Contact her at kpalmer@tucson.com
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City study showed 81% of its employees make wages below the standard market rates of other public-sector jobs around the state
To me the solution is to make the current jobs better jobs," writes retired Star editorial page editor Jim Kiser
The primary race for Tucson City Council seats representing Ward 3
The University of Arizona said it's not currently planning to sell the Campus Agricultural Center property it acquired in 1909
The city has long attempted to enforce gun laws stricter than the state’s
Newcomers seek open Ward 3 council seat; incumbent Steve Kozachik faces two challengers in Ward 6
Between the five Democratic candidates who campaigned for either Ward 3 or 6
there's a wide range in how much money each one raised
is election day with contested Democratic primaries in Wards 3 and 6 for the Tucson City Council
The outcome of a legal fight between Flagstaff and state lawmakers could affect the decision by Tucson residents of whether they want to vote …
Although three county supervisors have endorsed Tucson's ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour in the city
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Chandler and six other Arizona cities were named among the 100 best for thrift shopping in the U.S., according to a new study
cities offer the best thrift shopping experience
evaluating factors like thrift store variety
Even though seven Arizona cities made it to the list
as well as a roundup of the top cities for thrift shopping in the U.S
and a list of metro Phoenix thrift stores to make the best out of your shopping experience
The perks of thrift shopping make it a no-brainer option for many
The trend has grown in recent years as the perception of thrifting has changed
founder and thrifting expert at CouponFollow
"Social media and increased eco-consciousness have been huge linchpins in the growing popularity of thrifting," Mezzacca told USA TODAY
Mezzacca said younger generations have pushed thrifting for sustainability and as a means of expression
"Thrifting is now touted as a means of sustainable fashion and offering exclusive
one-of-a-kind finds that cannot be achieved with fast fashion," Mezzacca said
"It has also raised the cultural bar to make thrifting a default not only for budgeting but also for being a vehicle for personal expression and ethical consumerism."
CouponFollow has noticed some differences in the last two years since it last surveyed thrift shoppers
85% of thrifters said they did so to save money
42% said to save the environment and 40% said to find discounted high-end brands
88% of thrifters still said they were motivated by savings
but the second highest reason people thrifted was to find unique clothing (41%) and the third was finding "treasure" for 35%
The average annual savings reported by 1,000 thrifters who were surveyed
was $2,071 in 2024 compared to $1,760 in 2022
More: These metro Phoenix cities were ranked among the most boring in the US. Do you agree?
Chandler was named the best city in Arizona and No
The East Valley city overperformed in most study categories
but especially in the number of thrift stores available
where it obtained second place nationwide with nearly 140 thrift stores across the city
Chandler was only second to New York in this category
which used Yelp data to help determine the concentration of thrift stores available in every city
Chandler also performed high in thrift store affordability and popularity categories
but it landed in the second half of the ranking for the number of flea markets available
Phoenix ranked as the second-best Arizona city for thrift shoppers
Phoenix barely made it to the top half at No
48 and was closely followed by Glendale at No
Gilbert and Scottsdale all landed in the bottom half of the ranking
Here's a list of how all Arizona cities performed in the ranking
as well as their rank for the study category where they performed best
2 for the number of thrift stores available.Phoenix: No
15 for thrift store affordability.Glendale: No
22 for the number of thrift stores available.Tucson: No
25 for the number of thrift stores available.Mesa: No
27 for the number of thrift stores available.Gilbert: No
38 for thrift store affordability.Scottsdale: No
50 for thrift store ratings.10 top secondhand stores in metro PhoenixHere are 10 locally owned secondhand clothing stores throughout metro Phoenix that have a diverse inventory
are relatively affordable and sell quality merchandise
USA TODAY Reporter Amaris Encinas contributed to this article
Enjoy a sunny retirement on a budget in one of these 10 affordable Arizona cities
you could be missing out on huge travel perks
you can get discounts on hotels and resorts
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but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages
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making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal
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the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working
you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired
you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan
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The Mayor leads the City and works with the Council to serve the community
City Council and the Mayor represent Phoenix
and guide City development to meet residents’ needs
The City of Phoenix is the largest city with the Council-Manager form of government
The City Manager's Office oversees the day-to-day operations of Phoenix
Find the department you’re looking for to get more information or connect to services
Career opportunities and current job openings with the City of Phoenix
Billal Rahman is an immigration reporter based in London
He specializes in immigration policy and border security
He has uncovered allegations of misconduct among border agents under investigation and exposed claims of abuse at ICE-run detention centers in the U.S
He joined Newsweek in 2024 from The Independent
He has covered the British Post Office scandal and the conflict between Israel and Hamas
he studied Journalism in Edinburgh and then worked for STV News before moving to London in 2022
You can contact Billal at b.rahman@newsweek.com
The Mayor of Douglas City Council in Arizona has told Newsweek why he declared a state of emergency in response to President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown
said his economy depends on the cross-border relationship with the Mexican town of Agua Prieta
He said he simply wants to let Trump know that his city may need funds to sustain its economy if it loses out as a result of the president's policies
Immigration and mass deportations were a key component of President Trump's successful 2024 campaign
Americans largely support the president's mass deportation plans but disagree about how policies should be carried out
A poll by The New York Times and Ipsos from January 2 to 10 found that 55 percent of voters strongly or somewhat supported such plans
Eighty-eight percent supported "deporting immigrants who are here illegally and have criminal records."
While most Americans support immigration reform
Towns like Douglas face worker shortages and high compliance costs under Trump's policies
straining key industries like construction and agriculture
states that the border town would experience "a potential loss in revenue for (the municipal) government and local businesses" and "an increase in costs to assist the federal government in carrying out these proclamations and Executive Order."
Mayor Grijalva voiced concerns about President Trump's emergency declaration at the southern border and the possible closure of the U.S.-Mexico frontier
He pushed for the emergency declaration to prevent potential financial impacts on the border city's revenue
"We're being proactive in our approach," he told Newsweek
"This is to let the President know that we need to be on the radar in case we need any funds to sustain our economy and also any reimbursement if the federal government comes down and uses our personnel or resources."
The mayor warned that the local economy heavily depends on residents from Agua Prieta
"It is around 70 percent of our sales tax and any border policies effect our economy," he said
Council members Ray Shelton and Richard Acosta voted against the proclamation
expressing similar concerns that the declaration was being made too early
that it's going to show that we're in an emergency when there's no emergency," Shelton said in a special meeting Wednesday night
"We're almost jumping the gun," Acosta said
It almost seems like Douglas is going against the administration right now."
"It's nothing political," Grijalva said in response
we need to protect our constituents with some sort of cushion with funding."
located in Cochise County in the southeastern corner of the state
Agua Prieta has a population of around 91,000
According to the American Immigration Council
roughly 13.1 percent of the state's residents are immigrants
and about 8.6 percent of its U.S.-born residents live with at least one immigrant parent
The American Immigration Council also estimates that the mass deportation policy could impose a one-time cost of $315 billion on the United States
deporting 1 million individuals yearly could result in annual expenses reaching up to $88 billion
Meanwhile, Trump's designated border czar, Tom Homan, said the administration will initially need $86 billion from Congress to conduct mass deportations
Business leaders around the country are concerned about the social and economic impact of the Trump administration's policies
According to the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC)
agricultural output will fall between $30 and $60 billion nationwide under Trump's flagship immigration policy
Trump signed an executive order to declare a national emergency at the southern border
allowing him to use federal funding to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border without congressional approval
Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva told Newsweek: "We're being proactive in our approach
Agua Prieta is around 70 percent of our sales tax and any border policies effect our economy
This is to let the President know that we need to be on the radar in case we need any funds to sustain our economy and also any reimbursement if the federal government comes down and uses our personnel or resources
state officials will closely monitor the situation in Douglas to assess the economic fallout amid Trump's policy shift
Correction 02/01/25 9:48 a.m ET: This article was updated to show that Mayor Jose Grijalva is an independent
Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair
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here’s my take: This is almost certainly a legitimate prototype for a design that the D-backs were considering at some point in the CC ideation process
Is it the final design that they’ll eventually unveil
Quite possibly — but it could also be a design that was discarded or modified
as we’ve sometimes seen with other prototype leaks
The D-backs’ CC uniform is scheduled to make its on-field debut on May 9 (that’s about three weeks from now)
so we won’t have to wait too-too long to find out if this jersey is what they’ll be wearing
we’ll continue to follow this story and keep you apprised of any further developments
Could do without the gradient pattern though
As a Phillies fan that hates the gradient on the Phillies CC (among other reasons I hate it)
I don’t love the gradient either but I suspect what they’re going for here is a hybrid uni that touches on their entire uniform history
Everything I’m looking at here is a callback to a uniform they’ve worn before
I’m very curious what the typeface and number treatment will look like
“I’m very curious what the typeface and number treatment will look like.”
if I had scrolled down for an additional two seconds I would have seen it
The lettering and numbering looks pretty similar to their current set
They wouldn’t add trim and a sleeve patch to a retail version just to throw those out the window on the on-field versions
but I can’t unsee “ARIZ8NA.”
I actually don’t like these but I’m so burnt out on getting excited to see a new design and having them just be
I can barely muster the energy to care that I think this sucks
This has become the Ennui Connect program for me
looked great until i scrolled down and saw the gradient
always saying “cool- a gradient design” and wondering why uni-watchers are so negative about them
Also: missed opportunity to incorporate the state flag
I really hope the Cardinals use it when the time comes
Sorry if spelling name wrong but Derek Montilla on X has seen the finished CC and can confirm that this was a prototype but the real one is similar in some ways
The ARIZ8NA reminds me of DE2ROIT from Detroiters
I think the “ARIZ8NA” is meant to commemorate the D-Backs’ eight World Series championships…
Drop the black sleeves and the gradient and it would be fine
Love the subtle 48 inside the 1998 above the jock tag in the state outline – since AZ is the 48th state
Nice nod to both their inaugural uniforms from ’98 and also their vest unis from the Randy Johnson era
I thought the wordmark on the front of the jersey read “ARIZANA” because of the weird little diamond in the middle of the O that’s identical to the diamond used as the stylized crossbar in the A’s
It doesn’t help that each A curves inward at the bottom
making them look that much more like an O when viewed quickly
Paul is such a good friend that he’ll even write about a purple jersey when Phil needs him to haha
is incapable of being creative or innovative.” seems like a particularly unfair generalization
but even as a CC enthusiast I can admit it could be a lot worse
I agree with the comments saying the gradient is unnecessary but not uni-breaking
I hope the roof will be closed and the A/C on because a dark purple/ black jersey in Phoenix in the summer sounds like a bad idea
and that sleeve patch will be nearly invisible from farther than 5 feet away
Love the snakeskin everywhere and the fonts
it pays Homage to the Original Dbacks Colors
I was at their 2nd game in Franchise at Home vs
Black sleeves look like something a little league team would wear
Gradient seems to fit current CC trend and is awful
Sadly I can see the gradient to black CC pants
It’s time Nike comes up with a new name for the cash grab jerseys
not a whole lot to ‘connect’ it to the city
You can really only do “one” In Chicago the CC1’s for the WhiteSox where great with the Southside theme
The Cubs had CC1 for Wrigleyville which is appropriate even thought the uniforms sucked
But there CC2 is actually a city connect but they are not calling it a City Connect so go figure
Hated Serpientes and the “sand” color
The purple and teal colors are a throwback in a great way
Very cool how they incorporated 48 in 1998
I like these guys better as the Snakes/Serpientes
Red and turquoise mainly (unique within their division)
and the word “Snakes” is almost autological
“Arizona Diamondbacks” is such a demanding name
it often gets shortened to “D-Backs,” which unfortunately but inevitably morphs into “D-Bags.”
and every big professional team in the state should lean into it more
and not every state boundary is visually distinct
Recolor the flag if you have to (I guess…) but don’t upstage it with another logo
but this looks too subtle and seems hidden by the same gradient it helps create
I guess we’ll have to see how it looks on the players in the game (or as an expensive shirt on a fan)
The diamonds lining up to make pinstripes near the shoulders is cool
but I’ve been a baseball fan for almost 25 years and this is the first time I’ve ever heard someone refer to them as the “D-Bags”
call the Arizona team “the D-Bags” starting in 2007 when they introduced their new uniform set with the “brick” and “sand” color scheme
many of the Diamondbacks’ NL West rivals were all too quick to pick up on that little quirk of their wordmark
Even Dodger fan Jason Bateman referred to them as the D-Bags on one of the late night shows
This looks like a men’s league softball jersey
I don’t get Nike’s fascination with sublimated patterns
If the jersey was solid purple with pinstripes and the wordmark across the chest it would be gorgeous
I wonder if that hand-written 5 on the tag means it was the 5th version
like maybe they had 4 others at least to choose from
they should go back to this color scheme permanently
obviously the city connect elements are a bit too busy for everyday use but for this purpose this is a fantastic look
the wordmark on a white home jersey and purple away jersey would look amazing
I like it if not for that carnival gradient
chepaness and trailer trash aesthetic that seems fascinate post-ironic consumers
Call me a boomer snob but I dislike gradients with a strong passion
and website in this browser for the next time I comment
Arizona is commonly thought of as a golden place to spend your golden years, with many retirees moving here to take advantage of the relatively low cost of living and mild weather (excluding
But how do cities in Arizona actually stack up against other popular retirement locales? According to an analysis by USA TODAY
Arizona is actually the 15th most expensive state to retire in
one would need to save at least $1.05 million
Here's how Arizona cities ranked on the national level
according to two different lists that compiled the best places to retire in the United States
U.S. News & World Report looked at the most populous cities in the U.S. and ranked them by six categories: happiness
general desirability and strength of the job market
Each of the categories was calculated using a mix of relevant data sets
"happiness" was scored based on the crime rate and air quality
The greater Phoenix area was ranked the 52nd best place to retire by U.S
nice winter weather and low cost of living compared with coastal cities were all reasons for the ranking
More: This is the wealthiest city in Arizona. Spoiler: It's not Scottsdale
WalletHub analyzed 182 cities earlier this year and found that Scottsdale is the sixth best place to retire in the U.S.
especially due to the high quality of life it offers
has the highest share of the population aged 65 and older
Scottsdale also outpaced other cities in the categories of quality of life
which earned the city a high spot in the list despite its poor performance in the affordability rank
Scottsdale came in 110th for cost of living
making it one of the lowest-ranking states for that category
Scottsdale offers higher quality health care and plenty of enjoyable activities for retirees compared to most U.S
which is why WalletHub still named it among the top
several Arizona cities were among the worst cities to retire
with low scores in affordability and access to health care
Mesa was ranked the 76th worst city to retire for similar reasons
Phoenix's grow dining scene: Booming Taiwanese restaurant scene serves TSMC workers a taste of home
Matt Smith / For Spotlight PAThis article is made possible through Spotlight PA’s collaboration with Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting. Sign up for Votebeat's free newsletters here
Two Pennsylvania counties have identified an Arizona-based company as the source of thousands of last-minute voter registration applications that they are investigating
which conducts voter registration and outreach programs
a Mesa councilman and a longtime voting activist in Arizona
In Monroe County, around 30 forms the company was “responsible for submitting,” which also included mail ballot applications, were “irregular” and included what the District Attorney’s Office described in a Facebook post as several that were “fraudulent as they were not authorized by the persons named as applicants.”
“In at least one example, the named applicant is in fact deceased,” District Attorney Mike Mancuso wrote in the post
saying several of the forms he described as fraudulent had been traced to a specific person
York County Chief Clerk Greg Monskie confirmed to Votebeat Wednesday that Field+Media Corps submitted the forms that the county is investigating
Monskie said the company submitted the forms on behalf of the Everybody Votes campaign
a national nonprofit voter registration organization
Everybody Votes did not respond to an email requesting comment
the county said that of the 3,087 applications under review
it had found that roughly 47% were legitimate
and 24% were “undergoing further review” by the York County district attorney
Heredia told Votebeat that the company has not heard from any county officials in Pennsylvania
or received any information about problems with the forms it submitted there
but he said that the company would fully cooperate with any investigation in Pennsylvania
a Phoenix suburb of about a half million people
he was for years a leader of Mi Familia Vota
he was the community relations manager for the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office
Field+Media Corps operates voter registration drives for clients in Arizona
both Navajo and Mohave counties flagged voter registration forms from the company and sent them to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office for investigation
office spokesperson Richie Taylor confirmed to Votebeat Thursday
Taylor said that Maricopa County prosecutors took the lead on investigating
because the forms were initially submitted there before being sent on to Navajo and Mohave
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office confirmed the office opened a related investigation
but was unable to immediately provide more detail
Asked about the Pennsylvania and Arizona investigations
Heredia said the company trains workers to fill out forms accurately
When asked about the characterization of some submitted forms as fraudulent
Heredia said Field+Media Corps has a zero tolerance policy for workers who submit fraudulent forms
He said the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office contacted his company last year in connection with an investigation into two canvassers the company employed
Clients or past clients of Field+Media Corps in Arizona include several prominent Arizona voter advocacy groups, including LUCHA, Chispa AZ and CPLC Action Fund, according to the company’s website
the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office has flagged FieldCorps
for submitting a high percentage of incomplete or inaccurate forms
office spokesperson Sierra Ciaramella confirmed Wednesday
Heredia said that he is in regular contact with the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office
He said that he is open to ways that the company can turn in more accurate forms and that his company has a good working relationship with the county
Arizona has long dealt with problems with incomplete, inaccurate, and potentially fraudulent voter registration forms
A Votebeat analysis earlier this year found that the problem leaves potentially eligible voters off of the voter rolls just before the state’s voter registration deadlines
When county officials receive an incomplete or inaccurate form
county workers reach out to voters to complete the forms
Heredia noted that his company reviews forms collected by workers in Pennsylvania before submitting them to check for things like similar signatures across multiple forms
Heredia confirmed his company did voter registration work on behalf of Everybody Votes
He said his company worked in Pennsylvania for more than five months leading up to the registration deadline
submitting forms just about every other week
Election officials did not tell the company of any problems with their forms during that time period
His company no longer has workers in the state now that the voter registration deadline has passed
Pennsylvania is a hotly contested swing state
widely viewed as key to the presidential race
and its elections are under heavy national scrutiny
Former President Donald Trump this week alluded to the counties’ announcements in social media posts
falsely claiming fake ballots had been found in Pennsylvania
noting that the applications were flagged by election officials as potentially problematic
In a third Pennsylvania county conducting an investigation, Lancaster County, officials have declined to identify the group or person who submitted the 2,500 forms they are investigating
announced at a press conference last week that roughly 60% of the applications her detectives have reviewed so far were allegedly fraudulent
She has since described “hundreds” of the applications as fraudulent
but has not given an exact number or announced any criminal charges related to the investigation
Adams declined to comment about whether Field+Media Corps had submitted the applications
Monroe County’s Mancuso wrote on Facebook that his office is working with investigators from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and others as they continue to investigate
The Pennsylvania Department of State emphasized in a statement Wednesday night that York and Lancaster counties had identified the potential irregularities only in voter registration applications
which they did not process — not in ballot applications or returned ballots
“The counties’ process to flag and investigate these potentially fraudulent voter registration applications show the safeguards built into our election system are working,” Department of State spokesperson Geoff Morrow said
Carter Walker is a reporter for Votebeat in partnership with Spotlight PA. Contact Carter at cwalker@votebeat.org
Jen Fifield is a reporter for Votebeat based in Arizona. Contact Jen at jfifield@votebeat.org
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