AGP Executive Report

MLB Injury Update: Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo left Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Astros after a 93-mph line drive struck his helmet; Arizona says he has a head contusion and will be monitored. Diamondbacks Win: Nolan Arenado’s two-run homer helped Arizona claim the rubber match in Houston, 3-2. NFL Season Buzz: ESPN’s NFL Top 100 has Cardinals TE Trey McBride ranked No. 26, with projections sparking debate about his yardage and touchdown totals. College Football: Arizona opened with a 35-7 rout of NAU, while Arizona State crushed Morgan State 70-7; both games featured big defensive moments and lopsided scoring. Local Safety/Crime: Phoenix police said no officers were hurt in a north Phoenix shooting near 18th Avenue and Cheryl Drive; details are still limited. Community & Food: Arizona nonprofit A New Leaf is using a federally funded meal program to provide free and reduced meals for young children facing food insecurity. Weather/Animals: Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is warning pet owners that loud monsoon storms can lead to lost animals, after one family continues searching for a goldendoodle missing since a storm.

Arizona football opener: Arizona routed Northern Arizona 35-7 at Casino Del Sol Stadium as Noah Fifita threw for 262 yards and two TDs, while the defense posted five sacks and added an interception return score. ASU football: In Tempe, new starter Cutter Boley threw for 387 yards and six touchdowns as Arizona State beat Morgan State 70-7, with the game so lopsided the fourth quarter was shortened. College sports national ripple: LSU’s Lane Kiffin era began with a 51-10 demolition of Clemson, featuring Sam Leavitt’s big debut after transferring from Arizona State. Local governance & housing: Queen Creek outlined steep water rate hikes via a new water resource fee tied to long-term water purchases, while Gilbert approved a pawn shop despite nearby residents’ concerns about neighborhood fit. Health & community: Hospice of the Valley received a grant to expand in-home dementia support, and Tempe is moving ahead with a “park within a park” designed for dementia patients and caregiver respite. Public safety: Illegal dumping flared again in south Phoenix shortly after cleanup crews left.

Elections & Security: Arizona secretary of state candidates clashed on election security during a debate, with incumbent Adrian Fontes defending Arizona’s voting system as safe and secure. Public Safety: ADOT announced winners of its statewide Safety Message Contest, including a Glendale teen’s seat-belt message and an Ahwatukee mom’s “drive ballistic” warning. Local Tech Policy: Cottonwood paused Flock license plate reader use after resident backlash, pending a City Council work session. Wildlife & Federal Policy: Preservationists in Arizona are alarmed by a Trump order aimed at weakening Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves, warning it could open the door to more harm near the Grand Canyon. Environment & Weather: A flood watch was issued for much of Southern Utah as tropical moisture from Hurricane Marie could bring intense downpours. Health & Services: Phoenix became the largest U.S. city to earn Certified Autism Center designation after training more than 80% of front-facing city employees. Sports: Arizona opens its 2026 football season vs. NAU in a streaming-only ESPN Select game.

Data Centers Backlash: Across the U.S., voters are launching recalls of local officials tied to data center deals, citing water and power strain, noise, and property impacts—an Arizona-style fight that’s now spreading nationwide. Arizona Courts: A federal judge dismissed LUCHA’s bid to force access back into Arizona legislative buildings, saying the legislative session ended so the request is legally moot, though the group may refile when lawmakers return. Public Safety: Mesa police say a high school football coach was fired after an alleged road rage shooting; investigators used video and surveillance to reconstruct the incident. Drugs: Arizona DPS troopers seized 106 gallons of liquid meth hidden in trailer frame rails near Yuma, arresting the driver and passenger. Sports (Local): Arizona Western College volleyball rallied to beat Gillette in five sets, while Arizona Western men’s soccer notched a 1-0 road win on a late goal. Weekend Watch: Phoenix-area flight delays and extreme heat impacts on aircraft performance are top concerns heading into Labor Day.

Labor & Health: Banner Health physicians voted to unionize, a first for Arizona, with 149-66 support for a physician union covering more than 240 outpatient clinicians. Courts & Politics: A federal judge cleared a lawsuit against former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema under North Carolina’s “homewrecker” law, rejecting her claim she can’t be sued there. Public Safety: A Phoenix hazmat incident sickened multiple people; the building was evacuated as crews checked air quality, and it was later cleared. Local Government: Phoenix Municipal Court’s new presiding judge is expanding video/telephonic hearings, digitizing case management, and considering longer hours. Education & Community: Arizona’s reading-tutor push targets low third-grade reading rates, while a workforce program at Spaces of Opportunity is using an urban farm/agroforest track to connect people to jobs. Water Policy: ADWR set an Oct. 24 hearing on whether the San Simon Valley Sub-basin should become an Irrigation Non-expansion Area, which would halt new farming. Sports: Arizona football opens 2026 vs. NAU in Tucson, with Arizona paying NAU $550,000; meanwhile, ASU hockey player Matthew Mayich remains incapacitated after a heat-related collapse. Traffic: ADOT named two winning safety messages: “Always wear seatbelts” and “Don’t drive ballistic.”

Grand Canyon Flood Response: More than 20 people are missing after severe flooding in Grand Canyon National Park, with rescue efforts complicated by destroyed pedestrian bridges and warnings of more rain and flash-flood risk. Public Safety & Courts: A federal judge rejected LUCHA’s bid to force access to Arizona legislative buildings, limiting what the group can demand after Capitol ban disputes. Education Watch: Paradise Valley Unified set new goals for higher school ratings, stronger early literacy, and expanded career pathways under Superintendent Dan Courson. Consumer Protection: A federal jury hit Horizon Bank with a $2.865M verdict tied to willful Fair Credit Reporting Act violations, after the bank kept reporting a debt ruled invalid. Local Government: Yuma City Council approved a new biosolids removal and disposal contract with AgTech, continuing a decades-long arrangement. Military Update: The U.S. Air Force retired the EC-130H Compass Call after its final Arizona flight, marking the end of more than four decades of service. Sports: Arizona soccer drew a record 1,678 fans in a 2-1 loss to No. 9 North Carolina.

Cardinals Payoff: Arizona WR Michael Wilson agreed to a 3-year, $75M extension through 2029, locking in a key piece after a breakout 2025. Education Politics: Superintendent of Public Instruction candidates Kimberly Yee and Teresa Leyba Ruiz are in a legal fight over whether campaign visits and classroom/student video use violated state rules. Road Projects: ADOT opened a new tunnel on the I-40/US 93 interchange in Kingman, aiming to cut Phoenix-to-Las Vegas delays. Public Safety: AZDPS troopers seized 106 gallons of liquid methamphetamine hidden in a trailer frame near Yuma, arresting the driver and passenger. Health & Regulation: Federal regulators warned an Arizona stem-cell company over sterility failures and unapproved claims. Community & Culture: Saboten Con returns to downtown Phoenix with anime programming expected to draw 50,000-plus. Sports: D-backs edged the Phillies 1-0 as James McCann homered in the eighth.

College Football (ASU): Arizona State opens Kenny Dillingham’s fourth season at home Saturday night vs. Morgan State, with ASU’s Cutter Boley and Omarion Miller leading an offense that averaged 417 yards in 2025. College Football (UA): Arizona kicks off its third season under Brent Brennan Saturday night vs. Northern Arizona, a matchup that pits NAU’s Ty Pennington against Noah Fifita’s high-powered Wildcats attack. Sports (MLB): James McCann’s solo homer and a seven-pitcher Arizona bullpen shut down the Phillies as the D-backs won 1-0 and avoided a sweep. Public Health & Schools: A new report warns SNAP cuts could put free school meals at risk for millions of kids, with Arizona families among those feeling the ripple effects. Medical Oversight: An audit says the Arizona Medical Board is too slow to resolve doctor complaints, leaving patients exposed longer than the state’s 180-day standard. Environment: Volunteers found about 900 pounds of trash at Oak Creek Canyon, including diapers and human waste, raising E. coli concerns for swimmers. DOJ & Immigration Tuition: The U.S. Department of Justice sued Arizona over Proposition 308, challenging in-state tuition for students without legal status. Local Community: Teen Lifeline’s “Messages of Hope” campaign is spreading suicide-prevention support across Arizona high schools.

ASU Hockey Heat-Collapse: Matthew Mayich’s family attorney says the Arizona State player’s collapse was exertional heat stroke that cut off oxygen to the brain, while ASU says it’s reviewing the Aug. 20 workout and ASU police are investigating the circumstances. Hate-Crime Tucson Shooting: Tucson police say the deadly Venture-N gay bar attack was a targeted hate-motivated attack by suspect Ousman Ceesay, who died by self-inflicted gunshot. Data Center Backlash: FOX 10 Talks spotlights rising opposition to new data centers near neighborhoods, weighing water, power, transparency, and local tax impacts. Phoenix Police Accountability: Phoenix released disciplinary records for two fired officers accused in a violent, unreported traffic stop and launched audits into their conduct and whether misconduct was systemic. Grand Canyon Flood Aftermath: KJZZ reports two victims identified from weekend flash flooding at the Grand Canyon, with a third man still missing. Road Work Disruption: ADOT warns of a westbound Loop 303 lane restriction near I-17 starting Sept. 9 for bridge construction, with a recommended detour. Tempe Dementia Park: Tempe plans a “first-of-its-kind” dementia-inclusive park in Kiwanis Park, designed for safe navigation and caregiver-friendly outdoor time. Local Business: Mesa awarded a $17.1M contract to widen Elliot Road from two lanes to six.

Tucson Hate-Crime Probe: Police say a shooting at Venture-N, a Tucson gay bar, killed three men, including suspected gunman Ousman Ceesay, and investigators are treating it as a possible hate crime after he was found carrying a note listing LGBTQIA+ businesses. State Elections Showdown: In a heated secretary of state debate, incumbent Adrian Fontes and challenger Alex Kolodin clashed over whether Arizona elections are secure, with Fontes pointing to court findings that rejected 2020-related claims. Health Care Oversight: An audit says the Arizona Medical Board takes too long to resolve complaints, with most not handled within the six-month standard. Public Safety & Courts: A woman allegedly stole an ambulance outside a Phoenix concert venue and crashed it into another vehicle; she was later charged with DUI and theft. Arizona Youth Trends: A statewide survey reports declines in youth drug use, fighting, theft, gun carrying, and exposure to violence, while still flagging concerns like gambling and texting while driving. Business Watch: Sprouts Farmers Market announced CEO Jack Sinclair will step down Jan. 4, with Nick Konat taking over. Sports (Local): The Phillies extended their win streak with a 7-1 win over the Diamondbacks behind Bryce Harper and Jesús Luzardo.

Grand Canyon Flood Response: Arizona DPS Air Rescue helped the National Park Service with multiple Grand Canyon rescues after flash flooding, including dozens of helicopter extractions and searches for missing hikers. Tucson Hate-Crime Investigation: Police are investigating a deadly shooting outside a Tucson gay bar as a possible hate crime; three people died, and the suspect was found with a note listing LGBTQ+ businesses. Election Security Clash: In the secretary of state race, Adrian Fontes and Alexander Kolodin spar over whether Arizona elections are secure, with Kolodin arguing it’s a voter-perception problem. Federal Immigration Lawsuit: The DOJ sued the Arizona Board of Regents over in-state tuition for immigrants, challenging the voter-approved policy. AZDPS Warrant Sweep: Troopers arrested nine people and cleared 14 misdemeanor warrants during a Tucson operation. ASU Hockey Probe: The family of NHL prospect Matthew Mayich is blasting ASU’s handling of its investigation after his workout collapse. Road Work Update: ADOT opened another westbound Loop 101 lane segment as widening continues, with more lane restrictions on U.S. 70 east of Globe through Sept. 11. Business & Tech: UA announced a Taiwan partnership to create a semiconductor/AI center focused on silicon photonics and training future chip workers.

Grand Canyon Flash Floods: Two people are dead and more than 20 are still unaccounted for after weekend flash flooding in Bright Angel Canyon, with helicopters used to evacuate dozens and major damage reported to trails, footbridges and the Transcanyon Waterline. Local Education Funding Fight: U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited Mesa to push Arizona to opt into federal “Education Freedom Tax Credits,” arguing it would unlock new scholarship money starting in January, while Gov. Katie Hobbs says she wants stronger guardrails. Arizona Politics: In a debate over election rules, candidates Fontes and Kolodin clashed over how mail-in voting would work under proposed changes, with concerns raised about feasibility and administration. Agriculture: Arizona’s Department of Agriculture rolled out mandatory inspections to stop diamondback moth infestations threatening Yuma and other counties, targeting infested transplants. Sports (Philly vs. AZ): The Phillies beat the Diamondbacks 2-1 in Phoenix as Bryson Stott hit a 464-foot homer; Ketel Marte returned but faced boos from fans. Business/Workforce: AZBio launched an ASU scholarship program offering eligible AZBio employees and dependents a 15% tuition discount.

Grand Canyon Flood Response: Two bodies have been recovered after a flash flood in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area, with at least 14 others still missing; officials say the Transcanyon Waterline was heavily damaged and keep major trails and facilities closed. Colorado River Reality Check: Federal rules point to sharp Colorado River cuts for Arizona and neighbors, and Arizona water leaders are already planning for what comes next. Election & Voting Access: Some Arizonans could be removed from the Active Early Voting List starting in January unless they request to stay on. Legal Fight Over “Dreamers” Tuition: The Justice Department has sued Arizona over the voter-approved in-state tuition policy for Dreamers, setting up another court battle. Mine Inspector Debate: Candidates Walter “Les” Presmyk and Brian Matlock will face off in a debate Aug. 31. Local Infrastructure: A new westbound Loop 101 lane opened as ADOT’s widening project continues toward spring 2027. Sports (Phoenix): The Phoenix Mercury’s younger players are getting development reps ahead of the World Cup break.

Grand Canyon Flood Response: A significant flash flood hit Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area Saturday, killing one man and leaving about 15 people missing or unaccounted for as the National Park Service and Arizona DPS continue evacuations and searches; the flood destroyed nearly all footbridges over Bright Angel Creek, damaged the park’s water pipeline, and forced closures including Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the North Kaibab Trail. Water Cuts Pressure in the Valley: Scottsdale is bracing for Colorado River reductions after the federal government outlined a two-year cut plan, with city officials saying the exact impact will depend on how reductions are allocated—while local leaders push recycled water upgrades. Border Enforcement Update: In Yuma Sector operations, authorities arrested 95 illegal alien truck drivers who had state-issued commercial licenses from multiple states, underscoring ongoing smuggling threats. Robotaxi Push: Waymo is inviting Oregon lawmakers to an all-expenses-paid Arizona trip to ride Phoenix robotaxis, as Portland still hasn’t approved service. Power Bill Help: Arizona’s Power AZ program offers temporary APS bill assistance for households earning up to median wages, with benefits up to $640 and possible extra crisis support.

Flash Flood Disaster at Grand Canyon: Park officials say a significant flash flood hit Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area Saturday, destroying nearly all footbridges over Bright Angel Creek and closing the Colorado River to river traffic; as of Sunday, 62 people were evacuated and at least 20 may still be unaccounted for, with more evacuations planned and additional storms possible. Cardinals Roster Moves: Arizona cut veteran OL Matt Pryor and LB Owen Pappoe as the team trims to a 53-man roster. Local Community Good News: Tempe’s Mill Avenue is getting a life-size 6-foot Lego Sparky statue built from 30,000 pieces, and the Miracle League of Arizona is seeking 200 volunteer “buddies” for its adaptive baseball season. Arizona Politics & Policy: A fight over the state’s paid parent caregiver program is reigniting after an audit, with lawmakers and the governor’s office trading fraud claims. Sports Notes: LSU soccer welcomed back veterans Jazmin Ferguson and Jocelyn Ollivierre in a match against Arizona.

Public Safety: A 92-year-old Goodyear man accused of killing his 89-year-old wife had shown signs of dementia, his family says, as he faces second-degree murder and aggravated assault charges. Homelessness & Heat: UMOM’s 24/7 Summer Family Heat Relief in Phoenix is far outpacing expectations, serving 222 households (757 people, including 449 children) as demand keeps rising. State Politics: Arizona House majority leader Michael Carbone is pushing a bill aimed at making government spending reports quickly accessible for agencies, school districts, and cities. Education Data: New Arizona Department of Education enrollment snapshots show tiny counts for some groups in specific districts (like Nogales Unified’s two American Indian/Alaska Native students and Ray Unified’s three Asian students in 2025-26). Local Crime & Courts: A viral prank influencer in the Phoenix area pleaded guilty to criminal impersonation after posing as an employee and staging takeover attempts at businesses. Sports (Phoenix): The Phoenix Mercury routed Toronto 101-69 with six players in double figures, snapping a four-game losing streak.