AGP Executive Report

Gubernatorial showdown set: Rep. Andy Biggs won the GOP nomination for Arizona governor and will face Gov. Katie Hobbs in November, after a primary that underscored how hard Trump-backed candidates are pushing the party’s direction. Congress race heats up: In Arizona’s 1st District, emergency physician Amish Shah won the Democratic primary and is projected to face GOP nominee Jay Feely, setting another high-spend, national-attention House fight. State election watch: GOP attorney general and secretary of state nominations also fell into place, with Warren Petersen claiming the AG ballot spot and Alexander Kolodin winning the GOP nod for secretary of state. Public health alert: Arizona confirmed its first Clade I mpox case, travel-associated, with officials saying the public risk remains low and there’s no sign of local spread. Utility help for summer bills: APS outlined bill-discount and crisis aid programs, including up to $1,000 crisis assistance and medical discounts for customers. Sports—Phoenix spotlight: Alyssa Thomas notched her 20th WNBA triple-double as the Mercury beat the Sparks, while the Suns introduced Miles Bridges amid renewed scrutiny of his past.

Arizona Politics: Rep. Andy Biggs won the GOP nomination for governor with 72.6% and will face Gov. Katie Hobbs in November, while former NFL kicker Jay Feely advanced in the CD1 race; the primaries also featured election-denier wins for top posts, keeping Trump’s influence front and center. Sports (Cards): Rookie QB Carson Beck signed his four-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals and joins the rest of the 2026 draft class at training camp; meanwhile, offensive lineman Isaiah Adams was arrested in Canada on four weapons charges. Elections & Oversight: The DOJ sent election monitors to Maricopa, Apache and Pima counties during Tuesday’s primary, as officials reported minor connectivity issues at some Maricopa polling sites. Business/Media: Nexstar will launch daily 9 p.m. local primetime newscasts in Dallas and Phoenix starting mid-August. Education: Arizona’s school for the deaf and blind was found to have violated federal special education law in its campus move planning. Weather/Public Safety: Monsoon flooding and storm impacts continued across parts of Arizona, including Globe and Prescott areas.

Arizona Primaries Power Trump’s GOP: Rep. Andy Biggs won the GOP nomination for governor, setting up a November rematch with Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. Congress Watch: Trump-backed Jay Feely won the GOP primary in Arizona’s 1st District, while former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb won the GOP nod in the 5th District. Election Integrity Jobs: Arizona Republicans also nominated Alexander Kolodin for secretary of state, a role that can shape election rules and oversight. Education Policy: Arizona Superintendent Tom Horne says teachers stay when schools enforce clear discipline, pointing to a new teacher survey. Sports—Local Stakes: The Diamondbacks rallied past the Athletics 6-5 in 10 innings on Ildemaro Vargas’ walk-off single; the A’s placed rookie Joshua Kuroda-Grauer on the IL after emergency surgery for a ruptured testicle. Public Safety & Crime: Arizona vehicle thefts fell 24% in the first half of 2026, though thefts rose near Sky Harbor. Business/Tech: MetaOptics plans to deploy its direct laser writer at the University of Arizona to support its U.S. expansion.

Arizona Primaries: Voters head to the polls Tuesday as GOP and Democratic races test Trump’s endorsement power and the state’s appetite for election-denier rhetoric, with live ballot-count coverage and guidance on when results may start rolling in. Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Politics: A KFF poll finds many voters blame doctors and hospitals for most fraud, shaping how Republicans frame health care ahead of the midterms. SNAP Cuts Hit Arizona: New federal SNAP changes are dropping more than 50% of Arizona recipients in under a year, with advocates pointing to added red tape and staffing strain. Prison Oversight: A federal judge moves to place Arizona prison health care under court-appointed oversight, as officials face questions about staffing and care failures. Weather & Travel Disruption: Severe storms forced a United Airlines flight to make an emergency landing at Luke Air Force Base, with passengers bused to Sky Harbor. Sports: NFL training camps begin with Arizona’s rookies and veterans reporting soon, while the Phoenix Mercury looks to build momentum after a bounce-back win.

Arizona Sports: Nolan Arenado hit his 2,000th career hit for the Diamondbacks, doubling in a 5-2 loss to the Athletics at Chase Field, while Athletics rookie Tommy White went 4-for-5 in the win. Monsoon & Safety: Phoenix-area weather alerts include an Extreme Heat Watch through Monday and fresh monsoon storm impacts, with reports of power outages and flooding risk across parts of the Valley. Lottery: Powerball rolled over to an estimated $567 million Wednesday after no grand prize winner Monday; two Arizona tickets matched for $1 million. Health: FDA says a cyclospora test on Taylor Farms lettuce was a false positive, while Pima County confirmed a vaccinated resident diagnosed with measles after international travel. Business/Tech: TSMC is pushing major Arizona investment tied to AI chip demand, with reports of another $100 billion expansion. Politics/Legal: A federal judge ordered Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to pause their $81 billion merger for at least two weeks as states challenge it. Human Interest: A Mesa-area mother’s grief story takes an unexpected turn—she and the man convicted in her son’s 1991 murder later formed a friendship, now told in a new memoir.

Arizona Politics & Courts: A federal judge temporarily paused the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger after Arizona and 11 other states sued, arguing it would violate antitrust law and raise prices for Arizonans. Prison Health Care: A judge appointed a receiver to take over Arizona Department of Corrections health care for more than 25,000 inmates, citing systemic failures. Border Law Fight: AG Kris Mayes urged a judge to keep Arizona’s border law in effect while a challenge plays out. Tucson Shooting: Court records identify 21-year-old David Leroy French as the suspect in a downtown Tucson mass shooting that left nine injured; he was arrested after being shot by police. Extreme Weather: Hazardous alerts warn of potent storms, heat, and toxic air across parts of the U.S., with flash-flood risk mentioned for the Midwest and East. Business & Economy: TSMC says it’s ramping Arizona investment again—up to $265B total—citing strong, multi-year AI chip demand. Education: WalletHub ranks Arizona’s public schools among the worst in the country again, with safety and quality both dragging down the state.

Tucson Mass Shooting: A gunman opened fire in a crowded downtown Tucson nightlife area near East Congress Street early Sunday, leaving 9 people wounded; police shot the suspect, who was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation. Gun Safety Push: Former Rep. Gabby Giffords urged Arizona lawmakers to act after the attack, pointing to easy access to guns as the state’s urgent problem. AI Chip Boom: TSMC says it’s adding another $100 billion to expand Arizona chipmaking, bringing its total investment pipeline to $265 billion, while warning that construction workers and infrastructure are limiting factors. Water + Data Centers: A new column argues Arizona and the West should focus on reducing data-center water use through innovation rather than blanket bans, citing Phoenix-area estimates of steep cooling-water growth. Monsoon Flood Risk: Coconino County says saturated burn-scar areas are raising the risk of neighborhood flooding as monsoon storms continue. Sports—Diamondbacks: Arizona beat St. Louis 5-3 in a Saturday game highlighted by Nolan Arenado’s key double. Sports—PBA (Phoenix): Phoenix opened the PBA Governors’ Cup 3-0, surviving a late scare in a win over Barangay Ginebra as new import Riley Grigsby scored 42 points.

Tucson Gun Violence: Nine people were critically hurt in a downtown Tucson mass shooting early Sunday, and a suspect was shot by police after officers responded to gunfire near East Congress Street and N. 6th Ave; Tucson Mayor Regina Romero praised first responders as the Pima County Sheriff’s Office leads the investigation. Local Politics: A key Arizona governor primary is heating up as Trump ally Mark Lamb and other figures face competing visions for the GOP, with AP reporting a clash between hard-line Rep. Andy Biggs and Rep. David Schweikert. Tech & Jobs: TSMC says it will add another $100 billion to Arizona chip operations, bringing total U.S. investment to $265 billion—good news for Peoria and the broader semiconductor buildout. Environment: Arizona’s iconic saguaros are under threat as climate stress and fire take a growing toll, with local experts warning the desert ecosystem isn’t built for today’s wildfire intensity. Roads: ADOT plans lane restrictions on SR 347 through July 24 as paving work continues. Arts: Phoenix Art Museum will debut the 2025 Arizona Artist Awards exhibitions starting July 29.

Chandler/Queen Creek Politics: Mayoral and council races in Chandler and Queen Creek are heading to the wire, with multiple candidates chasing open seats and primary thresholds that could decide who advances to November. Public Health: Arizona is watching a growing cyclosporiasis outbreak nationwide, with health officials urging caution with fresh produce as cases spread across dozens of states. Wildlife & Safety: Experts say Big Bend National Park likely has the most snake species in the U.S., and they stress staying calm and seeking immediate care if bitten. Aviation Incident: An Allegiant flight out of Mesa made an emergency return after striking a bird shortly after takeoff; passengers deplaned safely and a replacement aircraft was sent. Sports (Local): Phoenix’s Ken Tuffin leaned into “Tribal Chief” swagger after helping the Fuel Masters start 2-0 in the PBA Governors’ Cup group stage. MLB (Arizona ties): The Cubs acquired Aaron Civale, with Arizona Complex League pitcher Aiden Moffett included in the deal.

WNBA/Clark Controversy: NBA commissioner Adam Silver says Caitlin Clark has become a “political football,” arguing the bigger issue goes beyond officiating after a Phoenix incident involving Alyssa Thomas. Arizona Sports: Brewers ace Brandon Woodruff announced he’ll undergo another anterior capsule surgery on his right shoulder, a move that could end his season. Tucson Schools: Tucson Unified’s chronic absenteeism rate hit 44% in 2024-2025, with the district citing a mix of excused and “absolutely unacceptable” unexcused absences. Monsoon Safety: Phoenix-area weather coverage highlights ongoing monsoon impacts, including flooding risk around wildfire burn scars and guidance for drivers as storms ramp up. Local Community: Christ the Victor Food Pantry in San Tan Valley is seeking volunteers and canned food donations to keep serving families. Daylight Saving Time: A new federal push could make standard time permanent, with Arizona already observing it year-round. Phoenix Crime: Reports describe a man shot to death at a Phoenix gas station, with a suspected shooter detained.

Elections & Courts: A Maricopa County judge ruled Arizona voters can weigh a November ballot measure tied to transgender athletes and school bathroom/locker-room rules, rejecting arguments that it violates the single-subject requirement. Federal vs. State Voting Control: Courts unanimously blocked Trump’s Justice Department push for access to state voter rolls, saying states run elections and warning against a national surveillance-style database. Politics & Ballot Language: Backers of a voucher initiative sued, alleging GOP lawmakers misled voters with biased ballot descriptions and left out key details. Public Safety & Crime: Yuma police notified residents of a Level 3 sex offender’s new address. Health: Arizona officials said Yuma lettuce isn’t linked to a multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak. Tech & City Services: Phoenix unveiled a citywide Smart Cities strategy to coordinate more than 150 tech projects across transportation, public safety, and water management. Sports (Local): The Diamondbacks lost 5-4 to the Cardinals after Ketel Marte didn’t use an ABS challenge on a called third strike; Leila Lacan scored 26 as the Sun beat the Mercury 96-83.

Sports & Gambling: The NFL suspended Arizona Cardinals personnel executive Ryan Gold indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy, saying he shared confidential draft info and also placed parlay bets. Leadership Loss: Lattie Coor Jr., ASU’s 15th president who helped shape the modern research university, died at 89. Public Health & Community: A BBC mini-documentary spotlights Arizona community health workers, including an ASU alum who connects residents to screenings and resources through a University of Arizona mobile clinic. Local Travel Disruptions: ADOT warned of two freeway closures in the Phoenix/Chandler-Gilbert area this weekend, including parts of SR 51 and Loop 202 Santan, with detours in place. Energy Policy Fight: Arizona AG Kris Mayes joined a coalition challenging a federal freeze on wind energy reviews that could affect projects in Apache County. Historic Preservation: ASU dropped its eminent domain case to acquire a 124-year-old downtown Phoenix home, agreeing to let it remain. Business & Jobs: Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego called TSMC’s expanded Arizona investment—now pegged at $265 billion—historic, tied to additional fabs near I-17. Safety: Police are investigating a fatal shooting at a Phoenix house party near 28th Street and Cannon Drive.

Elections in Maricopa County: Maricopa County election officials reached a deal on how to oversee the July 21 primary, ending a long courtroom fight between the Maricopa County Recorder and the Board of Supervisors, with an interim plan splitting duties between the recorder’s office and the board. Voting logistics in Yuma County: County officials reiterated polling locations and early ballot drop boxes for the San Luis, Somerton, and Yuma area primary. Monsoon safety on I-17: ADOT says a $38 million gravity-controlled drainage system installed along I-17 in north Phoenix is reducing flooding at low underpasses during heavy storms. Gas prices: AAA reports Arizona regular gas is up 22 cents from last week to an average of $4.12 a gallon, tied to higher crude costs. Cyclosporiasis watch: Health experts say locally grown produce may be safer amid a multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak, while urging careful food-handling. Lake Mead water deal: Southern California approved a $65 million federal-backed agreement to leave up to 200,000 acre-feet in Lake Mead to protect the Southwest power grid. TSMC expansion: TSMC announced another $100 billion investment to expand Arizona chip production, adding to a total U.S. commitment of $265 billion. ICE shooting probe in Phoenix: FBI is investigating gunfire at an ICE facility on Central Ave after bullet holes were reported.

Arizona Health: Pima County reported five new cyclosporiasis cases, bringing totals to 5 in Pima, 8 in Maricopa, 3 in Pinal and 3 in Yuma, as officials warn the parasite can cause watery, frequent diarrhea. Primary Politics: In LD 15, all candidates are running unopposed ahead of the July 21 Arizona primary. Education & Schools: State Superintendent Tom Horne says tougher student discipline could help keep Arizona teachers in classrooms, pointing to survey results on why educators stay. Energy Policy: The Arizona Corporation Commission voted to end energy-efficiency and renewable-energy mandates that had let higher-income customers benefit via subsidies from low-income ratepayers. Tech & Jobs: TSMC posted a record quarter and announced another $100B investment in Arizona, pushing its U.S. total to $265B. Weather & Safety: Monsoon conditions continue to threaten the Valley with dust, storms and power impacts.

Monsoon Watch for Yuma: Yuma County Emergency Management says extreme heat eases into more active monsoon conditions, with thunderstorms, gusty winds, dust, and flash-flood risk in the days ahead. Road Closures: ADOT plans full weekend closures of I-8 ramps at Exit 7 and the SR 195 (Araby Road) roundabouts from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Monday for asphalt work, with detours posted. Public Health: Yuma County confirmed three cyclosporiasis cases; two are travel-related, and officials say there’s no sign of a localized outbreak yet. Courts & County Budgets: Rural counties say they can’t fully fund probation officers and rising court costs, urging lawmakers to make support a baseline. Teacher Retention: Arizona’s top education official links teacher staying to safer, better-disciplined classrooms, pointing to survey findings that support and discipline handling are uneven. Tech & Jobs: Air Liquide announced $160M+ to build an Arizona facility supplying ultra-high-purity gases for advanced chip manufacturing, with operations set for 2028. AI Chip Investment: TSMC says it will add another $100B to expand U.S. chipmaking capacity, including Arizona. Local Safety/Community: Phoenix-area officials are also dealing with a recent theft of 29 COVID testing kits from a clinic, and Maricopa County approved an ethics policy barring employees from prediction-market betting using non-public info.

Teacher Retention: Arizona’s Department of Education is surveying K-12 teachers to pinpoint why they stay—or leave—finding only 6.8% say they won’t return and that many who remain feel respected and supported, while time for non-classroom work and discipline support remain sticking points. Public Safety: Pima County is warning residents about a QR-code money scam tied to the Nancy Guthrie missing-person case, saying investigators will never ask for money and urging people to ignore and report QR-code posts. Health Policy: Arizona’s Department of Health Services rolled out the nation’s first Indigenous Data Sovereignty Policy, setting new rules for how tribal health data is handled and strengthening government-to-government oversight. Water Planning: Phoenix is moving forward with the Secure Water Arizona Program (SWAP), a voluntary framework meant to help cities and tribes share supplies during Colorado River shortages. Local Jobs: ARIZONA@WORK Pinal County is hosting a free Get Hired 2026 event in Coolidge on July 23 with workshops and an afternoon employer fair. Missing Person Update: A Phoenix SAFE Alert for a missing 78-year-old woman was canceled after she returned home safely.