AGP Executive Report

Veterans Behavioral Health Push: Empower’s chief growth officer met Speaker Mike Johnson in Paradise Valley to press for clinician-led, specialized behavioral health evaluations for veterans with complex conditions. Veterans Reentry Funding: Maricopa County received a $1.5M federal grant to expand job training and apprenticeships for incarcerated veterans, including a dedicated re-integration role. Court Case — Elder Exploitation: An Arizona woman accused of draining a 94-year-old’s money for online gambling and Walmart purchases in Utah faces charges tied to more than $100K taken. Immigration Oversight: Rep. Yassamin Ansari made a surprise visit to a Phoenix ICE detention/hold facility after reporting raised concerns about longer stays and crowding. State Services Update: ADOT says Arizona ID photo renewals now last 16 years under a new law, aligning with Travel ID timing. Local Infrastructure: ADOT finished a $2.4M SR 77 bridge rehab near Holbrook with no full closures. Business/Legal: Fennemore Craig plans to merge with Gallagher & Kennedy, adding 50 attorneys, while Phillips Law Group highlighted its large Arizona injury-case caseload. Sports (Arizona angle): The Diamondbacks aim to keep rolling in Kansas City with Zac Gallen returning from the injured list.

Arizona Sports: The Diamondbacks kept rolling, beating the Royals 5-3 in 11 innings as Corbin Burnes returned from Tommy John recovery and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drove in the winning run with an RBI triple in the 11th. Arizona Business & Growth: LV Petroleum opened the first Bojangles in Arizona, launching a Gilbert location July 20 and a second in Rio, Nevada July 29, as the travel-center operator pushes further into quick-service dining. Arizona Energy: Sapphire Gas Solutions announced it bought assets tied to Spectrum LNG, including the Desert Gas LNG Plant in Ehrenberg, Arizona, expanding LNG production capacity in the Southwest. Arizona Health: RadNet said it will host a free public webinar on Sept. 19 about prostate cancer, featuring specialists and a patient Q&A. Arizona Water & Environment: Experts warn Colorado River cuts could push the system toward a major legal fight, with Lee’s Ferry flow levels becoming a potential “tripwire” by October. Arizona Community: Goodyear approved a special use permit for the Desert Rainbow Solar Project, a large solar-plus-battery plan expected to bring jobs and tax revenue.

Arizona Football Spotlight: BYU hosts Arizona in a Big 12 opener Saturday, with the matchup framed around Noah Fifita’s efficiency and Arizona’s chance to pull off an upset at a sold-in-feel home environment. Cardinals Week 1 Update: Arizona coach Mike LaFleur says rookie RB Jeremiyah Love is “likely” to play Sunday at the Chargers after an ankle sprain, with the team expecting a split workload even if he’s not at full depth-chart status. Phoenix Courts & Police Accountability: Two Phoenix officers accused in a violent “off-the-books traffic stop” pleaded not guilty and were released on electronic monitoring as the case moves forward. Water & Data Center Fight (Navajo Nation): Navajo leaders are raising alarms about a planned AI/data center near Horseshoe Bend, citing drought and water use concerns tied to a proposed 1-gigawatt facility. Heat & Safety: Another extreme heat warning is in effect across metro Phoenix and surrounding areas as temperatures push dangerous levels. Education & Community: The University of Arizona is opening a new Wildcat Welcome Center for campus tours and prospective students, replacing older space with a more visitor-focused front door. Local Crime: A Marana high school canceled classes after a student was found dead on campus; police say it appears isolated with no public danger.

ASU Development: A new 168-room hotel is planned for Arizona State’s Novus Innovation Corridor in Tempe, part of a Marriott Tribute Portfolio, with a rooftop pool, bar, and meeting space aimed at turning Novus into a year-round destination. Public Safety: Pima County Sheriff’s deputies carried out “Operation Desert Silence” on Arizona State Trust Land over Labor Day weekend, making stops and arrests while targeting prohibited recreational activity near Eagle Point Estates. Local Crime: Phoenix police say a serial killer may have struck again, adding a reported ninth shooting on July 11 where a man and a 4-year-old boy were targeted in a car. Business & Growth: Helio announced a four-city investor roadshow that includes Phoenix and Scottsdale, pitching its space-based solar power and lunar hardware plans. Weather: Phoenix is bracing for another stretch of extreme heat, with forecasts pointing to 109-degree conditions. Sports: Arizona’s NFL season opener buzz continues as the Cardinals prepare for Week 1, while local college football ramps up across the Valley.

Local Crime & Courts: A former Arizona state trooper, Flores, was sentenced after prosecutors challenged his claims about cartel-fighting and CIA ties, with the victim’s mother saying she trusted him based on his fabricated law-enforcement story. Community & Education: Tucson Unified School District is set to make its school closure case Tuesday, citing nearly 3% lower enrollment in its Day 10 count and showing data tied to potential consolidation decisions. Public Safety & Weather: Extreme heat warnings are again in effect for Phoenix, with forecasts pushing highs near 109 and record-level overnight lows. Sports (Arizona focus): Arizona’s Charlotte Back helped the Wildcats place near the top in Big 12 receiver chatter after Week 1, while the Diamondbacks topped the Royals 5-4 in 10 innings to stay in the wild-card race. Consumer Watch: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is warning car buyers about Labor Day scams, including deceptive fees, “spot delivery” tactics, and the need for independent inspections. Tech in Schools: West-MEC launched a responsible AI program for students, teaching programming and the ethical impacts of emerging tech. Library News: Phoenix Public Library is building a new branch in the Estrella area and is letting residents vote on plant-themed names.

Arizona Sports: The Wildcats opened their season with a 35-7 win over Northern Arizona, with Flagstaff native Noble Young-Blackgoat scoring a pick-six in the rout. Local Governance & Public Safety: Mesa is keeping its Flock license plate reader cameras, even as residents and other East Valley cities push back over alleged misuse and accuracy concerns. Housing & Cost of Living: A new look at mortgage relief shows why many Phoenix-area homeowners can’t refinance—rates have stayed high, leaving some paying hundreds more than expected. Energy & Tech: The U.S. added a record 20.2 GWh of battery storage capacity in Q2 2026, with Arizona among states deploying major utility-scale projects. National Politics (Arizona races): A Reuters roundup highlights two competitive Arizona House contests that could shape control of the chamber in the 2026 midterms. Business/Development: ASU’s Novus Innovation Corridor is adding a new 168-room hotel in Tempe’s entertainment district. Crime & Courts: A Tucson-based realtor, Arthur Lundeen, was identified after an American Airlines incident where he was duct-taped following alleged racist and homophobic slurs.

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.