The progressive left is challenging establishment-oriented Democrats in primaries across the country, including in Arizona's 4th Congressional District, where U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton is seeking re-election.

Why it matters: Anger over issues like U.S. support for Israel, corporate influence and what many critics view as inadequately aggressive opposition to President Trump has fueled a wave of progressive challenges in a Democratic Party whose voters are shifting to the left.

The big picture: Kai Newkirk, an activist and organizer, launched a late challenge to Stanton in the strongly but not overwhelmingly Democratic CD4, which includes Tempe, Ahwatukee and parts of Chandler and Mesa.

• Newkirk called Stanton a "corporate Democrat" and conventional "status quo" leader, criticizing the four-term incumbent for supporting Israel amid its war against Hamas, voting for the Laken Riley Act immigration bill, and opposing policies like Medicare for all and the abolition of ICE.

State of play: Newkirk earned a coveted endorsement last month from Our Revolution, the progressive advocacy group founded by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders after his unsuccessful 2016 presidential campaign.

• Our Revolution communications and campaign director Paco Fabian told Axios the group's aim is to bolster the progressive wing in Congress, and criticized Stanton for what he deemed lackluster opposition to Trump.
• He said Our Revolution has about 20,000 members in the district, and the group is encouraging them to support Newkirk.

Between the lines: Democratic operatives who spoke to Axios said they don't think Newkirk poses a serious threat.

• Stanton is well-liked within the party, Democratic consultant Matt Grodsky said, adding that he's skeptical that Our Revolution will do much to help Newkirk's campaign.
• "He'll make some noise. I don't think he emerges as the victor," Grodsky said.

Zoom in: Stanton, a former Phoenix mayor and council member, won his first U.S. House election in 2018 and has easily won all four of his races.

• As of the end of the last reporting period in late March, Stanton has more than $1.8 million on hand, while Newkirk's campaign says he's raised over $100,000.

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Many of the Valley's frequent Waymo riders will soon be asked to pony up for an elite experience.

Why it matters: Waymo is expanding rapidly nationwide while also aiming to maintain a high-level rider experience in OG markets like ours, the company said in a blog post.

🚘 Driving the news: Waymo Premier, which is debuting soon in Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles, will cost $29.99 per month and include benefits like:

• Priority pickups
• 10% Waymo cashback on all rides
• Five free cancellations each month

How it works: The Premier program will only be available by invitation at first, so riders should check their app to see if they qualify.

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🍽️ A local church group can continue feeding people experiencing homelessness in Phoenix parks while it challenges a new city ordinance that limits feeding and medical aid, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled on Wednesday. (Phoenix New Times)

🐙 Seafood City Supermarket is looking to hire 100 employees ahead of the July opening of its first Valley location at Chandler Fashion Center. (Phoenix Business Journal)

🦖 The man who caused $23,000 in damage to an iconic dinosaur sculpture outside the Phoenix Art Museum was sentenced to more than four years in prison. (KJZZ)

🚧 Construction at the San Luis I Port of Entry near Yuma is expected to cause delays for people traveling across the U.S.-Mexico border. (KTAR)

You can celebrate America's 250th birthday and National Bourbon Day together with one patriotic pour, courtesy of San Tan Distilling.

The big picture: The entire country is gearing up for this summer's America 250 celebrations.

• And when it comes to booze, what's more American than bourbon?
• Plus, National Bourbon Day is Sunday.

State of play: The Secretary of State's Office — Secretary Adrian Fontes chairs Arizona's America250 Commission — picked San Tan Distilling to make an official bourbon to honor the country's big anniversary.

• San Tan chose its Jacob Waltz two-year-old bourbon to mark the occasion.
• The Jacob Waltz America's 250th edition comes in a commemorative, one-liter bottle with an embossed Arizona flag on the base.
• Proceeds go to the Road to 250: Arizona Traveling Museum, which toured the state earlier this year before returning permanently to the state Capitol.

Zoom in: The bottle is new but the bourbon isn't, and it'll still be available once the anniversary festivities are over.

• "If people fall in love with our straight bourbon, they're still going to be able to find it at their local retailers moving forward," Will Spetter, vice president of sales at San Tan Brewing and Distilling, told Axios.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of State's Office earlier this year tapped Mother Road Brewing Company to make a commemorative beer, which the Flagstaff brewer is celebrating with its America 250 lager.

Have a birthday drink with America