Phoenix's fun and surprising stories of 2024

• In more Taco Bell news, Phoenix chef Lawrence "LT" Smith of Chilte was chosen to design the chain's next Crunchwrap Supreme. 

👀 Trump effigy: A giant, nude effigy of Donald Trump, which previously debuted along the freeway north of Las Vegas, appeared behind a Phoenix marijuana dispensary. 

😬 "NO PEACE, B---H!": Then-U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake tried to make amends with the family of late U.S. Sen. John McCain earlier this year. 

• His daughter Meghan McCain did not mince words in response. 

🤠 Tombstone talks back: The "town too tough to die" took umbrage with Netflix's portrayal of the area's history in the Netflix docuseries "Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War."

🎈 Air Chuck One: Phoenix Suns legend Charles Barkley — or at least a blimp bearing his image — kept an aerial eye on the Valley during the Final Four, which was hosted in Glendale.

🚧 Metrocenter memories: Demolition of the shuttered north Phoenix mall began as new plans were unveiled for the ambitious, mixed-use development that will replace it.

🦫 Everyone loves Buc-ee's: Arizona was abuzz when this Texas-based chain of travel centers and gas stations announced it's bringing its iconic beaver mascot and cult following to the Valley. Our colleagues from the Lone Star State were on hand to explain why it's a big deal, in one of our most popular stories of the year. 

🔥 Some like it hot: Little Shop of Hot Sauce opened in central Phoenix with something for everyone, whatever your taste and heat tolerance. 

🍔 MacAlpine's comeback: The historic Phoenix diner, which originally opened in 1929, welcomed customers for the first time in nearly four years after shuttering during the pandemic.