Phoenix

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Phoenix with Jeremy Duda and Jessica Boehm.

Axios Phoenix

Standard

Phoenix Members

Membership

Phoenix Alerts

Alert

Axios Phoenix Partners

Axios Phoenix Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Data: American Lung Association; Note: Days where air pollution was worse received a greater weighting in the calculation; Chart: Alex Fitzpatrick/Axios

The Valley is again among the worst metros in the country for ozone pollution, putting the health of nearly 1.4 million Arizona kids at risk, per the American Lung Association's 2026 "State of the Air" report released Wednesday.

Why it matters: Infants, children and teens are most susceptible to the effects of air pollution because their lungs are still developing, per the report.

Exposure to smog during childhood has been linked to reduced lung growth, asthma and increased risk of respiratory diseases.

The big picture: The report comes a month after the EPA announced that Maricopa County won't be punished for failing to meet federal ozone standards.

How it works: Ozone forms when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — which come from wildfires, paints, pesticides, etc. — combine with oxides of nitrogen, produced primarily by fossil fuel vehicle emissions.

Some VOCs and oxides of nitrogen are produced locally, but many are carried in the wind from other parts of Arizona, as well as California, Mexico and even Asia.

These elements need sunlight to interact and form ozone, and with an average of 330 days of sunshine per year, the Valley is at a disadvantage.

Threat level: Maricopa County has failed to meet ozone pollution standards for about a decade and was slated to slide into "serious nonattainment" last summer, which would have required companies that open or expand factories locally to invest in expensive environmental offsets.

This likely would have cost the Valley hundreds of millions of dollars, a state analysis predicted.

Yes, but: The Trump administration amended federal guidance last year to make it easier for counties like ours to prove their high ozone levels are at least partly caused by international pollutants outside of our control.

The EPA last month announced it would not enact new regulations on Maricopa County, citing this new threshold.

Reality check: Federal punishment or not, the Valley's air is unhealthy.

"This decision will lead to worsened air quality and less industry regulation at the expense of public health," said JoAnna Strother, senior director of advocacy for the American Lung Association.

Valley smog puts kids' health at risk

A new report links ozone pollution to health risks for nearly 1.4 million Arizona children.

A bar chart that ranks U.S. metro areas by average weighted high-ozone days from 2022 to 2024 among places with at least 50,000 residents. Los Angeles leads at 159.2 days, followed by Visalia at 92.7 and Bakersfield at 75.

The Valley is again among the worst metros in the country for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ozone pollution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/23/phoenix-no-longer-ranks-among-most-air-polluted-cities" data-vars-content-id="c6697e9f-9d5d-46d0-aec6-3342cc44cc87" data-vars-headline="Valley smog puts kids&#x27; health at risk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/23/phoenix-no-longer-ranks-among-most-air-polluted-cities" target="_self">ozone pollution</a>, putting the health of nearly 1.4 million Arizona kids at risk, per the American Lung Association&#x27;s 2026 &quot;State of the Air&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lung.org/research/sota" data-vars-content-id="c6697e9f-9d5d-46d0-aec6-3342cc44cc87" data-vars-headline="Valley smog puts kids&#x27; health at risk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lung.org/research/sota" target="_blank">report</a> released Wednesday.Why it matters: Infants, children and teens are most susceptible to the effects of air pollution because their lungs are still developing, per the report.

News

Climate

Arizona's new tallest building — slated to open by the end of the decade — will include a top-floor restaurant from one of the Valley's buzziest restaurateurs, the developer announced this week.

The (really) big picture: The project, called Arro, will span 1.8 million square feet across two towers on Second Avenue south of Fillmore Street.

The north tower will become Arizona's tallest building at 541 feet.

The project will include apartments, office space and a hotel.

The latest: Pretty Decent Concepts — the brains behind Wren & Wolf, Filthy Animal, Chico Malo and more — will helm the top two floors of the north tower with a "show-stopping, multi-concept experience," the restaurant group's founder, Teddy Myers, said in a news release Tuesday.

"We were drawn to this space because it represents the kind of ambition we believe downtown Phoenix deserves," he said.

The fine print: Aspirant Development expects to begin construction by the end of the year and open within three years of groundbreaking.

The intrigue: Arro's north tower will be Phoenix's first skyscraper, which is technically defined as a building reaching at least 492 feet.

Our current tallest building, the now-vacant Chase Tower, is 483 feet.

Phoenix's soon-to-be tallest tower lands top-floor restaurant

The tallest building in Arizona will feature a two-floor restaurant at the top.

A cityscape at dusk with three modern glass buildings, a tall central tower, shorter left blocks, and a tree-lined plaza; people walk as an orange sunset glows on blue sky.

Rendering: Courtesy of Aspirant Development

Arizona&#x27;s new tallest building — slated to open by the end of the decade — will include a top-floor restaurant from one of the Valley&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="buzziest restaurateurs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/01/23/wren-and-wolf-steak-restaurant-downtown-phoenix" data-vars-content-id="d72a7227-2a1c-45a7-a95a-cb0996152cf2" data-vars-headline="Phoenix&#x27;s soon-to-be tallest tower lands top-floor restaurant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/01/23/wren-and-wolf-steak-restaurant-downtown-phoenix" target="_self">buzziest restaurateurs</a>, the developer announced this week.The (really) big picture: The project, called Arro, will span 1.8 million square feet across two towers on Second Avenue south of Fillmore Street.

Food and Drink

A newly reported measles case has raised the alarm about community spread in the Valley.

Why it matters: The disease is extremely contagious and can be deadly, especially in babies and young children. About 90% of unvaccinated people contract measles when exposed.

The big picture: An ongoing measles outbreak that began last August along the Arizona-Utah border is responsible for most of the state's measles cases, which hit a 30-plus-year high last year. But since the start of the year, unrelated cases have popped up in the Valley as well.

This comes as childhood vaccine rates dropped nationwide during the COVID pandemic.

Maricopa County's rate dropped from 93% in 2018 to 89% in 2024, the Washington Post reported.

The latest: A new local case was reported last week, with a possible exposure at an Arizona Youth Sports basketball game in Mesa on April 11.

People who were at the game in the Highland Junior High gymnasium between 2 and 5pm are encouraged to watch for symptoms through May 2.

Threat level: This is the sixth case in Maricopa County this year, and the third one that can't be traced to another known case.

"This highlights the ongoing risk of local transmission and the importance of vaccination and early symptom recognition," per a county public health department news release.

Between the lines: Measles symptoms typically develop one to three weeks after exposure, so officials encourage people who may have come into contact with infected patients to watch for fever, congestion, rashes or red, watery eyes for 21 days.

Other known metro Phoenix exposure points:

Costco (Ellsworth Road in Queen Creek): April 3, 11am–2pm

Walmart (Rittenhouse Road in Queen Creek): April 4, 8:15am–10:45am

Generation Church Queen Creek: April 5, 8:45am–12:30pm

New measles case raises concerns about disease spread

Health officials warn of a possible exposure at a Mesa youth basketball game.

Clipboard with a metal clip holding a red and white flyer about MEASLES on dark blue fabric, showing blue icons and small printed text.

A newly reported <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/04/measles-cases-outbreak-vaccine-trump" data-vars-content-id="e16adc19-feda-4c4b-935a-17f71eee5d91" data-vars-headline="New measles case raises concerns about disease spread" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/04/measles-cases-outbreak-vaccine-trump" target="_self">measles</a> case has raised the alarm about community spread in the Valley.Why it matters: The disease is extremely contagious and can be deadly, especially in babies and young children. About <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="90% of unvaccinated people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.maricopa.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/3635" data-vars-content-id="e16adc19-feda-4c4b-935a-17f71eee5d91" data-vars-headline="New measles case raises concerns about disease spread" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.maricopa.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/3635" target="_blank">90% of unvaccinated people</a> contract measles when exposed.

Health

Think you're up to speed on the week's news? Take our quiz to prove it!

Send a screenshot of your perfect score to phoenix@axios.com Friday morning for a shoutout next week!

Take the Axios Phoenix news quiz!

How closely did you read this week's top stories?

Animated illustration of a 1970s game show sign reading NEWS QUIZ, with an Axios logo on it, and a bright green outline expanding around them. 

A 70s style game show sign that says "news quiz" with an Axios "A" logo.

Think you&#x27;re up to speed on the week&#x27;s news? Take our quiz to prove it!Send a screenshot of your perfect score to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="phoenix@axios.com" data-vars-click-url="mailto:phoenix@axios.com" data-vars-content-id="e8cf6130-a391-4d2a-a9f5-06578dc7f6e0" data-vars-headline="Take the Axios Phoenix news quiz!" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="mailto:phoenix@axios.com" target="_blank">phoenix@axios.com</a> Friday morning for a shoutout next week!

The biggest flex in Phoenix these days? Scoring a table at Arizona's first Din Tai Fung, which officially opened at Scottsdale Fashion Square last week.

The big picture: The extremely popular dumpling and noodle house has foodies, social media influencers, teenagers and Asian immigrants clamoring for a chance to try its world-renowned xiao long bao — delicious (and Instagram-worthy) soup dumplings.

The intrigue: Dedicated diners are staying up until midnight to snag newly released reservations, lining up at Fashion Square before opening and even trying to scalp reservations.

State of play: We've been checking the restaurant's booking page intermittently since the April 20 grand opening and have only seen a slot available once. And by the time we clicked to book it, it was gone.

Last Thursday, the waitlist estimate was 225 minutes at 2pm.

Pro tips: We mined Reddit for the best hacks to get into Din Tai Fung.

🫩 Refresh at 11:59pm: New reservations go live at midnight, so try refreshing right before then.

Yes, but: A couple hundred of your closest friends might have the same idea. Many people reported failure with this method because of high demand. And don't refresh too many times or you might get flagged as a bot.

⌚ Join the waitlist at 11am: You can join the list before you arrive to the restaurant, and you'll get an estimated wait time (which is usually shortest right at opening) so you know when to jump in the car.

💳 AMEX concierge: If you've got an American Express Platinum or Centurion card, one Redditor had luck using the company's concierge service to lock down a table.

✈️ Fly to Vegas: Definitely the most extreme suggestion, but perhaps a faster option than waiting in line here. Las Vegas' Din Tai Fung is at Aria and has reservations aplenty.

The bottom line: The whole menu is available for takeout, and that may be the move until the hype dies down.

What's next: A second Arizona location is planned for Chandler Fashion Center next year. You may want to get in line now.

lining up at Fashion Square before opening

Din Tai Fung frenzy hits Scottsdale: How to score a table

Here's how to score a table at the buzzy new dumpling spot.

Two chefs in white uniforms and black gloves work together to assemble small dumplings in a wooden bamboo steamer, placing delicate pastries on a marble counter.

Getting your hands on these dumplings takes strategy, or patience. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The biggest flex in Phoenix these days? Scoring a table at Arizona&#x27;s first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Din Tai Fung" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/19/din-tai-fung-nyc-review-grand-opening" data-vars-content-id="e98d9983-f794-49c9-ac8e-530fdcf9b326" data-vars-headline="Din Tai Fung frenzy hits Scottsdale: How to score a table" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/19/din-tai-fung-nyc-review-grand-opening" target="_self">Din Tai Fung</a>, which officially opened at Scottsdale Fashion Square last week.The big picture: The extremely popular dumpling and noodle house has foodies, social media influencers, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="teenagers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/Scottsdale/comments/1sxtz06/comment/oir02qv/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button" data-vars-content-id="e98d9983-f794-49c9-ac8e-530fdcf9b326" data-vars-headline="Din Tai Fung frenzy hits Scottsdale: How to score a table" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Scottsdale/comments/1sxtz06/comment/oir02qv/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=web3x&amp;utm_name=web3xcss&amp;utm_term=1&amp;utm_content=share_button" target="_blank">teenagers</a> and Asian immigrants clamoring for a chance to try its world-renowned xiao long bao — delicious (and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Instagram-worthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWxPoBaD7aW/" data-vars-content-id="e98d9983-f794-49c9-ac8e-530fdcf9b326" data-vars-headline="Din Tai Fung frenzy hits Scottsdale: How to score a table" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWxPoBaD7aW/" target="_blank">Instagram-worthy</a>) soup dumplings.

Average number of high ozone days, 2022-2024

Jessica Boehm

Featured stories

Din Tai Fung frenzy hits Scottsdale: How to score a table

Phoenix's soon-to-be tallest tower lands top-floor restaurant

Valley smog puts kids' health at risk

New measles case raises concerns about disease spread

Take the Axios Phoenix news quiz!