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Sheriff's office outsourced investigations to Cyber Ninjas-tied firm

The firm, AZ Truthfinder, has been paid $270,000 since June 2025.

Election

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Maricopa County Sheriff&#x27;s Office" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/07/31/maricopa-county-election-results-sheriff-recorder-supervisors" data-vars-content-id="3e30cc9a-4252-4f25-a1b0-05f8d4e14998" data-vars-headline="Sheriff&#x27;s office outsourced investigations to Cyber Ninjas-tied firm" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/07/31/maricopa-county-election-results-sheriff-recorder-supervisors" target="_self">Maricopa County Sheriff&#x27;s Office</a> (MCSO) failed to properly vet a firm with ties to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cyber Ninjas audit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/09/27/one-year-after-arizona-election-audit-questions-linger" data-vars-content-id="3e30cc9a-4252-4f25-a1b0-05f8d4e14998" data-vars-headline="Sheriff&#x27;s office outsourced investigations to Cyber Ninjas-tied firm" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/09/27/one-year-after-arizona-election-audit-questions-linger" target="_self">Cyber Ninjas audit</a> of the 2020 election before awarding it an investigative contract, per a newly-unsealed report from the court-appointed monitor overseeing the agency.Why it matters: The report calls into question the administration of Sheriff Jerry Sheridan as MCSO pushes for an end to the monitor&#x27;s oversight, which was imposed by a federal judge in 2013 as the result of class-action racial profiling case.

Where in the Valley? 

Where in the Valley can you find this fountain?

News

Welcome to another edition of &quot;Where in the Valley?&quot;How it works: We show you something cool. You tell us where it is.

2026 Arizona State Fair: Prices, parking, deals and more

The fair runs Thursdays through Sundays until Nov. 1.

Things to Do

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arizona State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/09/20/arizona-state-fair-2024-prices-parking-concerts-rides" data-vars-content-id="0c6d8031-f2eb-4f7d-8a7f-9a493bb5f1a5" data-vars-headline="2026 Arizona State Fair: Prices, parking, deals and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/09/20/arizona-state-fair-2024-prices-parking-concerts-rides" target="_self">Arizona State Fair</a> opened Thursday and continues through Nov. 1.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s what you need to know to make the most of it.</li></ul>

Video: Falling meteor lights up Valley skies near Scottsdale

Stargazers caught the flash at about 1am Tuesday morning.

A bright-green flash lit up the Valley sky early Tuesday morning, with multiple local stargazers capturing video of what appeared to be a falling meteor.Zoom in: Axios was provided video, captured from a doorbell camera, posted by a Reddit user.

Allsup's brings its famous deep-fried burritos to Arizona

Allsup's expects to expand throughout Arizona and eventually reach the Phoenix area.

Allsup&#x27;s Convenience Stores have come to Arizona, and with them come their &quot;world famous&quot; deep-fried burritos, which have a special place in my heart. State of play: Parent company Yesway Inc. has more than 400 convenience stores in eight states, nearly all of which are Allsup&#x27;s locations in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

One Camelback is officially open for business

One Camelback&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven-year development saga" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/04/one-camelback-bmo-harris-bank-building-construction-underway" data-vars-content-id="8722dbed-b8ca-4001-9e17-e114085c9a40" data-vars-headline="One Camelback is officially open for business" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/04/one-camelback-bmo-harris-bank-building-construction-underway" target="_self">seven-year development saga</a> is officially over and the luxury apartment building&#x27;s first tenants have moved in. Why it matters: The shuttered BMO Harris Bank building was an eyesore for years, standing in disrepair on some of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="central Phoenix&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/07/30/the-whitney-central-phoenix-high-rise-mixed-use-arts-district" data-vars-content-id="8722dbed-b8ca-4001-9e17-e114085c9a40" data-vars-headline="One Camelback is officially open for business" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/07/30/the-whitney-central-phoenix-high-rise-mixed-use-arts-district" target="_self">central Phoenix&#x27;s</a> most prime real estate.

Tempe's getting a new weekly farmers market

The market will run most Sunday mornings.

Food and Drink

Tempe City Hall is closed on the weekends, but it&#x27;ll be a hub of activity every Sunday starting this October as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/09/04/tempe-age-demential-friendly-park-kiwanis" data-vars-content-id="180ccd48-47cb-42c3-ab13-96fd641de3de" data-vars-headline="Tempe&#x27;s getting a new weekly farmers market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/09/04/tempe-age-demential-friendly-park-kiwanis" target="_self">the city</a> debuts a new weekly farmers market.Why it matters: The Tempe City Hall Farmers Market — an accurate, if not very creative, name — will give Valley residents another option when looking for locally produced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/09/02/bite-club-roman-god-of-fire-tempe-review" data-vars-content-id="180ccd48-47cb-42c3-ab13-96fd641de3de" data-vars-headline="Tempe&#x27;s getting a new weekly farmers market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/09/02/bite-club-roman-god-of-fire-tempe-review" target="_self">food</a> and wares.

The Valley went nuts over Pokemon cards on Wednesday

The debut of the 30th anniversary packs drove crazy demand.

Business

If you heard about people camping outside of a Target early Wednesday morning and wondered what all the buzz was about, here&#x27;s the answer: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pokemon cards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/28/pokemon-card-psa-grading-value" data-vars-content-id="2bfcb366-8eab-42bc-b42d-219bae9846c6" data-vars-headline="The Valley went nuts over Pokemon cards on Wednesday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/28/pokemon-card-psa-grading-value" target="_self">Pokemon cards</a>.Driving the news: Wednesday marked the global release for the 30th anniversary edition of the Pokemon Trading Card Game, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the demand " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/pokemon-card-trading-cards-boom-target-ebay-sales" data-vars-content-id="2bfcb366-8eab-42bc-b42d-219bae9846c6" data-vars-headline="The Valley went nuts over Pokemon cards on Wednesday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/pokemon-card-trading-cards-boom-target-ebay-sales" target="_self">the demand </a>across Arizona and the country was intense.

Phoenix is the epicenter of institutional landlords, new study shows

Houses are being built — but to rent, not own.

Real Estate

The Valley is one of the biggest markets for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="institutional investment landlords" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/07/10/institutional-investors-arizona-home-buying-decreases" data-vars-content-id="1c1387ad-491c-40c2-ae61-c11741737de9" data-vars-headline="Phoenix is the epicenter of institutional landlords, new study shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/07/10/institutional-investors-arizona-home-buying-decreases" target="_self">institutional investment landlords</a> — that is, professional investors managing huge pots of money who buy up single-family homes, per a new study.Why it matters: Housing affordability in the Phoenix area is already a problem, and the prevalence of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="corporate landlords" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/07/trump-institutional-investor-home-ban" data-vars-content-id="1c1387ad-491c-40c2-ae61-c11741737de9" data-vars-headline="Phoenix is the epicenter of institutional landlords, new study shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/07/trump-institutional-investor-home-ban" target="_self">corporate landlords</a> makes it only harder for the average resident to afford a home.

Exclusive: Diamondbacks say ongoing Chase Field lease talks are "non-productive"

Millions in repairs are on hold until a new lease is signed.

Sports

Lease extension talks between the Diamondbacks and the public entity that owns Chase Field have been &quot;non-productive to date&quot; and are holding up millions in necessary repairs, team president and CEO Derrick Hall tells Axios.Why it matters: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new state law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/06/24/chase-field-funding-goes-to-governor-after-final-arizona-house-approval" data-vars-content-id="fd50f65b-f899-49eb-98df-26907c43eabd" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Diamondbacks say ongoing Chase Field lease talks are &quot;non-productive&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/06/24/chase-field-funding-goes-to-governor-after-final-arizona-house-approval" target="_self">new state law</a> set aside $500 million in tax dollars <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to fund fixes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/03/25/diamondbacks-chase-field-funding-bill" data-vars-content-id="fd50f65b-f899-49eb-98df-26907c43eabd" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Diamondbacks say ongoing Chase Field lease talks are &quot;non-productive&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/03/25/diamondbacks-chase-field-funding-bill" target="_self">to fund fixes</a> to the nearly 30-year-old stadium, but those repairs are on hold until the team agrees to a new lease with the Maricopa County Stadium District.

7 Brew outbids Dutch Bros for defunct Salad and Go locations

More drive-thru coffee spots are coming to the Valley no matter what.

Coffee chain 7 Brew won a bankruptcy auction for a host of defunct Salad and Go locations, including many in the Valley, edging out rival coffee giant Dutch Bros.Why it matters: Many of the salad restaurant&#x27;s vacant locations will still become drive-thru coffee spots, but they&#x27;ll now bear the name of 7 Brew, which is trying to make inroads in Arizona.

Big changes are coming to Jobot

Jobot has been a Roosevelt Row institution for years but is now looking to make a change.

Jobot Coffee &amp; Bar as you&#x27;ve known it for years is now a thing of the past, but a new era is coming.Why it matters: Jobot was on the leading edge of Roosevelt Row&#x27;s transformation, opening as the area was coming into its own as a hip, artsy district.

Phoenix apartments got smaller while rents got bigger

The average new apartment shrunk in Phoenix during the past decade, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent survey from RentCafe." data-vars-click-url="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/national-average-apartment-size/" data-vars-content-id="f3e32a45-695d-4218-b3db-5e58302e8569" data-vars-headline="Phoenix apartments got smaller while rents got bigger" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/national-average-apartment-size/" target="_blank">recent survey from RentCafe.</a>Why it matters: Even though square footage shrunk, renters of all apartments in Phoenix are paying more — even accounting for a 39% increase in inflation.

9th Circuit ruling hands Arizona a win on sports betting

The Ninth Circuit bolstered Arizona's position on Kalshi, but the fight is far from over.

A federal appeals ruling on state regulation of online sports betting is a win for Arizona but doesn&#x27;t resolve the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ongoing issues with prediction markets like Kalshi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/17/kalshi-criminal-charges-arizona-prediction-markets" data-vars-content-id="bee62d1b-5f57-41ff-b1f5-80bf76bcf8fe" data-vars-headline="9th Circuit ruling hands Arizona a win on sports betting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/17/kalshi-criminal-charges-arizona-prediction-markets" target="_self">ongoing issues with prediction markets like Kalshi</a> and Polymarket.Why it matters: Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is attempting to assert state authority over online prediction markets but has faced pushback from the federal government and the courts.

Business 🏦

Allsup's brings its famous deep-fried burritos to Arizona

One Camelback is officially open for business

Tempe's getting a new weekly farmers market

The Valley went nuts over Pokemon cards on Wednesday

Phoenix is the epicenter of institutional landlords, new study shows