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In 1776, Arizona belonged to Native Americans and Spain

Arizona "was a concept that wasn't even in anybody's mind" during U.S. independence in 1776.

America at 250

America is celebrating its 250th birthday, but Arizona has a ways to go before it can celebrate being part of the United States for that long.The big picture: What&#x27;s now Arizona was, at least on paper, part of New Spain in 1776, though the Spanish controlled a relatively small part of the territory that would later become the 48th state.

See inside Arizona's Great American State Fair exhibit

The exhibit recreates some of Arizona's most recognizable landscapes.

News

The Great American State Fair, which continues through July 10 on the National Mall, has gotten some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decidedly poor reviews" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/30/great-american-state-fair-national-mall-review" data-vars-content-id="5c8c4e63-4386-41f1-8762-4109d79d5775" data-vars-headline="See inside Arizona&#x27;s Great American State Fair exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/30/great-american-state-fair-national-mall-review" target="_self">decidedly poor reviews</a> — but Arizona&#x27;s exhibit has been a bright spot, per visitors&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social media accounts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEpPMz0VqGk" data-vars-content-id="5c8c4e63-4386-41f1-8762-4109d79d5775" data-vars-headline="See inside Arizona&#x27;s Great American State Fair exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEpPMz0VqGk" target="_blank">social media accounts</a>.The intrigue: Some states with Democratic governors decided not to participate in the spectacle, saying President Trump had made it a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="partisan affair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/11/politics/several-states-not-participating-trump-state-fair" data-vars-content-id="5c8c4e63-4386-41f1-8762-4109d79d5775" data-vars-headline="See inside Arizona&#x27;s Great American State Fair exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/11/politics/several-states-not-participating-trump-state-fair" target="_blank">partisan affair</a>.

ICE reaches agreement with AG Mayes to put Surprise detention center on hold

ICE agreed with Attorney General Kris Mayes to pause a planned detention center pending an environmental review.

A proposed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration detention facility in Surprise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/04/dhs-surprise-warehouse-immigration-detention" data-vars-content-id="d1a17006-17e7-477a-9e4f-a2da46dd0fd7" data-vars-headline="ICE reaches agreement with AG Mayes to put Surprise detention center on hold" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/04/dhs-surprise-warehouse-immigration-detention" target="_self">immigration detention facility in Surprise</a> is on hold after Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and ICE agreed to pause it for an environmental review.Why it matters: Opponents of President Trump&#x27;s strict immigration crackdowns have sought to stop ICE from converting the warehouse it bought in Surprise into a detention facility.

Keep an eye on these primary fights in Arizona's legislative races

Legislative primaries will go a long way toward to deciding who controls Arizona's Legislature.

While most eyes are on statewide and congressional elections in the July 21 primary, the races for Arizona&#x27;s legislative seats will largely determine who controls the state next year.Why it matters: The Legislature votes on policies that deeply affect millions of Arizonans, including education spending, social services, taxes and criminal statutes.

Quality Jobs tax credit repealed as part of budget compromise

Arizona repealed a tax incentive for well-paying jobs as part of a bipartisan budget compromise.

A tax credit for businesses that create high-wage jobs in Arizona is now a thing of the past.Why it matters: Arizona is focused on attracting good-paying major employers to the state and every incentive helps elbow out other states, who are after the same thing.

The wait is over: Buc-ee's opens first Arizona location in Goodyear

The wait is over: Buc-ee's officially expands to Arizona with grand opening in Goodyear.

Arizona is officially Buc-ee&#x27;s country after the Texas-based — and Texas-sized — travel center chain opened its first Arizona location in Goodyear on Monday.Why it matters: Buc-ee&#x27;s is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unique institution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/02/05/bucees-buc-ees-arizona-when-location-where" data-vars-content-id="60e6d936-64f1-4d48-9b91-cb95ee10530b" data-vars-headline="The wait is over: Buc-ee&#x27;s opens first Arizona location in Goodyear" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/02/05/bucees-buc-ees-arizona-when-location-where" target="_self">unique institution</a> with an intensely loyal customer base, which was thrilled to see it move west into Arizona.

Arizona leaders urge data centers to earn trust

Officials say transparency is key to easing neighborhood concerns.

Data centers need to win back community trust if they want to continue to move into Arizona, government and business leaders told us during Tuesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Live event" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4inW0YmPNqQ" data-vars-content-id="b370a8b3-2db0-4a5b-9b56-e78b7eb6eaec" data-vars-headline="Arizona leaders urge data centers to earn trust" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4inW0YmPNqQ" target="_blank">Axios Live event</a> in downtown Phoenix.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Neighborhood opposition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/05/06/data-center-growth-opposition-arizona-neighborhoods" data-vars-content-id="b370a8b3-2db0-4a5b-9b56-e78b7eb6eaec" data-vars-headline="Arizona leaders urge data centers to earn trust" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/05/06/data-center-growth-opposition-arizona-neighborhoods" target="_self">Neighborhood opposition</a> to data center projects has exploded statewide as residents question the health impacts of the megasites.

Terrible's gas stations are coming to the Valley

Nevada-based Terrible's is expanding its gas station and convenience store empire to the Valley.

Terrible&#x27;s is bringing its gas stations, convenience stores and unforgettable name to the Valley.The big picture: Terrible&#x27;s — known for decades as Terrible Herbst until a recent name change — is a southern Nevada institution that&#x27;s spread throughout the West.

Restaurants and boutique retail slated to replace old Los Olivos car wash

The Corner at Midtown, featuring restaurants and retail, will replace the old Los Olivos car wash.

The site of a demolished central Phoenix car wash that closed nearly a decade ago is finally getting new life as a retail and restaurant hub with a downtown feel.Why it matters: The vacant land on the northwest corner of Third Street and McDowell Road is a prime location in a booming central Phoenix neighborhood.

Planned industrial "mega site" could transform Buckeye

Developers are seeking businesses for an industrial "mega site" that could transform Buckeye.

A massive new manufacturing campus planned for Buckeye could transform the city and the region.Why it matters: Buckeye is already among the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest growing cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/03/03/former-farm-town-buckeye-growing-at-a-rapid-pace" data-vars-content-id="8c0b4940-e3be-4f3c-b3aa-ef4908b18985" data-vars-headline="Planned industrial &quot;mega site&quot; could transform Buckeye" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/03/03/former-farm-town-buckeye-growing-at-a-rapid-pace" target="_self">fastest growing cities</a> in both Arizona and the U.S., and the Grand View Arizona complex could be an economic game-changer.

Report: Arizona faces long-term shortage of 110,000 homes

Arizona needs 56,000 new housing units now and 110,000 in the longer term, per a new report.

Arizona has a substantial, immediate demand for more housing, and it&#x27;s only going to grow in the next few years.Why it matters: Affordable housing drove massive population growth here for decades, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/03/13/5-years-later-how-the-pandemic-supercharged-the-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="95816d5c-3c7b-4f86-9363-291e1e39dc97" data-vars-headline="Report: Arizona faces long-term shortage of 110,000 homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/03/13/5-years-later-how-the-pandemic-supercharged-the-housing-market" target="_self">high prices</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high interest rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/14/us-housing-market-mortgage-rates" data-vars-content-id="95816d5c-3c7b-4f86-9363-291e1e39dc97" data-vars-headline="Report: Arizona faces long-term shortage of 110,000 homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/14/us-housing-market-mortgage-rates" target="_self">high interest rates</a> and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="supply crunch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/08/12/charted-phoenix-s-endless-housing-supply-problem" data-vars-content-id="95816d5c-3c7b-4f86-9363-291e1e39dc97" data-vars-headline="Report: Arizona faces long-term shortage of 110,000 homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/08/12/charted-phoenix-s-endless-housing-supply-problem" target="_self">supply crunch</a> have combined to make housing increasingly inaccessible in recent years.

Protect your business with a stronger succession plan

Clear succession roles help protect business continuity during transitions.

Partners

In major Arizona metros like Tucson and Phoenix, more than 30% of businesses are family-owned — reflecting a sector that generates more than half of U.S. GDP.The challenge: Less than a third of those businesses will survive into the second generation of family ownership.<ul><li>12% will survive into the third.</li><li>Only 3–5% will make it to four generations.</li></ul>

ASU real estate students create redevelopment plans for Turf Paradise

Turf Paradise is likely to move, and ASU real estate students have plans for what should replace it.

Turf Paradise could be in line for a massive redevelopment project soon, and Arizona State University real estate students have some big ideas about what it should look like.Why it matters: Redevelopment of the 247-acre site could transform that area of north Phoenix.

Neighborhoods push back on Arizona data centers

Neighbors say data center projects bring noise, water strain and a lower quality of life.

In Arizona, one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nation&#x27;s data center capitals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/04/28/arizona-data-center-hotspot-pew-research-center" data-vars-content-id="76d5bfb9-64c7-4fba-b742-abf0702a0a8c" data-vars-headline="Neighborhoods push back on Arizona data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/04/28/arizona-data-center-hotspot-pew-research-center" target="_self">nation&#x27;s data center capitals</a>, neighborhoods have started pushing back against data center projects to little avail.Why it matters: Neighbors say the giant technology centers diminish their quality of life and waste their water, but they face an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="army of lawyers and lobbyists" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2025/11/data-centers-are-fueling-the-lobbying-industry-not-just-the-growth-of-ai/" data-vars-content-id="76d5bfb9-64c7-4fba-b742-abf0702a0a8c" data-vars-headline="Neighborhoods push back on Arizona data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2025/11/data-centers-are-fueling-the-lobbying-industry-not-just-the-growth-of-ai/" target="_blank">army of lawyers and lobbyists</a> working to push the projects through anyway.

Business 🏦

Quality Jobs tax credit repealed as part of budget compromise

The wait is over: Buc-ee's opens first Arizona location in Goodyear

Arizona leaders urge data centers to earn trust

Terrible's gas stations are coming to the Valley

Restaurants and boutique retail slated to replace old Los Olivos car wash