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Planned industrial "mega site" could transform Buckeye

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

News

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.

Spellbinder wins Axios Phoenix craft beer bracket challenge

The hazy IPA from Wren House  took the crown.

Axios Phoenix beer drinkers have spoken, and the best craft brew in Arizona isssss... <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spellbinder" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wrenhousebrewing.com/product/spellbinder-4pk-16oz-cans/119" data-vars-content-id="8aa6a40c-0a13-45b3-b95d-95694f705995" data-vars-headline="Spellbinder wins Axios Phoenix craft beer bracket challenge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wrenhousebrewing.com/product/spellbinder-4pk-16oz-cans/119" target="_blank">Spellbinder</a>!State of beer: The hazy IPA from Wren House beat out OG Arizona craft beer Kilt Lifter from Four Peaks and Pedal Haus&#x27; Day Drinker, which recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="won a World Beer Cup medal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/04/29/two-arizona-brews-win-world-beer-cup-honors" data-vars-content-id="8aa6a40c-0a13-45b3-b95d-95694f705995" data-vars-headline="Spellbinder wins Axios Phoenix craft beer bracket challenge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/04/29/two-arizona-brews-win-world-beer-cup-honors" target="_self">won a World Beer Cup medal</a>.

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.

"Classic" Pizza Hut is returning to Arizona

Retro Pizza Hut restaurants are planned for southern Arizona amid a nationwide revival.

If you grew up eating at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="old-school Pizza Hut restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/10/pizza-hut-classic-virginia-locations" data-vars-content-id="874df07a-591f-4cb9-96f5-27ef1694a1ad" data-vars-headline="&quot;Classic&quot; Pizza Hut is returning to Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/03/10/pizza-hut-classic-virginia-locations" target="_self">old-school Pizza Hut restaurants</a> with the red roofs and classic decor, get ready for a big dose of nostalgia.The big picture: There&#x27;s been a wave of conversions in recent years as owners have gone retro, transforming restaurants back to the &quot;Pizza Hut Classic&quot; version with checkered tablecloths, Tiffany lamps, red cups and other old-school features.

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.

GCU may start its own law school

Grand Canyon University is seeking an "inaugural dean" for a potential college of law.

Grand Canyon University could become the next law school in Arizona.Why it matters: Arizona has just two American Bar Association-accredited law schools — ASU&#x27;s Sandra Day O&#x27;Connor College of Law and U of A&#x27;s James E. Rogers College of Law.

ESA critics and supporters back rival ballot measures

Critics and supporters of Arizona's ESA program are backing dueling reform proposals.

A pair of dueling citizen initiatives have very different approaches on how far the state should go in imposing new restrictions on Arizona&#x27;s school voucher-style program.Why it matters: Around 100,000 students use Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) but the program has been controversial for its ballooning costs — now about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1 billion annually" data-vars-click-url="https://www.abc15.com/news/education/esa-spending-in-arizona-tops-1-billion" data-vars-content-id="2c61ab6c-57de-4b8a-9244-4343a433ee80" data-vars-headline="ESA critics and supporters back rival ballot measures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.abc15.com/news/education/esa-spending-in-arizona-tops-1-billion" target="_blank">$1 billion annually</a> — and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="improper spending" data-vars-click-url="https://www.abc15.com/news/state/esa-audit-flags-9-1-million-in-questionable-spending-on-gaming-pcs-gift-cards-and-more" data-vars-content-id="2c61ab6c-57de-4b8a-9244-4343a433ee80" data-vars-headline="ESA critics and supporters back rival ballot measures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.abc15.com/news/state/esa-audit-flags-9-1-million-in-questionable-spending-on-gaming-pcs-gift-cards-and-more" target="_blank">improper spending</a> by some parents.

ASU president Michael Crow pushes AI as education equalizer

Crow says AI can personalize learning and expand college access.

ASU president <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michael Crow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/09/23/arizona-state-university-innovation-us-news-world-report" data-vars-content-id="f72b40ee-494a-4511-8946-17c46529025a" data-vars-headline="ASU president Michael Crow pushes AI as education equalizer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/09/23/arizona-state-university-innovation-us-news-world-report" target="_self">Michael Crow</a> can&#x27;t get enough of AI. He consistently uses nine separate platforms, including one he can converse with during his morning hikes.The big picture: To him — a man so &quot;obsessed with the way knowledge was organized&quot; that he spent his undergrad years pulling one book from every classification range in the Iowa State University library — AI is the tireless reference librarian he&#x27;s always wanted.

Phoenix is losing its youngest residents faster than most cities

Arizona school districts are closing campuses as the population of young children shrinks.

Young children&#x27;s share of the population dropped across major U.S. metros over the past two decades, census data shows, with Phoenix seeing a steeper drop than most.Why it matters: Kids&#x27; population trends can reflect cities&#x27; ability to attract, retain and support families.

Immigration crackdown cuts child care and sidelines moms

Immigration policy shifts are driving mothers out of the labor market.

Increased <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/04/trump-ice-immigration-arrests-deportations" data-vars-content-id="646c8063-a08c-42c2-a78d-c418c2a5a87f" data-vars-headline="Immigration crackdown cuts child care and sidelines moms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/04/trump-ice-immigration-arrests-deportations" target="_self">immigration enforcement</a> under the Trump administration is upending the child care industry and pushing many American mothers out of the labor market, per a new data analysis.Why it matters: The already-understaffed child care industry, in which 1 in 5 workers is an immigrant, is shrinking in response to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deportation fears, the" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/11/undocumented-parents-temporary-guardianship-deportation" data-vars-content-id="646c8063-a08c-42c2-a78d-c418c2a5a87f" data-vars-headline="Immigration crackdown cuts child care and sidelines moms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/11/undocumented-parents-temporary-guardianship-deportation" target="_self">deportation fears, the</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://d1y8sb8igg2f8e.cloudfront.net/documents/The_Impact_of_Increased_ICE_Activity_on_the_Child_Care_Workforce_and_Mothers_E_ipNMo5s.pdf" data-vars-content-id="646c8063-a08c-42c2-a78d-c418c2a5a87f" data-vars-headline="Immigration crackdown cuts child care and sidelines moms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://d1y8sb8igg2f8e.cloudfront.net/documents/The_Impact_of_Increased_ICE_Activity_on_the_Child_Care_Workforce_and_Mothers_E_ipNMo5s.pdf" target="_blank">new report</a> from the Better Life Lab at New America found.

What school bonds and overrides do

These voter-approved tools help districts fund repairs, teachers and programs.

About 20 Valley school districts are asking voters to increase their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/federal-revenue-schools-map" data-vars-content-id="47bc4ba3-f1b9-4a6a-9507-60e43034fe4c" data-vars-headline="What school bonds and overrides do" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/federal-revenue-schools-map" target="_self">funding</a> through mechanisms called bonds and overrides.Why it matters: School districts argue the money they receive from the state isn&#x27;t enough to maintain programs like art and music classes or make necessary building repairs.

Exclusive: ASU medical school receives accreditation and new name

The John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering's first cohort will begin in 2026.

Arizona State University&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new medical school" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/06/02/arizona-state-university-medical-school" data-vars-content-id="66671e7d-cdba-40a4-8976-c8c41dabad0a" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: ASU medical school receives accreditation and new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/06/02/arizona-state-university-medical-school" target="_self">new medical school</a>, which will be named the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering, has received preliminary accreditation, the program heads tell Axios exclusively.Why it matters: As the health care industry nationwide reckons with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worker shortages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/health-worker-shortages-predicted-2028" data-vars-content-id="66671e7d-cdba-40a4-8976-c8c41dabad0a" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: ASU medical school receives accreditation and new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/health-worker-shortages-predicted-2028" target="_self">worker shortages</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public distrust" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/18/public-trust-medical-pharmaceutical-industry-institutions" data-vars-content-id="66671e7d-cdba-40a4-8976-c8c41dabad0a" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: ASU medical school receives accreditation and new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/18/public-trust-medical-pharmaceutical-industry-institutions" target="_self">public distrust</a>, the country&#x27;s largest public university has chosen this moment to launch a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="medical school" data-vars-click-url="https://medicine.asu.edu/" data-vars-content-id="66671e7d-cdba-40a4-8976-c8c41dabad0a" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: ASU medical school receives accreditation and new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://medicine.asu.edu/" target="_blank">medical school</a> that ASU officials say will challenge traditional medical education and harness the power of technology.

UofA rejects Trump's higher ed plan as ASU gets invite to join compact

The University of Arizona rejected a Trump proposal linking funding to political priorities.

Politics & Policy

The University of Arizona announced Monday it would not agree to President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="higher education" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/17/universities-trump-harvard-columbia" data-vars-content-id="31effb31-c156-4fe6-8dfa-8477717c80df" data-vars-headline="UofA rejects Trump&#x27;s higher ed plan as ASU gets invite to join compact" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/17/universities-trump-harvard-columbia" target="_self">higher education</a> proposal as written, which would give the school funding preference in exchange for committing to the administration&#x27;s political priorities. Yes, but: Arizona State University is continuing conversations with the White House, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Wall Street Journal reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/trump-administration-meets-with-more-colleges-about-sweeping-compact-after-rejections-153bfca4" data-vars-content-id="31effb31-c156-4fe6-8dfa-8477717c80df" data-vars-headline="UofA rejects Trump&#x27;s higher ed plan as ASU gets invite to join compact" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/trump-administration-meets-with-more-colleges-about-sweeping-compact-after-rejections-153bfca4" target="_blank">The Wall Street Journal reports</a>.

Arizona Science Center reopens planetarium with stunning tech

The Dorrance DOME offers 8K shows, real-time NASA imagery and immersive concerts.

<figure><img alt="Indoor theater with an immersive floor-to-ceiling waterfall projection on a mossy green cliff backdrop, showing a scenic valley, while an audience sits and watches in dim lighting." height="450" id="c6a85e53-532e-4a96-8b73-06c3885dacea" src="https://images.axios.com/TTPs7unRn4Z2cINMP0q1w9RVm_0=/2025/10/16/1760646806156.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The Dorrance DOME is an elevated planetarium. Photo: Jessica Boehm/Axios</figcaption></figure>The Arizona Science Center&#x27;s planetarium underwent a massive renovation and reopens Saturday as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dorrance DOME" data-vars-click-url="https://www.azscience.org/experience/dorrance-dome/" data-vars-content-id="eb2bec45-8665-4e5d-b889-398cdccd2af8" data-vars-headline="Arizona Science Center reopens planetarium with stunning tech" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.azscience.org/experience/dorrance-dome/" target="_blank">Dorrance DOME</a> — one of the most advanced digital domes in the world.The big picture: The refreshed planetarium represents a new era for the Science Center, which interim president and CEO Tammy Stewart said will &quot;inspire learners of all ages to explore science in ways that are immersive, interactive and unforgettable.&quot;

Education 📚

ASU real estate students create redevelopment plans for Turf Paradise

GCU may start its own law school

ASU Health HQ breaks ground

ESA critics and supporters back rival ballot measures

ASU president Michael Crow pushes AI as education equalizer