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

Supreme Court rulings on birthright citizenship, transgender athletes felt in Arizona

Supreme Court rulings on transgender athletes and birthright citizenship will be felt in Arizona.

News

Major U.S. Supreme Court rulings on birthright citizenship and transgender athletes could have a significant impact in Arizona.State of play: The high court handed down several big rulings Tuesday.

See inside Arizona's Great American State Fair exhibit

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

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>.

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.

Deportation looms for Arizona woman who's out of legal remedies

Trump administration immigration changes mean near-certain deportation for this Arizona woman.

A 76-year-old Valley great-grandmother who entered the U.S. illegally 35 years ago is facing the near-certainty that she&#x27;ll be deported to Mexico.Why it matters: Epifania Juares-Gonzalez is unable to work due to age and health issues, and has no family in Mexico who can help care for her.

Budget cuts eliminate Arizona education programs

Several education and workforce programs lost funding in the final budget deal.

A lot&#x27;s been made about the tax cuts in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="freshly signed state budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/06/10/bipartisan-budget-governor-hobbs-republican-legislators-tax-cuts-data-centers" data-vars-content-id="0e37d138-ada1-4207-a90a-e73a02cef254" data-vars-headline="Budget cuts eliminate Arizona education programs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/06/10/bipartisan-budget-governor-hobbs-republican-legislators-tax-cuts-data-centers" target="_self">freshly signed state budget</a> — but they came at the cost of government programs that quietly lost funding in the final deal.Why it matters: Education and workforce initiatives were among the hardest hit, which <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="advocates warned" data-vars-click-url="https://educationforwardarizona.org/we-are-getting-the-outcomes-we-invest-in/" data-vars-content-id="0e37d138-ada1-4207-a90a-e73a02cef254" data-vars-headline="Budget cuts eliminate Arizona education programs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://educationforwardarizona.org/we-are-getting-the-outcomes-we-invest-in/" target="_blank">advocates warned</a> would have long-term impacts on the state.

Maricopa Community Colleges expands low-cost bachelor's degrees

New degree programs could help fill Arizona workforce gaps.

Arizonans will soon have more bachelor&#x27;s degree options through Maricopa Community Colleges, at a fraction of the price of a traditional university.Why it matters: The total cost of a four-year degree through Maricopa Community Colleges can run as little as $15,000. At Arizona&#x27;s universities, the in-state tuition price tag is closer to $50,000.

Videos prompt DOJ investigation into ASU over DEI allegations

DOJ's Civil Rights Division launched a new DEI investigation into ASU based on "viral videos".

The U.S. Department of Justice says &quot;viral videos&quot; have prompted a civil rights investigation into diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies at Arizona State University.Why it matters: If DOJ concludes the university has impermissible or illegal policies, it could seek to punish the school by pulling funding or other penalties.

Grads boo AI at commencement ceremonies

Graduates are voicing fears about AI and the icy entry-level job market.

Is it just us or has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="college graduation season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/college-graduates-ai-commencement-speech" data-vars-content-id="76aa5adc-33d7-4aef-a4f8-9da9e8e15f34" data-vars-headline="Grads boo AI at commencement ceremonies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/college-graduates-ai-commencement-speech" target="_self">college graduation season</a> felt a little robotic this year?The big picture: The class of 2026 is entering a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="job market that&#x27;s on ice" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/ai-jobs-market-hiring-firing" data-vars-content-id="76aa5adc-33d7-4aef-a4f8-9da9e8e15f34" data-vars-headline="Grads boo AI at commencement ceremonies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/ai-jobs-market-hiring-firing" target="_self">job market that&#x27;s on ice</a> as employers anticipate how AI will change their workforce needs.

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.

Are the kids alright?

Arizona ranks 40th for child wellbeing

A map showing children's wellbeing scores by state for 2026 on a 1,000-point scale, with the U.S. overall score at 547. New Hampshire (838), Massachusetts (775) and Utah (759) scored highest, while Mississippi (271), New Mexico (281) and Louisiana (313) scored lowest.

Education 📚

Budget cuts eliminate Arizona education programs

Maricopa Community Colleges expands low-cost bachelor's degrees

Arizona ranks 40th for child wellbeing

Videos prompt DOJ investigation into ASU over DEI allegations

Grads boo AI at commencement ceremonies