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Another twist in the saga of Glendale's Mattel theme park

The long-delayed attraction is still under construction.

Business

The original developer of the long-gestating Mattel Adventure Park in Glendale may no longer have any connection to the project, which appears to have been taken over by the owners of the nearby and also <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-delayed VAI Resort" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/03/glendale-special-election-vai-resort-rezoning" data-vars-content-id="0c051905-ca6d-4ea5-947a-c05a005683af" data-vars-headline="Another twist in the saga of Glendale&#x27;s Mattel theme park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/03/glendale-special-election-vai-resort-rezoning" target="_self">long-delayed VAI Resort</a>.Why it matters: The revelation is just the latest roller-coaster-worthy twist in the saga of the much-anticipated theme park, which was originally set to open in 2023 with Hot Wheels, Barbie and He-Man attractions.

Waymo expands in Phoenix area with new East Valley territory

Waymo is expanding its East Valley service area to Gilbert, Gateway Airport and more of Chandler.

News

Waymo riders in the Valley will now be able to go farther into the East Valley after the autonomous taxi company dramatically expanded its service area.Why it matters: Waymo is a convenient way to get around the sprawling Phoenix metro area, but only in certain parts of town.

Valley cities are suddenly very wary of Flock cameras

But the surveillance tech might not be going away yet.

Public Safety

The nationwide blowback against automated license plate reader cameras made by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock and similar companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" data-vars-content-id="847757a7-da81-4f5e-8431-cbf1fca4bd42" data-vars-headline="Valley cities are suddenly very wary of Flock cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" target="_self">Flock and similar companies</a> has led a slew of Valley cities and police departments to scrutinize how they&#x27;re using the technology.Why it matters: Recent audits have revealed potential misuse of the Flock system, which allows police agencies to track the location of almost anyone. But it&#x27;s unclear whether Valley cities will abandon their Flock cameras for good.

The Phoenix neighborhood that the post office forgot

Some residents haven't received mail for nearly two months.

Neighborhoods

For months, residents of a central Phoenix neighborhood have felt like they&#x27;d fallen into a black hole due to a strange phenomenon: The U.S. Postal Service has been delivering the neighborhood&#x27;s mail only sporadically, and sometimes not at all.Why it matters: Several people who live in Westwood Village &amp; Estates tell Axios that the ongoing mail snafu has caused them to miss bills, checks and even wedding invitations.

Arizona vaccine exemptions hit record high amid measles outbreak

More than 10% of kindergarteners obtained a vaccine exemption last year.

Education

Vaccination rates among kindergartners in Arizona decreased during the 2025–2026 school year for all tracked <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/11/trump-vaccines-midterms-measles-order" data-vars-content-id="7ab35596-56e3-4727-9cba-d5ae945ae1d3" data-vars-headline="Arizona vaccine exemptions hit record high amid measles outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/11/trump-vaccines-midterms-measles-order" target="_self">vaccines</a>, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" data-vars-content-id="7ab35596-56e3-4727-9cba-d5ae945ae1d3" data-vars-headline="Arizona vaccine exemptions hit record high amid measles outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html" target="_blank">reported</a> on Monday, while vaccine exemptions rose to their highest rate since at least 2012.Why it matters: The drop-off coincided with continued efforts by the Trump administration to make controversial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccine policy changes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/26/mmr-mmrv-vaccine-shot-schedule-cdc-trump" data-vars-content-id="7ab35596-56e3-4727-9cba-d5ae945ae1d3" data-vars-headline="Arizona vaccine exemptions hit record high amid measles outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/26/mmr-mmrv-vaccine-shot-schedule-cdc-trump" target="_self">vaccine policy changes</a> and with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measles cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/22/measles-cases-surge-past-last-year" data-vars-content-id="7ab35596-56e3-4727-9cba-d5ae945ae1d3" data-vars-headline="Arizona vaccine exemptions hit record high amid measles outbreak" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/22/measles-cases-surge-past-last-year" target="_self">measles cases</a> in Arizona hitting levels not seen in at least two decades.

From Axios Phoenix to News21

Jessica Boehm is now leading the student news program where she was once a fellow.

Jessica Boehm is gone from Axios Phoenix but hasn&#x27;t gone far — she&#x27;s at ASU, leading the news program she credits for helping to launch her career.Why it matters: Jessica was a part of your lives for more than four years, and we know many of you were wondering where she went.

How phone bans help Arizona schools (and how they don't)

Student well-being also appears to improve the longer the rules remain in place.

Schools across the U.S., <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="including in Arizona" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/10/04/arizona-schools-classroom-cellphone-bans" data-vars-content-id="8d8d860d-7fdf-4215-95c0-0329d4c8e243" data-vars-headline="How phone bans help Arizona schools (and how they don&#x27;t)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/10/04/arizona-schools-classroom-cellphone-bans" target="_self">including in Arizona</a>, are cracking down on student <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cellphone use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/30/no-screen-school-technology-parents-ai" data-vars-content-id="8d8d860d-7fdf-4215-95c0-0329d4c8e243" data-vars-headline="How phone bans help Arizona schools (and how they don&#x27;t)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/30/no-screen-school-technology-parents-ai" target="_self">cellphone use</a>. But a new study finds the restrictions bring mixed results.The big picture: Schools that require students to lock away their phones during class have seen phone use decline substantially, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w35132/w35132.pdf" data-vars-content-id="8d8d860d-7fdf-4215-95c0-0329d4c8e243" data-vars-headline="How phone bans help Arizona schools (and how they don&#x27;t)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w35132/w35132.pdf" target="_blank">study</a> shared by the National Bureau of Economic Research in April.

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.

Education 📚

Arizona vaccine exemptions hit record high amid measles outbreak

From Axios Phoenix to News21

How phone bans help Arizona schools (and how they don't)

Budget cuts eliminate Arizona education programs

Maricopa Community Colleges expands low-cost bachelor's degrees