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Turf Paradise may relocate under new owner over land issues

The horse track's new owner may need to find a new location as his predecessor seeks to sell the land.

News

Turf Paradise is under new ownership, and in a few years it&#x27;ll likely have a new location as well.Why it matters: Moving Turf Paradise would bring the end of a long era for that region of north Phoenix, which has been home to the racetrack for generations.

Sneak peek: Phoenix gets a smaller Ikea store

Arizona&#x27;s newest Ikea will have the meatballs, the iconic showroom and a grab-and-go marketplace, but it won&#x27;t take you an hour to peruse.What it matters: Phoenix residents have been clamoring for another, more central Ikea for decades.

Clean energy team prevails in SRP board election

Clean energy advocates won  a majority on SRP's board.

Clean energy advocates won a majority of the seats in Tuesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="election" data-vars-click-url="https://media.srpnet.com/srp-announces-2026-board-and-council-election-results/" data-vars-content-id="98b7216f-a310-4140-877a-8845cbb373b2" data-vars-headline="Clean energy team prevails in SRP board election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://media.srpnet.com/srp-announces-2026-board-and-council-election-results/" target="_blank">election</a> for the Salt River Project power board, prevailing over the side heavily <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="backed by the conservative organization Turning Point" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/24/srp-election-clean-energy-business-slate-turning-point" data-vars-content-id="98b7216f-a310-4140-877a-8845cbb373b2" data-vars-headline="Clean energy team prevails in SRP board election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/24/srp-election-clean-energy-business-slate-turning-point" target="_self">backed by the conservative organization Turning Point</a>.Why it matters: SRP provides energy for about 1.1 million Phoenix-area customers, and the district board sets the utility&#x27;s electricity rate and power generation policy.

Arizona bartender heads to national speedy cocktail contest

Gilbert bartender Krissy Shelberg will compete in a national speed cocktail contest

One of Arizona&#x27;s speediest bartenders is heading to New Orleans this summer to compete in a national cocktail-making competition.Why it matters: The only thing better than a stiff drink is someone making it for you — quickly.

Arizona children lose access to major providers of autism therapy

Parents say insurer contract cuts disrupt critical ABA therapy services.

Nearly 1,000 Arizona children have lost or will soon lose their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="autism therapy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/09/researchers-identify-four-distinct-types-of-autism" data-vars-content-id="01756b37-db97-4945-8b28-250260b7592e" data-vars-headline="Arizona children lose access to major providers of autism therapy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/09/researchers-identify-four-distinct-types-of-autism" target="_self">autism therapy</a> coverage after Medicaid insurance plans canceled contracts with two of the state&#x27;s largest providers.Why it matters: Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is critical to communication and life skills development and prohibitively expensive if not covered by insurance, parents and providers told Axios.

UW scrutinized after monkey death at Arizona primate facility

The USDA cited the university for a "critical" violation of the Animal Welfare Act after a monkey died at its breeding facility.

Animal welfare advocates are again urging the University of Washington to end its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="primate research" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2017/12/15/for-better-science-give-lab-primates-companions-1513306277" data-vars-content-id="92a7b52b-3d65-48e0-a266-fcd3900b6dca" data-vars-headline="UW scrutinized after monkey death at Arizona primate facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2017/12/15/for-better-science-give-lab-primates-companions-1513306277" target="_self">primate research</a> program after a newborn monkey died at the university&#x27;s Arizona breeding facility.The big picture: Monkey research has played a key role in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="developing vaccines and other therapies" data-vars-click-url="https://wanbrc.uw.edu/about-the-center/" data-vars-content-id="92a7b52b-3d65-48e0-a266-fcd3900b6dca" data-vars-headline="UW scrutinized after monkey death at Arizona primate facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wanbrc.uw.edu/about-the-center/" target="_blank">developing vaccines and other therapies</a>, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ethical concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9710398/" data-vars-content-id="92a7b52b-3d65-48e0-a266-fcd3900b6dca" data-vars-headline="UW scrutinized after monkey death at Arizona primate facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9710398/" target="_blank">ethical concerns</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="advancements in non-animal research" data-vars-click-url="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/science/sya-iccvam" data-vars-content-id="92a7b52b-3d65-48e0-a266-fcd3900b6dca" data-vars-headline="UW scrutinized after monkey death at Arizona primate facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/science/sya-iccvam" target="_blank">advancements in non-animal research</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="funding shifts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.science.org/content/article/exclusive-cdc-end-all-monkey-research" data-vars-content-id="92a7b52b-3d65-48e0-a266-fcd3900b6dca" data-vars-headline="UW scrutinized after monkey death at Arizona primate facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.science.org/content/article/exclusive-cdc-end-all-monkey-research" target="_blank">funding shifts</a> are forcing labs and federal agencies to reconsider when — and whether — animals are still essential to medical progress.

How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities

A radar-based AI device reduced falls from 20 to three per month at one Mesa facility.

Two years ago, a handful of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="assisted living facilities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/05/22/arizona-aging-senior-citizens" data-vars-content-id="e2b8f78b-982f-49bd-84da-dac2ce9d9e31" data-vars-headline="How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/05/22/arizona-aging-senior-citizens" target="_self">assisted living facilities</a> in metro Phoenix added a new member to the team to help reduce resident falls. His name is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paul" data-vars-click-url="https://helpany.com/" data-vars-content-id="e2b8f78b-982f-49bd-84da-dac2ce9d9e31" data-vars-headline="How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://helpany.com/" target="_blank">Paul</a>, and he&#x27;s an AI-powered motion detector.Why it matters: Falls are among the most serious health risks for senior citizens, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="peer-reviewed" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7093636/#CR6" data-vars-content-id="e2b8f78b-982f-49bd-84da-dac2ce9d9e31" data-vars-headline="How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7093636/#CR6" target="_blank">peer-reviewed</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="medical research" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12645780/" data-vars-content-id="e2b8f78b-982f-49bd-84da-dac2ce9d9e31" data-vars-headline="How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12645780/" target="_blank">medical research</a>.

Arizona bill would let people buy ivermectin without a prescription

The anti-parasitic drug widely used to treat livestock was called a "miracle" COVID-19 treatment.

Republicans in Arizona and nationwide are trying to make it easier to get <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ivermectin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/09/29/ivermectin-prescriptions-soar" data-vars-content-id="bfe61ab5-41e4-454f-b3a5-fec247deb21e" data-vars-headline="Arizona bill would let people buy ivermectin without a prescription" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/09/29/ivermectin-prescriptions-soar" target="_self">ivermectin</a>, the controversial anti-parasitic drug widely used to treat livestock but embraced by some as a treatment during the pandemic.Why it matters: Ivermectin was promoted largely by conservatives as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;miracle&quot; drug" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bbc.com/news/health-58170809" data-vars-content-id="bfe61ab5-41e4-454f-b3a5-fec247deb21e" data-vars-headline="Arizona bill would let people buy ivermectin without a prescription" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/health-58170809" target="_blank">&quot;miracle&quot; drug</a> amid the COVID-19 pandemic, despite <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multiple medical studies" data-vars-click-url="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2801828" data-vars-content-id="bfe61ab5-41e4-454f-b3a5-fec247deb21e" data-vars-headline="Arizona bill would let people buy ivermectin without a prescription" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2801828" target="_blank">multiple medical studies</a> that found it isn&#x27;t effective at treating the novel coronavirus, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="repeated warnings from leading medical institutions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/ama-press-releases/ama-apha-ashp-statement-ending-use-ivermectin-treat-covid-19" data-vars-content-id="bfe61ab5-41e4-454f-b3a5-fec247deb21e" data-vars-headline="Arizona bill would let people buy ivermectin without a prescription" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/ama-press-releases/ama-apha-ashp-statement-ending-use-ivermectin-treat-covid-19" target="_blank">repeated warnings from leading medical institutions</a> outside of FDA-approved use. Still, it has persisted as an alternative treatment for COVID.

Arizona bills aim to expand access to lactation care

A bipartisan effort would help new mothers access lactation services through AHCCCS.

A pair of bills that would make it easier for new mothers to access lactation support services is making its way through the Arizona Legislature with bipartisan support.Why it matters: Doctors often recommend that women see lactation consultants to help establish breastfeeding after birth. But the service, which is not covered by government insurance, is out of reach for some postpartum moms.

Vaccination rates for kids drop across Arizona

Vaccination rates have fallen statewide, especially in Mohave and Yavapai counties.

The battle against infectious diseases like the flu and measles has taken a hit with sinking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vaccination rates for children" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/16/kids-health-vaccination-rates-world-drop" data-vars-content-id="afb5ef63-c1a4-41ad-8dcf-04ae81b4753e" data-vars-headline="Vaccination rates for kids drop across Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/16/kids-health-vaccination-rates-world-drop" target="_self">vaccination rates for children</a> in Arizona and nationwide, per new data collected and analyzed by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Washington Post" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/interactive/2025/measles-vaccine-schools-outbreaks-public-health/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzY3MTU3MjAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzY4NTM5NTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NjcxNTcyMDAsImp0aSI6ImE3ZDE5NjMzLWU1NGMtNDVjMy04NzllLTQ1ZmM5NTg4MDhlOSIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9oZWFsdGgvaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyNS9tZWFzbGVzLXZhY2NpbmUtc2Nob29scy1vdXRicmVha3MtcHVibGljLWhlYWx0aC8ifQ.YVNK2Csiqf58uH7d_RB2KlDmCOBAaL3I3qEg90ApgeA&amp;itid=gfta" data-vars-content-id="afb5ef63-c1a4-41ad-8dcf-04ae81b4753e" data-vars-headline="Vaccination rates for kids drop across Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/interactive/2025/measles-vaccine-schools-outbreaks-public-health/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzY3MTU3MjAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzY4NTM5NTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NjcxNTcyMDAsImp0aSI6ImE3ZDE5NjMzLWU1NGMtNDVjMy04NzllLTQ1ZmM5NTg4MDhlOSIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9oZWFsdGgvaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyNS9tZWFzbGVzLXZhY2NpbmUtc2Nob29scy1vdXRicmVha3MtcHVibGljLWhlYWx0aC8ifQ.YVNK2Csiqf58uH7d_RB2KlDmCOBAaL3I3qEg90ApgeA&amp;itid=gfta" target="_blank">Washington Post</a>.Why it matters: Vaccination rates for school-age children have plunged in hundreds of counties as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="chaos reigns over vaccination schedules" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/22/childhood-vaccines-denmark-cdc-lawsuits" data-vars-content-id="afb5ef63-c1a4-41ad-8dcf-04ae81b4753e" data-vars-headline="Vaccination rates for kids drop across Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/22/childhood-vaccines-denmark-cdc-lawsuits" target="_self">chaos reigns over vaccination schedules</a>, potentially setting the stage for more, larger measles outbreaks following a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="brutal 2025 in Arizona" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kjzz.org/kjzz-news/2026-01-13/arizonas-measles-outbreak-may-not-end-anytime-soon" data-vars-content-id="afb5ef63-c1a4-41ad-8dcf-04ae81b4753e" data-vars-headline="Vaccination rates for kids drop across Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kjzz.org/kjzz-news/2026-01-13/arizonas-measles-outbreak-may-not-end-anytime-soon" target="_blank">brutal 2025 in Arizona</a>.

Arizona Parvo cases spike as vaccine skepticism spreads to pets

Vaccine skepticism is hitting pups, too, the Arizona Humane Society warns.

Vaccine skepticism is hitting pups, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arizona Humane Society" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/12/05/arizona-humane-society-launches-dog-sleepover-program" data-vars-content-id="f3fa5878-344a-4566-b7b6-2155aea80245" data-vars-headline="Arizona Parvo cases spike as vaccine skepticism spreads to pets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/12/05/arizona-humane-society-launches-dog-sleepover-program" target="_self">Arizona Humane Society</a> warns.Why it matters: The animal welfare group has seen a spike in Parvo cases among unvaccinated dogs in Arizona.

Arizona fares better than other states as flu cases surge

Arizona flu cases spiked around the holidays, but other states have gotten hit harder.

Flu cases are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/30/superflu-symptoms-2025-flu-h3n2" data-vars-content-id="f3d2537e-f661-4e5f-8cef-88758a53e2c6" data-vars-headline="Arizona fares better than other states as flu cases surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/30/superflu-symptoms-2025-flu-h3n2" target="_self">increasing nationwide</a>, many attributed to the so-called &quot;super flu,&quot; and Arizona hasn&#x27;t been immune.Why it matters: An unprecedented rise in flu cases comes as other sicknesses — such as the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winter vomiting bug" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/24/norovirus-winter-vomiting-bug-variant-symptoms" data-vars-content-id="f3d2537e-f661-4e5f-8cef-88758a53e2c6" data-vars-headline="Arizona fares better than other states as flu cases surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/24/norovirus-winter-vomiting-bug-variant-symptoms" target="_self">winter vomiting bug</a>,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" data-vars-content-id="f3d2537e-f661-4e5f-8cef-88758a53e2c6" data-vars-headline="Arizona fares better than other states as flu cases surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/health/coronavirus" target="_self">COVID</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="whooping cough" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/28/whooping-cough-pertussis-symptoms-cases-november-kentucky" data-vars-content-id="f3d2537e-f661-4e5f-8cef-88758a53e2c6" data-vars-headline="Arizona fares better than other states as flu cases surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/28/whooping-cough-pertussis-symptoms-cases-november-kentucky" target="_self">whooping cough</a> — are slamming the United States this winter.

Arizona tells doctors to keep giving hepatitis B vaccine to newborns

State health officials reaffirmed hepatitis B vaccines for newborns amid conflicting federal guidance.

Arizona health officials continue to recommend hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns despite <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new federal guidance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/05/cdc-panel-hepatitis-b-shot-dropped" data-vars-content-id="7d5a8958-254a-4dd0-ab29-b3b29c022202" data-vars-headline="Arizona tells doctors to keep giving hepatitis B vaccine to newborns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/05/cdc-panel-hepatitis-b-shot-dropped" target="_self">new federal guidance</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the latest example of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="conflicting health advice" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/rfk-new-vaccine-policy-changes-maha" data-vars-content-id="7d5a8958-254a-4dd0-ab29-b3b29c022202" data-vars-headline="Arizona tells doctors to keep giving hepatitis B vaccine to newborns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/03/rfk-new-vaccine-policy-changes-maha" target="_self">conflicting health advice</a> from the Trump administration — which is looking to do away with long-standing medical practices — and Democratic officials, who encourage providers to stick to the status quo.

Mosquito season lingers in Phoenix after warm, wet fall

Late rain and warm temps are fueling a longer, itchier season in the Valley.

Warm weather and rain have kept our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="least-favorite summertime pests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/24/mosquitoes-phoenix-desert-arizona" data-vars-content-id="7276515e-3326-4e97-bda0-e055c47d0d35" data-vars-headline="Mosquito season lingers in Phoenix after warm, wet fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/24/mosquitoes-phoenix-desert-arizona" target="_self">least-favorite summertime pests</a> active for longer than usual — and our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mosquito season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/06/28/mosquito-season-longer-west-nile-dengue" data-vars-content-id="7276515e-3326-4e97-bda0-e055c47d0d35" data-vars-headline="Mosquito season lingers in Phoenix after warm, wet fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/06/28/mosquito-season-longer-west-nile-dengue" target="_self">mosquito season</a> may get worse before it gets better.Why it matters: In addition to being annoying and itch-inducing, mosquitoes can carry diseases like West Nile Virus that can cause serious illness or death.

Health 🩺

ASU Health HQ breaks ground

Arizona children lose access to major providers of autism therapy

UW scrutinized after monkey death at Arizona primate facility

How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities

Arizona bill would let people buy ivermectin without a prescription