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Former Suns owners sues ex-business partners 

Sarver alleges a "corporate maneuver" unfairly deprived him of his contractual rights.

News

Former Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver is suing his ex-real estate business partners, alleging that they unfairly pushed him out of their business ventures.Why it matters: The lawsuit is the latest fallout from Sarver&#x27;s polarizing tenure as Suns owner — and the controversies that brought it to an end.

What to know about the fight over a $12.8M Arizona Lottery ticket

Multiple people have claimed the winning ticket.

Yet another person has come forward to press a claim to a disputed $12.8 million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arizona Lottery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/03/05/chips-salsa-mega-millions-change" data-vars-content-id="7e973ed1-da86-4bed-84d7-95f23db86c28" data-vars-headline="What to know about the fight over a $12.8M Arizona Lottery ticket" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/03/05/chips-salsa-mega-millions-change" target="_self">Arizona Lottery</a> ticket.Why it matters: We can think of about 12.8 million reasons.

Arizona school districts grapple with war-induced fuel costs

Gilbert Public Schools is spending an extra $8,000 weekly on diesel.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Arizona" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/01/30/arizona-4th-8th-grade-reading-scores-fall-2024-national-trend" data-vars-content-id="fb1efcec-0e0f-4422-9e7f-8539eab97b15" data-vars-headline="Arizona school districts grapple with war-induced fuel costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/01/30/arizona-4th-8th-grade-reading-scores-fall-2024-national-trend" target="_self">Arizona</a> school districts are feeling the pinch from high diesel costs caused by the Iran war. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="war" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/02/iran-trump-negotiations-war-reasons-fail" data-vars-content-id="fb1efcec-0e0f-4422-9e7f-8539eab97b15" data-vars-headline="Arizona school districts grapple with war-induced fuel costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/02/iran-trump-negotiations-war-reasons-fail" target="_self">war</a> is sending <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="diesel costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/22/trump-diesel-exports-ban" data-vars-content-id="fb1efcec-0e0f-4422-9e7f-8539eab97b15" data-vars-headline="Arizona school districts grapple with war-induced fuel costs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/22/trump-diesel-exports-ban" target="_self">diesel costs</a> higher just as districts are grappling with a yearslong bus driver shortage — a double whammy that can ripple into missed breakfasts, late classes and fewer school activities.

Savannah Bananas returning to Phoenix in 2027

The lottery for Savannah Bananas tickets is open through Oct. 31.

Things to Do

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Savannah Bananas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/10/12/the-savannah-bananas-are-coming-to-the-valley" data-vars-content-id="d5b27cae-30ba-403f-8775-9af58113e6be" data-vars-headline="Savannah Bananas returning to Phoenix in 2027" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/10/12/the-savannah-bananas-are-coming-to-the-valley" target="_self">Savannah Bananas</a> are coming back to the Valley next year. State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Banana Ball" data-vars-click-url="https://bananaball.com/" data-vars-content-id="d5b27cae-30ba-403f-8775-9af58113e6be" data-vars-headline="Savannah Bananas returning to Phoenix in 2027" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bananaball.com/" target="_blank">Banana Ball</a> league announced its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2027 schedule" data-vars-click-url="https://bananaball.com/schedule/" data-vars-content-id="d5b27cae-30ba-403f-8775-9af58113e6be" data-vars-headline="Savannah Bananas returning to Phoenix in 2027" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bananaball.com/schedule/" target="_blank">2027 schedule</a>, which includes a pair of games in Phoenix.

Maricopa County is on pace for a dramatic spike in heat deaths

The county could see more than 600 heat deaths for the third time in four years.

Health

Maricopa County is on track for a major spike in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/03/10/phoenix-heat-deaths-2024-decrease-homelessness" data-vars-content-id="448c85a0-8868-45a3-b58b-004d614d7fed" data-vars-headline="Maricopa County is on pace for a dramatic spike in heat deaths" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/03/10/phoenix-heat-deaths-2024-decrease-homelessness" target="_self">heat deaths</a> this year.Why it matters: We&#x27;re set to erase much of the progress Valley municipalities made to reduce heat fatalities a year ago.

Tempe plans dementia-friendly park

The park will have wide paths, landscaping and a fenced area where people can safely walk.

A unique age- and dementia-friendly park is coming to Tempe.Why it matters: Older adults make up 20% of the country&#x27;s population but only 4% of park users, and Arizona has America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest-growing rate of Alzheimer&#x27;s disease" data-vars-click-url="https://www.azfamily.com/2023/08/08/alzheimers-cases-arizona-growing-alarming-rate-more-than-any-other-state/" data-vars-content-id="523711d0-76ff-41e5-8859-5f0b9b3f296d" data-vars-headline="Tempe plans dementia-friendly park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.azfamily.com/2023/08/08/alzheimers-cases-arizona-growing-alarming-rate-more-than-any-other-state/" target="_blank">fastest-growing rate of Alzheimer&#x27;s disease</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-services/parks/parks-capital-improvements-plan/dementia-age-friendly-park?utm_source=City+of+Tempe&amp;utm_campaign=a9d3393b88-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_09_01_03_49&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-a9d3393b88-61504274#!/" data-vars-content-id="523711d0-76ff-41e5-8859-5f0b9b3f296d" data-vars-headline="Tempe plans dementia-friendly park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-services/parks/parks-capital-improvements-plan/dementia-age-friendly-park?utm_source=City+of+Tempe&amp;utm_campaign=a9d3393b88-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_09_01_03_49&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-a9d3393b88-61504274#!/" target="_blank">per the city</a>.

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.

Phoenix welcomes new NIH facility to downtown

The facility will conduct research on diabetes and kidney disease.

Phoenix&#x27;s downtown bioscience core welcomed a new member on Friday, as the National Institutes of Health unveiled a new clinical research unit dedicated to the study of diabetes and other diseases.Why it matters: In its new 35,000-square-foot facility, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) will work to advance our understanding of such conditions while also bringing more intellectual firepower to downtown Phoenix.

Experts warn of burn risk with children's squishy toys

Gel-filled toys like squishy dumplings and NeeDoh could burn kids if they get too hot.

Popular, gel-based children&#x27;s toys pose potential burn risk, something to keep in mind during the Valley&#x27;s brutal summers.Threat level: Gel-filled toys like &quot;squishy dumplings&quot; or NeeDoh can cause thermal or chemical burns if they get too hot, including when they&#x27;re left in cars during Arizona&#x27;s blistering summers, Dr. Jon McGreevy, division chief of pediatric surgery at Phoenix Children&#x27;s Hospital, says in a statement to Axios.

Arizona overdose deaths surge amid national decline

Overdose deaths hit an all-time high in Arizona last year while national rates have declined.

Arizona is tragically defying a national trend on drug overdose deaths as rates here climb amid a nationwide decrease, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report by the New York Times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/07/15/upshot/arizona-drug-overdose-deaths.html?elqTrackId=1C8D829222D9916CC736D6DBAE2491BE&amp;elq=1a9c44cca6de49e8a151551860b44503&amp;elqaid=2355&amp;elqat=1&amp;elqCampaignId=1447&amp;elqak=8AF51A636A4886FD9761471A7263BECD1F997B04FD09E3A0A7CF3556317B7E6CB399" data-vars-content-id="5940012c-69c1-4ed8-9ee2-1e8c9d24c0fe" data-vars-headline="Arizona overdose deaths surge amid national decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/07/15/upshot/arizona-drug-overdose-deaths.html?elqTrackId=1C8D829222D9916CC736D6DBAE2491BE&amp;elq=1a9c44cca6de49e8a151551860b44503&amp;elqaid=2355&amp;elqat=1&amp;elqCampaignId=1447&amp;elqak=8AF51A636A4886FD9761471A7263BECD1F997B04FD09E3A0A7CF3556317B7E6CB399" target="_blank">report by the New York Times</a>.Why it matters: Arizona&#x27;s rate is now twice the national average.

What Arizona families should know about cyclospora

Here's what doctors say about produce, pools and reducing your risk.

Investigators still haven&#x27;t identified a common contamination source for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cyclosporiasis outbreak" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/cyclosporiasis-stomach-bug-cases-symptoms-outbreak" data-vars-content-id="2875ce56-deda-4865-96f8-58eced1c70a4" data-vars-headline="What Arizona families should know about cyclospora" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/cyclosporiasis-stomach-bug-cases-symptoms-outbreak" target="_self">cyclosporiasis outbreak</a> gripping the nation, limiting the guidance health officials can give consumers.The big picture: Fresh produce remains the focus of investigators, with lettuce and other ingredients pulled from some Taco Bell restaurants also under scrutiny.

Why local reinvestment matters for Arizona health care

Arizona's health care system is under pressure from rising costs, federal coverage challenges and increasing demand for care.

<div data-sponsor-disclosure="&quot;{&quot;logoUrl&quot;:&quot;https://images.axios.com/hHgZS712P41BCNe-pHAeR_m6IYw=/2026/07/06/1783360779973.png&quot;,&quot;headline&quot;:&quot;A message from: Banner Health&quot;}&quot;"></div><div style="display:none"></div>Arizona&#x27;s health care system is under pressure from rising costs, federal coverage challenges and increasing demand for care.

Health officials say hantavirus cruise ship poses little risk to Arizona

An Arizonan who returned from a hantavirus-stricken cruise ship shows no symptoms.

Health officials are monitoring an Arizona resident who was on a cruise ship where several passengers contracted hantavirus, but health officials say there&#x27;s little threat to locals.Why it matters: Hantavirus is highly dangerous and frequently fatal.

New measles case raises concerns about disease spread

Health officials warn of a possible exposure at a Mesa youth basketball game.

A newly reported <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="measles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/04/measles-cases-outbreak-vaccine-trump" data-vars-content-id="e16adc19-feda-4c4b-935a-17f71eee5d91" data-vars-headline="New measles case raises concerns about disease spread" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/04/measles-cases-outbreak-vaccine-trump" target="_self">measles</a> case has raised the alarm about community spread in the Valley.Why it matters: The disease is extremely contagious and can be deadly, especially in babies and young children. About <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="90% of unvaccinated people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.maricopa.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/3635" data-vars-content-id="e16adc19-feda-4c4b-935a-17f71eee5d91" data-vars-headline="New measles case raises concerns about disease spread" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.maricopa.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/3635" target="_blank">90% of unvaccinated people</a> contract measles when exposed.

Health 🩺

Maricopa County is on pace for a dramatic spike in heat deaths

Tempe plans dementia-friendly park

Arizona vaccine exemptions hit record high amid measles outbreak

Phoenix welcomes new NIH facility to downtown

Experts warn of burn risk with children's squishy toys