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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".

News

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.

The best 602 Day deals in Phoenix

More than 400 local businesses are offering discounts and events.

Tuesday is 602 Day, and we&#x27;ve got your cheat sheet to taking advantage of all the revelry and savings across the Valley.Why it matters: The civic-pride-inspired holiday lets us support local businesses as they enter their slow summer season — while scoring great deals.

ADOT eyes improvements to key I-10 stretch

ADOT is looking to upgrade a critical but congested stretch of Interstate 10 near downtown.

One of the Valley&#x27;s most congested stretches of freeway might be getting a makeover soon.Why it matters: The part of Interstate 10 between the Deck Park Tunnel downtown and Interstate 17 near Sky Harbor is &quot;heavily congested during morning and afternoon commutes and is expected to worsen,&quot; per ADOT.

Mayes will send fake electors case back to grand jury after appeal fails

Kris Mayes will send the fake electors case back to a grand jury after a key appeal fell short.

Attorney General Kris Mayes must restart her case against the 2020 fake electors after the Arizona Supreme Court rejected a key <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="appeal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/11/21/arizona-kris-mayes-appeal-fake-electors-case" data-vars-content-id="2c326338-22b7-47e2-968d-fdb83b5e1472" data-vars-headline="Mayes will send fake electors case back to grand jury after appeal fails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/11/21/arizona-kris-mayes-appeal-fake-electors-case" target="_self">appeal</a>.Why it matters: The alleged crimes occurred almost six years ago, and the case will now drag on even longer and loom over this year&#x27;s AG race.

Vote the George & Dragon as one of America's best soccer bars

Phoenix's George & Dragon English Pub is in contention to be one of USA Today's best soccer bars.

Arizona isn&#x27;t hosting any <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA World Cup games" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/09/world-cup-us-soccer-growth" data-vars-content-id="b5b65cc6-1558-4120-af4e-dd447d076780" data-vars-headline="Vote the George &amp; Dragon as one of America&#x27;s best soccer bars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/09/world-cup-us-soccer-growth" target="_self">FIFA World Cup games</a>, but we can still be home to the best soccer bar in the U.S.State of play: USA Today is asking readers to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vote on the country&#x27;s best soccer bar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usatoday.com/sports/readers-choice-awards/best-soccer-bar/" data-vars-content-id="b5b65cc6-1558-4120-af4e-dd447d076780" data-vars-headline="Vote the George &amp; Dragon as one of America&#x27;s best soccer bars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usatoday.com/sports/readers-choice-awards/best-soccer-bar/" target="_blank">vote on the country&#x27;s best soccer bar</a>, and one of the contenders is right here in central Phoenix: the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George and Dragon English Pub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gndphx.com/" data-vars-content-id="b5b65cc6-1558-4120-af4e-dd447d076780" data-vars-headline="Vote the George &amp; Dragon as one of America&#x27;s best soccer bars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gndphx.com/" target="_blank">George and Dragon English Pub</a>.

McDonald's teases collab with Devin Booker and Nike

A cryptic Sedona video hints at new turquoise kicks.

In a trippy, cryptic video, McDonald&#x27;s is giving us a preview of an upcoming collab with Suns star Devin Booker and Nike.Zoom in: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="iconic turquoise arches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.scenic.org/2025/06/26/sedonas-turquoise-arches-show-how-communities-maintain-control/" data-vars-content-id="d18d724e-9eb5-4365-9252-c35f99bde7a1" data-vars-headline="McDonald&#x27;s teases collab with Devin Booker and Nike" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.scenic.org/2025/06/26/sedonas-turquoise-arches-show-how-communities-maintain-control/" target="_blank">iconic turquoise arches</a> in Sedona — which is one of the few McDonald&#x27;s locations without golden arches — appear to be central to whatever it is the fast-food chain, basketball star and footwear company are cooking up.

Cardinals roasted over schedule release video

Fans shredded the Cardinals after the team's awkward and apparently AI-generated reveal.

The Cardinals suffered their first embarrassment of 2026 this week — four months before the NFL season begins.The big picture: The league has turned the annual schedule release into a social media opportunity, with each team posting pop culture-y videos about their opponents.

Season ends for Suns squad that defied expectations

The Suns' success this season defied expectations.

Sports

The Phoenix Suns&#x27; season is over after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first-round sweep in the playoffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2026/04/27/phoenix-suns-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-game-4-live-updates/89822160007/" data-vars-content-id="f7b1631d-ec16-4800-835d-d685264539b0" data-vars-headline="Season ends for Suns squad that defied expectations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2026/04/27/phoenix-suns-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-game-4-live-updates/89822160007/" target="_blank">first-round sweep in the playoffs</a>, but it was still a wildly successful year.The big picture: The Suns were the seventh-place team in the Western Conference and made it to the playoffs as the eighth seed.

Win or go home: Suns have one more chance after play-in loss to Portland

The Suns have one more chance to extend their season after a play-in loss against Portland.

The Phoenix Suns blew an 11-point lead in a play-in game against Portland and have one more chance to break into the first round of the NBA postseason.Driving the news: The Trail Blazers rallied late in the fourth quarter to hand the Suns a 114-110 loss Tuesday night at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix and earn the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.

Suns face Trail Blazers in postseason play-in game

The winner of the Suns-Blazers play-in game will face the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.

The Phoenix Suns are back in the playoffs and have a chance to fight their way into the first round.State of play-in: The Suns earned the seventh seed in the West and will face the Portland Trail Blazers in a play-in game on Tuesday.

Final Four loss gives Cats rough end to great season

The Cats' tournament run ended in disappointment but the future is bright.

UofA finally met its match — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michigan dominated the Wildcats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/04/02/final-four-game-guide-arizona-michigan" data-vars-content-id="58e16093-4294-42ee-bf87-d803ac43a9ba" data-vars-headline="Final Four loss gives Cats rough end to great season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/04/02/final-four-game-guide-arizona-michigan" target="_self">Michigan dominated the Wildcats</a> from the opening tipoff and never let up, notching a 91-73 win Saturday to earn a spot in Monday&#x27;s national championship game against UConn.The big picture: It wasn&#x27;t the ending the Cats hoped to see, but UofA men&#x27;s basketball had its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="best season in a quarter century" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/30/arizona-wildcats-beat-purdue-return-to-final-four" data-vars-content-id="58e16093-4294-42ee-bf87-d803ac43a9ba" data-vars-headline="Final Four loss gives Cats rough end to great season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/30/arizona-wildcats-beat-purdue-return-to-final-four" target="_self">best season in a quarter century</a> and has a bright future ahead.

What to check out at Final Four fan events

Fans can enjoy games, panels and concerts during Final Four weekend festivities.

<figure><img alt="A gif of kids shooting baskets with &quot;Fina Four&quot; branding." height="450" id="daf4e127-5a00-43de-a698-587eaa09efc8" src="https://images.axios.com/I06J-oWCyFHdNiDpPOyxgIGkPLY=/2026/04/02/1775166745955.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>There are too many hoops to count at Tourney Town. GIF: Jessica Boehm/Axios</figcaption></figure>Downtown Phoenix is abuzz with basketball fever and plenty of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fan fun" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/25/phoenix-womens-final-four-free-fan-events-downtown" data-vars-content-id="2e15843e-5794-46b9-a86a-f08d69c96b2a" data-vars-headline="What to check out at Final Four fan events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/25/phoenix-womens-final-four-free-fan-events-downtown" target="_self">fan fun</a> for locals to enjoy.Why it matters: This is Phoenix&#x27;s first time hosting the women&#x27;s Final Four.

What to know: Arizona faces Michigan in Final Four

Here's what you need to know about the Arizona Wildcats' Final Four matchup against Michigan.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Final Four" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/30/arizona-wildcats-beat-purdue-return-to-final-four" data-vars-content-id="d2ed92ef-1584-460d-b1bf-22399e6db0f4" data-vars-headline="What to know: Arizona faces Michigan in Final Four" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/30/arizona-wildcats-beat-purdue-return-to-final-four" target="_self">Final Four</a> matchup between the Arizona Wildcats and the Michigan Wolverines may be the best game of March Madness.<ul><li>Whether you&#x27;ve followed the Wildcats all season or are just getting into the excitement of their first Final Four appearance in a quarter century, here&#x27;s what you need to know.</li></ul>

Arizona teams to compete in national padel competition

Arizona teams will compete for the first time in an ameteur national padel league.

For the first time, Arizona is fielding teams in a nationwide amateur league for padel, a combination of tennis and squash that&#x27;s often described as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="world&#x27;s fastest-growing sport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/padel-racket-sport-popularity-mexico-origins-rcna232524" data-vars-content-id="eb91a7f7-7821-43d8-a6f8-352830e693be" data-vars-headline="Arizona teams to compete in national padel competition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/padel-racket-sport-popularity-mexico-origins-rcna232524" target="_blank">world&#x27;s fastest-growing sport</a>.State of play: USA National Team League is preparing for its spring season, and five teams from Phoenix, Tempe and Tucson are looking to compete.

Sports 🏅

Vote the George & Dragon as one of America's best soccer bars

McDonald's teases collab with Devin Booker and Nike

Cardinals roasted over schedule release video

Season ends for Suns squad that defied expectations

Larry Fitzgerald spotted at Fed chair confirmation hearing