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7 Brew outbids Dutch Bros for defunct Salad and Go locations

More drive-thru coffee spots are coming to the Valley no matter what.

Food and Drink

Coffee chain 7 Brew won a bankruptcy auction for a host of defunct Salad and Go locations, including many in the Valley, edging out rival coffee giant Dutch Bros.Why it matters: Many of the salad restaurant&#x27;s vacant locations will still become drive-thru coffee spots, but they&#x27;ll now bear the name of 7 Brew, which is trying to make inroads in Arizona.

Arizona universities face declining enrollment

International student restrictions and a "demographic cliff" are hurting college enrollment.

News

Universities across the U.S. are feeling the pinch from enrollment declines, and Arizona hasn&#x27;t been immune.Why it matters: Lower enrollment means fewer graduates for the job market and the loss of a major revenue source that international students bring.

Trump admin wants to nix rule protecting Arizona wilderness

Almost 1.2 million acres of Arizona's national forests are protected by the rule.

Environment

The Trump administration has moved closer to eliminating the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roadless Rule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" data-vars-content-id="8a06a700-70a8-4288-8e29-f8731b113507" data-vars-headline="Trump admin wants to nix rule protecting Arizona wilderness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" target="_self">Roadless Rule</a> in national forests, potentially opening hundreds of thousands of acres of Arizona wilderness to development.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decades-old federal policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" data-vars-content-id="8a06a700-70a8-4288-8e29-f8731b113507" data-vars-headline="Trump admin wants to nix rule protecting Arizona wilderness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" target="_blank">decades-old federal policy</a> has protected millions of acres of wilderness from new roads and logging — to the delight of conservationists and the ire of the timber industry.

Exclusive: Diamondbacks say ongoing Chase Field lease talks are "non-productive"

Millions in repairs are on hold until a new lease is signed.

Sports

Lease extension talks between the Diamondbacks and the public entity that owns Chase Field have been &quot;non-productive to date&quot; and are holding up millions in necessary repairs, team president and CEO Derrick Hall tells Axios.Why it matters: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new state law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/06/24/chase-field-funding-goes-to-governor-after-final-arizona-house-approval" data-vars-content-id="fd50f65b-f899-49eb-98df-26907c43eabd" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Diamondbacks say ongoing Chase Field lease talks are &quot;non-productive&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/06/24/chase-field-funding-goes-to-governor-after-final-arizona-house-approval" target="_self">new state law</a> set aside $500 million in tax dollars <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to fund fixes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/03/25/diamondbacks-chase-field-funding-bill" data-vars-content-id="fd50f65b-f899-49eb-98df-26907c43eabd" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Diamondbacks say ongoing Chase Field lease talks are &quot;non-productive&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/03/25/diamondbacks-chase-field-funding-bill" target="_self">to fund fixes</a> to the nearly 30-year-old stadium, but those repairs are on hold until the team agrees to a new lease with the Maricopa County Stadium District.

New-look Sun Devils aim to surprise after a wave of departures

Kenny Dillingham is hoping a rapidly rebuilt roster can contend.

The Sun Devils find themselves in a familiar position heading into the 2026 season — overlooked and hoping to prove people wrong.Catch up quick: ASU put quite the target on its back two years ago, when second-year coach Kenny Dillingham and transfers Sam Leavitt and Cam Skattebo led the squad <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to a Big 12 title" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/11/25/asu-s-big-12-championship-dreams" data-vars-content-id="c471c49f-e162-4b8c-8aab-15793b2c6e8e" data-vars-headline="New-look Sun Devils aim to surprise after a wave of departures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/11/25/asu-s-big-12-championship-dreams" target="_self">to a Big 12 title</a> and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spot in the College Football Playoff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/01/02/asu-peach-bowl-skattebo-dillingham" data-vars-content-id="c471c49f-e162-4b8c-8aab-15793b2c6e8e" data-vars-headline="New-look Sun Devils aim to surprise after a wave of departures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/01/02/asu-peach-bowl-skattebo-dillingham" target="_self">spot in the College Football Playoff</a>.

Wildcats look to build on last year's success

UofA is hyping quarterback Noah Fifita as a Heisman contender in his final season.

The Arizona Wildcats have a lot of success to build on after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surprising the Big 12 last season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/12/08/asu-and-uofa-bowl-game-matchups-set" data-vars-content-id="563b98c0-7acf-4c4d-a884-e55bed0aa5c6" data-vars-headline="Wildcats look to build on last year&#x27;s success" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/12/08/asu-and-uofa-bowl-game-matchups-set" target="_self">surprising the Big 12 last season</a>.Why it matters: Back-to-back successful seasons would be a sign of a football program on the rise.

Inside Arizona's bid to host the Rugby World Cup

The bid would be to host games for the 2031 tournament.

Arizona is making a push to host games in the 2031 men&#x27;s Rugby World Cup, which will be held in North America for the first time.Why it matters: Nabbing a few Rugby World Cup games would further burnish the Valley&#x27;s image as a leading host of top-tier sporting events.

Scoop: ASU set to extend women's hoops coach Molly Miller

Miller led the Sun Devils team to NCAA tournament appearance in her first year.

Arizona State University is pursuing a contract extension for women&#x27;s basketball coach Molly Miller after her <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="terrific first season with the program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/04/molly-miller-asu-sun-devils-first-season-womens-college-basketball" data-vars-content-id="98d63937-cda2-40d7-b50c-8a076f5f108c" data-vars-headline="Scoop: ASU set to extend women&#x27;s hoops coach Molly Miller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/04/molly-miller-asu-sun-devils-first-season-womens-college-basketball" target="_self">terrific first season with the program</a>, according to public documents.Why it matters: The move signals ASU&#x27;s confidence in Miller&#x27;s stewardship of the program after she led the Sun Devils to a 24-11 record and an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="appearance in the NCAA tournament " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/20/asu-sun-devils-virginia-first-four-ncaa-tournament" data-vars-content-id="98d63937-cda2-40d7-b50c-8a076f5f108c" data-vars-headline="Scoop: ASU set to extend women&#x27;s hoops coach Molly Miller" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/20/asu-sun-devils-virginia-first-four-ncaa-tournament" target="_self">appearance in the NCAA tournament </a>earlier this year.

Surprise woman will be inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame

The sport has exploded in popularity in recent years.

Surprise resident Linda Laymon will be inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame this fall, the organization <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced earlier this month" data-vars-click-url="https://pickleballhalloffame.global/in-the-news/pickleball-hall-of-fame-announces-2026-class/" data-vars-content-id="05678407-f570-4783-856a-ecbdecc5a3d2" data-vars-headline="Surprise woman will be inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pickleballhalloffame.global/in-the-news/pickleball-hall-of-fame-announces-2026-class/" target="_blank">announced earlier this month</a>.Why it matters: Pickleball participation has exploded in the last decade, and Laymon is being honored for her role in making that happen.

Arizona Rattlers head to Indoor Football League championship

Rattlers QB Max Meylor was last year's MVP in Green Bay and now faces his old team for the title.

The Arizona Rattlers will play for their third Indoor Football League (IFL) title this weekend.The big picture: The Rattlers on Sunday will face the Green Bay Blizzard, the IFL&#x27;s top team.

Suns' future on display as young stars shine in Summer League

Khaman Maluach could get a bigger role with the Suns after an impressive Summer League showing.

The NBA Summer League gave us a glimpse of what could be a bright future for the Phoenix Suns.Why it matters: The Suns have traded away a lot of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="draft picks" data-vars-click-url="https://fanspo.com/nba/teams/Suns/24/draft-picks" data-vars-content-id="5c6b2237-478a-4f1e-980a-d1d83bb0e190" data-vars-headline="Suns&#x27; future on display as young stars shine in Summer League" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fanspo.com/nba/teams/Suns/24/draft-picks" target="_blank">draft picks</a> in the coming years, and longtime star Devin Booker is getting on in years, so a lot&#x27;s riding on Phoenix&#x27;s young talent.

D-Backs in Wild Card contention after All-Star break

Despite first-half struggles, the Diamondbacks are in the Wild Card race after the All-Star break.

The Arizona Diamondbacks went into the All-Star break with a little momentum, which they&#x27;ll need to continue if they want to snag a Wild Card spot in the playoffs.Why it matters: The D-Backs haven&#x27;t reached the playoffs since their improbable run to the World Series in 2023.

Colangelo wants to bring NBA expansion team to Las Vegas

The former Suns and Diamondbacks owner is looking to get back into the NBA, but not in Phoenix.

Former Suns and Diamondbacks owner Jerry Colangelo is looking to get back into the NBA, but not in Phoenix.The big picture: An ownership group that includes Colangelo, former NBA coach Vinny Del Negro, media executive David Levy, American Century chair Jonathan Thomas, former NBA player Jay Williams and Prime Capital Financial chair Scott Colangelo — no relation by family, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the Arizona Republic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2026/07/08/jerry-colangelo-group-nba-las-vegas-nba-expansion/90848330007/" data-vars-content-id="d6098439-82f3-4812-bcc8-35c520bf7348" data-vars-headline="Colangelo wants to bring NBA expansion team to Las Vegas" 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/2026/07/08/jerry-colangelo-group-nba-las-vegas-nba-expansion/90848330007/" target="_blank">per the Arizona Republic</a> — formed an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ownership group" data-vars-click-url="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260708659086/en/Las-Vegas-Jacks-Ownership-Group-Assembles-World-Class-Leadership-Team-to-Pursue-NBA-Expansion-Franchise" data-vars-content-id="d6098439-82f3-4812-bcc8-35c520bf7348" data-vars-headline="Colangelo wants to bring NBA expansion team to Las Vegas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260708659086/en/Las-Vegas-Jacks-Ownership-Group-Assembles-World-Class-Leadership-Team-to-Pursue-NBA-Expansion-Franchise" target="_blank">ownership group</a> to pursue an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas.

Sports 🏅

New-look Sun Devils aim to surprise after a wave of departures

Wildcats look to build on last year's success

Exclusive: Diamondbacks say ongoing Chase Field lease talks are "non-productive"

Inside Arizona's bid to host the Rugby World Cup

Scoop: ASU set to extend women's hoops coach Molly Miller