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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.

The funniest rejected ADOT safety message entries

Public Safety

The Arizona Department of Transportation is in the midst of yet <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="another contest" data-vars-click-url="https://azdot.gov/news/adot-announces-finalists-safety-message-contest-0" data-vars-content-id="69ce75b8-8bcc-4208-a41d-2cfc2023e82f" data-vars-headline="The funniest rejected ADOT safety message entries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://azdot.gov/news/adot-announces-finalists-safety-message-contest-0" target="_blank">another contest</a> to determine what somewhat-humorous safety message will appear on highway LED boards. But far more entertaining are the messages ADOT rejected.Why it matters: ADOT received more than 1,700 entries in the one-week period the contest was open. Axios obtained that list via a public records request and combed through it for the rejected messages that made us guffaw.

Phoenix revs back up on long-awaited West Side light rail extension

The project is now a top priority, though trains won't be running for years.

Transit

Valley Metro is once again <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pushing forward" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/01/28/light-rail-capitol-extension-indian-school-route-maryvale" data-vars-content-id="ada90b37-dcba-4c4d-abbc-1a077de5d670" data-vars-headline="Phoenix revs back up on long-awaited West Side light rail extension" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/01/28/light-rail-capitol-extension-indian-school-route-maryvale" target="_self">pushing forward</a> with a planned light rail extension to Maryvale.Why it matters: The route, which would run along Indian School Road, would finally provide a rapid mass transit connection from the western reaches of Phoenix to the city center, and ultimately to the East Valley.

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.

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.

Arizona's infrastructure is barely scraping by, engineers say

The state received a "not acceptable" C grade.

Arizona&#x27;s infrastructure — the roads, bridges, water systems and more that make living in the state possible — leaves a lot to be desired, earning a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mediocre C grade" data-vars-click-url="https://infrastructurereportcard.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/irc_report-az_2026_web.pdf" data-vars-content-id="42e2c582-a7e7-4771-8ad2-f88bfdda6592" data-vars-headline="Arizona&#x27;s infrastructure is barely scraping by, engineers say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://infrastructurereportcard.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/irc_report-az_2026_web.pdf" target="_blank">mediocre C grade</a> from the state chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).Why it matters: Facing population growth, the state and its municipalities have yet to dedicate the massive amounts of funding required to address significant infrastructure demands.

Pinal County growth drives need for new roads

Major new highway projects are planned for Pinal County as its population surges.

As Pinal County grows, the need for new highways and transportation networks does, too. The big picture: Several major road projects are planned or in the works for Pinal County, though most are likely many years away.

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.

Just because the meter's broken doesn't mean you can't get ticketed

Park at your own risk if the meter is broken — you can still get a ticket.

Inoperable parking meters in downtown Phoenix may have you wondering whether you&#x27;re allowed to park by them. The answer is: Park with caution.State of play: A battery problem is affecting some parking meters downtown and the city is working to fix it, per Street Transportation Department spokesperson John Trierweiler.

Phoenix seeks input on possible changes to "suicide lanes"

Changes could be in store as the city studies midtown traffic issues.

Everyone who drives in central Phoenix has an opinion about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reverse &quot;suicide&quot; lanes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/11/07/petition-abolish-reversible-suicide-lanes" data-vars-content-id="96a6873f-a457-413c-9c34-1aa657587c61" data-vars-headline="Phoenix seeks input on possible changes to &quot;suicide lanes&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/11/07/petition-abolish-reversible-suicide-lanes" target="_self">reverse &quot;suicide&quot; lanes</a>, and the city wants to hear them.Why it matters: Reverse lanes on Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street help keep traffic moving during rush hour, but can be difficult to navigate, particularly for people who aren&#x27;t used to them.

Phoenix drivers are spending more time in traffic

Valley drivers spent a record number of hours in traffic last year, per a new report.

Traffic congestion is worsening in the Valley, and it&#x27;s costing you more time in your car, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to a new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/traffic-congestion-getting-worse" data-vars-content-id="6e94696f-b6d9-46f0-bce9-63037c6010c1" data-vars-headline="Phoenix drivers are spending more time in traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/traffic-congestion-getting-worse" target="_self">according to a new report</a>. Why it matters: The findings put some hard data behind a common sentiment: Traffic has been getting worse — or at least different — since the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 pandemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" data-vars-content-id="6e94696f-b6d9-46f0-bce9-63037c6010c1" data-vars-headline="Phoenix drivers are spending more time in traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" target="_self">COVID-19 pandemic</a>.

Light rail service to south Phoenix gets underway

The Valley Metro light rail system now runs 35 miles after the south Phoenix extension opened.

Light rail in the Valley entered a new era over the weekend when the first train traversed the system&#x27;s south Phoenix expansion.The big picture: A 5.5-mile extension that runs south along Central Avenue from downtown Phoenix opened Saturday.

Transit 🚗

The funniest rejected ADOT safety message entries

Phoenix revs back up on long-awaited West Side light rail extension

Waymo expands in Phoenix area with new East Valley territory

Arizona's infrastructure is barely scraping by, engineers say

Pinal County growth drives need for new roads