A movie about former Arizona State University wrestler Anthony Robles' made-for-Hollywood journey to becoming an NCAA champion will soon be available on Amazon Prime.

Why it matters: Robles, who was born with one leg, has become an inspiration in Arizona and worldwide for his perseverance, work ethic and unrelenting belief in himself.

The big picture: "Unstoppable," starring Emmy-winning actor Jharrel Jerome as Robles and superstar Jennifer Lopez as his mother, will be released Jan. 16.

• The movie was produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's production company, Artists Equity.

Catch up quick: Robles grew up in Mesa and began wrestling in eighth grade.

• He got off to a rough start — in addition to his disability, he was 10 pounds underweight in his weight class. But by the end of his senior year, he was a two-time state champion and a high school national champion.
• He graduated from ASU in 2011 as a three-time All-American and as that year's NCAA national champion.

The intrigue: Arizona appears to be a main character in the movie, per the trailer, which depicts Robles' decision to try to walk on to ASU's wrestling team — "the best college wrestlers in the world go there," Jerome says in the preview clip.

• Also in the trailer, Jerome wears a Mesa Jackrabbits sweatshirt (a reference to Robles' alma mater, Mesa High School) and is seen hiking one of the Valley's mountain trails.

Zoom in: Robles helped Jerome train and was his stunt double in the film's wrestling scenes, according to the Los Angeles Times.

• Robles told the Times he was doubtful the movie would capture who he is, but Jerome "took the time to focus on the little details of my life and what makes me tick."

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What a difference four years makes. 

Catch up quick: At the statewide election canvass in 2020, then-Gov. Doug Ducey famously silenced his cellphone while receiving a call from then-President Trump.

• Trump and his allies attempted to overturn Joe Biden's win in Arizona and nationally in the Electoral College. 

Driving the news: There was no such drama yesterday as Gov. Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Attorney General Kris Mayes and Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ann Timmer met to certify the 2024 general election results. 

• Hobbs, who was secretary of state in 2020, said the last election was certified against "a backdrop of raging conspiracy theories, attempts to stop certification across the country that all culminated in an attempted insurrection."

What they're saying: Given that the 2024 election was conducted largely by the same people and under the same rules as in 2020, Fontes declared, "I think the age of election denialism is, for all intents and purposes, dead." 

• Mayes, still facing litigation challenging her win in the 2022 attorney general's race, disagreed, saying, "Do I think election denialism is dead? No, I don't."
• Hobbs wouldn't speculate on whether it's over but noted that the people who disputed the 2020 election results "got quiet when they got the result they wanted." 

Fontes vs. Hobbs?

Phoenix's winter temperatures are getting warmer along with most of the U.S. — a result of human-caused climate change.

Why it matters: While our winters are still delightfully mild, continued warming could spoil or shorten our prime November-April tourist season.

By the numbers: The Valley's average winter temperature has increased 2.7 degrees since 1970. 

• According to research group Climate Central, winters have warmed in 235 U.S. locations by an average of 4 degrees. 

Zoom out: States known for their cold weather have seen some of the fastest warming rates, according to Climate Central's research.

• This includes counties in Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Vermont and Maine.

🌭 Short Leash Hot Dogs owners Brad and Kat Moore have sold their beloved restaurant and the new owner will move to a different location. The Moores plan to open a new concept in their Melrose building after Short Leash's official farewell on Dec. 21. (AZcentral)

💸 Arizona billionaire and Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno bought an office complex behind his Biltmore Estates mansion that was slated to become luxury apartments that he takes issue with. An opposing attorney called the $60 million purchase "the ultimate Not in My Backyard move." (Phoenix Business Journal)

👀 AZ International Marketplace in Mesa will close Dec. 1 and be replaced with a grocery store and trampoline park. The Marketplace's restaurant tenants, including Fatboy Sandos and WokOn, are scrambling to find a new location. (Phoenix New Times)

If you're looking for a side of vinyl and vibes with your tacos, a new restaurant in central Phoenix might be worth a visit. 

The big picture: Le Taco opened earlier this month on McDowell Road just east of 7th Avenue.

Zoom in: Le Taco is big on tunes and musical aesthetic, with records and stereo equipment on display. 

The verdict: They've got 13 tacos to choose from, so I went with the barbacoa for a more traditional taste, the mahi mahi and the classico — ground beef in a hard shell — because even if a hard-shell taco isn't generally considered authentic, it's still tasty. 

• I enjoyed them all, but the mahi mahi was probably my favorite. The hefty portion of fried fish was tender and meaty. 
• My only sadness is they didn't have the duck taco on the menu.

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