Axios Phoenix

September 17, 2026
Happy Thursday! On this day in 1787, 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the Constitution they'd drafted.
🌤️ Today's weather: Mostly sunny, high of 94.
Today's newsletter is 1,036 words — a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: Senate probes pay-to-play
State Sen. Jake Hoffman is trying to force Gov. Hobbs and others to testify to a legislative committee that's investigating pay-to-play allegations against her.
State of play: Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) announced yesterday that he's issuing subpoenas to Hobbs, Attorney General Kris Mayes, members of their staffs, figures from the Department of Child Safety (DCS), the CEO of Sunshine Residential Homes, and others.
- The subpoenas will command them to testify on Sept. 29 to the Senate Government Committee, which Hoffman chairs.
- Hoffman also subpoenaed the unreleased files from the attorney general's investigation into the bribery allegations against Hobbs.
Catch up quick: The Arizona Republic reported in 2024 that DCS granted a previously rejected rate hike to Sunshine Residential Homes after the group home provider gave $400,000 to Hobbs' inauguration fund and the Arizona Democratic Party.
- After a two-year investigation, Mayes announced last month that her office found no evidence that would support bribery charges.
Friction point: During a press conference yesterday, Hoffman alleged that Mayes "feigned" an investigation into her fellow Democrat Hobbs and questioned why her office still hasn't released its full investigative files.
- He noted that the legal analysis the AG's Office released with its findings didn't include allegations that Sunshine CEO Simon Kottoor told outgoing DCS director Michael Faust that he could urge Hobbs to keep Faust on as director in exchange for the rate hike. Kottoor has denied the allegation.
What they're saying: Hobbs campaign spokesperson Michael Beyer said the subpoenas were "desperate political stunts" intended to boost GOP nominee Andy Biggs, and he noted that a company owned by Hoffman has been paid nearly $1.2 million to aid Biggs' campaign.
- There's no evidence of wrongdoing by Hobbs, her office or her campaign, he added.
- Mayes spokesperson Richie Taylor called the subpoenas "performative political nonsense" right before an election, and he defended the AG's Office investigation as thorough and professional.
Yes, but: The Hobbs administration and campaign wouldn't say whether she'll comply with the subpoena, and Taylor said the AG's Office couldn't comment on that until it had reviewed the subpoenas.
2. Legacy Park is coming to Mesa
Mesa is betting its largest-ever mixed-use development near Gateway airport can bring a little Scottsdale-style luxury to the southeast Valley.
Why it matters: The $3 billion Legacy Park and Gateway Crossing — with upscale shopping and dining, luxury hotels, offices and public space — fills several gaps in the city.
The latest: The Mesa City Council unanimously approved the development agreement Monday.
- The council also created a 428-acre theme park district that will finance infrastructure, like roads and parking garages, by adding an extra tax to purchases, restaurant bills and hotel stays within Legacy Park.
How it works: The project largely pays its own way.
- Developers will front the construction costs of about $76 million to build roads, sewer lines, a public park and more, city manager Scott Butler tells Axios.
- Mesa would then reimburse them using taxes generated by people who shop, dine or stay at Legacy Park.
Yes, but: Key details about the proposed lake remain unclear — including its size, water source and estimated annual water use — since the developer and landowner have yet to purchase groundwater rights.
What's next: Legacy Park will break ground in 2028, with the first phase set to open in October 2029.
3. Gotta catch 'em all!
If you heard about people camping outside of a Target early yesterday morning and wondered what all the buzz was about, here's the answer: Pokemon cards.
Driving the news: Yesterday marked the global release for the 30th anniversary edition of the Pokemon Trading Card Game, and the demand was intense.
- Big box stores around the Phoenix area were already out of stock of the 30th celebration packs by yesterday afternoon, as social media users dished about early-morning lines at Target and pleaded for any intel on where to find cards.
What's the big deal? Demand for Pokemon cards has skyrocketed in the last few years, says Cody Sheridan, the manager of Samurai Comics on Indian School Road in Phoenix.
State of play: As of yesterday, Samurai Comics hadn't put out its stock of the new cards.
- Just down the street, Collectors Marketplace still had packs available and probably won't sell out until this weekend, store manager Bailey Hill says.
4. Chips & salsa: Tempe weighs ALPR ban
🚫 Tempe is considering a blanket ban on the use of automated license plate reader cameras. (Phoenix Business Journal)
💧 Peoria signed a $100 million agreement to buy water from a private company as cuts to Arizona's share of the Colorado River loom. (KJZZ)
🍝 Italian eatery DiMaggio's will open a second Valley location at Uptown Plaza in late October. (Phoenix New Times)
💰 The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry says it needs $130 million to install air conditioning in its prisons. (Arizona Capitol Times)
5. Tempe's new farmers market
Tempe City Hall is closed on the weekends, but it'll be a hub of activity every Sunday starting this October as the city debuts a new weekly farmers market.
Why it matters: The Tempe City Hall Farmers Market — an accurate, if not very creative, name — will give Valley residents another option when looking for locally produced food and wares.
How it works: The market will be held most Sundays starting Oct. 11 at Tempe City Hall, located at 31 E. 5th St.
- It'll run 8am-noon from October to April and 7-11am from May to September.
- Street parking is free in the area on Sundays.
What's next: The city is still looking to fill out the market with vendors, including those selling produce, ready-to-eat food, pet treats and lifestyle products, as well as artists and musicians.
- Interested vendors can apply by filling out the city's form.
📕 Jeremy recommends "The Framers' Coup" by Michael J. Klarman to anyone who's looking for a good book for Constitution Day. It's one of the best history books he's ever read.
👧 Zach snagged a pack of Pokemon cards for his daughter, who decided overnight that she's into that now.
This newsletter was edited by Hadley Malcolm.
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