Axios Phoenix

More pets in Arizona, particularly dogs, are being treated for itchy skin and allergies.

Why it matters: Seasonal allergies can be terribly uncomfortable for furry friends, and they can snowball into secondary issues, including skin infections.

By the numbers: Pet insurance company Trupanion reports a 64% increase in allergy claims for insured pets in Arizona in 2023 compared with 2019, with the data growth adjusted and measured on a per-1,000-pet basis. That's above the national average jump of 45%.

• Insurer Nationwide says allergies top the list of health conditions that prompt vet visits.
• Dog allergy drugs Apoquel and Cytopoint have treated more than 20 million dogs in total since they were released in 2013 and 2018, respectively, according to parent company Zoetis.

What they're saying: It's hard to say whether allergies are indeed more prevalent or whether we're just "better at finding it and our pet owners better at seeking treatment," says American Veterinary Medical Association president Rena Carlson.

Between the lines: Skin problems in pets are "absolutely the No. 1 issue we see with allergies," Carlson tells Axios.

• Allergies can also show up in the ear canal, which "is actually just an extension of the skin," she says.
• And with environmental allergies, the itchiness can appear seasonally.
• Other major reasons a pet could be itching: a parasite-related skin problem or a food allergy.

The bottom line: If you suspect your pet has allergies, take it to the vet immediately, Carlson says.

Tell an itchy dog's owner

The near-total abortion ban set to take effect in the coming months was crafted before Arizona was a state — and generations of lawmakers have worked to keep it alive ever since.

The big picture: The pre-statehood ban was the law of the land in Arizona until the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 Roe decision made it illegal to enforce.

• But the Arizona Supreme Court ruled last week that the Legislature's "unequivocal intent" was to keep it on the books should the federal right to abortion be overturned, as it was in 2022.

Flashback: The ban was first enacted in 1864 as part of the Howell Code — the original set of laws that governed the Arizona territory after Union soldiers gained control over the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Between the lines: In 1913, a year after Arizona gained statehood, the Legislature codified much of the original Howell Code, including the abortion ban, in its state statutes.

• In 1977, lawmakers recodified the 1864 law as a political statement even though it could not be enforced because of the Roe decision, the Arizona Mirror reported.

The latest: In 2022, the state Legislature passed a bill that made it illegal to perform abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, but that bill also explicitly stated that the new law did not repeal the 1864 statute.

What's next: Rep. Matt Gress (R-Phoenix), the lone House Republican to publicly support a repeal of the 1864 law last week, told NBC News' "Meet the Press NOW" he's "very confident" it will pass this week.

• The Legislature convenes today for the only time this week.

More history

MacAlpine's Diner and Soda Fountain is back in business.

The big picture: The historic diner on Seventh Street shut its doors in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and faced permanent closure.

• Owner Monica Heizenrader began raising money on GoFundMe last year.
• She hoped to raise $93,500 to cover reopening costs.
• The GoFundMe has raised only about $34,000, but Heizenrader was able to reopen part time, thanks as well to borrowed money from friends and family.

State of play: As of three weekends ago, MacAlpine's is open for lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It's open 11:30am-3pm this week.

• "It's baby steps," said Heizenrader, who told Axios she plans to expand their hours once she hires and trains more staff.

Zoom in: Heizenrader said business — and the response — has been great since the return.

• Their first day was emotional for her and longtime customers, some of whom cried because they had worried the restaurant would never reopen.

Jeremy's thought bubble: I'm a Phoenix native who loves his city's history, but I've somehow never been to MacAlpine's. Now that it's open again, I can't wait for my first visit.

Spread the word

💃 Shakira will bring her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour to Footprint Center on Nov. 7. Tickets go on sale Monday, and presale begins today. (12 News)

🏛 Maricopa County supervisors appointed Democrat Junelle Cavero to a House vacancy, and she's expected to be sworn in today.

• That will be just in time for another expected attempt to repeal Arizona's abortion ban. (AZcentral)

🛬 The NCAA Men's Final Four and accompanying events drew about 300,000 visitors to downtown Phoenix, Mayor Kate Gallego said. (KJZZ)

🏀 The Phoenix Mercury snagged UCLA guard Charisma Osborne and Nebraska guard Jaz Shelley in the WNBA draft Monday. (Arizona Sports)

📅 Upcoming events around the city.

The Phoenix Global Forum 2024 at Arizona Biltmore on May 2:

The Phoenix Global Forum takes place on May 2 at the Arizona Biltmore resort. Register now to connect with 350-plus business executives as they discuss "Forging the Future."

Hosting an event? Email [email protected]

Tonight's Coyotes game — which may be the team's last in Arizona — is trending to be the hottest Yotes ticket in more than a decade, according to Vivid Seats ticket marketplace.

The big picture: The Arizona Coyotes ticket page saw a 267% spike in traffic after news of the team's likely move to Salt Lake City broke last week.

• The average listed price for the final game against the Edmonton Oilers increased 43% after the announcement.

The big price tag: The average price of a ticket sold on Vivid Seats for tonight's game was $290 as of Monday.

• The cheapest ticket listed as of this morning was $400 and several hundred tickets were listed for upward of $1,000.

Zoom out: The average Coyotes ticket sold on Vivid Seats this season was $111.

Tell a fan