America250 Countdown Begins

Communities in Arizona joined others across the country this past weekend to begin the countdown to America’s 250th anniversary on July 4, including a public toast and kickoff party in Mesa hosted by craft cider maker Cider Corps.

Events are planned across the state from now through the Fourth of July, including Verde Valley communities hosting a parade, a pool party, a temporary ice skating rink, and more. You can find more at the Arizona America250 Events website here.

On Friday, Legacy Traditional School in Chandler hosted the Arizona stop for the History Rocks! national tour featuring top U.S. Department of Education leaders.

Last month, Grand Canyon University’s Critical Mass choir performed in Washington, D.C., as part of ongoing America250 celebrations in the nation’s capital.

Canyon Guide Rows to Hawaii

A Grand Canyon river guide is making history on the open ocean, attempting a 2,400-mile solo row from Monterey, California, to Hawaii.

Kelsey Pfendler has spent more than eight years guiding rafts down the Colorado River, but her latest adventure puts her alone on the Pacific with nothing but oars and determination.

She’s aiming to become the first U.S. woman to complete the crossing unassisted, setting her sights on the world record of just over 86 days.

100+ MPH Drivers Head Straight to Jail

State troopers spent the spring arresting alleged speeders who insisted they had no idea how fast they were going, even at speeds topping 100 mph.

Under state law, exceeding 85 mph is automatically criminal, a misdemeanor carrying possible jail time, fines, and license points.

Troopers highlighted a trio of stops that resulted in arrests, including one driver clocked going 124 mph while claiming he was doing 80, and a motorcyclist who hit 134 mph.

Meanwhile, troopers caught an alleged speeding motorist with a button-activated license-plate-hiding device, who had eluded them twice before.

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➤ Chandler: Multiple suspects were arrested Monday after a violent weekend home invasion left an elderly man with assault injuries and his disabled daughter shot. The victims’ injuries are not life-threatening, authorities said. Among the suspects, one adult and one juvenile were arrested attempting to enter Mexico. (More)

➤ Statewide: The federal government will adopt a more aggressive fire-suppression strategy on federal lands, with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum saying it was a mistake to let last year’s Dragon Bravo Fire burn in its early stages. (More)

➤ Grand Canyon: Lipan Point, one of the park’s most popular viewpoints, will close from June 22 through December 23 for rehabilitation and maintenance. (More)

➤ Tucson: Santa Rita Park’s $7.6 million renovation is near completion after 14 months of construction, with the city aiming for an August opening. (More)

➤ Statewide: Voter registration for the July 21 primary election will remain open until June 22. Races include the governor’s office and congressional seats. (More)

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➤ Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett plans to attend the team’s mandatory minicamp this week after sitting out of voluntary activities in a contract dispute. (More)

➤ Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes is not expected to return until September after suffering a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. (More)

➤ Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham said the program is catching up in college football’s financial arms race, but still has a long way to go as some other teams field $40 million rosters. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB | Soccer | WNBA | NCAAB

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➤ Two former Colt Grill employees pleaded guilty to employing illegal immigrants at four Northern Arizona locations and one in Alabama, using a fake cleaning company as cover. (More)

➤ The state’s cotton farmers are cautiously optimistic that a U.S. Department of Agriculture plan to expand pest research, financial assistance, and export opportunities will give them a boost. (More)

➤ Colorado-based fast-casual chicken chain Birdcall plans a major expansion across metro Phoenix, aiming for up to seven new restaurants in the coming years. (More)

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➤ Arizona’s percentage increase in gas prices tied with Florida for the nation’s highest over the past year through April, up about 37%, a study found. (More)

➤ Five metro Phoenix suburbs saw their population decline in recent years, even as most Valley communities continue to grow. (See List)

➤ Federal agriculture officials issued monitoring and cleaning guidance to Arizona ranchers after a case of the screwworm parasite was confirmed in cattle in Texas. No cases have been reported in Arizona. (More)

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