FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1925, Tucson held its first rodeo parade. Here’s a photo from 1928 as the parade proceeded down Stone Avenue in downtown Tucson.

Speaking of the Tucson Rodeo, it’s still going strong 100 years later—and it’s happening right now! The event kicked off Feb. 15 and concludes Feb. 23. Have a look at the rodeo’s rich history, including its initial ties to Prohibition and its use as a backdrop in Hollywood films.

Our sponsor today is Pacaso, offering a new type of investment opportunity in the real estate industry.

Bill Proposes Payments for Deportations

A Republican-backed bill that went before a Senate committee yesterday would pay local law enforcement agencies $2,500 for every illegal immigrant whose detainment eventually resulted in deportation. Watch the report.

Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) sponsored Senate Bill 1111, saying it’s meant to align with President Trump’s federal immigration agenda.

To cover the bill’s associated costs, lawmakers would create a deportation fund that taxes foreign wire transfers.

Those opposed to the bill said it would turn police into “bounty hunters.” Gov. Katie Hobbs’ spokesperson, Christian Slater, said “there’s no way in hell” Hobbs would sign the bill if it advances.

Fuel Mix-Up at Circle K Damages 25 Cars

More than two dozen drivers reported damage to their vehicles this week after gassing up at a Phoenix Circle K where the underground supply tanks were filled with the wrong fuel types.

Circle K said a third-party company that delivers fuel accidentally switched the diesel and unleaded gasoline supplies, referred to as a “cross drop.” The same thing happened in Ohio less than a month ago.

The mix-up led to at least one resident being quoted “in the ballpark of $6,125.85” for repairs before Circle K promised to fulfill her claim.

Anyone having car problems that fueled up at the Circle K on 2840 N. 75th Street on Feb. 9 should file a claim by calling 1-855-276-1947.

Gas Prices Climb Above National Average

Arizona’s average gas prices jumped 30 cents over the last week, moving the state’s fuel costs above the national average and making it one of the least affordable states for gas.

Now averaging $3.42 per gallon, Arizona surpassed the national mark of $3.16 per gallon, in part due to an offline California refinery.

The spike also relates to the fact refineries are starting to transition from winter to summer fuel blends, which is costly.

A map shows only six states currently have gas prices higher than Arizona’s.

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Zillow’s co-founder has a big new idea

Spencer Rascoff co-founded Zillow, scaling it into a $16B real estate giant. But everyday investors couldn’t invest until after the IPO, missing early gains.

“I wish we had done a round accessible to retail investors prior to Zillow’s IPO,” Spencer later said.

Now he’s doing just that. Spencer has teamed up with another Zillow exec to launch Pacaso. Pacaso’s co-ownership marketplace is disrupting the $1.3T vacation home market. And unlike Zillow, you can invest in Pacaso as a private company.

With $100M+ in gross profits and rapid international expansion, Pacaso is scaling fast. Investors like Softbank, Maveron, and others are already on board. Even better, the company’s now turning its focus to international markets, giving this disruptive model even more upside than before.

Join them as a Pacaso shareholder and lock in the $2.70 share price by 2/27.

➤ Marana: New details about Wednesday’s fatal plane crash at the Marana Regional Airport indicate the two people killed were inside the same airplane, while the two passengers of the second plane involved both survived. (More)

➤ Scottsdale: Two men accused of assaulting former professional hockey player Paul Bissonnette at a Scottsdale restaurant were indicted by a grand jury. (See Video)

➤ Phoenix: Panhandlers who say they’re raising money for a funeral have reacted by spitting on and exposing themselves to people who question their claim. (See Video)

➤ Statewide: A bill that would pull funding from Arizona universities and colleges that teach diversity, equity, and inclusion ideologies passed a Senate committee on Wednesday. (See Details)

➤ Cochise County: The U.S. Forest Service will carry out a prescribed burn in the western Huachuca Mountains this week, with light smoke expected to be visible in and around Sierra Vista. (More)

➤ Tucson: Construction for the city’s first shaded skate park will begin on March 21 and is set for a grand opening in late 2025 or early 2026. (See Video)

➤ The Phoenix Suns’ home stadium will be temporarily referred to as PHX Arena while the team searches for a new sponsorship partner. (More)

➤ Corbin Burnes will make his Arizona Diamondbacks debut today at 1:10 p.m. in the team’s first spring training game of the season. Burnes received Cy Young votes in each of the last five seasons before joining the Diamondbacks on a six-year, $210 million deal. (More)

➤ The Arizona Cardinals will have the fourth-most cap space in the NFL during the upcoming free agency period. (More)

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➤ Nikola, one of Arizona’s largest electric vehicle makers, filed for bankruptcy. The company encountered numerous issues leading to its downfall, including fraudulent statements by its CEO and multiple trucks catching fire at its Phoenix facility. (Watch Report)

➤ JLL Capital Markets secured a $16.5 million loan to construct Sterling Grove, a new Safeway-anchored retail center in Surprise. Other tenants will include Taco Bell, Starbucks, and McDonald’s. (More)

➤ Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to move into the former location of KFC near the Chandler Festival shopping center. The opening date is still to be determined. (More)

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Top Investors are Buying this “Unlisted” Stock

When the team that co-founded Zillow and grew it into a $16B real estate leader starts a new company, investors notice. That’s why top firms like SoftBank and Maveron invested in Pacaso.

Sending shockwaves through the real estate industry once again, Pacaso’s streamlined platform offers co-ownership of premier properties – completely revamping a $1.3T market.

And by handing keys to 1,500+ happy homeowners, Pacaso has already made $100M+ in gross profits.

Now, they’re focused on international expansion— achieving record-breaking sales in Paris, securing 7 homes in Cabo, and recently acquiring their most valuable European property yet in London.

You can join them as an investor— but with this expansion underway, the current share price will be gone tomorrow. Invest at $2.70/share by 2/27.

This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com.

➤ Local referee Cleo Robinson retired this week after 47 years in the business. The grandfather of NFL star Bijan Robinson officiated high school sports and college football, including the Pac-12. (See Video)

➤ Tucson and Phoenix made a list of “rudest cities” in America, ranking 15th and 26th, respectively. See which cities made the top 10, and which cities are considered the least rude. (More)

➤ A drone collided with mine shaft safety equipment at the Pinyon Plain uranium mine near the Grand Canyon. The incident forced a security review to ensure the safety wires that were struck were not compromised. (More)

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