Record Heat Forces Trail Closures

Phoenix will close or restrict popular hiking trails as an early-season heat wave pushed temperatures to a record 102 degrees on Wednesday, the earliest triple-digit day on record.

Affected trails include Camelback Mountain’s Echo Canyon and Cholla trails, the Piestewa Peak Summit trail, and several routes in South Mountain Park during peak daytime hours.

The unusual March heat is being driven by a strong high-pressure system over the western U.S., sending temperatures about 20 degrees above normal. 

Officials urged caution following recent hiker rescues in Phoenix and Tucson.

Wildcats Begin Title Quest

Arizona men’s basketball begins NCAA tournament play today in San Diego as a heavy favorite against Long Island, with tipoff set for 10:35 a.m. MST.

Arizona, the top seed in the West Region, brings a 32-2 record into the matchup and is favored by roughly 30 points, according to early lines.

This season, the Wildcats have dominated the paint and free-throw line while averaging more than 86 points per game—advantages that could overwhelm a Long Island team (24-10) making its first tourney appearance since 2018.

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas is among those projecting the Wildcats to win the national championship, which would be their first since 1997.

Troopers Seize $12M in Cocaine

A traffic stop last week on Interstate 40 near Kingman led to the seizure of about 447 pounds of cocaine valued at roughly $12.1 million.

On March 11, a state trooper pulled over a white Toyota minivan for traffic violations and, after speaking with the driver, searched the vehicle.

Troopers discovered tightly wrapped packages hidden beneath rugs in the vehicle trunk. The packages tested positive for cocaine.

The driver and a passenger were arrested and booked into the Mohave County Jail on drug-related charges.

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Here are 9 of those perks.

➤ Phoenix: City leaders are considering renaming César Chávez Day to Farmworkers Day and removing Chavez’s name from city sites. (More)

➤ Glendale: Mecum Auctions’ car auction continues at State Farm Stadium through the weekend, showcasing 2,000 collector vehicles and motorcycles while boosting the local economy. (More)

➤ Peoria: The city will launch a new on-demand transit service on April 1, ahead of the discontinuation of its WeRide program on April 13. (More)

➤ Statewide: A bill advancing in the state legislature would extend lemon law protections to leased vehicles. (Watch)

➤ Statewide: A state Senate committee advanced education bills that would bar antisemitic material in classrooms and require that adoption information be presented in sex education classes, with critics saying the standards are unclear. (More)

➤ Florence: Country Thunder Arizona will return April 9–12 at Canyon Moon Ranch, featuring headliners Lainey Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Zach Top, and Gavin Adcock. (Full Lineup)

➤ Arizona State women’s basketball was edged out by Virginia 57-55 in an NCAA tournament First Four matchup Thursday night, the Sun Devils’ first tourney appearance since 2019. (More)

➤ Sports betting in Arizona exceeded $1.6 billion during last year’s March Madness tournament, while a national poll finds most Americans think gambling may affect the integrity of college basketball. (More)

➤ Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker presented the entire BYU men’s basketball team with new pairs of his signature Nike shoes. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf | Tennis

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➤ Tucson restaurants expect a surge in business during March Madness as Arizona Wildcats fans pack venues, prompting longer hours, extra staff, and enhanced viewing setups. (Watch)

➤ Flagstaff leaders are considering new licensing fees for short-term rentals in a move that could impact operating costs for vacation rental owners. (See Notice)

➤ Surprise will welcome Chicago-based Rainbow Cone on March 30, marking the chain’s first Arizona location for its signature stacked cones. (Details)

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➤ Luke Air Force Base in Glendale will host Luke Days this weekend, bringing one of the world’s largest air shows to the West Valley, featuring aerial demonstrations and aircraft displays. (More)

➤ The Prescott Rally returns March 27–28, bringing two days of off-road rally racing, drivers, and spectators to Prescott Valley. (Details)

➤ An Arizona couple relived their prom after more than four decades at a senior dance at Robson Ranch in Eloy, where they were crowned king and queen. (Watch)

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