THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1917, former Tucson teacher Ignacio Bonillas was named Mexican ambassador to the United States. One of the first Mexicans to graduate from an Arizona school, Bonillas can be seen in this portrait from 1939.

Today we’re featuring a touching story about a group of Queen Creek robotics students using their technical skills to build beds for shelter dogs. Watch it here.

Today’s sponsor is Masterworks, offering an investment opportunity for high-net-worth investors.

Robson Announces Run for Governor

Republican businesswoman Karrin Robson announced in a post on X she will enter the 2026 governor’s race, joining a growing pool of interested candidates.

This will be Robson’s second run at the position after she lost the Republican primary in a tight race against Kari Lake in 2022.

This time, she will enter the race touting support from President Trump, who in December mentioned endorsing her if she ran. Trump endorsed Lake in 2022.

Robson, an attorney and land use consultant, will have to navigate her way past fellow Republican Andy Biggs, another Trump ally.

Vehicle Thefts Continue to Decline

Arizona vehicle thefts decreased by 15% in 2024, the second consecutive year of decline, according to a new report.

The data shows 17,010 vehicles were reported stolen in 2024, nearly 3,000 fewer than in 2023.

Among the most common vehicles stolen last year were the Chevy Silverado, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Soul, and GMC Savana. See the top 10 here.

Arizona ranks 19th among all U.S. states for car thefts, with 268 vehicles stolen for every 100,000 residents. See the ten worst states for car theft.

AZ Joins Lawsuit Against John Deere

State Attorney General Kris Mayes announced on Tuesday she will join four other state attorneys general in a lawsuit that accuses John Deere of an agricultural monopoly that unfairly penalizes farmers.

The lawsuit claims the John Deere Corporation has forbidden independent farmers and tractor repair shops from fixing its equipment, thereby inflating costs and creating unnecessary delays for farmers.

Deere’s agricultural equipment requires specialized software for diagnosing and repairing electronic issues, and the company controls access to the tool.

The Federal Trade Commission, along with Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin are also involved in the lawsuit.

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Per a brand-new 2024 report from UBS, these HNWIs felt art was a relatively safe investment compared to other traditional assets like stocks. In addition, an equal share agreed art acts as a useful portfolio diversifier, with more than 90% believing it experienced neutral/positive effects in times of inflation, high interest rates, and volatility in other markets.

➤ Mesa: The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board voted on Tuesday night to eliminate 42 jobs to accommodate an $18 million budget reduction next school year. (See Video)

➤ Phoenix: A new, real-time crime center with access to more than 500 cameras is expected to help fight crime in an area of central Phoenix known as “The Blade.” (See Video)

➤ Statewide: A Republican lawmaker wants to cap university president salaries at $500,000—far less than they’re making at any of the state’s biggest universities. (More)

➤ Kingman: A man rescued a woman from a burning vehicle after she drove the wrong way and caused a collision. (See Video)

➤ Dewey-Humboldt: The Army Corps and Environmental Protection Agency launched a $100 million cleanup effort at a toxic Arizona mine. (More)

➤ Lake Havasu: A Mohave County TV service upgrade beginning today will cause temporary outages for certain channels over the next few days. (See Details)

➤ Tucson: The 100th anniversary of the Tucson Rodeo & Parade begins on Feb. 15. (See Details)

➤ Phoenix Suns star forward Kevin Durant became the eighth player in NBA history to reach 30,000 career points. The achievement came late in the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night. (More)

➤ No. 13 Arizona men’s basketball turned the ball over 17 times in a 73-70 loss to Kansas State, ending the Wildcats’ six-game win streak. (More)

➤ The Arizona Diamondbacks brought in two pitchers on minor-league deals ahead of spring training to try to make the team’s big-league roster. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Two teenagers in the West Valley that started a power-washing business say some of their clients have been “shocked” by their age. The duo offers cleanings for patios, driveways, trash cans, and more. (More)

➤ A proposed 355-unit residential complex in Gilbert was rejected after city officials cited the oversaturation of multifamily units in the area. (See Details)

➤ Desert Diamond Casino named Daniele Chilton as its new CEO. She will oversee all five of the company’s casinos in southern Arizona and Phoenix. (More)

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➤ A sandwich-making robot is one of many projects underway in Arizona State University’s manufacturing lab as students explore real-world applications for artificial intelligence. (See Video)

➤ A homeless man was rescued after being trapped for days between boulders underneath a Phoenix bridge. He told authorities another homeless man heard him screaming and called 9-1-1 before stealing his belongings. (See Video Report)

➤ A Tucson housing community made of shipping containers is gaining traction as a way to provide shelter to young adults aging out of foster care. (See Video)

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