Wildfire Mitigation Bill Returns to Capitol

Arizona lawmakers yesterday reviewed a revised proposal that would limit liability for Arizona utility companies in the event their equipment caused a wildfire.

The latest push came after Rep. Gail Griffin (R-Hereford) initially presented House Bill 2201 earlier this month, but it was rejected in a 32-28 vote last week.

Griffin pitched the legislation as a safety measure that requires power companies to submit wildfire mitigation plans, but critics said the bill’s fine print offered utility companies protection against lawsuits. 

Former forestry official David Tenney said he backs HB2201 because it would require electric companies to clear vegetation near power lines. The new proposal was expected to alter the terms of liability before it was presented yesterday at the Capitol. 

Apple Announces AZ Expansion

Apple announced Arizona will be one of nine states where it will invest more than $500 billion over the next four years. This map shows Apple’s planned expansions through 2029. 

The tech giant announced the move as it gears up to create 20,000 jobs in research, artificial intelligence, and engineering. 

Apple agreed to a multibillion-dollar commitment to produce advanced silicon at the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company plant in Phoenix. 

The move comes after President Trump said Apple CEO Tim Cook promised to shift manufacturing out of Mexico and into the U.S. to avoid paying tariffs. 

Sun Devils’ Top Scorer Released

BJ Freeman, the leading scorer for the ASU men’s basketball team, was released days ago for conduct detrimental to the team. 

The dismissal comes after Freeman was ejected in back-to-back games against Colorado and Arizona, the latter of which involved him headbutting UA Wildcats star Caleb Love. (See Video) 

ASU head coach Bobby Hurley suspended Freeman before the team’s Feb. 9 matchup against Oklahoma State, capping a host of disciplinary problems prior to his release. 

Freeman averaged 13.7 points over 25 games. ASU sits at 13-14 overall and is unlikely to advance to postseason play.

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➤ Arivaca: A Black Hawk helicopter crew rescued a hunter who fractured his leg after falling in rough terrain last week. (See Photos)

➤ Phoenix: Five people were hospitalized after a high-speed chase in downtown Phoenix Sunday, where a suspect was taken into custody. (See Video)

➤ Cave Creek: The Cave Creek Unified School District announced it will reconsider closing Lone Mountain Elementary School after a prior vote to keep it open. (See Video)

➤ Gilbert: A video recording caught a man stealing a handicapped woman’s custom wheelchair from her driveway on Saturday. (See Video)

➤ Prescott: Espire Sports will host a fundraiser event to benefit the Prescott Police Department’s K-9s. (See Details)

➤ Sedona: The 31st Sedona International Film Festival is underway, offering nine days of world-class cinema. It will conclude on March 2. (More)

➤ The Phoenix Suns dropped a frustrating game on Sunday to the Toronto Raptors, who sit in 13th place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. The Suns never led after the first quarter, eventually losing 127-109. (More) 

➤ The Arizona Diamondbacks have yet to decide who will be their 2025 opening day starter.  Zac Gallen has served as the team’s starter for each of the last two seasons, but free agent acquisition Corbin Burnes was the team’s starter in their first spring training game this week. (More)

➤ Pro Football Focus ranked Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson as a top-three wide receiver for the upcoming college football season. Tyson is coming off a sophomore season with 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games. (Watch Highlights)

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

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➤ The Bar, a popular restaurant with a late-90s and early-2000s theme, will expand to uptown Phoenix, adding to its existing location in Arcadia. (More)

➤ A $3 million revitalization project at Abrazo Health’s West Valley campus in Phoenix will enhance its catheter labs with the installation of a Philips Azurion C-Arm, a tool that allows 2D and 3D imaging. (More)

➤ Two Valley restaurants—Ta’Carbon in Glendale and Course in Scottsdale—made USA Today’s 2025 list of the 45 best eateries nationwide. (See Details)

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➤ An Arizona guardswoman who continues recovering after suffering traumatic brain injuries during a 2024 drone attack in Jordan has been awarded a Purple Heart. Sgt. Aneska Holness even went on to earn her master’s degree at Arizona State University while recovering. (See Video)

➤ A woman whose car burst into flames after being rear-ended by a cement mixer on US 60 in Mesa last week was reunited with the first responders that rescued her. (See Video)

➤ Grand Canyon University (GCU) is in talks with Arizona State University and the University of Arizona about creating a competitive league for girls’ flag football. GCU organized its first team last year and many other universities across the state are in the process of doing the same. (More)

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Would you watch flag football if it became a competitive college sport?

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What’s your favorite Girl Scout Cookie flavor?

1. Thin Mints: 23%
2. None/Other: 18%
3. Samoas: 17%
4. Tagalongs: 15%
5. Do-si-Dos: 14%
6. S’mores: 13%

What’s the name of the oil made from a shrub native to southern Arizona, southern California, and northwestern Mexico that’s supposedly helpful in preventing hair breakage and treating dandruff? 

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