WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1911, the Tucson city marshal announced that all bicyclists would be required to ring their bell when approaching an intersection, enforceable by a $50 fine or 50 days in jail. (See Photo)

Did you know that Arizona is one of the most biologically diverse states in the U.S., home to more than 800 native fish and wildlife species? Test a bit of your knowledge of state wildlife in our Trivia Section below.

Today’s sponsor is Weight Loss by Hims. Check out their products below.

Trump Pardons Phoenix’s “QAnon Shaman”

Jacob Angeli Chansley, the Phoenix man known as the “QAnon Shaman,” was one of about 1,500 Jan. 6 protestors to receive a pardon from President Donald Trump on Monday.

Included in that list are at least 11 Arizonans who were convicted in connection with the mob scene at the Capitol.

Chansley became the face of the Jan. 6 protests as he strolled the capital hallways with face paint and a horned headdress after President Trump’s 2020 defeat.

He was convicted of obstruction in November 2021 and sentenced to 41 months in prison, but was released early.

Mesa School District to See Layoffs

Mesa Public Schools, the state’s largest district, will continue with its plans to lay off employees after an expected decline of 1,800 enrolled students and a $16.7 million funding shortfall for the 2025-26 school year.

According to the district, the number of positions to be eliminated won’t be known until Feb. 7 after campuses have turned in their staffing reports.

The district is the latest in the East Valley to announce job cuts after Tempe Union announced it would eliminate 20 administrative and 40 teaching spots.

The next Mesa Public Schools board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 28, with the decision on staffing layoffs to be finalized in February. The education board will approve the first job cuts on Feb. 11.

Tucson Landmark Could Be Removed

A 20-foot-tall Tucson landmark that’s become legend over the last 60 years might soon be removed—the axe-wielding lumberjack statue of Paul Bunyon.

Located in front of Don’s Hot Rod Shop near Stone and Glenn, shop owner Don Toia purchased the statue in 1964 at a car parts trade show for $1,275 plus shipping, equivalent to $13,000 today.

The family-run shop used the iconic statue to advertise, but said due to slowing sales, they’re selling the shop and the statue—preferably to someone who will continue using it as a Tucson staple.

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➤ Tucson: Voters will decide in March whether or not to approve a half-cent sales tax to fund first responders and low income Tucsonans. (See Prop 414)

➤ Statewide: The Laken Riley Act, imposing penalties on illegal migrants accused of crimes, passed the Senate with support from Democratic Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. (See Details)

➤ Prescott: The U.S. Air Force will send pilots for training at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where many of the pilots learned to fly. (See Video)

➤ Yuma: An annual car show taking place this weekend will donate 100% of its proceeds to people fighting cancer. (See Video)

➤ Marana: A $20.4 million federal grant will go toward building a bridge at Cortaro Road and Interstate 10. (See Details)

➤ Gilbert: Work is underway to build a refuge center for crime victims. (See Details)

➤ Arizona State football was ranked 7th in the final AP Top 25 of the season, marking the highest the team had been ranked all season. (More)

➤ Phoenix Suns guard Ryan Dunn slammed down this highlight-worthy dunk amid the Suns’ rough 118-92 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Watch Video)

➤ Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will likely remain with the team for a third season after the Chicago Bears opted to hire another candidate for their head coaching job. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Tennis | Soccer

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➤ Taiwanese Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, operating out of Arizona, said it is unlikely to quickly equip its U.S. plant with its most advanced chip due to slow-moving U.S. permits and compliance requirements. (See Details)

➤ A 5.87-acre land parcel that sold for $1 million in Peoria to development firm Nextstar Homes will be used to develop five custom, single-family homes on 1-acre lots. (See Details)

➤ Zaxby’s, a fast-food chicken restaurant, is opening its first Arizona location in Queen Creek at the Vineyard Towne Center. (More)

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➤ A Phoenix Valley girl who was hospitalized weeks before her 6th birthday received dozens of homemade cards at the hospital from the local community. (See Video)

➤ Pastor Warren Stewart Sr., who helped bring Martin Luther King Jr. Day to Arizona, is set to retire from his pulpit after nearly 50 years. Warren fought for years to revive the holiday after state officials abandoned it. (See Video)

➤ Runners from across Arizona gathered over the past weekend to take part in the Rock N’ Roll Marathon in Tempe. The event featured a marathon, half-marathon, 10k run, and 5k run. (See Video)

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