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Thousands expected at Phoenix No Kings protests Saturday

More than two dozen Valley protests are planned as part of a nationwide day of action.

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More than two dozen Valley demonstrations are planned for Saturday&#x27;s nationwide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No Kings protest against President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" data-vars-content-id="ba1f8b4f-3488-4916-80cb-8607186592f5" data-vars-headline="Thousands expected at Phoenix No Kings protests Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/bruce-springsteen-joan-baez-no-kings-twin-cities" target="_self">No Kings protest against President Trump</a>.Why it matters: Thousands are expected to take to the streets to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="denounce ICE&#x27;s expected enforcement ramp-up in Phoenix" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/25/phoenix-council-city-property-ice-immigration-prohibition" data-vars-content-id="ba1f8b4f-3488-4916-80cb-8607186592f5" data-vars-headline="Thousands expected at Phoenix No Kings protests Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/25/phoenix-council-city-property-ice-immigration-prohibition" target="_self">denounce ICE&#x27;s expected enforcement ramp-up in Phoenix</a>, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iran war" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/25/iran-war-polls-americans-skeptical" data-vars-content-id="ba1f8b4f-3488-4916-80cb-8607186592f5" data-vars-headline="Thousands expected at Phoenix No Kings protests Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/25/iran-war-polls-americans-skeptical" target="_self">Iran war</a> and other Trump priorities.

Shipping container housing opens for homeless seniors

The complex has 40 transitional housing units, and residents will have access to case managers and social services.

A newly opened project in Phoenix offers transitional housing made from shipping containers for older adults who are experiencing homelessness.State of play: City officials and others gathered Wednesday morning for the opening of Senior Bridge, which provides 40 individual transitional housing units for homeless seniors at 28th and Van Buren streets.

Charles Barkley blimp returns to Phoenix skies

The Charles Barkley blimp is back as Final Four week begins.

Keep an eye on the sky for a rare migratory sighting: The 128-foot Charles Barkley blimp is back in Phoenix for the first time in two years.Why it matters: We&#x27;ve missed Soar Charles (also called: Charles Flightly, The Up Chuck, Air Chuck One and The Ugly Chuckling).

Krav Mama: A self-defense class designed for new moms

A Tempe instructor created a postpartum workout where moms train with their babies.

<figure><img alt="A gif of a woman holding a baby and kicking a heavy bag in a gym." height="600" id="671d5f45-200d-469c-8060-0a3462c8e142" src="https://images.axios.com/ZstKyMUT41Amr56A_Usmnb3bB_w=/2026/03/26/1774548998563.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Jessica and her daughter test out Krav Mama. Photo: Courtesy of EVKM Self Defense &amp; Fitness</figcaption></figure>Tempe Krav Maga instructor and new mom Sara Ullenbruch-Zarezadeh has developed a postpartum version of the popular Israeli self-defense training. <ul><li>She&#x27;s calling it Krav Mama.</li></ul>Why it matters: Protecting yourself looks different when you have a baby in your arms or a tot by your side.

How Trump's mail voting order could affect Arizona voters

Arizona officials will challenge a Trump order affecting how mail ballots are sent.

Arizona is again in the crosshairs of President Trump&#x27;s mission to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationalize elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/08/save-america-act-trump-nationalize-elections" data-vars-content-id="107a3dd6-dff7-455f-895f-cff4673c604c" data-vars-headline="How Trump&#x27;s mail voting order could affect Arizona voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/08/save-america-act-trump-nationalize-elections" target="_self">nationalize elections</a> and limit voting by mail.Why it matters: The vast majority of Arizonans cast mail ballots, and critics say Trump&#x27;s latest move would disenfranchise some of those voters ahead of a crucial November election in the battleground state.

Arizona ties abound on scientist team picked to aide NASA Moon landing

Four of the 10 scientists chosen to help with NASA's planned moon mission have Arizona ties.

When astronauts take small steps in the first Moon landing since the 1970s, some of those steps will be directed by Arizona scientists.The big picture: NASA&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artemis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/" data-vars-content-id="14a9b999-d88f-4b8d-afa6-49c433bbc2dc" data-vars-headline="Arizona ties abound on scientist team picked to aide NASA Moon landing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/" target="_blank">Artemis</a> program plans to land human crews on the Moon in 2028.

Sound off: James Beard snubs AZ restaurants

Which chefs or eateries should have been James Beard Award finalists?

None of Arizona&#x27;s 2026 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="James Beard Award nominees" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/01/21/12-arizona-chefs-and-restaurants-named-james-beard-semifinalists" data-vars-content-id="58261d95-568b-441d-bfa8-11c4f99ed37e" data-vars-headline="Sound off: James Beard snubs AZ restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/01/21/12-arizona-chefs-and-restaurants-named-james-beard-semifinalists" target="_self">James Beard Award nominees</a> moved on to the finalist round announced yesterday.Why it matters: Our restaurant scene is expanding fast, with inventive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="chef-driven concepts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/02/13/arizona-center-new-restaurants-steakhouse-cocktail-bar" data-vars-content-id="58261d95-568b-441d-bfa8-11c4f99ed37e" data-vars-headline="Sound off: James Beard snubs AZ restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/02/13/arizona-center-new-restaurants-steakhouse-cocktail-bar" target="_self">chef-driven concepts</a>, high-end <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="international cuisine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.phoenixmag.com/2024/01/20/dine-around-the-world-without-leaving-the-valley/" data-vars-content-id="58261d95-568b-441d-bfa8-11c4f99ed37e" data-vars-headline="Sound off: James Beard snubs AZ restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.phoenixmag.com/2024/01/20/dine-around-the-world-without-leaving-the-valley/" target="_blank">international cuisine</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new ventures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/05/07/taco-boys-phoenix-restaurant-marisco-boys" data-vars-content-id="58261d95-568b-441d-bfa8-11c4f99ed37e" data-vars-headline="Sound off: James Beard snubs AZ restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/05/07/taco-boys-phoenix-restaurant-marisco-boys" target="_self">new ventures</a> from the teams behind legacy institutions — and it&#x27;s deserving of national acclaim.

Arizona teams to compete in national padel competition

Arizona teams will compete for the first time in an ameteur national padel league.

For the first time, Arizona is fielding teams in a nationwide amateur league for padel, a combination of tennis and squash that&#x27;s often described as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="world&#x27;s fastest-growing sport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/padel-racket-sport-popularity-mexico-origins-rcna232524" data-vars-content-id="eb91a7f7-7821-43d8-a6f8-352830e693be" data-vars-headline="Arizona teams to compete in national padel competition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/padel-racket-sport-popularity-mexico-origins-rcna232524" target="_blank">world&#x27;s fastest-growing sport</a>.State of play: USA National Team League is preparing for its spring season, and five teams from Phoenix, Tempe and Tucson are looking to compete.

Wildcats make long-awaited return to Final Four

UofA will play fellow No. 1 seed Michigan after beating Purdue on Saturday.

It&#x27;s been a long time coming, but the Arizona Wildcats are back in the Final Four.Why it matters: It&#x27;s their first appearance since 2001.

Wildcats advance to Elite Eight with win over Arkansas

The Arizona Wildcats return to the Elite Eight for the first time in 11 years after beating Arkansas.

The Arizona Wildcats are headed to the Elite Eight, where they&#x27;ll have a chance to exorcise more than two decades or March Madness ghosts.Driving the news: No. 1 seed UofA handily beat No. 4 seed Arkansas 109-88 in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA men&#x27;s basketball tournament Thursday night.Zoom in: The Cats had an epic shooting night, hitting 64% of their shots.<ul><li>The game got chippy in the second half as UofA extended its lead, and the Razorbacks helped the Cats add points at the free throw line with frustration fouls, flagrant fouls and technical fouls.</li><li>UofA scored more points than any tournament team this year except Florida, which put up 114 points in its first-round win.</li><li>The 21-point loss was the worst tournament defeat in Arkansas head coach John Calipari&#x27;s illustrious career, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per ESPN" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48318752/arizona-too-much-arkansas-ncaa-tournament-sweet-16" data-vars-content-id="74ce868b-9ae0-46cd-912b-cb85803bb6c9" data-vars-headline="Wildcats advance to Elite Eight with win over Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48318752/arizona-too-much-arkansas-ncaa-tournament-sweet-16" target="_blank">per ESPN</a>.</li></ul>State of play: UofA goes to its first Elite Eight since Tommy Lloyd took over as head coach in 2021.The intrigue: The Cats haven&#x27;t been to a Final Four since 2001, and the Elite Eight is where they&#x27;ve repeatedly fallen short over the past quarter century.<ul><li>UofA reached the Elite Eight in 2003, 2005, 2011, 2014 and 2015.</li><li>That stretch included some close calls and gut-wrenching losses.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: UofA will play No. 2 seed Purdue in San Jose on Saturday at 5:49pm.<ul><li>The Boilermakers beat Texas, led by former UofA head coach Sean Miller, 79-77 last night.</li></ul>

D-Backs seek success after injury-filled 2025 season

Key injuries hampered the D-Backs down the stretch last year, but they're looking to bounce back.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are hoping to bounce back this season after a 2025 plagued by injuries, some of which they&#x27;ll still be dealing with this year.The big picture: The D-Backs haven&#x27;t been to the postseason since their Cinderella run to the 2023 World Series, which is getting further and further in the rearview mirror.

News 🗞

Washington Activity Center gets Final Four upgrades

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How Trump's mail voting order could affect Arizona voters

Arizona ties abound on scientist team picked to aide NASA Moon landing

Sound off: James Beard snubs AZ restaurants