Arizona
Family-Owned AriZona Pours Into Fashion Collections And Collaborations
Family-owned AriZona Beverages Pours Into Fashion.
Growing up in an urban setting provided familiar staples resonating with the community and its intrinsic cultural artifacts. Besides streetwear fashion and how the garments are worn, the drink choices have developed a familiarity with the communities.
One of those drinks is the AriZona beverage line, renowned for its iconic 22oz cans, it’s Half & Half: Iced Tea and Lemonade blend, dubbed the “Arnold Palmer,” and the many other flavors that became favorites, including a special edition, can that featured NBA legend and part-time DJ, Shaquille O’Neal. Founded in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1992, now, AriZona has become more than just a drink; it’s a lifestyle with apparel to appropriate your sartorial mood.
Family-Owned AriZona Beverages collaborates with streetwear label Anti Social Social Club on drink … [+]
Embracing boldness and out-of-the-box ideas, a legacy tied to urban communities, the AriZona lifestyle reflects a sense of adventure and authenticity. As this family brand continues to evolve, its foray into the world of fashion and merchandising has captured the essence of this lifestyle, resonating with fans across the globe.
Wesley Vultaggio, Chief Creative Officer, and Spencer Vultaggio, Chief Marketing Officer, and … [+]
Wesley Vultaggio, Chief Creative Officer, and Spencer Vultaggio, Chief Marketing Officer, also the sons of the founder and owner Don Vultaggio [a 6-foot 9-inch former truck driver], have had the same passion as their father did from day one. They describe it stating, “Producing the AriZona merch has been an exciting journey for us. Our father started it and we’ve kept on with the tradition of introducing exciting merch and point-of-sale items for the trade and consumers. We’re committed to staying ahead of the curve and delivering relevant products that resonate with loyalists, and new fans of the brand.”
Family-Owned AriZona Beverages pours into fashion with The Heritage Collection Puffer Vest..
Giving more flavor to their design palette, AriZona, and its c-suite sibling leaders tap into the essence in which the brand validated its essentiality. “Our design process starts with an ear to the street, tapping into current trends and understanding what our consumers are passionate about. We draw inspiration from streetwear, popular culture, and of course, our iconic beverage label creative.”
“From there, it’s all about collaboration and creativity,” the Vultaggio brothers express. “We work closely with talented in-house designers and established Creatives to bring our vision to life, ensuring that each piece reflects the AriZona ethos and aesthetic. Whether it’s a bold graphic tee, a sleek water bottle, or a limited-edition collaboration, every item in our merch lineup is crafted with attention to detail and a passion for style. We like to explore new ideas and push the boundaries for what’s possible. Our goal is to create merch that looks great and inspires our fans to live life to the fullest.”
Family-Owned AriZona shows off its ski collection.
At the heart of the AriZona lifestyle is a commitment that embraces individuality and celebrates its roots. The Heritage Collection pays homage to AriZona’s iconic status, representing a nod to its origins and timeless appeal. Crafted with care and attention to detail, each product in the collection embodies the heritage while infusing a fresh twist for modern consumers. From classic flavors to timeless designs, the Heritage Collection celebrates what makes AriZona iconic in its bold can designs.
The evolution of AriZona merch has been a journey marked by excitement and creativity. Drawing inspiration from streetwear, popular culture, and the brand’s iconic beverage labels, the design process is a collaborative effort that aims to resonate with loyalists and new fans alike. With an ear to the street, AriZona’s merch lineup reflects the ethos and aesthetic, offering products that inspire fans to live life to the fullest.
Family-Owned AriZona Beverages shows off its ski collection.
Building on its success within skate and surf culture, AriZona’s expansion into the ski/snowboard line is deemed a more natural progression into developing fashion. An active lifestyle and a spirit of adventure capture the essence of this outerwear collection.
The recent launch of the kid’s collection reflects AriZona’s commitment to engaging with the new generation of consumers. As parents themselves, the brand’s founders understand the importance of catering to all ages and demographics. The kid’s collection allows families to share in the AriZona lifestyle together, fostering a sense of community and connection.
AriZona has also collaborated with some of the most iconic brands in the industry, creating significant product drops that connect with fans on a deeper level. From streetwear labels like Anti-Social Social Club to sportswear giants like Adidas, each collaboration celebrates its joint successes and pushes the boundaries of possibilities.
AriZona Beverages x Anti Social Social Club tea set.
“We’ve had the pleasure of teaming up with some incredible brands to create significant product drops that connect with our fans,” the brothers detail. “Our collaboration with Anti-Social Social Club brought together trending streetwear style with our iconic beverages. Our partnership with Adidas Originals infused our bold flavors into their classic silhouettes. Each initiative has been a celebration of our joint successes.”
AriZona’s Black Heritage Field Coat.
By exploring the intersection of art, fashion, and culture, AriZona continues to inspire and excite fans with its innovative partnerships. “Most recently, teaming up with emerging sunscreen brand Vacation Inc., where together we explored the intersection of art, fashion, and classic culture to create a collection that embodied the vintage spirit of AriZona. Collaborations allow us to push the boundaries of what’s possible and connect with our fans in new and exciting ways. We’re always looking forward to what’s next.”
Throughout its evolution, AriZona has remained committed to providing great taste at a great value. As a family-owned and operated business, the brand’s commitment to authenticity and affordability has remained constant. While AriZona has expanded its product lineup and explored new markets, it has stayed true to its roots, delivering high-quality products that resonate with fans worldwide.
AriZona Beverages fleece jacket.
“One thing that has remained constant is our commitment to providing great taste at a great value,” the brothers detail. “Again, we’re family owned and operated, so, most often, talking to the decision-makers. Our board meets daily over lunch, [making] our decisions quickly, collectively, and effectively. From the very beginning, our iconic Big Can at 99 cents has been a staple, offering consumers a delicious beverage at an unbeatable price. But while our commitment to affordability has stayed the same, we’ve also evolved in many ways.”
The Vultaggio brothers continue, “We’ve expanded our product lineup to include a wide range of flavors and beverage options, from teas and juices to water[s] and energy drinks – snacks, and adult beverages. We’ve embraced collaborations and partnerships that have allowed us to connect with new audiences and explore new markets. And through it all, remained true to our roots, staying authentic to who we are as a brand and continuing to deliver the high-quality products that our fans know and love.”
AriZona x Anti Social Social Club collaborative bottle designs.
For the founders of AriZona, personal style is a mix of highs and lows, reflecting its ethos of authenticity and individuality. From the Heritage Blossom Hoodie to the Black Heritage Field Coat, AriZona merch has become a staple in their wardrobes, embodying the bold spirit of the brand.
Wesley Vultaggio concludes, “[We] love a mix of highs and lows. We create pieces we actually want to wear, and like our Dad (and our employees), we wear AriZona merch because we want to, not because it’s mandated. [Spencer wears] the Heritage Blossom Hoodie all the time, while I love the Black Heritage Field Coat. Our father wears an AriZona shirt every day and has a regular cycle of the t-shirts.”
AriZona Beverages hoodie with original AriZona design elements.
AriZona’s reputation as a neighborhood drink with a premium allure has fostered its sartorial ventures, inspiring collaborations and partnerships that reflect its style and taste. By drawing inspiration from its diverse cultural influences, AriZona continues to push boundaries on its fashion and merchandise catalog.
Arizona
Arizona softball starts Big 12 play with run-rule win over BYU
Arizona head coach Caitlin Lowe did not want the 2026 Big 12 softball season to start the way the 2025 one did. Last year, the Wildcats were upset by UCF in the opening series of conference play. There was no such letdown this year as No. 13 Arizona defeated the BYU Cougars 13-1 in five innings at Hillenbrand Stadium.
“They really took it upon themselves to make a statement and just wanting to set a tone for conference,” Lowe said.
It was Arizona’s sixth straight run-rule victory. The players felt that it should be the expectation.
“I think that’s what we’re capable of every single game, and we should keep working towards that goal,” said junior centerfielder Regan Shockey. “And our next focus is just the next game. Do the same exact thing.”
There was an early suggestion that there might be a repeat of last year. A defensive lapse in right field allowed BYU leadoff Lily Owens to reach third base. A one-out double by Hailey Shuler drove her in to give the Cougars an early lead.
After the team’s postgame huddle, right fielder Grace Jenkins spent a considerable amount of time talking to Lowe one-on-one. The head coach could be seen pointing towards right field as if she was explaining fielding and placement.
“We were talking softball, man,” Lowe said. “So, debrief on the day and where she’s at. And she’s a catcher playing the outfield, and she’s doing awesome at it. She is a true athlete and has the high expectations for herself, so I think sometimes she needs to give herself a little grace that she’s kicking butt at it, and she’s great out there. She just wants to be the best.”
Arizona starter Jalen Adams kept the first-inning damage to a minimum. She only needed four more pitches to get the final two outs of the inning.
“Proud of the response after [BYU] scoring a run in the first inning,” Lowe said.
Any confidence the run might have inspired in the Cougars was quickly squashed by the Wildcats’ response with the bats. Arizona sent 15 to the plate and scored 11 runs in the bottom of the first. Eight of those runs came with two outs. Catcher Sydney Stewart drove five in with a 3-run double and a 2-run homer.
After the home run, the lights at Hillenbrand began to flash in what the program’s social media called “party lights.”
“I thought it was pretty cool,” Stewart said. “One time, I think it was like after practice, late practice, they were practicing [the lights]. Like, why don’t we do this? But seeing it today when I was rounding second, like, there’s no way that just happened right now. Just super cool.”
Up Next for Arizona Softball
Who: BYU Cougars (5-15) @ No. 13 Arizona Wildcats (18-5)
When: Friday, Mar. 6 @ 3 p.m. MST; Saturday, Mar. 7 @ 12 p.m. MST
Where: Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz.
Streaming: ESPN+ (Friday, Saturday)
Stats: Arizona Live Stats (Friday, Saturday)
Lowe was pleased with the way her entire offense passed the bat in the opening frame. While there were two doubles and a home run in the inning, small ball was a big part of the scoring, too. The Wildcats had five singles and four walks in the bottom of the first. They also took advantage of two wild pitches and a stolen base.
“I thought they were perfectly themselves in that first inning,” Lowe said. “As far as not trying to do too much, they stayed true to who they were as hitters, and then just went to work…I think you can see how fast it can happen when it gets contagious that way.”
BYU starter Gianna Mares was responsible for all 11 runs. Shuler moved from designated player to pitcher after Stewart’s home run. She walked Jenkins and allowed her to move up on a wild pitch, but Shuler finally got the final out with a groundout by Emma Kavanagh.
Stewart is known for her big bat and driving in runs. Arizona’s scoring in the second inning came from players with radically different offensive games.
A single, a walk, and a fielder’s choice put runners on the corners with one out for the Wildcats. That brought up Shockey. The centerfielder already had two RBI from the first inning. She picked up her third of the game in the second frame. It almost doubled her season total to 7.
“I didn’t want to change my plan,” Shockey said. “I bounced the ball, and my goal is just to move them over or get on for the next person. I wasn’t thinking of scoring the two runs [in the first inning] because I know who’s behind me, and that’s Sereniti [Trice], and that’s Stew, and that’s Tayler [Biehl]. So my goal was just to bounce the ball and get on. It just happened to score two, but I try to keep it as simple as possible.”
Shockey went 2 for 4 on the day. She scored 2 runs in addition to driving in 3 more. It improved her season average to .443.
Trice was a perfect 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Her average is now up to a team-high .542. She also leads the team with 39 hits. Shockey is second with 31. Trice is fourth on the squad with 18 RBI.
Adams pitched 4.0 innings and improved her record to 10-3. Her ERA dropped to 2.91. She gave up just 1 hit. The only BYU run was unearned. Three errors were committed behind her.
Sophomore Jenae Berry pitched the final inning. She did not give up a hit, but she allowed two baserunners on a walk and a hit batter. She also threw a wild pitch.
The Wildcats and the Cougars will take the field again on Friday afternoon before finishing the series on Saturday, Mar. 7.
Arizona
ICE detainee in Arizona dies after not receiving ‘timely medical attention’
A man being held at a US immigration detention facility in Arizona died this week after reporting severe tooth pain and not receiving “timely medical attention”, according to a local official.
Emmanuel Damas, a Haitian asylum seeker, was being held at the Florence correctional center in Arizona when he began to feel a toothache in mid-February, a pain that weeks later led him to the hospital before he died on Monday.
“His reported struggle to receive timely medical attention before being transferred to a hospital raises serious and painful concerns about the quality of care provided to individuals in custody,” Christine Ellis, a Chandler city council member, said in an Instagram post.
According to Ellis, Damas was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Boston in September 2025 and was later transferred to the facility in Florence, Arizona.
The Arizona Daily Star reported that Ellis had called for an investigation into Damas’s death.
“He was complaining for almost two weeks straight, until he collapsed and got septic from the infection,” Ellis told the local news outlet. Ellis said Damas was transferred to a Scottsdale hospital sometime last week.
Ellis’s office, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Guardian.
Damas’s death has not yet been reported by ICE, according to the agency’s notifications of detainee deaths. At least nine people have died under custody in 2026, according to ICE: Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres, 42; Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55; Luis Beltrán Yáñez–Cruz, 68; Parady La, 46; Heber Sanchaz Domínguez, 34; Víctor Manuel Díaz, 36; Lorth Sim, 59; Jairo Garcia-Hernandez, 27; and Alberto Gutiérrez-Reyes, 48.
At least 32 people died in ICE custody last year, marking the deadliest year for detainees of the federal immigration agency in more than two decades.
The stark number of deaths has been just one component of a tumultuous tenure for Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary. On Thursday, Donald Trump announced he would be ousting Noem and replacing her with Markwayne Mullin, a Republican Oklahoma senator, starting on 31 March.
Under her helm, the DHS has faced bipartisan backlash after the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis at the hands of federal immigration agents earlier this year. Noem accused both US citizens of being involved in “domestic terrorism”.
Arizona
Haitian man detained at Arizona ICE facility dies in US custody, brother says
FLORENCE, AZ (AP) — A Haitian man confined at an Arizona immigration detention center for months died at a hospital Monday after a tooth infection was left untreated, the man’s brother said Wednesday.
Emmanuel Damas, 56, told medical personnel at the Florence Correctional Center that he had a toothache in mid-February, but he was not sent to a dentist, said Damas’ brother, Presly Nelson.
Nelson believes the staff at the facility did not take his brother’s complaints seriously, even though it was a treatable condition. Nelson said he would expect such a death in countries with less access to health care, but not in the United States.
“As a country — I’m an American now — I think we can do better than that,” Nelson said.
Damas is among at least nine people who have died in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody this year.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment. ICE had said it hoped to issue a news release Wednesday.
Earlier Wednesday, ICE officials announced the death of Mexican national Alberto Gutierrez-Reyes, who had been in a California ICE detention center and died in the hospital Feb. 27 after reporting chest pain and shortness of breath.
Chandler City Council member Christine Ellis, a Haitian American who is a registered nurse, said she was contacted by Damas’ family after his death.
“As a medical person, I am absolutely appalled that there were medical-licensed people that were working there and allowed those things to happen,” Ellis said. “It does not make sense to me.”
A report from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office listed Damas’ cause of death as “pending” as of Wednesday.
Damas was taken into ICE custody in September and was soon transferred to the medium-security Florence Correctional Center, where he was held for several months, including after his asylum application was denied, Ellis said.
CoreCivic, a for-profit corrections company that runs the Florence facility, did not respond to emails seeking comment.
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Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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