Arizona
Shutdown may be ending, but here’s why deal doesn’t suit Mark Kelly, Ruben Gallego
Senate strikes deal to end historic government shutdown
Lawmakers agree to end longest-ever government shutdown, reopen government through Jan 30
A faction of Senate Democrats joined with Republicans in preliminary steps to end the record-long federal government shutdown, although Arizona’s senators oppose the emerging deal.
On its 40th day, enough Democrats appeared ready to begin the multi-step legislative process needed to end the shutdown that began Oct. 1.
“It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown ending,” President Donald Trump told reporters in Washington.
Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego each issued statements Nov. 9 against the short-term spending agreement.
“In the richest country in the world, families shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table and their health care,” Kelly said. “But that’s exactly what Donald Trump has done to Americans with this shutdown.”
Gallego signaled that he would not be moved by anything less than a deal to preserve the insurance subsidies that expire at the end of the year.
“I have been clear on this from the beginning: I will not turn my back on the 24 million Americans who will see their premiums more than double if we don’t extend these tax credits,” he said.
“At a time when prices are already too high, Americans are shopping for health insurance and experiencing such sticker shock that they are being forced to sign up for a crappy, overpriced plan or not signing up for insurance at all.”
The agreement, which could take several more days to finalize, appears to have enough Democratic support to allow it to move to a vote and would fund the government through January, along with several pieces of the annual budget bill that are supposed to be in place before the start of the federal fiscal year on Oct. 1.
It does not include any extension of the pandemic-era health insurance subsidies for those who buy coverage through the Affordable Care Act, which was the main Democratic demand. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, who has been one of the three non-Republicans to consistently vote to end a shutdown, said Republicans had indicated they would allow a vote on the insurance issue.
“I think people were saying ‘We’re not going to get what we want,’ although we still have a chance,” he said, according to the New York Times.
The deal also includes a provision to bring back government workers fired by the Trump administration during the shutdown, said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, who told reporters that was instrumental in moving him to support it.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, remained against the deal, reflecting the deep division within his party.
“On Friday, we offered Republicans a compromise: a proposal that would extend the ACA tax credits for a year and open up the government at the same time,” he said.
“They once again said no, and when they said no on our compromise they showed they are against any health care reform. Instead, they passed the biggest health care cuts in our nation’s history — just to give tax breaks to billionaires.”
When will Adelita Grijalva get sworn in?
The process of approving the plan will require several Senate votes and will necessitate calling the House of Representatives back into session.
That could bring with it the belated swearing-in of Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, D-Arizona, who has been kept officially out of office since she easily won the special election to fill the seat vacated by the March death of her father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz.
Grijalva’s arrival in the House is expected to provide the last needed signatory to force the House to vote on publicly releasing the investigative files for Jeffrey Epstein.
The disgraced financier killed himself amid allegations of sex trafficking underage girls to VIPs. Trump is widely believed to be mentioned in the files involving his former friend.
Food benefit cuts and flight cancellations
For weeks, the shutdown had enough exceptions that many Americans could perhaps overlook the stalemate, but it has become more impactful for millions with impending limits on the government’s food benefits program and the growing cancellations of hundreds of domestic flights each day.
Kelly maintained there “should’ve never been a shutdown in the first place, and I worked to find a solution with Republicans and this administration.”
He accused Trump of not caring “about rising costs, skyrocketing health care premiums, or working families struggling to put food on the table. He has spent more time working on his ballroom than working to open the government. He sued to block food assistance for hungry families.”
Gallego said it was “disgusting that Republicans have put the country in the place, where they are pitting working people against each other.”
“There’s a phrase in Spanish, ‘Con salud, lo hay todo; sin salud, no hay nada.’ It means ‘With good health you have it all; without your health, you have nothing.’”
Arizona
Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham signs 5-year extension averaging $7.5M a year
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Kenny Dillingham insisted he had no interest in leaving Arizona State. All he wanted was for his program and assistant coaches to get the resources they needed to be successful.
Dillingham got his wish on Saturday, signing a five-year contract extension that will raise his salary to an average of $7.5 million per year and increase the salary pool for his assistants to $11 million — one of the highest in the Big 12.
“The support of this season has stepped up a ton. Our university stepped up,” Dillingham told reporters following Saturday’s practice. “What I was fighting for was that long-term commitment to our staff, to our program, to the commitment to try be competitive in this crazy world (of college football).”
Dillingham had been reportedly in the mix for numerous high-profile jobs, insisting after a win against West Virginia on Nov. 15 that he wasn’t going anywhere. The 35-year-old coach’s name popped up again when Michigan fired Sherrone Moore last week and Dillingham was honest about using the top job at Michigan to push Arizona State to support the football program even more.
“This was always the goal; secure generational leadership right here at ASU,” Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini said in a statement. “We have the right coach and want him to have the tools to do his job in a way that keeps building excitement, connection and winning at ASU. Not only is the Valley activated, but the Sun Devils are about to ignite!”
Dillingham has certainly revitalized Arizona State’s program and its fan base.
The former Oregon offensive coordinator and Arizona State alum became the youngest coach in the FBS when he was hired at 32 and, after an injury-plagued first season, led the Sun Devils to the Big 12 championship — their first conference title since 1996. Arizona State went on to reach the College Football Playoff for the first time, earning Dillingham a five-year contract extension that bumped his salary to $5.8 million the first year of the contract.
Injuries hit Arizona State hard this season — notably quarterback Sam Leavitt and All-American Jordyn Tyson — but Dillingham still had his team in contention for a return trip to the Big 12 title game until late in the season.
The Sun Devils sold out every home game this season and finished the regular season 8-4, earning a spot in the Dec. 31 Sun Bowl against Duke.
Now Dillingham and his program have more resources to keep the momentum going.
“Our staff wins. I’ve said this over and over,” Dillingham said. “Them and our players are what have got us to this point. They’re a vital piece and I think they deserve to be taken care of.”
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Arizona
Former Cardinals kicker Jay Feely switches congressional districts in Arizona race
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely has switched his congressional campaign from the East Valley to Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, joining a crowded Republican primary in Scottsdale.
The move comes after President Donald Trump endorsed former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in the Fifth Congressional District last month, sending Feely a message to run in a different district.
“After nearly a quarter century in professional football, I know that no player is more important than the well-being of the team,” Feely said in a statement released Friday. “In this moment, the best way I can serve our GOP team is to defend this crucial Republican seat.”
Feely joins businessman John Trobough, state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik and current Arizona Republican Party leader Gina Swoboda in the GOP primary. Swoboda has already secured Trump’s endorsement.
Political experts believe Feely’s move, following Trump’s advice, could lead to another situation where Trump endorses two candidates in the same race.
The First Congressional District seat opened when Congressman David Schweikert announced his run for governor. Republicans view the district as a must-win seat.
The winner of the Republican primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the general election. The district is one of two swing districts in Arizona that could determine which party controls the House.
Trump has previously endorsed multiple candidates in Arizona Republican primaries, including Rep. Andy Biggs and businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson in the governor’s race.
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Arizona
Three Arizona Standouts Against Bellarmine
The blowout victory not only highlighted Arizona’s depth but also provided several standout individual performances that showed important signs of growth headed towards conference play. Here’s a closer look at the top three Wildcats from the game and how they powered the win.
1. Tanyuel Welch — Team Leader With a Big Night (18 Points)
Guard Tanyuel Welch led all scorers for Arizona with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting a highly efficient performance that helped set the tone early and keep the Wildcats well ahead of Bellarmine throughout. Welch also knocked down 4-of-4 free throws, showing composure at the line, and contributed six rebounds and three assists while playing 24 minutes.
Impressively, she did all of this with just one turnover and one foul, illustrating her control and decision-making in a high-tempo game. Welch’s scoring came at all levels; attacking the rim, knocking down mid-range looks, and finishing in transition and her all-around playmaking and rebounding added yet another layer to a complete offensive night.
2. Noelani Cornfield — Playmaker and Versatile Contributor
Senior point guard Noelani Cornfield had another impactful outing in the win over Bellarmine. Cornfield recorded 15 points, dished out eight assists, grabbed two rebounds, and added five steals in just 25 minutes of action. Her stat line shows how she orchestrated the Wildcats’ offense while also creating havoc defensively.
Cornfield’s ability to distribute the ball was on full display as Arizona finished with 24 assists on 44 made field goals, a testament to their ball movement and unselfish play. Her high assist total helped keep the offense flowing and ensured that multiple Wildcats got open, high-percentage shots throughout the afternoon. Her defensive energy also led to easy transition opportunities, further fueling Arizona’s balanced scoring output.
3. Achol Magot — Efficient Frontcourt Scorer Off the Bench
Center Achol Magot delivered a career-high 10 points off the bench in just 14 minutes, going 4-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from the free-throw line. Her efficient scoring and physical presence inside helped complement Arizona’s guard play and gave the Wildcats consistent production inside the paint. Magot also contributed five rebounds and one assist while battling through foul trouble, showing a strong impact in limited minutes.
Her ability to score efficiently around the basket and contribute on the glass was an important part of Arizona’s depth, showing through. In a game where Arizona had six double-digit scorers, Magot’s contribution sealed her place as one of the night’s top performers.
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