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After intense negotiations, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signs off on $17B budget package

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After intense negotiations, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signs off on B budget package


Gov. Katie Hobbs has signed into law a $17 billion Arizona budget package that drew criticism from Democrats for failing to limit the expansion of a school voucher program.

“While it isn’t perfect, this budget is an important step towards making housing more affordable, building more roads, bridges and broadband access, expanding children’s health insurance, and investing in our public schools,” Hobbs said in a statement Friday. “I’m glad legislative leaders were able to come together to deliver for Arizona, and I look forward to our continued partnership.”

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The Democratic governor came into office in January with plans to undo the massive explosion in the voucher program, championed by her GOP predecessor, Gov. Doug Ducey. The program lets students apply to use public money for private-school tuition and other education costs.

Hobbs’ office had said the expansion siphons money from underfunded public schools and would cost $1.5 billion over the next decade.

But despite her criticism of the expanded vouchers, the budget negotiated with leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature by Hobbs didn’t include any caps on the expansion. The governor had proposed restoring the program to what it was pre-expansion. Disabled children, students living on tribal reservations and students at low-performing public schools would still be eligible for voucher funds.

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Some Democratic lawmakers still voted for elements of the package and lauded its $300 million increase in K-12 education funding and another $150 million for a fund that helps people with low-income housing, an eviction-prevention program and transitional housing.

Senate Republicans, meanwhile, hailed the passing of a “fiscally conservative” state budget and highlighted the protection of the voucher program.



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Arizona

Deadspin | Arizona rolls past No. 25 Baylor for 7th straight win

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Deadspin | Arizona rolls past No. 25 Baylor for 7th straight win


Jan 14, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Baylor Bears forward Norchad Omier (15) goes for a lay up while Arizona Wildcats forward Trey Townsend (4) attempts to block him during the first half of the game at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Henri Veesaar’s 19 points led a balanced scoring effort to lead Arizona to its seventh straight win, 81-70 over No. 25 Baylor on Tuesday night in Tucson, Ariz.

Arizona (11-5, 5-0 Big 12) took advantage of short-handed Baylor (11-5, 3-2) for most of the game, building a 27-point lead in the second half.

The Bears battled back, making eight consecutive made field goals to cut the lead to 71-62 with 2:52 left, but they did not get closer.

Baylor, which cracked the AP Top 25 on Monday after winning six of its previous seven games, played mostly with a six-player rotation because Jalen Celestine and Langston Love missed their fourth straight game with ankle injuries.

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Duke transfer Jeremy Roach, who finished with 13 points, picked up his fourth foul with 16:59 left and Arizona ahead 46-25.

Norchad Ormier also played in foul trouble throughout and committed four fouls. He finished with nine points.

Jaden Bradley had 13 points, five rebounds and six assists for Arizona.

KJ Lewis finished with 11 points and seven assists.

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All top eight players in Arizona’s rotation scored, including Anthony Dell’Orso, who produced all nine of his points in the first half when Arizona built a 42-19 lead at the break.

Robert Wright led Baylor with 16 points off the bench and VJ Edgecombe had 14.

Arizona fell behind when Omier made a layup 14 seconds in but the Wildcats did not trail thereafter.

Omier exited briefly after he was called for his second foul with 18:54 remaining in the first half.

Arizona built an 11-4 lead before Omier made the Bears’ second field goal of the game, a 3-pointer with 13:36 left in the half.

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The Wildcats took control of the half following a 12-0 run that put them ahead 37-15 with 2:25 remaining until halftime.

Caleb Love made his first shot with 3:32 left and banked in a 3-pointer to culminate the 12-0 run.

Baylor shot 69 percent from the field in the second half, including 5 of 11 from 3-point range after starting 1 of 9 from beyond the arc.

Arizona shot 53.7 percent from the field for the game, tallying 21 assists on its 29 made field goals.

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–Field Level Media



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Report: Cardinals Met With Hula Bowl OL

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Report: Cardinals Met With Hula Bowl OL


ARIZONA — The Arizona Cardinals have met with another Hula Bowl prospect, according to Ryan Fowler.

After previously having meetings with Wisconsin LB Jaheim Thomas and Illinois EDGE Seth Coleman, Arizona also has met with North Dakota State OL Mason Miller.

Miller just finished his fifth season at North Dakota State and does not have any official stats recorded for 2024 on his bio from the school, though he did start at multiple spots in 2023:

“Started all 15 games for the Bison, the first three at right tackle before moving to left guard for the remainder of the season…Blocked for an offense that ranked fourth in the FCS averaging 237.3 rushing yards per game and led the nation in rushing yards (3,560), rushing touchdowns (47) and offensive touchdowns (69)…The Bison also ranked second nationally in passing efficiency, completion percentage and red zone scoring.”

Versatility is certainly a tool that’s coveted by the Cardinals, especially along the offensive line. Miller having experience both inside and outside will only be a positive for him at the next level.

Arizona’s offensive line could look a lot different at the start of next year. Besides left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and center Hjlate Froholdt, all three spots are up for grabs for Week 1 of the 2025 season.

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Starting left guard Evan Brown is set to hit free agency while the Cardinals may not be sold on either Isaiah Adams or Trystan Colon at right guard, both of whom split time throughout the year. Right tackle Jonah Williams suffered a season-ending injury and his status to open 2025 is very much in question while backup swing tackle Kelvin Beachum could retire.





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Arizona State friendship bench connects generations to ease loneliness

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Arizona State friendship bench connects generations to ease loneliness


PHOENIX (AZFamily)—In a world of technology and social media, we’ve never been more connected to others. However, recent studies have shown that we’ve also never been more lonely.

According to a recent report from the Department of Health and Human Services, about half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness.

However, a new initiative at Arizona State University is working to change that through its friendship bench, and that is Something Good.

The bench is meant to encourage younger and older folks just to sit and talk to one another about anything.

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One of the participants is ASU alumna Pencie Culiver, who sits on the bench every Tuesday with a sign that says, “I’m all ears.”

She invited anyone to sit with her, whether for a few minutes or half an hour.

“I have really had some interesting questions, people sit down for half an hour, other people two minutes, so a big variety,” said Culiver. “I believe that I have heard most of anything, it also has taught me, kids really are lonely and they don’t have somebody to divulge things they don’t even want to divulge to their roommate or their classmate and also the complications of education we did not have when we went to ASU a long, long time ago.”

The ASU Friendship Bench Program started this past fall semester with about a dozen residents of Mirabella, a university-based retirement community located on the college campus.

Thank you to Culiver, ASU and all the participants for connecting with others and making the world a little less lonely.

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