Arizona
AM Roundup: Charlie Kirk flown back to the Valley, Arizona species struggling in hotter summers
PHOENIX — Happy Friday! Temperatures will be in the double digits this weekend, so get out and enjoy the slowly cooling temperatures!
We’re staying on top of the latest happenings from across the Valley, state, and our nation for Friday, September 12; here’s what you need to know as you start your day:
From Meteorologist Jorge Torres – Cooler air on the way
We’re wrapping up the week with a breezy and slightly cooler day! Highs in the Valley will top out near 100º this afternoon, with gusts up to 25 miles per hour. Then, get ready for an even cooler weekend ahead as temperatures dip back into the 90s!
Air Force Two landed at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Thursday to bring Charlie Kirk’s body home.
The conservative activist was shot and killed while speaking at a rally in Utah on Wednesday.
Vice President JD Vance flew to Utah to meet Kirk’s family and escort them back to Phoenix.
Kirk is the co-founder of Turning Point USA, which has its headquarters in Phoenix. Kirk and his family are residents of the Valley.
The procession carrying Charlie Kirk’s casket headed north up State Route 51 before turning off and stopping at Hansen Mortuary Chapel at 7th Street and Northern Avenue in north Phoenix.
Charlie Kirk body arrives in Phoenix on Air Force Two
A man is among three people who are dead after a crash on Interstate 10 just west of SR-85 in Buckeye.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety has confirmed the eastbound lanes of the freeway were blocked because of the crash between Palo Verde Parkway and SR-85.
Buckeye fire officials say they responded to a single-vehicle rollover crash just after 9:30 p.m. Thursday.
A man was pronounced dead at the scene. He has not yet been identified.
Four others, including a woman, a teenage boy, and two young children, were reportedly in critical condition when they were taken to the hospital.
DPS has since confirmed that two of the other victims have also since died, but officials did not disclose their ages.
Arizona’s fourth-hottest summer on record is proving fatal for even the most resilient desert species, as saguaros and rattlesnakes are dying in alarming numbers amid prolonged and extreme heat.
The saguaro cactus, a symbol of the Southwest and found only in the Sonoran Desert, is showing signs of stress and sharp population decline. Researchers at the Desert Botanical Garden say mortality rates have jumped from 1 to 2 percent annually to nearly 7 percent in recent years, due in large part to extended heat waves and high nighttime temperatures that interfere with many plants’ natural respiration.
Rattlesnakes are also facing conditions that may exceed their physical limits. Mike Cardwell, a consulting wildlife biologist who has tracked rattlesnakes in Arizona for more than 25 years, said two adult Western diamondbacks failed to emerge after the record heat in July 2023 — a first in his decades of study.
“Those snakes stayed underground during the hottest stretch and never came back up,” Cardwell said. “If it’s happening to rattlesnakes, it’s hard to imagine it’s not happening to other species as well.”
Even Arizona’s most resilient species facing pressure as summers get hotter
On a mission in the Arabian Sea, the five thousand-plus crew on the USS Carl Vinson went about their routine work.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Carl Forkner awoke to a pounding on his door. The intelligence officer, stationed just across the passageway, urged him to turn on the ship’s television.
What Forkner saw was not a scene from a Hollywood blockbuster, but the beginning of a new era for the United States and its military.
“I said, ‘Was this like a showing of a new Die-Hard movie or what?’” Forkner recalled. “He said, ‘No, that’s really happening right now. Probably ought to get ready, get dressed. I’m sure we’ll have a meeting in the Captain’s Office.’”
24 years later, USS Carl Vinson veteran remembers America’s first response
The Federal Communications Commission is alerting consumers about a new wave of scam calls and texts falsely claiming to offer 50% discounts on cable and streaming services from major providers like Comcast, Spectrum, and Prime.
Consumers across the country are reporting robocalls and voicemails with urgent messages claiming their supposed discount is about to expire. In one example provided by the FCC, a caller impersonating Comcast Xfinity said: “We’re reviewing your account, and it appears your 50 percent discount on your monthly bill is set to expire today. To confirm and secure your savings, call the number displayed on your caller ID immediately. This offer cannot be extended.”
According to complaints filed with the FCC, people who call back are pressured to act quickly to keep the fake discount. The scammers then claim the only way to secure the savings is to prepay for multiple months of service using gift cards.
The FCC emphasizes that pressure to act quickly and demands for gift card payments are clear warning signs of a scam.
Let ABC15 Know: FCC warns consumers about fake cable and streaming discount scams
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Arizona
Arizona baseball falls to ASU in midweek nonconference game
TEMPE – The Phoenix metro has not been kind to Arizona baseball through the first month of the season.
Arizona fell to rival ASU 10-4 on Tuesday night in front of a packed crowd at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The Wildcats clawed back after falling behind 6-1, but the Sun Devils closed the door in the late innings.
The nonconference game was the first of five matchups between the rivals, with the UA hosting a 3-game Big 12 Conference series in early April followed by one more non-league game in Tempe.
Arizona (6-10) is now 0-4 in the Phoenix area, with three losses coming in the opening weekend College Baseball Series in Surprise. Arizona dropped to 0-3 in midweek games.
Collin McKinney got the start for the Wildcats, allowing four earned runs on five hits and six strikeouts. McKinney conceded one run in the first inning but escaped out of a bases loaded jam. He looked sharp until giving up a 2-run homer to ASU’s Dean Toigo in the fourth inning.
“We saw the velocity at times. We saw the breaking stuff,” Arizona coach Chip Hale said. “It was very encouraging from us on our side for him.“
The Sun Devils tacked on three more runs in the fourth, including a 2-run blast from Landon Hairston off reliever Matthew Martinez.
Arizona answered in the sixth inning when sophomore catcher Roman Meyers drilled a 450-feet 3-run homer to bring the score to 6-4. It was Meyers’ third homer of the season.
“He always has a chance. He’s got massive power,” Hale said. “So if he hits it he has a chance for a home run.”
Arizona’s five through nine hitters combined for six of the team’s eight hits, led by 2-hit games from Caleb Danzeisen and Cash Brennan.
Arizona’s offense, however, couldn’t keep up with the Sun Devils, who added runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to pull away. Wildcats pitchers gave up eight free bases on the night.
Arizona is back in action Friday when it begins Big 12 play at Utah. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST.
Arizona
WATCH: How Helping One Woman provides hope and support with ‘Girl’s Night Out’
PEORIA, AZ — What if a simple dinner could help someone rebuild their life? In Peoria, a local chapter of Helping One Woman is doing just that by gathering once a month for a “Girls Night Out” with a powerful purpose.
Each month, women in the community nominate someone facing an unimaginable challenge: the loss of a spouse or child, a cancer diagnosis, or another life-altering hardship. That woman becomes the evening’s honoree.
At the dinner, attendees each contribute at least $10 and take part in raffles supported by local businesses. By the end of the night, the funds raised are gifted directly to the recipient to help with expenses during a difficult time.
But organizers say the money is only part of the impact. The room full of encouragement, hugs, and shared support can be just as powerful.
ABC15’s Cameron Polom talked with the Peoria chapter president and two women whose lives were changed thanks to the group’s generosity. See the full Uplifting Arizona story in the video player above.
See more from Uplifting Arizona:
Arizona
What have the Cardinals done in NFL free agency? – Arizona Sports
The NFL’s legal tampering window is officially open, and it didn’t take long for the Arizona Cardinals to get in the mix.
A running list of the new names and familiar faces coming to Arizona in 2026:
New names on Cardinals roster this free agency
Kendrick Bourne
The former San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots wide receiver brings another body to Arizona’s wide receivers room that includes Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr.
He’s got plenty of familiarity with new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur from their time together in San Francisco (2017-20). Bourne also spent a year with expected Cardinals starter Jacoby Brissett in 2024 with the Patriots.
The wide receiver caught 37 passes for 551 yards in 16 games played (eight starts) last year.
He’s now on board for two years in Arizona.
Isaac Seumalo
The guard spent the past three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a seven-season stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.
He’s started 104 out of 125 games played and has spent time at both left and right guard during his NFL career.
According to Next Gen Stats, the guard allowed a 3.7% pressure rate last year. That was the lowest rate among all eligible guards in 2025.
Gardner Minshew
Minshew agreed to terms on a one-year deal on Monday.
He’s expected to back up expected starter Jacoby Brissett in 2026, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.
Coming off his seventh NFL season and first with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minshew appeared in four games (one start) last year. He completed 46.2% of his throws for 37 yards and an interception.
Before landing with the Chiefs, Minshew spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders (2024), Indianapolis Colts (2023), Philadelphia Eagles (2021-22) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2019-20).
RB Tyler Allgeier
Allgeier comes over to Arizona on a reported two-year contract.
Before agreeing to terms on the $12.25 million deal with Arizona on Monday, Allgeier played four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.
He ran for 514 yards and eight touchdowns on 143 carries last year, while adding another 14 catches for 96 yards.
While he worked mostly behind Bijan Robinson the past three years, Allgeier did surpass the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie in 2022.
Familiar faces
L.J. Collier
Collier is back on a one-year deal.
The defensive lineman appeared in four games in 2025 due to a knee injury suffered in Week 2.
He recorded six tackles and two QB hits in what was his third season with the team.
Roy Lopez
After a one-year stint with the Detroit Lions, Lopez is back with his hometown team on a reported two-year deal.
In 17 games played last year, he recorded two sacks, four tackles for loss and a pass defensed.
Before his time in Detroit, Lopez spent two seasons with Arizona from 2023-24. During that span, he registered a sack, six tackles for loss, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in 30 games played (21 starts).
K Chad Ryland
Ryland is back on a one-year deal, the team announced.
Ryland went through plenty of struggles last season after a having a career year in 2024. His accuracy dropped from 87.5% in 2024 to 75.8% last season. He was especially inconsistent from 40 yards and on, compiling a 13-of-20 mark (65%). Inside 40 yards, though, Ryland was 12-of-13 (92.3%).
Arizona brought in kicker Josh Karty late in the year (more on him later), but Ryland never gave up his role and appeared in all 17 games.
A one-year deal isn’t going to break the bank by any means.
P Blake Gillikin
The Cardinals must feel pretty good about where Gillikin is at in his recovering from a back injury last year with their signing of the punter to a one-year deal.
Before he went down five games into the season, the punter was leading the league in yards per punt with 51.7.
Not only that, across his five seasons (65 games) in the NFL, he holds the all-time record for yards per punt at 48.5.
Staying healthy is key for Gillikin, who also missed time in 2024 due to an ankle injury.
RB James Conner
Technically not a free agent, Conner was a potential cut candidate given his contract.
But after reportedly revising his deal, Conner is returning for his sixth season with the Cardinals.
The running back brings plenty of leadership and a bruising running style to the mix.
He’s coming off an abbreviated 2025 (three games) due to an ankle injury but had rushed for a pair of 1,000-yard seasons the two years prior. He scored at least seven rushing touchdowns each season from 2022-24.
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
Much like Conner, Murphy-Bunting was another prime cut candidate due to his contract but reportedly revised his deal with Arizona as well.
Murphy-Bunting has a lot to prove after missing all of 2025 due to an injury suffered away from the team facility.
In his first season with the Cardinals, the cornerback recorded 52 tackles, three interceptions, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles across 15 starts.
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