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‘An honorable man’: Arizona leaders mourn passing of President Jimmy Carter

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‘An honorable man’: Arizona leaders mourn passing of President Jimmy Carter


Arizona leaders are mourning the loss of former President Jimmy Carter, who was the longest-living president in the history of the U.S. at his death Sunday at age 100.

Carter died at his home in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family, according to an announcement from the Carter Center. He served as president from 1977 to 1981 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

In the Grand Canyon State, leaders reflected on Carter’s leadership and humanitarian legacy.

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“President Carter was a fighter for everyday Americans, and that commitment continued after his presidency through extraordinary humanitarian work with his wife Rosalynn,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, a Democrat, said in a statement.  

“I looked up to President Carter ― not only because he brokered landmark peace treaties or spearheaded major domestic energy policies ― but because he overcame historic challenges and accomplished incredible feats while remaining his authentic self. I especially appreciated his commitment to elevating young women to spheres of influence, and he appointed more women as federal judges than all previous presidents combined.”

Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., praised Carter’s work on foreign policy, including the Camp David Accords, which led to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel in 1978.

“Above all, he was an honorable man with unimpeachable character,” Stanton said in a statement. “Guided by his deep Christian faith, he built homes for the needy and taught Sunday School well into his 90s. He set a fine example for each of us for what it means to love thy neighbor.”

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Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., also reflected on Carter’s community service.

“Always humble, President Carter showed us that public service isn’t limited to elected office,” Kelly posted on social media. “He leaves a legacy not just as a president, but as a great American who wore the uniform, built homes for his neighbors and worked for human rights across the globe.”

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement that Carter showed what it means to live for others.

“America has lost a true servant leader,” Mayes, a Democrat, posted on social media. “President Jimmy Carter’s century-long life was defined by his integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to serving his country and his fellow man.”

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Leaders from across the political divide offered condolences at the news of Carter’s passing.

Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, wrote on social media, “May God bless Jimmy Carter. Politics aside, a life well lived, starting from humble beginnings. May he rest in peace.”

President-elect Donald Trump posted that he and his wife Melania were thinking warmly of the Carter family.

“The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans,” Trump wrote. “For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”

Other Arizona political leaders, including Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., and Senator-elect Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., posted condolences online and offered prayers to the Carter family.

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According to the Carter Center, public memorial observances will happen in Washington, D.C., and in Atlanta, followed by a private interment in Plains, Georgia. Members of the public are encouraged to visit the official tribute website to Carter at www.jimmycartertribute.org. 

Reach the reporter at cvanek@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X @CorinaVanek.





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Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo forces OT despite ‘vomiting profusely’ in loss to Texas

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Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo forces OT despite ‘vomiting profusely’ in loss to Texas


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Cam Skattebo put Arizona State football on his back in the Peach Bowl, but his heroic efforts were not enough. 

The Texas Longhorns defeated the Sun Devils 39-31 in double overtime on Wednesday in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal in Atlanta. Things looked dire for Arizona State in the fourth quarter as the Sun Devils trailed by as many as 16 points and their star running back appeared to be struggling on the sidelines.

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The ESPN broadcast showed Skattebo battling fatigue on the bench. The network reported that Skattebo was trying to get in more fluids and catch his breath after he was “vomiting profusely” on the sidelines, leaving his health status for the remainder of the game up in the air.

Skattebo not only reentered the game, but he led a comeback to force overtime.

TEXAS VS. ARIZONA STATE: Live score updates, highlights, how to watch CFP quarterfinal game

Despite looking visibly exhausted, Skattebo checked back into the game and helped the Sun Devils score 16 unanswered points. Skattebo connected with WR Malik McClain for a 42-yard touchdown pass to cut the Longhorns’ lead to 24-16 with 6:31 remaining in the game. Following Arizona State’s interception of Texas QB Quinn Ewers the next possession, Skattebo rushed for a two-yard touchdown and then successfully converted a two-point conversion to tie the game 24-24 with 5:00 minutes remaining in the game. The Peach Bowl eventually went to overtime following Texas’ missed field goal that would have won the game.

In overtime, Skattebo gave the Sun Devils the lead on a three-yard touchdown run, but Texas answered back with two straight touchdowns to take the lead 39-31. Arizona State was unable to score on their next OT possession to give Texas the win.

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Skattebo finished the game with 30 carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to one 42-yard passing touchdown for a touchdown and eight receptions for 99 receiving yards.

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Arizona’s minimum wage keeps rising. What is the minimum wage in 2025?

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Arizona’s minimum wage keeps rising. What is the minimum wage in 2025?


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Arizona’s minimum wage is going up again.

Workers at the bottom of the pay scale will earn 35 cents an hour more starting Jan. 1, 2025, with a new level of $14.70 an hour compared with $14.35 in 2024.

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Arizona’s minimum wage has climbed more than 80% since voters passed Proposition 206 in 2016, when the minimum stood at $8.05 an hour.

Arizona has one of the highest minimums in the nation, though the state still ranks near the bottom for overall incomes, despite a rising cost of living and a low unemployment rate.

Is Arizona’s minimum wage going up in 2025?

The Arizona statewide minimum wage increases to $14.70 an hour in 2025. The rise of 35 cents an hour reflects a cost of living boost of 2.4%. Under state law, Arizona adjusts its minimum wage once a year to reflect inflation.

The new minimum-wage rate is equivalent to $30,576 in annual pay, based on a full year of employment and a 40-hour workweek. That will rise from $29,848 in 2024.

All that stems from Proposition 206, which was approved by voters in 2016, when Arizona’s minimum wage stood at $8.05 an hour.

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Who enforces Arizona’s minimum wage? Where can I make a complaint?

The Industrial Commission of Arizona oversees and enforces the wage law, along with that for sick time.

The commission’s Minimum Wage Claim Form is used for complaints related to wages that were paid below the current minimum wage. It can be submitted electronically, by fax or by U.S. mail.

How many people earn minimum wage in Arizona?

Relatively few people earn the minimum — only around 3% of Arizonans, according to one study by the Economic Policy Institute, which advocates for higher wages.

Are there exceptions to the new Arizona minimum wage?

Yes. For example, employers can pay tipped workers up to $3 an hour less, and the minimum wage doesn’t apply in several other situations such as for babysitters, people working for a parent or sibling and those employed by various small businesses, along with those working for the state itself or the federal government.

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What about minimum wage in Flagstaff?

Flagstaff has a higher minimum wage than the state. The current minimum bumps up to $17.85 from $17.40 on Jan. 1, 2025.

How has the minimum wage risen in Arizona?

Arizona’s minimum has climbed more than 80% since voters passed Proposition 206 in 2016, when the minimum stood at $8.05 an hour. The measure sanctioned yearly increases reflecting inflation.

An especially big bump of $1 an hour happened in 2020, rising to $12 from $11 in 2019, and another large increase of $1.05 an hour came from 2022 to 2023.

Where does Arizona rank in terms of minimum wage?

Arizona’s minimum wage, which currently ranks 11th highest in the nation, compared with a federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour that still applies in roughly 20 states.

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Despite the upcoming New Year’s Day increase, Arizona will drop to 16th place in 2025, with several other states boosting their minimums. Washington, D.C., will top the list at $17.50 an hour in 2025, followed by Washington state ($16.66), California ($16.50) and the New York City area ($16.50), according to Paycom.

What states have the lowest minimum wage?

There is no one state with the lowest minimum wage, as many states default to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which has a minimum wage of $7.25.

States that have a $7.25 minimum wage include:

  • Alabama
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • New Hampshire
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Oklahoma
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

What states are raising the minimum wage?

These 23 states are raising the minimum wage effective Jan. 1, 2025:

  • Alaska: $11.73 raising to $11.91
  • Arizona: $14.35 raising to $14.70
  • California: $16 raising to $16.50
  • Colorado: $14.42 raising to $14.81
  • Connecticut: $15.69 raising to $16.35
  • Delaware: $13.25 raising to $15
  • Illinois: $14 raising to $15
  • Maine: $14.15 raising to $14.65
  • Michigan: $10.33 raising to $10.56
  • Minnesota: large and small employers raising to $11.13
  • Missouri: $12.30 raising to $13.75
  • Montana: $10.30 raising to $10.55
  • Nebraska: $12 raising to $13.50
  • New Jersey: $15.13 raising to $15.49
  • New York (upstate): $15 raising to $15.50
  • New York: $16 raising to $16.50
  • Ohio: $10.45 raising to $10.70
  • Rhode Island: $14 raising to $15
  • South Dakota: $11.20 raising to $11.50
  • Vermont: $13.67 raising to $14.01
  • Virginia: $12 raising to $12.41
  • Washington: $16.28 raising to $16.66

How has Arizona fared in terms of employment?

Both Arizona and metro Phoenix have been adding jobs and feature relatively low unemployment rates. The Arizona unemployment rate as of November stood at 3.7%, below the U.S. average of 4.2%. Arizona also generated a net 31,600 new jobs for the 12 months through November, continuing a cycle of growth.

The jobless number was better in metro Phoenix, with a 3.5% unemployment rate in November. Metro Phoenix accounts for about 72% of all employment in the state.

What about overall incomes by state?

A from payroll processor ADP showed median pay in Arizona at $52,700 as of October, well below the national median of $59,200. Arizona ranked 41st overall in median pay but ahead of several neighboring states including Utah ($52,100, 44th place), Nevada ($50,500, 47th place) and last-place New Mexico at $40,200.

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Washington, D.C., led the nation with median pay of $100,400, according to the ADP report, which was based on millions of payroll transactions. Massachusetts was second at $75,800 and Alaska third at $69,600.

Might now be a good time to look for a new job?

That depends on many factors, including the occupation and industry that you’re targeting and the availability of benefits.

But one theme from the ADP report indicates that it often pays to job hop. According to the company’s report, median national pay for people who stayed put in their positions rose 4.8% over the past year, but job changers realized an average increase of 7.2%.



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What channel is Arizona State vs Texas today? Time, TV schedule to watch CFP quarterfinal

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What channel is Arizona State vs Texas today? Time, TV schedule to watch CFP quarterfinal


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One spot to the College Football Playoff semifinals has been secured, and three more will follow suit on Wednesday — the first, by way of the Peach Bowl.

Kicking off Wednesday’s triple-header of CFP quarterfinal games is No. 4 Arizona State (11-2) vs. No. 5 Texas (12-2). The teams will kick off from the 2025 Peach Bowl inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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It is the first meeting between the Sun Devils and Longhorns since the 2007 Holiday Bowl, in which Texas came out with a 52-34 victory. It is also the first ever CFP game in Arizona State’s program history.

Arizona State received one of the four first-round byes after beating Iowa State in the Big 12 championship game on Dec. 7. Star running back Cam Skattebo finished with 170 rushing yards and three combined touchdowns in the win over the Cyclones.

Elsewhere, Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns squad had to beat No. 12 Clemson in the first round of the newly expanded CFP to make it to the quarterfinals. In Texas’ 38-24 win over No. 12 Clemson, the Longhorns relied heavily on their run game and offensive line as they finished with 292 total rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

The winner of Wednesday’s game will advance to the CFP Cotton Bowl semifinal, where it will play the winner of No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 8 Ohio State on Friday, Jan. 10.

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Here’s how to watch Wednesday’s CFP quarterfinal between Arizona State and Texas, including time, TV schedule, game odds and more:

Watch Texas vs. Arizona State in CFP, Peach Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)

What channel is Arizona State vs Texas on today?

Wednesday’s CFP quarterfinal matchup between Arizona State and Texas will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and Fubo, the latter of which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Arizona State vs Texas time today

  • Date: Wednesday, Jan. 1
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET

The Sun Devils and Longhorns are scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday in the CFP quarterfinals.

Arizona State vs Texas predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Dec. 31

  • Spread: Texas -13
  • Over/under: 51.5
  • Moneyline: Texas (-550) | Arizona State (+400)

Here is how national media are picking the game:

Arizona State football schedule 2024

Here’s a look at Arizona State’s schedule in 2024, including past scores and results:

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  • Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Wyoming (W 48-7)
  • Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Mississippi State (W, 30-23)
  • Thursday, Sept. 12: at Texas State (W, 31-28)
  • Saturday, Sept. 21: at Texas Tech * (L, 30-22)
  • Saturday, Sept. 28: BYE
  • Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. Kansas * (W, 35-31)
  • Friday, Oct. 11: vs. No. 16 Utah * (W, 27-19)
  • Saturday, Oct. 19: at Cincinnati * (L, 24-14)
  • Saturday, Oct. 26: BYE
  • Saturday, Nov. 2: at Oklahoma State * (W, 42-21)
  • Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. UCF * (W, 35-31)
  • Saturday, Nov. 16: at No. 16 Kansas State * (W, 24-14)
  • Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. No. 14 BYU * (W, 28-23)
  • Saturday, Nov. 30: at Arizona * (W, 49-7)
  • Saturday, Dec. 7: No. 16 Iowa State (Big 12 championship) (W, 45-19)
  • Wednesday, Jan. 1: vs. No. 5 Texas ** (CFP quarterfinals — Peach Bowl)
  • Record: 11-2 overall, 7-2 in Big 12

* Denotes Big 12 game

** Denotes CFP ranking

Texas football schedule 2024

Here’s a look at Texas’ schedule in 2024, including past scores and results:

  • Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Colorado State (W, 52-0)
  • Saturday, Sept. 7: at No. 10 Michigan (W, 31-12)
  • Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. UTSA (W, 56-7)
  • Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. UL Monroe (W, 51-3)
  • Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. Mississippi State * (W, 35-13)
  • Saturday, Oct. 5: BYE
  • Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. No. 18 Oklahoma * (W, 34-3)
  • Saturday, Oct. 19: vs. No. 5 Georgia * (L, 30-15)
  • Saturday, Oct. 26: at No. 25 Vanderbilt * (W, 27-24)
  • Saturday, Nov. 2: BYE
  • Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Florida * (W, 49-17)
  • Saturday, Nov. 16: at Arkansas * (W, 20-10)
  • Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Kentucky * (W, 31-14)
  • Saturday, Nov. 30: at No. 20 Texas A&M * (W, 17-7)
  • Saturday, Dec. 7: vs. No. 5 Georgia (SEC championship) (L, 22-19 OT)
  • Saturday, Dec. 21: vs. No. 12 Clemson ** (CFP first-round) (W, 38-24)
  • Wednesday, Jan. 1: vs. No. 4 Arizona State ** (CFP quarterfinals — Peach Bowl)
  • Record: 12-2 overall, 7-1 in SEC

* Denotes SEC game

** Denotes CFP ranking

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