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Arizona Cardinals GM Ossenfort believes wins hinge on trenches

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Arizona Cardinals GM Ossenfort believes wins hinge on trenches


As the old expression goes, “Games are won and lost in the trenches.”

New Arizona Cardinals General Manager Monti Ossenfort is definitely a subscriber to that philosophy.

“I think the line of scrimmage is where every game is won or lost,” Ossenfort said while speaking with Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Wednesday. “I think it’s a focus … being able to control the offensive line of scrimmage and on defense, being able to disrupt the line of scrimmage.

“A big tenant of what I believe in the offensive line is versatility. … If you’re a one position guy on the offensive line, you better do it at a high level. If you look up and down our depth chart, we have a lot of guys who have experience at multiple positions.”

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For his first draft as GM, Ossenfort spent the club’s first round draft pick, No. 6 overall, on Paris Johnson Jr., who’s currently first in the depth chart at right tackle. They also drafted Jon Gaines II, who’s currently the backup right guard.

Other notes from his interview with Wolf & Luke:

— On building a winning culture: “There’s a football component on the field, then there’s also a makeup component  makeup of a player that goes into it as well. Anybody we bring in here we want to be made of the right stuff: Mature, accountable, dependable, tough team. First, that’s at the forefront of our mind. It’s hard, it’s hard to win in this league. We have to go with the right players, and the right mindset.”

— On wins and losses in 2023: “The main goal for us is growth, improvement, continuing to develop our players, both young and old. … We’re asking guys to do different things than we’ve ever done. We’re trying to win every week. I’d like to tell you we’re going to go 17-and-0, well, I’ll make a bold prediction for you, we’re probably not. … We’re going to improve in all aspects of our football operations.”

— On the competition for backup running back behind James Conner: “I think there’s competition behind that. It’s just like every position on our team. If there’s a chance somewhere along the line we can improve our roster somewhere, we’ll will look at every avenue to do that. If not, we’re happy with the guys we have now.”

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— When speaking of the progress of quarterback Clayton Tune: “There’s a lot of good competition in (the quarterback) room. We have a long way to go here, but I’m happy with the progress we’ve had down at that position.”

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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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Arizona official who delayed county’s 2022 election certification didn’t have immunity, court says

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Arizona official who delayed county’s 2022 election certification didn’t have immunity, court says


PHOENIX (AP) — An appeals court has rejected an Arizona official’s argument that felony charges against him for delaying certification of his rural county’s 2022 election results should be dismissed because he has legislative immunity.

In an order Tuesday, the Arizona Court of Appeals concluded Cochise County Supervisor Tom Crosby’s duty to certify the election results wasn’t discretionary. The court also said certifying election results is an administrative responsibility and that legislative immunity doesn’t apply to Crosby’s situation.

Crosby and Cochise County Supervisor Peggy Judd, both Republicans, were criminally charged after they balked at certifying the results. Two months ago, Judd pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failing to perform her duty as an election officer and was sentenced to probation.

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Crosby has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and interference with an election officer. His trial is scheduled for Jan. 30.

Dennis Wilenchik, one of Crosby’s lawyers, said his client will ask the state Supreme Court to review the matter. Wilenchik said moving the certification’s date by a few days wasn’t a criminal act and that Crosby should be immunized.

“If it’s just a rubber stamp then why is it (certification) needed at all?” Wilenchik said.

The Cochise County results were ultimately certified past the deadline after a judge ordered Judd and Crosby to carry out their legal duties. Judd and Supervisor Ann English, the board’s lone Democrat, finally approved the canvass, allowing the statewide certification to go forward as scheduled.



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