ARIZONA — While fans await to see what Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. can do on an actual football field, the virtual gridiron of Madden 25 will see him put up literal video game-like numbers.

Harrison – the No. 4 overall pick – is tied with Los Angeles Chargers OT (and no. 5 pick) Joe Alt for the highest overall rating of 79 in this rookie class.

He’s the sixth-highest rated player for the Cardinals on the upcoming installment of Madden, falling behind:

Budda Baker (90 ovr)
James Conner (83 ovr)
Jalen Thompson (82 ovr)
Trey McBride (82 ovr)
Will Hernandez (80 ovr)

Sean Murphy-Bunting and Zay Jones also carry 79 overall ratings. Matt Prater (78), Kyler Murray (77) and Paris Johnson Jr. (77) are right behind.

Of course, these are just video game ratings and not reflective of what the team actually will be.

The Cardinals will host the New Orleans Saints this Saturday for what will be the first of three preseason games, though it will be the lone opportunity for Arizona fans in the desert to see him with their own eyes (the Cardinals are on the road for preseason weeks 2/3).

That’s if he plays, as Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon was a bit reluctant to say if his star rookie would take the field in just a few day’s time – you can read more about that here.

Whenever that opportunity arises, Murray is really excited to see what Harrison can do:

“He’s been good at football his whole life,” Murray said. “He’s been groomed by one of the best, his pops [Marvin Harrison Sr.], obviously a Hall of Famer.

“I have no doubt he’ll go and do his thing this year and win whenever he wants to. He’s going to be that type of guy. I know how much he loves the game if you’re just sitting there talking to him. His energy, and what he’s going to mean to the team, I think everybody should be excited about him.”

PHOENIX – Gov. Katie Hobbs announced on Tuesday that she appointed legal expert Lee Stein to the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR).

Stein joins the governing board for the state’s public universities with 25 years of legal experience, previously serving as an assistant U.S. attorney and special assistant attorney general in Arizona’s Attorney Generals Office.

As a trial lawyer, Stein has experience in white collar lawsuits and government investigations. He has been involved in cases including SEC investigations, environment and wildlife, and fraud cases.

“I am humbled by Governor Hobbs’ confidence in me,” Stein said in a press release. “I fully appreciate the importance of higher education to the state and I am looking forward to doing my part to ensure that the universities continue to provide an accessible and high quality education to Arizona students.”

Stein has represented university students accused of misconduct in the past along with Title IX litigation.

“Mr. Stein’s tenacity, self-determination and extensive experience will be instrumental in advancing higher education in our state and elevating the values that make our universities exceptional,” ABOR Chair Cecilia Mata said in a press release. “I look forward to working with him to advance the interests of Arizona’s public universities and gaining his perspectives on the unique challenges and opportunities in the evolving space of higher education.”

Who is Lee Stein?

An Arizona native, Stein graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelors in political science before earning his Juris Doctor at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law in 1988.

Stein is filling the vacancy left by Regent Bob Herbold, who resigned in February due to health reasons. Stein will finish Herbold’s term, which lasts until January 2028.

Along with his law career Stein served as a member for former U.S. Sen. John McCain’s Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee and as an adjunct professor at ASU and U of A.

“With a dedication to public service and a deep appreciation for Arizona’s universities, I have no doubt that Mr. Stein will be an effective member of the Board and will help ensure accessible and attainable higher education for everyone while safeguarding the integrity of our world-class public universities.” Hobbs said.

ABOR’s jurisdiction includes ASU, U of A and Northern Arizona University.

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Maricopa County Superior Court judge temporarily blocked on Monday some rules for ballot-drop locations that supporters said helped protect voters from intimidation.

This all centers around Democrat Secretary of State Adrian Fontes’ Election Procedure Manual that debuted in December 2023.

Judge Jennifer Ryan-Touhill said the manual’s harassment rules expanded on the criminal law, which Fontes isn’t allowed to do.

She also said voter intimidation is already illegal and that the rules were too broad and restricted free speech.

The judge pointed to items in the manual like cracking down on “unspecified ‘disruptive’ behavior,” “unspecified ‘aggressive’ behavior,” somebody raising their voice, using offensive language and questioning voters or poll workers in a “harassing manner,” the ruling stated.

The rules were also for those outside the 75-foot election boundary, which she said hindered free speech.

Fontes is likely to appeal.

Complaints were made during Arizona’s 2022 election season that people wearing masks and carrying guns were intimidating voters who bring ballots to drop boxes in Arizona.

The manual said election officials may restrict activities that interfere with access to ballot drop-off locations.

In a footnote, the manual gave examples of voter intimidation or harassment, including intentionally following someone delivering ballots to a drop box.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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