Arizona
Federal freeze could impact migrant and after-school programs in Arizona
YUMA, AZ (AZFamily) — A $6 billion freeze on federal education funding is putting pressure on school districts across the country, and Arizona educators say the impact could hit vulnerable students the hardest.
In Yuma County, migrant families rely on summer and after-school programs to keep their children learning. With federal funds now on hold, school officials say they’re facing difficult decisions about whether those programs will return next year.
For families like Gloria’s, the migrant education program made a lasting impact. “Because we didn’t have the funds to pay for those things, and that’s how they graduated,” she said.
Her children are now adults with careers, but as a grandmother, she worries about what will happen if funding goes away. “It’s very important that they don’t take it out because they do help a lot,” she said.
Arizona is currently facing a $118 million freeze in education funds that were expected to be distributed at the beginning of July. According to the U.S. Department of Education, those funds are under review. That includes money for programs supporting migrant students and English language learners.
Some parents are speaking about the potential cuts and their impact. “The main purpose of them coming here is to learn English, right? And to have an opportunity like we do,” said Patricia Lopez, a Yuma resident.
Arizona has more than 10,000 migratory students. An elementary district in San Luis has already warned it may need to cut key programs if the funding isn’t restored.
Josh Stine with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley said the funding freeze is already raising concerns across the Phoenix area. He said about 10 school sites in the Cartwright School District No. 83 and Mesa Public Schools could be affected.
“Our most vulnerable kids would be the ones impacted the most,” Stine said.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which helps fund Boys & Girls Clubs across the state, is also part of the freeze. Stine said the delay could result in $1.3 million in lost funding and affect thousands of students and families who rely on the program.
“The funds have been set aside and they are in the budget, let’s release them and get them out to our districts so we can serve families,” said Stine.
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Arizona
Wrong-way driver caught on cam, ASU battles Arizona for Territorial Cup | Nightly Roundup
PHOENIX – From the terrifying moment caught on camera of a wrong-way driver on I-10, to the duel in the desert as ASU takes on Arizona for the rivalry game, here’s a look at your top stories on FOX10Phoenix.com for Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.
1. Wrong-way driver caught on camera
What we know:
During the late night hours of Thanksgiving, a white pickup truck was seen heading the wrong way on Interstate 10’s HOV lane near Baseline Road.
2. Man found lying near roadway prompts hit-and-run investigation
3. Suspect in custody after shooting at South Phoenix apartment
4. Officers use less-lethal means to detain road rage suspect
5. ASU vs. U of A: Fans gear up for rivalry game
A peak at your weather this weekend
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Arizona
Arizona pair celebrates decade of friendship that started with wrong text
MESA, AZ (AZFamily) — What began as a mistaken text message has blossomed into a 10-year Thanksgiving tradition that continues to capture hearts worldwide.
Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench are celebrating their tenth consecutive Thanksgiving together, a friendship that started in 2016 when Dench accidentally texted the then-17-year-old Hinton, thinking she was inviting her grandson to dinner.
“There are no accidents. It was meant to be,” Dench said.
The mix-up occurred when Dench sent a Thanksgiving dinner invitation to the wrong phone number. When Hinton responded asking who was texting, Dench replied it was grandma.
“I get this text back saying who is this and I said its grandma and the next message was well send me a picture,” Dench said.
Friendship grows through life’s challenges
What could have been a forgettable mistake transformed into an annual reunion. The pair have supported each other through significant life events, including the death of Dench’s husband in 2020 and her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment last year.
“We just all clicked. It was amazing. We spent hours talking. There was no generation gap. It was just fun and joyful and exciting,” Dench said.
“I love it to spend thanksgiving with so many different types of people,” Hinton said.
The friendship has provided mutual support during difficult times.
“I was able to talk with Jamal and he’s always given me encouragement and I’ve been very blessed,” Dench said.
“It feels like a best friend. She feels like someone you can talk to about anything. So when you go through anything I call her all the time. She answers her phone,” Hinton said.
Both consider each other family now.
“Jamal will always be in my inner circle of family,” Dench said.
“Family she’s family no matter what,” Hinton said.
This year’s celebration was sponsored by Green Giant.
Last year, the pair met virtually while Dench was battling cancer, making this year’s in-person reunion particularly meaningful.
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Arizona
Northern Arizona University’s Lumberjacks band marches in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Talk about being in a New York State of Mind!
Northern Arizona University’s Lumberjacks Marching Band is making some State 48 history this week by becoming the first college marching band from Arizona to perform in the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City!
We caught up with the band’s director and one of the drum majors while they were in the Big Apple. They’ve been practicing quite a bit, including performing in Central Park.
“It seriously has been incredible,” says Sebastian Cisneros-Ortega, an NAU junior who is part of the school’s drum majors and is also a graduate of Paradise Valley High School.
Performing in Central Park is really just the opening act as the Lumberjacks gear up for their biggest audience yet – millions of people in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“It’s been absolutely wild,” says Sebastian. “I am still processing the fact that we made it. It’s truly been magical and a dream come true and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world.”
And it sounds like Sebastian and his more than 250 other bandmates are getting rave reviews already.
“The crowd just grew bigger and bigger and bigger, and we were all sitting there, like, oh my gosh! They’re here to see us and what Arizona has to offer!”
It all started for NAU 18 months ago when they found out they’d be performing. The school posted a video on its YouTube page to highlight the moment students found out.
“It’s about giving our students [opportunities] that other bands across the country have and it’s putting them on the national stage and recognizing their amazing hard work,” explains band director Stephen Meyer.
Meyer made it to the iconic parade once before in 2009 as a band director for a high school in the Midwest.
Meyer says this moment is about helping his students hit high notes along the parade route – and also in life.
“Hard work pays off,” Meyer says. “And anything really is possible!”
“If we work hard enough, anything can be possible,” says Sebastian. “With our hard work, with our effort, our dedication, we can make these great things work!”
NAU will perform three songs during the parade – and before that, will take part in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony with none other than Wicked star Cynthia Erivo!
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