Arizona
Real ID second thoughts: Can you switch back to a standard Arizona license?

Real ID deadline: Here’s what you need to know about airline travel
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Patricia Mancha of the Transportation Security Administration and Bill Lamoreaux of the state Department of Transportation explain the upcoming Real ID deadline of May 7, 2025, for Arizonans.
As the May 7 Real ID deadline looms closer, maybe you’ve gotten your Real ID and are having second thoughts.
Maybe you have security and privacy concerns about the ID − concerns that explain why the American Civil Liberties Union is opposed to Real ID enforcement.
Is it possible to switch back to a regular driver’s license if you have second thoughts about a Real ID?
It depends on the state.
In Arizona, where motorists have the option of selecting a standard license that is not federally compliant or selecting the Real ID-compliant Arizona Travel ID, those who have the Travel ID can switch back.
Still, demand for the Arizona Travel ID is high as people prepare for the rollout of the new rules for passing airport security and boarding airplanes. About 85% of Arizonans applying for drivers licenses are choosing the Travel ID instead of the standard license, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Get the Arizona news you need. Sign up for AZ Briefing from azcentral.
I have Real ID but I have second thoughts. Can I switch back?
Yes, you can switch back from Real ID to an ordinary Arizona driver’s license, ADOT spokesman Bill Lamoreaux said.
“The Arizona Travel ID (Real ID) is an option for those that fly domestically or need to access secure federal buildings such as the federal courts or military bases,” he said.
“The standard Arizona driver’s license or ID cards are still acceptable forms of identification for other purposes. Someone wishing to downgrade from the Arizona Travel ID to a standard credential would pay the age-appropriate fee” to obtain the ID, Lamoreaux said.
Those fees are as follows, according to ADOT:
- Age 50 and older: $10.
- Ages 45-49: $15.
- Ages 40-44: $20.
- Age 39 and younger: $25.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

Arizona
Do Arizona Cardinals Have Enough to Compete in 2025?

ARIZONA — The Arizona Cardinals have talent on both sides of the ball entering 2025 – but is it enough to compete?
Is next season truly postseason-or-bust for Jonathan Gannon’s squad? What’s the pressure facing figures such as Kyler Murray and Drew Petzing?
The Cardinals have plenty of questions, and so too do their fans – which allowed us to answer a few mailbag questions on the Cardinals on SI podcast:
The Cardinals didn’t make any personnel changes to the offensive side of the ball – which wasn’t by design according to general manager Monti Ossenfort – but there is confidence that group will figure things out.
“I think the offense will take another jump. I do. We’ve got some guys coming off injury that are going to be back to help us out,” Ossenfort said following the draft.
“I think (TE) Trey (McBride) is still an ascending player. I think (WR) Marvin (Harrison Jr.), (WR) Michael Wilson, (WR) Greg Dortch, (WR) Zay Jones, (WR) Xavier Weaver, I think all those guys can take a jump in our offense. I think our offensive line played well last year. I think it’s a good group. I think that the whole group’s going to have a chance to ascend and build on what they did last year.”
Cardinals legend Calais Campbell re-signed with the organization this offseason and believes something special is brewing in the desert.
“Every team has high aspirations going into the season. This team’s no different … I think that everything is on the table for us,” Campbell said. “It’s a lot of work. You got to do everything you’re supposed to do … but this team is special. I believe it has all the tools to make a run.
“It could be a great story, being here and coming back, it would be an incredible story. We all have dreams and we’ll see if it comes to fruition or not, but I’m eager for that opportunity.”
Arizona was once leading the NFC West at 6-4 last year before stumbling and crashing at the end of 2024, ultimately missing the postseason.
The Cardinals knew they were just a few pieces away from competing and promptly added talented vets such as Campbell, Josh Sweat and Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency before drafting names such as Walter Nolen and Will Johnson among others.
Arizona
Some relief from extreme heat is not too far away

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Extreme heat continues through Friday, but some cooler temperatures are on the way along with signs of the start of monsoon.
Friday will bring extreme heat with highs still running in the 105° to 110° range and we’ll also see wildfire risk climbing.
Gusty wind arrives and will continue through the weekend which, combined with the heat and already dry conditions, will make for very high wildfire risk throughout southern Arizona.
Fortunately, a little monsoon moisture is appearing on the horizon and will bring a slight chance of thunderstorms to southeastern Arizona as early as this weekend towards Douglas.
For Tucson and vicinity, it appears the best chance of rain will occur Tuesday as moisture moves a little farther to the northwest.
Let’s hope monsoon gets started to bring some relief from the heat!
Cochise County Forecast
Cochise County Forecast
MORE WEATHER
WEATHER STATS AND FACTS
Arizona
Suspect in Arizona Rangers' death killed by Missouri troopers

PHOENIX — A man suspected of killing his mother and stepfather, who were Arizona Rangers, earlier this week died in a shootout with police in Missouri on Tuesday.
Francis Alcantar Chavez, 23, was suspected in the murders of Troy Templeton, 62, and Cynthia Templeton, 53, who were shot inside their northern Arizona home on Sunday.
Details on suspect police shootout in Missouri
Cynthia Templeton’s ex-husband reported the shooting, while returning two children to the home, according to authorities.
Within hours Snowflake-Taylor police identified Alcantar Chavez as a suspect and put out an alert on his car.
Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers located Alcantar Chavez’s car in Concordia and pursued him, according to authorities.
Alcantar Chavez ran into a trooper’s vehicle and took off, with law enforcement chasing after him.
During the pursuit, Alcantar Chavez fired at one of the troopers, striking the trooper in his bullet-resistant vest.
Missouri troopers then exchanged gunfire, killing Alcantar Chavez.
Details on death of Arizona Rangers
The Arizona Rangers are a uniformed unit that assists federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in the state.
Officers with the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department found the Templetons’ bodies after responding to a call, police said.
The home is in Taylor, a town about 180 miles northeast of downtown Phoenix in Navajo County.
“This is a tragic loss for the community and the Arizona Rangers. We wish to thank police Chief (Robert) Martin and all of the agencies and officers involved in this investigation,” Col. Barry J. Adams, state commander of the Arizona Rangers, said in a statement.
-
Culture1 week ago
A Murdered Journalist’s Unfinished Book About the Amazon Gets Completed and Published
-
Education1 week ago
What Happens to Harvard if Trump Successfully Bars Its International Students?
-
News1 week ago
Trumps to Attend ‘Les Misérables’ at Kennedy Center
-
Arizona2 days ago
Suspect in Arizona Rangers' death killed by Missouri troopers
-
World1 week ago
Sudan’s paramilitary RSF say they seized key zone bordering Egypt, Libya
-
Technology1 week ago
Google is shutting down Android Instant Apps over ‘low’ usage
-
News1 week ago
Elon Musk says some of his social media posts about Trump 'went too far'
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
‘Surviving Ohio State’ Review: HBO’s Sexual Abuse Doc Is Thorough and Persuasive, but Lacks a New Smoking Gun