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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s split from Democrats shows party discord in Arizona

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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s split from Democrats shows party discord in Arizona


PHOENIX — Kyrsten Sinema received Democrats a U.S. Senate seat from Arizona for the primary time in a era thanks in no small half to unity in her occasion and division amongst Republicans.

That Democratic unity of 2018 was on show once more within the subsequent two election cycles because the occasion picked up Arizona’s different Senate seat and received the highest three state workplaces.

However that profitable method is in jeopardy forward of the 2024 election due to Sinema’s estrangement and subsequent divorce from the Democratic Celebration, which may complicate President Joe Biden’s path to reelection and the occasion’s hopes for sustaining management of the Senate. She registered as an unbiased shortly after final yr’s midterm elections.

Democrats are already voicing fears {that a} three-way race with Sinema selecting up votes from each Democrats and independents may hand the seat to a Republican akin to Kari Lake, the failed gubernatorial candidate and one of many nation’s most distinguished election deniers.

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“If there have been ever a time for her to take heed to her constituents for as soon as, it’d be now,” mentioned Alex Gomez, govt director of the Latino organizing group Dwelling United for Change in Arizona, which has tangled with Sinema for years. “She must step apart. The potential candidacy of a Kari Lake presents a transparent and current hazard to our democracy.”

Sinema has not mentioned whether or not she’s going to search reelection, and Lake has not introduced a Senate marketing campaign. However the race already has a Democratic candidate in U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Latino navy veteran who kicked off his marketing campaign final month after spending years as certainly one of Sinema’s chief antagonists.

Gallego says he raised greater than $1 million on his first day within the race, capitalizing on pent-up anger with Sinema amongst Democrats.

The Senate race shouldn’t be the one new signal of Democratic division within the state. The Arizona Democratic Celebration final month had its first contested election for chair in 12 years, pitting a candidate backed by Gov. Katie Hobbs in opposition to one backed by many of the state’s different elected Democrats.

The occasion elected longtime union chief Yolanda Bejarano, who was endorsed by U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, Gallego and others, bucking the custom of deferring to the desire of a Democratic governor. Hobbs mentioned Thursday she had not but spoken to Bejarano — practically per week after the election.

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The occasion discord in Arizona reverberates past the state.

Subsequent yr, Democrats, who’ve a slender 51-49 Senate majority, are defending seats in 23 states — together with seven the place Donald Trump received no less than as soon as. That features Arizona, the place Trump received in 2016 however the place Biden turned the primary Democratic presidential candidate to hold the state in additional than 20 years.

Sinema’s political profession started with roots within the progressive left and antiwar motion. She first ran for workplace as a Inexperienced Celebration candidate and misplaced badly, later profitable a state legislative seat as a Democrat. She remade herself as a average within the U.S. Home and parlayed that popularity right into a Senate victory.

Her 2018 Senate win was fueled by various elements, together with the state’s altering demographics, contempt for Trump amongst suburban girls and Sinema’s spending benefit over Republican Martha McSally.

However McSally’s 2018 marketing campaign strategists laid a few of the blame for her loss on Democratic unity behind Sinema and Republican infighting. With Democrats in lockstep, Sinema had a head begin on reaching out to swing voters, whereas McSally targeted on holding the GOP collectively to win her main, marketing campaign officers wrote in a memo that circulated extensively after the election.

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When Sinema was sworn into workplace in 2019, Trump was within the White Home, Republicans had been in charge of each chambers of Congress and Democrats had been unified in opposition.

However her relationship with the occasion ruptured throughout Biden’s presidency as she teamed up with fellow average Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and have become a roadblock for elements of the president’s agenda and plenty of progressive priorities.

She is likely one of the Senate’s most vociferous defenders of the filibuster rule, which requires 60 of 100 votes to go most laws, and which many Democrats say empowers Republicans to overrule the desire of the Democratic majority.

Sinema says she’s targeted on crafting bipartisan offers that may outlive anyone occasion’s management of Congress and factors to victories, together with an enormous infrastructure invoice and protections for same-sex marriage.

Her transformation from liberal rabble-rouser into Democratic irritant has left the bottom feeling indignant and betrayed simply 4 years after her victory introduced Arizona Democrats in from the chilly.

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“So long as Sinema’s off the workforce, that’s all that issues,” mentioned Dave Crose, a 67-year-old retired mechanical engineer from Solar Metropolis who voted for Sinema in 2018 however has grown disillusioned along with her.

“That’s a nasty factor to say, however she screwed everybody within the state, so payback’s her hell,” he mentioned.

For Democrats, lengthy shut out from the halls of energy, profitable was sufficient to paper over ideological divides, however now they’ve proven they will win and it wasn’t a fluke.

“When you’ve gotten energy, everybody needs a chunk and there’s really one thing to struggle over,” mentioned Barrett Marson, a Republican political marketing consultant in Phoenix aligned with the occasion’s institution wing.

One factor Democrats have going for them: Republicans aren’t prone to be any much less divided than they’ve been since Trump took over the occasion in 2016.

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With the Sinema vs. Gallego drama elevating some uncomfortable questions, Democrats in Arizona and Washington have tried to place off selecting sides.

Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., mentioned after Gallego’s announcement that “it’s a lot too early to decide” in regards to the 2024 race.

Kelly additionally declined to wade too deeply into the dynamics of a possible three-way race, saying “there’s loads of time” to kind it out.

“I’m not going to get forward of Sen. Sinema on this,” he instructed reporters on the Capitol. “I’m going to work with each of of them.”

Notably, nevertheless, Hobbs subtly steered she wouldn’t be supporting her previous buddy Sinema. Hobbs and Sinema are each former social employees who campaigned collectively for the state Legislature a decade in the past, Sinema getting elected to the Senate and Hobbs to the Home.

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Congratulating the brand new Arizona Democratic Celebration management workforce on Twitter, Hobbs wrote that she seems ahead to serving to the occasion “win again our US Home & Senate seats.”

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Arizona

Fantasy football outlook: Arizona Cardinals WR preview

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Fantasy football outlook: Arizona Cardinals WR preview


Few teams have experienced the turnover among its receivers as the Cardinals. In the last two years, they’ve parted ways with DeAndre Hopkins, Zach Ertz, Brown and Moore. There are more questions than answers as to how the pecking order will play out behind Harrison.

Harrison is likely to land at the back end of the WR1 fantasy picks in a 12-team league – anyone who gets him as a WR2 will be lighting up a draft night victory cigar. He’s that good.

As for the rest of this crew? The incumbent No. 1 receiver coming in is tight end Trey McBride. In the eight games Murray played when he came back last season, he completed 53 passes to McBride. He became Arizona’s version of Travis Kelce and, when a tight end has been a team’s leading receiver, that has historically been problematic for wide receivers other than the lead dog.

Wilson is worthy of WR5/No. 6 consideration, because he’s clearly the WR2 option in an offense with a dynamic quarterback. Wilson will be taken late enough that he won’t be counted on as a must-start but instead a role player with upside to grow. Dortch is merely a deep best-ball flier because of his history with Murray.

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Jones and Pascal don’t have any fantasy value, barring injuries to those in front of them.



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AriZona Iced Tea remains committed to 99-cent price

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AriZona Iced Tea remains committed to 99-cent price


(KTLA) — AriZona Iced Tea will keep its 99-cent price tag for the “foreseeable future,” Don Vultaggio, brand chairman and founder, said in a recent interview with “Today.”

“We’re successful, we’re debt free, we own everything,” he said. “Why have people who are having a hard time paying their rent pay more for their drink?” Vultaggio said during the interview.

Vultaggio described keeping the prices of the popular drink low as his way of giving back.

He isn’t alone in this way of thinking either.

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Gary Millerchip, Costco’s CFO and executive vice president, announced in May that the $1.50 hot dog combo will be safe from price increases.

Lynsi Snyder, the president of the beloved In-N-Out Burger chain, also said she fought to keep prices down in California after the state’s new fast-food minimum wage law took effect on April 1, raising the base rate from $16 to $20 per hour.

“I was sitting in VP meetings going toe-to-toe saying, ‘We can’t raise the prices that much, we can’t,’” Snyder told “Today” during another interview.

Snyder added that she felt “an obligation to look out for our customers” and said that, unlike competitors, In-N-Out wasn’t quick to raise prices.

However, some companies, especially in California, have decided to raise prices or lay off staff as business costs continue to increase.

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As for Vultaggio, he didn’t dismiss the possibility of a price increase one day, but as for now, the 99-cent price is here to stay.

“I don’t know about never, [but] not in the foreseeable future,” Vultaggio told Today. “We’re going to fight as hard as we can for consumers, because consumers are my friends.”



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These major chains are closing stores across the US. Are any Arizona locations affected?

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These major chains are closing stores across the US. Are any Arizona locations affected?


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Several major companies announced store closures in the past months.

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Walgreens is the latest to announce closures, though the number or location of the impacted stores wasn’t shared. The pharmacy chain expects a “significant portion” to shutter over the next three years. 

“We are at a point where the current pharmacy model is not sustainable and the challenges in our operating environment require we approach the market differently,” Wentworth said Thursday during the company’s quarterly earnings call.

But Walgreens isn’t the only major brand closing locations. Here’s what to know about the stores closing and any affected locations in Arizona.

Which companies are closing stores in the US?

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Endless shrimp did not cause Red Lobster to file for bankruptcy

A series of financial problems including $294 million in debt has lead seafood giant Red Lobster to file for bankruptcy.

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Walgreens announced on Thursday that it would close locations across the U.S.

Red Lobster closed nearly a hundred locations in May while filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, including one in Arizona. More locations could also be affected.

At least 44 Hooters locations had closed as of Friday, USA TODAY reported. The company attributed “pressure from current market conditions” as the reason for the closures.

Why is Walgreens closing stores? 

The Illinois-based pharmacy giant noted that 25% of its stores are underperforming.

Wentworth said in a statement, “We are addressing critical issues with urgency and working to unlock opportunities for growth. Many of these actions will take time, but I am confident that we have the right team and the right strategy to lead a business turnaround for Walgreens that our customers and patients need.”

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Walgreens is not alone in its financial troubles. The country’s largest pharmacy chains are shuttering stores. CVS and Rite Aid have had a bumpy two years with store closures and bankruptcy filings.  

In the fridge: These ice creams sold in Arizona grocery stores are being recalled. Here’s what to do

Are any Arizona Walgreens stores closing? 

The company has not announced what stores will be closing. It is unknown yet what locations in Arizona will be affected. Wentworth said the company has roughly 2,100 underperforming stores. Over the past ten years, Walgreens has closed 2,000 store locations.  

Why is Hooters closing stores?

A “select number” of Hooters restaurants will shut down due to “pressure from current market conditions,” the chain said in a statement to USA TODAY on Monday.

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“Ensuring the well-being of our staff is our priority in these rare instances,” the statement reads. “This brand of 41 years remains highly resilient and relevant. We look forward to continuing to serve our guests at home, on the go and at our restaurants here in the U.S. and around the globe.”

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Hooters hit by inflation, forced to close 40 locations across US

Hooters abruptly shut down around 40 locations across the US due to poor financial performance.

Benzinga – News

Are any Arizona Hooters locations closing?

No Hooters restaurants in Arizona appeared to be closing. All locations were listed as open on the company website, and none appeared in other media outlets’ lists of stores closing.

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There are five Hooters restaurants in Arizona, according to the company’s website.

  • 1665 S. Alma School Road in Mesa.
  • 10223 N. Metro Parkway in Phoenix.
  • 2820 N. 75th Ave. in Phoenix.
  • 7280 E. Broadway Blvd. in Tucson.
  • 1519 S. Yuma Palms Parkway in Yuma.

Why is Red Lobster closing?

According to Bloomberg, Red Lobster has been finding it difficult to make money with its current leases and labor costs. It has also been reported by CNN the company suffered a $12.5 million operating loss in the fourth quarter of 2023 despite its popular endless shrimp promotion.

By filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company would stay open while it reorganizes funds to pay off existing debt over time, seeking to continue with better financial footing.

Bloomberg also reported Red Lobster is being advised by law firm King & Spalding on the subject. Any discussions about restructuring are ongoing, and no final decisions have been made regarding a bankruptcy filing as of April 18.

Which Arizona Red Lobster locations are closing?

Before Red Lobster officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company listed some United States stores as closed. As of May 23, 2024, just one Red Lobster location in Arizona was listed as “closed” or “temporarily closed.”

  • 11695 N. Oracle Road in Oro Valley.

According to one of the documents filed in bankruptcy court, these Arizona Red Lobster locations are on the chopping block if their leases cannot be renegotiated:

  • 1521 S. Yuma Palms Parkway in Yuma.
  • 5061 N. Oracle Road in Tucson.
  • 7921 W. Bell Road in Peoria.
  • 2810 N. 75th Ave. in Phoenix.



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