AGP Executive Report

Sports Radio: Double T Sports Network is ready for NFL Week 1 with live broadcasts, including Cowboys-Giants Sunday night, plus Patriots-Seahawks and 49ers-Rams (Australia) on the opening slate. Arizona Football Spotlight: Arizona Wildcats coach Brent Brennan says last year’s double-overtime loss to BYU is “in the past” as the teams meet again Saturday in Provo. College Football Buzz: Missouri jumped to No. 23 in the Coaches Poll after its Week 1 win, setting up a Kansas matchup Friday. Tech & Privacy: Cities are increasingly swapping surveillance tech—Axon license plate readers are expanding as scrutiny of Flock Safety grows. Health & Culture: KJZZ’s Sun Up and The Show cover Arizona COVID and flu season outlooks, plus new ASU wildfire-mapping work. Local Arts/Community: Peoria Florist is leaning into a modern local model with a Vistancia presence, same-day delivery, and online ordering. Anime in Phoenix: Saboten Con returns with big cosplay energy across downtown hotels.

Arizona Sports Spotlight: ASU heads to Kyle Field for a huge Week 2 test at No. 8 Texas A&M after its 70-7 opener, and Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham is bracing for the “100,000 fans” atmosphere. Local Football Update: The Cardinals’ rookie RB Jeremiyah Love is trending toward Week 1 return from an ankle sprain, but expectations are tempered with Tyler Allgeier likely handling most of the load. NFL Betting Buzz: Super Bowl 61 odds put the Rams on top, while Arizona and Miami sit at the long end of the board. MLB Night Lights: Jesus Luzardo struck out 12 and threw a two-hit shutout as the Phillies edged the Braves 1-0, with Kyle Schwarber’s homer doing the damage. Arizona Baseball Angle: The D-backs kept their playoff push moving, outlasting the Royals in extra innings. Viral Travel Story: A Tucson real estate agent fired after being duct-taped to his American Airlines seat following a violent first-class meltdown. Big Picture (Trade): Canada’s retaliatory tariffs took effect, and Trump escalated the fight by threatening to block Bombardier jet sales in the U.S. Arts & Entertainment: Brandon Moreno talks up his Noche UFC return in Glendale on Sept. 12.

ASU Hockey Crisis: Arizona State hockey prospect Matthew Mayich remains in a coma after a military-style outdoor workout in extreme heat; his family’s attorney says it was exertional heat stroke that caused oxygen loss to the brain, while teammates are reportedly “scared” to speak amid an investigation. Local Food Relief: Maricopa County’s Wilson School District is tackling food insecurity by opening a free grocery pantry where families shop twice a month, choosing what they need. MLB Injury/Update (AZ impact): D-backs-related news includes Geraldo Perdomo’s helmet-hit injury after a 93-mph line drive, with the team saying he’s under observation and expected back soon. Sports Schedule Buzz: BYU unveils a uniform combo for its Big 12 opener vs. Arizona, setting up a highly anticipated matchup. UFC in Glendale: UFC Noche UFC lands Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena in Tempe/Glendale area, with Paramount+ carrying the main card. Arts/Pop Culture: Robert Pattinson teases that “The Batman – Part II” will deliver a “radical retelling” of a key Batman moment as production continues in the UK.

Local Governance: San Tan Valley’s new sales tax isn’t active yet, so some businesses are charging it early—town officials say receipts showing the higher rate aren’t valid and residents should seek refunds. Arts & Community: Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is pushing to win USA Today’s Best Haunted title, asking fans to vote daily through Sept. 17. Sports (Arizona): The Diamondbacks keep their playoff hopes alive after a hard-fought series win over the Astros, tightening the wild-card race. Sports (NFL): Larry Fitzgerald is back at Lambeau Field—this time as a dad—watching his son’s Notre Dame debut in the Shamrock Series. Travel & Safety: U.S. officials restricted official activities and travel to Nogales to essential daylight movement amid an unspecified threat. Tech/Health: A new survey finds “optimization anxiety” is rising as Americans track sleep and health data more obsessively.

Arizona Arts & Community: Cary’s Curated Concert Series brings award-winning soul and R&B vocalists Kathy Kosins and Teri Tobin to the Cary Arts Center on Sept. 19, pitching the show as affordable, warm, and built to reach more diverse audiences. NFL Leadership: Roger Goodell gets a four-year contract extension through the 2030 season, keeping him in the commissioner role into 2031, with compensation described as heavily performance-based. ASU Football Buzz: Cutter Boley’s debut start for Arizona State turns into a statement—387 yards and six TDs over a rout of Morgan State—while the Sun Devils’ revamped receiver room (led by Reed Harris and Omarion Miller) looks like it’s ready to carry the offense. BYU Injury Update: Key BYU players are hurt after a 63-7 win over Utah Tech, including a scary leg injury to safety Raider Damuni. Sports Betting Promo Roundup: Kalshi, DraftKings, Fanatics, and bet365 all push new Labor Day weekend offers, with Arizona included for several sign-up bonuses.

College Football (Arizona): Arizona State rolled past Morgan State 70-7 in Tempe, with Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley throwing for 387 yards and six TDs in a record-setting Sun Devils debut. College Football (Arizona): Arizona’s Noah Fifita hit two TD passes as the Wildcats shut down Northern Arizona 35-7, moving into second place on ASU’s career passing list while the defense held NAU to minus-7 rushing yards. Local Sports Culture: Tucson Comic-Con returns this weekend with nearly 500 exhibitors, plus cosplay, gaming, panels, and screenings at the Tucson Convention Center. Wildlife & Outdoors: Arizona marked “Apache Trout Day” after the Apache trout’s historic delisting, celebrating the recovery work of tribes, agencies, and anglers. MLB (Arizona): Ketel Marte’s massive game-tying homer helped the Diamondbacks keep pace in the NL wild-card race, as Arizona’s offense fought back late. Music: Collective Soul is leaning into ’80s energy on its new album “Touch and Go,” with the band set for a Scottsdale stop Sept. 26.

Election Security Debate: Arizona secretary of state candidates clashed on whether elections are safe and secure, with incumbent Adrian Fontes arguing Arizona has been secure “for a long time.” Sports Media Buzz: Dianna Russini’s reported comeback sweep is heating up, with Barstool Sports emerging as the favorite to hire her after The Athletic’s investigation. College Football Spotlight: ESPN’s College GameDay kicks off its tour with LSU vs. Clemson in Lane Kiffin’s first Baton Rouge game, while Week 1 betting promos are everywhere for Arizona fans. Arizona Arts & Music: Tucson’s long-running concert series is going quiet for only the second time in 70-plus years. Local Permits: Maricopa County permit reports include a new Black Rock Coffee and a major school building project at Maricopa High School. Tucson Tragedy: A hate-crime investigation follows a deadly shooting outside a Tucson gay bar, leaving three dead.

Arizona Football Game Day: The University of Arizona kicks off its season opener vs. Northern Arizona at Casino Del Sol Stadium, with students and nearby businesses gearing up for a big watch-party buzz around Main Gate Square and new game-day retail energy. Local Arts & Community: A volunteer-led photography story highlights how the Verde Valley Photographic Society and new Center for Lens Arts keep Arizona creative communities growing. Music/Pop Culture: San Francisco’s Grateful Dead exhibit debuts a rare psychedelic “Furthur” bus, bringing decades of fan culture into a major public spotlight. Northern Arizona Education: Coconino Community College’s “Bright from the Start” bond projects mark its next chapter as design work moves forward for new Allied Health facilities. Sports Business & Betting: MLB says spring training starts Feb. 19 in Florida and Arizona, while the week also features heavy college football betting promo chatter and referral-code promos. Scam Awareness: A Gemini-powered scam-dispute story shows how people can push back on questionable medical billing and pursue charge disputes. Arizona Sports Health: ASU hockey player Matthew Mayich’s family’s attorney calls for an independent investigation after the player collapsed during a workout.

Arizona Education & Campaign Rules: A complaint alleges Arizona superintendent candidate Teresa Leyba Ruiz broke state law by campaigning in public schools and posting campus photos/videos, reigniting debate over what’s allowed on school grounds. Local Sports Kickoff: The Arizona Wildcats open the 2026 season Saturday night vs. Northern Arizona at Casino Del Sol Stadium, with Native American Heritage Game festivities and a free pregame “Bear Down Bash.” Wellness Research: ASU researchers report yoga and Pilates are linked to lower risk of death, while many other popular alternative practices show no clear longevity benefit. Mental Health Access: Crisis Text Line data finds Mountain West residents are more likely to mention suicide in crisis texts, pointing to rural barriers like isolation and fewer resources. MLB Spring Training: MLB says spring training could start Feb. 19 in Florida and Arizona if labor peace holds. Weekend Picks & Plans: Labor Day weekend roundup highlights family-friendly events and live music, plus MLB betting previews for Sept. 4.

Local Arts & Culture: Nathan Stark joined the management team of Encompass Arts, bringing more than 20 years as a professional opera singer and promising a busy season ahead. Tech & Education: ASU hosted an AI Day expo showing new AI classes, majors, and tools, including fashion-focused coursework and student/staff AI bot customization. Sports—Arizona Spotlight: Arizona’s Noah Fifita and the Wildcats keep guard up vs. Northern Arizona as the season opener approaches, with local hype building around the matchup. Community & Safety: Yuma City Council approved a new biosolids removal and disposal contract with AgTech, extending a decades-long partnership while residents continue raising concerns about operations. Health Access: Updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available at CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic nationwide, with appointments and walk-ins offered. Major Local Sports Story: ASU hockey player Matthew Mayich remains in a coma after collapsing during an outdoor team workout, as family and lawyers press for answers.

Arizona Cardinals: Michael Wilson is staying put. The team agreed to a three-year, $75M extension (up to $78M reported), keeping the 26-year-old WR under contract through 2029 after a 2025 breakout (78 catches, 1,006 yards, 7 TDs). ASU & Sports Safety: The family of ASU hockey player Matthew Mayich, still hospitalized after collapsing during an outdoor workout in extreme heat, is pushing for answers and accountability as the university reviews what happened. Local Music: Crescent Ballroom marks 15 years with an all-day Oct. 3 celebration in Phoenix featuring a lineup of Arizona artists, plus DJs and trivia/karaoke. College Football Season: Week 1 is here, and Fubo is pitching itself as the easiest way to stream the slate. Northern Arizona Guide: FlagLive! drops its 2026 Flagstaff Student Guide, spotlighting dark skies, trails, and local nightlife for NAU students. Sports Media Watch: The Athletic says former NFL reporter Dianna Russini violated newsroom standards over her relationship with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, though it found most coverage wasn’t biased. Business/Arts-Adjacent: ERE Healthcare Real Estate Advisors helped complete the sale of Banner Surgery Center - Gilbert in Mesa.

Youth Health: A new Arizona Youth Survey reports a 4.3% drop in alcohol use and broader declines in teen substance use, with 41% of students saying they’ve discussed fentanyl dangers with a parent. Community & Safety: Tucson held a candlelight vigil for two men killed outside an LGBT+ bar, as police investigate the shooting as a hate crime. Healthcare Oversight: A state audit says the Arizona Medical Board is too slow to resolve doctor complaints, missing a 180-day standard even for top-priority cases. Sports & Entertainment: ASU hockey player Matthew Mayich remains hospitalized in a coma after collapsing during an outdoor workout, while the university reviews the session and family attorneys allege grueling conditions. Arts & Culture: Composer Michael Abels is spotlighted for his opera “Omar,” based on the life story of Omar ibn Said, with the work drawing major acclaim. Local Sports Buzz: The Cardinals’ Michael Wilson extension talks reportedly show new movement, with a deal potentially coming soon.

Arizona LGBTQ+ Community: Tucson police are investigating a deadly shooting outside a gay bar as a possible hate crime, with three people killed and the suspect identified. Local Arts & Culture: Arizona Arts unveiled its fall lineup, adding fresh programming for the Valley’s arts scene. Sports Business (MLB): Tucson native Arte Moreno has sold his controlling interest in the Los Angeles Angels to Stan Kroenke’s Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, with the deal expected to close in early 2027. Tech + Learning: Montclair State University opened a new virtual reality lab aimed at training students as content creators, with Arizona State among the partners. Entertainment + Food: Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan is tied to a new Cottonwood sushi spot—Queen B Sushi—where a “Puscifer Pops” roll nods to his music career. Gambling Help in Arizona: The Arizona Department of Gaming expanded free financial counseling for people who self-exclude from gambling, after a record 651 Arizonans banned themselves. Arizona Outdoors: A proposed rollback of the Roadless Rule has preservationists warning it could open the door to more logging and mining near the Grand Canyon.

MLB Spotlight: The Phillies kept rolling in Phoenix, beating the Diamondbacks 7-1 as Bryce Harper went 4-for-4 with an RBI and Jesus Luzardo dominated on the mound. Local Sports Buzz: Cleveland’s Gavin Williams struck out a career-high 13 to lead the Guardians to a 6-1 win over Toronto. Arizona Politics & Voting: In the secretary of state debate, Adrian Fontes and Alexander Kolodin clashed over election security, with Kolodin stressing voter confidence while Fontes defended Arizona’s track record. Hate-Crime Investigation: Tucson police are investigating a deadly shooting outside a gay bar that left three dead, with the suspect carrying a note listing LGBTQIA+ businesses. ASU Hockey Health Watch: Lawyers for ASU hockey player Matthew Mayich say his recovery is “highly unlikely” after he collapsed during an outdoor workout in extreme heat, and they’re pushing for accountability and an independent review. Entertainment/Live Music: Quechan Casino Resort announced Los Ángeles Azules will perform Sept. 4. Oddball Viral Story: Pabst Blue Ribbon is offering a reward after a massive beer theft from a Southern California warehouse, including a shipment reportedly headed to Tucson.

Election Integrity Fight: Top Democrats are blasting a reported USPS plan for a “secret tracking” system that they say could disrupt mail-in voting for the 2026 election, with lawmakers calling it faulty and untested. Local Arts & Culture: Tucson Comic-Con is set to bring major pop-culture names including William Shatner and Lou Ferrigno, plus Arizona-based creators on the floor. Native Arts & Community: Flagstaff’s Hopi Arts & Cultural Festival drew crowds with Hopi artists, dancers, and a fashion show at the mall. Sports Spotlight: Clemson coach Dabo Swinney named Christopher Vizzina the Week 1 starter at QB against LSU, while also praising Arizona’s own Tait Reynolds as a factor. Public Safety/Travel: Grand Canyon flash flooding left at least two dead and one person missing, with dozens reported rescued. Health & Wellness: Phoenix hypnotherapist Dr. William Deihl is promoting hypnosis as a way to break automatic smoking/vaping habits.

MLB Wild-Card Race: The Phillies edged the Diamondbacks 2-1 in Phoenix to stay tied atop the NL wild-card chase, while Ketel Marte returned after missing 13 games and faced a mixed crowd reaction. Local Sports Spotlight: The D-backs’ Marte addressed his “moment of frustration” after going AWOL in Boston, and the team continues to juggle lineup and injury updates as September heats up. Tucson Tragedy: Police are investigating a triple shooting outside a Tucson gay bar as a possible hate crime, with officials saying the suspect carried a note listing LGBTQIA+-associated businesses. Arts & Culture: Norteño trio Carlos y Charlos are set for a free Eagle concert Sept. 10, with Spoon Circus also performing. Outdoor & Heritage: Flagstaff marks its Silver Jubilee as the world’s first International Dark Sky City, celebrating decades of night-sky protection. Community & Education: Scottsdale’s Saguaro High launches a Construction Management CTE pathway to build job-ready skills for students.