AGP Executive Report

Music & Live Shows: Jimmy Eat World and The Format will co-headline the Hollywood Bowl on Nov. 7, with Jimmy Eat World performing “Bleed American” for its 25th anniversary and The Format playing “Dog Problems” in full for its 20th. Local Arts & Education: ASU launched a bachelor’s degree in content creation and digital influencing through the Cronkite School, requiring students to build and grow a real audience on a chosen platform. Pop Culture: “American Idol” is renewed for a 25th season, with auditions kicking off Aug. 25 via “Idol Across America.” Sports Talk: A new Arizona-focused segment digs into whether Pro Football Focus grades are actually fair—or just fuel for online debate. Tucson Nights Out: A guide highlights summer evening options around the desert after dark, including zoo and museum-style events. Entertainment Business: Casino Del Sol’s new Tucson property, Vahi Taaʼam, gets a first look ahead of its Nov. 15 opening.

Arizona Sports & Local Teams: The Diamondbacks edged the Pirates 8-7 in 12 innings, with Jameson McCann’s go-ahead RBI in the 12th and Brandon Pfaadt’s seven scoreless innings helping Arizona reclaim a key wild-card spot. NFL Coaching Moves: Washington named Wes Welker tight ends coach after parting ways with Ben Steele ahead of camp, with Dan Quinn and GM Adam Peters addressing the change at Tuesday’s news conference. Arizona Spotlight (Athletics): Kadyn Hysong became Arizona’s first 18-foot pole vaulter this summer, breaking a state record set by his father, Olympic gold medalist Nick Hysong. Media & Entertainment: Nexstar is expanding local TV news with new nightly primetime broadcasts in Dallas and Phoenix starting mid-August. Arts & Culture: Mosaic Theatricals announced its 2026–2027 MainStage season, including “Falsettos” and “Always…Patsy Cline,” plus a new resident partnership at Bornemann Theatre in San Marcos.

Arizona Sports Spotlight: The Diamondbacks keep pushing for the NL wild-card, with Brandon Pfaadt set to face the Pirates Tuesday night after a five-start win streak since late June. Local Crime & Safety: A Laveen man on probation was arrested for allegedly posing as a teenage girl online to sexually exploit a 15-year-old boy. Missing Persons Update: Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case is still active and he’s “still positive” it will be solved as Savannah Guthrie releases another plea. Arts & Culture: Morean Center for Clay announces “Apricity,” a Dani Lewis solo exhibition opening Aug. 8. Music Tour Buzz: Tyla announces her first-ever global “A*POP” world tour, with a Phoenix stop on the North American run. Baseball Community: Tucson’s Mexican Baseball Fiesta returns this fall, celebrating the “quinceañera” of the event with food, music, and mascots.

Local Crime & Safety: Savannah Guthrie renewed her plea to Nancy Guthrie’s kidnappers, posting “Tell us where to look for her” as the search nears six months after the Tucson-area disappearance. Arizona Sports (MLB): Brandon Lowe drove in Billy Cook with a 10th-inning single to lift the Pirates over the Diamondbacks 3-2, tightening the NL wild-card race. Injury Update (Prospects): Athletics prospect Ryan Lasko says he’s regained sensation in parts of his legs after a June collision that fractured C6-C7. College Hoops (UNLV): Josh Pastner clarified UNLV isn’t “for sale,” after comments about needing an “owner” to compete in the NIL era. Youth Sports: Cactus Shadows will add girls flag football this fall, joining a growing push for the sport in Arizona schools. Tech/Branding: TelicX unveiled its A.D.A.M. AI for car dealers, and Lexus brought its “Discover Your Energy” pop-up to Scottsdale. Music: Jimmy Eat World brought big singalong energy to Warped Tour’s Vans Stage, 25 years after “Bleed American.”

NFL & Cardinals: Jacoby Brissett’s contract drama is over—Arizona agreed to a one-year, $15.5M deal (up to $21M with incentives), and he’s expected to be the Week 1 starter as training camp ramps up. Madden Gaming: EA Sports named Trey McBride (plus Josh Allen, Myles Garrett, Ja’Marr Chase and others) to Madden NFL 27’s “99 Club,” with the game launching Aug. 13. Arizona Sports Business: Wildflower marked its 30th anniversary by donating $37,329 to Child Crisis Arizona, continuing a long-running local partnership. Music Tour: Tyla announced her A*POP world tour, including major UK/Europe dates and North America stops, with tickets going on sale July 31. Local Sports Calendar: The Diamondbacks open a key series stretch at home against the Pirates (July 27-29), with both teams clustered in the NL wild-card race. Heat & Schools: ASU researchers warn many Arizona schools aren’t ready for extreme heat during early fall schedules, pushing HeatReady planning.

Arizona Sports: Jacoby Brissett says his head was “spinning” after his first full day of Cardinals training camp, but the contract stress is easing after a reworked one-year deal reportedly worth $15.5M. MLB (Arizona): The Diamondbacks open a key series at PNC Park against the Pirates, with Arizona trying to bounce back after a rough stretch as the wild-card race tightens. MLB (Arizona): In Sunday’s action, CJ Abrams kept swinging hot for the Nationals, while Arizona’s own matchup news includes a D-backs vs. Pirates preview featuring Merrill Kelly vs. Mitch Keller. Local Arts & Community: Chandler’s Christopher Fine Diamonds is rolling out a new 3D online engagement ring designer that lets couples build rings before visiting its showroom. Arts Spotlight: Laguna Beach’s Festival of Arts returns for its 94th year with 120+ artists and a big mix of painting, glass, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, and multimedia. Sports Betting Buzz: Polymarket and Kalshi keep pushing MLB promo codes for new users, including invite codes tied to Arizona matchups.

Music & Culture: Vans Warped Tour 2026 rolled into Long Beach with heat, alt-fashion, and big nostalgia—Jimmy Eat World leaned into “Bleed American” for one of the most anticipated sets. Local Sports Buzz: Cardinals TE Trey McBride apologized after comments that seemed to dismiss Arizona fans, walking it back at training camp and praising the fanbase. Arizona Arts & Education: ASU’s Cronkite School is launching an influencer-focused “content creation” major, teaching students to grow audiences and measure performance. Baseball Watch: The Diamondbacks host the Nationals in the rubber game, with rookie Kohl Drake set to face Miles Mikolas as Arizona fights for its Wild Card spot. Dance Scene: Gilbert’s Distrykt crews are headed to the World Hip Hop Dance Championship at Arizona Grand Resort and Spa, with finals at Mullett Arena Aug. 1.

Local Sports Spotlight: Cardinals TE Trey McBride walked back June comments saying Arizona has “no Arizona fans,” apologizing after training camp practice and praising the state’s loyal sports crowd. MLB (Arizona): The D-backs fell 5-3 to the Nationals as CJ Abrams and Foster Griffin powered Washington; rookie Mitch Bratt struggled with command, walking five. Arizona Arts & Culture: ASU launched a new “Content Creation” major in the Cronkite School to train students as social media influencers and strategic storytellers. Community & Wellness: Respiro returns to downtown Tucson for its eighth year, with movement classes, meditation, sound healing, and local vendors at the Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum. Food & Fun (Yuma): Rise N’ Bake opens in Yuma with Latin-flavored French pastries, and a new Brrr Society x Street Food Mafia collaboration brings smoked BBQ and Mexican fusion alongside water-ice desserts. On the Ground: Fire crews rescued two hikers with heat exhaustion on Scottsdale’s Gateway Loop Trail.

Local Arts & Culture: Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix wraps a Baltic States tour (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and heads back into its 2026-27 season after performances in historic churches and cultural venues. Arizona Sports (MLB): Tyler Locklear’s early D-backs surge continues, with manager Torey Lovullo pointing to a cleaner “load” and improved pitch recognition after last year’s struggles and arm issues. Arizona Sports (NFL): Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett practices amid contract uncertainty as Mike LaFleur keeps the starting-job battle open with Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck. Arizona Sports (NASCAR): Alex Bowman, the Arizona native, says he’ll retire after 2027, aiming to end on a more positive note after years of health setbacks. National Tech/Safety: A new X login scam is targeting users with fake “new device” alerts. Health Watch: CDC reports U.S. measles cases hit a 35-year high, driven by declining vaccination rates. Travel/Border Alert: USDA says Mexico cattle imports will resume through select Arizona ports starting Aug. 24.

Arizona Music & Touring: Max Gomez teams with Tucson’s Howe Gelb and improvisational trio “Slant Can” for the Desert Companion Tour, with stops across Arizona and New Mexico this August, plus a Rio Chama River Music Trip for Labor Day weekend. Live Music Review: Suki Waterhouse’s “Loveland Tour” charmed Hollywood Forever Cemetery, mixing tracks from her new album with fan favorites as the crowd kept dancing through a 90-minute set. Local Sports Coaching: Joe Few, former Gonzaga walk-on, is joining Arizona State as a graduate assistant under new Sun Devils coach Randy Bennett. Entertainment Business: Paramount Skydance agreed to delay its $110B Warner Bros. Discovery merger until June 2027 (or until lawsuits end) after a coalition of states—including Arizona—secured a months-long halt. Food & Health (Arizona): Arizona reports 36 local Cyclospora cases as doctors warn against a dangerous “Cyclospora skinny” weight-loss trend; separately, a salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened at least 98 people across 17 states including Arizona. Food Retail: Seafood City plans its first Arizona location in Chandler on July 30, debuting a new Social Hall and a large Filipino food hall.

Public Health: Measles is surging in the U.S. again, with 2026 already topping 2025’s total cases—driven by outbreaks that include Arizona among the hardest-hit states. Local Politics & Sports Crossover: Former Jets kicker Jay Feely won the GOP nod for Arizona’s First Congressional District, setting up a matchup against Democratic nominee Amish Shah, a former Jets team doctor. Film & Culture: “The Odyssey” is getting a big push in IMAX 70mm, but the format is limited—one Arizona theater is among the few equipped to show it. Music: Shaboozey drops “Burn It Down” featuring Leon Bridges ahead of his debut album “PRIMA,” plus a Phoenix stop on his fall tour. Community Arts & Events: Chandler Council approved $422K in grants to local programs, while South Tucson’s Barrio Restoration is hosting a Saturday cleanup with food, music, and free haircuts. Sports: The Braves’ Chris Sale struck out 11 in a 6-5 win over the Padres, and MLB action continues to heat up as trade-deadline talk grows.

Arizona Cardinals Training Camp: Coach Mike LaFleur says the QB situation is still fluid—“Practice 1 on July 23”—as Jacoby Brissett returns to the field amid a contract standoff, with Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck also in the mix. Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals: Tyler Locklear’s big day and Brandon Pfaadt’s six strong innings powered Arizona’s 10-6 win in a makeup game, with Ketel Marte scratched late due to back stiffness. College Football Buzz (Arizona ties): LSU’s Lane Kiffin praised ASU transfer Sam Leavitt’s recovery from Lisfranc surgery, noting he’s healthy and focused on the transition. Creator Economy in Arizona: ASU launches a new “influencer” major in the Cronkite School, aiming to teach content creation, branding, and monetization. Music & Community: Temple Emanuel song leader Jacob Shinder leans on guitar and family tradition to connect worshippers through music. Public Safety in Tucson: Gabby Giffords joined local leaders for a conversation on gun violence and public safety after a downtown mass shooting left nine injured. Sports Betting/MLB: Polymarket rolled out a new invite code for Mariners–Rangers trading, while MLB betting picks and props dominated the day’s coverage.

Music Spotlight: Arizona native Colton Dawson just landed global representation with WME, after signing with Warner Records Nashville and releasing early tracks like “Might Be In It” and “Piece of Heaven.” Sports & Entertainment: Jimmy Eat World is celebrating “Bleed American” at 25 years, performing the platinum album in full on tour. Local Sports Buzz: The Arizona Diamondbacks and Cardinals meet in a make-up MLB game at St. Louis, with both teams riding recent momentum. Arizona Pro Football: Cardinals TE Travis Vokolek retired at 28 after a severe neck injury, ending his three-season run in Arizona. Arts & Culture: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” is getting a special 70mm IMAX push in Florida—fans are being urged to catch it the big-format way. Community Growth: Center Court Pickleball Club opened its fourth Scottsdale indoor facility, adding 13 courts and a training center. Environment Watch: The razorback sucker in the Colorado River was downlisted from endangered to threatened, though protections may still need strengthening.

Music Spotlight: Phoenix Symphony resident conductor Matthew Kasper is making waves beyond Arizona, wrapping a Wisconsin Honors Orchestra clinic and planning a formal Madison concert tied to the WMEA Music Conference. Sports & Local Culture: The Diamondbacks crushed the Athletics 15-5, with multiple homers and big milestones for James McCann and rookie Ryan Waldschmidt. NFL Training Camp Buzz: The Cardinals’ QB situation stays in focus as Jimmy Garoppolo weighs a return, with the Rams among the teams reportedly in play. Boxing: Charly Suarez returned with a first-round stoppage of Manuel Avila, calling for a Navarrete rematch after winning a WBO International title. Arizona Politics: Amish Shah is projected to win Arizona’s 1st District Democratic primary, setting up a general election against GOP nominee Jay Feely. Community & Arts Education: Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center hosted an educators’ conference to help Arizona teachers meet Holocaust/genocide teaching requirements. Food & Travel: Best Pizza & Brew opened in Chandler, bringing a “California extreme” vibe to Valley diners.

Arizona Arts & Community: AZACT’s alumni-fueled “Footloose” returns to Tempe this weekend, with performances July 25–Aug. 1 and a cast led by Shaun Sullivan. Local Entertainment Development: Arizona Supreme Court cleared Marana’s long-delayed downtown entertainment district, greenlighting a walkable mix of restaurants, retail, a brewery, dance hall, and rodeo arena. Music: Detroit post-punk band Protomartyr announced “Hotel Usona” (Sept. 25) and shared the single “Sounds We Cannot Hear,” plus a fall North America tour that includes Phoenix. Sports (Cardinals): Isaiah Adams faces gun charges in Canada and is expected to report to camp; meanwhile, the Cardinals open training camp amid quarterback questions and NFL gambling-policy fallout involving a suspended exec. MLB (Arizona): The D-backs aim to keep momentum after a walk-off win over the A’s, with Wednesday’s series finale set at Chase Field. Family Fun: Waller Park pony rides end after 26 years this weekend as operator Lisa Leonard steps away to focus on health.

Local Theatre: AZACT brings the hit musical “Footloose” to Tempe’s New School for the Arts & Academics starting July 25, with alumni returning to mentor the next cast. Arizona Politics: CNN projects Andy Biggs wins the GOP governor primary, setting up a November matchup with incumbent Katie Hobbs, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Congress Watch: Reuters projects Jay Feely wins Arizona’s GOP primary for CD1, while Juan Ciscomani and Joanna Mendoza are set for the CD6 general election after unopposed primaries. Sports (Cardinals): ESPN reports Jacoby Brissett’s contract talks with the Cardinals are still unresolved as training camp nears. Sports (MLB): Jacksonville’s Alex Walsh signs an undrafted free agent deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Community & Health: A Mesa woman accused of stabbing her 82-year-old husband claims self-defense, according to court paperwork.