The Phoenix metro area faces a new wave of vandalism as someone scrawls crude graffiti across bridges, buildings, and highways.

A particularly bold tag recently appeared on Interstate 10's eastbound on-ramp at 7th Avenue, marking an escalation in this mystery campaign.

The resurgence echoes the original Penis Man phenomenon from 2020, when Dustin Shomer faced arrest on dozens of vandalism charges.

That investigation uncovered tags at 15 ASU locations plus iconic spots like "A" Mountain and water towers. Shomer ultimately faced $8,000 in damages and three years' probation, though he claimed to be merely a copycat.

Now, five years later, reports flood in from downtown Phoenix, north Phoenix, and Tempe with no arrests made despite the public nature of these crimes.

Online reactions split between viewing the phantom tagger as a folk hero versus simple property destruction.

The timing appears brazen as Phoenix officials recently used over 10,000 gallons of paint eliminating 51,000 graffiti sites citywide. Convicted vandals face class 1 misdemeanor charges with mandatory jail time and community service.

Phoenix is rapidly establishing itself as a top tech hub, with local entrepreneurs actively honing their business pitches to attract crucial investment and fuel future growth.

The innovative "Pitch Practice" program enables Valley founders to present ideas and receive instant feedback from experienced leaders, highlighting how vital clear, compelling pitches are for securing funding.

Business experts like Clate Mask stress that a strong pitch can make or break a startup’s potential.

For founders such as Rob Nicoletti of Halo, these sessions offer actionable advice on making business stories clear and engaging for investors.

Phoenix’s momentum is fueled by major investments, including the landmark $65 billion commitment from TSMC. This expansion brings new semiconductor plants and cements Arizona as a global tech leader.

With PHX Startup Week’s 10th anniversary approaching, opportunities for networking and growth are better than ever.

The VAI Resort in Glendale, Arizona, remains shrouded in uncertainty, as yet another delay pushes back its highly anticipated opening.

Originally set for a 2023 debut, the $1.2 billion project was already postponed to 2025, but the resort’s website has now removed any reference to an opening date, stressing their dedication to crafting a “VAI-worthy guest experience” before revealing a timeline.

Skepticism is growing locally, with the resort’s careers page showing no current job openings and hiring pushed back until at least six months before the eventual launch.

Recent city votes added more hurdles, as one measure for new office buildings was rejected while another approving commercial development passed, potentially forcing the project team to revisit their plans.

Once finished, VAI promises to transform the area near State Farm Stadium with four hotel towers, the world’s first Mattel Adventure Park, and an enormous amphitheater.

Upcoming Week Weather Forecast for Phoenix Az and The Valley.

A massive haboob swept across the Phoenix area on Monday, sending a wall of dust through the metro region and plunging neighborhoods into near total darkness.

Visibility dropped dramatically, forcing many drivers in Maricopa County to pull off the roads for safety.

Strong winds fueled the storm, leaving more than 15,000 homes and businesses without power.

Travel at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was also severely impacted, with several flights delayed or temporarily halted as dust engulfed the runways.

Meteorologists note that despite a relatively dry monsoon season, intense dust storms like this remain a seasonal threat for Phoenix residents.

Locals are urged to monitor weather alerts closely and use caution during future storms to stay safe.

Phoenix broke records on August 7, 2025, when temperatures soared to an astonishing 118°F, making it the hottest August day in city history.

This intense heat, measured at Sky Harbor International Airport at 3:40 p.m., shattered the previous daily record of 112°F from 2012 and 1905.

Even overnight temperatures were extreme, with a low of only 94°F, surpassing the prior record of 91°F set in 2023.

The relentless heat is cementing this summer as one of Phoenix’s hottest, with 21 days already reaching at least 110°F.

Officials urge residents to stay safe by hydrating, avoiding midday sun, and visiting cooling centers opened across the city.

Meteorologists warn that above-normal temperatures will likely continue, with scant relief expected, highlighting the community’s need for vigilance and care.

OpenAI has unveiled GPT-5, ushering in a new era of artificial intelligence with advanced reasoning, a larger context window, and powerful multimodal features.

The launch includes two open-weight models, GPT-OSS-120B and GPT-OSS-20B, both released under the Apache 2.0 license for unrestricted commercial use.

These models let developers fully customize, fine-tune, and operate AI locally for greater privacy and control.

Optimized for a range of hardware, GPT-OSS-120B rivals proprietary o3/o4-mini models, while the smaller 20B version makes advanced AI accessible on basic setups.

With chain-of-thought transparency and Mixture-of-Experts architecture, both excel at logic, knowledge, and document-intensive tasks.

Sam Altman highlights this as a leap toward democratizing AI, rivaling open initiatives from Meta and DeepSeek.

The move promises new opportunities for businesses, researchers, and individuals, shifting access to next-generation AI globally.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company

Arizona communities face growing wildfire threats as

Leila Parnian, a renowned mural artist, has transformed downtown Phoenix with a vibrant new mural on the soon-to-open Saiya Apartment Building.

This 230-foot-tall masterpiece, located near 1st Avenue and McKinley Street, stands as the tallest mural in Arizona.

Parnian freehanded the entire design from top to bottom, working meticulously from a suspended swing stage.

Supported by her two-person team, she persevered through scorching heat and even a summer monsoon over two months of dedicated work.

She hopes the mural’s bold colors and dynamic energy inspire passersby to dream bigger and feel uplifted.

Known also for her talents in furniture design, art instruction, and DJing, Parnian continues to be a driving creative force in Phoenix’s flourishing art scene.

This mural not only energizes the cityscape but also captures the community’s vibrant spirit.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are at a turning point as the MLB trade deadline draws near.

General Manager Mike Hazen must decide whether to bolster the roster or part with key players, especially after a decisive 10-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals that brings the team to 49-50—just 4.5 games out of a National League Wild Card spot.

Eugenio Suárez powered the offense with two home runs and three RBIs, while Corbin Carroll notched two triples.

Shortstop Geraldo Perdomo added three singles and four RBIs, and pitcher Ryne Nelson allowed just one run in six innings.

Despite this momentum, Hazen notes he’s fielding more calls from teams treating the D-backs as potential sellers.

Several stars—including Suárez, Josh Naylor, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly—could soon hit free agency.

As they chase a series sweep, all eyes are on Hazen’s next move.

The Arizona Cardinals head into the 2025 season with renewed optimism, fueled by major upgrades to their defensive line.

General manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon have aggressively reshaped the roster.

New addition Josh Sweat, a star edge rusher reunited with Gannon from their Philadelphia days, secured a four-year, $76.4 million deal.

Sweat brings strong credentials, including an 8.0-sack campaign and a Super Bowl LIX showcase.

Veteran Calais Campbell returns to Arizona, aiming to mentor youngsters while reinforcing the line.

The club further bolstered its defense by drafting Walter Nolen III, a first-team All-American from Ole Miss, in the first round.

Returning talents Darius Robinson and Dante Stills increase depth and potential.

This blend of experience and youth positions the Cardinals’ defensive front as a potential game-changer for the new season.

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks clinched a dominant 10-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, with Eugenio Suarez and Corbin Carroll making franchise history.

Suarez smashed two home runs in the first three innings off Sonny Gray, while Carroll ripped two triples by the fourth, the first time in team history both feats have happened in one game.

Suarez’s home run tally now stands at 33, ranking third in the majors, and his 81 RBIs lead the National League.

Carroll’s two triples boost his league-leading total to 12, as he approaches his career high.

Starter Ryne Nelson allowed just one run over six innings, while Arizona’s lineup notched 12 hits in the early frames, knocking Gray out quickly.

Arizona eyes a series sweep Sunday, with Merrill Kelly opposing Miles Mikolas at 1:10 p.m. MST.

Meta has acquired Play AI, a startup specializing in cutting-edge voice generation, in a strategic move to enhance its conversational AI capabilities.

Although financial terms remain confidential, the deal brings nearly 35 Play AI engineers and researchers under Meta’s wing, now reporting to Johan Schalkwyk, a respected leader in speech AI.

Play AI’s technology enables fast, emotionally rich voice synthesis across 30-plus languages, supporting rapid voice cloning and advanced text-to-speech tools for personalized user experiences.

These features are set to bolster Meta’s platforms—improving virtual agents, smart assistants, and immersive interactions in devices like Ray-Ban smart glasses and Quest VR headsets.

Meta's focus on conversational AI distinguishes it from competitors like Apple and Google, while recent high-profile hires signal deeper investment in superintelligent systems.

The acquisition highlights growing concerns over deepfake risks and privacy, underscoring Meta’s responsibility as it paves the way for a voice-driven digital future.

Securing a driver’s license has long marked a milestone of independence for teens across America.

Yet this achievement often comes with serious safety concerns, as car crashes remain the top cause of death for U.S. teenagers.

Now, Waymo is pioneering a new option in Metro Phoenix, inviting teens ages 14 to 17 to travel solo in its autonomous vehicles.

Parents can connect their own Waymo profiles to their teen's, granting real-time trip monitoring and instant ride receipts.

During trips, specially trained Rider Support agents are just a call away, ready to assist young passengers and notify families if needed.

This innovative service currently covers 315 square miles of the Valley, with a few exceptions such as Ahwatukee and areas west of I-17.

Waymo hopes to expand these autonomous teen rides nationwide, promising safer, more flexible travel for local families.

Bradley Beal has agreed to a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns and will sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.

This agreement provides Beal a player option for the 2026-27 season, giving him flexibility for free agency next summer.

Beal, 32, leaves behind about $14 million in salary to help Phoenix lower its payroll and gain crucial salary cap relief, opening doors for new moves and draft opportunities.

Injuries limited Beal to just 53 games in each of the past two seasons with the Suns, averaging 17 points per game.

Although Phoenix saw disappointment in missing the playoffs, the Clippers are excited to add Beal’s scoring and playmaking abilities to their roster, already led by Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

Beal’s choice signals a new chapter, and Los Angeles fans anticipate his impact in a tightly contested Western Conference.

A northern Arizona resident has died from pneumonic plague, marking the first related death in Coconino County since 2007.

The individual, treated at a Flagstaff emergency room, passed away on the same day despite swift medical efforts.

Health authorities confirmed the cause as pneumonic plague, a severe lung infection from the Yersinia pestis bacterium, which can spread between people through respiratory droplets.

Symptoms may develop within days of exposure and often include fever, chills, weakness, and muscle pain.

While plague remains rare in the U.S., officials are urging residents to take precautions such as avoiding wild animals, using DEET-based repellents, and protecting pets from fleas.

Prompt reporting of unexplained rodent deaths and seeking medical care for symptoms are vital for community safety and fast treatment.

Donald Trump has reignited his public feud with comedian Rosie O'Donnell, suggesting on Truth Social that he’s considering revoking her U.S. citizenship because she is "not in the best interests of our Great Country."

He further labeled O'Donnell a "Threat to Humanity" and suggested she should remain in Ireland, her current place of residence.

O'Donnell, a New York native, relocated to Ireland earlier this year with her son and says she’ll only return when she feels equal rights are secured for all Americans.

Responding on Instagram, O'Donnell called Trump a "criminal con man" and vowed continued resistance to his policies.

Legal scholars note that presidents lack the authority to strip citizenship from natural-born Americans.

This escalating clash highlights ongoing tensions over freedom of expression and presidential power, reflecting America’s deepening partisan divides.