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AZ Briefing: Will Loop 202 be named after Charlie…
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AZ Briefing
YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP
Fri Jan 23 2026
Lorenzino Estrada
Digital Producer
Good morning, Arizona. Here’s what our reporters are working on and what you should know about what’s happening across the state before you start your day.
A bill, sponsored by Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, would rename the 77-mile Loop 202 freeway as Charlie Kirk Loop 202.
More on Senate Bill 1010 and what else could be named after Kirk.
Other big stories
➤ These are the pets up for adoption in Phoenix-area shelters this week. Meet Cucumber and Kaia, Sunshine, Seraphine and Trey.
➤ Sen. Mark Kelly created minor political tremors this week by acknowledging in an interview that he is considering a run for president. Here’s what he said.
➤ Several cities across metro Phoenix have raised their utility rates. Here’s how much rates have increased .
➤ The House Natural Resources Committee advanced a bill introduced by Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar, who says wolves prey on cattle and their endangered species status should be removed.
➤ Peoria police said 63 dogs were removed from a home near 88th Avenue and West Morningside Drive on Jan. 21, 2026. See some of the dogs.
➤ News alerts in your inbox: Don’t miss the important news of the day. Sign up for azcentral newsletter alerts to be in the know.
➤ Today, you can expect it to be mostly cloudy with a couple showers and a high near 69 degrees. Expect it to be cloudy with a couple showers at night with a low near 52 degrees. Get the full forecast here.
Taste testing Pabst Blue Ribbon soup was a weird throwback

Campbell’s Chunky Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer Cheese with Potatoes & Chorizo soup
Bill Goodykoontz/The Republic
Campbell’s Chunky Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer Cheese with Potatoes & Chorizo soup is just the latest in a long line of PBR rehabilitation efforts. But why?
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Today in history
Here are just some of the historic events on this date in the past.•On this day in 1957: The Wham-O toy company released the first batch of their aerodynamic plastic discs now known all over the world as Frisbees. Walter Frederick Morrison, who invented the novelty with his partner Warren Franscioni, sold the idea to Wham-O in 1955, wanting to call it the “Pluto Platter.” Wham-O changed the name to Frisbee shortly after buying it from Morrison.•In 1964: The 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibited both Congress and any of the states from imposing a poll tax or any other tax to vote in federal elections, was ratified.•In 1977: The TV miniseries “Roots,” an adaptation of Alex Haley’s bestselling novel that chronicled a family through its roots in Africa and the Civil War, premiered. A groundbreaking program consisting of eight episodes, “Roots” became one of the most popular shows in the history of American television and a major moment in America’s reckoning with slavery.•In 1986: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, then in its third year, inducted its first members, some of whom were considered the founders of rock: Little Richard, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.•In 1997: Madeleine Albright, who had earlier served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, became the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State after she was sworn in by then-Vice President Al Gore at the White House.•In 2005: TV host and comedic legend Johnny Carson, best known for hosting NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” died of respiratory failure due to complications from emphysema at age 79 in Los Angeles.•In 2021: Talk-show host Larry King, who hosted CNN’s widely popular “Larry King Live,” died at age 87 of a sepsis infection.
— Hoang Tran, USA TODAY Network
TOP STORIES
Peoria police remove 63 dogs from home, including pups
More than 40 dogs had been removed from the Peoria home between 2022 and 2023, police said.
Reward offered in investigation of Navajo girl’s death
The reward seeks to obtain an arrest and conviction for those responsible for the 8-year-old Navajo Nation girl’s death, the FBI said.
Rep. Andy Biggs grills Jack Smith over Trump probe
Rep. Andy Biggs, now running for governor, has been dogged by his own role in the effort to subvert the 2020 election results.
Arizona Cajun restaurant named one of the best in US
A list of the top 20 all-time best Cajun restaurants in America, included an Arizona spot known for po’boys and gumbo. Here’s what sets it apart.
ChatGPT offers opinions on Cards head coach search
Everyone’s got an opinion. ChatGPT couldn’t resist. Or it could, but we asked it anyway. Here’s who it says the Arizona Cardinals should hire as coach.
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