by Ethan Faverino | Nov 30, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
As the 2025-26 NBA season heats up, a new study from iGaming hub eSportstars.io has revealed the true cost of catching an NBA game live, with the Phoenix Suns landing at No. 8 on the list of the league’s most expensive teams to see in person.
According to data analyzed from Seat Geek, the average ticket price to watch the Suns play at Footprint Center this season is $172.00 – well above the league-wide average of $148.42.
The Suns sit comfortably in the top 10, trailing only a handful of major franchises while ranking ahead of the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder ($137.00).
The top five most expensive teams to watch live start with the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers at an average of $365.75 per ticket, followed by the Golden State Warriors with $279.47, the Boston Celtics with $247.96, the New York Knicks with $238.49, and the Dallas Mavericks with $215.00.
The Lakers remain in a class of their own, with average tickets costing 146% more than the league average and 31% higher than the second-place Warriors. Even though Warriors tickets are $90 cheaper than Lakers tickets, they are still 88% above the NBA average ticket price.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Charlotte Hornets rank last with the cheapest average ticket price of $82.00 – 45% below the league average. Closely following the Hornets is the Atlanta Hawks with $82.16. Rounding out the bottom five are the Detroit Pistons with $85.15, the New Orleans Pelicans with $85.24, and the Portland Trailblazers with $89.50.
“The huge variation in average ticket prices across teams shows how much fans are willing to pay for a live game, and how strong the fanbases are for the league’s biggest teams,” said eSportstars.io content manager, Hana Suzuki. “Teams with such huge fanbases and iconic players will naturally have higher ticket prices as they are in higher demand, whereas the teams with more affordable tickets give fans the opportunity to have the live NBA experience without the cost.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Nov 29, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
As families across the nation prepared for Thanksgiving travel, gas prices provided relief at the pump, holding steady around $3 per gallon and marking the lowest levels in years.
According to data from fuel savings tracker GasBuddy and the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average for regular unleaded gasoline has fallen significantly in 2025, with some stations even offering prices under $2 per gallon for the first time since 2021.
This year’s average price stands at $3.12 per gallon so far, down from $3.31 in 2024 and $3.52 in 2023. The decline follows a peak above $5 per gallon in June 2022, reflecting a steady downward trend that has eased the financial burdens on drivers around the country.
One year ago, the average was $3.06, matching the price of October 2025, with only minor fluctuations of a few cents this pre-Thanksgiving week.
The Trump administration has highlighted these reductions as a direct result of its energy policies since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
In October, the White House issued a statement celebrating GasBuddy’s report that national averages had slipped below $3 per gallon – the lowest in four years.
Head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, Patrick De Haan, said, “It’s pretty compelling to see gas prices this low, falling ahead of Thanksgiving, and it signals what more Americans could experience in the coming months. Lower seasonal demand, falling oil prices, and rising OPEC output are all pushing prices down. While a few stations have recently dipped below $2 through temporary offers and promotions, this marks the first time we’ve seen a regular sub-$2 price.”
The lowest gas price in the country is now $1.99, available at four stations in Midwest City, Oklahoma, part of the Oklahoma City metro area. Reported on Monday, November 24, these are the first prices below $2 nationwide without discounts or promotions, marking the lowest U.S. prices since 2021.
In Arizona, gas prices have remained remarkably stable in recent weeks, with the current average for regular unleaded at $3.336 per gallon – just 4 cents below what it was a week ago ($3.380). Compared to October ($3.339), regular prices have essentially held flat, while showing a modest year-over-year increase of 12.2 cents from $3.214.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Nov 28, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
In a major show of support for America’s military heroes, Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-08), alongside Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), has introduced two companion bills—the Service Members Tax Relief Act and the Tax Cuts for Veterans Act of 2025.
These bills would fully exempt all active-duty and reserve military income, as well as all service-related retirement payments and VA benefits, from federal income taxes.
The Service Member Tax Relief Act eliminates federal income tax on all pay received by active-duty and reserve members across the eight Federal Uniformed Services—including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, NOAA, and Public Health Service Commissioned Corps—as well as their Reserve and National Guard components when on federal orders. This includes base pay, enlistment and retention bonuses, education incentives, and all special and incentive pay.
The companion bill, Tax Cuts for Veterans Act of 2025, amends Section 122 of the Internal Revenue Code to permanently exclude all military retirement pay, retainer pay (Titles 10 and 14), and VA compensation, disability, and survivor benefits (Titles 37 and 38) from federal taxation.
“These bills are in keeping with my commitment to America First principles and advances President Trump’s Peace Through Strength agenda by alleviating the burdens on our service members in some small measure,” said Congressman Hamadeh, a former Army Reserve intelligence officer. “Our service members face high operational demands and cost-of-living pressures that outpace pay tables. So, anything we can cost-effectively do to ease those pressures should be done.”
Senator Pete Ricketts added, “Our servicemembers and veterans sacrifice for the country. We owe them more than we can ever repay. That’s why I’m working to ensure these brave women and men keep all the benefits they earn during military service. We also need to make sure that service members are set up for success when they transition back to civilian life. These bills strengthen our support for Nebraska servicemembers, veterans, and their families.”
Congressman Hamadeh has quickly emerged as a leading voice for America’s veterans and active-duty troops. In September, the House unanimously passed two of his bipartisan bills: the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act and the Health Professional Scholarship Program Improvement Act of 2025.
Congressman Hamadeh and Ricketts’ new bills are now pending in their respective chambers, already earning strong support from veteran advocacy organizations around the country.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Nov 24, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released its 40th annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey, revealing welcoming news for American families. The average cost of a classic Thanksgiving meal for 10 people has fallen to $55.18, or $5.52 per person—a decrease of more than 5% from 2024 and the third straight year of declines.
While the drop provides some relief at the checkout, AFBF cautions that prices remain well above pre-2022 levels, following a record-high average of $64.05.
AFBF Economist Faith Parum, Ph.D., said, “It’s encouraging to see some relief in the price of turkeys, as it is typically the most expensive part of the meal. Farmers are still working to rebuild turkey flocks that were devastated by avian influenza, but overall demand has also fallen. The combination will help ensure turkey will remain an affordable option for families celebrating Thanksgiving.”
2025 Classic Thanksgiving Menu Price Changes (for 10 people)
- 16-lb turkey: $21.50 (−16.3%)
- Stuffing (14 oz): $3.71 (−9%)
- Dinner rolls (1 dozen): $3.56 (−14.6%)
- Sweet potatoes (3 lbs): $4.00 (+37%)
- Veggie tray (1 lb carrots & celery): $1.36 (+61.3%)
- Fresh cranberries (12 oz): $2.28 (−2.8%)
- Pumpkin pie mix (30 oz): $4.16 (+0.1%)
- Whipping cream (½ pint): $1.87 (+3.2%)
- Frozen peas (1 lb): $2.03 (+17.2%)
- Pie crusts (2): $3.37 (−0.8%)
- Milk (1 gal): $3.73 (+16.3%)
- Misc. ingredients: $3.61 (−4.7%)
Thanksgiving dinner costs vary significantly across different regions. Families in the South enjoy the nation’s lowest average price for a classic meal for 10 at $50.01, followed by the Midwest at $54.38, the Northeast at $60.82, and the West at $61.75.
When adding ham, russet potatoes, and green beans to create an expanded menu, the South remains the most affordable at $71.20, while the West is the priciest at $84.97.
“We are blessed to live in a country capable of producing such an abundant food supply, and for that we should be thankful,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Despite modest declines this Thanksgiving, food prices remain a real concern for many families — including farm families. We lost 15,000 farms last year due to low crop prices, high input costs, and trade uncertainty. Every farm lost moves us closer to greater consolidation and reliance on foreign food sources. We urge Congress to address these challenges so America’s farm families can continue growing the safe, affordable food we all depend on every day of the year.”
The White House also celebrated the lower cost of Thanksgiving this year, noting President Trump’s promise to lower prices and cut inflation. Retailers are stepping up with their cheapest Thanksgiving meals in years:
- Walmart’s feast for 10 is down 25% from last year, with its lowest turkey price since 2019 at under $4 per person.
- Lidl’s Thanksgiving meal is $10 less, clocking in at $3.60 per person for 10.
- Aldi’s Thanksgiving meal is $7 cheaper and at 2019 lows, $4 per person for 10.
- Target’s meal for four is at its lowest price ever, at $5 per person.
- Schnucks, one of the nation’s largest privately held supermarket chains, is selling turkeys at prices not seen in over 15 years.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Nov 23, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
On Saturday, October 25, 2025, Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers stood on the grounds of the Arizona State Capitol and watched the final hoisting of a remarkable American flag. This same flag, over the past seven years, has been proudly flown above every state capitol in the United States, along with the nation’s capital, and U.S. territory Puerto Rico.
With the Arizona raising, Mayor Weiers officially completed “The Great American Flag Tour”, a personal mission to fly one locally made flag at all 50 state capitols as the nation approaches its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026.
“What a journey,” said Mayor Weiers. “The patriotism across our great nation is still alive in every state. This flag is a symbol of unity – recognizing we are 50 States, 1 Nation!”
The flag was hand-sewn in Arizona by Joe Cicero and his team at a Phoenix-based flag manufacturer that produces approximately 10,000 flags annually. Cicero called this particular flag “pretty special because it has touched every capitol in the entire country.”
“Although we live in different places, come from different backgrounds, sometimes speak different languages, and worship in different ways, we are all Americans,” said Mayor Weiers. As America’s 250th anniversary approaches, let us not just mark a date, but instead let us renew our commitment to liberty, to justice, to equality, and to being one nation under God.”
The seven-year journey saw Mayor Weiers personally carry the flag to 49 states before returning home to Arizona for the ceremonial finale. Along the way, the flag was raised in honor of America’s history, its promising future, and especially its veterans.
With the tour now complete, Mayor Weiers plans to create an exhibit featuring the flag and its story. Arizona cities and organizations will be able to request the display for patriotic events.
He also hopes the flag will be considered for temporary exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., during the national 250-year celebration in 2026, with a potential permanent home afterward at the Arizona Capitol Museum.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
