September is National Library Card Sign-up Month.

I’ve had a library card for as long as I can remember. I use my current Phoenix Public Library all the time for books and ebooks, and I’ve also used it to get a Culture Pass so I could visit a museum for free.

But recently, I learned about another library card perk: attending Phoenix Rising FC matches for free.

Another thing your Phoenix library card can get you: Phoenix Rising FC tickets. (Brendon Pricco/Cronkite News)

With a Phoenix library card, you can receive two tickets for free while supplies last, or you can get discounted tickets for $16 each if you show your library card at the team’s box office.

To get the free tickets, visit a Phoenix library branch any time in the week before a game and show your card at the customer service desk. If tickets are available, they will give you a voucher that you can exchange at the box office on game day.

The library sets a limit of two tickets per family per month.

There’s a match tonight, so maybe shoot your shot at the library today, or enjoy some discounted tickets at the stadium!

If soccer’s not your thing, here are some other events going on this weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? Let me know at responses@coppercourier.com!

P.S. We’re experimenting with a new format below. We’ll include a roundup every day and feature one longer story twice a week. Have thoughts on it? Tell me at responses@coppercourier.com.

A giant dust storm approaches the Phoenix metro area as a monsoon storm pushes the dust into the air, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

by The Associated Press

Massive walls of dust and debris called haboobs that roll through the US Southwest can be awe-inspiring and terrifying, especially for motorists caught in their path.

Thunderstorms spawn the phenomenon and can create a wall of dust thousands of feet tall and several miles wide, reaching speeds of 60 mph or more.

How do haboobs form?

Thunderstorms can produce strong downdrafts that hit the ground at 50-80 mph and then spread in all directions, said Sean Benedict, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Phoenix office.

The winds stir up loose dust and dirt, including from arid areas and farm fields, that get blown along in front of the approaching storm cell.

If thunderstorms don’t keep developing, the dust dissipates. But rain-cooled air in front of a storm can keep pushing warm air upward, generating new storms and more downdrafts, Benedict said.

When that happens, the haboob can keep growing, and some travel as far as 100 miles, Benedict said.

The Arizona Diamondbacks will remain at Chase Field for the next 30 years after Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill appropriating $500 million for renovations.

The metro Phoenix area is home to one of the hottest ZIP codes to move to in the country, according to a new report. And they’re not talking about the weather.

Ahead of Labor Day, leaders of Arizona’s largest unions called for working Arizonans to stand together against the Trump administration.

🌈 This beautiful photo captures the rare “rainbow lightning“ Phoenix saw this week.

🐴 A “Love Island” contestant suffered a bad fall at the Arizona Black Rodeo.

🪧 Fuerte Arizona held a “die-in” protest outside Rep. Schweikert’s Scottsdale office on Labor Day.

☕️ Our correspondent Brey visited Window Coffee Bar, an LGBTQ-owned coffee shop that’s about to open a third location.

💰 Arizona artists are responding to ICE raids with community art and fundraising to support their undocumented neighbors.

🎓 These 20 famous people attended college in Arizona.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Jessica Swarner with stories from the AP, USA Today via Reuters Connect, and Sahara Sajjadi. It was edited by Paula Solis. The Copper Courier is happily free to read for everyone. Your financial support means a lot to us.

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