4 March 6th-March 12th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) 2025 HONDA RIDGELINE TRAILSPORT: THE TRUCK BUILT FOR THE CITY 2025 HONDA RIDGELINE TRAILSPORT The 2025 Honda The 2025 Honda Ridgeline Trailsport is still the Ridgeline Trailsport is still the truck for people who don’t truck for people who don’t actually want a truck—but actually want a truck—but now it has better tires and now it has better tires and a skid plate, so you can at a skid plate, so you can at least pretend you’re ready least pretend you’re ready for adventure. Under the for adventure. Under the hood, it’s the same 3.5L V6 hood, it’s the same 3.5L V6 (280 hp, 262 lb-ft) paired with (280 hp, 262 lb-ft) paired with Honda’s AWD system, which Honda’s AWD system, which does a fine job keeping does a fine job keeping things planted on dirt roads things planted on dirt roads but isn’t exactly Moab-ready. but isn’t exactly Moab-ready. Starting at $47,230, it’s Starting at $47,230, it’s pricier than some tougher pricier than some tougher competitors, but hey, you’re competitors, but hey, you’re paying for that cushy ride and paying for that cushy ride and Honda reliability. Honda reliability. Fuel economy sits at 18 Fuel economy sits at 18 MPG city / 23 MPG highway, MPG city / 23 MPG highway, which is fine for a midsize which is fine for a midsize truck but not exactly brag- truck but not exactly brag- worthy—though, in fairness, worthy—though, in fairness, your Wrangler-driving friend your Wrangler-driving friend gets 14 MPG and lies about gets 14 MPG and lies about it. Inside, you get orange it. Inside, you get orange stitching to remind you it’s stitching to remind you it’s rugged now, plus Honda’s rugged now, plus Honda’s ridiculously useful in-bed ridiculously useful in-bed trunk, perfect for tailgating or trunk, perfect for tailgating or hiding snacks from your kids. hiding snacks from your kids. The 9-inch touchscreen and The 9-inch touchscreen and physical buttons keep things physical buttons keep things functional, because unlike functional, because unlike some brands, Honda still some brands, Honda still believes in knobs. believes in knobs. Overall, the Trailsport is Overall, the Trailsport is a solid choice if you want a a solid choice if you want a truck that drives like an SUV, truck that drives like an SUV, won’t rattle your fillings out on won’t rattle your fillings out on pavement, and can handle pavement, and can handle a little adventure when a little adventure when necessary. It’s not going to necessary. It’s not going to dominate the Rubicon Trail, dominate the Rubicon Trail, but if your idea of off-roading but if your idea of off-roading is taking the scenic route to is taking the scenic route to Costco, it’ll do just fine. Costco, it’ll do just fine. Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles: Feature t Turned Away Cowed by Trump, Phoenix Children’s Hospital abandons trans kids. BY MORGAN FISCHER PAGE 12 Food & Drink t Home Run Eats These Phoenix spring training stadiums serve the best food. BY GEORGANN YARA PAGE 19 E D I T O R I A L EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sam Eifling SENIOR EDITOR, CULTURE Jennifer Goldberg NEWS EDITOR Zach Buchanan FOOD EDITOR Tirion Boan MUSIC EDITOR Chris Coplan STAFF WRITERS Sara Crocker, Morgan Fischer, Benjamin Leatherman, TJ L’Heureux SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Itzia Crespo CONTRIBUTORS David Abbott, Asonta Benetti, Cassie Brucci, Nikki Michelle Charnstrom, Noah Cullen, Cassie Hepler, Mark C. 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Our paper is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled product. t Contents 6 News 12 Feature 19 Food & Drink 21 Arts & Culture 26 Music 31 Concerts 33 Cannabis On the Cover: New Times Illustration Images remixed via stock.adobe.com (Courtesy of Jezz Putnam) VOL. 56 | NO. 1O | MAR. 6 - 12, 2025 Jezz Putnam and their 13-year-old daughter Nabi pose in the gallery of the Arizona House of Representatives.
