Department and big box stores, which rely heavily on in-person shoppers, are struggling with flagging sales and increased competition from online retailers.

"People have endless options when it comes to where and how they shop," stated a Jan. 9 news release from Macy's that also announced the locations of 66 stores to be closed. "Customers expect seamless shopping experiences and continuous improvements both in-store and online to meet those expectations."

Macy's is just one of the major retailers that have announced store closures in the United States in the past few months. All point to the underperformance of the stores in terms of sales as reasons for the closures.

These major retailers are closing US locations

In the past few months, several major retailers have announced stores closing in the United States.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Which Arizona stores are closing?

The closing date of the Macy's location at Superstition Springs Center in Mesa has not yet been announced, but a going-out-of-business sale is expected to be held in early 2025.

There are 15 Party City locations in Arizona, according to the company's website. All stores would close, the company announced.

Local lore:How the scorpion lollipop became an Arizona icon — even though it's not made here

The Arizona Department of Public Safety says the crash at US 60 and Higley Road in Mesa involved five vehicles and at least eight people went to the hospital.

Credit: 12News

MESA, Ariz. — A crash in Mesa sent at least eight people, including an infant, to the hospital, authorities said.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety said the crash near Higley Road on US 60 involved five vehicles.

All injuries are reported as non-life-threatening, DPS said.

>> For real-time traffic conditions, click here.

The crash blocked all lanes except the HOV lane for about an hour, according to posts on "X" from the Arizona Department of Transportation.

No other details were provided.

>> This story will be updated as additional information becomes available. Stay with 12News for the latest.

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Music teachers could be part of MPS layoffs

The Brief

MESA, Ariz. - The largest public school district in our state announced some tough decisions ahead of the next school year.

The Mesa Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent says it will have to eliminate positions.

"Please know this is one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make," Mesa Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Andi Fourlis said.

It announced staffing cuts amid declining enrollment and a decrease in federal and state funding.

Dr. Andi Fourlis says the district estimates a decline of 1,800 students next school year, and funding is dependent on enrollment numbers.

Fewer students means less money.

"Nearly 90% of our expenses are dedicated to paying our talented and hard-working staff. Because of this, we must make the heartbreaking decision to eliminate some positions throughout the district," Dr. Fourlis said.

The staffing cuts announcement comes as the Arizona Legislature convenes. Leaders in both parties said education would be a priority this session.

Dr. Fourlis says Mesa is estimating budget cuts of nearly $18 million for the 2025-2026 school year.

"These decisions are not a reflection of anyone's dedication or worth, but rather a necessity to ensure the long term stability of our schools," she said.

Staff impacted will find out if their position is eliminated by Feb. 7.

"Our goal is to provide support and adequate time for impacted staff to plan their next steps whether they are with Mesa Public Schools or beyond," the superintendent said.

‘I have always believed in MPS …’

On Jan. 14, we learned details of the district's proposed cuts during a school board meeting.

The cuts could include 4th, 5th and 6th grade music programs.

"I'm a music teacher, and I'm a mother of five children. I have always believed in MPS, but this week has been really difficult," said Julie Willis, a music teacher at Las Sendas Elementary, who is also an MPS parent.

Mesa Public Schools announced 144 full-time employees and three administrative employees could face layoffs this fall.

"I love my job. I love my job a lot. It's hard to imagine loving another job this much when I'm spread and not getting to see my students as much as I do now," said Rachel Gunderson, a music teacher at Eisenhower Center for Innovation.

‘There is no more singing, according to the plan’

"I don't know if I have a job today. I don't know if I have a job. I don't know how it's going to affect my job. I don't know if I'll be part-time. I don't know if I'll be at multiple schools," Willis said.

District leaders proposed eliminating 4th, 5th, and 6th grade music programs.

"In fourth, fifth, and sixth grade, there is no more singing, according to the plan that they have set out, and I was notified of today," Willis said.

She's concerned about her own children's education, too.

"I'm not sure if my children will continue going to MPS because they will not have the music education that has been our tradition and our standard in the past," she said.

The Source

What began as a simple hobby to fill Craig and Pamela's golden years has blossomed into something far more meaningful.

MESA, Ariz. — There’s never a dull moment in Craig and Pamela Morris’ front yard.

Passenger trains whiz by school children on a playground. Hogs are being slaughtered. Police have the local bar surrounded as they search for a suspect, described by witnesses as being 3 inches tall.

Craig chuckles and admits he isn’t sure what the miniature man is wanted for.

“Was he in a fight or something?” Craig asks. “I don’t know, I haven’t gotten that far.”

Prior to their retirement several years ago, Craig, a firefighter and his wife Pamela, a nurse practitioner, knew nothing about model trains or the engineering that goes into “layouts” or dioramas. What began as a simple hobby to fill their golden years has blossomed into something far more meaningful.

“The neighbors love it and people outside the community who have found it; we have lots of visitors,” Pamela said.

Most train enthusiasts confine their passion to plywood boards in a basement. The Morrises took a different approach, turning their front yard into an ever-evolving tiny town.

But it’s not just any town.

It’s a replica of Haxtun, a farming community of roughly 900 in northeast Colorado. There’s a reason it took Pamela 10 years to build it by hand.

It had to be perfect.

“Every building has a story about when I was growing up,” Pamela said.

The 1:24 scale main street in her front yard is how Pamela remembers her hometown in the 1950s. Three inches in the world she built translates to 6 feet in the real life. Cars, people, animals, buildings and, of course, trains, are all to scaled appropriately.

“We went back to my hometown, took pictures, came back and built most of the buildings of the main street,” Pamela said.

The detailed recreation captures not just the physical structures but the heart of her childhood.

The jewelry store next to the hotel is where Pamela got her ears pierced when she turned 16. Next door is the Haxtun Harvest newspaper where her father worked as editor for 26 years. Pamela remembers everyone in her family proofreading at the kitchen table every Monday and Tuesday night.

“If there were any mistakes, we were in trouble!” Pamela said.

A stone’s throw away — quite literally — is the Long Branch bar where her grandpa would have his daily beer at three o’clock on the dot. Pamela was sent to fetch him if her grandma needed something.

“I couldn’t go in there but they’d say ‘Willie, your granddaughter is here and needs you!’” Pamela recalls.

The “G” scale, or garden scale model train, also passes by the movie theater where Pamela got her first job selling tickets, candy and popcorn. The grade school she attended sits next to the community park outlined by a concrete wall. Pamela poured it herself but it’s beginning to crack under the Arizona sun —so she installed a miniature work crew to repair it.

“If I’m out here Craig will say ‘What did you get accomplished today?’ and I say not much. I visited with a lot of neighbors because they stop,” Pamela said.

Pamela considers herself a maintenance worker, caring for more than 600 feet of track which she cleans with a green scouring pad attached to a wood pole. It’s a labor of love.

Craig serves as the railroad’s chief engineer, managing the electrical systems that bring their tiny town to life, especially at night. He controls the locomotive’s horn, speed and direction from a comfy chair near their front door.

“He does all the engines and stuff and I try to do as much out here as I can without his help. He has taught me how to be an electrician,” Pamela said. Craig butts in. “Nothing with AC, all DC.”

Craig has his own indoor set of tracks on a sheet of plywood. It’s a much smaller scale compared to his wife’s railroad but, nonetheless, served as her initial inspiration.

“He invited me to run trains on his track and I said, “No, I’ll run my own trains outside,’” Pamela said.

The Morris’ try to run their trains at least once a week but will bring out the engine any time a neighbor’s grandchildren, or their own, are in town to visit.

They fear this hobby with die with them.

“We’re trying to get younger kids involved because it’s engineering,” Pamela said. “You have to lay out your track and have a certain radius and run a certain size train on it but they are not just picking it up.”

There will come a day when Pamela can no longer get down on her hands and knees to level the track. Model train enthusiasts call it “getting out of the business.”

Until then, they still welcome people to stop by their house at 7214 E. Avesta Circle in Mesa.

Like many Arizona snowbirds, the miniature town takes a summer break. Its residents would otherwise melt.

Every May, it takes a full week to pick up all the buildings, people, and cars and six weeks to put them back together in the fall.

“I just have to have something to do, so coming out here is kind of my happy place and there is always something to do,” Pamela said.

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MESA, Ariz., Jan. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Urban Air Adventure Park, the largest indoor adventure park operator in the world and part of the youth enrichment growth-focused platform Unleashed Brands, has signed a lease agreement to bring a new park location and next-level entertainment to Mesa. The park is expected to officially open its doors in 2026.

Urban Air Mesa will provide excellent customer service and a safe, affordable experience for all ages, seven days a week. With more than 40,000 square feet of space, the new adventure park offers a full line-up of activities, such as Sky Rider, slides, air court, ropes course, climbing walls, dodgeball, trampolines and more.

“We know families are looking for ways to spend more time together, and as the premier destination for family fun and adventure, we’re thrilled to bring our park experience to even more families in Mesa,” said Unleashed Brands’ Chief Development Officer Ryan Slemons. “Each park is equipped with unique and patented attractions, giving families a one-of-a-kind experience and allowing them to be active, soar to new heights, and reach new limits, all while having fun and making memories.”

Urban Air Mesa will employ approximately 70 local residents for its newest location and will begin accepting applications soon. Residents can track the site progress of Urban Air Mesa Facebook and sign up for updates, coupon offers and view the park’s various attractions on the Urban Air Mesa.

This year, Urban Air ranked as the No. 1 entertainment franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Annual Franchise 500 list, the world’s first, best and most comprehensive franchise ranking.

To learn more about Urban Air and its franchising opportunities, visit https://urbanairfranchise.com/.

About Urban Air Adventure Park Urban Air Adventure Park is the Nation’s #1 destination for family fun, featuring a variety of attractions perfect for all ages. The award-winning national franchise brand is the largest adventure park operator in the world with more than 330 locations open or in development. Urban Air, founded in 2011, was in search of a higher purpose to help kids have fun while achieving activity goals that enhance their social and physical skills. For more information visit www.UrbanAir.com.

About Unleashed Brands Unleashed Brands currently includes portfolio brands Urban Air, The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning, Snapology, XP League, Class 101 and Premier Martial Arts. It was founded to curate and grow a portfolio of the most innovative and profitable brands that help kids learn, play, and grow. Over the last 10 years, the team at Unleashed Brands has built a proven platform and know-how for scaling businesses focused on serving families. Its mission is to impact the lives of every kid by providing fun, engaging, and inspiring experiences that help them become who they are destined to be. For more information, please visit UnleashedBrands.com.