Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from Dec. 4-6

PHOENIX — Several Loop 101 ramps will be closed for two months, the South Central light rail extension has received $638 million in federal funding and coronavirus cases continue to rise across the state.

Here are some of the biggest stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.

Multiple Loop 101 ramps in North Phoenix to close for two months

Several ramps on Loop 101 at Seventh and 19th avenues in north Phoenix are scheduled to close for two months, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The eastbound Loop 101 on-ramp at 19th Avenue and off-ramp at Seventh Avenue are scheduled are set to close at 10 p.m. on Dec. 13.

The westbound Loop 101 on-ramp at Seventh Avenue and off-ramp at 19th Avenue closed Friday night.

All ramps are scheduled to reopen in early February 2021.

South Phoenix light rail extension gets $638 million in federal funding

The South Central light rail extension in Phoenix will receive $638 million from the United States Department of Transportation to help complete the project, Arizona Democratic Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly said in a press release Friday.

The project will receive $530 million from the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants Program, representing the federal government’s role in helping to fund and manage the extension, according to the release.

The other $108 million comes from the Federal Highway Administration.

Arizona reports 6,799 new coronavirus cases, 40 additional deaths

Arizona health authorities on Saturday reported 6,799 new coronavirus cases, the second most ever, with 40 additional deaths.

It was the fourth day this week with more than 5,000 new cases reported, a mark that had never previously been reached.

That put the state’s documented totals at 358,900 COVID-19 infections and 6,925 fatalities, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Overall, key pandemic metrics have been rising in Arizona at rates not seen since the first wave hit in June and July.

Arizona Attorney General accuses 2 auction houses of deceptive bidding

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich filed a consumer fraud lawsuit on Wednesday against two Phoenix auction houses alleging them of deceiving online bidders.

Auction Nation and Auction Yard are accused of bidding in their own auctions by using shill bidders, falsely driving up the prices of items and collecting millions of dollars from real auction participants who were unaware of the manipulation.

The lawsuit alleges the companies continued their practices despite knowing about numerous consumer complaints and the Attorney General’s investigation.

Electric-vehicle company finishes 1st construction phase of Arizona facility

A California-based electric-vehicle company has completed the first phase of construction on its facility south of Phoenix, the company announced Tuesday.

Lucid Motors’ $700 million facility in Casa Grande spans almost 600 acres and will produce the company’s first car, the Lucid Air sedan.

The completion of the construction will allow for production of the Lucid Air sedan to begin next spring.

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