KTAR News’ 10 biggest moments on Twitter in 2017

Dec 27, 2017, 5:03 AM

As the year 2017 comes to a close, we reflect on a year filled with news — good and bad — and take a look at the stories that mattered to you.

From a Trump rally in downtown Phoenix to sports arena disputes and everything in between, here were the 10 news stories that were our most popular on Twitter this year:

1. President Donald Trump’s Phoenix Rally

No tweet from @KTAR923 in the year 2017 was engaged-with by more people or seen by more people than a photograph of three young Trump supporters who came to a Phoenix rally in August:

Young supporters of President Trump wait in line to attend the #PhoenixRally at the Phoenix Convention Center. pic.twitter.com/MzCEOse7xg

— KTAR News (@KTAR923) August 23, 2017

That tweet gathered 1.9 million “engagements” (clicks, likes, retweets, etc.) and had more than 2.4 million impressions or “views,” which was about 24 times more than the next most-viewed tweet of the year.

But the rally overall got plenty of attention, as protests took over downtown Phoenix both before and after the event. Phoenix police’s response to protesters sparked discussion over proper police procedure.

Inflatables of Trump and Arpaio are outside the Phoenix Convention Center at the #PhoenixRally. pic.twitter.com/HgQWxfs7Uv

— KTAR News (@KTAR923) August 22, 2017

2. Teenager returns for seconds at Thanksgiving

A Mesa woman accidentally texted a Valley teenager around Thanksgiving last year, and the young man responded saying he didn’t know who she was — but would still like to come over for dinner.

The teenager’s social media post about it went viral on social media. This year, the two reunited for another Thanksgiving meal.

A Valley teenager who went viral on social media last year after accepting a stranger’s invitation for Thanksgiving dinner has gone back for seconds.https://t.co/QCzedMulYz

— KTAR News (@KTAR923) November 24, 2017

3. Maybe ASU isn’t No. 1 in innovation

Arizona State University is known for being No. 1 in innovation — they don’t let anyone forget it — but Reuters took a controversial stance by ranking them 85th in innovation.

Reuters ranks ASU 85th for innovation, far from the top spot.https://t.co/iyw8MG10EP

— KTAR News (@KTAR923) October 3, 2017

4. D-backs sue Maricopa County over Chase Field dispute

In January, the Diamondbacks sued the county for the right to explore other stadium options. The alarming development all started with the D-backs’ claim that their stadium needed upgrades and repairs that the county failed to fulfill.

BREAKING: Arizona Diamondbacks sue Maricopa County, could leave Chase Field. https://t.co/srsTXjiDKS

— KTAR News (@KTAR923) January 3, 2017

5. Coyotes arena deal falls through

Exactly one month after the D-backs/Chase Field news broke, a deal for the Coyotes and ASU to team up on a sports arena fell through when the university suddenly announced it had “no intention of proceeding to sign a development agreement or an option to lease or any other agreement with the Coyotes.”

The story was a significant development in a years-long saga in which the Coyotes have tried to find a permanent home. Their current facility, Gila River Arena in Glendale, is in proper functioning condition — but legal disputes between the team and the city have spurred the Coyotes to look elsewhere for a long-term home, and in the meantime, the Coyotes’ lease in Glendale is on a year-to-year basis.

BREAKING: Arizona State University reportedly pulls out of Arizona Coyotes arena deal:https://t.co/bSLSgsbl2u

— KTAR News (@KTAR923) February 4, 2017

6. Joe Arpaio found guilty of contempt

Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was found guilty in July of criminal contempt of court. The legal battle stemmed from a judge’s order that Arpaio end his controversial immigration sweeps, which Arpaio allegedly failed to obey.

#BREAKING: Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been found guilty of criminal contempt of court. https://t.co/cM7ZMmqzus

— KTAR News (@KTAR923) July 31, 2017

Less than a month later, Arpaio was pardoned by President Donald Trump, marking the first pardon of Trump’s presidency.

The case cost Maricopa County millions of dollars in legal fees.

7. In-state tuition for DREAMers deemed unlawful

A June court ruling said DREAMers wouldn’t be eligible for in-state tuition, overturning a previous ruling that those in the country on deferred deportation status were legally present in the country and therefore qualified for the lower rates.

Arizona court overturns in-state tuition for DREAMers – https://t.co/FgSvZhmgxZ

— KTAR News (@KTAR923) June 20, 2017

8. NHL takes Coyotes’ side in arena dispute

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has been a proponent of the Coyotes staying in Arizona — as opposed to relocation — and continued that stance when he wrote in a letter that said the NHL is committed to keeping the Coyotes in the Phoenix area, but stressed that the “Gila River Arena is not economically capable of supporting a successful NHL franchise.”

NHL: Arizona Coyotes 'cannot and will not remain in Glendale' –https://t.co/897Znyi54G

— KTAR News (@KTAR923) March 8, 2017

9. Todd Heap accidentally kills young daughter

Former ASU and Arizona Cardinals player Todd Heap and his family suffered tragedy when he accidentally struck and killed his three-year-old daughter with his truck.

Former Arizona Cardinals player accidentally hits, kills young daughter with truck.https://t.co/u69gbYq3DT

— KTAR News (@KTAR923) April 15, 2017

10. Arizona Senate bill could raise funds for new Coyotes arena

Despite the debacle earlier with ASU in the previous month, a February bill that would have helped provide funding to build a $395 million arena for the Arizona Coyotes went before before the Arizona Senate after passing a committee.