Thanksgiving holiday updates: Travelers cautioned against icy roads

About 1.12 million Arizonans will travel for their Thanksgiving, according to AAA, but there will still be festivities across the state for those who choose to stay home for the holiday.

Arizona cities like Phoenix and Fountain Hills will offer holiday-themed events, while organizations like St. Mary's Food Bank will team up with the World Series-traveled DBacks to help relieve the strain many households feel during the holidays.

Here's a guide on everything happening in the state from what stores are open for last-minute shopping to where to find the best deals. Also find holiday stories from across the U.S.

ADOT announces lane restrictions on state Route 169 for Monday

The Arizona Department of Transportation advised drivers to expect restrictions and delays on state Route 169 on Monday.

ADOT said that the lanes of state Route 169 in both directions will be intermittently narrowed to one lane for pavement repairs. This lane restriction will only take place between mileposts 10-13 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday’s lane restriction will also see flaggers that will guide drivers through the work zone, a 12-foot width restriction and a reduced speed limit, ADOT said.

— Aidan Wohl

Thanksgiving travelers cautioned against icy roads

Freezing weather throughout northern Arizona will continue Sunday and throughout the rest of the week.

The National Weather Service predicted today’s highs range in the low 40s and lows around or below 20 degrees depending on elevation.

“We’re going to have continued cold weather below normal temperatures for the entire week. We’ll see near average temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday, but by Thursday we’re back to low averages and cool down as we get another weather system coming into the southwest,” said Benji Johnson, a meteorologist with the weather service.

Travelers returning from Thanksgiving celebrations in the north should watch the roads as there are some icy spots left over from the previous storm, according to Johnson.

The weather service reminded people to dress warm if they’re in higher elevations and keep their pets indoors, cover outdoor pipes and sensitive plants.

“Depending on where you are, these are the coldest temperatures of the season … the high temperatures will be cold and the low temperatures will be very cold,” Johnson said.

— Audrey Eagleton

Cyber Monday deals start Sunday for many companies

With Cyber Monday approaching, many companies are starting deals on Sunday. Here are some of the types of deals that are being offered.

Walmart: Walmart is offering numerous deals on many different appliances starting Sunday. There are 30% to 50% discounts on products ranging from wireless earbuds, MacBook Pros and tablets to air purifiers, robot vacuums and coffee makers to clothing and bracelets. Check out all of the online-only deals here.

Amazon: Amazon is known for its multitude of different products and consequently has many deals to offer for Cyber Monday. It has 30% to 50% discounts on technology like headphones, speakers and VR headsets, accessories like handbags and shoes, tools like vacuum cleaners, batteries, kitchen supplies and more here.

Target: Target also has a few promotions for Cyber Monday. You can save $50 and earn a $50 coupon if you buy the Meta Quest Virtual Reality headset for $249.99. It also is giving 25% off select beauty and cosmetics and 30% off select clothing and accessories. Details on which products are for sale can be seen here.

Kohl’s: Kohl’s has deals upward of 50% off on multiple different products as well, such as clothes, bedding, candles, toys, Christmas decorations and more, which can be seen on its website.

JCPenney: JCPenney is offering deals on clothes for all ages and sizes and is offering free shipping for purchases of more than $49. It also is having a clearance sale where products are up to 80% off. The website has both the cyber deals and the clearance sales.

T-Mobile: T-Mobile’s biggest Cyber Monday deals include buying four iPhone 15s and getting four new lines for $25 a month. Details on that deal and more can be found on its website.

— Dylan Wickman

Drivers encouraged to be cautious on road trips

The Phoenix National Weather Service encouraged those making long drives over the portions of the Rockies and central Plains on Saturday to be cautious. They said conditions are still wintry because of a snowstorm this weekend making driving hazardous.

"Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for parts of the central and southern Rockies, the central Plains, the Texas Panhandle into Northwestern Oklahoma, northern Missouri, far southeastern Iowa and Western Illinois," the Weather Prediction Center's website says.

— Dylan Wickman

Phoenix to see cool weather for the rest of the weekend

The National Weather Service forecasted a high of 67 degrees for Saturday with a low temperature of 44 degrees.

Skies are forecasted to be sunny on Saturday and mostly sunny on Sunday. Sunday's high temperature is forecasted to be 70 degrees with a low temperature of 53 degrees in the evening.

It may be slightly breezy but winds are expected to only gust up to 5-10 mph, according to the weather service.

— Abigail Celaya

Popular highway to the Grand Canyon closed due to winter weather

Arizona State Route 67 which lead to the north rim of the Grand Canyon temporarily closed on Friday morning due to "significant winter weather forecasts," according to the National Park Service.

SR 67 would be closed at its entrance in the northern Arizona community of Jacob Lake before the highway headed over 40 miles south to the north rim.

Snow showers were expected Friday afternoon in the area near the Grand Canyon and SR 67, with temperatures lingering above freezing at a daily high of 36 degrees, dropped to a low of 17 degrees at night.

— Rey Covarrubias Jr.

Flagstaff sees first snowfall of the season

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport was expected to see the first measurable snowfall of the season as Flagstaff experienced the first snowfall Friday, according to Jeremy Nazon, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Nazon said there had been traces of snow at the airport in early November but no measurable snowfall. He said Flagstaff may expect to see about 1 inch of snow Friday while those at elevations above 8,000 feet could expect to see 2-6 inches of snow.

Most of the snow was expected Friday with slight chances on early Saturday morning, according to Nazon. Snow was not expected to be back in the forecast until late into next week.

— Abigail Celaya

Sunny skies, chance of rain as holiday shopping takes off

Mostly sunny skies were expected in Phoenix on Friday, as holiday shopping took flight across metro Phoenix, before the evening was expected to bring a 20% chance of rain.

Friday could see a high sitting in the low 70s and a nightly low of 50 degrees.

The best chances for rain on Friday were between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service of Phoenix.

Rain chances for northern and southern parts of the state stayed much higher, with parts of Payson and west Gila County expecting as high as a 60% chance of precipitation on Friday night.

Sunny skies and cooler temperatures were on tap for Saturday in Phoenix, with a high of 68 degrees and a low of 46 degrees.

— Rey Covarrubias Jr.

Heroes, rescues and hope: 6 stories to share this Thanksgiving

Trapped deep underground, an explorer falls deathly ill. A group of volunteers comes to his rescue.

A 12-year-old boy is stranded on the opposite side of the world from the only life he’s ever known. Through sheer force of will, he finds a way to freedom for himself — and his family.

Even in times of trouble, stories of good emerge.

Thanksgiving 2023 arrives in a world as divided as ever. We confront terrifying conflicts overseas and divisive politics at home. Today, though, there is space for stories of hope, grace and gratitude.

Here are six stories of heroism and hope worth being thankful for.

— USA TODAY

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade blocked by pro-Palestinian protesters

NEW YORK – Video footage from several news organizations showed demonstrators blocking the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York to protest treatment of Palestinians by Israel in the ongoing war.

Local news outlets Fox 5 and Newsday, as well as online news site FreedomNews.TV, published videos appearing to show protesters, donning white jumpsuits, cross spectator barricades in front of the ongoing parade. The incident appeared to take place Thursday morning. Footage appears to show the demonstration on Sixth Avenue through Midtown Manhattan along the parade route.

The protesters carried a banner that read “Liberation for Palestine and Planet,” videos showed. Their jumpsuits included words such as “Capitalism,” “Colonialism” and “Racism.”

The climate advocate coalition Seven Circles Alliance has claimed responsibility for the demonstration, to protest what they called "the ongoing ethnic cleansing and genocide of Palestinians," according to an Instagram post. The group could not immediately be reached for comment.

Some demonstrators appeared to glue themselves to the Sixth Avenue pavement. Demonstrators then poured a reddish liquid over each other, seemingly to mimic blood. Police officers were seen trying to remove the protesters from the street and handcuffing them as parade marchers continued past them.

The New York City Police Department said it is confirming the total number of people arrested. Macy’s did not immediately respond to an email request for comment.

— Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY

Truckers share their pro tips for your Thanksgiving road trip

It can be brutal trying to get over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house, but you don't have to let holiday traffic dampen your spirits.

"When I'm driving and I'm on the road, I say to myself a lot of times, 'Today is going to be a good day, happy, happy, joy, joy,' " Jenice Turner told USA TODAY.

With more than 15 years of trucking under her belt and several generations of truckers in her family, she knows what it's like to be on the road all day and how to make the most of it.

Turner founded the Black Women Truck Drivers Facebook group, which has more than 17,000 members and drives for Trans-United Inc. Fellow truckers Monte Wiederhold and Marco Padilla have been driving since the 1970s. Wiederhold is president of B. L. Reever Transport Inc. and general vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. Padilla is an owner-operator and member of the Western States Trucking Association.

All three shared their road trip pro tips with USA TODAY ahead of the holidays.

— Eve Chen, USA TODAY

Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade takes to streets of New York

This Thanksgiving, the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade took to the streets of New York City and featured thousands of performers and the iconic supersized parade floats.

The parade hosted by Macy's typically draws in tens of millions of viewers every year and is a staple of Thanksgiving traditions. It has been held nearly every year since its advent in 1924, besides a three-year gap from 1942-1944 to conserve helium use during World War II.

— Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY

Arizona officials share holiday traditions, recipes, memories

Over the holidays, most people don't want to think about politics. The plethora of stories, memes, jokes and comedy skits about "don't bring up politics at family gatherings" are a testament to the general taboo.

The Gaggle is using the holiday to highlight a different side to the politicians who help run our state.

In this Thanksgiving episode, legislators, mayors and more share their family traditions, new recipes and cherished holiday memories.

— Kaely Monahan

Why is Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November?

The day which Thanksgiving is celebrated can vary year to year, as the holiday is nationally recognized to fall on the fourth Thursday of November.

It hasn't always been this way: Thanksgiving has moved around multiple times, from a set month and day, to different days in both October and November. It was even celebrated on two different dates in the same year before it finally settled on the fourth Thursday of November we now celebrate.

Here's what to know about why our holiday meant to give thanks is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

— Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY

How to watch 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving'

As you prepare for all of the food and Black Friday shopping to come, you may be thinking of ways to entertain guests. Aside from watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and rooting for football teams, you can put on “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.”

The 30-minute animated movie was released in 1973 and shows Peppermint Patty inviting everyone to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving even though he was going to see his grandmother. You also see Snoopy cooking up his version of a Thanksgiving meal with friends.

Here’s where to watch the classic holiday special.

— Dina Kaur

Arizona rancher raises her own Thanksgiving turkey

Turkeys are an icon of the Thanksgiving table. The National Turkey Federation estimates 46 million frozen turkeys are consumed each year. Although frozen, mass-produced birds are the most efficient option for distributing that staggering number of fowl each November, they aren't the only option.

When grocery store turkeys are frozen, the moisture inside the muscle freezes. Ice crystals expand and change the texture. After defrosting, moisture escapes from the meat, leaving it drier than if it had been cooked fresh. This causes a deterioration of both texture and flavor.

That's one of the reasons former chef Michael Muthart decided to start his own poultry farm, Top Knot Farms, in southern Arizona, near Tucson.

He, like most Arizona farmers, raises his turkeys from poults or chicks imported from other states, finishing them with grain feeding in preparation for Thanksgiving. He does this rather than keeping the large birds all year long as it's simply too expensive to do so and the demand is highly seasonal.

But that hasn't stopped one Arizona rancher.

— Bahar Anooshahr

Here's a look at what flights have been canceled at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

Approximately 40 total flights had been delayed at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport on Wednesday afternoon as millions of travelers passed in and out of Arizona for Thanksgiving.

Flights like United 1200 from Phoenix to San Fransico, was one of the many flights delayed anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, to several hours. A full list of delayed Sky Harbor flights could be found here.

One United Airlines flight from Houston to Phoenix scheduled to leave at 2:15 p.m. was cancelled on Wednesday afternoon.

Flight statuses can viewed on Sky Harbor's website.

Security wait times as of Wednesday afternoon saw Terminal 3 with the longest at 29 minutes, followed by Terminal 4 Checkpoint C at 15 minutes, Checkpoint B at 11 minutes, and Checkpoint A at 7 minutes.

St. Mary's Food Bank takes record donations

In a recent statement, St. Mary's Food Bank has completed its Thanksgiving distribution with record numbers, having served over 20,000 families and communities across Arizona, according to the agency's Director of Public Relations Jerry Brown.

This surpasses the previous all-time record set in 2016, seeing a 14% increase in donations from that year, Brown said.

Brown went on to add that, with the help of donors and volunteers, St. Mary's Food Bank can ensure a bountiful holiday for families Valleywide.

Having reached its target projections, St. Mary's Food Bank will be closed for the holiday weekend and will resume normal distribution and operation hours starting Monday, Nov. 27, according to Brown.

— Coleby Phillips

Looking to go out for Thanksgiving Eve?

If you want to start celebrating early, many bars and nightclubs in metro Phoenix are celebrating Thanksgiving Eve this year.

On Wednesday night, pre-fiesta parties, concerts, and celebrations are taking place. Locations for Thanksgiving Eve events include Yucca Tap Room, Stardust Pinbar, the Duce, the Phoenicia Music Lounge, the Rebel Lounge, Boycott Bar, Cobra Arcade Bar, Valley Bar, Darkstar, Gracie's Tax Bar, Denim and Diamonds, among others.

Anticipate a mix of music, shows, potlucks and various festivities in celebration of Thanksgiving.

— Kayla Jackson

What places will have free Thanksgiving food?

A couple of places in Arizona will offer free food for families who can’t afford to host a Thanksgiving dinner themselves.

The Salvation Army will offer free, sit-down meals at the Phoenix Convention Center South Building (33 S. Third St., Phoenix) from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The event will provide live entertainment and won’t require an identification. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m., and the meal service will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Uniting Arizona will provide a similar feast for those in Tucson. Turkey, dinner, drinks, dessert and free resources such as shoes and clothing will be provided at Santa Rita Park (401 E. 22nd St., Tucson) from 3 to 5 p.m.

— Dylan Wickman

Christmas 2023: Phoenix holiday lights map

What is the weather like across the United States for Thanksgiving?

Millions of Americans are hitting the road and boarding flights over the Thanksgiving holiday, and — unlike earlier this week — the weather is set to mostly cooperate.

The worst is over from a storm that brought bad weather to the central and eastern United States early this week, with the exception of portions of the Northeast. There, AccuWeather says bad weather may continue into Wednesday afternoon.

Early travelers in New England especially could see weather impacts, according to AccuWeather. Up to 8 inches of snow is expected in parts of northern Maine and "blustery" conditions could deepen in the Northeast, the National Weather Service said.

And travelers in the West should keep an eye on a winter storm around the Rockies, the National Weather service warns.

Here’s the full forecast and what to know.

— Jeanine Santucci, Doyle Rice, Joel Shannon

Arizona Cardinals give out food with Phoenix Rescue Mission

On Monday evening, the Arizona Cardinals partnered with Phoenix Rescue Mission for the team’s annual “Feed the Hungry” event, where they handed out Thanksgiving meals to families escaping homelessness, poverty and addiction.

Cardinals owner Micahel Bidwill; players, including Greg Dortche and Dennis Gardeck; as well as cheerleaders and mascots joined together to give back to the community.

"It's just a great feeling to be able to serve other people, to help bring some smiles to folks' faces," Bidwill said. "We as a community can do more for those in need and all of us know somebody who could use a little bit of a pick me up. It may not be coming down to a place like Phoenix Rescue Mission, maybe it could be just a neighbor who needs a smile on their face. So many awful things are going on around the world right now. Just being nicer, kinder, and give back to the community, that's the main message."

— Dylan Wickman

St. Vincent De Paul to start including turkeys in food boxes

The Society of St. Vincent De Paul delivers food boxes to families year-round, and it has started including turkeys in those boxes as of Tuesday. St. Vincent also delivers thrift store gift cards and offers utility bill and rent assistance.

Families can use this map to the food pantry that serves their neighborhood by typing their address into the search bar. Google Maps will then show the pantry’s location, hours and phone number, which families can call to arrange the delivery.

Every pantry is run by volunteers — operating hours may vary. If there is not a food pantry in your neighborhood, you can call 211 Arizona to get connected with another community service provider in your area.

— Dylan Wickman

D-Backs help St. Mary's Food Bank give out turkeys

Major League Baseball's National League champions donated 1,000 turkeys toward St. Mary's mission to help feed families for the Thanksgiving holiday, according to an announcement from the Diamondbacks.

DBacks players Kevin Ginkel and Pavin Smith presented the donated turkeys to St. Mary's at the food bank's warehouse on Monday morning.

DBacks pitcher Kevin Ginkel also donated a signed postseason jersey to the food bank. Anyone can enter to win by contributing $20 to St. Mary Food Bank on their website.

—Rey Covarrubias Jr.

Colder temperatures to ring in the holiday week

The Valley will stay a few degrees above average over the Thanksgiving week.

As with northern and southern parts of the state, a cooling trend will bring the Valley to highs in the low 70s on Wednesday.

These lower temperatures will linger through the week and into the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, as partly to mostly cloudy skies settle over the Valley, according to the National Weather Service.

— Rey Covarrubias Jr. 

What if you want to change things up and eat somewhere special for Thanksgiving?

Many of Phoenix's top restaurants will offer classic Thanksgiving-inspired meals for their customers on the holiday, but here are some options that take a unique choice to what substitute classic turkey and mashed potatoes.

Peoria steakhouse Bourbon and Bones will offer its regular menu of steak and seafood on Thanksgiving Day.

Steak 44 in north Phoenix will offer its a la carte menu on Thanksgiving.

Fat Ox, a Scottsdale staple, will offer its traditional Italian menu along with an extensive wine list.

Many other high-end restaurants across the Valley will be open on Thanksgiving to offer special dining options along with their menu staples.

—Rey Covarrubias Jr. 

Here's how to save money on your shopping list while finding the best deals across the state

A typical Thanksgiving meal for 10 people cost just under $65 in 2022, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

In order to save money on the usually expansive menu for most households, families are looking for cost-effective ways to still meet holiday demand.

People can consider reducing the size of portions such as buying a smaller turkey.

Americans waste about 200 million pounds of turkey every Thanksgiving holiday week, according to the National Resources Defense Council.

Thanksgiving feasters also can use family gatherings where potlucks can often lower the cost of the meals.

In another effort to save money, avoid canned fruit and vegetables like cranberries and green beans, as they are typically more expensive than their fresh counterparts, according to a 2023 report from Wells Fargo.

— Rey Covarrubias Jr. 

What stores will be open on Thanksgiving?

Popular stores Walmart, Costco, and Target will all be closed on Thanksgiving.

Safeway will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Most Fry's will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., but some, like the one on Thomas and 32nd Street in Phoenix, will be open till 6 p.m.

—Rey Covarrubias Jr. 

What stores deliver Thanksgiving groceries?

These grocery stores deliver to residents in Arizona via their own website or app.

• Safeway: the grocery store's website said they deliver 7 days a week between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. local time. In order to see if your Safeway delivers, you can check their website or their app. Same day deliveries rates can hover around $9.95.

• Target: Certain Target stores participate in same day delivery which is free with membership or $9.99. You can check on their app or their website for which Target stores participate.

• Walmart: You can shop for your groceries on the app or on their website. Delivery fees vary.

• Albertsons: You can check if your Albertsons delivers, as well as order right from their website or app. You also get a free turkey if you make an order more than $100.

• Whole Foods: You can get Whole Foods delivered through Amazon Prime in select zip codes. Check to see if you are able to shop.

—Rey Covarrubias Jr. 

What will traffic be like in metro Phoenix for Thanksgiving?

According to AAA, this season's holiday traffic will be increasing by 3% since 2022.

“Travel demand has truly bounced back to pre-pandemic levels,” AAA's Senior Vice President of Membership and Travel Marketing Arizona Brian Ng said in a news release.

There will be no major impacts to holiday travel through the Valley, as the Arizona Department of Transportation announced it will pause its regular schedule of construction that has seen Phoenix-area highways closed every weekend.

The initiative will commence on Wednesday afternoon and extend until Monday morning.

Peak traffic times are still expected to be between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, according to an ADOT spokesperson.

Travelers should stay aware and monitor traffic on the following roads to ensure they get to their destination on time.

• Northbound Interstate 17 north of Phoenix.

• State Route 87 toward Payson.

• Interstate 10 in the West Valley and between Tucson and Phoenix, as well as Phoenix and California.

— Rey Covarrubias Jr.

Need to make room for dinner? Here are outdoor activities for the whole family

Turkey trots are a familiar way that people counter the comfortable idea of enjoying Thanksgiving dinner on the couch and encourage families to get active and enjoy the outdoors.

Phoenix will host six different length walks, runs and trots starting at 7:30 a.m. in central Phoenix.

Valley cities Gilbert, Mesa, and Peoria will also have individual turkey trots that will feature different length runs and walks that encourage people to dress up and celebrate Thanksgiving.

If you're looking to get out of the city and enjoy some of the state's beautiful scenery, a full moon hike on Saturday will be the feature at Lost Dutchman State Park in northeast Apache Junction.

Hikers can start their journey at 5:30 p.m. to get a full viewing of the full moon entering the desert sky.

Arizona State Park Rangers will host a guided tour of the area, but registration is required ahead of time. The tour starts at 5:30 on Saturday at the park and costs $10.

If you miss the many turkey trots on Thanksgiving, Tempe will hold their own "Fat Turkey Trail Run," which will feature a 5K and 10K race.

— Abigail Celaya and Kye Graves

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Thanksgiving 2023 in Arizona: live-travel-weather-news