KJZZ's Stories You Don't Want to Miss

In an escalation of pressure on Mexico, a U.S. grand jury indictment accuses 10 Mexican political and law enforcement figures of a years-long link to organized crime. The Bureau of Land Management has opened the process for companies to bid on public lands for oil and gas drilling in Arizona for the first time since 2018. The Pima County Board of Supervisors will not remove Sheriff Chris Nanos over allegations of perjury. Plus the latest metro Phoenix, education, indigenous affairs, and water news.

Arizona is in for another very hot summer but a new weather pattern could bring heavy monsoon storms. A new plan for managing the Colorado River would mean a big difference for cities and towns in the Valley that depend on its water. On Wednesday, the Navajo Police Department responded to a crash involving a semi-truck carrying uranium ore from the Grand Canyon's South Rim to a mill in Utah. Plus the latest business, health, metro Phoenix, and Fronteras Desk news.

Summer is coming and for the third year in a row, the city of Phoenix will operate a 24-7 heat relief site. As deportations continue under the Trump administration, many longtime residents of the U.S.—and of Arizona—find themselves adjusting to a new life. A federal judge threw out the Department of Justice's attempt to force Arizona to turn over its voter rolls to the Trump administration. Plus the latest water, indigenous affairs, and metro Phoenix news.

The Arizona Community Foundation, Phoenix, the Desert Botanical Garden and ASU are teaming up to attract more investments in extreme heat mitigation in the Valley. Phoenix residents will soon be paying more for trash and recycling, with collection fees increasing by $14 over the next three years. The federal government has a new plan to prop up water levels in Lake Powell. Plus the latest Fronteras Desk, metro Phoenix, politics, business and tribal natural resources news.

The Colorado River is running dry, and the federal government has proposed big cuts to the amount of water that flows to Arizona. APS will no longer disconnect customers' power when temperatures exceed 95 degrees, following a settlement with the Attorney General's Office. Excessive marijuana consumption can be a 'nuclear bomb' to mental health. Plus the latest Fronteras Desk, education and politics news.

The latest forecasts for water in the Colorado River show a grim picture. Turning Point USA's political arm spent months pouring money and resources into a little-known utility election in Arizona. This week, Tucson leaders heard the results of a monthslong study of what residents want to see out of a proposed city amendment to regulate data centers. Plus, the latest metro Phoenix and business news.

The city of Phoenix is hard at work setting up new technology at its Cave Creek water treatment plant. A new spiritual caregiver is stepping in known as eco-chaplains. The Navajo Nation signed an agreement with Utah that centers on advancing economic development and authentic Indigenous representation through cinema. Plus the latest education, business and Fronteras Desk news.

Phoenix leaders have approved wiping the name of Cesar Chavez from city property after a bombshell report on sexual misconduct by the late labor icon. The Mesa City Council took a vote Monday on whether to implement landing fees at Falcon Field. The Department of Justice is adding a terrorism charge to an indictment of an Arizona gun dealer accused of selling firearms to cartels. Plus, the latest business and education news, and a Tiny Desert Concert.

New sexual abuse allegations against the late civil rights leader, Cesar Chavez, are putting Arizona cities, and even the state, in the spotlight over if — or how — they plan to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day. Lately, a new source of money has been helping fuel water conservation projects. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied requests that it block the transfer of public land known as Oak Flat to the private mining company Resolution Copper. Plus the latest Fronteras Desk, aging, metro Phoenix and politics news.

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee heard testimony in support of a water settlement for tribes in northern Arizona. State authorities are recommending the owner of a Tempe bar raided twice last year should lose his liquor license and face prosecution on criminal charges. The Commerce Department is investigating whether Mexico's exports of fresh winter strawberries to the U.S. violates fair trade practices. Plus, the latest metro Phoenix and politics news.

In the aftermath of a pair of fatal shootings by immigration officers in Minneapolis — and amid reports of ramped up ICE plans in Arizona — some city and county officials are mulling new policies to police federal actions locally. A major development on the California coast could make it possible for Arizona to indirectly benefit from desalinated ocean water. Mesa Public Schools will be eliminating 50 positions in May as part of a planned reduction in force. Plus the latest business, Fronteras Desk and metro Phoenix news.

Crews with the Salt River project are dumping thousands of fish into Phoenix-area canals in an effort to help keep them clean. Research has shown that the impact that created Meteor Crater in northern Arizona may have dammed the Colorado River. Thursday is one month since federal authorities raided more than a dozen sports bars and restaurants in metro Phoenix. Plus the latest education, Fronteras Desk and metro Phoenix news.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors agreed to give key election duties back to Recorder Justin Heap, who sued the board over the issue. This year, as America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Arizona is highlighting community-led events, many showcasing state history. Members of the Scottsdale Unified School District governing board are at odds over how to make necessary budget cuts. Plus the latest science, Fronteras Desk and business news.

The Colorado River is getting smaller thanks to climate change, and the states that use it are facing a deadline of this Saturday to agree on new rules about how to share water in the future. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality says it's working with communities outside the city of Globe and the town of Star Valley on projects to address PFAS in drinking water. The Paradise Valley Unified School District has fired its superintendent. Plus the latest business, metro Phoenix, Fronteras Desk and politics news.

It's Super Bowl week! And while the game won't be in Arizona this year, a good share of the betting will be. Gov. Katie Hobbs says she's cautiously optimistic that Western states are moving towards a deal on the Colorado River. Mexico and the U.S. agreed to a sixty day action plan aimed at developing trade policies for critical minerals. Plus the latest business, indigenous affairs, politics, and metro Phoenix news.

Health officials continue to urge Arizonans to take precautions against measles. Federal investigators say a southern Arizona man shot by Border Patrol agents early Tuesday could face federal charges. As Arizona's legislative session begins, housing affordability continues to be a priority for many lawmakers. Plus the latest education, Indigenous affairs, environmental and metro Phoenix news.

Arizona has had more than 200 measles cases since August. President Trump's administration Wednesday dropped an effort to defund schools that teach “diversity equity and inclusion.” Remittances — or the money immigrants send back to their countries of origin — dropped to Mexico in 2025. Plus the latest business and metro Phoenix news.

Maricopa County is reporting its first measles case amid the state's ongoing outbreak. It's still unclear how Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs and Republican lawmakers plan to pay for their dueling plans to cut taxes by hundreds of millions of dollars. Two East Valley school districts are looking to cut millions of dollars from their budgets to keep up with declines in enrollment. Plus the latest Fronteras Desk, metro Phoenix, and business news.

In the wake of Wednesday's fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is concerned about reports that the Trump administration plans to ramp up immigration enforcement activities in Phoenix. Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly are some of more than two dozen Democrats asking Trump administration officials about its diversion of federal agents to immigration work. The labor union for Arizona public school educators says voters want accountability and transparency for the state's voucher system. Plus the latest business, metro Phoenix, tribal natural resources and politics news.

The Phoenix City Council has green lit an expansion of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in North Phoenix. After months of discussion and public hearings, the Kyrene School District governing board has voted to close four elementary schools and two middle schools. A new women's health hub will be among the first projects developed in Mesa's new Palo District. Plus the latest tribal natural resources, health, politics, and metro Phoenix news.

Arizona has reported more than 900 cases of whooping cough in 2025 — that's the highest case count in more than a decade. President Donald Trump says he will put an additional tariff on Mexico if it doesn't send over water it owes the U.S. The Scottsdale Unified School District will close and repurpose two schools due to declining enrollment and a several-million-dollar budget shortfall. Plus the latest business, politics and metro Phoenix news.

Food banks may face an increased demand in the coming years due to changes made to SNAP by the Republican tax cut and spending package passed earlier this year. The superintendent of the Paradise Valley Unified School District could soon be terminated. How will Arizona Sen. Kelly's viral video and investigation affect his political future? Plus the latest Fronteras Desk and business news.

An Arizona water agency took a historic vote Wednesday to pursue multiple water augmentation projects to boost the state's water supply —including desalination. Maricopa County could be at risk of losing nearly 1400 housing units for disabled, formerly homeless people. A Tolleson school board voted Tuesday against building a widely criticized $80 million domed football stadium. Plus the latest tribal natural resources, metro Phoenix, and science news.

With the government shutdown ended, Gov. Katie Hobbs says most Arizonans who rely on food assistance already have their benefits restored. Residents in Hermosillo are demanding answers — and accountability — after an explosion in the state capital's busy city center killed at least 24 people. The Phoenix Union High School District will cut $20 million from its budget next school year. Plus the latest business, metro Phoenix, tribal natural resources, and politics news.

As the U.S. government shutdown ended its first month Saturday and SNAP food benefits are mired in uncertainty, folks across the country have reached out to step up and help. After President Trump shut the door to asylum seekers on his first day in office, many who once hoped to cross into the United States are now looking to Mexico for protection. The Arizona Department of Education has released a new round of letter grades for Arizona's public schools. Plus the latest politics, metro Phoenix, and business news.

Gov. Katie Hobbs Wednesday announced she'd direct $1.5 million dollars in federal pandemic relief funds to support food banks in the state. A new report shows Arizona military bases will host a large part of a new National Guard force designed to quell civil unrest. Dozens of Flagstaff residents weighed in on the city's contract with Flock Safety, a rapidly expanding company whose cameras are now operating in communities across the country. Plus the latest tribal natural resources, science, education, and metro Phoenix news.

A new study has found that groundwater pumping is having a greater effect in changing levels in the Tucson Basin Aquifer than climate change. This year, the number of cattle that have crossed that border have plummeted, as the U.S. tries to stop the northward spread of a flesh-eating parasite. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit Tuesday against House Speaker Mike Johnson over his refusal to swear Democratic Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva into office. Plus the latest tribal natural resources, education, business, and metro Phoenix news.

Nondescript data centers are popping up in cities, towns and even cattle ranches. An investigation into whether the city of Sedona's police chief and its former mayor harassed each other has come to a close. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the secretary of state does not have to follow a law governing how state agencies make rules when he creates a biennial rule book for local election officials. Plus the latest business, education and metro Phoenix news.

Glendale's city manager says he's still “absolutely and unquestionably” confident that VAI Resort will be finished despite the scrapped plans. Ballots went in the mail on Wednesday in Maricopa County and voters are being asked to consider a property tax increase to support the county's publicly funded hospital system. The Kyrene School District has altered its plan for proposed school closures after getting feedback from parents. Plus the latest sports, metro Phoenix, Fronteras Desk and business news.

President Donald Trump's sprawling tax cut and immigration bill will reduce government spending on Medicaid. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson says he'll soon swear in Arizona's newest Congresswoman, Adelita Grijalva. It's been one week since a catastrophic flood hit the city of Globe in Gila County, but the tight-knit community is coming together to clean up and support those who need it most. Plus the latest Fronteras Desk, science, health and metro Phoenix news.

Arizona's congressional delegation promised to make changes in Washington, D.C., that would be felt here at home but in practice, they're not getting much done, at least legislatively. COVID-19 vaccines should be more widely available in Arizona now. The Arizona Department of Education says Native American students are seeing remarkable improvement in reading and math proficiency statewide. Plus the latest tribal natural resources, business and Fronteras Desk news.

The cost to hold a Charlie Kirk memorial at a state-owned stadium while keeping safe mourners, the president and other top officials is unknown. Community members continue to push back on potential school closures in the Kyrene School District. Pima County health officials will now offer COVID vaccines at county clinics. Plus the latest business, metro Phoenix, and Fronteras Desk news.

Water officials in Tucson say the city has started receiving settlement funds from a class action lawsuit against major manufacturers of a firefighting foam that contains PFAS. The Arizona Supreme Court has rejected a bid by state schools chief Tom Horne to keep one of its justices from deciding whether he can sue schools over English instruction. Plus, the latest Tiny Desert Concert.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne are in a dispute over the management of school voucher funds. Federal tax credits for electric vehicles or home energy efficiency upgrades are set to expire soon and state officials are urging Arizonans to take advantage while they still can. Plus from KJZZ's The Show, much like certain songs and movies come to define the zeitgeist every summer, so too do colors.

An ongoing controversy swirling around the state's school voucher program has reignited an internal feud in the Arizona Republican Party, leading two GOP officials to call on party Chairwoman Gina Swoboda to resign. One Native American tribe is trying to give the Colorado River the same legal rights as a person. Plus, the latest Soapbox from KJZZ's The Show.

Local leaders have voted to block a massive data center proposed for a 290-acre stretch of land southeast of downtown Tucson. Law enforcement is investigating the parent teacher network at a charter school in Queen Creek. Plus, the latest Tiny Desert Concert.

Local leaders in Tucson have voted not to allow a proposed data center with ties to Amazon known as Project Blue to move forward. The Arizona Department of Water Resources was slapped with a lawsuit this week by an environmental group, the Center for Biological Diversity. Plus, Americans are desperate to get more sleep. But are they taking it too seriously?

The Dragon Bravo Fire has burned over 111,000 acres and is threatening the Kaibab Lodge. The Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans is warning that hundreds of billions of dollars will be cut from Medicaid and Medicare over the next 10 years. Plus, from KJZZ's original production The Show, a conversation with a specialist about how Maricopa County became an HIV hotspot, and how funding cuts will make it worse.

The Department of Interior is transferring public land along the Arizona-Mexico border to the U.S. military. The so-called “Epstein files” have become a divisive issue for Republicans in Arizona's congressional delegation. Plus, from KJZZ's original production The Show, a conversation with local researchers who are working on a faster way to diagnose Valley fever.

Though former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema isn't running for public office, she continues to use hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds to pay for plane tickets, hotels and meals. A new sports bar in Phoenix's Melrose District prioritizes women's sports. Plus, from KJZZ's original production The Show, Arizona wants to boost water supplies but is cutting funding.

The newly chosen Phoenix police chief says it's a dream come true to return to the department where he started his career. A pair of conservation groups are suing the Trump administration over a stretch of Arizona borderland that's slated to see wall construction in the next two months. Plus, a remembrance of Steve Benson, the longtime political cartoonist for the Arizona Republic.