🏛️ Government
Arizona legislators push bill to fire Tucson teachers who stage future anti-ICE sickouts. Arizona lawmakers upset over a Tucson teacher walkout — in which educators called in sick to protest ICE enforcement — are advancing legislation that would terminate public school teachers who repeat such action. The bill comes weeks after a wave of Tucson Unified teachers participated in the coordinated sickout, drawing sharp criticism from Republican legislators at the state Capitol.
TUSD board preserves attendance tech jobs but approves $2.6 million in other cuts. The Tucson Unified School District Governing Board voted Tuesday to spare roughly 30 attendance and registration technician positions — over $1 million in potential savings — while approving $2.6 million in other reductions to address the district's $27 million deficit. Eliminated positions include all regional itinerant substitute teachers, the customer support center, one regional assistant superintendent, and the senior director of magnet programs.
Arizona Senate approves bill barring immigrants from basic banking services. The state Senate passed SB 1421 along party lines Wednesday, 16-12, a measure that would prohibit financial institutions from accepting consular IDs as valid identification — effectively blocking immigrants from opening bank accounts, cashing checks, sending remittances or applying for loans. The bill now heads to the House; Gov. Katie Hobbs is expected to veto it, as she has consistently rejected legislation lacking bipartisan support.
RTA Next election approaching — $2.67 billion regional transportation plan on the March ballot. Voters across the Tucson region will decide next month on RTA Next, a sweeping transportation funding plan that would determine which roads, transit lines, and infrastructure projects get built over the coming years. The election carries no new tax increase but directs existing revenue; Tucson City Councilwoman Miranda Schubert has broken with the plan, and opinion is divided on whether it looks far enough into the future.
Tucson Agenda | Arizona Daily Star
Oro Valley and Marana municipal elections moved to July 21. A newly signed state law has shifted the date for mayoral and town council elections in Oro Valley and Marana to Tuesday, July 21, changing candidate filing deadlines for both communities.
Tucson Local Media / Explorer News
🚨 Public Safety
Media circus around Nancy Guthrie's Catalina Foothills home prompts no-parking zone. Pima County officials have designated residential streets near the Catalina Foothills home of Nancy Guthrie — the missing mother of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie — as a no-parking zone, following weeks of sustained media presence and neighborhood congestion. The family has announced a $1 million reward for information leading to her return and continues to hold out hope, while search efforts involve the Madres Buscadoras de Sonora, a Mexican volunteer group with experience in missing-persons cases.
Man shot near Speedway and Main Wednesday night. Tucson Police responded to a shooting near Estevan Park at Speedway Boulevard and Main Avenue late Wednesday. A man was transported to a hospital; the extent of his injuries was not confirmed as of press time.
KGUN 9 (ABC)
🎓 Education
University of Arizona dismantles cultural housing communities, rebrands with interdisciplinary focus. A UA program that placed students from similar cultural backgrounds together in residence halls will no longer center on shared cultural identity. The university is rebranding the communities around an interdisciplinary academic model, a shift that has drawn concern from students and alumni who valued the cultural affiliation.
🏗️ Development & Business
Arizona AG wants TEP's proposed 14% rate hike cut to 4%. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has asked state utility regulators to slash Tucson Electric Power's proposed rate increase from 14% to 4%, setting up a major showdown before the Arizona Corporation Commission. The case carries political weight on both sides and will have direct impact on Tucson-area household utility bills.
Iran's national soccer team to train at Kino Sports Complex ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup. Kino Sports Complex announced Feb. 20 that the Iranian national team has selected Tucson as its pre-tournament training site ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement puts Tucson on the international soccer map as a preparation destination.
Tucson hosts first public meeting on proposed data center regulations. The City of Tucson kicked off public comment on draft rules that would govern where and how large-scale data centers can operate within city limits. The regulations come as Arizona attracts major data center investment, and city officials are trying to balance economic growth with community and infrastructure impacts.
Oro Valley and Marana sign cycling partnership agreement. The two northwest-area communities have entered a formal accord to jointly position themselves as a premier cycling destination, aiming to attract competitive events, training camps, and recreational cyclists from around the country.
🎉 Community & Events
Wildflower season starting early — superbloom potential in 2026. A warmer-than-average winter has triggered early blooms at Picacho Peak State Park and Lost Dutchman State Park. Forecasters see strong potential for a "superbloom" season, with color arriving ahead of the typical late-February to March window.
This Is Tucson / Arizona Daily Star
Cologuard Classic golf tournament returns to La Paloma, March 15–22. The PGA TOUR Champions event at La Paloma Country Club and The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa continues its Birdies for Survivors initiative, with each birdie on the 15th hole generating $1,500 to fund survivor attendance at future events.
KGUN 9 (ABC)
⛈️ Weather — Tucson
No active watches, warnings, or advisories in effect for Pima County.
Today: Sunny, high near 87°F. Southwest wind 2 to 10 mph. 0% chance of precipitation. Tonight: Clear, low around 56°F. West wind 2 to 9 mph. Tomorrow (Friday): Sunny, high near 92°F. East-northeast wind 1 to 9 mph. Outlook: Exceptional warmth continues through the weekend — highs of 92–93°F Saturday and Sunday, well above the late-February average. Skies remain clear to mostly clear with no precipitation in the 7-day forecast. Enjoy it while it lasts; no cold fronts are visible on the horizon.
NWS Tucson Forecast API