🚨 Public Safety
Man suffers life-threatening injuries in shooting near Grant and Silverbell. Tucson Police Department is investigating a shooting near the intersection of Grant Road and Silverbell Road. A TPD photographer on scene observed several officers and at least two vehicles believed to be part of the crime scene. The victim's condition was reported as critical.
Man faces new indictment for child sexual abuse during church services. A Tucson man who previously admitted to molesting a child has now been indicted on additional charges of alleged child sexual abuse that occurred during church services. The case was reported by the Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team.
Haitian man detained at Arizona ICE facility dies in U.S. custody. A Haitian man held at an Arizona immigration detention facility died in U.S. custody after reportedly receiving no treatment for a toothache, his brother said. The case raises fresh concerns about medical care at immigration detention facilities in Arizona.
Pima County Sheriff addresses digital evidence in Nancy Guthrie disappearance. The Pima County Sheriff's Department has spoken publicly about digital evidence in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC's "Today" host Savannah Guthrie. Savannah Guthrie and her sister were seen leaving flowers at their mother's Tucson-area home earlier this week in their first public appearance at the residence since Nancy Guthrie went missing about a month ago.
KVOA News 4 Tucson, Arizona Daily Star
🏛️ Government
RTA Special Election ballot deadline is Tuesday, March 10 — return options available now. Pima County voters have until 7 p.m. Tuesday to return their ballots for the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Special Election. Voters can drop ballots at three 24-hour secure drop boxes, at Recorder's Office locations (open through March 9, and Election Day), or at the Votemobile at Nanini Library (March 9, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.). Officials warn against mailing ballots at this late stage. Through March 4, over 139,000 ballots had been tabulated. The pro-RTA campaign holds a $1.3 million fundraising advantage over opposition forces, with construction and related industries contributing heavily.
Pima County Newsroom, Arizona Daily Star
Tucson weighs new zoning rules for large-scale data centers. The City of Tucson held a public meeting to discuss proposed zoning amendments that would require data centers over 50,000 square feet to prove adequate water and energy supplies before breaking ground. Companies planning to use 7.48 million+ gallons of water per month would need to show 30% of that supply comes from reclaimed sources and disclose renewable energy usage. Members of the No Desert Data Center Coalition raised concerns about enforceability and the city's existing resource constraints, especially amid Colorado River drought pressures. The Planning Commission still needs to hold a study session and public hearing; the Mayor and Council are expected to vote in May.
Arizona Senate passes unlimited capital gains exemption for home sales. A measure approved by the Arizona Senate would eliminate state capital gains taxes on home sale profits entirely. The current exemption caps at $250,000 for single filers and $500,000 for couples. The measure now moves forward in the legislative process.
Arizona Medicaid families rally over loss of autism ABA therapy access. Families of hundreds of children with autism spectrum disorder gathered Thursday at the Arizona State Capitol, calling on AHCCCS — the state's Medicaid program — to ensure contracted care organizations provide the services for which they are paid. Mercy Care and Arizona Complete Health terminated contracts with major ABA therapy providers Centria Healthcare and Action Behavior Centers late last year, leaving families unable to find covered alternatives. Two lawsuits — including a class action on behalf of families of 11 affected children — seek to force AHCCCS accountability. Advocates warn the situation will be worsened by federal Medicaid cuts under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."
Arizona Secretary of State sues to block DOJ demand for voter rolls. Secretary of State Adrian Fontes filed suit to prevent the Department of Justice from obtaining Arizona voter registration records, calling the request for private citizen data an "illegal" power grab. The suit adds Arizona to a growing list of states pushing back against the federal voter roll collection effort.
DHS intends to use Marana facility as immigration detention center. The Department of Homeland Security intends to contract with Management & Training Corporation to use its Marana facility as an immigration detention center, according to Pima Resists ICE (PRICE), a local organization opposed to the plan.
🏗️ Development & Business
Grant Road flood basin and 20-foot coyote sculpture coming to midtown Tucson. A flood-control catchment basin and public art installation are under construction at the southeast corner of Grant Road and Dodge Boulevard as part of Phases 3 and 4 of the Grant Road Expansion Project. The centerpiece will be "Dodger the Coyote," a 20-foot red coyote sculpture visible from the roadway. The $56.96 million combined phases project is funded by the Regional Transportation Authority. Construction on the basin is expected to wrap by end of 2026.
🎉 Community & Events
TODAY: Pima County names wildlife corridor after pioneering ecologist William Shaw. The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 this week to name a significant Avra Valley wildlife corridor after UA Professor Emeritus William Shaw, the ecologist who first identified it in 1986. The Shaw Wildlife Corridor connects Tucson Mountain Park to Ironwood Forest National Monument and is credited with shaping county land-use and wildlife planning policy. An official naming ceremony is scheduled for this morning at 9 a.m. at the Red Hills Visitor Center, Saguaro National Park (Tucson Mountains unit), 2700 N. Kinney Road. The event is free and open to the public.
It's rattlesnake season in Tucson — encounters picking up. March marks the start of Tucson's rattlesnake season, when encounters in the desert and around homes become most frequent. Residents are advised to be alert when hiking and to check around their yards and garages as temperatures warm.
⛈️ Weather — Tucson
No active NWS alerts for the Tucson/Pima County area.
Today (Friday, March 6): Sunny. High near 66°F. Southwest wind 5 to 13 mph. Sunrise at 6:43 AM; sunset at 6:26 PM. Tonight: Mostly clear. Low around 41°F. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Saturday: Mostly sunny. High near 71°F. South southeast wind around 7 mph. Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Low around 48°F. Sunday: Sunny, then a slight chance of rain showers after 5 PM. High near 80°F. Chance of precipitation 20%. Outlook: Temperatures climb sharply over the weekend, reaching near 80°F Sunday before a significant weather system moves in. Rain showers and thunderstorms are likely Monday (62% chance), with the wet pattern possibly continuing into Tuesday. Enjoy the weekend sunshine — umbrellas may be needed early next week.
NWS Tucson Forecast API