## 🏛️ Government
Pima County's RTA Next transportation ballot measure reaches its final day Tuesday. The special mail-in election on the Regional Transportation Authority's proposed continuation of the half-cent transportation sales tax — which funds road and transit projects countywide — closes today. A Votemobile was stationed on the Northwest Side on Monday for last-minute ballot drops. Results are expected after polls close Tuesday night.
The Arizona Senate has approved a measure creating an unlimited capital gains tax exemption on home sales. The bill eliminates the current state cap — $250,000 for single filers and $500,000 for couples — on gains excluded from Arizona income taxes when a primary residence is sold. The measure now moves to the House.
## 🚨 Public Safety
A 47-year-old man was killed early Monday morning when a red-light runner struck his vehicle in midtown Tucson. Tucson police responded to the two-vehicle crash and confirmed the victim's death at the scene. No further details on arrests or the other driver were immediately available.
A Tucson man who previously admitted to molesting a boy has been indicted on additional child sexual abuse charges allegedly committed during church services. According to the Arizona Daily Star, the suspect faces new criminal counts tied to abuse that occurred in Tucson church pews in addition to his earlier admission. The case was reported by the Lee Enterprises Public Service Journalism Team.
## 🎓 Education
TUSD is managing budget deficit complaints while state auditors criticize Amphitheater, Flowing Wells, and Vail school districts over classroom spending. The Tucson Unified School District continues working through its budget shortfall and fielding community criticism; in a separate development, state auditors are scrutinizing three other Pima County-area districts. Sahuarita Unified is scheduled to discuss its strategic plan this week.
The Altar Valley Elementary School District Governing Board has a vacancy after member Shanee Page resigned. The district serves a rural area west of Tucson, and the Pima County Superintendent of Schools Office is accepting applications to fill the appointed seat.
## 🏗️ Development & Business
The Department of Homeland Security intends to contract Management & Training Corporation to convert its Marana facility into an immigration detention center. The announcement was reported by Pima Resists ICE (PRICE), a coalition opposing the plan. MTC operates private detention and correctional facilities nationwide; the Marana location would add detention capacity in the Tucson region.
Tucson Local Media / Explorer News
Artificial intelligence is reshaping Tucson's historically defense-anchored technology sector. An analysis from Inside Tucson Business finds that AI is accelerating growth and expanding what "tech" means in a city long dominated by defense contractors, optical sciences, and space industry firms. Startups and established companies alike are integrating AI tools into their operations.
## 🎉 Community & Events
The Tucson Festival of Books returns to the University of Arizona campus Saturday and Sunday, March 14–15, with an estimated 140,000 attendees expected. Roughly 300 presenting authors and 150 indie authors will appear across six stages, alongside cooking demonstrations and hands-on science activities. For the first time in the festival's 17-year history, a clear-bag policy is required for all indoor author events — bags must be transparent and no larger than 12"×12"×6". Organizers recommend taking the Sun Link Streetcar to campus and downloading the festival app for event updates.
Arizona Daily Star, KGUN 9, Tucson Sentinel
Tucson baker Don Guerra of Barrio Bread has been named Arizona State University's first baker-in-residence. A James Beard Award winner and recipient of three USDA grants, Guerra plans to use the position to advance both bread-making and education. He operates two Arizona bakeries known for heritage-grain sourdough.
## ⛈️ Weather — Tucson
No active NWS watches, warnings, or advisories for Pima County.
Today: Chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 PM, then partly sunny. High near 68°F. Southwest wind 3–8 mph. Precipitation chance: 50%. Tonight: Mostly clear. Low around 46°F. South southwest wind 2–7 mph. Wednesday: Sunny. High near 78°F. West northwest wind 2–12 mph. Outlook: Temperatures climb sharply through the week — near 88°F Thursday and 91°F Friday — well above seasonal averages as high pressure rebuilds following Tuesday's storm system. Conditions will be sunny and dry through the weekend; the Tucson Festival of Books should see clear skies.
NWS Tucson Forecast API