🏛️ Government
Pima Sheriff Nanos faces Board of Supervisors over alleged deposition misstatements; BOS eyes dropping Chávez Day. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is set to face the Board of Supervisors following allegations that he made false statements in a deposition. Monday's BOS agenda also includes a vote on whether to drop the annual César Chávez Day observance — a move connected to the broader reckoning over Chávez's legacy after sex abuse allegations. TUSD Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo is also slated for a $15,000 raise.
'Bring down that name': Tucsonans move to erase César Chávez's influence after sex abuse scandal. City officials have already moved to strip Chávez's name and likeness from public spaces, while students are preparing for a visit by Dolores Huerta — who worked alongside Chávez for decades and this week said she was assaulted by him. The BOS is expected to formally consider removing the annual César Chávez Day designation Monday.
Arizona budget talks collapse as Hobbs walks away, calls GOP 'unserious.' Gov. Katie Hobbs announced Friday she is suspending all state budget negotiations until Republicans release their plan publicly. At the center of the impasse is Proposition 123, whose $300 million in annual school funding expired last year, and a GOP push for $441 million in tax cuts tied to federal conformity. Republican leaders accused Hobbs of throwing a "temper tantrum"; Hobbs' office blamed far-right Arizona Freedom Caucus leader Sen. Jake Hoffman for blocking compromise. Tucson-area schools depend heavily on any Prop. 123 revival.
Pima County voters approve RTA Next, the $2.67 billion regional transportation plan. Voters passed both propositions in RTA Next by approximately 3-to-2 margins, authorizing a 20-year, half-cent sales tax extension to fund roads, transit, and bike/pedestrian infrastructure across the region. The vote represents the largest local transportation investment in Pima County's history.
🚨 Public Safety
Woman killed after vehicle falls 100 feet in Catalina Highway crash. A 35-year-old woman died Saturday in a crash about five miles up the highway to Mount Lemmon, after her vehicle left the roadway and fell approximately 100 feet. The Catalina Highway corridor has seen multiple fatal crashes in recent years.
Community rallies again for Ruben Perez, 14-year-old with cerebral palsy attacked in Tucson. Dozens gathered at Mission Manor Park on Sunday in a second show of support for Ruben Perez, a high school student with cerebral palsy who was beaten, kicked, and dragged by a group of teens earlier this month. Tucson police say two suspects — both juveniles — have been charged with assault and robbery. A neurological exam last week returned "a bit negative" results; Ruben will undergo therapy and is expected to return to school Tuesday.
Advocates report 'alarming increase' in medically neglected ICE detainees in Arizona. The Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project says it is seeing a sharp rise in people held in ICE custody in Arizona who are experiencing potentially life-threatening medical neglect. Arizona is one of the largest ICE detention states in the country; the report adds pressure on the state's congressional delegation at a time of expanded immigration enforcement.
🏗️ Development & Business
TEP proposes ~14% base rate increase; public comment meeting today. Tucson Electric Power is seeking roughly a 14% base rate increase from the Arizona Corporation Commission, which would raise the average residential bill by $16 to $20 per month. TEP says the increase is needed to cover $1.7 billion in infrastructure investment made since 2021, including substations, transmission lines, and energy storage. Attorney General Kris Mayes has argued the increase is excessive and recommended a 4% cap instead. A public comment session is scheduled today (March 23) from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in person and by phone at 400 W. Congress St. The formal ACC hearing begins April 22.
Tucson startup developing daytime solar storage for the nighttime grid. A new Tucson company spun out of local university research is developing technology to store solar energy generated during the day and release it to the electric grid at night — addressing one of the major limitations of solar power. The company is part of a broader Southern Arizona pipeline converting lab research into commercial ventures.
Inside Tucson Business, Tucson Local Media
🎉 Community & Events
Pima Community College women's basketball wins first NJCAA Division II national title. The Aztecs defeated Kirkwood Community College (Iowa) 64-58 Saturday to claim the program's first national championship. The win capped a run that included an upset of No. 1 Johnson County Community College in the semifinals. The Pima men's team also competed, finishing fifth after beating No. 1 Des Moines Area to close the season.
Cologuard Classic wraps 9th year; raises $55,000 for colorectal cancer survivors. Steven Alker won the PGA Tour Champions event for the second consecutive year, defeating Padraig Harrington in a playoff at La Paloma Country Club. The tournament's Birdies for Survivors initiative raised $55,000 to fund cancer survivors' attendance at next year's event — $5,000 more than in 2025. The Tucson Conquistadores have contributed more than $37.8 million to local and national charities since 1962.
⛈️ Weather — Tucson
No active watches, warnings, or advisories.
Today: Sunny. High near 97°F. Southwest wind 2 to 9 mph. Precipitation: 0%. Tonight: Mostly clear. Low around 58°F. South wind 2 to 8 mph. Tomorrow (Tuesday): Sunny. High near 97°F. South-southwest wind 1 to 9 mph. Precipitation: 0%. Outlook: A historic March heat wave continues through at least Friday, with daily record high temperatures likely and minor HeatRisk in effect. Gusty afternoon winds expected through Thursday. A back-door cold front late this week will increase moisture by the weekend, with a 10-30% chance of showers and possible thunderstorms developing mainly on Sunday — confidence low. Temperatures remain well above normal through next week.
NWS Tucson Point Forecast API