## 🏛️ Government
Pima County supervisors move to potentially oust Sheriff Chris Nanos. The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to begin a formal investigation into Sheriff Chris Nanos' work history, following news reports that Nanos made misrepresentations when he relocated to Tucson from El Paso. The process could ultimately result in his removal from office; the board is preparing to require Nanos to appear and answer questions under oath, and failure to cooperate — or untruthful testimony — could trigger removal proceedings.
Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Sentinel
Tucson topples its César Chávez statue; Arizona Senate advances repeal of state holiday. The city of Tucson removed the bronze statue of César Chávez at the Barrio Viejo intersection without notifying the artist who created it or the neighborhood association president in advance. The removal comes amid a broader statewide reckoning after a New York Times investigation detailed sexual abuse allegations against the labor icon. In Phoenix, the city council voted to rename its Cesar Chavez holiday to Farmworkers Day and begin removing his name from city property. At the state Capitol, the Arizona Senate advanced a bill in a 7-0 committee vote that would immediately repeal Arizona's Cesar Chavez Day, with both Republican and Democratic support; the measure goes next to Gov. Katie Hobbs, who has said her office will not observe the holiday this year.
Arizona Daily Star, Arizona Mirror
Judge blocks "Arizona Independent Party" name change as "bait and switch." A judge ruled last week that Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes lacked legal authority to approve renaming the "No Labels Party" the "Arizona Independent Party," voiding the name change and instructions previously sent to county recorders. The ruling will affect how the party appears on ballots ahead of the midterm elections.
ICE detention facility proposal divides Marana. A proposed ICE detention facility in Marana continued to draw sharp public reaction during the March 17 town council meeting, where Mayor Jon Post capped public comment at 30 minutes after most speakers addressed the project. The proposal has split residents and exposed tensions in the fast-growing community northwest of Tucson over immigration enforcement and local governance.
Tucson Local Media / Explorer News
## 🚨 Public Safety
Southern Arizona gun dealer charged with terrorism after ATF sting. A Southern Arizona gun dealer was charged last week with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization after he allegedly tried to sell a .50-caliber sniper rifle and three military-grade belt-fed machine guns intended for a Mexican cartel. The case is among the most serious federal firearms prosecutions in the region in recent years.
Westside Tucson neighborhood demands action as stray bullets strike homes. Residents in Eagle Point Estates near Valencia and Valhalla Road are organizing and circulating a petition after bullets from nearby illegal shooting on state trust land have repeatedly struck their homes. One bullet passed clean through the front of a house while the homeowner was inside; another bullet landed in a neighbor's car headrest after piercing the garage wall. Pima County Sheriff's Department has responded to reports but neighbors say they've been told the calls are "low priority." Residents are calling for increased patrols and enforcement of the no-trespassing rules on the adjacent state land.
## 🏗️ Development & Business
Bass Pro Shops opens Tucson location. Hundreds of shoppers turned out Thursday for the grand opening of Bass Pro Shops near Interstate 10 and Kino Parkway on Tucson's southeast side. The store features hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking gear, as well as an Arizona-species fish tank. The grand opening also launched an "Evening of Conservation" program, with 15 percent of opening-day sales directed to local conservation efforts.
Tucson solar startup developing grid-scale energy storage. A Tucson startup profiled by Inside Tucson Business is developing technology designed to store solar energy during the day and release it to the electric grid at night — an advance that could help address the intermittency challenges of solar power. The project is connected to the University of Arizona's pipeline of research-to-commercialization ventures.
## 🎉 Community & Events
Logan Phillips named Tucson's 2026–2029 Poet Laureate. The city of Tucson, in partnership with the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona and the University of Arizona Poetry Center, has appointed Logan Phillips as the city's poet laureate for the next three years. The appointment continues Tucson's tradition of supporting literary arts in a city that holds UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts designation.
Tucson Local Media / Explorer News
Africa in Arizona: Live music, visual arts, and cultural events this week. The Tucson Sentinel's arts roundup highlights Africa in Arizona, a three-day event featuring live music celebrating Salvador Durán, student musicians, traditional movement, and crafts. Additional happenings include the theatrical production "Petty Court" and workshops for making Santos charms.
## ⛈️ Weather — Tucson
No active watches, warnings, or advisories for the Tucson area.
Today (Thursday, March 26): Sunny, high near 98°F. Southwest wind 1–10 mph. 0% chance of precipitation. Tonight: Clear, low around 58°F. South-southwest wind 2–8 mph. 0% chance of precipitation. Friday: Sunny, high near 99°F. South wind 2–9 mph. 0% chance of precipitation. Outlook: Tucson is in the grip of an early-season heat wave, with temperatures running 20–25 degrees above the late-March average. A change arrives this weekend — Friday night brings partly cloudy skies and gusty northeast winds ahead of a Saturday cooldown to the low 90s. A chance of showers and thunderstorms returns Sunday (30%), offering modest relief before another dry stretch begins next week.
NWS Tucson Forecast API