Daily Brief
April 24, 2026
Friday
đď¸ Government
City of Tucson Proposes $2.5 Billion Budget for Fiscal Year 2027. The city manager's recommended budget is $53 million more than FY2026, investing in core services, infrastructure, public safety, housing, and parks while keeping the books balanced. The proposal avoids closing fire stations and recreation centers, though some departments will leave positions temporarily unfilled to manage costs. Rate increases are proposed for water, trash collection, building permits, transportation, and parks programs; a public hearing is scheduled for the May 5 City Council meeting with a final vote on May 19.
Arizona Appeals Court Dismisses Conservative Election Overhaul Lawsuit. A unanimous three-judge panel of the Arizona Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's 2025 decision to dismiss a lawsuit from America First Legal Foundation and the Strong Communities Foundation of Arizona challenging ballot drop box policies, voter signature verification, and voter registration practices in Yavapai, Maricopa, and Coconino counties. The court found the plaintiffs lacked standing because they failed to allege any voter was denied the right to vote or that any election result was being contested.
Federal Government Reschedules Medical Marijuana; Recreational Cannabis Remains Tightly Restricted. The U.S. Department of Justice finalized rules reclassifying medical marijuana, easing some federal restrictions for state-licensed medicinal products. Recreational cannabis, including Arizona's legal adult-use market, remains classified at the same federal level as heroin, leaving most banking and business barriers in place for dispensaries.
đď¸ Development & Business
Bass Pro Shop Opens First Tucson Location. Tucson's first Bass Pro Shop is now open, making it the third location in Arizona. The outdoor sporting goods retailer is a significant addition to the local retail landscape for hunting, fishing, and camping enthusiasts.
Tucson Small Businesses Adapting to New Economic Realities. Independent retailers across Tucson are rethinking operations as economic conditions shift. Midtown Mercantile Merchants, a multi-dealer marketplace housing more than 100 small operators, is among businesses finding collective models to stay competitive in a changing market.
đ Education
Two University of Arizona Professors Named 2026 Guggenheim Fellows. A pair of UA faculty members are among more than 200 scholars and artists selected nationwide by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. The competitive annual fellowship supports recipients as they pursue new research and creative projects.
đ Community & Events
DĂa de la NiĂąez Celebration Saturday at Mission Manor Park. City of Tucson Wards 1 and 5 are co-hosting a free family event April 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mission Manor Park. The Tucson Police Department will donate toys to the first 200 children in attendance and the Tucson Fire Department will host a water activity; over 1,000 attendees are expected. Ward 1's Budget de la Gente participatory budgeting voting kicks off at the event.
Tucson International Mariachi Conference Returns April 29âMay 3. Now in its 44th year, the conference draws more than 1,300 students from local and international groups to study under master mariachi musicians and folklĂłrico dance instructors. Evening events begin Wednesday, April 29 â some free to the public â and conclude with a Mariachi Mass at noon Sunday, May 3. Headlining is Mariachi Sol de MĂŠxico de JosĂŠ HernĂĄndez.
Veterans Job Fair Connects Former Service Members With Local Employers. The Arizona Department of Economic Security, in partnership with Pima County, the City of Tucson, and AZ Hires Veterans, hosted a job fair Thursday connecting skilled military veterans with recruiters in healthcare, construction, and government. Additional job fairs are scheduled through May; listings are available on the Pima County website.
âď¸ Weather â Tucson
No active NWS watches, warnings, or advisories for the Tucson metro area.
â ď¸ **Fire Weather Note:** NWS Tucson advises elevated to near-critical fire weather conditions east of Tucson through the weekend, with minimum relative humidity dropping to 10â20% each afternoon. Saturday gusts up to 40 mph east of Tucson could reach critical thresholds.
Today (Friday, Apr 24): Sunny. High near 89°F. Southwest wind 2â14 mph, gusts up to 23 mph. Sunrise 5:42 AM / Sunset 7:01 PM. Tonight: Mostly clear. Low around 57°F. South wind 5â13 mph, gusts to 22 mph. Saturday: Mostly sunny. High near 87°F. SSW wind 6â16 mph, gusts to 26 mph. Overnight: mostly cloudy, low near 60°F, gusts to 25 mph. Sunday: Sunny. High near 79°F. Slight chance of light showers north of Tucson, particularly in the morning. Cooler than normal. Outlook: A weak weather disturbance arriving this weekend will bring gusty westerly winds and the potential for blowing dust Saturday and Sunday, with stronger conditions focused east of Tucson. Temperatures drop 2â10°F below normal on Sunday before rebounding by Tuesday. A more significant Pacific system is expected mid-next-week, with 20â45% chances of showers and thunderstorms from central Pima County eastward WednesdayâThursday.