Daily Brief
June 15, 2026
Monday
🏛️ Government
Gov. Hobbs signs $18.3 billion Arizona budget with $1.4B in tax cuts. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed the fiscal year 2027 state budget into law Saturday, about two weeks before the deadline to avoid a government shutdown. The bipartisan package includes $1.4 billion in tax cuts over three years by conforming Arizona's code with Trump's federal "One Big Beautiful Bill" — eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, increasing the standard deduction, and adding a $6,000 senior deduction and expanded child tax credit. State agencies face 2.5% across-the-board cuts, and a three-year moratorium blocks new data center tax certificates. Democrats' push to extend Prop. 123 school funding ($300M/year for K-12) failed.
Arizona Legislature closes 2026 session with late-night ballot push. The Legislature adjourned its 2026 session Saturday after Republicans made a late-night push to send a conservative policy agenda to voters. The session concluded the same day Hobbs signed the budget — ending weeks of divided negotiations.
Primary election voter registration deadline is June 22. Arizonans have until Monday, June 22 to register to vote in the state's primary election. AZPM has published a FAQ with key dates and essential information for voters at their Arizona Election Center.
🚨 Public Safety
Fire breaks out on Catalina Mountains near Pusch Ridge. A small fire was spotted Sunday evening on the Catalina Mountains near Pusch Ridge, with the USDA confirming "confirmed starts" in the area. Firefighters began containment efforts while monitoring a nearby storm cell moving across the mountain; rain in the area was expected to change vegetation receptivity to the flames. This is a developing story.
Thunderstorms knock out power to thousands in Marana area. Trico Electric Cooperative reported 32 active outages affecting approximately 3,878 customers in the Marana area Sunday evening as thunderstorms swept through Southern Arizona. Tucson Electric Power also reported a smaller outage affecting about 30 customers near Saguaro Springs northwest of Tucson; both utilities attributed the disruptions to lightning strikes, strong winds, and storm-related equipment damage.
🏗️ Development & Business
Ripple Fiber to invest $80M bringing fiber internet to Pima County. Ripple Fiber announced plans to invest more than $80 million to bring 100% fiber-optic internet service to over 50,000 homes and businesses across Pima County — the company's first expansion into Arizona. The buildout would represent a significant boost to broadband infrastructure in Southern Arizona.
Casino Del Sol sets opening date for first casino in Tucson city limits. Casino Del Sol has announced an opening date for its new Tucson city-limits location, which will feature 924 slot machines and is projected to create 500 jobs. It will be the first casino operating within Tucson's municipal boundaries.
🎉 Community & Events
Juneteenth events celebrate this week across Tucson. Several community events are planned in Tucson this week marking Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, which falls on Friday, June 19.
Richard Elías Mission Library reopens after renovation. The Mission Library on Tucson's southwest side has reopened after a full renovation, renaming it in honor of the late Pima County Supervisor Richard Elías. The project holds personal significance for longtime community members who grew up visiting the branch.
Fort Lowell preservation project completed. A preservation project at Tucson's historic Fort Lowell site has been completed, protecting one of the city's most significant 19th-century military landmarks.
AZPM and Boys & Girls Clubs launch back-to-school supply drive. Arizona Public Media is partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson for a Back-to-School Supply Drive running June 22 through August 4. The drive aims to ensure local youth have the materials they need to start the school year ready to succeed.
⛈️ Weather — Tucson
No active weather alerts.
Today (Mon., June 15): Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, high near 104°F. Heat index values as high as 103°F. West wind 1–12 mph with gusts to 22 mph. Precipitation chance: 30%.
Tonight: Chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then mostly clear. Low around 76°F. Heat index values as high as 100°F. Southwest wind 2–12 mph, gusts to 21 mph. Precipitation chance: 30%.
Tomorrow (Tue., June 16): Sunny, high near 105°F. Heat index as high as 102°F. West wind 1–12 mph with gusts to 22 mph.
Outlook: A hot week ahead with highs ranging 102–105°F through the week. Another chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms returns Wednesday (30%). Thursday and Friday see slightly cooler highs near 102°F with diminishing storm chances. The weekend looks sunny and dry with highs around 102–103°F through Sunday, June 21 (Summer Solstice).
NWS Tucson Forecast API