Daily Brief
July 18, 2026
Saturday
🚨 Public Safety
Measles case confirmed in Tucson; exposure locations under investigation. Pima County health officials are investigating a confirmed measles case involving a Tucson resident who recently returned from international travel. Health authorities have identified locations of possible public exposures and are urging residents who may have been in contact to monitor for symptoms.
Arizona Daily Star, KVOA, KOLD
Body recovered from wash near Rio Rico; search continues for second person. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office recovered a man's body from a flooded wash near Rio Rico following monsoon storms this week. A second person reported in the water remains missing, with multiple agencies continuing search operations along the Santa Cruz River.
Arizona Daily Star, KVOA, KOLD, Green Valley News, Nogales International
Pima County Sheriff searches for missing vulnerable adult after separate wash incident. The Pima County Sheriff's Department is looking for a missing and vulnerable adult who may be connected to a flood-water rescue attempt in a local wash Friday. A separate water rescue effort was called off after the individual could not be located.
Five cyclospora infections reported in Pima County. Pima County health officials have confirmed five cases of cyclospora, an intestinal parasite infection, this year. Symptoms include gas, cramping, bloating, and watery diarrhea; officials are reminding residents of precautions to reduce infection risk.
Murder trial continues for man accused of killing good Samaritan in Pima County. Testimony continued this week in the trial of Jack Daryl Upchurch, who faces charges including first-degree murder, armed robbery, and kidnapping. A witness told jurors the victim's last words were "Why are you doing this?" before he was killed; prosecutors are relying on physical evidence and witness testimony to establish Upchurch as the killer.
Inmate dies at Pima County Jail; investigation underway. Corrections staff at the Pima County Jail found an inmate unresponsive and bleeding from the mouth, according to KOLD. An investigation into the death is underway.
Monsoon runoff buckles East Broadway near Freeman Wash. Monsoon floodwaters buckled East Broadway near South Freeman Road on Tucson's east side, prompting a road closure. Crews reported that some drivers were bypassing barricades, which officials warned could result in citations.
🏛️ Government
Pima County Board of Supervisors delays appointing new treasurer until July 28. The board unanimously approved pushing back the appointment of a replacement for former Treasurer Brian Johnson to July 28, or sooner via a special meeting, according to the Green Valley News.
Marana council candidates weigh in on data centers, PFAS, and ICE detention ahead of July 21 primary. Four candidates for the Marana Town Council shared positions on proposed data center regulations, PFAS contamination, and a former prison being used as an ICE detention facility, as voters prepare to head to the polls Tuesday, according to Tucson Spotlight.
Federal judge appoints outside overseer for Arizona prison healthcare system. A federal judge on Friday appointed Ohio's former prisons chief to take sweeping control of Arizona's prison healthcare system, granting her authority to determine what the state must do to end constitutional violations stemming from substandard inmate medical care. The ruling also sets the stage for nullifying two state laws, according to the Arizona Mirror.
Green Valley water district embezzlement probe ongoing. The Green Valley Domestic Water Improvement District continues to investigate whether additional parties bear responsibility for the loss of more than $3 million in an embezzlement scheme, the Green Valley News reports.
🎓 Education
U of A graduates first students in Kazakhstan partnership. Students in Kazakhstan have earned degrees from both the University of Arizona and their local institution for the first time, according to KVOA, marking an expansion of the university's international academic reach.
U of A's KEYS Research Program marks 20th anniversary. The University of Arizona's KEYS (K-12 Experiences in Your Scientific research program) celebrated its 20th anniversary Friday, marking two decades of connecting high school students with hands-on university research opportunities.
🏗️ Development & Business
Gibson Food Hall reopens; Tucson now home to four food halls. Gibson Food Hall & Market reopened July 10 following nearly two years of renovations, bringing Tucson's total food hall count to four, including two that operate out of repurposed shipping containers, according to the Arizona Daily Star and KOLD.
Green Valley man loses $300,000 in cryptocurrency scam. A 67-year-old Green Valley man reported Thursday that he lost $300,000 to scammers, according to the Pima County Sheriff's Department Green Valley substation. No arrests have been reported.
⛈️ Weather — Tucson
No active NWS alerts.
Tonight: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Partly cloudy with a low near 73°F. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny with a high near 94°F. North-northeast wind 1–6 mph. Saturday night mostly clear, low near 73°F.
Sunday: Sunny with a high near 96°F. West wind 1–6 mph. Sunday night partly cloudy, low near 75°F.
Outlook: Monsoon storm chances return by Monday, with a 20% precipitation chance during the day and 40% Monday night. Tuesday carries a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms, making it the most active day of the coming week. Residents should monitor forecasts as the week progresses given recent flood damage to local roads.
NWS Tucson Forecast API