Daily Brief
July 24, 2026
Friday
🚨 Public Safety
Downtown Tucson mass shooting suspect makes initial court appearance. Four days after nine people were injured in a shooting outside Empire Pizza in downtown Tucson, the suspect made his initial court appearance Thursday night. City and county leaders also held a separate press conference Thursday to address gun violence in the wake of the incident, and the Tucson Police Department hosted crisis response training for downtown businesses earlier in the week.
Jury begins deliberations in Jack Upchurch murder trial. A Tucson jury began deliberating Thursday in the trial of Jack Upchurch, who faces 11 charges including first-degree murder, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
Pima County records highest-ever bat exposures in July. Health officials say bat exposures in Pima County have reached a record high this month and are advising residents on steps to take if they encounter a bat.
🏛️ Government
ASDB found in violation of federal special education law. The Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind has been found in violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, with the state determining that some students' needs are not being met — a finding families say is tied to a campus relocation to Oro Valley. Families are speaking out about the impact on their children.
Pima County primary election ran without major incidents. A multi-agency operations center monitored Tuesday's Pima County primary election, and officials reported no significant incidents, according to KVOA.
Rio Nuevo reserves nearly depleted amid revenue slowdown. The Tucson tax increment district has seen a roughly 25% drop in monthly revenue, leaving approximately $1 million available for new projects as it weighs funding requests from local businesses, according to Tucson Spotlight.
Marana downtown entertainment district clears ballot challenge. Opponents of a proposed walkable entertainment district in downtown Marana attempted to place a referendum on Tuesday's ballot but were unsuccessful, allowing the project to move forward, according to the Arizona Daily Star.
Santa Cruz County declares emergency after monsoon flooding. The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors declared a countywide emergency Thursday in response to monsoon flooding this month, a step that enables faster disaster response and repair work. The county also launched an aid drive for flood-affected residents of Nogales, Sonora.
🎓 Education
U of A School of Music names new director. Arizona Arts has appointed Lia Uribe as director of the University of Arizona School of Music. Uribe, a bassoonist, arts administrator, and scholar, joins from the University of Arkansas where she served as associate dean for arts and humanities at the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.
Arizona teacher shortage fuels multibillion-dollar staffing industry. Arizona school districts struggling to fill classrooms are paying private staffing firms close to $80,000 per teacher, with some of that money not reaching teachers, according to an investigation by Cronkite News. The report has direct implications for Tucson-area districts.
🏗️ Development & Business
Rudy Garcia Park to receive $4.7 million in upgrades. Tucson's southside Rudy Garcia Park is set for $4.7 million in improvements that have been in the works for years, according to KVOA. The report notes that remarks from a youth football player helped catalyze the push for the upgrades.
TMC Health Foundation receives $500,000 grant. The TMC Health Foundation has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation to expand virtual health care access at TMC Rincon and extend services for underserved populations across Southern Arizona, according to Tucson Weekly.
🎉 Community & Events
Barrio Restoration opens South Tucson community center, hosts Saturday cleanup. Barrio Restoration has inaugurated a new community center in South Tucson, seven years after founder David García began cleaning the neighborhood by bicycle. The organization is also hosting a community cleanup event this Saturday along Sixth Avenue, with free food, music, and haircuts.
⛈️ Weather — Tucson
⚠️ Extreme Heat Warning in effect through 8 p.m. Saturday. NWS Tucson has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for the Tucson Metro Area, Tohono O'odham Nation, Western Pima County, and surrounding areas from 10 a.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Saturday. Dangerously hot conditions are expected with highs of 105–113°F and Major to Extreme HeatRisk. Overnight low temperatures of 82–88°F will provide little to no relief. Heat-related illness risk increases significantly during this event.
⚠️ Air Quality Alert through 9 p.m. Friday. ADEQ has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for the Tucson Metro area through Friday evening. Children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions are advised to decrease physical activity outdoors.
Today (Friday): Sunny with a high near 109°F. Heat index values as high as 111°F. Northwest wind 1–6 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear, low around 85°F. Heat index values remaining near 111°F. Saturday: Mostly sunny with a high near 110°F. A slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms between 2–5 p.m., then storms likely in the evening (60% chance). Heat index up to 112°F. Outlook: Monsoon moisture returns this weekend, with storm chances of 50–60% continuing through Sunday night. Temperatures moderate into early next week, with Monday's high forecast near 101°F.
NWS Tucson Forecast API