Daily Brief
July 25, 2026
Saturday
⛈️ Weather — Tucson
⚠️ Extreme Heat Warning in effect until 8:00 PM MST today. NWS Tucson warns of dangerously hot conditions with temperatures of 105–113°F across the Tucson Metro Area, Tohono O'odham Nation, Western Pima County, and surrounding regions. Heat-related illness risk is Major to Extreme. Overnight lows of 82–88°F will provide little relief, particularly in western desert areas.
Today: Sunny and dangerous. High near 110°F. South wind around 2 mph tonight; low near 84°F.
Tomorrow (Saturday): Chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 PM. High near 110°F. Storms possible again Saturday night before 11 PM; low near 82°F.
Sunday: Afternoon storm chances return (30%), with a high near 106°F. Monsoon storm activity continues into Monday and Tuesday, with highs easing to near 102°F by early next week. Residents should stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak heat hours, and check on vulnerable neighbors.
NWS Tucson Forecast API
🚨 Public Safety
Jack Upchurch convicted on all counts in Good Samaritan murder. A Pima County jury found Jack Upchurch guilty on all 11 counts — including first-degree murder, armed robbery, arson, car theft, and tampering with evidence — in the killing of Paul Clifford, who was shot after stopping to help at a roadside incident. Upchurch showed little reaction as the verdicts were read. Sentencing is scheduled for September 28; Clifford's family is seeking the maximum penalty.
Downtown mass shooting suspect held without bond; prior felony case scrutinized. The suspect in last Sunday's downtown Tucson mass shooting — in which nine people were shot outside Empire Pizza — has been ordered held without bond and faces 19 charges, with more potentially forthcoming, according to KOLD. The Pima County Attorney separately revealed new details about the suspect's 2024 felony conviction, raising questions about how he was able to obtain a firearm.
Church finance manager charged with embezzling $335,000 over five years. A former finance manager at GracePointe Church in Tucson faces multiple felony charges — including fraudulent schemes and felonious theft — after investigators say she stole more than $335,000 over a five-year period.
Green Valley bomb threat cleared; no device found. Sahuarita Police investigated a possible bomb threat in Green Valley and determined no explosive device was present. Authorities are working to identify the person suspected of making the threat.
🏛️ Government
Federal judge declines to block Arizona's voter-approved border arrest law. A federal judge refused late Friday to issue a preliminary injunction blocking state and local police from enforcing a voter-approved Arizona law that allows officers to arrest individuals who enter the country outside of a legal port of entry. Enforcement of the law may now proceed while legal challenges continue.
State finds ASDB violated federal disability law in campus relocation. The Arizona State Department of Education has determined that the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind violated federal disability law last spring when it restricted placement options and predetermined school assignments for students as it prepared to close its west-side Tucson campus and relocate to Oro Valley, 15 miles away.
City and county leaders address gun violence; road closures proposed for downtown events. Following the downtown mass shooting, city and county leaders held a joint press conference on gun violence prevention. Separately, the Downtown Tucson Partnership announced it is working on a plan to close roads during large events to improve public safety — a response that also follows criticism from Empire Pizza, which blasted the city's handling of downtown safety on social media after the shooting outside its patio.
Amphitheater Public Schools to seek voter approval for property sales. Amphitheater Public Schools is placing a measure on the November 3 ballot asking voters for permission to sell, lease, or exchange land and buildings the district no longer needs, according to Inside Tucson Business.
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, a step that enables faster disaster response and repair work. The county also launched an aid drive for flood-affected residents of Nogales, Sonora.
Pima County offers help navigating new federal SNAP work requirements. Pima County has announced it is ready to assist residents affected by new federal guidelines that expand work requirements for SNAP (food assistance) benefits.
🏗️ Development & Business
Luxury development underway on last major Catalina Foothills parcel. A new high-end residential community called Quintana is taking shape on what real estate experts describe as the last premium undeveloped parcel in the central Catalina Foothills. Lots are starting at nearly $500,000.
Rio Nuevo vice chairman resigns after 11 years to focus on Sugar Skulls. Edmund Marquez has stepped down as vice chairman of the Rio Nuevo District Board — a position he held for more than a decade — to devote full attention to the Tucson Sugar Skulls arena football team during its current playoff push.
TMC Health Foundation receives $500,000 grant for virtual care expansion. 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, with a focus on serving underserved populations across Southern Arizona.
🎉 Community & Events
U of A launches clinical trial testing drug to extend healthy aging. The University of Arizona is beginning a clinical trial to determine whether a drug can help older adults maintain their health longer, potentially changing how aging is experienced. Details on enrollment were not immediately available.
Tucson pools to remain open through late August amid extreme heat. The City of Tucson is keeping eight public pools open with extended hours through late August, providing relief options for residents during the ongoing heat emergency.
South Tucson barrio cleanup scheduled for Saturday. A South Tucson neighborhood group is inviting the community to participate in a Barrio Clean Up this Saturday. Additional details are available through the city of South Tucson.