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In today’s newsletter:
⚙️ Despite large-scale opposition — with Marana’s rezoning vote Tuesday and Pima County’s land deal finalized, the race to build Southern Arizona’s first large-scale data center is on. Read the full story.
📚 If education is your issue 👀 Watch for these 6 Arizona storylines in 2026. // 📚 Si la educación es tu tema, 👀 mantente atento a estas 6 historias clave en Arizona en 2026.
🗳️ The Justice Department has taken Arizona to court after the state declined to release voter rolls containing private information. Read more.
Featured stories
Two Southern Arizona data centers move forward — so do fights over power, water and growth
After Marana approved rezoning for a new data center Tuesday night, and Pima County closed on the land sale for Project Blue on Christmas Eve, the two projects are now […]
Storylines shaping Arizona schools in 2026: Voucher surge, DEI fight and a high-stakes superintendent race
At the end of Tom Horne’s second term as Arizona’s Superintendent of Instruction in 2011, the Grand Canyon State became the first in the country to create the Empowerment Scholarship […]
Las historias que marcarán a escuelas de Arizona en 2026: auge de vales escolares, disputa por DEI y contienda por superintendencia
Al final del segundo mandato de Tom Horne como superintendente de Instrucción Pública de Arizona, en 2011, el Estado del Gran Cañón se convirtió en el primero del país en […]
U.S. Justice Department sues Arizona, Connecticut for access to unredacted state voter rolls
This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. The U.S. Justice Department sued Arizona on Tuesday after Secretary of State […]
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Tucson Federal Credit Union donated $90,000 to Kino School to support the construction of a dedicated music classroom as part of the school’s campus expansion. The project will convert an outdoor porch into a climate-controlled, sound-insulated space.
Celebrate World Desert Day at the Reid Park Zoo, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 10. Details.
TreeCycle runs through Jan. 29. Tucson’s annual holiday recycling program turns fresh-cut Christmas trees into compost for local parks and gardens. Remove all decorations and stands, then drop your tree at one of several collection sites around the city (curbside pickup isn’t available). Drop-off location and details here.
Construction on the 22nd Street bridge is set to begin in February, and the city is hosting an open house so residents can learn about the project, traffic impacts and timeline. Stop by Wednesday, Jan. 14, 5:30-7 p.m., at the Randolph Recreation Center Gym, 200 S. Alvernon Way. Details here.
The University of Arizona’s Humanities Seminars Program will offer a six-week course titled “The Colorado River: Science, History, Literature, Policy” beginning Jan. 27. Taught by Professor Emeritus Karl Flessa, the hybrid-format course explores the river’s environmental, historical, and political significance, with expanded content on Arizona groundwater, Lake Powell, and water reuse technologies. Cost: $195. Details and registration.
Poets Cameron Awkward-Rich and Franny Choi will headline the inaugural H.D./Bryher Residency Reading at the University of Arizona Poetry Center on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. The reading series, honoring LGBTQ+ voices, will also be livestreamed.
Mark your calendar for festivals in January.
• Tucson Jazz Festival, Jan. 16-24
• Tucson Fringe Festival, Jan. 8-11
• Wings Over Wilcox Birding & Nature Festival, Jan. 15-18
• SAVOR Heritage Food Festival, Jan. 24
• Yuma AGFest, Jan. 24
• Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase, dates vary with many shows starting in January
• Arizona Balloon Classic, Jan. 16-18 in Chandler
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