Hola,
Gracias for making Arizona Luminaria part of your week. We are always grateful to hear from you.
In today’s newsletter:
💦 “Project Blue will not reduce water flow in the river or reduce the amount of water we lose from the region,” said Keri Silvyn, an attorney representing a developer involved in the proposed Amazon data center said at a meeting on Wednesday night. “Yeah, right!” someone in the crowd called out. Others booed and yelled “No shame!” and “We don’t trust you!” Read more about it.
🚫 Paul Diaz has a long, and costly, history with recall elections in South Tucson, both as a target and an initiator. A former mayor and current council member, Diaz also launched a recall in 2018. That recall plus this current one has cost the tiny city, which is already struggling to fund its own fire department, more than $17,000. Read more.
🍎🚌 TUSD says 30 jobs and programs for 10,000 students are safe because the federal government released frozen grant money just days before school begins in the district. Read more.
🏘️ Una entrevista con Ann Chanecka, directora del Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario de la ciudad. “Simplemente no tenemos suficiente vivienda para cubrir la necesidad.” Lee más.
Featured stories
Hundreds demand answers on Tucson’s proposed Project Blue data center at heated community meeting
Tucson residents filled a large room at Mica Mountain High School on Tucson’s southeast side Wednesday evening, many wearing red and holding signs protesting a proposed data center in the […]
Former mayor’s long recall history fuels costly South Tucson election
In the first week of July, residents of the 1.2-square-mile city of South Tucson received fliers in their mailboxes with the crossed out faces of Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela and city […]
TUSD says programs for 10,000 students and 30 jobs are saved as feds release frozen grant money just days before school begins
The Tucson Unified School District learned Friday it can proceed with funding its English education programs, teacher professional development, mental health services, technology programs and more after the Department of […]
Aquí las 5 preguntas con la directora de vivienda de Tucson: “Simplemente no tenemos suficiente vivienda para cubrir la necesidad”
Tucson necesita más viviendas. Hay más de 2,000 personas viviendo en las calles y en refugios de emergencia. Al mismo tiempo, se espera que la ciudad reciba cerca de 50,000 […]
Flickers 🕯️
Please fill out this quick submission form to suggest a future Flicker.
Check out “Books Invited to the Cookout,” an annual booklist created by the Kindred Team at Pima County Public Library in Tucson that’s now available at all branches and online. Featuring more than 50 titles, the booklist aims to uplift Black authors and narratives through fiction, poetry, nonfiction and more. Learn more about the Kindred Team — made up of Library staff committed to celebrating Black literature and culture — and explore their full booklist here.
Former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced his second campaign for Congress on Tuesday for Arizona’s second district, challenging Rep. Eli Crane (R-Arizona) once again. If elected, Nez would be the state’s first Indigenous member of Congress in a district where nearly 20% of the residents are Native American.
Important election reminders: Tucson City Council voters should mail in their ballots by Tuesday, July 29 to ensure they’re received on time. If you’re outside of Tucson, Aug. 1 is your last day to vote early in-person. For Tucson voters: there will be no polling places or vote centers for this election so ballots must be mailed, dropped off at an official location, or returned to a ballot replacement site by 7 p.m. on Aug. 5 (Election Day). Official drop-off locations will be listed on the City of Tucson’s election site and find Arizona Luminaria’s voter guides here for Ward 3, Ward 5 and Ward 6.
Support urban Indigenous students in Phoenix by donating items through July 31 to the Phoenix Indian Center’s school supply drive. Drop off supplies at 4041 N. Central Ave., Building B in Phoenix during business hours, purchase from their Amazon wishlist or host a supply drive at your workplace or community center. Learn more here.
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari, and Pima County Attorney Laura Conover are holding an Accountability Summer Town Hall in Tucson Aug. 2. According to the event posting, the officials will discuss “the real-life consequences of the Trump-backed Reconciliation Bill,” otherwise known as the “Big Beautiful Bill.” For more information and to RSVP, go here.
The next Tucson City Council meeting is planned for Wednesday, Aug. 6. See agendas and livestream details. The Pima County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday, Aug. 5. See meeting details.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print.
