Community News
Friday, May 1, 2026 · Gila County
Phoenix Hits Record 118° in August Heat Wave Inferno
Phoenix shattered its all-time August temperature record Thursday, soaring to 118 degrees Fahrenheit amid a brutal heat wave gripping the Desert Southwest. The extreme scorch marks the second straight day of record-breaking highs, with warnings persisting through Friday evening. Relief looms over the weekend, but triple-digit heat remains the norm.
Arizona's Population Boom Brakes in 2025 Amid Immigration Dip
Arizona's meteoric population growth hit the brakes in 2025, with metro areas adding just 67,394 residents — a sharp slowdown driven by plunging international migration. The Grand Canyon State still ranked seventh nationally, but the chill raises questions for housing, jobs and an aging workforce. Phoenix led the pack, outpacing most U.S. metros despite the nationwide freeze.
Friday, May 1, 2026
Maricopa Supervisors Back Wittmann Residents, Block BNSF Rail Hub Push
In a packed meeting room, Wittmann residents breathed a sigh of relief as the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected BNSF Railway's land-use change for a massive $3.2 billion rail facility. Fears of noise, pollution and disrupted rural life fueled the opposition. But BNSF vows the northwest Valley project will move forward.
Friday, May 1, 2026
Arizona GOP House Passes $17.9B Budget; Hobbs Eyes Talks
Arizona House Republicans rammed through a $17.9 billion spending plan Thursday, slashing agency budgets to lock in federal tax conformity amid fierce Democratic pushback. Gov. Katie Hobbs backs parts of the blueprint but draws a hard line on proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP eligibility for vulnerable families. With the Senate next, negotiations loom over the state's fiscal future.
Friday, May 1, 2026