Community News
Sunday, May 3, 2026 · Page
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.
Sunday, May 3, 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.
Sunday, May 3, 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.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Hobbs Signs Ag-to-Urban Bill to Conserve 10M Acre-Feet in Arizona
Gov. Katie Hobbs approved Senate Bill 1611, launching a voluntary program letting farmers in Phoenix and Pinal County sell water rights to developers for efficient urban growth. The bipartisan deal promises to save nearly 10 million acre-feet of water amid Arizona's drought crisis. This marks the biggest groundwater conservation push since the 1980 Groundwater Management Act.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Chandler Cracks Down on Drink Spiking with New Misdemeanor Ordinance
Chandler's City Council unanimously passed a groundbreaking ordinance criminalizing the unconsented spiking of food and drinks, aiming to bolster safety in East Valley nightlife. Effective May 24, the class 1 misdemeanor targets acts falling short of state felony thresholds. Local leaders say it restores public trust in bars and restaurants amid rising tampering concerns.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
El Mirage mourns 17-year-old Ashtin Evans at neighborhood vigil
Family and friends gathered near Thunderbird Road in El Mirage to remember Ashtin Evans, a 17-year-old killed in the neighborhood where he grew up. The vigil comes as police continue their active investigation into the shooting death.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Buckeye Brush Fire Contained at 275 Acres Near River Bottom
Firefighters battled a stubborn brush fire in Buckeye's river bottom that scorched 275 acres before containment on Saturday. No homes were lost and no injuries reported, but Highway 85 shut down temporarily amid heavy smoke. The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management now leads mopping-up efforts.
Sunday, May 3, 2026