Good morning, Tucson. It’s hotter than normal, but temps should cool down later this week. Here’s your news roundup for April 23, 2024.
Tue ☀️ 93° • Wed ⛅ 89° • Thu ☀️ 82°
NWS Midtown forecast
🌵 Governor Hobbs has vetoed more bills than any governor in Arizona history.
Hobbs has issued 185 vetoes since taking office, surpassing the record of 181 held by former governor Janet Napolitano. The vetoes are used to override bills passed by the Republican-controlled legislature. Earlier this year, Hobbs said, “Arizonans made it clear they want sanity over chaos, and a lot of these bills I vetoed because they’re the exact opposite of that.”
- Axios Phoenix: Gov. Katie Hobbs has set a new Arizona veto record
- AZPM: Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs sets veto record
🌵 Kroger and Albertsons plan to sell 101 Albertsons and Safeway stores in Arizona if a proposed merger is approved.
The merger between Kroger and Albertsons is on hold due to concerns from the FTC and several state attorneys general, who say it would reduce competition and raise prices. To placate regulators, the companies are offering to sell 579 stories to New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers, 101 of which are in Arizona.
🌵 An Arizona lawmaker says there are now enough votes to advance a repeal of the state’s 1864 abortion ban in the House.
Rep. David Cook says an unnamed Republican has joined all 29 Democrats and Republican Matt Gress to support advancement of the bill. The House meets on Wednesday. The Senate moved an identical bill forward last week.
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🌵 The Supreme Court declined to hear a request by U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake to ban electronic voting machines in Maricopa and Pima Counties.
Lake and former secretary of state candidate Mark Finchem brought the lawsuit two years ago, citing unfounded security concerns and claiming that hand counts would be more accurate. Lake and Finchem’s attorneys were previously sanctioned by a U.S. District Court judge for bringing a claim based on frivolous information.
🌵 Lastly, what are they building next to the Fry’s on 22nd near Reid Park? A Starbucks.
Permits show that a new building next to the Fry’s fuel station at 22nd and Bryant will be a Starbucks. This would be the 51st Starbucks in Tucson, according to a count we made using Starbucks’ store locator (which includes ones inside grocery stores and malls). Curious about what’s being built somewhere? Send a note to mail@microburst.news and we’ll try to find out.