What’s your tree equity score?

Good morning, Tucson. Here’s your news roundup for May 14, 2024.

Tue ☀️ 95° • Wed ⛅ 93° • Thu ☀️ 91°
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🌵 Arizona Republicans are finalizing a border security measure that could be on ballots this fall.

The ballot measure covers multiple border-related issues that would give the state government more power to enforce federal immigration laws. The most controversial provision would allow state and local police to arrest anyone entering the country at a location other than a legal port of crossing. Opponents say the measure would encourage racial profiling and burden the judicial system. 

🌵 The University of Arizona forcibly cleared out protestors on campus again.

Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at a crowd of pro-Palestinian protestors just after midnight on Friday morning. The confrontation spread to Park Avenue and University Boulevard before protestors dispersed. Two people were arrested. 

🌵 What’s your neighborhood’s tree equity score?

The City of Tucson’s tree equity dashboard shows the amount of tree canopy coverage in each neighborhood, alongside climate, demographic, and socioeconomic data. An analysis shows that more affluent neighborhoods tend to have better coverage and higher scores.

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🌵 A new study shows that Colorado River will most likely rise during the next 25 years, but not everyone is convinced.

Ironically, river levels might rise due to increased precipitation caused by climate change. The study, published in the Journal of Climate, showed a likely increase in river flows of 5% to 7% when compared to the past 20 years. Not all scientists were convinced, with one saying they did not believe the precipitation forecasts were reliable enough to count on a significant rise in river levels.

🌵 Lastly, a Tucson woman who poisoned her husband’s coffee was sentenced to three years of probation.

Melody Felicano Johnson was arrested last year after her husband set up cameras that recorded her adding bleach to the coffee maker. She was initially charged with attempted murder but pleaded guilty to lesser charges after spending a year in jail. 

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