Good afternoon. Things are getting wintry here in Tucson. A freeze warning is in effect for early Friday and Saturday mornings, and there’s a chance of snow Sunday night. Friday should be sunny with a high of 56°, while Saturday should be sunny with a high of 57°.
🌵 The Lukeville border crossing reopened today.
Border Patrol officials said the move was in response to a drop in illegal crossings, some of which is likely seasonal. The Tucson sector logged nearly 65,000 encounters in November, and data from December show apprehensions peaked even higher. Lukeville is one of four crossings in the southern U.S. that were reopened today, including the Nogales pedestrian gate.
- AZPM: Biden Administration officials discuss the reopening of Lukeville
- Statement from CBP on Resumption of Field Operations in Arizona, California, and Texas
🌵 An Arizona man survived a shooting as he drove from Rocky Point to Tempe around the closed Lukeville crossing.
Craig Ricketts’ car was peppered by gunfire after his GPS may have led him through a particularly dangerous area under dispute by rival cartel gangs. His car was shot at least 16 times, and he was wounded in the ankle and leg. He is now recovering.
- KGUN9: Arizona man survives ambush on his way to Arizona from Rocky Point
- AZ Central: Arizona man shot in Mexico while trying to cross into US
🌵 Homes in Pima County aren’t affordable for the average citizen.
The good news is that Cochise, Yuma and Pima are Arizona’s most affordable counties. The bad news is that the median sales price of a home in Pima county is $350,000, while the average wage is $59,000. That means a typical homebuyer would have to spend more than 41% of their salary on house payments.
- AZPM: Home affordability continues to shrink in Arizona
- Attom: Home Affordability Remains Difficult Across U.S. During Fourth Quarter Even As Prices Dip Downward
🌵 Governor Hobbs has introduced a plan that would hold private schools receiving taxpayer money more accountable.
Hobbs previously tried to eliminate Arizona’s private school voucher program, which is under increased scrutiny after investigative reporting found money being spent on passes to ski resorts, driving lessons in luxury cars, and more. Proposed changes to the program would require the approval of purchases over $500, and for teachers to meet minimum educational requirements and undergo fingerprint background checks.
🌵 Lastly, watch a coyote howl from the top of a new car.
A security guard spotted and videoed the howling coyote during his shift at the Tucson Auto Mall. The coyote was perched atop a brand-new Ford Mustang Mach-E, directly under a streetlight. No word on whether it was simply asking for a test drive.