Good afternoon. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny with a high of 64°. This weekend is expected to be sunny with a high of 71° on Saturday and 78° on Sunday.
🌵 Kyrsten Sinema will not run for reelection this year.
The Arizona senator won her seat in 2018 as a Democrat before becoming an independent in 2022. Sinema’s withdrawal sets up a likely matchup between Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake, as Democrats try to keep their majority in the Senate.
🌵 The mayor and city council appear wary of ending free public transit.
Tucson bus, streetcar, and van rides have been free since the pandemic began in March 2020. Ridership across the system is at its highest numbers in years, but projections show that reintroducing fares may bring in as little as $1.4 million, after accounting for a likely drop in riders. The mayor and city council will discuss ways to keep funding the free rides at a future meeting.
🌵 Colorado River reservoir levels are stable for now, but states that use the water are still far apart on a long-term conservation plan.
Lake Mead is at its highest level in three years thanks in large part to conservation efforts in Arizona and California. Disagreements fall between the upper basin states (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico) and lower basin states (Arizona, California, and Nevada), who have competing proposals on which states should bear the brunt of future cuts.
- AZ Central: Colorado River conservation measures will protect reservoir levels through 2026, feds say
- Arizona Daily Star: States are far apart on new Colorado River water-saving plans sent to U.S. agency
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🌵 The Tucson Festival of Books returns to the UA Mall this weekend.
Among the presenting authors is Bob Odenkirk of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul fame, who recently released a book of silly poems with his daughter, illustrator Erin Odenkirk. See the Festival of Books website for a guide to everything that’s happening.
🌵 Lastly, it’s time to find out what local landmarks made the cut for Tucson Monopoly.
The Tucson-themed version of the iconic board game debuts this Saturday during a party at Hotel Congress featuring games and prizes. Hasbro, which licenses the game, hasn’t revealed all the landmarks that made the cut, though we know for certain that “A” Mountain, Saguaro National Park, and Sabino Canyon will be represented.