Tuesday Microburst: Election Day, UA cashflow, Nanos investigated

Good afternoon. After today’s high of about 91°, it will start cooling off. Expect a high of 80° on Wednesday and 73° on Thursday.

🌵 It’s Election Day. 

Voters in Tucson are electing a mayor and three city council members. A number of propositions are also on ballots throughout Pima County, including school bonds and a proposal to establish the town of Vail. Still need to drop off your ballot or vote in person? Check the Pima County Recorder’s website for locations. The polls close at 7:00 p.m.

🌵 The University of Arizona is facing a financial crisis.

The university has less than 100 days of cash on hand, the lowest amount since 2013. Officials say the shortfall was caused by ambitious “moonshot” research and discovery investments, as well as financial aid programs. The university must submit a fix to the Arizona Board of Regents by Dec. 15; hiring freezes and budget cuts may be on the way.

🌵 Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos will be criminally investigated by the Arizona Attorney General. 

The investigation focuses on Nanos’ handling of the alleged assault of a female deputy by a male officer at a December 2022 party. Nanos put an internal investigation on hold in September 2023, saying that he needed to wait for criminal investigations to finish first.

🌵 Multiple people were arrested during a street racing takeover.

Participants blocked traffic for stunts and racing near Kino Parkway and 22nd St. early Sunday morning. TPD officers made the arrests. Illegal street racing continues to be a problem in Tucson; the city council is scheduled to discuss the problem with TPD at an upcoming meeting. 

🌵Lastly, “toilet-to-tap” treated wastewater could be in your home as soon as 2025.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is currently accepting comments on guidelines for sending treated wastewater directly back into water supplies. Some treated wastewater is already pumped into ground aquifers. The new plan would allow municipalities and private companies to cut out the storage step, using technology that officials say creates even cleaner water.