AGP Executive Report

Four Corners Flooding: Flood warnings remain in effect after days of heavy rain swelled rivers, damaged homes and forced evacuations, including in Hopi communities. Officials warn floodwater may be contaminated; one person died during a rescue in New Mexico. Road Safety: Two people died and two were seriously injured in a crash Monday on State Route 77 near Oracle Road and Golder Ranch Drive. Southbound lanes closed during the investigation. Election Access: A dozen more early-voting sites opened in Pima County, bringing the total to 16 through Oct. 30. In Maricopa County, citizens’ voting registrations are set to be restored after a dispute with the recorder. Water Concerns: Southeast Arizona farmers are renewing calls for groundwater protections as pumping and falling water levels threaten the region’s future. Consumer Protection: Attorney General Kris Mayes is suing L’Oréal, alleging it concealed cancer risks linked to chemical hair relaxers. Travel: I-10 work near the California state line will bring periodic lane reductions through summer 2027.

Cardinals: Denver beat Arizona 30-16, extending the Cardinals’ losing streak at State Farm Stadium to 10 games. Trey McBride caught 10 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, but Arizona managed just one touchdown on five red-zone trips. Wildcats: No. 22 Arizona crushed Iowa State 39-3 to become bowl-eligible and moved to 6-1. The Wildcats visit No. 13 Texas Tech next. Storm Damage: The National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado struck Heber-Overgaard, damaging homes and uprooting trees. One person was hospitalized; cleanup continues. Flooding also forced road closures in northern Arizona. Voting Access: Arizona officials and Maricopa County’s recorder reached a deal to restore voting access for 24 U.S. citizens whose registrations were challenged. Secretary of State Adrian Fontes is defending mail voting as he seeks another term. Culture: Tucson’s Celtic Festival marked its 40th year at Rillito Park, celebrating Scottish heritage with music, dancing and Highland Games.

Arizona Politics: Attorney General Kris Mayes and Senate President Warren Petersen are courting Latino voters ahead of the midterms, though a recent survey found 59% of Arizonans had not been contacted by a campaign or advocacy group. Gaming Oversight: State regulators face questions over whether they gave gaming giant VGW more favorable treatment while acting against rival operators. Wildcats Football: No. 25 Arizona crushed Iowa State 39-3 to become bowl-eligible, improving to 6-1 and setting up a road test against Texas Tech. Public Safety: A pedestrian died in a west Phoenix hit-and-run involving two vehicles. The National Weather Service also confirmed two EF1 tornadoes in Arizona after severe storms brought hail, flooding and damage. Water and Growth: Lake Powell rose five feet after recent storms, but Lake Mead hit a record low, underscoring the Colorado River’s deepening strain. Casa Grande, meanwhile, approved a 954-acre data center project after the county rejected similar proposals. Conservation: Chiricahua National Monument has become Arizona’s fourth national park, with supporters hoping the new designation draws visitors and boosts the local economy.

Severe Weather: The National Weather Service confirmed tornadoes in northern Arizona, including an EF1 that damaged homes and uprooted trees near Heber-Overgaard. Flooding across the Four Corners region has also prompted evacuations and rescues. Public Safety: Phoenix police found a gunshot victim during a traffic stop, while a Tempe house-party shooting left three people injured, two seriously. Elections: Maricopa County restored voting access for 25 U.S. citizens wrongly flagged as noncitizens; separately, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled the Clean Elections Commission exceeded its authority in a Green Party funding dispute. College Football: Arizona crushed Iowa State 39-3 to become bowl eligible, and Arizona State beat Kansas State 28-17 behind freshman Cardae Mack’s four rushing touchdowns. Cardinals: Arizona hosts Denver today, as fan pressure mounts on owner Michael Bidwill to sell the team.

Severe Weather: Possible tornadoes, hail and flooding battered Arizona this week. In Heber-Overgaard, one person was injured and about two dozen structures were damaged; cleanup continues as officials seek emergency aid. Data Center Rules: Marana tightened regulations for data centers, including decommissioning and enforcement provisions. Most changes will apply to the proposed Luckett Road project, while new nighttime noise limits will not. Voting Rights: Maricopa County’s recorder restored 25 voters wrongly flagged as noncitizens, resolving a lawsuit brought by Arizona officials. Water Concerns: The San Simon Valley has sunk nearly seven feet as more than 150 well applications pile up, renewing concerns about groundwater declines. Chiricahua National Park: The “Wonderland of Rocks” is now Arizona’s fourth national park, with supporters hoping the designation will boost tourism. Campus Health: Dozens of University of Arizona students were moved from Coronado dorm after mold was found.

Severe Weather: Rare storms brought golf-ball-sized hail, suspected tornadoes and flooding across Arizona. Phoenix businesses reported damage, while flooding in the Four Corners prompted rescues and evacuations. Voting Rights: Maricopa County restored voting eligibility to 25 citizens wrongly flagged as noncitizens, resolving a lawsuit brought by state officials. Mental Health Care: A new investigation finds Arizona still lacks a promised secure treatment option for people with the most serious psychiatric needs, years after it was pledged. National Parks: Chiricahua is now the nation’s 64th national park and Arizona’s fourth, joining the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest and Saguaro. The redesignation may boost visits and local attention, but does not automatically bring more funding.

Severe Weather: Storms brought golf-ball-size hail, outages and flooding across Arizona, with rescue crews helping families from flooded Navajo Nation homes. Rep. Walt Blackman urged Gov. Katie Hobbs to declare an emergency for storm-hit communities. Election Access: Arizona’s attorney general and top election official asked a judge to restore voting rights for 25 Maricopa County residents flagged by a citizenship database; an investigation found 52 of 60 people flagged were citizens. Phoenix: Firefighters put out a major blaze at a vacant hotel near I-17 and Greenway Road. No injuries were reported, and the cause is under investigation. Eloy Detention Center: Arizona Reps. Yassamin Ansari and Adelita Grijalva visited the facility to hear women’s concerns about reproductive health and medical care in detention. Conservation and Tourism: Chiricahua National Monument is now Arizona’s fourth national park, with supporters hoping the designation will draw visitors and boost the local economy.

Severe Weather: Rare storms battered Arizona with golf-ball-sized hail, flash-flood threats and possible tornadoes. Heber-Overgaard reported significant damage, trees fell across the state, and a visitor was killed by windblown debris at Taliesin West. Chiricahua National Park: The former monument is now the nation’s 64th national park and Arizona’s fourth, a designation supporters hope will boost tourism and the southeastern economy. Voting Rights: Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes sued Maricopa County’s recorder, seeking to restore 25 citizens’ registrations after they were mistakenly flagged as noncitizens. Copper and Water: Hudbay and Mitsubishi approved construction of the Copper World mine, with 1,000 construction jobs planned. Arizona also moved to join a lawsuit over federal Colorado River plans as states continue to dispute future water cuts.

Severe Weather: Golf-ball-sized hail battered the Phoenix area as storms brought tornado warnings across Arizona. Heber-Overgaard is assessing significant damage after a possible tornado, and a state lawmaker urged Gov. Katie Hobbs to declare an emergency; more than 200 flights were delayed at Sky Harbor. Election Rights: Attorney General Kris Mayes sued Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap, seeking to restore voting rights for 25 U.S. citizens. University Safety: The University of Arizona suspended Sigma Phi Epsilon amid an investigation into a student’s report of sexual assault at the fraternity house; the chapter was already on probation for hazing. National Parks: Chiricahua National Monument is now Arizona’s fourth national park and the nation’s 64th, after a new law was signed. Scottsdale Tragedy: A visitor died at Taliesin West after roof debris struck him during strong winds; the Frank Lloyd Wright landmark temporarily closed. Colorado River: Arizona is seeking to join a lawsuit challenging the federal plan for river water cuts after negotiations failed. Hospital Investigation: The family of a toddler mistakenly declared dead at a Gilbert hospital plans to sue, as records raise questions about test results cited in the decision.

Severe Weather: Rare storms brought golf-ball to baseball-sized hail, tornado warnings and power outages across Arizona; downed trees damaged cars in Mesa, and northern Arizona storms grounded small aircraft. Water Fight: Arizona joined Nevada’s lawsuit challenging federal Colorado River plans. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum called the lawsuit unhelpful and said potential cuts were manageable, while Gov. Katie Hobbs’ administration argues Arizona’s water interests are at stake. Chiricahua’s New Status: Chiricahua is now Arizona’s fourth national park, adding federal recognition to its rock spires, Apache heritage and more than 17 miles of trails east of Tucson. Phoenix Growth: Attorney General Kris Mayes is investigating the Ahwatukee data center as a possible nuisance after residents raised concerns about construction noise. Separately, an ASU food-service worker’s union filed a complaint alleging an Aramark supervisor told her to remove her hijab. Campus Safety: The University of Arizona suspended a fraternity amid an investigation after a student reported sexual assault; the allegations have not been adjudicated.

Severe Weather: Storms brought hail, downed trees and tornado warnings across Arizona, with more rain and severe weather possible. Colorado River: Arizona is joining Nevada’s lawsuit against the federal plan for river cuts, while a judge declined to delay a decision on state water rules. Elections: Arizona released final voter-registration numbers, but a Maricopa County election phone line reportedly gave callers the wrong election date. National Parks: Chiricahua is now Arizona’s fourth national park after a new law established the designation. Mining and Jobs: Hudbay and Mitsubishi approved construction of the Copper World mine southeast of Tucson, targeting first production in 2029; Intel has also begun installing equipment at its Phoenix-area Fab 62, slated to open in 2028.

Chiricahua National Park: The former monument is now Arizona’s fourth national park. Officials expect more visitors, raising questions about water, infrastructure and park maintenance. Election Watch: Unaffiliated voters have become Arizona’s largest voter group. Maricopa County’s recorder also mistakenly flagged 24 U.S. citizens as ineligible, prompting criticism from Attorney General Kris Mayes. Storm Threat: Forecasters warn of heavy rain, hail and possible flooding across Arizona, including the Phoenix area. Colorado River: Arizona has joined Nevada’s lawsuit challenging the federal plan for river cuts, as state officials fight to protect their share of the water.

Prison Health Care: A federal appeals court paused the planned takeover of Arizona prison health operations while the state appeals. A receiver may still begin planning, but the transfer of management is on hold. Colorado River: Arizona has joined Nevada’s lawsuit challenging the federal plan for river water, as the states fight proposed cuts to their shares. Election Security: Three Arizona Democratic members of Congress reported receiving suspicious letters containing white powder, prompting a federal investigation as the midterms approach. Local News: Taliesin West near Scottsdale is closed after a visitor was killed by windblown roof debris. Sports: The Cardinals beat the Rams 18-16, with Chad Ryland making all six field-goal attempts, including the game winner.

Election Security: The FBI is investigating suspicious letters sent to Arizona Democratic Reps. Adelita Grijalva, Yassamin Ansari and Greg Stanton, adding to a wave of threats targeting officials ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Public Safety: Phoenix says six school-zone speed cameras malfunctioned over the weekend, flashing drivers who weren’t speeding. Scottsdale: Taliesin West has closed indefinitely after a visitor was killed by roofing material blown loose in strong winds. Water: An appeals court declined to force Arizona to study whether the San Pedro basin needs groundwater management, while the state joined Nevada’s lawsuit challenging federal Colorado River plans. Governor’s Race: Katie Hobbs’ campaign has spent about $12 million more than Andy Biggs’ campaign, with outside groups adding tens of millions in spending. Schools: Tempe Union is weighing 2027 ballot measures as existing overrides near expiration and bond funds run low.

Public Safety: Two pilots escaped injury after a military helicopter crash-landed in a Lake Havasu City parking lot Sunday night; investigators are examining the cause. Health: Flu cases are climbing early, and Arizona, California, Nevada and Hawaii have the nation’s highest regional positivity rate at 9.5%. Water: Arizona is joining Nevada’s lawsuit challenging a federal plan for Colorado River cuts, as the state weighs drawing on its stored water. Elections: Spending is ramping up in Arizona’s governor’s race, with candidates arguing over who can best lead the state. Transportation: Crews have started another phase of the nearly $1 billion I-10 widening project south of Phoenix. Sports: The Cardinals stunned the Rams 18-16, winning on Chad Ryland’s field goal as time expired.

Community: An Arizona mother of seven was killed by a train after going missing during a morning jog; her family remembered her as loving and selfless. Cardinals: Arizona stunned the Rams 18-16 in Los Angeles, as Chad Ryland’s sixth field goal—a 43-yarder at the buzzer—sealed the win. The Cardinals’ defense held the Rams to 286 yards. Colorado River: Arizona is joining Nevada’s lawsuit challenging the federal plan for river water deliveries, warning that proposed cuts threaten the state’s share. AI and child safety: Arizona is among eight states suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT can harm children and mislead users about safety. Public safety: Prosecutors say an Arizona man plotted a mass-casualty attack at a religious site and possessed a bomb-making manual; he faces a felony terrorism-threat charge. Election watch: Maricopa County officials have acknowledged some voters haven’t received mail ballots, while the state GOP is urging affected voters to report delays.