Sasha Hupka
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sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka
@sashahupka.bsky.social
790 followers 490 following 220 posts
Utilities & tech reporter @azcentral.com. I like hikes, the desert and holding power to account. Tips: 480-271-6387. Signal: sashahupka.49.
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Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 6h
NEW: One thing was clear as tens of thousands of semiconductor professionals descended on the desert earlier this month: Arizona had successfully established itself as the country's chips capital.

Now, it must fight to keep its crown. Read: www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
Arizona has become the semiconductor capital of the country. Now what?
A recent microelectronics conference drew chips professionals from across the world — a major win for Arizona. Now, it must fight to keep its crown.
www.azcentral.com
sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 2d
NEW: Davis-Monthan is one of five bases that could be sites for private commercial data centers, according to the Air Force in a request for lease proposal published Oct. 15. Via @azcentral.com: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Air Force base in Arizona could house a commercial AI data center. Here's how
Developers have until Nov. 14 to submit their proposals to build commercial data centers at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and four other U.S. bases.
www.azcentral.com
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sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 6d
NEW: Waymo and DoorDash are introducing autonomous grocery delivery across a 315-square-mile swath of the Phoenix metro.

It's among a slew of recent initiatives that have robots running errands around the area. Read: www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
Need groceries? You can have them delivered in metro Phoenix via Waymo robotaxi
Robotaxis are hitting metro Phoenix streets to deliver snacks, drinks and other grocery items via a new partnership between Waymo and DoorDash.
www.azcentral.com
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sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 6d
NEW: TSMC is moving to more quickly introduce advanced semiconductor processing technologies at its desert fabs because of strong demand for its chips amid the artificial intelligence boom.

Plus, record-breaking earnings — again. Read: www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
TSMC speeds up plan to expand, upgrade chip manufacturing technology in Arizona
CEO C.C. Wei said the company was working to accelerate production of chips made using its 2-nanometer, or "N2," manufacturing process.
www.azcentral.com
sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 12d
NEW: ASU has officially opened a long-awaited research, development and prototyping hub for semiconductor technology.

It aims to speed chip production breakthroughs amid a global tech war. But another facility looks dead after a federal clawback. Read: www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
ASU, Applied Materials open research hub. Can it propel chip innovations amid tech war?
The hub is intended to speed chip production breakthroughs amid a global tech war. Meanwhile, another facility looks dead after a federal clawback.
www.azcentral.com
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sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 13d
PLUS: New details on Fab 62. Officials are slow-walking construction on that facility, calling it a “scale plan” if more customers come.

But they didn't rule out the possibility that it could one day serve as a home for a next-generation manufacturing process. 👀

Read ⬇️
sashahupka.bsky.social Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 13d
NEW: Intel’s long-awaited Fab 52 is officially up and running in Chandler, marking a new — and potentially trepidatious — chapter for the chipmaker.

Take a peek inside the new fab, and the company’s future. Read: www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
Intel's Chandler factory is open, marking milestone for struggling chipmaker
Intel Corp.'s long-awaited Fab 52 is officially operational in Chandler, signaling a new — and potentially trepidatious — chapter for the chipmaker.
www.azcentral.com
sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 13d
NEW: Intel’s long-awaited Fab 52 is officially up and running in Chandler, marking a new — and potentially trepidatious — chapter for the chipmaker.

Take a peek inside the new fab, and the company’s future. Read: www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
Intel's Chandler factory is open, marking milestone for struggling chipmaker
Intel Corp.'s long-awaited Fab 52 is officially operational in Chandler, signaling a new — and potentially trepidatious — chapter for the chipmaker.
www.azcentral.com
sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 14d
A proposed development that could include TSMC's expanded manufacturing facility and thousands of housing units has some neighbors concerned about increased traffic and other impacts. Via @azcentral.com: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
Neighbors fear traffic, other impacts of huge NorthPark project at TSMC in Phoenix
The development will take between 20 and 25 years to fully build out, but it will eventually contain about 15,000 housing units.
www.azcentral.com
sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 15d
NEW: EPCOR has gotten an alternative designation of assured water supply, reopening a path to development in parts of the West Valley.

It is the first to obtain the status via new rules that allow homebuilding to continue in areas reliant on groundwater. www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
EPCOR gets water supply designation, reopening path to development in West Valley
A private water company's new designation reopens a path to development in some parts of the West Valley after a two-year moratorium.
www.azcentral.com
sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 15d
The surprise announcement came amid a ceremonial groundbreaking that brought the massive, multi-phase project a step closer to completion.

Even with the expansion, officials say the company will still have leftover space at its new site in Peoria. 👀
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sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 15d
NEW: Amkor Technology will more than triple its investment at its planned campus in Peoria, adding cleanroom space and a second packaging and testing facility at the site. Read: www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
Amkor to expand investment in Peoria, adding cleanroom space and second facility
The surprise announcement came amid a ceremonial groundbreaking that brought the massive, multi-phase project a step closer to completion.
www.azcentral.com
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sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 16d
NEW: Arizona is the epicenter of the domestic chips boom, which is creating unprecedented opportunities for its residents.

But developing a new type of workforce takes time, and the open roles are coming fast. Will residents be ready to fill them? Read: www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
Arizona won over the chips industry. Now, it needs workers for the semiconductor boom
The chips industry is facing a workforce gap. Experts say it could create unprecedented opportunities, but Arizonans must be set up for the jobs.
www.azcentral.com
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sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 19d
NEW: A vertical farming company, an on-demand nursing service and a real estate technology business are among the many startups blossoming in Arizona.

Learn about the young companies making it in the desert: www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
From AI to agtech, these startup companies are innovating in Arizona
A vertical farming company, an on-demand nursing service and a real estate technology business are among the many startups bubbling up in Arizona.
www.azcentral.com
sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 20d
NEW: Arizona hasn't often been thought of as a startup hub. But in recent years, it's entrepreneurial scene has quietly flourished.

As chipmakers and other hardware giants set up shop, it finds itself on the brink of becoming a major startup center. Read: www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
Arizona looks to tech hub future as young companies flourish, investor cash rolls in
Arizona has never been thought of as a startup hub. But in recent years, its entrepreneurial scene has quietly thrived, particularly in Phoenix.
www.azcentral.com
sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 29d
This move won't immediately impact programs already put in place by utilities.

But it raises questions about how they will publicly report energy savings, what types of energy efficiency proposals will be greenlit in the future and what it means for customers' bills in the long run.
sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 29d
Arizona utility regulators are initiating the repeal of the state's energy efficiency rules.

That standard set energy savings targets for utilities, prompting them to offer smart thermostat initiatives, discounts on eco-friendly appliances and more. Read: www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
AZ utility regulators want to repeal energy efficiency rules. What it means for your bill
The move won't immediately impact programs already put in place by utilities, but raises questions about future initiatives and drew criticism.
www.azcentral.com
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sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · 29d
Thanks!
sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · Sep 22
"In a contest with several strong contenders, this enterprise package stood out for the way the reporter provided vivid detail and humanized the story of an unreliable electricity provider and its negative impact on the community."

Read judge's comments: azpressclub.org/2025/09/17/2...
2024 Arizona Press Club award winners announced – Arizona Press Club
azpressclub.org
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sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · Sep 22
Those customers, by the way, continue to fight for reliable power.

Here's some of my most recent reporting on their predicament: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
AZ attorney general demands federal action after numerous rural power outages
San Carlos Irrigation Project customers saw numerous power disruptions between July 2 and July 8. That utility has long seen reliability issues.
www.azcentral.com
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sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · Sep 22
Excited to share that my investigation into a rural electric utility earned a first place prize from the Arizona Press Club.

This award recognizes the customers failed by their utility. I am grateful that they let me into their homes so I could tell this story. www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
'No mercy': A unique rural Arizona power company's aging infrastructure threatens lives
San Carlos Irrigation Project customers report outages are regular, and they say the lax oversight is increasingly putting them in danger.
www.azcentral.com
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sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · Sep 22
NEW: Tesla has been approved to test its robotaxis in Phoenix, per ADOT.

It will only able to test the autonomous vehicles with human safety drivers on board and it won’t yet be able to operate a rideshare service — that requires a separate permit. www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
Tesla cleared to bring robotaxis to Phoenix for testing. Here's what to know
State officials approved Tesla's application to test its robotaxis locally — but only with human safety drivers, and not yet as a ridesharing service.
www.azcentral.com
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sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · Sep 19
NEW: A coalition of semiconductor and local stakeholders, including TSMC and Amkor, are banding together to launch a Phoenix-based startup hub focused on cultivating early-stage companies driving new innovations in chip manufacturing and AI. Read: www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
Phoenix-based 'deep tech' startup hub will focus on AI, semiconductors
Amkor, TSMC and a venture capital firm are creating a hub for companies driving innovations in chip manufacturing and artificial intelligence.
www.azcentral.com
sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · Sep 17
Of note: @caitmcglade.bsky.social reports that about half of all Maricopa County residents who died at home from heat-related deaths had trouble cooling their place — most because their air conditioner had broken.

Worth your time to read: www.azcentral.com/story/news/l...
'This should be a necessity': Hundreds in Phoenix area die at home without air conditioning
In the scorching summers of the Valley, a broken air conditioner can become a death sentence.
www.azcentral.com
sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · Sep 17
FWIW, these regulators do not oversee broadband internet services. But they do regulate telephone service, which was also at issue in this case.

Officials in Apache County and Navajo County had long reported issues with phone outages that impacted their 9-1-1 dispatch.
sashahupka.bsky.social
Sasha Hupka @sashahupka.bsky.social · Sep 17
NEW: AZ utility regulators just approved a settlement requiring Verizon and Frontier to invest millions to improve telecommunications services in the rural, northeastern corner of the state.

It brings the changes one step closer for residents. Background: www.azcentral.com/story/money/...
Verizon, Frontier to improve internet service in rural Arizona after lawsuit
Verizon and Frontier could expand and enhance rural broadband infrastructure in the northeastern corner of Arizona via a lawsuit settlement.
www.azcentral.com
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