Arizona Luminaria
@azluminaria.org
Local news. Journalism reform. Nonprofit. 🕯️
Getting inspired by Frida or singing KPop at the top of their lungs. This is what happens when art meets the classroom. https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/14/this-is-showing-me-how-to-be-an-artist-student-field-trips-ignite-creative-dreams/
“This is showing me how to be an artist," student field trips ignite creative dreams - AZ Luminaria
Some days Gael Navarro dreams about becoming a professional baseball player. Other days, the seventh grader at Robins K-8 School considers drawing and painting for a living. As he was immersed in Frida Kahlo’s artwork, life history and desert plants at the Tucson Botanical Gardens Thursday morning, it was the latter. “She was a good […]
azluminaria.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Getting inspired by Frida or singing KPop at the top of their lungs. This is what happens when art meets the classroom. https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/14/this-is-showing-me-how-to-be-an-artist-student-field-trips-ignite-creative-dreams/
Is your school an A or F? Check the new state grades 📊 https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/13/database-find-your-schools-new-2025-letter-grade/
Database: Find your school's new 2025 letter grade - AZ Luminaria
The Arizona State Board of Education released its preliminary school and district letter grades for the 2024-25 school year. The A-to-F grades are the state accountability model used to annually measure performance. The list includes 204 districts and more than 1,800 schools. A school district’s overall grade is calculated by averaging the grades from all […]
azluminaria.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Is your school an A or F? Check the new state grades 📊 https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/13/database-find-your-schools-new-2025-letter-grade/
He saved his dad’s life — then found his calling in nursing. See how he made the leap. https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/11/coaching-connections-help-tucson-nursing-students-lead-the-way-in-passing-exam/
Coaching connections help Tucson nursing students lead the way in passing exam - AZ Luminaria
Home life during the pandemic brought clarity to Nick Martinez. In 2020, the Tucson native was a University of Arizona graduate with a degree in biology who worked jobs in a lab and at Costco. But after his dad took a spill while toiling at one of his many home projects, Martinez saved his life. […]
azluminaria.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:05 PM
He saved his dad’s life — then found his calling in nursing. See how he made the leap. https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/11/coaching-connections-help-tucson-nursing-students-lead-the-way-in-passing-exam/
Preschool costs hit library budget. Will a new policy protect core services? https://ow.ly/HfhI50XqcfR
November 11, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Preschool costs hit library budget. Will a new policy protect core services? https://ow.ly/HfhI50XqcfR
The city’s proposal would raise parking meter and garage rates starting in 2026
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/10/to-keep-the-streetcar-free-tucson-proposes-parking-meter-and-garage-hikes/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/10/to-keep-the-streetcar-free-tucson-proposes-parking-meter-and-garage-hikes/
To keep the streetcar free, Tucson proposes parking meter and garage hikes - AZ Luminaria
The Pennington Street Garage was packed on Thursday morning. Less than a quarter mile away, Tony Ray Baker had just opened up his store, The Tucson Gallery, where he also runs Tucson Trolley Tours. “It’s just so charming,” Baker gushed, looking out at Congress Street, where Sun Link’s streetcar runs. “I travel all over the […]
azluminaria.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
The city’s proposal would raise parking meter and garage rates starting in 2026
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/10/to-keep-the-streetcar-free-tucson-proposes-parking-meter-and-garage-hikes/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/10/to-keep-the-streetcar-free-tucson-proposes-parking-meter-and-garage-hikes/
Beale’s proposal includes funding for schools, job programs and clean energy projects. Supervisors say the next step is turning those pledges into a binding contract
Project Blue developer pledges $15M in local investments but county officials want proof its promises will hold up - AZ Luminaria
Beale Infrastructure — the company behind the controversial Project Blue data center — announced Thursday it will match all of its local energy use with renewables and invest $15 million in education,...
azluminaria.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Beale’s proposal includes funding for schools, job programs and clean energy projects. Supervisors say the next step is turning those pledges into a binding contract
No Turquoise Alert for Navajo teen amplifies questions about Arizona's new missing persons system https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/06/no-turquoise-alert-for-navajo-teen-amplifies-questions-about-arizonas-endangered-children-and-new-missing-person-system/
No Turquoise Alert for Navajo teen amplifies questions about Arizona's endangered children and new missing person system - AZ Luminaria
When 14-year-old Neveah Alessandro Campos ran away from her uncle’s home in Glendale Saturday afternoon, her mother Ashley Alessandro gave her a day to come back. But when she didn’t, Ashley did what any parent would do: she called the police, filed a missing person report and waited for help. Nearly a week has passed, […]
azluminaria.org
November 6, 2025 at 11:42 PM
No Turquoise Alert for Navajo teen amplifies questions about Arizona's new missing persons system https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/06/no-turquoise-alert-for-navajo-teen-amplifies-questions-about-arizonas-endangered-children-and-new-missing-person-system/
Mount Lemmon is running short on water. Here’s how locals are adapting. https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/06/five-minute-showers-and-dusty-trucks-mount-lemmon-adapts-to-drought/
November 6, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Mount Lemmon is running short on water. Here’s how locals are adapting. https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/06/five-minute-showers-and-dusty-trucks-mount-lemmon-adapts-to-drought/
Los votantes aprobaron nuevos fondos para escuelas en tres distritos del área de Tucson — beneficiando a casi 70,000 estudiantes y 10,000 empleados escolares
Se aprueba incremento en TUSD por primera vez en 30 años, según los primeros resultados electorales - AZ Luminaria
Por primera vez en más de tres décadas, los votantes aprobaron una extensión presupuestal para el Distrito Escolar Unificado de Tucson (TUSD), según muestran los resultados preliminares del martes por...
azluminaria.org
November 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Los votantes aprobaron nuevos fondos para escuelas en tres distritos del área de Tucson — beneficiando a casi 70,000 estudiantes y 10,000 empleados escolares
Voters approved new school funding in three Tucson-area districts last night — impacting nearly 70,000 students and 10,000 staff
TUSD override passes for first time in 30 years, early election results show - AZ Luminaria
For the first time in more than three decades, voters agreed to an override for the Tucson Unified School District, Tuesday night’s preliminary results of Proposition 414 show. Prop. 414 was passing w...
azluminaria.org
November 5, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Voters approved new school funding in three Tucson-area districts last night — impacting nearly 70,000 students and 10,000 staff
🚨 BREAKING: TUSD override passes for the first time in 30+ years.
Early election results show Tucson voters approved Prop 414, funding teacher raises and school programs in the city’s largest district.
Early election results show Tucson voters approved Prop 414, funding teacher raises and school programs in the city’s largest district.
TUSD override passes for first time in 30 years, early election results show - AZ Luminaria
For the first time in more than three decades, voters agreed to an override for the Tucson Unified School District, Tuesday night’s preliminary results of Proposition 414 show. Prop 414 was passing wi...
azluminaria.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:21 AM
🚨 BREAKING: TUSD override passes for the first time in 30+ years.
Early election results show Tucson voters approved Prop 414, funding teacher raises and school programs in the city’s largest district.
Early election results show Tucson voters approved Prop 414, funding teacher raises and school programs in the city’s largest district.
🚨 Election Night Update:
Early results show Selina Barajas and Miranda Schubert joining Tucson City Council and Kevin Dahl staying in Ward 3
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/04/live-election-results-2025-tucson-city-council-plus-school-bonds-and-overrides/
Early results show Selina Barajas and Miranda Schubert joining Tucson City Council and Kevin Dahl staying in Ward 3
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/04/live-election-results-2025-tucson-city-council-plus-school-bonds-and-overrides/
Election results: Selina Barajas, Miranda Schubert poised to join Tucson City Council - AZ Luminaria
Live 2025 election results for Tucson City Council Ward 3, Ward 5 and Ward 6; Prop 417 and TUSD, Sunnyside and Flowing Wells education budgets
azluminaria.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 AM
🚨 Election Night Update:
Early results show Selina Barajas and Miranda Schubert joining Tucson City Council and Kevin Dahl staying in Ward 3
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/04/live-election-results-2025-tucson-city-council-plus-school-bonds-and-overrides/
Early results show Selina Barajas and Miranda Schubert joining Tucson City Council and Kevin Dahl staying in Ward 3
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/04/live-election-results-2025-tucson-city-council-plus-school-bonds-and-overrides/
Families in Southern Arizona are scrambling for food as SNAP is delayed. Local food banks, mutual aid groups and rural communities are stepping up — but will it be enough? https://ow.ly/oWcR50Xmbmu
SNAP benefits delayed: Arizona food aid groups see surge in need - AZ Luminaria
Government shutdown stalls federal food aid, prompting local nonprofits and aid groups to fill the gap
ow.ly
November 3, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Families in Southern Arizona are scrambling for food as SNAP is delayed. Local food banks, mutual aid groups and rural communities are stepping up — but will it be enough? https://ow.ly/oWcR50Xmbmu
Colonias in Southern Arizona are facing heat, water shortages and funding cuts. Here’s what residents say needs to change.
In collaboration with The Margin
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/31/southern-arizona-colonias-climate-water-crisis/
In collaboration with The Margin
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/31/southern-arizona-colonias-climate-water-crisis/
Deserted at the border - AZ Luminaria
Farmworker and mining colonias in Southern Arizona face deadly heat, water shortages, and federal funding cuts.
azluminaria.org
October 31, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Colonias in Southern Arizona are facing heat, water shortages and funding cuts. Here’s what residents say needs to change.
In collaboration with The Margin
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/31/southern-arizona-colonias-climate-water-crisis/
In collaboration with The Margin
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/31/southern-arizona-colonias-climate-water-crisis/
📺 Part 1 of a new documentary series from AZPM + Arizona Luminaria on Southern Arizona’s mobile home parks premieres this Sunday, Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m. on Arizona Illustrated (PBS 6).
AZ Luminaria and AZPM team up for "The Last Affordable Housing," a new documentary about mobile homes - AZ Luminaria
Once seen as a symbol of independence and affordability, mobile home communities now face deadly heat, predatory management, inflated utility costs and few protections. But over the last several years, a wave of organizing has risen that aims to address these issues and fill gaps in accountability. The goal: help make manufactured home communities in […]
azluminaria.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:54 PM
📺 Part 1 of a new documentary series from AZPM + Arizona Luminaria on Southern Arizona’s mobile home parks premieres this Sunday, Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m. on Arizona Illustrated (PBS 6).
For nearly four decades, Yvette Lanz has shaped Tucson’s bilingual classrooms — now, she and thousands of educators could see long-overdue raises if TUSD voters approve Prop. 414 on Nov. 4
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/30/teacher-raises-could-pay-off-for-students-tusd-voters-decide-nov-4/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/30/teacher-raises-could-pay-off-for-students-tusd-voters-decide-nov-4/
Teacher raises could pay off for students. TUSD voters decide Nov. 4 - AZ Luminaria
From the chaos of a kindergarten classroom, Maestra Yvette Lanz makes sense of her life. She shuffles the books into neat rows, straightens the uno, dos, tres number lines and organizes small humans on a rainbow-hued color-blocked rug. She’s done this for 39 years. Señora Lanz has executed her day job when her world was […]
azluminaria.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:47 PM
For nearly four decades, Yvette Lanz has shaped Tucson’s bilingual classrooms — now, she and thousands of educators could see long-overdue raises if TUSD voters approve Prop. 414 on Nov. 4
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/30/teacher-raises-could-pay-off-for-students-tusd-voters-decide-nov-4/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/30/teacher-raises-could-pay-off-for-students-tusd-voters-decide-nov-4/
She could be making more money at Target but she stays for the kids who need her. Now TUSD voters will decide on Nov. 4 if teachers like her finally get a raise. Arizona ranks 49th nationally in elementary teacher pay. https://ow.ly/ZAw150XkF0W
Teacher raises could pay off for students. TUSD voters decide Nov. 4 - AZ Luminaria
From the chaos of a kindergarten classroom, Maestra Yvette Lanz makes sense of her life. She shuffles the books into neat rows, straightens the uno, dos, tres number lines and organizes small humans on a rainbow-hued color-blocked rug. She’s done this for 39 years. Señora Lanz has executed her day job when her world was […]
ow.ly
October 30, 2025 at 8:56 PM
She could be making more money at Target but she stays for the kids who need her. Now TUSD voters will decide on Nov. 4 if teachers like her finally get a raise. Arizona ranks 49th nationally in elementary teacher pay. https://ow.ly/ZAw150XkF0W
Arizona’s Turquoise Alert has been used once since July. DPS says that’s intentional, despite 200+ missing person cases. https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/29/arizonas-turquoise-alert-has-been-triggered-just-once-dps-explains-thats-by-design/
Arizona’s Turquoise Alert has been triggered just once. DPS explains that’s by design. - AZ Luminaria
The Arizona Department of Public Safety, which reviews and distributes all statewide alerts for missing people, says Arizona’s new Turquoise Alert system is working like it’s supposed to. The alert, established under House Bill 2281, has only been activated once since launching in July, even as nearly 300 people were reported missing in Arizona during […]
azluminaria.org
October 29, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Arizona’s Turquoise Alert has been used once since July. DPS says that’s intentional, despite 200+ missing person cases. https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/29/arizonas-turquoise-alert-has-been-triggered-just-once-dps-explains-thats-by-design/
With SNAP benefits set to pause Nov. 1, here’s where to find food assistance, donate, or volunteer in Tucson and Southern Arizona https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/29/hundreds-of-thousands-in-arizona-face-hunger-as-snap-funding-halt-looms/
Hundreds of thousands in Arizona face hunger as SNAP funding halt looms - AZ Luminaria
Hundreds of thousands of Arizonans who rely on federal food aid may need food assistance as federal SNAP funding is expected to run dry Saturday due to the U.S. government shutdown. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the debit cards […]
azluminaria.org
October 29, 2025 at 4:36 PM
With SNAP benefits set to pause Nov. 1, here’s where to find food assistance, donate, or volunteer in Tucson and Southern Arizona https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/29/hundreds-of-thousands-in-arizona-face-hunger-as-snap-funding-halt-looms/
5 things to know about the proposed ICE detention center in Marana 🚨 A private prison company just bought a facility near Tucson — and could soon turn it into an immigration detention center holding 500 people — all with no public input. https://ow.ly/LKgL50XiH5x
Possible immigration detention center at former Marana prison draws community outcry - AZ Luminaria
On a quiet patch of land surrounded by miles of cotton fields, and not far from the blinking lights of Marana’s regional airport, the turn-off to a vacant prison building is marked by an empty frame of a sign and a dead cactus, reduced to its ribs but still reaching to the sky. Outside the […]
ow.ly
October 27, 2025 at 8:43 PM
5 things to know about the proposed ICE detention center in Marana 🚨 A private prison company just bought a facility near Tucson — and could soon turn it into an immigration detention center holding 500 people — all with no public input. https://ow.ly/LKgL50XiH5x
Arizona AG Kris Mayes is suing to force Congress to seat Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, saying Southern Arizona has gone a month without representation
Arizona Attorney General sues to force swearing in of US Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva - AZ Luminaria
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed a lawsuit that seeks to get Democrat Adelita Grijalva sworn in as the state’s newest member of Congress after U.S. House Speaker Mike Johns...
azluminaria.org
October 21, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Arizona AG Kris Mayes is suing to force Congress to seat Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, saying Southern Arizona has gone a month without representation
People stood shoulder to shoulder inside and outside the building — snapping, cheering and holding “Not One Drop” signs as they urged supervisors to reverse course
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/21/hundreds-pack-supervisors-meeting-to-stop-project-blue-but-county-may-have-few-tools-left/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/21/hundreds-pack-supervisors-meeting-to-stop-project-blue-but-county-may-have-few-tools-left/
Hundreds pack supervisors meeting to stop Project Blue, but county may have few tools left - AZ Luminaria
More than 300 people, most bedecked in red and many holding signs, packed the Oct. 21 Board of Supervisors meeting to express ongoing dismay with Project Blue moving forward. The call-to-audience session, with some interruptions, stretched well over two hours, as speakers invoked Tucson’s “moral courage” and voiced fierce opposition to the proposed data center, […]
azluminaria.org
October 21, 2025 at 11:49 PM
People stood shoulder to shoulder inside and outside the building — snapping, cheering and holding “Not One Drop” signs as they urged supervisors to reverse course
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/21/hundreds-pack-supervisors-meeting-to-stop-project-blue-but-county-may-have-few-tools-left/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/21/hundreds-pack-supervisors-meeting-to-stop-project-blue-but-county-may-have-few-tools-left/
Most Arizona police agencies are steering clear of ICE’s push to let local officers act as immigration agents — including Pima County
With ProPublica
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/21/arizona-police-agencies-were-once-at-the-forefront-of-local-immigration-enforcement-now-most-are-avoiding-it/
With ProPublica
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/21/arizona-police-agencies-were-once-at-the-forefront-of-local-immigration-enforcement-now-most-are-avoiding-it/
Arizona police agencies were once at the forefront of local immigration enforcement. Now most are avoiding it. - AZ Luminaria
This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with Arizona Luminaria. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this in your inbox every week. Arizona law enforcement agencies are largely rejecting a fast-growing ICE program that lets local officers act as deportation agents — citing the experience of the state’s largest […]
azluminaria.org
October 21, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Most Arizona police agencies are steering clear of ICE’s push to let local officers act as immigration agents — including Pima County
With ProPublica
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/21/arizona-police-agencies-were-once-at-the-forefront-of-local-immigration-enforcement-now-most-are-avoiding-it/
With ProPublica
https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/21/arizona-police-agencies-were-once-at-the-forefront-of-local-immigration-enforcement-now-most-are-avoiding-it/
UA won’t sign the Trump compact — instead it submitted its own principles, saying it shares some federal priorities but won’t compromise academic freedom
UA declines to sign Trump compact, submitting its own statement instead - AZ Luminaria
The University of Arizona and President Suresh Garimella stopped short of signing the Trump administration’s proposed compact Monday, instead submitting its own “Statement of Principles” to the U.S. D...
azluminaria.org
October 20, 2025 at 9:33 PM
UA won’t sign the Trump compact — instead it submitted its own principles, saying it shares some federal priorities but won’t compromise academic freedom
Tucson’s “No Kings” rally stood out among 2,700 nationwide, as protesters denounced Congress for blocking Adelita Grijalva’s swearing-in
'We are guerreras.' Tucson ‘No Kings' rally demands Congress swear in Adelita Grijalva, calls to end Trump era - AZ Luminaria
“We love our country. Save our democracy. No kings,” says Davina Martínez, holding a protest sign with a raised brown fist and handwritten words — “RESIST” — in bold red and black ink. Standing amid r...
azluminaria.org
October 19, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Tucson’s “No Kings” rally stood out among 2,700 nationwide, as protesters denounced Congress for blocking Adelita Grijalva’s swearing-in