Remembering heroes: New mural honors Granite Mountain Hotshots and their impact on Prescott

PRESCOTT – Ten years after the Yarnell Hill Fire, where 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots perished, a mural honoring their lives was unveiled at the Prescott Chamber of Commerce.

A mural created by Arizona artist Katie Von Kral honors the bravery of the Granite Mountain Hotshots and captures the essence of their courage. Unveiled Wednesday, June 28, 2023, the artwork is on the Prescott Chamber of Commerce building. (Photo by Bri Pacelli/Cronkite News)

National scorecard on electric-vehicle policies gives Arizona low marks

WASHINGTON - Arizona fared poorly across the board for policies aimed at encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles, according to a new national ranking of state policies. Arizona was 26th of the 33 states ranked, slipping from 25th place in the last report.


Citizen scientists measure Sedona temps, humidity for urban heat island study

SEDONA – Those people driving around Sedona on June 24 with heat sensors mounted to their cars and bikes are citizen scientists working with NOAA as part of its effort to map heat islands throughout the world. They will measure heat and humidity along designated routes in the morning, afternoon and evening.


Supreme Court says treaty does not require feds to secure Navajo water rights

WASHINGTON – A divided Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the federal government is not required to take "affirmative steps" to guarantee water for the Navajo Nation beyond the water rights that were granted in an 1868 treaty.


Monsoon 2023 has arrived, and Phoenix officials are asking residents to be prepared for dust, wind and rain

The monsoon runs from June 15 to September 15. Phoenix officials say they have been preparing for storms, and ask residents to do the same.

Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department employees Gabriel Guillen and J.R. Valenzuela demonstrate the correct way to trim a tree in preparation for monsoons on Thursday, June 15, 2023. (Photo by Evelin Ruelas/Cronkite News)

Hiking in the heat: Phoenix considers extending closure hours for popular trails on excessive heat days

PHOENIX – For the past two years, Phoenix officials have closed some of the city’s most popular hiking trails when temperatures have soared to cut down on the number of heat-related incidents – and the expensive rescues when hikers get into trouble. Now, they’re planning to use information they collect this summer to determine whether to make additional adjustments.

“Take a Hike, Do it Right” signs warn visitors of the dangers while hiking in hot conditions. The city limits hiking on some popular trails from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on days the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat warning. (Photo By Evelin Ruelas/Cronkite News)

Lawmakers spar over BLM plan to weigh conservation in land-use decisions

WASHINGTON - A Bureau of Land Management rule that would, for the first time, count conservation as a legitimate use for public lands, along with mining, logging and other uses, is an "offensive" overreach of federal authority, Republicans said Thursday.


GOP feuding ends, House gets back to work with votes on guns, gas stoves

WASHINGTON - The House resumed work Tuesday after a weeklong pause when 11 Republicans, including two from Arizona, backed away from obstruction aimed at GOP leaders, clearing the way for votes to block regulations on guns and gas stoves.


Yampa River is a ‘roller coaster’ ride as the West replenishes its reservoirs

After an epic snow year in the mountains, the Yampa River is flowing higher than it has in a decade. As water makes its way through Colorado and Utah on its way to the Colorado River and Lake Powell, the high flows are a boon for rafters, fish and farmers.

A group of rafts floats down a calm section of the Yampa River on May 23, 2023. High flows have been a boon for recreators, fish and ranchers alike. The high water has also lifted some pressure of water managers trying to reduce demand on the Colorado River. (Photo by Alex Hager/KUNC)

Wiggly workers: Arizona Worm Farm reduces food waste through vermicomposting

PHOENIX – The Arizona Worm Farm breeds red wiggler worms for vermicomposting and then sells that compost to help people start their own composting and repurposing food waste system.

Red wiggler worms are used for vermicomposting to repurpose and dispose of food waste in a sustainable way. Photo taken at the Arizona Worm Farm in Phoenix on Feb. 1, 2023. (Photo by Paula Soria/Cronkite News)

Fighting the heat: Arizona officials petitioning for federal aid in extreme heat situations

PHOENIX – Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Rep. Ruben Gallego are petitioning for FEMA to declare extreme heat a major disaster and taking measures to curb the number of heat-related deaths in Arizona.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Rep. Ruben Gallego address media questions on the proposed Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act outside Phoenix City Hall. (Photo by Josh Bootzin/Cronkite News)

Phoenix official: River restoration projects bring ‘wide-ranging’ benefits

WASHINGTON - A Phoenix city official told lawmakers Wednesday that Army Corps of Engineers assistance with river restoration projects has provided wide-ranging benefits for the Valley, but that there is more to be done.