Food forest 360 tour: Glendale permaculture landscape designer grows produce in the desert

GLENDALE – Justin Haddad, owner and operator of Herbal.Lyf.Styl, has been growing a food forest in his backyard for the past seven years. He launched a permaculture landscape design business to help other people grow their own food forests.

Justin Haddad points at flowers growing in his backyard. “My favorite flowers have always been mango flowers,” Haddad said. “I grew this plant from seed.” Photo taken in Glendale on April 16, 2023. (Photo by Paula Soria/Cronkite News)

Where did the snow go? Researchers probe gap between snowfall, runoff

Every winter, high-altitude snow melts and fills reservoirs in the Colorado River basin, but some years see a big gap between the snow that falls and the water runs off. There is little data on why it happens, but researchers hope to find answers high in the Rockies.


It’s summer and Arizona gas prices sizzle to third-highest in country

PHOENIX – Arizona gas prices remain the third-highest in the country, just in time for summer vacation season.

Cars line up to get gas early at a QT on the corner of Germann Road and Arizona Avenue in Chandler. (File photo by Hope O’Brien/Cronkite News)

Efforts to remove invasive giant reed in Arizona rivers and lakes continues with Department of Forestry grants

PHOENIX – The Arundo has been invading Arizona, and organizations, including the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, are offering grants to groups that will work to remove the stubborn plant. The Arundo is found near many bodies of water in Arizona, and it takes up too much water for the drought-ridden state.

Arundo was introduced in the U.S. from Southeast Asia. Some people now use it around their homes as an ornamental plant. (Photo by Willie Sommers/Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management)

Wet winter allows for rare ‘high-flow’ Lake Powell release to help river

An extra pulse of water was sent through the Grand Canyon this week, part of a Bureau of Reclamation “high-flow experiment” designed to move and redeposit sand and sediment from the Glen Canyon Dam in northern Arizona.


Arizona plans to sink more than $85 million into potholes, other repairs

PHOENIX – After a tough winter for roadways, the Arizona Department of Transportation is working to patch potholes and to resurface, repair and improve highways in Arizona. ADOT has pledged over $85 million for the effort.


Phoenix again ranks among most polluted; people of color more likely to be exposed and develop health issues, report says

PHOENIX – The Phoenix metro area has been ranked as the fifth-most ozone-polluted city in the United States, according to the most recent State of the Air report from the American Lung Association. The report emphasized people of color are especially affected by air pollution and related health issues.

The Phoenix metro area has been ranked as the fifth most ozone-polluted city in the United States, according to the most recent State of the Air report from the American Lung Association. (File photo by Kasey Brammell/Cronkite News)

EPA’s ‘Waters’ rule fluid, as courts block enforcement in 26 states

After a years of fighting between administrations over the Clean Water Act, the on-again, off-again struggle over the Waters of the United States rule is on again. And off again, depending on where you live. Arizona is one of 24 states where the rule is in effect.


Phoenix turns to residents to come up with innovative solutions for providing chilled drinking water in public places

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Office of Innovation partnered with Venture Café to host the first Innovation Challenge. Five teams competed to come up with innovative solutions to provide chilled, drinking water to public places.

The judges decide a winner of Phoenix's Innovation Challenge on April 6, 2023. (Photo by Gianna Abdallah/Cronkite News)

As states continue to bicker, feds say Colorado River cuts are coming

With states unable to agree on a plan to share Colorado River water, the feds Tuesday released their own plans, with one alternative that would benefit California by following decades of agreements and another that would spread cuts evenly among the states.


Tribal leaders, lawmakers want new 1.1 million acre monument in Arizona

WASHINGTON - Tribal leaders joined state lawmakers Tuesday to call on President Joe Biden to set aside more than 1.1 million acres around the Grand Canyon as a new national monument.


As heat-related deaths soar in Arizona, cities, businesses and environmental activists launch tree-planting initiatives

PHOENIX – Deaths related to heat have soared in recent years in Arizona. Several cities, businesses and environmental groups believe that planting trees should be part of the solution.

The blue palo verde is Arizona's state tree. Several are shown in a neighborhood in North Phoenix. (Photo by Emily Mai/Cronkite News)