‘Mobility, community and open space’: Culdesac in Tempe aims to provide a healthy alternative to suburban living

TEMPE – Culdesac, a walkable, car-free neighborhood in Tempe, aims to support tenants’ healthier lifestyles by allowing them to have quick access to necessities such as stores, restaurants and public transit.

A community area inside of Culdesac features a mural by a local artist. Photo taken in Tempe on April 2, 2024. (Photo by Crystal Aguilar/Cronkite News)

How city of Phoenix, CAP are addressing water supply issues

PHOENIX – State and local agencies are working toward Arizona water supply solutions, including potentially expanding the Bartlett Dam and adding new infrastructure.

A man looks out over the Colorado River near Page in November 2022. Statewide and local agencies are working toward Arizona water supply solutions. (File photo by Alex Hager/KUNC)

‘Absolute beautiful place’: Rockin’ River Ranch State Park opens in Camp Verde

CAMP VERDE – After several setbacks, Rockin’ River Ranch State Park opened on Feb. 9 in Camp Verde. The native wildlife, hiking trails, fishing and picnic areas of the newest state park have already attracted local and international visitors.

Stables are shown at Rockin’ River Ranch on March 23, 2024, in Camp Verde. (Photo by Mariah Temprendola/Cronkite News)

Water and power collide in proposed $100 million Colorado River deal

The Shoshone Generating Station is easy to overlook, but it's key to "one of the most interesting ... water rights on the Colorado River” - a deal to spend nearly $100 million for rights to the water that powers the facility and preserve it for western Colorado users.


Where flower fields historically grew, the next generation of farmers cultivates south Phoenix

PHOENIX – The flower fields once grown by Japanese American farmers along part of Baseline Road have now been replaced by housing and urban development. Despite the drastic changes to the South Mountain area, the unique subclimate at the base of the mountain makes it the perfect place for agriculture and farming.


State officials warn of potentially ‘explosive’ wildfires this summer

PHOENIX - Forestry officials said Arizona is on the verge of a volatile wildfire season, and they urged state residents to be prepared and to take steps now to head off the worst of it.


Gila River Indian Community rejects states’ plan for Colorado, works with feds

The Gila River Indian Community said it does not support a plan backed by three states for managing the Colorado River’s shrinking water supply, and is instead working instead with federal officials to develop its own proposal for water sharing.


Coconino official says improvements needed for federal wildfire assistance

WASHINGTON - A Coconino County official joined other witnesses who told a Senate panel Wednesday that there need to be improvements in the overlapping and sometimes confusing way federal agencies help local governments respond to crises like wildfires.


What Arizona and Maricopa County are doing to manage smoke, air quality

PHOENIX – The Maricopa County Air Quality Department and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality are working to maintain the health and prosperity of the environment and residents as it relates to air quality through no-burn days and prescribed-burn smoke dispersion.

The American Lung Association designated the Phoenix-Mesa area in the top 10 most-polluted cities by ozone and by year-round particle pollution in its State of the Air 2023 report. (File photo by Kasey Brammell/Cronkite News)

Colorado River states offer competing proposals for managing water

The seven states that use water from the Colorado River proposed competing plans to the federal government this week on the river's future management, with upper and lower basin states offering their own visions.


If trees could talk: Tree rings show recent decades warmest in 500 years

The current Western megadrought is unlike any other dry period the region has experienced over the past 500 years. That’s according to a new study in which scientists looked at tree rings to track changing temperatures going back to 1553.


Arizona leaders take advantage of Inflation Reduction Act tax credits for sustainability projects

PHOENIX – Leaders of Arizona’s public, private and nonprofit sectors discussed financial incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act, explaining how they will use available federal funds for environmental efforts and renewable energy projects.