At Lake Powell, record low water levels revealed an ‘amazing silver lining’
As water levels fell to historic lows at Lake Powell earlier this year, the receding water revealed a breathtaking landscape of deep red-rock canyons that cradle lush ecosystems and otherworldly arches, caverns and waterfalls - what some call a "lost national park."
Report: Shifting to EV fleets would save state, local governments millions
WASHINGTON - Arizona governments could save almost $283 million over the next 10 years if roughly 20,000 gasoline-powered light-duty vehicles in their fleets that are due to be retired were replaced with electric vehicles, according a recent report.
Months of wet weather erase drought across the Southwest
Climate experts recently provided a briefing with updates on the state of drought in the Southwest. In a rare dose of good news, much of the region's drought has been erased by months of wet weather.
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.
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.
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.
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.
