Daily Brief
August 13, 2026
Thursday
🚨 Public Safety
Overnight storms prompt flash flood warning, swift-water rescue in Tucson. Tucson Fire crews carried out an early morning swift-water rescue after an off-duty state trooper spotted a vehicle in a wash, according to KOLD. A flash flood warning was in effect for eastern Pima County from about 3:20 a.m. until 6:15 a.m., and forecasters warned of slick roads and continued flash flood risk into Thursday.
KOLD News 13, KVOA News 4, Arizona Daily Star
Pima County confirms 19 West Nile virus cases, most since 2021. County health officials have confirmed 19 West Nile virus cases this year, the highest count since 2021, KGUN 9 reported. The station interviewed a Tucson survivor who said doctors warned her she might not leave the ICU.
Family says it intends to sue Pima County Sheriff's Department over deputy shooting. The family of Axeel Melendez, who was paralyzed from the chest down after being shot by deputies, has filed notice of intent to sue the department, according to KOLD. The Sheriff's Department has said the incident was likely the result of a swatting call.
🏛️ Government
Pima County supervisors move toward 120-day data center moratorium. The Board of Supervisors directed county staff to draft policies aimed at increasing transparency and accountability for large development projects such as data centers, Arizona Luminaria reported. Supervisors also asked staff to prepare a resolution that, if approved, would impose a 120-day moratorium on data centers while the county reviews its rules.
Attorney general sues owners of three eastside Tucson apartment complexes. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has filed suit against the owners and operators of three affiliated eastside apartment complexes, alleging patterns of neglect and unsafe living conditions, including failure to provide adequate air conditioning, according to KOLD. The allegations have not been tested in court.
Three Points residents pack meeting to oppose solar and battery storage project. Hundreds of residents turned out to object to a proposed solar and battery storage development in Pima County that KOLD reported would cover about 5,000 acres. The meeting gave neighbors a chance to comment before county review continues.
Romero announces reelection bid at panel of Arizona women mayors. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said she will seek reelection during a Tucson panel where Arizona women mayors and vice mayors discussed gender and racial bias in politics, according to Tucson Spotlight.
Sun Tran route changes take effect Sunday. The City of Tucson said Sun Tran, Sun Express and Sun Shuttle will implement service and route changes beginning Aug. 16, including Route 4 serving Udall Transit Station instead of South Kolb Road and Route 8 merging with Route 108X to extend service to Houghton Road at 15-minute frequency. Route 9 is to be extended to Pima Community College East, and Sun Express routes 102X and 104X are to merge.
🎓 Schools
TUSD board raises expenditure budget to $807 million. The Tucson Unified School District governing board approved the first round of 2026-27 budget revisions in a 4-1 vote, increasing the expenditure budget from $801 million to $807 million, the Arizona Daily Star reported. Board member Sadie Shaw voted no, citing insufficient financial detail.
Sunnyside High to get $2.7 million wrestling facility. Sunnyside High School is building a new $2.7 million wrestling facility intended to give the program more training space, according to the Arizona Daily Star.
🏗️ Development & Business
Pascua Yaqui's third casino set to open Nov. 15 on the west side. The tribe's newest casino is scheduled to open Nov. 15 on Tucson's west side, the Arizona Daily Star reported in a preview of the property.
Raytheon awarded $745 million missile interceptor contract. Raytheon has secured a defense contract worth $745 million to manufacture and sustain advanced missile defense systems, according to the company as reported by KVOA. The Tucson-area operation is one of the region's largest private employers.
🎉 Community & Events
Indoor art festival debuts at Westin La Paloma this month. Art State Arizona is scheduled to host the first La Paloma Summer Indoor Art Festival Aug. 22-23 at the Westin La Paloma Resort, giving Arizona artists an air-conditioned venue to show and sell work during the summer.
Tucson Weekly, Tucson Local Media
📢 What Your Officials Are Saying
Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-CD6, officeholder). Ciscomani said in a release that he urged Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to keep the Tucson Indian Health Service facility open.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz., officeholder). Kelly announced he joined Sen. Alex Padilla and other colleagues in a letter demanding the State Department process student visas without delays.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-CD7, officeholder). Grijalva announced in a release that applications are open for her office's military service academy nominations.
Gov. Katie Hobbs (D, campaign). The Hobbs campaign said in a roundup that the governor met with Kingman small business owners and rallied supporters in Bullhead City. Republican Andy Biggs' campaign did not post in this window.
⛈️ Weather — Tucson
No active NWS alerts as of this morning; an overnight flash flood warning for eastern Pima County expired at 6:15 a.m.
Today: mostly sunny with a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon, high near 96 with temperatures falling to about 92 in the afternoon, south-southwest wind around 6 mph. Tonight: a chance of showers and storms before 11 p.m., then partly cloudy, low around 73, southeast wind around 6 mph. Friday: mostly sunny, high near 97, low around 75.
Thursday looks like the last day of widespread storm chances before drier air moves in, so runoff in washes remains a hazard through the afternoon. Rain chances drop off Friday and heat builds over the weekend, with highs near 101 Saturday and 104 Sunday.
NWS Tucson Forecast API
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