Explore

Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Mother in Surprise fights off coyote, protects 4-year-old daughter

Mother in Surprise fights off coyote, protects 4-year-old daughter

“My instincts just kicked in,” said Brittany Cardinal. “We live near the desert and see coyotes all around. But usually, they are skittish.”
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Couple who built their Arizona retirement home run into legal hurdles

Couple who built their Arizona retirement home run into legal hurdles

A metro Phoenix couple planned to retire to a home they built in Show Low, but an illness caused a change of plans and raised questions about the law.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Mountain Lion Safely Departs San Francisco's Panhandle Neighborhood After Weekend Sighting

Mountain Lion Safely Departs San Francisco's Panhandle Neighborhood After Weekend Sighting

A mountain lion that was spotted in San Francisco’s Panhandle neighborhood over the weekend has safely moved on, according to city officials. The animal was seen perched in a tree near Fell and Baker Streets on Saturday night, prompting Animal Care and Control officers to block off the area and issue safety alerts to nearby residents. Officials confirmed that the big cat did not display any aggressive behavior and left the park grounds on its own overnight. Wildlife experts noted that young mountain lions occasionally venture into urban areas like Golden Gate Park or the Presidio from the Peninsula, often in search of new territory and food after being displaced by older adults. Most of these animals eventually return to rural habitats without incident.
1Weather 1Weather
Colorado River Water Usage Faces Challenges Amid Declining Supply

Colorado River Water Usage Faces Challenges Amid Declining Supply

A detailed investigation by NPR’s Mountain West News Bureau has revealed significant challenges in measuring and managing Colorado River water usage. The Colorado River, a vital resource for agriculture, municipal, industrial, and commercial purposes, has seen a decline in available water due to increased evaporation and prolonged drought conditions. From 2014 to 2024, an average of 9.57 million acre-feet of water was used annually for agriculture, accounting for 65% of the river's total consumption in the U.S. However, evaporation alone accounted for 1.7 million acre-feet annually during the same period. States like Arizona, California, and Colorado are among the largest consumers, with agriculture being the dominant use. Experts warn that the current pace of water consumption is unsustainable, urging significant conservation efforts to address the imbalance between water usage and replenishment.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Family of 4 killed in head-on Labor Day crash in northeastern Arizona

Family of 4 killed in head-on Labor Day crash in northeastern Arizona

A Labor Day drive turned tragic when a family of four was killed in a head-on crash on SR 260. Two teens were airlifted with serious injuries.
1Weather 1Weather
Doppler Radar Enhances Weather Forecasting in Gilbert, Arizona

Doppler Radar Enhances Weather Forecasting in Gilbert, Arizona

Gilbert, Arizona, experiences a unique monsoon season during July and August, marked by intense thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and occasional haboobs—large dust storms that can reduce visibility to near zero. These weather events pose significant risks to transportation, power infrastructure, and outdoor activities, making accurate weather forecasting critical. Doppler radar technology plays a vital role in providing real-time data on storm development, precipitation intensity, and wind patterns. This allows meteorologists to issue timely warnings, sometimes hours in advance, to help mitigate the impact of severe weather. The National Weather Service, in collaboration with Gilbert's Public Safety Department, uses this technology to monitor and respond to weather conditions, ensuring public safety and infrastructure resilience. The radar also aids in understanding atmospheric stability and heat indices during extreme heat events, which are becoming more frequent in the Phoenix metropolitan area. (Source: Ca...
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
If backyard pools are so common, are they still considered a luxury?

If backyard pools are so common, are they still considered a luxury?

At one point, having a pool right in your backyard was a status symbol. But now, nearly half the homes in Arizona have one. Is it still luxurious?
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Authorities Investigate Multiple Mountain Lion Sightings in San Francisco

Authorities Investigate Multiple Mountain Lion Sightings in San Francisco

Authorities in San Francisco are investigating multiple possible mountain lion sightings, following an initial report near Fell and Baker on Saturday night. This incident prompted a significant response from Animal Care and Control and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While officials from Fish and Wildlife did not visually confirm a mountain lion on Saturday, they monitored the area. On Sunday, Animal Care and Control initially stated the threat appeared over and believed the animal had left the area. However, later that day, an unconfirmed sighting was reported near 44th and Fulton at 3 p.m. Peter Tira of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife noted that mountain lions typically travel from the Peninsula, where there is a healthy population, and can move through natural habitats like the Panhandle, which connects to Golden Gate Park and extends towards the coast.
1Weather 1Weather
Extreme Heat Warning Issued for Phoenix This Week

Extreme Heat Warning Issued for Phoenix This Week

An extreme heat warning has been issued for Phoenix, Arizona, this week, with temperatures expected to soar significantly above seasonal averages. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the warning highlights the potential for dangerous heat conditions across the Valley. Additionally, there is an increased chance of storm activity later in the week, which could bring some relief but also poses risks of localized flooding and strong winds. Residents are urged to prepare for the heat and monitor updates on potential storms. Source time: not specified.
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Lower Colorado River Basin Achieves Initial Water Use Reduction Targets, But Deeper Cuts Pose Unprecedented Challenges

Lower Colorado River Basin Achieves Initial Water Use Reduction Targets, But Deeper Cuts Pose Unprecedented Challenges

The Lower Colorado River Basin states have successfully reduced their consumptive water use, with 2023, 2024, and 2025, and the forecast for 2026, showing the smallest usage in the 2010-2026 period. These reductions, ranging from 1.4 to 1.7 million acre-feet per year (maf/yr) less than the typical 7.50 maf/yr allocation, align with the initial shortage targets outlined in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for Post-2026 Operational Guidelines. Key contributors to these savings include significant reductions by Central Arizona Project (CAP) contractors and subcontractors, the Imperial Irrigation District (IID), and non-CAP water users in Arizona. Notably, reductions in IID have primarily occurred during summer months, affecting field crops like alfalfa and grass hay, without impacting winter garden crop production. However, achieving the potential maximum Lower Basin reduction of 3 maf/yr, as allowed by the Record of Decision (ROD), would require cuts beyond any historical precedent, as the sum...
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Mountain Lion Spotted in San Francisco's Panhandle Park Departs on its Own

Mountain Lion Spotted in San Francisco's Panhandle Park Departs on its Own

A mountain lion that was spotted in San Francisco's Panhandle park on Saturday night has left the area on its own. The animal was initially seen climbing a tree near Fell and Baker streets. San Francisco Animal Care and Control (ACC) received the first report on Saturday morning. Throughout the day, rangers from the Recreation and Park Department and ACC, along with wildlife wardens, monitored the animal. By 9 p.m., an alert was issued to residents to stay clear of the park. Officers used a drone and flashlights to track the lion overnight. By Sunday morning, the scene was quiet, and the roads had reopened, with officials confirming the lion had departed peacefully, describing it as a 'best case scenario.'
Rapid Read Rapid Read
Air Conditioning Use Escalates Global Warming Despite Saving Lives in the U.S.

Air Conditioning Use Escalates Global Warming Despite Saving Lives in the U.S.

Air conditioning (AC) is saving over 5,000 lives annually in the U.S. by mitigating the effects of extreme heat, according to a study in Nature Health. However, this life-saving technology is simultaneously contributing to global warming and straining electrical grids. As global temperatures rise and heat waves become more frequent across continents, the demand for AC is skyrocketing. The International Energy Agency and the UN Environment Programme project that electricity demand for cooling will triple. Yale epidemiology professor Kai Chen, a senior author of the study, notes that while AC is essential for saving lives, its reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation leads to increased carbon emissions. The UN estimates that heat-trapping gas emissions from AC use are expected to rise from 4.5 billion tons to 7.2 billion tons in the next 25 years, a figure nearly equivalent to the current carbon pollution from the U.S. and Europe combined.