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Education Freedom Tax Credit Diverts Funds from Public to Private Schools

Education Freedom Tax Credit Diverts Funds from Public to Private Schools

The Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC), part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in 2025, is set to allow parents, including those with high incomes, to send their children to private schools using federal tax credits. This initiative is expected to impact approximately 18 million school-aged children across the United States. The EFTC funds are sourced from donations that are reimbursed by federal tax credits, effectively diverting money that would have otherwise been paid to the federal government. Critics argue that this move will siphon funds away from public schools, which are already struggling with fixed costs and declining enrollments. The program is similar to existing state programs in North Carolina and Arizona, where a significant portion of the funds have been used by families who were already sending their children to private schools.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Court strikes down Arizona ballot measure shielding school vouchers

Court strikes down Arizona ballot measure shielding school vouchers

A judge blocked a GOP ballot measure that aimed to shield Arizona's school voucher program from future reforms.
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Arizona's First Solar-Powered Cobalt Plant to Achieve 70% Water Recycling

Arizona's First Solar-Powered Cobalt Plant to Achieve 70% Water Recycling

Arizona's First Solar-Powered Cobalt Plant to Achieve 70% Water Recycling
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Lakes Powell and Mead Reach Record Low Levels Amid Colorado River Crisis

Lakes Powell and Mead Reach Record Low Levels Amid Colorado River Crisis

Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the two largest reservoirs in the United States, have reached their lowest combined level on record, marking a significant moment in the ongoing Colorado River water supply crisis. As of July 12, the combined live storage in these reservoirs dropped to 12,675,509 acre-feet, breaking the previous record low set in March 2023. This decline is attributed to accelerated storage losses throughout 2026, with daily depletion rates reaching up to 16,661 acre-feet. The Colorado River is a crucial water source for millions of people and vast agricultural economies across several U.S. states and Mexico. The current situation has raised concerns about the river's ability to continue supporting water deliveries and hydropower generation.
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Arizona Education Agency Finds ASDB Violated Federal Disability Law Affecting Student Placement

Arizona Education Agency Finds ASDB Violated Federal Disability Law Affecting Student Placement

The Arizona State Department of Education has determined that the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) violated federal disability law by restricting placement options for students. This decision came as ASDB prepared to close its Tucson campus and relocate to Oro Valley, affecting blind and low-vision students, as well as those residing in school dorms. The department's July 10 letter to ASDB Superintendent Annette Reichman highlighted that families were not provided with all placement options for the upcoming school year, contravening the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The state has appointed a special monitor to oversee corrective actions, and ASDB has until August 28 to respond. The University of Arizona's Education Advocacy Clinic has been involved in supporting affected families, emphasizing that decisions should be based on individual student needs rather than administrative convenience.
Reuters Reuters
State official outlines proposed federal cuts to Colorado River water for Arizona, California and Nevada

State official outlines proposed federal cuts to Colorado River water for Arizona, California and Nevada

By Andrew Hay July 27 (Reuters) - A U.S. plan for sharing the waters of the drought-stricken Colorado River would require Arizona, California and Nevada to cut their water use by a fifth in the next two years and to make even deeper reductions later, a senior water official from one of those states
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Arizona to reopen border to Mexican cattle after screwworm outbreak

Arizona to reopen border to Mexican cattle after screwworm outbreak

The border closure sent beef prices skyrocketing, and while cattle growers hope for relief, experts say it could take time.
USA Today USA Today
Sierra Club says century-old trees felled to make way for border wall

Sierra Club says century-old trees felled to make way for border wall

Locals say the trees have served as a community gathering place for generations and are ecologically rare.
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Western U.S. Faces Prolonged Heatwave Due to Building Atmospheric Ridge

Western U.S. Faces Prolonged Heatwave Due to Building Atmospheric Ridge

A significant atmospheric ridge is developing over the southwestern United States, leading to a prolonged heatwave expected to persist into August. This ridge, centered over Southern California and Arizona, is anticipated to bring record-breaking temperatures and elevated humidity levels, particularly in Southern California. The heatwave is characterized by high 500mb geopotential heights, indicating extreme atmospheric conditions. The warm ocean temperatures along the California coast are contributing to the elevated humidity, making the heat more oppressive. The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories and warnings, highlighting the potential for health impacts due to the combination of heat and humidity.
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USDA to Resume Mexican Cattle Imports Amid Screwworm Concerns

USDA to Resume Mexican Cattle Imports Amid Screwworm Concerns

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to resume cattle imports from Mexico starting August 24, 2026, despite ongoing concerns about the New World screwworm outbreak. The decision comes after the screwworm was detected in the U.S. earlier this summer, marking the first confirmed cases in decades. The USDA plans a phased reopening of cattle ports, beginning with Douglas, Arizona, and later expanding to New Mexico. Each animal will undergo inspection to ensure it is free of screwworm. The USDA's efforts include releasing sterilized male screwworms to curb the population, a method previously successful in the 1960s. However, Texas agriculture leaders express concerns that the USDA's response has been insufficient, urging for more robust measures to protect the livestock industry.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Arizona's oldest freeway is still pretty young. Here's how it started

Arizona's oldest freeway is still pretty young. Here's how it started

As one of the youngest states, Arizona struggled with funding for new roads after statehood, until this historic freeway transformed the area.
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Agricultural Groups Support U.S.-Mexico Border Reopening for Cattle Trade

Agricultural Groups Support U.S.-Mexico Border Reopening for Cattle Trade

Agricultural Groups Support U.S.-Mexico Border Reopening for Cattle Trade