Arizona Luminaria
@azluminaria.org
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With immigration fears weighing on families, TUSD staff are asking how schools can prepare
“Keep the children safe”: TUSD launches mandatory ICE training for staff - AZ Luminaria
Ruben Lopez rolled the school-zone signs one-by-one out onto 1oth Avenue Monday morning. In a crisp 49-degrees, he wore a royal blue Air Force knit cap under his hoodie and waved as cars passed. He then trekked into the Drachman Montessori Magnet School parking lot. “Our crossing guard called in today, so I need to […]
azluminaria.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:19 PM
With immigration fears weighing on families, TUSD staff are asking how schools can prepare
A 5-2 vote, hours of testimony and a packed room of upset Tucson families: The ASDB board approved moving the west-side campus to Oro Valley. Read our breakdown of the decision 👉 azluminaria.org/2026/02/05/t...
“This action will gut this agency”: ASDB board votes to move Tucson campus to Oro Valley, lay off 70 staff - AZ Luminaria
PHOENIX — The Arizona Schools for the Deaf and the Blind will move to Oro Valley next school year, the Board of Directors voted Thursday — forcing many students, including those who are vision-impaire...
azluminaria.org
February 6, 2026 at 6:39 PM
A 5-2 vote, hours of testimony and a packed room of upset Tucson families: The ASDB board approved moving the west-side campus to Oro Valley. Read our breakdown of the decision 👉 azluminaria.org/2026/02/05/t...
“You should be ashamed,” a parent shouted to the board as she exited the meeting on a scooter after members voted to move the Tucson campus to Oro Valley and lay off staff. The tense, emotional meeting drew a packed crowd and several attendees were escorted out
“This action will gut this agency”: ASDB board votes to move Tucson campus to Oro Valley, lay off 70 staff - AZ Luminaria
PHOENIX — The Arizona Schools for the Deaf and the Blind will move to Oro Valley next school year, the Board of Directors voted Thursday — forcing many students, including those who are vision-impaire...
azluminaria.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:57 AM
“You should be ashamed,” a parent shouted to the board as she exited the meeting on a scooter after members voted to move the Tucson campus to Oro Valley and lay off staff. The tense, emotional meeting drew a packed crowd and several attendees were escorted out
Sales tax dips, fewer permits and slower travel are shrinking city revenues
Tucson braces for tighter budgets as revenues dip - AZ Luminaria
Tucson officials warned Tuesday that city revenues are running below projections halfway through the fiscal year, forcing spending slowdowns and raising the prospect of deeper budget cuts in 2027. Th...
azluminaria.org
February 5, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Sales tax dips, fewer permits and slower travel are shrinking city revenues
A judge ruled today the ASDB board can move forward with tomorrow’s vote on relocating the Tucson campus, denying families’ request to postpone
ASDB board vote can proceed Thursday, judge says - AZ Luminaria
The Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind board vote on Thursday can proceed, Pima County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey T. Bergin said Wednesday morning after he declined families’ request for postponement. Eleven named families of ASDB students sued to stop the vote in Phoenix on Thursday afternoon. The complaint, filed Monday, alleges […]
azluminaria.org
February 4, 2026 at 8:31 PM
A judge ruled today the ASDB board can move forward with tomorrow’s vote on relocating the Tucson campus, denying families’ request to postpone
Pima County joins the city in moving to restrict ICE on its property
Supervisors move to block ICE use of county property, ban federal agents wearing masks - AZ Luminaria
After more than an hour of emotional testimony from residents invoking history and civil rights, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 Tuesday to draft ordinances aimed at limiting federal im...
azluminaria.org
February 3, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Pima County joins the city in moving to restrict ICE on its property
Tucson families are asking a judge to step in before Thursday’s board meeting
ASDB parents sue to halt vote on moving Tucson campus - AZ Luminaria
Parents sue to block a Thursday vote to close the Tucson campus of ASDB and relocate students to Oro Valley
azluminaria.org
February 3, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Tucson families are asking a judge to step in before Thursday’s board meeting
The Tucson gem show season is underway, but some vendors say weather, staffing shortages and higher prices slowed the start
Staff shortages and higher prices weigh on Tucson gem show vendors - AZ Luminaria
Hundreds of people wandered through rows of sparkling gems at Tucson’s 22nd Street Gem Show Friday but lighter crowds and staffing shortages pointed to a quieter start to this year’s season. Vendors say winter storms, immigration fears and rising tariffs are affecting one of the city’s biggest annual events. The city is hosting 56 gem […]
azluminaria.org
February 2, 2026 at 9:42 PM
The Tucson gem show season is underway, but some vendors say weather, staffing shortages and higher prices slowed the start
Local educators held their own rally before joining the larger one. We asked them: If the day is used to teach students and others, what is the lesson?
“It’s about how we are protecting our community”: Lessons from anti-ICE education rally at Catalina Park - AZ Luminaria
Hours before local educators rallied against immigration enforcement violence Friday, dozens met on the Catalina Park grass. Copal burned in a small bowl on the periphery as a graphic artist spray pai...
azluminaria.org
January 31, 2026 at 1:41 AM
Local educators held their own rally before joining the larger one. We asked them: If the day is used to teach students and others, what is the lesson?
Several thousand Tucsonans joined the national protests against ICE on Friday. Hear from them and see photos here: azluminaria.org/2026/01/30/t...
Thousands in Tucson join national anti-ICE protests - AZ Luminaria
Tucson joins a nationwide anti-ICE protest as thousands protest recent shootings, TUSD closes schools and rallies unfold across the city
azluminaria.org
January 31, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Several thousand Tucsonans joined the national protests against ICE on Friday. Hear from them and see photos here: azluminaria.org/2026/01/30/t...
Tucson joins a nationwide immigration shutdown: 21 TUSD schools closed, rallies planned downtown and at UA. What to know 👉 https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/30/tucson-joins-national-immigration-strike-as-tusd-schools-close-and-protests-unfold/
Tucson joins national immigration strike as TUSD schools close and protests unfold - AZ Luminaria
Protesters across the U.S. are calling for “no work, no school, no shopping” as part of a nationwide strike on Friday to oppose the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The demonstrations are taking place amid widespread outrage over the killing Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse who was shot multiple times after he used his cellphone to record Border […]
azluminaria.org
January 30, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Tucson joins a nationwide immigration shutdown: 21 TUSD schools closed, rallies planned downtown and at UA. What to know 👉 https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/30/tucson-joins-national-immigration-strike-as-tusd-schools-close-and-protests-unfold/
TUSD warns Friday classes could be canceled if protest-related staff absences leave schools short on supervision. The district says a final call is coming by noon
TUSD may cancel Friday classes due to employee absences in protest of ICE - AZ Luminaria
The Tucson Unified School District says it may cancel classes Friday because of hundreds of potential employee absences protesting immigration enforcement across the country. TUSD Superintendent Gabri...
azluminaria.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:12 PM
TUSD warns Friday classes could be canceled if protest-related staff absences leave schools short on supervision. The district says a final call is coming by noon
We’re reporting across Tucson today during the Point in Time Count and will be posting live updates in this story
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7 a.m., Circle K: Kane Taylor has been unhoused since 2021 after a car accident and says surviving the night is often the hardest part.
azluminaria.org/2026/01/28/p...
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7 a.m., Circle K: Kane Taylor has been unhoused since 2021 after a car accident and says surviving the night is often the hardest part.
azluminaria.org/2026/01/28/p...
Point in Time Count 2026: Tracking homelessness across Tucson and Pima County - AZ Luminaria
On one day each January, communities across the country are engaged in a united effort: a de facto census of people who are living on the streets, in shelters or transitional housing on a single day i...
azluminaria.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:42 PM
We’re reporting across Tucson today during the Point in Time Count and will be posting live updates in this story
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7 a.m., Circle K: Kane Taylor has been unhoused since 2021 after a car accident and says surviving the night is often the hardest part.
azluminaria.org/2026/01/28/p...
⬇️
7 a.m., Circle K: Kane Taylor has been unhoused since 2021 after a car accident and says surviving the night is often the hardest part.
azluminaria.org/2026/01/28/p...
Cuando agentes de inmigración se acercaron tras una parada de tráfico en Tucson, Mariano corrió para proteger a sus hijos. El capítulo 2 de nuestra serie sigue su huida.
Se enfrentó a la Armada venezolana, sobrevivió al Tapón del Darién y a la detención en Estados Unidos. En Tucson, Mariano vuelve a ser obligado a huir. - AZ Luminaria
Capítulo 2: Mariano tiembla. Tal vez de frío, tal vez de miedo, tal vez de rabia. Tiene la mejilla pegada al asfalto, duro y sucio, bajo un auto oxidado que huele a aceite viejo. El corazón le late tan fuerte que cree que los policías de migración podrían escucharlo si se acercaran.
azluminaria.org
January 22, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Cuando agentes de inmigración se acercaron tras una parada de tráfico en Tucson, Mariano corrió para proteger a sus hijos. El capítulo 2 de nuestra serie sigue su huida.
When immigration officers closed in after a traffic stop in Tucson, Mariano was forced to run again — to protect his children. Chapter 2 of our series traces the choices that shaped his journey north
He faced the Venezuelan Navy, survived the Darién Gap and U.S. detention. In Tucson, Mariano is forced out again. - AZ Luminaria
Part 2 of a three-part series: A Venezuelan father who reached Tucson is forced to flee again as enforcement shatters his family’s safety.
azluminaria.org
January 22, 2026 at 5:28 PM
When immigration officers closed in after a traffic stop in Tucson, Mariano was forced to run again — to protect his children. Chapter 2 of our series traces the choices that shaped his journey north
The Tucson City Council voted unanimously today to draft an ordinance blocking ICE from using city-owned property for civil immigration enforcement
https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/21/tucson-moves-to-block-ice-use-of-city-property/
https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/21/tucson-moves-to-block-ice-use-of-city-property/
Tucson moves to block ICE use of city property - AZ Luminaria
The Tucson City Council directed the city manager and attorney Wednesday to craft an ordinance barring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from staging or carrying out civil immigration enforcement on city property. Mayor Regina Romero opened up the discussion saying it’s important that residents feel safe on city property, regardless of their immigration status. “We’ve […]
azluminaria.org
January 22, 2026 at 1:46 AM
The Tucson City Council voted unanimously today to draft an ordinance blocking ICE from using city-owned property for civil immigration enforcement
https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/21/tucson-moves-to-block-ice-use-of-city-property/
https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/21/tucson-moves-to-block-ice-use-of-city-property/
After Yesenia and two of her children were deported to Mexico following a Tucson traffic stop nearly a year ago, our reporters traveled to meet her and document her journey from Venezuela
Read Chapter 1 👉 azluminaria.org/2026/01/18/v...
Read Chapter 1 👉 azluminaria.org/2026/01/18/v...
“Being a migrant is not a crime”: A Venezuelan mother's fight to keep her family together after deportation to México. - AZ Luminaria
A Venezuelan mother’s journey from the Darién Gap to Tucson ends in a traffic stop and deportation to Mexico — and a fight to keep her family together.
azluminaria.org
January 21, 2026 at 8:10 PM
After Yesenia and two of her children were deported to Mexico following a Tucson traffic stop nearly a year ago, our reporters traveled to meet her and document her journey from Venezuela
Read Chapter 1 👉 azluminaria.org/2026/01/18/v...
Read Chapter 1 👉 azluminaria.org/2026/01/18/v...
From Catalina to Tucson High, thousands of local students walked out of class yesterday to protest ICE raids. Hear from them 👉 https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/20/we-could-take-action-for-whats-unjust-thousands-of-tucson-area-high-school-students-protest-ice-raids/
"We could take action for what's unjust": Thousands of Tucson-area high school students protest ICE raids - AZ Luminaria
Arizona Luminaria attended walk-outs and talked to students, parents and educators as they protested ICE raids Tuesday
azluminaria.org
January 21, 2026 at 5:13 PM
From Catalina to Tucson High, thousands of local students walked out of class yesterday to protest ICE raids. Hear from them 👉 https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/20/we-could-take-action-for-whats-unjust-thousands-of-tucson-area-high-school-students-protest-ice-raids/
A volunteer observer recorded ICE agents smashing a man's car window outside a grocery store on Tucson's south side
Volunteer records ICE agents smashing car window during Tucson arrest - AZ Luminaria
Footage recorded by a Tucson Rapid Response Network volunteer captures ICE agents breaking a man’s car window on the south side
azluminaria.org
January 21, 2026 at 4:50 PM
A volunteer observer recorded ICE agents smashing a man's car window outside a grocery store on Tucson's south side
A Tucson family’s journey from Venezuela through México and the U.S. reveals how immigration policies collide with real lives.
A Long Way Home is a three-part series reported by Arizona Luminaria and La Silla Rota.
Read the full series: https://azluminaria.org/a-long-way-home
A Long Way Home is a three-part series reported by Arizona Luminaria and La Silla Rota.
Read the full series: https://azluminaria.org/a-long-way-home
Boost for affordable housing, new library and ongoing investigation into PCSD: 3 things from Supervisors - AZ Luminaria
From approving a new downtown library site purchase to passing a new $250 million affordable housing proposal and revisiting a high-profile internal investigation, the Pima County Board of Supervisors tackled a packed agenda at their latest Tuesday meeting. We broke down the three major developments into summaries. 1. The board votes for more money for […]
azluminaria.org
January 20, 2026 at 8:22 PM
A Tucson family’s journey from Venezuela through México and the U.S. reveals how immigration policies collide with real lives.
A Long Way Home is a three-part series reported by Arizona Luminaria and La Silla Rota.
Read the full series: https://azluminaria.org/a-long-way-home
A Long Way Home is a three-part series reported by Arizona Luminaria and La Silla Rota.
Read the full series: https://azluminaria.org/a-long-way-home
Project Blue opponents filed a legal complaint today alleging Pima County violated open meeting laws during a key rezoning vote for the data center
Project Blue opponents sue Pima County over alleged open meeting law violations - AZ Luminaria
Attorneys representing the No Desert Data Center Coalition filed a legal complaint in Pima County Superior Court Wednesday alleging that county staff failed to give adequate public notice of how far a...
azluminaria.org
January 14, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Project Blue opponents filed a legal complaint today alleging Pima County violated open meeting laws during a key rezoning vote for the data center
The Amphitheater school board voted last night to close four elementary schools. Emotions ran high as families reacted to the decision
Somber Amphi Board meeting ends with vote to shutter four elementary schools - AZ Luminaria
The Amphitheater Public Schools Governing Board voted 5-0 Tuesday night to close down four elementary schools next school year. After the official vote, the meeting’s somber tone turned a bit defiant: “Boo! Shame on you! You will hear from us in November,” could be heard as dozens of community members and parents, some shouting, filed […]
azluminaria.org
January 14, 2026 at 5:09 PM
The Amphitheater school board voted last night to close four elementary schools. Emotions ran high as families reacted to the decision
And then there were 2️⃣ large-scale data centers in Southern Arizona
https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/07/marana-arizona-data-center-updates/
https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/07/marana-arizona-data-center-updates/
Two Southern Arizona data centers move forward — so do fights over power, water and growth - AZ Luminaria
A Marana data center moved forward Tuesday with a vote from the town council. Meanwhile the land for Project Blue has been sold.
azluminaria.org
January 7, 2026 at 9:08 PM
And then there were 2️⃣ large-scale data centers in Southern Arizona
https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/07/marana-arizona-data-center-updates/
https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/07/marana-arizona-data-center-updates/
If education is your issue 👀 Watch for these 6 storylines in 2026
https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/05/storylines-shaping-arizona-schools-in-2026-voucher-surge-dei-fight-and-a-high-stakes-superintendent-race/
https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/05/storylines-shaping-arizona-schools-in-2026-voucher-surge-dei-fight-and-a-high-stakes-superintendent-race/
Storylines shaping Arizona schools in 2026: Voucher surge, DEI fight and a high-stakes superintendent race - AZ Luminaria
At the end of Tom Horne’s second term as Arizona’s Superintendent of Instruction in 2011, the Grand Canyon State became the first in the country to create the Empowerment Scholarship Account voucher program. Fifteen years later, ESA students total almost 8% of eligible Arizona’s K-12 students and the program was funded by the Legislature for […]
azluminaria.org
January 6, 2026 at 8:12 PM
If education is your issue 👀 Watch for these 6 storylines in 2026
https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/05/storylines-shaping-arizona-schools-in-2026-voucher-surge-dei-fight-and-a-high-stakes-superintendent-race/
https://azluminaria.org/2026/01/05/storylines-shaping-arizona-schools-in-2026-voucher-surge-dei-fight-and-a-high-stakes-superintendent-race/
For this look back, each Arizona Luminaria journalist selected some stories that meant the most to them in 2025
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/31/our-favorite-arizona-luminaria-stories-of-2025/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/31/our-favorite-arizona-luminaria-stories-of-2025/
Our favorite Arizona Luminaria stories of 2025 - AZ Luminaria
Ay. Dios. Mío. It has been a year, mi gente. A long year, filled with hundreds of Arizona Luminaria stories. Reporters spent time in our communities trying to understand what you are facing at a moment in history when news can feel like an onslaught of hurried information. As a local nonprofit newsroom, we worked […]
azluminaria.org
January 5, 2026 at 6:48 PM
For this look back, each Arizona Luminaria journalist selected some stories that meant the most to them in 2025
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/31/our-favorite-arizona-luminaria-stories-of-2025/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/31/our-favorite-arizona-luminaria-stories-of-2025/