Arizona Luminaria
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La Ristra, a Tucson-based art therapy and emotional support group, is helping immigrants through periods of fear, loss and uncertainty
As a family prepares to self-deport, a Tucson group helps them feel less alone - AZ Luminaria
A Tucson mother and her four children prepare to self-deport to Colombia amid heightened immigration enforcement, supported by local advocates offering emotional and mental health care
azluminaria.org
December 23, 2025 at 2:37 PM
La Ristra, a Tucson-based art therapy and emotional support group, is helping immigrants through periods of fear, loss and uncertainty
Teachers and staff at City High and Paulo Freire say they’re organizing to gain a collective voice in decisions that shape their schools
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/18/charter-schools-city-high-paulo-freire-say-they-will-unionize-vote-coming-next-year/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/18/charter-schools-city-high-paulo-freire-say-they-will-unionize-vote-coming-next-year/
Charter schools City High, Paulo Freire say they will unionize, vote coming next year - AZ Luminaria
The black and white UNITY mural greets students, staff and visitors at City High School in downtown Tucson. Forming that complete whole is foundational to what City High, a public charter school, was founded on in 2004, teachers say. On Thursday, staff and teachers brought that message of community full circle — announcing to their […]
azluminaria.org
December 19, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Teachers and staff at City High and Paulo Freire say they’re organizing to gain a collective voice in decisions that shape their schools
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/18/charter-schools-city-high-paulo-freire-say-they-will-unionize-vote-coming-next-year/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/18/charter-schools-city-high-paulo-freire-say-they-will-unionize-vote-coming-next-year/
“Confidentiality is a narrow exception, not a blank check,” Mayor Regina Romero said Tuesday.
The lasting legacy of Project Blue: Tucson approves new non-disclosure agreement - AZ Luminaria
Tucson approved a new non-disclosure agreement framework Tuesday that would offer a template to any companies wishing to do business with the city. That policy, which includes information about how long an NDA would last, and provisions for how to respond to public records requests, would be a step toward more transparency and public trust […]
azluminaria.org
December 17, 2025 at 4:43 PM
“Confidentiality is a narrow exception, not a blank check,” Mayor Regina Romero said Tuesday.
Union members urged approval and community groups warned of long-term harm before a vote to approve an agreement outlining community commitments around Project Blue
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/16/pima-county-supervisors-approve-agreement-outlining-beales-commitments-on-project-blue/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/16/pima-county-supervisors-approve-agreement-outlining-beales-commitments-on-project-blue/
Pima County supervisors approve agreement outlining Beale’s commitments on Project Blue - AZ Luminaria
The Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting was packed again on Dec. 16: a near-standing-room-only crowd with dozens of people wearing high-visibility construction vests, as well as another dozen or so wearing red. The bright vests were worn by supporters of a proposed mine and a data center. The red donned by people against the […]
azluminaria.org
December 16, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Union members urged approval and community groups warned of long-term harm before a vote to approve an agreement outlining community commitments around Project Blue
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/16/pima-county-supervisors-approve-agreement-outlining-beales-commitments-on-project-blue/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/16/pima-county-supervisors-approve-agreement-outlining-beales-commitments-on-project-blue/
After a chaotic Tucson incident involving federal agents earlier this month, Arizona Democrats in Congress are demanding answers about use of force
Arizona Democrats in Congress call for DHS investigation after Tucson raid, pepper spray of Rep. Grijalva - AZ Luminaria
The ongoing alarm over a December federal immigration raid in Tucson continued Friday as Democratic members of Arizona’s congressional delegation requested a formal congressional investigation into the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s conduct during a Tucson operation. The letter raises concern about federal agents pepper spraying Arizona’s newly seated Rep. Adelita Grijalva amid the chaotic […]
azluminaria.org
December 12, 2025 at 11:38 PM
After a chaotic Tucson incident involving federal agents earlier this month, Arizona Democrats in Congress are demanding answers about use of force
📱➗ Instead of banning phones, a Tucson teacher built an app to turn them into learning tools — and his students are helping test it in real time
Cell phones deployed in this University High classroom - AZ Luminaria
Clusters of students enter the precalculus classroom in twos and threes — black hoodies on, heavy backpacks slung over one shoulder. One-by-one, each University High School student does the same thing: Checks their phone. Some pluck it out of zippered backpack pouches, others grab it from their jeans’ pocket. Seizing the moment, teacher Thomas Gribble […]
azluminaria.org
December 12, 2025 at 5:14 PM
📱➗ Instead of banning phones, a Tucson teacher built an app to turn them into learning tools — and his students are helping test it in real time
A packed Marana meeting ended in boos last night after the planning commission voted unanimously to back rezoning for another Beale data center — despite hours of community opposition
Unanimous vote in Marana for data center met with boos - AZ Luminaria
The scene at the Dec. 10 meeting of the Marana Planning Commission was reminiscent of many of the recent public meetings in Tucson: A packed audience listening to an elaborate proposal for a large data center met with a tall stack of speaker cards representing mostly opposition. Many of the characters were also recognizable: Beale […]
azluminaria.org
December 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
A packed Marana meeting ended in boos last night after the planning commission voted unanimously to back rezoning for another Beale data center — despite hours of community opposition
TUSD is expecting a 3.3% enrollment drop that could cost the district nearly $8 million — following a pattern for metro-area schools around Pima County
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/10/deepening-tusd-enrollment-decline-could-cost-district-nearly-8-million-projections-show/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/10/deepening-tusd-enrollment-decline-could-cost-district-nearly-8-million-projections-show/
Deepening TUSD enrollment decline could cost district nearly $8 million, projections show - AZ Luminaria
If every Tucson Unified School District student took a seat in Arizona Stadium, there would still be room for a McKale Center sellout crowd, new enrollment data projections show. Southern Arizona’s largest school district is projected to see a 3.3% decline from last year to about 35,000 students, according to Arizona Department of Education data. […]
azluminaria.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:57 PM
TUSD is expecting a 3.3% enrollment drop that could cost the district nearly $8 million — following a pattern for metro-area schools around Pima County
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/10/deepening-tusd-enrollment-decline-could-cost-district-nearly-8-million-projections-show/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/10/deepening-tusd-enrollment-decline-could-cost-district-nearly-8-million-projections-show/
Volunteers surveying the San Pedro River caught more than chew marks this year — they spotted a beaver chomping on a stick 🦫📸 See the photos >> https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/10/following-teeth-marks-how-volunteers-are-tracking-beavers-on-the-san-pedro-river/
December 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Volunteers surveying the San Pedro River caught more than chew marks this year — they spotted a beaver chomping on a stick 🦫📸 See the photos >> https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/10/following-teeth-marks-how-volunteers-are-tracking-beavers-on-the-san-pedro-river/
Arizona education standards could lose DEI language after a state board vote prompted by Superintendent Tom Horne, who says federal funding is at risk. Here’s what happened ➡️ azluminaria.org/2025/12/08/a...
Arizona State Board of Education moves to strip DEI language from teaching standards - AZ Luminaria
The Arizona State Board of Education voted Monday to review the state’s teaching standards, potentially removing diversity, equity and inclusion language. Arizona Superintendent Tom Horne proposed the...
azluminaria.org
December 8, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Arizona education standards could lose DEI language after a state board vote prompted by Superintendent Tom Horne, who says federal funding is at risk. Here’s what happened ➡️ azluminaria.org/2025/12/08/a...
Enrollment is falling in metro Tucson schools and rising in the suburbs — search our database to see what’s happening in your district 📉📈 https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/05/did-your-school-grow-or-shrink-mine-the-numbers-from-southern-arizonas-6-largest-districts/
Did your school grow or shrink? Mine the numbers from Southern Arizona’s 6 largest districts - AZ Luminaria
The numbers confirm what metro-area public school districts across Arizona say: They are losing students. Recently released data from the Arizona Department of Education indicates the six largest school districts in Pima County, three in the metro Tucson area — Amphitheater, Tucson Unified School District, and Sunnyside have lost students over the last five years. […]
azluminaria.org
December 8, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Enrollment is falling in metro Tucson schools and rising in the suburbs — search our database to see what’s happening in your district 📉📈 https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/05/did-your-school-grow-or-shrink-mine-the-numbers-from-southern-arizonas-6-largest-districts/
Tucson leaders are condemning federal tactics after Rep. Adelita Grijalva and protesters were pepper sprayed after an immigration raid at Taco Giro in Barrio Hollywood
Rep. Adelita Grijalva pepper sprayed by federal agents who turned on protesters at Tucson immigration raid - AZ Luminaria
Rep. Adelita Grijalva and community members were pepper sprayed by federal agents during a Tucson immigration raid condemned by city officials
azluminaria.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Tucson leaders are condemning federal tactics after Rep. Adelita Grijalva and protesters were pepper sprayed after an immigration raid at Taco Giro in Barrio Hollywood
The Tucson Bail Fund has shut down after years of freeing people from the Pima County jail, but Tiera Rainey says “the spirit continues on” through new community efforts
After helping free 219 people, Tucson Bail Fund shuts down — but its work lives on - AZ Luminaria
Tiera Rainey, her mom and sister are waiting for Pima County jail officials to release a woman they’d never met before, but for whom they had just posted a $5,000 bail bond. The woman’s family can’t afford that much money to free her to await trial at home with her child. Knowing it will be […]
azluminaria.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:57 PM
The Tucson Bail Fund has shut down after years of freeing people from the Pima County jail, but Tiera Rainey says “the spirit continues on” through new community efforts
🚨 Breaking update: The Project Blue energy agreement got the green light from the Arizona Corporation Commission after a nine-hour meeting today
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/03/arizona-corporation-commission-gives-green-light-to-project-blue-power-agreement/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/03/arizona-corporation-commission-gives-green-light-to-project-blue-power-agreement/
Arizona Corporation Commission gives green light to Project Blue power agreement - AZ Luminaria
A state-level commission approved the energy request between a developer and Tucson Electric Power Wednesday, closing the loop on the final public vote before the massive data center slated for Pima County begins construction. The vote by the Arizona Corporation Commission Wednesday evening, with four commissioners in favor and one against, was preceded by a […]
azluminaria.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:03 AM
🚨 Breaking update: The Project Blue energy agreement got the green light from the Arizona Corporation Commission after a nine-hour meeting today
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/03/arizona-corporation-commission-gives-green-light-to-project-blue-power-agreement/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/03/arizona-corporation-commission-gives-green-light-to-project-blue-power-agreement/
Pima County supervisors voted against a public health review of Project Blue — even as residents threaten a lawsuit over transparency and environmental impacts
Pima County rejects health review as Project Blue land sale nears closing - AZ Luminaria
A majority of Pima County supervisors rejected efforts to weigh the health and water impacts of Project Blue, a last-ditch effort by public officials opposed to the plan to conduct more oversight of t...
azluminaria.org
December 3, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Pima County supervisors voted against a public health review of Project Blue — even as residents threaten a lawsuit over transparency and environmental impacts
"In Tucson, we choose community over chaos." New Tucson City Council is sworn in. Full story ➡️ https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/03/a-ceremony-of-culture-and-change-sets-the-tone-for-tucson-city-councils-next-four-years/
A ceremony of culture and change sets the tone for Tucson City Council’s next four years - AZ Luminaria
With music, poetry and blessings from local tribal leaders, Tucson welcomed a new and diverse City Council on Tuesday — the first with five women and a growing representation of queer leaders and Latina officials. The hopeful, community-centered ceremony quickly turned to business as the new council’s first vote narrowly returned Lane Santa Cruz to […]
azluminaria.org
December 3, 2025 at 7:28 PM
"In Tucson, we choose community over chaos." New Tucson City Council is sworn in. Full story ➡️ https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/03/a-ceremony-of-culture-and-change-sets-the-tone-for-tucson-city-councils-next-four-years/
A Southern Arizona aid group says Border Patrol entered its Byrd Camp station without a warrant and arrested three people, calling it a new escalation
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/01/aid-group-says-border-patrol-entered-camp-without-warrant-arresting-three/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/01/aid-group-says-border-patrol-entered-camp-without-warrant-arresting-three/
Aid group says Border Patrol entered camp without warrant, arresting three - AZ Luminaria
No More Deaths, a humanitarian aid group based in Southern Arizona, said Border Patrol agents entered a humanitarian aid station without a warrant and arrested three people Nov. 23, according to a Monday news release. The aid station, known as Byrd Camp, provides medical assistance, food and shelter to people crossing the U.S.-México border under […]
azluminaria.org
December 2, 2025 at 12:42 AM
A Southern Arizona aid group says Border Patrol entered its Byrd Camp station without a warrant and arrested three people, calling it a new escalation
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/01/aid-group-says-border-patrol-entered-camp-without-warrant-arresting-three/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/12/01/aid-group-says-border-patrol-entered-camp-without-warrant-arresting-three/
On Wednesday, the Arizona Corporation Commission will decide whether TEP can supply hundreds of megawatts to Project Blue.
Local officials want more oversight; community groups warn of rising costs and environmental impacts.
Local officials want more oversight; community groups warn of rising costs and environmental impacts.
As Project Blue nears construction, officials rush to add oversight and clarify its energy deal - AZ Luminaria
As the massive Project Blue data center starts to take shape in Pima County, both the city of Tucson and county supervisors are making a last-ditch effort to introduce new oversight mechanisms or push...
azluminaria.org
December 1, 2025 at 10:57 PM
On Wednesday, the Arizona Corporation Commission will decide whether TEP can supply hundreds of megawatts to Project Blue.
Local officials want more oversight; community groups warn of rising costs and environmental impacts.
Local officials want more oversight; community groups warn of rising costs and environmental impacts.
“You don’t want your meds?”
In Pima County jail, a man refusing court-ordered medication was tased, punched and injected anyway. His case is part of a growing reliance on jails to treat mental illness in Arizona: ⬇️
azluminaria.org/2025/11/24/w...
In Pima County jail, a man refusing court-ordered medication was tased, punched and injected anyway. His case is part of a growing reliance on jails to treat mental illness in Arizona: ⬇️
azluminaria.org/2025/11/24/w...
When jail becomes the mental health treatment plan - AZ Luminaria
Arizona’s competency restoration system pushes people with mental illness into jail. Stacey Brooks’ case shows the dangerous consequences.
azluminaria.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:32 PM
“You don’t want your meds?”
In Pima County jail, a man refusing court-ordered medication was tased, punched and injected anyway. His case is part of a growing reliance on jails to treat mental illness in Arizona: ⬇️
azluminaria.org/2025/11/24/w...
In Pima County jail, a man refusing court-ordered medication was tased, punched and injected anyway. His case is part of a growing reliance on jails to treat mental illness in Arizona: ⬇️
azluminaria.org/2025/11/24/w...
A dozen Tucson-area schools have improved enough to leave the state watchlist, including Wheeler Elementary, where students helped mark the moment
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/21/we-work-hard-fifth-grader-says-as-her-improved-school-is-recognized-for-better-math-reading-scores/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/21/we-work-hard-fifth-grader-says-as-her-improved-school-is-recognized-for-better-math-reading-scores/
“We work hard” fifth-grader says as her improved school is recognized for better math, reading scores - AZ Luminaria
On Wednesday, five members of the Wheeler Elementary student council learned they would meet “some important people” the following day. They showed up in button-down shirts, dresses, heels and smiles to greet education officials on Thursday afternoon. The fourth and fifth graders knew two things as they sat in the school library: Their school was […]
azluminaria.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:20 PM
A dozen Tucson-area schools have improved enough to leave the state watchlist, including Wheeler Elementary, where students helped mark the moment
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/21/we-work-hard-fifth-grader-says-as-her-improved-school-is-recognized-for-better-math-reading-scores/
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/21/we-work-hard-fifth-grader-says-as-her-improved-school-is-recognized-for-better-math-reading-scores/
At the regents meeting Tuesday, Mayor Romero praised UA for rejecting a federal compact as students pushed for safer campuses after three were killed in a crosswalk, and for fairer public comment rules
Tucson mayor praises UA’s compact decision as students press regents on public comment and safety - AZ Luminaria
Academic freedom, campus safety, student advocacy and financial stability all took the stage during Thursday’s Arizona Board of Regents meeting at the University of Arizona. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero...
azluminaria.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:13 PM
At the regents meeting Tuesday, Mayor Romero praised UA for rejecting a federal compact as students pushed for safer campuses after three were killed in a crosswalk, and for fairer public comment rules
For a couple weeks, we’ve been telling you about our collaboration with @azpm.org on a documentary following Tucson’s mobile home park residents. Now that full documentary (all four parts) is on YouTube for you to stream. ➡️ Watch it now:
Watch now: New documentary reveals hidden struggles in Tucson's mobile home parks - AZ Luminaria
A new documentary collaboration between Arizona Luminaria and Arizona Public Media reveals the quiet crises unfolding inside Tucson’s mobile home parks and how neighbors are standing together to face ...
azluminaria.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:49 PM
For a couple weeks, we’ve been telling you about our collaboration with @azpm.org on a documentary following Tucson’s mobile home park residents. Now that full documentary (all four parts) is on YouTube for you to stream. ➡️ Watch it now:
A crowded Amphi board meeting revealed a wide mix of concerns — closures, safety and how to support transgender students
Hundreds pack Amphi meeting as community speaks on school closures, safety and support for trans youth - AZ Luminaria
Her blue hair clipped up, Lilith Gaither’s upright posture accentuated the two pink and blue tiny flags forming an X-shaped crown on her head. Gaither sat eight rows back from the front of the Amphitheater Governing Board meeting Tuesday night. She did this for three-plus hours. Then she spoke. “I cherish the safety and well […]
azluminaria.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:26 PM
A crowded Amphi board meeting revealed a wide mix of concerns — closures, safety and how to support transgender students
Tucson’s proposed drug-use law is sparking big questions — and a rare joint meeting showed how city and county leaders are trying to respond
As Tucson drafts new drug-use law, a rare joint meeting points to multiple approaches - AZ Luminaria
As the Tucson City Council weighs whether to target public drug use through a new pathway to misdemeanor arrests, a rare city-county summit highlighted a central dilemma; how to address addiction as b...
azluminaria.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Tucson’s proposed drug-use law is sparking big questions — and a rare joint meeting showed how city and county leaders are trying to respond
The superintendent sent a list of the four elementary schools on Monday afternoon
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/17/amphitheater-recommends-closing-four-elementary-schools-by-next-school-year/
Amphitheater recommends closing four elementary schools by next school year - AZ Luminaria
Amphitheater Public Schools recommends closing four elementary schools — two in metro Tucson, one in Oro Valley and another in unincorporated Pima County — next school year because of declining enrollment, the superintendent said in a letter to staff and parents Monday. Holaway Elementary and Nash Elementary are both within the Tucson city limits, Donaldson […]
azluminaria.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:47 AM
The superintendent sent a list of the four elementary schools on Monday afternoon
https://azluminaria.org/2025/11/17/amphitheater-recommends-closing-four-elementary-schools-by-next-school-year/