Good morning, this is Tucson Local Pulse for Friday, August 1, 2025.

We wake up in the heart of monsoon season, with light rain expected through the early afternoon and a high hovering just below 95 degrees. Streets like Speedway and Campbell may see some pooling, so we should all drive with a little extra caution on the morning commute. The weekend promises a bit more sun, but keep an umbrella handy just in case.

Our top story today is the upcoming recall election in South Tucson. Voters there will return to the polls on Tuesday, deciding whether Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela and council members Brian Flagg and Cesar Aguirre remain in office. This marks the city’s third recall election in just over a decade and comes with a projected twelve-thousand-dollar price tag. Some locals are concerned about the cost and the challenge of a ballot that only lists the incumbents by name. Any challengers will have to be written in, and that’s led to frustration and worries about turnout from many residents and city officials.

In citywide news, Tucson is keeping nine swimming pools open even as ten others closed at the end of July, which gives our families and kids some much-needed relief from the heat as summer wears on. There is also a new job opportunity worth noting. Pima County’s upcoming career fair is set for Thursday, July seventeenth, at the Kino Event Center on Ajo Way. More than a dozen public departments and private partners will be there, ready to accept applications on-site. So, if you or someone you know is seeking a new start, mark that on your calendar.

On the development front, the Project Blue debate is heating up. City officials and developers held a tense public meeting this week over the massive data center project, widely believed to be backed by Amazon although no official announcement has come yet. Residents voiced concerns about water use and utility rates, and many are frustrated by the lack of transparency and the ongoing secrecy over what exactly is planned.

Turning to arts and culture, tickets for the 2025-2026 season at the Fox Theatre go on sale today. This season promises another round of world-class performances in the heart of downtown, so now is a great time to lock in seats for your favorite shows. In celebration of Tucson’s 250th anniversary, four new murals have been unveiled downtown, each crafted by a different local artist and adding fresh color to our city’s historic streets.

In sports, high school athletes in Tucson continue to shine. Programs at Palo Verde and Sabino High have reported strong results this summer, with both schools’ baseball and volleyball teams recording championship wins at recent regional tournaments, making us proud for the new school year ahead.

The Tucson Police Department reports a quieter night, with the most notable incident a theft on South Park Avenue. One suspect was arrested quickly, and there are no reports of injuries. Police remind us to keep vehicles locked and to call in anything out of the ordinary.

For community events, this Saturday the IMPACT Tucson Resource Fair at Palo Verde Magnet High will be handing out free backpacks and school supplies, an annual effort that ensures our kids are ready to start the school year strong.

Before we go, one feel-good note. Volunteers with Tucson Clean and Beautiful organized a spontaneous litter pickup along the Rillito River Trail last night, drawing nearly sixty participants who collected more than three hundred pounds of debris in just two hours. It’s yet another reminder that small efforts can make a real impact in our city.

Thank you for tuning in, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss a beat. This has been Tucson Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.

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