Good morning, this is Tucson Local Pulse for Sunday, January eleventh.

We start with our big local story. Tucson is still buzzing after large protests against ICE operations and recent U.S. actions in Venezuela. According to KGUN 9, hundreds of people gather yesterday outside Congressman Juan Ciscomani’s office and then marched to Reid Park near 22nd and Country Club. Organizers call for ICE out of Tucson and connect immigration enforcement to what they describe as unnecessary military action abroad. For many of us, that means traffic delays on 22nd and around 4th Avenue, but also a reminder of how engaged our community is.

From City Hall, the big backdrop is water and growth. Tucson Sentinel reports that the Amazon linked Project Blue data centers are drawing tough questions about water and power use. City officials tell us the project will be water positive, but neighbors worry about strain on our grid and long term water security. These decisions affect our utility bills and what new development looks like along the I 10 corridor.

On the weather side, we wake up under clear desert skies, with highs in the upper 60s and light breezes. It is a comfortable day for a stroll along the Loop or a visit to Sabino Canyon, but evenings still dip into the low 40s, so we will want a jacket if we are heading downtown tonight. The short term outlook keeps things dry and mild.

In the job market, local recruiters say Tucson’s unemployment rate sits around four percent, with steady hiring in healthcare near Banner UMC, logistics around the airport, and tech roles tied to those data centers. Starting wages for many entry level service jobs are hovering around fifteen dollars an hour.

Real estate agents on the east side tell us the median home price in metro Tucson is now just under four hundred thousand dollars, with slightly more inventory around Rita Ranch and Oro Valley, giving buyers a bit more breathing room than last year.

In sports, our Tucson Roadrunners pull off a thriller at the TCC, edging the Iowa Wild five to four in overtime, as reported by the visiting club. It is another strong home performance and keeps our team in the thick of the playoff race.

On the schools front, several TUSD high school robotics teams qualify this week for regional competitions, and local coaches say interest in STEM clubs at Tucson High and Pueblo is the strongest it has been in years.

Turning to public safety, Tucson Police report a quiet but serious 24 hours. Officers respond to a shooting incident near Grant and Oracle overnight; one person is hospitalized and detectives are interviewing witnesses. On the south side, a string of vehicle break ins near Valencia and Nogales Highway leads to one arrest after officers recover stolen tools and electronics. Police remind us to lock cars and remove valuables in visible spots.

For a small feel good moment, volunteers with a midtown mutual aid group spend yesterday afternoon at Santa Rita Park handing out warm clothing and hot meals to our unhoused neighbors, a simple reminder of how strong our sense of community is.

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