Crews struggle to contain wildfire on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
July 29, 2025
PHOENIX By SEJAL GOVINDARAOAssociated Press PHOENIX (AP) — Historically dry conditions have combined with gusty winds to make it harder
PHOENIX By SEJAL GOVINDARAOAssociated Press PHOENIX (AP) — Historically dry conditions have combined with gusty winds to make it harder
Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has toured the destruction left by a wildfire along the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. Hobbs surveyed what she called devastating damage Saturday. She has called previously for an investigation into the handling of the blaze. The governor has questioned why the National Park Service did not immediately put out the flames during the hottest and driest period of summer. The wildfire was sparked by a lightning strike July 4.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has signed legislation that provides public funding to renovate Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The bill won bipartisan support in both of the state’s GOP-controlled chambers. It uses sales tax revenue from the stadium and nearby buildings to fund up to $500 million for infrastructure upgrades over the next 30 years. The improvements include work on the stadium’s air conditioning and retractable roof. The Diamondbacks say they will contribute $250 million. Several other states have taken up measures in recent years to use taxpayer dollars for sports stadiums.
Attempts to regulate groundwater in rural Arizona have stalled in the Legislature. Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs’ office says negotiators haven’t met since early April. Hobbs backed a proposal to create rural groundwater management areas around the state. Republicans introduced their own proposal. The two sides differ on which water basins could be regulated, conservation limits and the makeup of the local councils that would oversee it all. Hobbs says she’ll take matters into her own hands if the Legislature doesn’t act before it adjourns. Republicans say a separate proposal from the Arizona Department of Water Resources to ease overpumping of a southern Arizona basin is souring talks on the legislative bills.