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Feds announce Colorado River cuts for Arizona

If conditions worse, Arizona and the rest of the Lower Basin could end up taking deeper cuts.

News

The U.S. Department of the Interior made its final decision on cuts to water allocations from the drought-stricken Colorado River over the next two years, and while it&#x27;s not good, it&#x27;s likely the best-case scenario for Arizona — at least for now.Why it matters: An environmental study that the department&#x27;s U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released in late July indicated that Arizona, California and Nevada — which constitute the Colorado River&#x27;s Lower Basin — could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lose up to 3 million acre-feet of water annually" data-vars-click-url="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2026/07/31/feds-release-plan-colorado-river-water-shortages/91068491007/" data-vars-content-id="2d8cfc6a-89b1-47c9-bfa5-b4620d48b897" data-vars-headline="Feds announce Colorado River cuts for Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2026/07/31/feds-release-plan-colorado-river-water-shortages/91068491007/" target="_blank">lose up to 3 million acre-feet of water annually</a> for the next two years.

The Phoenix neighborhood that the post office forgot

Some residents haven't received mail for nearly two months.

Neighborhoods

For months, residents of a central Phoenix neighborhood have felt like they&#x27;d fallen into a black hole due to a strange phenomenon: The U.S. Postal Service has been delivering the neighborhood&#x27;s mail only sporadically, and sometimes not at all.Why it matters: Several people who live in Westwood Village &amp; Estates tell Axios that the ongoing mail snafu has caused them to miss bills, checks and even wedding invitations.

The Phoenix housing market is cooling off

Real Estate

In 77% of the Phoenix area’s ZIP codes, sellers listed their homes in July for less than they did last year.Why it matters: Some home buyers could be getting better deals than they did last year when mortgage rates were at comparable levels.

Valley cities are suddenly very wary of Flock cameras

But the surveillance tech might not be going away yet.

Public Safety

The nationwide blowback against automated license plate reader cameras made by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock and similar companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" data-vars-content-id="847757a7-da81-4f5e-8431-cbf1fca4bd42" data-vars-headline="Valley cities are suddenly very wary of Flock cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" target="_self">Flock and similar companies</a> has led a slew of Valley cities and police departments to scrutinize how they&#x27;re using the technology.Why it matters: Recent audits have revealed potential misuse of the Flock system, which allows police agencies to track the location of almost anyone. But it&#x27;s unclear whether Valley cities will abandon their Flock cameras for good.

Another twist in the saga of Glendale's Mattel theme park

The long-delayed attraction is still under construction.

Business

The original developer of the long-gestating Mattel Adventure Park in Glendale may no longer have any connection to the project, which appears to have been taken over by the owners of the nearby and also <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-delayed VAI Resort" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/03/glendale-special-election-vai-resort-rezoning" data-vars-content-id="0c051905-ca6d-4ea5-947a-c05a005683af" data-vars-headline="Another twist in the saga of Glendale&#x27;s Mattel theme park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/03/glendale-special-election-vai-resort-rezoning" target="_self">long-delayed VAI Resort</a>.Why it matters: The revelation is just the latest roller-coaster-worthy twist in the saga of the much-anticipated theme park, which was originally set to open in 2023 with Hot Wheels, Barbie and He-Man attractions.

Waymo expands in Phoenix area with new East Valley territory

Waymo is expanding its East Valley service area to Gilbert, Gateway Airport and more of Chandler.

Waymo riders in the Valley will now be able to go farther into the East Valley after the autonomous taxi company dramatically expanded its service area.Why it matters: Waymo is a convenient way to get around the sprawling Phoenix metro area, but only in certain parts of town.

Chandler Fashion Center bets big on dining and entertainment

The mall is adding restaurants, entertainment and gathering space.

Chandler Fashion Center thinks it&#x27;s got the bones to become the East Valley&#x27;s premier dining destination — and it&#x27;s launching a massive remodel to pull it off. Why it matters: Several Valley malls have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closed in recent years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/07/phoenix-area-malls-survive-adapt-despite-industry-decline" data-vars-content-id="9675d4ac-09d8-4956-ad48-3f2bf272ca8d" data-vars-headline="Chandler Fashion Center bets big on dining and entertainment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/07/phoenix-area-malls-survive-adapt-despite-industry-decline" target="_self">closed in recent years</a> as retailers scaled back their brick-and-mortar operations.

Mixed-use high-rise development to transform central Phoenix vacant lot

A 24-story high-rise and mixed-use development could transform Phoenix's arts district.

Construction is underway on a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-awaited high-rise apartment building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/12/18/apartments-art-gallery-central-north-downtown" data-vars-content-id="aa4cdf72-7dd6-485d-a036-70489418ff21" data-vars-headline="Mixed-use high-rise development to transform central Phoenix vacant lot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/12/18/apartments-art-gallery-central-north-downtown" target="_self">long-awaited high-rise apartment building</a> that developers say is &quot;expected to become a new landmark along the Central Avenue corridor.&quot;Why it matters: The long-vacant spot on the southwest corner of Central Avenue and McDowell Road is a prime location in one of the Valley&#x27;s most popular and booming areas.

Taiwan opening Phoenix diplomatic hub as semiconductor industry booms

Taiwan is establishing a diplomatic presence in Phoenix as TSMC continues its Arizona expansion.

As Taiwan&#x27;s biggest business continues to expand in Phoenix, the country&#x27;s foreign ministry is establishing a diplomatic presence as well.Why it matters: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is transforming the Valley and shows no signs of slowing its growth, and that has spurred an influx of Taiwanese people to Arizona.

Two-week surge in data center tax break applications rivals 13-year total

Arizona got nearly as many data center tax break applications in two weeks as in the past 13 years.

Data center developers submitted nearly as many tax incentive applications in the two weeks before a three-year moratorium went into effect as they did in the previous 13 years, according to the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA).Why it matters: The last-minute surge in applications could diminish the impact of the tax break pause, which Gov. Katie Hobbs <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="touted" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/GovernorHobbs/status/2074592897664499739" data-vars-content-id="cdc9293c-dc63-4723-b1ab-ae75b5a43534" data-vars-headline="Two-week surge in data center tax break applications rivals 13-year total" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/GovernorHobbs/status/2074592897664499739" target="_blank">touted</a> as a big win, saying it would save the state $57 million that can be better used for important services including child care, health care and food assistance.

Quality Jobs tax credit repealed as part of budget compromise

Arizona repealed a tax incentive for well-paying jobs as part of a bipartisan budget compromise.

A tax credit for businesses that create high-wage jobs in Arizona is now a thing of the past.Why it matters: Arizona is focused on attracting good-paying major employers to the state and every incentive helps elbow out other states, who are after the same thing.

The wait is over: Buc-ee's opens first Arizona location in Goodyear

The wait is over: Buc-ee's officially expands to Arizona with grand opening in Goodyear.

Arizona is officially Buc-ee&#x27;s country after the Texas-based — and Texas-sized — travel center chain opened its first Arizona location in Goodyear on Monday.Why it matters: Buc-ee&#x27;s is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unique institution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/02/05/bucees-buc-ees-arizona-when-location-where" data-vars-content-id="60e6d936-64f1-4d48-9b91-cb95ee10530b" data-vars-headline="The wait is over: Buc-ee&#x27;s opens first Arizona location in Goodyear" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/02/05/bucees-buc-ees-arizona-when-location-where" target="_self">unique institution</a> with an intensely loyal customer base, which was thrilled to see it move west into Arizona.

Arizona leaders urge data centers to earn trust

Officials say transparency is key to easing neighborhood concerns.

Data centers need to win back community trust if they want to continue to move into Arizona, government and business leaders told us during Tuesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Live event" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4inW0YmPNqQ" data-vars-content-id="b370a8b3-2db0-4a5b-9b56-e78b7eb6eaec" data-vars-headline="Arizona leaders urge data centers to earn trust" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4inW0YmPNqQ" target="_blank">Axios Live event</a> in downtown Phoenix.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Neighborhood opposition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/05/06/data-center-growth-opposition-arizona-neighborhoods" data-vars-content-id="b370a8b3-2db0-4a5b-9b56-e78b7eb6eaec" data-vars-headline="Arizona leaders urge data centers to earn trust" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/05/06/data-center-growth-opposition-arizona-neighborhoods" target="_self">Neighborhood opposition</a> to data center projects has exploded statewide as residents question the health impacts of the megasites.

Terrible's gas stations are coming to the Valley

Nevada-based Terrible's is expanding its gas station and convenience store empire to the Valley.

Terrible&#x27;s is bringing its gas stations, convenience stores and unforgettable name to the Valley.The big picture: Terrible&#x27;s — known for decades as Terrible Herbst until a recent name change — is a southern Nevada institution that&#x27;s spread throughout the West.

Business 🏦

Another twist in the saga of Glendale's Mattel theme park

Waymo expands in Phoenix area with new East Valley territory

Chandler Fashion Center bets big on dining and entertainment

Mixed-use high-rise development to transform central Phoenix vacant lot

Taiwan opening Phoenix diplomatic hub as semiconductor industry booms