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Keep an eye on these primary fights in Arizona's legislative races

Legislative primaries will go a long way toward to deciding who controls Arizona's Legislature.

News

While most eyes are on statewide and congressional elections in the July 21 primary, the races for Arizona&#x27;s legislative seats will largely determine who controls the state next year.Why it matters: The Legislature votes on policies that deeply affect millions of Arizonans, including education spending, social services, taxes and criminal statutes.

Take the Axios Phoenix news quiz!

See how well you absorbed this week's news.

It&#x27;s that time again! See how well you absorbed this week&#x27;s news with our quiz.🥳 Congratulations to last week&#x27;s perfect scorers: Pam G., John N., S. Noe, Theresa P. and Craig F.Email us at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="phoenix@axios.com" data-vars-click-url="mailto:phoenix@axios.com" data-vars-content-id="b7edbc1d-375e-4b25-8462-c3d12ff1a50d" data-vars-headline="Take the Axios Phoenix news quiz!" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="mailto:phoenix@axios.com" target="_blank">phoenix@axios.com</a> with a screenshot of your perfect score for a shoutout next week!

Quality Jobs tax credit repealed as part of budget compromise

Arizona repealed a tax incentive for well-paying jobs as part of a bipartisan budget compromise.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

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.

Recent cooldown lowers temperatures after hot summer start

A late June cooldown eased a summer start that ranked as Phoenix's third-hottest on record.

Are we crazy, or has this summer felt a bit milder than usual?State of play: &quot;Milder&quot; is a relative term here in the Valley, which is infamous for its scorching summers and record-breaking heatwaves.

Weather balloons could unlock Phoenix monsoon knowledge

The project will track heat, dust and storms to improve forecasts.

Local researchers are turning our backyard into a laboratory in hopes of figuring out how extreme heat, rapid urban growth and desert dust influence the severity of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="monsoons" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/06/15/monsoon-season-starts-rainier-summer-forecast" data-vars-content-id="92ff74b0-3562-4a72-9847-5ea10e65846e" data-vars-headline="Weather balloons could unlock Phoenix monsoon knowledge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/06/15/monsoon-season-starts-rainier-summer-forecast" target="_self">monsoons</a>.Why it matters: Summer storms are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="becoming more dangerous" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/08/26/microbursts-monsoons-torandoes-damage" data-vars-content-id="92ff74b0-3562-4a72-9847-5ea10e65846e" data-vars-headline="Weather balloons could unlock Phoenix monsoon knowledge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/08/26/microbursts-monsoons-torandoes-damage" target="_self">becoming more dangerous</a>, and the new study aims to help forecasters better predict Phoenix weather.

Monsoon season starts with rainier outlook

The season began with a (short-lived) bang — at least for those who live on the Valley's edges.

Monsoon season is officially underway and meteorologists are hopeful that the Valley&#x27;s in store for a rainier summer than usual.Why it matters: About <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="half of our annual rainfall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/psr/2023MonsoonSeasonReview" data-vars-content-id="9516a320-cc35-4380-91eb-cbd0b1f58fee" data-vars-headline="Monsoon season starts with rainier outlook" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/psr/2023MonsoonSeasonReview" target="_blank">half of our annual rainfall</a> typically arrives during monsoon season, which began Monday and runs through Sept. 30.

High heat season begins in Phoenix area

Extreme heat returns as dozens of cooling centers and aid sites open across the region.

It&#x27;s May, and ready or not, our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high heat season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/08/01/heat-streaks-arizona-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="a96ee972-9c12-4a82-ac70-01ee4318209c" data-vars-headline="High heat season begins in Phoenix area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/08/01/heat-streaks-arizona-climate-change" target="_self">high heat season</a> has begun.Why it matters: To many, extreme temperatures are an annoyance we complain about from the comfort of our air-conditioned spaces.

Campaign looks to cool things down for Maryvale residents

Maryvale residents want cooler public places in the blazing summer heat, a recent survey found.

Maryvale residents say the oppressive heat keeps them indoors during the summer, and a new campaign is hoping to change that.Why it matters: Preliminary data shows Maricopa County experienced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="430 heat-related deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.maricopa.gov/1858/Heat-Surveillance#dashboard" data-vars-content-id="cb3ef775-dad4-4543-b75c-01dbf892830c" data-vars-headline="Campaign looks to cool things down for Maryvale residents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.maricopa.gov/1858/Heat-Surveillance#dashboard" target="_blank">430 heat-related deaths</a> last year — and extreme temperatures contribute to a host of other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health problems" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/06/27/what-increasing-heat-does-to-our-bodies" data-vars-content-id="cb3ef775-dad4-4543-b75c-01dbf892830c" data-vars-headline="Campaign looks to cool things down for Maryvale residents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/06/27/what-increasing-heat-does-to-our-bodies" target="_self">health problems</a>.

Valley smog puts kids' health at risk

A new report links ozone pollution to health risks for nearly 1.4 million Arizona children.

The Valley is again among the worst metros in the country for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ozone pollution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/23/phoenix-no-longer-ranks-among-most-air-polluted-cities" data-vars-content-id="c6697e9f-9d5d-46d0-aec6-3342cc44cc87" data-vars-headline="Valley smog puts kids&#x27; health at risk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/23/phoenix-no-longer-ranks-among-most-air-polluted-cities" target="_self">ozone pollution</a>, putting the health of nearly 1.4 million Arizona kids at risk, per the American Lung Association&#x27;s 2026 &quot;State of the Air&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lung.org/research/sota" data-vars-content-id="c6697e9f-9d5d-46d0-aec6-3342cc44cc87" data-vars-headline="Valley smog puts kids&#x27; health at risk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lung.org/research/sota" target="_blank">report</a> released Wednesday.Why it matters: Infants, children and teens are most susceptible to the effects of air pollution because their lungs are still developing, per the report.

Possible "super El Niño" could bring more rain and cooler temperatures to Arizona

A possible "super El Niño" this year could favor Arizona with cooler, wetter weather.

Meteorologists are bracing for what some are calling a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="super El Niño" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/13/el-nino-explainer?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other" data-vars-content-id="d06f04e2-c707-4337-b728-454d90e52d3e" data-vars-headline="Possible &quot;super El Niño&quot; could bring more rain and cooler temperatures to Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/13/el-nino-explainer?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other" target="_blank">super El Niño</a>,&quot; which could result in cooler temperatures and a wetter monsoon season for Arizona.Why it matters: The Valley&#x27;s been plagued by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="especially hot summers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/09/17/phoenix-summer-weather-fall-hotter" data-vars-content-id="d06f04e2-c707-4337-b728-454d90e52d3e" data-vars-headline="Possible &quot;super El Niño&quot; could bring more rain and cooler temperatures to Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/09/17/phoenix-summer-weather-fall-hotter" target="_self">especially hot summers</a> in recent years, and the region&#x27;s been suffering through a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/04/arizona-drought-water-cutbacks" data-vars-content-id="d06f04e2-c707-4337-b728-454d90e52d3e" data-vars-headline="Possible &quot;super El Niño&quot; could bring more rain and cooler temperatures to Arizona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/04/arizona-drought-water-cutbacks" target="_self">massive drought</a> for more than two decades.

Extreme heat prompts early pet safety warnings

Experts urge pet owners to avoid hot pavement, cars and outdoor exposure.

The Arizona Humane Society is telling pet owners to take heat precautions early as scorching temperatures continue to bedevil the Valley.🐾 Paw patrol

Guess the first 100-degree day in Phoenix

Some forecasts calling for 100-degree weather next week.

After a very brief heat reprieve brought on by Monday&#x27;s storm, temperatures are expected to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climb once again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/02/phoenix-hits-90-f-a-month-early" data-vars-content-id="276c5dc4-7197-4f6e-92f9-b0bc50034e49" data-vars-headline="Guess the first 100-degree day in Phoenix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/02/phoenix-hits-90-f-a-month-early" target="_self">climb once again</a>, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="some forecasts" data-vars-click-url="https://ktar.com/arizona-weather-news/heat-wave-phoenix-showers/5833510/" data-vars-content-id="276c5dc4-7197-4f6e-92f9-b0bc50034e49" data-vars-headline="Guess the first 100-degree day in Phoenix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ktar.com/arizona-weather-news/heat-wave-phoenix-showers/5833510/" target="_blank">some forecasts</a> calling for 100-degree weather next week.👎 Why it matters: That&#x27;s more than a month sooner than we&#x27;re supposed to see triple-digit temperatures.

Phoenix braces for another warm December

Phoenix could hit 80° this week as winter heat trends continue.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/08/01/heat-streaks-arizona-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="b2c35441-9cf7-4380-b96e-f6b05b791fe2" data-vars-headline="Phoenix braces for another warm December" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/08/01/heat-streaks-arizona-climate-change" target="_self">Climate change</a> has raised winter temperatures nationally and in Phoenix over the past half-century, and this month is shaping up to be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="particularly warm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/08/16/metro-phoenix-temperatures-2035-report-shows" data-vars-content-id="b2c35441-9cf7-4380-b96e-f6b05b791fe2" data-vars-headline="Phoenix braces for another warm December" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2022/08/16/metro-phoenix-temperatures-2035-report-shows" target="_self">particularly warm</a>, according to weather outlooks.Why it matters: Widespread heat across northern Arizona and the Rocky Mountain region affects water supplies tied to annual snowmelt.

Glendale firefighter killed in Colorado blaze

Arizona firefighter killed in Colorado-Utah blaze

A column chart that shows Phoenix monsoon rainfall totals from June 15 to Sept. 15 each year from 2015 to 2025. Rainfall ranged from 0.15 inches in 2023 to 4.2 inches in 2021. Totals were mostly below 3 inches.

Climate 🌿

Recent cooldown lowers temperatures after hot summer start

Arizona firefighter killed in Colorado-Utah blaze

Weather balloons could unlock Phoenix monsoon knowledge

Monsoon season starts with rainier outlook

High heat season begins in Phoenix area