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County attorney's office pushes back after ICE says it "declined to file charges"

MCAO said ICE was wrong when it claimed prosecutors "declined to file charges" in a fatal car crash.

News

The Maricopa County Attorney&#x27;s Office (MCAO) is pushing back after ICE accused it of refusing to press charges against a woman accused of killing her child in a rollover accident.Why it matters: Admonitions from the Trump administration can trigger waves of criticism against public officials, regardless of the facts of a situation.

Take the Axios Phoenix news quiz!

See how well you absorbed this week's news with our quiz.

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: Judi S. and Ken S.

Glendale City Council's Conchas faces expulsion vote over SRP election

Glendale City Council member Lupe Conchas faces an expulsion vote over his election to the SRP power board.

The Glendale City Council will vote Thursday on whether to expel member Lupe Conchas over his election to the Salt River Project power board last month.The big picture: Glendale&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city charter" data-vars-click-url="https://library.municode.com/az/glendale/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTITHCH_ARTIITHCO_S5QU" data-vars-content-id="f8b7a5ca-d340-4a23-895a-13804d4d0af8" data-vars-headline="Glendale City Council&#x27;s Conchas faces expulsion vote over SRP election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://library.municode.com/az/glendale/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTITHCH_ARTIITHCO_S5QU" target="_blank">city charter</a> says City Council members can&#x27;t hold other paid public offices except for notary public, National Guard member or military reservist.

Arizonans hitting the road as AAA predicts record-high Memorial Day weekend travel

Despite high gas prices, AAA expects 850,000 Arizonans to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend.

Arizonans aren&#x27;t expected to let sky-high gas prices get in the way of their Memorial Day weekend plans.Why it matters: With gas pushing an average of $4.82 per gallon — about 25 cents higher than the national average, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per AAA" data-vars-click-url="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=AZ" data-vars-content-id="cc72bec7-6f7b-427b-a483-4c837dc1dc35" data-vars-headline="Arizonans hitting the road as AAA predicts record-high Memorial Day weekend travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=AZ" target="_blank">per AAA</a> — your long-weekend road trip will cost a lot more than it did last year.

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.

Mosquito season lingers in Phoenix after warm, wet fall

Late rain and warm temps are fueling a longer, itchier season in the Valley.

Warm weather and rain have kept our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="least-favorite summertime pests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/24/mosquitoes-phoenix-desert-arizona" data-vars-content-id="7276515e-3326-4e97-bda0-e055c47d0d35" data-vars-headline="Mosquito season lingers in Phoenix after warm, wet fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/24/mosquitoes-phoenix-desert-arizona" target="_self">least-favorite summertime pests</a> active for longer than usual — and our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mosquito season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/06/28/mosquito-season-longer-west-nile-dengue" data-vars-content-id="7276515e-3326-4e97-bda0-e055c47d0d35" data-vars-headline="Mosquito season lingers in Phoenix after warm, wet fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/06/28/mosquito-season-longer-west-nile-dengue" target="_self">mosquito season</a> may get worse before it gets better.Why it matters: In addition to being annoying and itch-inducing, mosquitoes can carry diseases like West Nile Virus that can cause serious illness or death.

Phoenix sees one of wettest Octobers after weekend storms

Nearly 70% of Phoenix's yearly rainfall fell in just 45 days.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="storm system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/10/us-southwest-us-rain-flood-threats-storms" data-vars-content-id="6524be87-3c72-4db7-a819-2239b0dda671" data-vars-headline="Phoenix sees one of wettest Octobers after weekend storms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/10/us-southwest-us-rain-flood-threats-storms" target="_self">storm system</a> that blanketed the Valley over the weekend has made this month the third-wettest October on record, according to the National Weather Service. And we&#x27;re only halfway through.The big picture: The remnants of two tropical systems from the East Coast collided with a low-pressure system from the West Coast, resulting in five days of thunderstorms across metro Phoenix, local NWS meteorologist Gabriel Lorejo told Axios.

Wildfire smoke could kill hundreds more Arizonans each year

A new study warns wildfire smoke could kill hundreds more Arizonans annually.

Without protective measures, wildfire smoke could cause tens of thousands more deaths annually across the U.S. by midcentury — and hundreds more in Arizona, a new study warns.Why it matters: The grim findings are among the strongest evidence yet of the harmful effects of climate change, the study&#x27;s authors say.

A bar chart that ranks U.S. metro areas by average weighted high-ozone days from 2022 to 2024 among places with at least 50,000 residents. Los Angeles leads at 159.2 days, followed by Visalia at 92.7 and Bakersfield at 75.

Average number of high ozone days, 2022-2024

Data: American Lung Association; Note: Days where air pollution was worse received a greater weighting in the calculation; Chart: Alex Fitzpatrick/Axios

Climate 🌿

High heat season begins in Phoenix area

Campaign looks to cool things down for Maryvale residents

Valley smog puts kids' health at risk

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

Extreme heat prompts early pet safety warnings