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Charles Barkley blimp returns to Phoenix skies

The Charles Barkley blimp is back as Final Four week begins.

News

Keep an eye on the sky for a rare migratory sighting: The 128-foot Charles Barkley blimp is back in Phoenix for the first time in two years.Why it matters: We&#x27;ve missed Soar Charles (also called: Charles Flightly, The Up Chuck, Air Chuck One and The Ugly Chuckling).

Phoenix unveils new South Mountain Activity Complex

After more than two years of work, Phoenix unveiled the South Mountain Activity Complex.

If you&#x27;re looking for a scenic event space, a spot for a family picnic or a good place to start a hike, the new South Mountain Activity Complex may be the place for you.State of play: After more than two years of work, the city of Phoenix unveiled the new activity center, off Central Avenue near the South Mountain Visitor Center.

Krav Mama: A self-defense class designed for new moms

A Tempe instructor created a postpartum workout where moms train with their babies.

<figure><img alt="A gif of a woman holding a baby and kicking a heavy bag in a gym." height="600" id="671d5f45-200d-469c-8060-0a3462c8e142" src="https://images.axios.com/ZstKyMUT41Amr56A_Usmnb3bB_w=/2026/03/26/1774548998563.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Jessica and her daughter test out Krav Mama. Photo: Courtesy of EVKM Self Defense &amp; Fitness</figcaption></figure>Tempe Krav Maga instructor and new mom Sara Ullenbruch-Zarezadeh has developed a postpartum version of the popular Israeli self-defense training. <ul><li>She&#x27;s calling it Krav Mama.</li></ul>Why it matters: Protecting yourself looks different when you have a baby in your arms or a tot by your side.

How Trump's mail voting order could affect Arizona voters

Arizona officials will challenge a Trump order affecting how mail ballots are sent.

Arizona is again in the crosshairs of President Trump&#x27;s mission to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationalize elections" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/08/save-america-act-trump-nationalize-elections" data-vars-content-id="107a3dd6-dff7-455f-895f-cff4673c604c" data-vars-headline="How Trump&#x27;s mail voting order could affect Arizona voters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/08/save-america-act-trump-nationalize-elections" target="_self">nationalize elections</a> and limit voting by mail.Why it matters: The vast majority of Arizonans cast mail ballots, and critics say Trump&#x27;s latest move would disenfranchise some of those voters ahead of a crucial November election in the battleground state.

Water worries are top of mind for Arizonans, poll shows

An annual poll on conservation in the West shows Arizonans are deeply concerned about water.

Water is a major concern across the American West and nowhere more so than in Arizona, according to a new poll.Why it matters: The numbers from the annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Conservation in the West poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2026.html" data-vars-content-id="62a19f6d-a299-4a1d-9d3f-01105db3d0db" data-vars-headline="Water worries are top of mind for Arizonans, poll shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2026.html" target="_blank">Conservation in the West poll</a> suggest conservation isn&#x27;t a niche issue — it&#x27;s political bedrock in eight Southwest and Rocky Mountain states.

Feds "cannot delay action" on Colorado River

Federal officials appear likely to mandate new Colorado River guidelines after key missed deadline.

The seven Colorado River basin states missed a key <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal deadline to reach a new water usage agreement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/03/katie-hobbs-colorado-river-agreement-upper-basin-burgum-meeting" data-vars-content-id="415790b4-b7f7-4b27-a9d0-83320aaa4cf3" data-vars-headline="Feds &quot;cannot delay action&quot; on Colorado River" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/03/katie-hobbs-colorado-river-agreement-upper-basin-burgum-meeting" target="_self">federal deadline to reach a new water usage agreement</a>, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is now likely to impose a solution of its own.Why it matters: The Central Arizona Project (CAP), which transports water from the Colorado River to the interior of the state, is likely to see serious cuts as the feds seek to manage the basin through a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="megadrought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/04/arizona-drought-water-cutbacks" data-vars-content-id="415790b4-b7f7-4b27-a9d0-83320aaa4cf3" data-vars-headline="Feds &quot;cannot delay action&quot; on Colorado River" 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">megadrought</a>&quot; that&#x27;s persisted for more than 20 years.

New jaguar seen in Arizona as Trump border wall threatens habitat

"Cinco" is the fifth jaguar documented in the area since 2011.

A new jaguar was spotted in southern Arizona last month — the fifth documented in the area since 2011 — showcasing the endangered species&#x27; resiliency in the face of climate change and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="habitat destruction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/07/trump-border-wall-immigration-watchdog-report" data-vars-content-id="80b023eb-d5c6-47a3-b39c-586093b30480" data-vars-headline="New jaguar seen in Arizona as Trump border wall threatens habitat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/07/trump-border-wall-immigration-watchdog-report" target="_self">habitat destruction</a>.Why it matters: The presence of big cats — apex predators that require an expansive and balanced ecosystem to thrive — indicates that the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sky Islands region" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/Sky_Islands/index.shtml" data-vars-content-id="80b023eb-d5c6-47a3-b39c-586093b30480" data-vars-headline="New jaguar seen in Arizona as Trump border wall threatens habitat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/Sky_Islands/index.shtml" target="_blank">Sky Islands region</a> of southern Arizona has retained its health and biodiversity in spite of significant conservation headwinds, said Susan Malusa, director of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wildcatresearch.arizona.edu/" data-vars-content-id="80b023eb-d5c6-47a3-b39c-586093b30480" data-vars-headline="New jaguar seen in Arizona as Trump border wall threatens habitat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wildcatresearch.arizona.edu/" target="_blank">University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center</a>.

Environment

Water worries are top of mind for Arizonans, poll shows

Feds "cannot delay action" on Colorado River

New jaguar seen in Arizona as Trump border wall threatens habitat