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Fontes: Supreme Court ruling on Trump's mail-in voting order changes nothing

An injunction in a separate case still blocks Trump's mail-in voting order after Supreme Court win.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="A U.S. Supreme Court ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/supreme-court-mail-in-ballot-rules" data-vars-content-id="d0d5cb1b-55e6-47fa-9f26-30426bbc5487" data-vars-headline="Fontes: Supreme Court ruling on Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order changes nothing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/24/supreme-court-mail-in-ballot-rules" target="_self">A U.S. Supreme Court ruling</a> on President Trump&#x27;s executive order to restrict mail-in voting won&#x27;t matter for now because of an injunction in a separate case challenging it, according to Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.Driving the news: The high court on Monday ruled that a group of states that sued over Trump&#x27;s executive order lacked standing to bring the case.

Michelin stars skip Arizona in Southwest debut

But several Phoenix restaurants took home other awards.

Food and Drink

The famously stingy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelin Guide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/08/24/utah-michelin-star-predictions" data-vars-content-id="592f167b-2d65-4af5-9f31-8192af4eb4af" data-vars-headline="Michelin stars skip Arizona in Southwest debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/08/24/utah-michelin-star-predictions" target="_self">Michelin Guide</a> denied Arizona restaurants any of its coveted stars, but nearly a dozen Valley favorites did get some recognition during a ceremony Wednesday. Why it matters: A Michelin star would have gone a long toward boosting the Valley&#x27;s growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national reputation for its restaurant scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cntraveler.com/story/phoenix-reborn-with-new-hotels-food-and-art?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="592f167b-2d65-4af5-9f31-8192af4eb4af" data-vars-headline="Michelin stars skip Arizona in Southwest debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cntraveler.com/story/phoenix-reborn-with-new-hotels-food-and-art?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">national reputation for its restaurant scene</a>.

Jake Hoffman is making money off candidates he recruited

Jake Hoffman is an influential far-right state senator from Gilbert.

Politics

A political communications firm owned by influential GOP state Sen. Jake Hoffman has made more than $200,000 so far off of two statewide candidates he recruited to run in the 2026 election, campaign finance data shows.Why it matters: The money spent on Hoffman&#x27;s Forged Communications — by prominent candidates <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kimberly Yee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/05/28/yee-challenge-horne-republican-primary-superintendent-of-public-instruction" data-vars-content-id="9346e458-d9ce-457c-b99c-134f82e9da2b" data-vars-headline="Jake Hoffman is making money off candidates he recruited" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/05/28/yee-challenge-horne-republican-primary-superintendent-of-public-instruction" target="_self">Kimberly Yee</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alexander Kolodin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/01/alexander-kolodin-announces-arizona-secretary-of-state-bid" data-vars-content-id="9346e458-d9ce-457c-b99c-134f82e9da2b" data-vars-headline="Jake Hoffman is making money off candidates he recruited" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/01/alexander-kolodin-announces-arizona-secretary-of-state-bid" target="_self">Alexander Kolodin</a> — raise conflict of interest concerns with political observers and ethics experts.

The 8 ballot propositions to know for Arizona's election

Arizonans will vote on photo radar, DEI, transgender athletes and more.

The lawsuits are over and ballots are being finalized, and though Arizonans <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="won&#x27;t get to vote on school vouchers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/08/18/proposition-212-off-ballot-esa-school-vouchers-arizona-supreme-court" data-vars-content-id="0ee737ad-a108-4f99-a24b-dc02a81c1153" data-vars-headline="The 8 ballot propositions to know for Arizona&#x27;s election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/08/18/proposition-212-off-ballot-esa-school-vouchers-arizona-supreme-court" target="_self">won&#x27;t get to vote on school vouchers</a> in November, there are plenty of other propositions to sort through.Why it matters: Ballot propositions give voters an opportunity to decide the laws for themselves, rather than rely on state legislators.

Trump admin wants to nix rule protecting Arizona wilderness

Almost 1.2 million acres of Arizona's national forests are protected by the rule.

Environment

The Trump administration has moved closer to eliminating the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roadless Rule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" data-vars-content-id="8a06a700-70a8-4288-8e29-f8731b113507" data-vars-headline="Trump admin wants to nix rule protecting Arizona wilderness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" target="_self">Roadless Rule</a> in national forests, potentially opening hundreds of thousands of acres of Arizona wilderness to development.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decades-old federal policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" data-vars-content-id="8a06a700-70a8-4288-8e29-f8731b113507" data-vars-headline="Trump admin wants to nix rule protecting Arizona wilderness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" target="_blank">decades-old federal policy</a> has protected millions of acres of wilderness from new roads and logging — to the delight of conservationists and the ire of the timber industry.

There's 1 month left for Flashlight Nights at the Desert Botanical Garden

The popular Desert Botanical Gardens series is extending through September for the first time.

Culture

This summer, nature lovers and the nature-curious have an extra month to check out the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Desert Botanical Garden&#x27;s popular &quot;Flashlight Nights&quot; events" data-vars-click-url="https://dbg.org/summer-garden-after-dark/" data-vars-content-id="21b339da-285c-4d82-9f07-83731825464c" data-vars-headline="There&#x27;s 1 month left for Flashlight Nights at the Desert Botanical Garden" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dbg.org/summer-garden-after-dark/" target="_blank">Desert Botanical Garden&#x27;s popular &quot;Flashlight Nights&quot; events</a>, which will continue to the end of September for the first time since the series began in 1988.Why it matters: As Phoenix temperatures (hopefully) begin to cool down, the weekend events offer a fun, sunburn-free way for kiddos and adults to explore what makes living in the desert so unique.

Feds announce Colorado River cuts for Arizona

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

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 Valley is in a historically dry year, but El Niño could help

Only in 1921 did Phoenix get less rainfall through Aug. 17 than it did in 2026.

The Valley is experiencing its second-driest year on record, but things could still turn around, especially with a potentially strong El Niño on the horizon.Why it matters: Arizona and the rest of the Colorado River basin have been wracked by drought for more than two decades, and the state is expected to take major cuts to our water allotment from the river.

Feds shift to suppression strategy in wake of Grand Canyon's Dragon Bravo Fire

Mistakes in handling last year's Dragon Bravo Fire prompted a shift in the feds' wildfire strategy.

Federal officials are switching to an aggressive fire suppression strategy after mismanagement fueled a historic blaze that torched the Grand Canyon&#x27;s North Rim.Why it matters: Arizona faces <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heightened risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2026/03/28/arizona-wildfire-season-expected-to-be-active-state-officials-say/89339402007/" data-vars-content-id="ae8ee825-ddaf-493d-96be-1721c561c0c5" data-vars-headline="Feds shift to suppression strategy in wake of Grand Canyon&#x27;s Dragon Bravo Fire" 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/2026/03/28/arizona-wildfire-season-expected-to-be-active-state-officials-say/89339402007/" target="_blank">heightened risk</a> this wildfire season due to drought and record heat, along with an infestation of beetles that have killed pine trees.

Clean energy team prevails in SRP board election

Clean energy advocates won  a majority on SRP's board.

Clean energy advocates won a majority of the seats in Tuesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="election" data-vars-click-url="https://media.srpnet.com/srp-announces-2026-board-and-council-election-results/" data-vars-content-id="98b7216f-a310-4140-877a-8845cbb373b2" data-vars-headline="Clean energy team prevails in SRP board election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://media.srpnet.com/srp-announces-2026-board-and-council-election-results/" target="_blank">election</a> for the Salt River Project power board, prevailing over the side heavily <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="backed by the conservative organization Turning Point" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/24/srp-election-clean-energy-business-slate-turning-point" data-vars-content-id="98b7216f-a310-4140-877a-8845cbb373b2" data-vars-headline="Clean energy team prevails in SRP board election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/24/srp-election-clean-energy-business-slate-turning-point" target="_self">backed by the conservative organization Turning Point</a>.Why it matters: SRP provides energy for about 1.1 million Phoenix-area customers, and the district board sets the utility&#x27;s electricity rate and power generation policy.

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>.