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GOP lawmakers seek to undermine proposed ESA reforms as 2026 session ends

2026 legislative session ends as Republicans looked to nullify proposed ESA reforms at the ballot.

News

In the final hours of the 2026 legislative session, Republican lawmakers tried to torpedo proposed reforms to Arizona&#x27;s school voucher program. Why it matters: Even if voters approve a proposed measure to rein in the state&#x27;s controversial Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA) program, those reforms would be completely nullified if the Legislature&#x27;s ballot proposal passes as well.

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.

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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: Cindy K., Daniel D., Brian P., Nancy G., Steve H., Jennifer S., Emily S., Craig F., Emily R. and Ronnie G. Hit reply or 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="3ae76b17-67b1-4a60-a357-93502e6b4160" 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!

Juneteenth celebrations across the Phoenix area

Celebrate Juneteenth with events across the Valley.

Arizona isn&#x27;t among the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="33 states where Juneteenth is a state holiday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/15/juneteenth-holiday-day-off-where" data-vars-content-id="3aa017f7-8026-4493-bd5b-f23e8a25c821" data-vars-headline="Juneteenth celebrations across the Phoenix area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/15/juneteenth-holiday-day-off-where" target="_self">33 states where Juneteenth is a state holiday</a>, but there aren&#x27;t still plenty of ways to commemorate emancipation across the Valley.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Juneteenth Celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/special-events-and-permits/juneteenth-celebration" data-vars-content-id="3aa017f7-8026-4493-bd5b-f23e8a25c821" data-vars-headline="Juneteenth celebrations across the Phoenix area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gilbertaz.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/special-events-and-permits/juneteenth-celebration" target="_blank">Juneteenth Celebration</a>: Take the family to Gilbert for storytelling, music, drum and dance performances, arts and crafts and educational activities.

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.

Ousted Glendale council member must be reinstated, judge rules

A judge ruled Glendale wrongly removed Conchas from office.

Glendale City Council Member Lupe Conchas was wrongly ousted and must be reinstated, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled Tuesday. Why it matters: Conchas and his supporters alleged that the council&#x27;s decision was politically motivated.

Maricopa Community Colleges expands low-cost bachelor's degrees

New degree programs could help fill Arizona workforce gaps.

Arizonans will soon have more bachelor&#x27;s degree options through Maricopa Community Colleges, at a fraction of the price of a traditional university.Why it matters: The total cost of a four-year degree through Maricopa Community Colleges can run as little as $15,000. At Arizona&#x27;s universities, the in-state tuition price tag is closer to $50,000.

Stanton faces progressive challenge from Newkirk in Democratic primary

National progressive trend comes to Arizona as Stanton faces a Democratic primary challenge.

The progressive left is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="challenging establishment-oriented Democrats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/democratic-primaries-congress-house-left-illinois" data-vars-content-id="0cf6a605-22fb-4977-ad58-8cc06fd4a76f" data-vars-headline="Stanton faces progressive challenge from Newkirk in Democratic primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/democratic-primaries-congress-house-left-illinois" target="_self">challenging establishment-oriented Democrats</a> in primaries across the country, including in Arizona&#x27;s 4th Congressional District, where U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton is seeking re-election.Why it matters: Anger over issues like U.S. support for Israel, corporate influence and what many critics view as inadequately aggressive opposition to President Trump has fueled a wave of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="progressive challenges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/democratic-bases-anger-puts-some-party-leaders-on-shaky-ground/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="0cf6a605-22fb-4977-ad58-8cc06fd4a76f" data-vars-headline="Stanton faces progressive challenge from Newkirk in Democratic primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/democratic-bases-anger-puts-some-party-leaders-on-shaky-ground/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">progressive challenges</a> in a Democratic Party whose voters are shifting to the left.

San Tan Distilling bottles Arizona's official America 250 bourbon

You can celebrate America 250 with Arizona's official anniversary bourbon, from San Tan Distilling.

You can celebrate America&#x27;s 250th birthday and National Bourbon Day together with one patriotic pour, courtesy of San Tan Distilling.The big picture: The entire country is gearing up for this summer&#x27;s America 250 celebrations.

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: Chanele R., Jordan E. Sharon S., Liza S., Brian P., Tony T., Craig F., Steve M., Joe G., Margaret W. and Joel M.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="8584c84b-1b73-45e9-b82a-d64d040b1a37" 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!

News 🗞

Arizona leaders urge data centers to earn trust

Juneteenth celebrations across the Phoenix area

Take the Axios Phoenix news quiz!

Phoenix boy's World Cup wish comes true

Ousted Glendale council member must be reinstated, judge rules