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Feds announce Colorado River cuts for Arizona

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

News

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 Phoenix neighborhood that the post office forgot

Some residents haven't received mail for nearly two months.

Neighborhoods

For months, residents of a central Phoenix neighborhood have felt like they&#x27;d fallen into a black hole due to a strange phenomenon: The U.S. Postal Service has been delivering the neighborhood&#x27;s mail only sporadically, and sometimes not at all.Why it matters: Several people who live in Westwood Village &amp; Estates tell Axios that the ongoing mail snafu has caused them to miss bills, checks and even wedding invitations.

The Phoenix housing market is cooling off

Real Estate

In 77% of the Phoenix area’s ZIP codes, sellers listed their homes in July for less than they did last year.Why it matters: Some home buyers could be getting better deals than they did last year when mortgage rates were at comparable levels.

Valley cities are suddenly very wary of Flock cameras

But the surveillance tech might not be going away yet.

Public Safety

The nationwide blowback against automated license plate reader cameras made by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock and similar companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" data-vars-content-id="847757a7-da81-4f5e-8431-cbf1fca4bd42" data-vars-headline="Valley cities are suddenly very wary of Flock cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" target="_self">Flock and similar companies</a> has led a slew of Valley cities and police departments to scrutinize how they&#x27;re using the technology.Why it matters: Recent audits have revealed potential misuse of the Flock system, which allows police agencies to track the location of almost anyone. But it&#x27;s unclear whether Valley cities will abandon their Flock cameras for good.

Chandler, prepare for Late Night Madness at Seafood City

The popular grocery chain plans to bring its viral party to Arizona this fall.

Culture

Fans of Arizona&#x27;s newly opened Seafood City in Chandler haven&#x27;t yet received the full experience the Filipino grocery chain has to offer: Late Night Madness.Why it matters: The California-based franchise periodically extends its hours to host boisterous community parties with local DJs and street food — and the Chandler store is expected to host its first such event this fall.

Effort underway to revitalize First Fridays on Roosevelt Row

Organizers hope to bring back vendor and artist space at First Fridays on Roosevelt Row.

Roosevelt Row First Friday organizers are hoping to bring back some of the glory that was lost this year when the street fair elements were halted.State of play: First Friday hasn&#x27;t been the same since it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ended its trademark vendor market and road closures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/05/01/roosevelt-row-reckoning-first-friday-changes" data-vars-content-id="c9d86046-b7ab-4c73-979f-ad3c1ceb173e" data-vars-headline="Effort underway to revitalize First Fridays on Roosevelt Row" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/05/01/roosevelt-row-reckoning-first-friday-changes" target="_self">ended its trademark vendor market and road closures</a> due to &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ugly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXNQd_LEkvo/?img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="c9d86046-b7ab-4c73-979f-ad3c1ceb173e" data-vars-headline="Effort underway to revitalize First Fridays on Roosevelt Row" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXNQd_LEkvo/?img_index=1" target="_blank">ugly</a>&quot; and violent incidents.

Mesa's Cannon Beach launches First Friday events

Mesa's Cannon Beach has launched a family-friendly First Friday event.

There&#x27;s a new First Friday in the Valley, and it&#x27;s a lot different from the one you&#x27;re probably thinking of.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cannon Beach" data-vars-click-url="https://cannonbeachaz.com/" data-vars-content-id="410f5b7b-403e-4824-9a4d-66488f583ae2" data-vars-headline="Mesa&#x27;s Cannon Beach launches First Friday events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cannonbeachaz.com/" target="_blank">Cannon Beach</a>, a surf park and entertainment center in east Mesa, held its inaugural First Friday event last week.

From Native American ruins to skydiving, there's plenty to do in Pinal County

Check out ghost towns, Native American ruins, skydiving and more.

Wherever you are in Pinal County, there&#x27;s something cool to see.We put together a list of some of the county&#x27;s best hotspots:

Chandler Fashion Center bets big on dining and entertainment

The mall is adding restaurants, entertainment and gathering space.

Chandler Fashion Center thinks it&#x27;s got the bones to become the East Valley&#x27;s premier dining destination — and it&#x27;s launching a massive remodel to pull it off. Why it matters: Several Valley malls have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closed in recent years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/07/phoenix-area-malls-survive-adapt-despite-industry-decline" data-vars-content-id="9675d4ac-09d8-4956-ad48-3f2bf272ca8d" data-vars-headline="Chandler Fashion Center bets big on dining and entertainment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/04/07/phoenix-area-malls-survive-adapt-despite-industry-decline" target="_self">closed in recent years</a> as retailers scaled back their brick-and-mortar operations.

See inside Arizona's Great American State Fair exhibit

The exhibit recreates some of Arizona's most recognizable landscapes.

The Great American State Fair, which continues through July 10 on the National Mall, has gotten some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decidedly poor reviews" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/30/great-american-state-fair-national-mall-review" data-vars-content-id="5c8c4e63-4386-41f1-8762-4109d79d5775" data-vars-headline="See inside Arizona&#x27;s Great American State Fair exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/30/great-american-state-fair-national-mall-review" target="_self">decidedly poor reviews</a> — but Arizona&#x27;s exhibit has been a bright spot, per visitors&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="social media accounts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEpPMz0VqGk" data-vars-content-id="5c8c4e63-4386-41f1-8762-4109d79d5775" data-vars-headline="See inside Arizona&#x27;s Great American State Fair exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEpPMz0VqGk" target="_blank">social media accounts</a>.The intrigue: Some states with Democratic governors decided not to participate in the spectacle, saying President Trump had made it a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="partisan affair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/11/politics/several-states-not-participating-trump-state-fair" data-vars-content-id="5c8c4e63-4386-41f1-8762-4109d79d5775" data-vars-headline="See inside Arizona&#x27;s Great American State Fair exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/11/politics/several-states-not-participating-trump-state-fair" target="_blank">partisan affair</a>.

Celebrate the Fourth with fireworks fun in the Valley

Celebrate America's 250th birthday with Fourth of July fireworks across the Valley.

Independence Day is right around the corner, and if you&#x27;re looking for a fireworks show to celebrate America&#x27;s 250th birthday, we&#x27;ve got you covered.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fabulous Phoenix 4th" data-vars-click-url="https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/parks/classes-programs/featured-events/fabulous-phoenix-4th.html#Lake_Stage" data-vars-content-id="12850f5a-515c-4af2-9358-faa59085e6dd" data-vars-headline="Celebrate the Fourth with fireworks fun in the Valley" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/parks/classes-programs/featured-events/fabulous-phoenix-4th.html#Lake_Stage" target="_blank">Fabulous Phoenix 4th</a>: Live music and other entertainment, a car show, a kids zone with inflatables, games and water slides, and local vendors selling food and artisan goods.

Route 66 turns 100 with Arizona celebrations

Classic cars, live music and Route 66 nostalgia return this summer.

Route 66 — the &quot;Mother Road&quot; of America that stretches 385.2 miles across Arizona — turns 100 this year.Why it matters: The big birthday is a great opportunity to reconnect with the iconic remnants of Americana in Flagstaff, Williams, Winslow and beyond.

Phoenix Art Museum unveils major Indigenous art gift

A gift of nearly 200 works will help reshape the museum's Americas collection.

A new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Phoenix Art Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/12/02/phoenix-art-museum-muscle-memory-exhibit" data-vars-content-id="f8eb65fa-378a-40cd-8ff3-5de33e391321" data-vars-headline="Phoenix Art Museum unveils major Indigenous art gift" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/12/02/phoenix-art-museum-muscle-memory-exhibit" target="_self">Phoenix Art Museum</a> exhibit will explore Native American history, culture and storytelling, thanks to a historic donation of nearly 200 works by Indigenous artists.Why it matters: The new artwork fills a &quot;critical gap&quot; in the museum&#x27;s Art of the Americas collection and will provide a deeper, more complex understanding of Native artists&#x27; role in shaping modern and contemporary art, director Jeremy Mikolajczak said in a statement.

How to celebrate Pride Month in Phoenix

You don't have to wait until the Pride festival to get in on the celebration.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate Pride Month, even if Phoenix&#x27;s official Pride Festival isn&#x27;t until the fall (when the weather&#x27;s better).<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">🎉 Parties and nightlife</h2>

Things to Do 🗓

Escape the heat by stepping inside the sunken Titanic ship

Chandler, prepare for Late Night Madness at Seafood City

Effort underway to revitalize First Fridays on Roosevelt Row

Mesa's Cannon Beach launches First Friday events

From Native American ruins to skydiving, there's plenty to do in Pinal County