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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.

News

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.

Immigration slowdown hits Maricopa County growth

Fewer immigrants meant slower growth across the Valley last year.

Population growth in Maricopa County cooled off significantly last year.<ul><li>A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nosedive in immigration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/26/county-population-growth-immigration" data-vars-content-id="16fd15e9-18db-4e01-9fbc-f42cead73383" data-vars-headline="Immigration slowdown hits Maricopa County growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/26/county-population-growth-immigration" target="_self">nosedive in immigration</a> is almost entirely to blame, per recent census estimates.</li></ul>

Domestic migration fueling Pinal population boom

Pinal was one of America's fastest-growing counties last year, in part due to domestic migration.

To find Arizona&#x27;s next boomtown, look beyond Maricopa County.The big picture: Of the 31,107 residents Arizona gained through domestic migration last year, 21,315 moved to Pinal County.

Glendale City Council expels Conchas over SRP board position

The Glendale City Council expelled Lupe Conchas over his recent election to the SRP power board.

Lupe Conchas&#x27; new job on the Salt River Project power board cost him his old one on the Glendale City Council.Why it matters: Removing a public official who was duly elected by voters is a drastic move.

Just because the meter's broken doesn't mean you can't get ticketed

Park at your own risk if the meter is broken — you can still get a ticket.

Inoperable parking meters in downtown Phoenix may have you wondering whether you&#x27;re allowed to park by them. The answer is: Park with caution.State of play: A battery problem is affecting some parking meters downtown and the city is working to fix it, per Street Transportation Department spokesperson John Trierweiler.

Phoenix seeks input on possible changes to "suicide lanes"

Changes could be in store as the city studies midtown traffic issues.

Everyone who drives in central Phoenix has an opinion about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reverse &quot;suicide&quot; lanes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/11/07/petition-abolish-reversible-suicide-lanes" data-vars-content-id="96a6873f-a457-413c-9c34-1aa657587c61" data-vars-headline="Phoenix seeks input on possible changes to &quot;suicide lanes&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/11/07/petition-abolish-reversible-suicide-lanes" target="_self">reverse &quot;suicide&quot; lanes</a>, and the city wants to hear them.Why it matters: Reverse lanes on Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street help keep traffic moving during rush hour, but can be difficult to navigate, particularly for people who aren&#x27;t used to them.

Phoenix drivers are spending more time in traffic

Valley drivers spent a record number of hours in traffic last year, per a new report.

Traffic congestion is worsening in the Valley, and it&#x27;s costing you more time in your car, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to a new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/traffic-congestion-getting-worse" data-vars-content-id="6e94696f-b6d9-46f0-bce9-63037c6010c1" data-vars-headline="Phoenix drivers are spending more time in traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/traffic-congestion-getting-worse" target="_self">according to a new report</a>. Why it matters: The findings put some hard data behind a common sentiment: Traffic has been getting worse — or at least different — since the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 pandemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" data-vars-content-id="6e94696f-b6d9-46f0-bce9-63037c6010c1" data-vars-headline="Phoenix drivers are spending more time in traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/28/cdc-covid-vaccine-rules-recommendations-high-risk-fda" target="_self">COVID-19 pandemic</a>.

Light rail service to south Phoenix gets underway

The Valley Metro light rail system now runs 35 miles after the south Phoenix extension opened.

Light rail in the Valley entered a new era over the weekend when the first train traversed the system&#x27;s south Phoenix expansion.The big picture: A 5.5-mile extension that runs south along Central Avenue from downtown Phoenix opened Saturday.

State Route 30 aims to relieve traffic congestion for booming West Valley

State Route 30 will serve as a critical congestion reliever for I-10 in the West Valley.

If you commute to and from the southwest Valley, the Phoenix area&#x27;s next major freeway should make your drive a bit easier, though it&#x27;ll be a while before it&#x27;s a reality.The big picture: The West Valley is in the midst of a massive population boom and has some of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.

What to know about Valley Metro fare changes

The way Valley riders pay for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="light rail and bus fare" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/01/11/public-transportation-city-buses-rail-pre-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="88693b54-a6e0-4adb-8919-f3895efdd7df" data-vars-headline="What to know about Valley Metro fare changes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/01/11/public-transportation-city-buses-rail-pre-pandemic" target="_self">light rail and bus fare</a> will change at the end of the month.Why it matters: Valley Metro&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fare modernization program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.valleymetro.org/fares/fare-technology?tab=5" data-vars-content-id="88693b54-a6e0-4adb-8919-f3895efdd7df" data-vars-headline="What to know about Valley Metro fare changes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.valleymetro.org/fares/fare-technology?tab=5" target="_blank">fare modernization program</a> aims to make it more convenient to pay for public transportation and give frequent riders a discount, according to the transit agency.

Waymo now providing 24/7 curbside service at Sky Harbor

Waymo began service to Sky Harbor's Sky Train stations in December 2022.

Curbside service from Waymo at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is now available anytime.State of play: Waymo announced Tuesday morning that its driverless, autonomous cars now offer 24/7 curbside pickups and drop-offs at Terminals 3 and 4.

Mesa and Tempe to decide on streetcar extension in early 2025

It would be the first expansion since Tempe debuted the three-mile system in May 2022.

The Mesa and Tempe city councils are expected to decide by early next year whether to move ahead with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="streetcar expansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/09/18/tempe-streetcar-free-extension-cost-ridership" data-vars-content-id="b423013c-e4a7-423a-971e-14613294e8da" data-vars-headline="Mesa and Tempe to decide on streetcar extension in early 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/09/18/tempe-streetcar-free-extension-cost-ridership" target="_self">streetcar expansion</a>, Valley Metro told Axios.Why it matters: Rail — though expensive and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="often controversial" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/14/phoenix-valtrans-delayed-light-rail-expansion-decades" data-vars-content-id="b423013c-e4a7-423a-971e-14613294e8da" data-vars-headline="Mesa and Tempe to decide on streetcar extension in early 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/08/14/phoenix-valtrans-delayed-light-rail-expansion-decades" target="_self">often controversial</a> — can move more people quicker and with less environmental impact than private vehicles.

Metro Phoenix transit use still lags pre-pandemic levels

Public transit ridership in the Phoenix metro area is at 56% of pre-pandemic levels.

Public transit ridership in the Phoenix metro area is at 56% of pre-pandemic levels, according to data from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).<ul><li>That&#x27;s based on September 2023 ridership compared with September 2019.</li></ul>

Waymo to start testing robotaxis on Valley freeways

Adding freeways can cut down drive times by 50%, per the company.

Waymo will start testing its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="autonomous vehicles on Valley freeways" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/04/waymo-phoenix-expansion" data-vars-content-id="c1fc072d-f0df-4761-b578-8131629be7a1" data-vars-headline="Waymo to start testing robotaxis on Valley freeways" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/04/waymo-phoenix-expansion" target="_self">autonomous vehicles on Valley freeways</a> in the coming weeks, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="company announced" data-vars-click-url="https://waymo.com/blog/2024/01/from-surface-streets-to-freeways-safely.html" data-vars-content-id="c1fc072d-f0df-4761-b578-8131629be7a1" data-vars-headline="Waymo to start testing robotaxis on Valley freeways" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://waymo.com/blog/2024/01/from-surface-streets-to-freeways-safely.html" target="_blank">company announced</a> Monday.Why it matters: Waymo currently operates its ride hailing service across <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="225 square miles in metro Phoenix" data-vars-click-url="https://waymo.com/waymo-one-phoenix/" data-vars-content-id="c1fc072d-f0df-4761-b578-8131629be7a1" data-vars-headline="Waymo to start testing robotaxis on Valley freeways" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://waymo.com/waymo-one-phoenix/" target="_blank">225 square miles in metro Phoenix</a>, but its cars use only surface streets. Adding freeways can cut down drive times by 50%, per the company.

A bar chart showing showing the average annual hours of delay experienced by car commuters in the Phoenix metro area from 2010 to 2024. In 2010, commuters spent 50 hours per year delayed in traffic, compared to 61 hours in 2019 and 76 hours in 2024.

Average hours of delay per auto commuter in the Phoenix metro area

Data: Texas A&M Transportation Institute; Note: Includes metro areas with at least 500K residents in 2024, and drivers who typically travel during peak periods; Chart: Axios Visuals

Transit 🚗

Just because the meter's broken doesn't mean you can't get ticketed

Phoenix seeks input on possible changes to "suicide lanes"

Phoenix drivers are spending more time in traffic

Light rail service to south Phoenix gets underway

State Route 30 aims to relieve traffic congestion for booming West Valley