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Huge new housing developments planned for Surprise

The planned housing developments would be in the booming Sun Valley Parkway corridor.

News

Nearly 2,400 new homes could be coming to one of the Valley&#x27;s major growth corridors in Surprise. Why it matters: The Phoenix metro area is suffering from a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing shortage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/05/12/arizona-housing-shortage-common-sense-institute-report" data-vars-content-id="89d18975-500b-46c9-a8e2-caecc22e194a" data-vars-headline="Huge new housing developments planned for Surprise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/05/12/arizona-housing-shortage-common-sense-institute-report" target="_self">housing shortage</a>, which has driven up home prices and contributed to increasing homelessness.

New-look Sun Devils aim to surprise after a wave of departures

Kenny Dillingham is hoping a rapidly rebuilt roster can contend.

Sports

The Sun Devils find themselves in a familiar position heading into the 2026 season — overlooked and hoping to prove people wrong.Catch up quick: ASU put quite the target on its back two years ago, when second-year coach Kenny Dillingham and transfers Sam Leavitt and Cam Skattebo led the squad <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to a Big 12 title" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/11/25/asu-s-big-12-championship-dreams" data-vars-content-id="c471c49f-e162-4b8c-8aab-15793b2c6e8e" data-vars-headline="New-look Sun Devils aim to surprise after a wave of departures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/11/25/asu-s-big-12-championship-dreams" target="_self">to a Big 12 title</a> and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spot in the College Football Playoff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/01/02/asu-peach-bowl-skattebo-dillingham" data-vars-content-id="c471c49f-e162-4b8c-8aab-15793b2c6e8e" data-vars-headline="New-look Sun Devils aim to surprise after a wave of departures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2025/01/02/asu-peach-bowl-skattebo-dillingham" target="_self">spot in the College Football Playoff</a>.

Tempe plans dementia-friendly park

The park will have wide paths, landscaping and a fenced area where people can safely walk.

A unique age- and dementia-friendly park is coming to Tempe.Why it matters: Older adults make up 20% of the country&#x27;s population but only 4% of park users, and Arizona has America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest-growing rate of Alzheimer&#x27;s disease" data-vars-click-url="https://www.azfamily.com/2023/08/08/alzheimers-cases-arizona-growing-alarming-rate-more-than-any-other-state/" data-vars-content-id="523711d0-76ff-41e5-8859-5f0b9b3f296d" data-vars-headline="Tempe plans dementia-friendly park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.azfamily.com/2023/08/08/alzheimers-cases-arizona-growing-alarming-rate-more-than-any-other-state/" target="_blank">fastest-growing rate of Alzheimer&#x27;s disease</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the city" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-services/parks/parks-capital-improvements-plan/dementia-age-friendly-park?utm_source=City+of+Tempe&amp;utm_campaign=a9d3393b88-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_09_01_03_49&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-a9d3393b88-61504274#!/" data-vars-content-id="523711d0-76ff-41e5-8859-5f0b9b3f296d" data-vars-headline="Tempe plans dementia-friendly park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tempe.gov/government/community-services/parks/parks-capital-improvements-plan/dementia-age-friendly-park?utm_source=City+of+Tempe&amp;utm_campaign=a9d3393b88-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_09_01_03_49&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-a9d3393b88-61504274#!/" target="_blank">per the city</a>.

Take the Axios Phoenix news quiz!

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 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quiz" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/47247141.5209/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL3Bob2VuaXgvMjAyNi8wOC8yOC9heGlvcy1waG9lbml4LW5ld3MtcXVpei1hdWctMjgtMjAyNj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3Bob2VuaXgmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/629a8831397511fcda0d6a2bB4841b5ec" data-vars-content-id="b8e69379-9a2d-4528-b079-cd466b9b6380" 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="https://link.axios.com/click/47247141.5209/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL3Bob2VuaXgvMjAyNi8wOC8yOC9heGlvcy1waG9lbml4LW5ld3MtcXVpei1hdWctMjgtMjAyNj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249bmV3c2xldHRlcl9heGlvc2xvY2FsX3Bob2VuaXgmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/629a8831397511fcda0d6a2bB4841b5ec" target="_self">quiz</a>.Congratulations to last week&#x27;s perfect scorers: Chris M., Peter W., Kevin O. Craig F., Clark O. and Matt G.

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.

Arizona's infrastructure is barely scraping by, engineers say

The state received a "not acceptable" C grade.

Transit

Arizona&#x27;s infrastructure — the roads, bridges, water systems and more that make living in the state possible — leaves a lot to be desired, earning a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mediocre C grade" data-vars-click-url="https://infrastructurereportcard.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/irc_report-az_2026_web.pdf" data-vars-content-id="42e2c582-a7e7-4771-8ad2-f88bfdda6592" data-vars-headline="Arizona&#x27;s infrastructure is barely scraping by, engineers say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://infrastructurereportcard.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/irc_report-az_2026_web.pdf" target="_blank">mediocre C grade</a> from the state chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).Why it matters: Facing population growth, the state and its municipalities have yet to dedicate the massive amounts of funding required to address significant infrastructure demands.

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.

Hobbs hopeful on Colorado River deal

Hobbs says Colorado River states won't meet federal deadline but sees progress in water talks.

Gov. Katie Hobbs doesn&#x27;t expect Colorado River basin states to make a deal by the federal government&#x27;s Feb. 14 deadline, but she said she heard increased willingness from upper basin states to agree to cuts at an unprecedented <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="meeting of governors in Washington, D.C." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/01/29/colorado-river-negotiations-hobbs-washington-dc-water-proposals" data-vars-content-id="f0e07f56-2fb9-4513-b610-574c1d4cebb5" data-vars-headline="Hobbs hopeful on Colorado River deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/01/29/colorado-river-negotiations-hobbs-washington-dc-water-proposals" target="_self">meeting of governors in Washington, D.C.</a>Why it matters: Arizona has low-priority water rights from the Colorado River, meaning it&#x27;s at the top of the list for cuts amid shortages, which have been prevalent as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regional drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/04/arizona-drought-water-cutbacks" data-vars-content-id="f0e07f56-2fb9-4513-b610-574c1d4cebb5" data-vars-headline="Hobbs hopeful on Colorado River deal" 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">regional drought</a> persists.

Hobbs heads to D.C. for Colorado River talks as feds' deadline approaches

Hobbs heads to D.C. for Colorado River talks as Arizona officials blast federal water proposals.

Arizona water officials are blasting a set of federal proposals for a new Colorado River agreement as Gov. Katie Hobbs heads to Washington, D.C., with hopes of breaking the impasse over the critical waterway.Why it matters: Arizona has low-priority water rights from the Colorado River, meaning it&#x27;s at the top of the list for cuts amid shortages, which have been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prevalent" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/05/22/arizona-california-nevada-proposed-colorado-river-cuts" data-vars-content-id="86414686-45e6-41b2-a2df-cb53b4a9a1e6" data-vars-headline="Hobbs heads to D.C. for Colorado River talks as feds&#x27; deadline approaches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/05/22/arizona-california-nevada-proposed-colorado-river-cuts" target="_self">prevalent</a> as a regional <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/04/arizona-drought-water-cutbacks" data-vars-content-id="86414686-45e6-41b2-a2df-cb53b4a9a1e6" data-vars-headline="Hobbs heads to D.C. for Colorado River talks as feds&#x27; deadline approaches" 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">drought</a> persists.

Programs providing water for areas hit by homebuilding moratorium

Water programs to fuel housing in fast-growing areas have been hit by homebuilding moratoriums.

Two programs intended to bolster water supplies for housing in Arizona&#x27;s fast-growing, drought-stricken areas are gaining momentum.Why it matters: Gov. Katie Hobbs in 2023 imposed a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moratorium on homebuilding" data-vars-click-url="http://t/" data-vars-content-id="b963f283-0afc-442f-93ac-839e6a68c8b1" data-vars-headline="Programs providing water for areas hit by homebuilding moratorium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://t/" target="_blank">moratorium on homebuilding</a> in the rapidly growing Buckeye and Queen Creek communities unless they used water sources other than groundwater.

WIFA evaluating 6 proposed water importation projects

WIFA could choose up to six projects for feasibility evaluations.

Arizona&#x27;s Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) has six proposals it could fund for projects that could eventually <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="import billions of gallons of water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/12/11/arizona-water-infrastructure-finance-authority-bidders-importation-project" data-vars-content-id="d631d918-b5c3-4de7-a5bf-64312345517c" data-vars-headline="WIFA evaluating 6 proposed water importation projects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/12/11/arizona-water-infrastructure-finance-authority-bidders-importation-project" target="_self">import billions of gallons of water</a> into the drought-stricken state.Why it matters: The Colorado River basin, which includes Arizona, has been in a historic &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="megadrought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/14/southwest-megadrought-driest-1200-years" data-vars-content-id="d631d918-b5c3-4de7-a5bf-64312345517c" data-vars-headline="WIFA evaluating 6 proposed water importation projects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/14/southwest-megadrought-driest-1200-years" target="_self">megadrought</a>&quot; for more than two decades, while demand for water is steadily increasing.

Proposed federal land sale stokes concerns over Utah water pipeline

Some land that could be sold to a Utah county follows the Lake Powell Pipeline's proposed route.

A proposed sale of federal land to local governments in Utah is raising concerns that it could help pave the way for a controversial water pipeline from Lake Powell.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lake Powell Pipeline" data-vars-click-url="https://lpputah.org/" data-vars-content-id="34ef2644-0ba2-469f-997f-ea4076a4d6aa" data-vars-headline="Proposed federal land sale stokes concerns over Utah water pipeline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lpputah.org/" target="_blank">Lake Powell Pipeline</a> is a proposed 143-mile duct that would transport 86,000 acre-feet of water annually from the lake into southwestern Utah.

Water supply issues are hindering Buckeye's growth

State law requires new subdivisions in urban areas to prove they have 100-year water supplies.

Buckeye is missing one key ingredient to continue its astounding growth — water.Catch up quick: In 2023, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="halt groundwater certifications for new housing subdivisions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/01/arizona-restricts-phoenix-housing-groundwater-shortage" data-vars-content-id="245ddbed-c917-4574-992d-3346b139f010" data-vars-headline="Water supply issues are hindering Buckeye&#x27;s growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/01/arizona-restricts-phoenix-housing-groundwater-shortage" target="_self">halt groundwater certifications for new housing subdivisions</a> in rapidly growing Buckeye and Queen Creek.

Arizona preparing for possible litigation over Colorado River water negotiations

Arizona is negotiating a new agreement with other Colorado River basin states

Politics

Arizona is hoping for consensus but preparing for a possible legal battle as it negotiates a new multistate agreement over how <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Colorado River water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/04/19/colorado-river-ranked-most-endangered" data-vars-content-id="6a0b913b-8253-414c-91f2-6cdc24dfd47a" data-vars-headline="Arizona preparing for possible litigation over Colorado River water negotiations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/04/19/colorado-river-ranked-most-endangered" target="_self">Colorado River water</a> is allocated in the event additional cuts are needed.Why it matters: A new agreement could ease the burden on Arizona water users — particularly those in the central part of the state who are dependent on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Central Arizona Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/01/19/new-cap-general-manager-arizona-colorado-river-water-cuts" data-vars-content-id="6a0b913b-8253-414c-91f2-6cdc24dfd47a" data-vars-headline="Arizona preparing for possible litigation over Colorado River water negotiations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/01/19/new-cap-general-manager-arizona-colorado-river-water-cuts" target="_self">Central Arizona Project</a> (CAP) water — when drought and depleted reservoirs force cuts.<ul><li>The CAP has what&#x27;s known as junior priority water rights from the Colorado River, meaning it&#x27;s at the top of the list for cuts amid shortages.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shortages and cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/05/22/arizona-california-nevada-proposed-colorado-river-cuts" data-vars-content-id="6a0b913b-8253-414c-91f2-6cdc24dfd47a" data-vars-headline="Arizona preparing for possible litigation over Colorado River water negotiations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/05/22/arizona-california-nevada-proposed-colorado-river-cuts" target="_self">Shortages and cuts</a> have become regular occurrences due to a 24-year &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="6a0b913b-8253-414c-91f2-6cdc24dfd47a" data-vars-headline="Arizona preparing for possible litigation over Colorado River water negotiations" 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 ranks as the region&#x27;s worst in 1,200 years.</li></ul>The latest: In her budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year, Gov. Katie Hobbs proposed giving $3 million to the Arizona Department of Water Resources for future litigation over the agreement.<ul><li>Hobbs prefers a negotiated compromise, but the funds send a message that &quot;we are prepared to fight for Arizona&#x27;s fair share no matter what happens,&quot; the governor&#x27;s spokesperson, Christian Slater, told reporters during a recent budget presentation.</li><li>State Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, who will play a leading role in negotiating the Arizona Senate&#x27;s approval of any Colorado River agreement, told Axios it would be &quot;foolish&quot; to not have a litigation fund in place.</li></ul>Catch up quick: The seven Colorado River basin states agreed to guidelines in 2007 that dictate how cuts are allocated during water shortages.<ul><li>Those directives were amended by a 2019 Drought Contingency Plan.</li><li>The 2007 guidelines expire at the end of next year.</li></ul>State of play: A 1922 compact dictates how much water each state is entitled to, but levels have consistently fallen short of the amount of water that agreement anticipated.<ul><li>If the basin states can&#x27;t agree, they could end up with a resolution mandated by the federal government.</li><li>The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation released a set of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="options" data-vars-click-url="https://nevadacurrent.com/2024/11/21/feds-release-long-term-colorado-river-management-options-including-water-cutbacks/" data-vars-content-id="6a0b913b-8253-414c-91f2-6cdc24dfd47a" data-vars-headline="Arizona preparing for possible litigation over Colorado River water negotiations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nevadacurrent.com/2024/11/21/feds-release-long-term-colorado-river-management-options-including-water-cutbacks/" target="_blank">options</a> in November that could impose as much as 4 million acre-feet in cuts on the lower basin states annually.</li></ul>The intrigue: The primary schism in the ongoing negotiations is between the lower basin states of Arizona, California and Nevada and the upper basin states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University&#x27;s Morrison Institute for Public Policy, tells Axios.<ul><li>Lower basin states want the upper basin to take a greater share of future cuts, and Arizona wants other states to help ensure that CAP water continues flowing, Porter said.</li><li>Arizona also needs to ensure that adequate amounts of water remain in Lake Mead, a key reservoir that powers Hoover Dam.</li><li>Upper basin states that don&#x27;t use their full allocations want cuts to come from the lower basin.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;They&#x27;re absolutely at an impasse,&quot; Porter said of the upper and lower basins. &quot;They seem to be so far apart and there doesn&#x27;t seem to be any path to coming to agreement at this point.&quot;<ul><li>Porter said the likelihood of an agreement seems &quot;extremely low.&quot;</li></ul>What we&#x27;re watching: The negotiations overlap with the change from the Biden to the Trump administration, and it&#x27;s unclear how that transition may affect a final agreement.