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Nancy Guthrie case fuels true crime frenzy

Experts warn viral speculation could harm the investigation.

News

The disappearance of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="84-year-old Nancy Guthrie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/02/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-investigation" data-vars-content-id="fbdaecf3-e881-4ecb-bad9-53fa78ef2c6a" data-vars-headline="Nancy Guthrie case fuels true crime frenzy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/02/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-investigation" target="_self">84-year-old Nancy Guthrie</a>, the mother of prominent NBC journalist Savannah Guthrie, has turned Tucson into America&#x27;s latest true crime obsession.The big picture: True crime — the nonfiction portrayal of real criminal activity — has exploded in popularity in recent decades in the form of social media streams, podcasts, TV series, news programming and more.

Rival slates vie for seats on board that sets SRP energy rates

SRP race pits business-backed slate against clean energy team as conservative groups weigh in.

Rival left- and right-leaning slates are battling for seats on the board that sets energy rates and policy for the Salt River Project (SRP).Why it matters: SRP&#x27;s elected district board sets rates and energy policy that affect its 1.1 million Phoenix-area customers. Unlike most Arizona utilities, SRP isn&#x27;t regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Feds push back against states on prediction markets

Arizona disagrees with the feds' claim of exclusive authority over online prediction markets.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is launching a legal campaign to defend its regulatory turf on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prediction markets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/11/coalition-for-prediction-markets-kalshi-crypto" data-vars-content-id="f8a9d0f7-f241-46d2-8ea1-18ccbe2aa9f6" data-vars-headline="Feds push back against states on prediction markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/11/coalition-for-prediction-markets-kalshi-crypto" target="_self">prediction markets</a>, setting up a clash with states like Arizona that have sought to block them.Why it matters: Prediction markets like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kalshi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/17/kalshi-sports-betting-super-bowl" data-vars-content-id="f8a9d0f7-f241-46d2-8ea1-18ccbe2aa9f6" data-vars-headline="Feds push back against states on prediction markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/17/kalshi-sports-betting-super-bowl" target="_self">Kalshi</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Polymarket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/18/polymarket-ceo-sportsbooks-gambling" data-vars-content-id="f8a9d0f7-f241-46d2-8ea1-18ccbe2aa9f6" data-vars-headline="Feds push back against states on prediction markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/18/polymarket-ceo-sportsbooks-gambling" target="_self">Polymarket</a> have been surging in popularity, raising questions about the legality of sports event contracts and other trading opportunities in a growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gambling culture" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/08/polymarket-kalshi-draftkings-fanduel-betting" data-vars-content-id="f8a9d0f7-f241-46d2-8ea1-18ccbe2aa9f6" data-vars-headline="Feds push back against states on prediction markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/08/polymarket-kalshi-draftkings-fanduel-betting" target="_self">gambling culture</a>.

How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities

A radar-based AI device reduced falls from 20 to three per month at one Mesa facility.

Two years ago, a handful of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="assisted living facilities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/05/22/arizona-aging-senior-citizens" data-vars-content-id="e2b8f78b-982f-49bd-84da-dac2ce9d9e31" data-vars-headline="How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2024/05/22/arizona-aging-senior-citizens" target="_self">assisted living facilities</a> in metro Phoenix added a new member to the team to help reduce resident falls. His name is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paul" data-vars-click-url="https://helpany.com/" data-vars-content-id="e2b8f78b-982f-49bd-84da-dac2ce9d9e31" data-vars-headline="How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://helpany.com/" target="_blank">Paul</a>, and he&#x27;s an AI-powered motion detector.Why it matters: Falls are among the most serious health risks for senior citizens, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="peer-reviewed" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7093636/#CR6" data-vars-content-id="e2b8f78b-982f-49bd-84da-dac2ce9d9e31" data-vars-headline="How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7093636/#CR6" target="_blank">peer-reviewed</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="medical research" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12645780/" data-vars-content-id="e2b8f78b-982f-49bd-84da-dac2ce9d9e31" data-vars-headline="How AI helps prevent falls at Arizona senior living facilities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12645780/" target="_blank">medical research</a>.

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.

Arizona seeks prospective bidders for ambitious water importation plan

WIFA hopes the project will ultimately bring in up to 163 billion gallons of water annually.

Arizona&#x27;s Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) took a step toward <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="importing billions of gallons of water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kjzz.org/politics/2024-11-25/this-arizona-agency-is-asking-companies-for-a-plan-to-import-100-billion-gallons-of-water" data-vars-content-id="b6e71045-df95-4cc4-904c-669e1c754d0c" data-vars-headline="Arizona seeks prospective bidders for ambitious water importation plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kjzz.org/politics/2024-11-25/this-arizona-agency-is-asking-companies-for-a-plan-to-import-100-billion-gallons-of-water" target="_blank">importing billions of gallons of water</a> from out of state, but it&#x27;ll likely be many years before that happens. Why it matters: The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) projects that demand for water will increase by at least 1.5 million acre-feet — an acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons — by 2060.

Arizona will conserve water from reduced Colorado River cuts next year

Water users have already agreed to conserve the additional 80,000 acre-feet they're entitled to.

Water

Arizona won&#x27;t take as big a cut as expected from its allocation of water from the Colorado River next year due to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unusually wet winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/01/18/phoenix-above-average-rain-reverse-drought" data-vars-content-id="09b1c02c-bb31-4073-bc36-2e71831ba0bb" data-vars-headline="Arizona will conserve water from reduced Colorado River cuts next year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2023/01/18/phoenix-above-average-rain-reverse-drought" target="_self">unusually wet winter</a>.Yes, but: That&#x27;s unlikely to do much, if anything, to alleviate the ongoing &quot;megadrought&quot; or change the need for conservation measures that have been implemented recently.