Axios Phoenix

April 14, 2026
Happy Tuesday! It's National Gardening Day, so take advantage of the decent weather and spend some time outside with your plants.
☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, high of 79.
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🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Phoenix members Debra Kloehn and Tracy Lepeltak!
Today's newsletter is 986 words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: El Niño could be super for Arizona
Meteorologists are bracing for what some are calling a "super El Niño," which could result in cooler temperatures and a wetter monsoon season for Arizona.
Why it matters: The Valley's been plagued by especially hot summers in recent years, and the region's been suffering through a massive drought for more than two decades.
State of play: El Niño conditions occur when surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean are warmer than average.
- The National Weather Service characterizes increases of 1.5° to 2° Celsius a "strong" El Niño event and anything above as "very strong" or, as some refer to it, a "super El Niño."
- Current estimates predict a 60% chance of a strong El Niño and 15% to 20% of a very strong event, Ryan Worley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Phoenix office, told Axios.
The intrigue: El Niño events usually bring drier conditions, but the NWS' Climate Prediction Center is currently forecasting a wetter-than-normal monsoon season in Arizona due to increased storm activity in the eastern Pacific, per Worley.
- That could cool temperatures as well.
- The wetter and cooler weather could extend into early next year, Worley said.
Reality check: Predicting weather conditions so far out is difficult, he told us.
- "It's not a guarantee, unfortunately, but things look … at least more favorable than they have the past few years to see better rainfall across the state during the summer timeframe," Worley said.
Driving the news: The Climate Prediction Center last week said El Niño conditions are likely to emerge from May to July and persist through the end of the year.
- Conditions would likely peak during winter, Worley said.
Zoom out: A super El Niño wouldn't be as welcome everywhere as it would be here.
- National Geographic reported that the El Niño, which could be the strongest in at least a decade, "may spur punishing drought in some regions and severe storms in others, while also causing the Earth's temperature to rise."
- A strong event could break global heat records next year and lead to a "series of devastating effects," including "supercharged rainstorms" and droughts, per the Guardian.
2. Hobbs threatens vetoes over budget impasse
Gov. Katie Hobbs vowed to veto nearly all bills that come to her desk until GOP lawmakers show her a budget proposal.
Why it matters: Hobbs' threat could jump-start budget negotiations that she walked away from last month over how to spend more than $17 billion in state money next fiscal year.
Catch up quick: Hobbs ended budget talks, citing Republicans' refusal to negotiate with her on renewal of Proposition 123, a voter-approved education funding plan that expired last year.
- She said she'd suspend discussions until GOP leadership produced a budget plan.
- Hobbs spokesperson Christian Slater acknowledged that Republicans provided a budget proposal during negotiations in February, but told Axios the governor believes they should release their plan publicly.
What she's saying: "Arizonans deserve more than these political games," Hobbs said of Republican priorities. "They deserve a budget that cuts taxes for the middle class, funds our public schools and lowers costs for everyday Arizonans. I'm ready to negotiate."
The other side: Senate President Warren Petersen, in a statement to Axios, called the blanket veto threat an "unserious approach to governing."
- House Speaker Steve Montenegro said in a press statement that Hobbs quit budget negotiations "after it became clear her numbers did not add up," and called the moratorium "political theater" meant to distract from that.
- Legislative Republicans will release a new budget proposal in a few weeks, Senate GOP spokesperson Kim Quintero told Axios.
The latest: Hobbs signed and vetoed a slew of bills that were already on her desk Monday.
- She said her veto threat doesn't extend to two bills pertaining to death benefits for first responders and funding for the Department of Public Safety.
3. Chips & salsa: Speed camera scam
🚦 Text messages alleging you were caught by one of Phoenix's new speed cameras are a scam, Phoenix police warns. Actual violators will be notified of tickets via snail mail. (KJZZ)
🏀 Devin Booker jerseys were one of the NBA's most popular this season — and don't forget to wear yours tonight as the Suns fight for a playoff spot against the Portland Trail Blazers. Tipoff is at 7pm. (Arizona Sports)
☕ Mexican coffee shop Caffenio opened a carryout-only location near Phoenix's Papago Park. The cafe debuted its first U.S. shop in Mesa last year. (AZcentral)
❄️ Arizona Snowbowl, which technically closed for the season last weekend, is re-opening for a final hurrah today and tomorrow thanks to a forecasted 8 inches of snow in Flagstaff. Lift tickets start at $1. (Arizona Snowbowl via Facebook)
4. 💸 Charity > taxes
If you owe state taxes (those are due tomorrow, btw) you have one more chance to direct your dollars to a local nonprofit.
Why it matters: You have to pay one way or another, and Phoenix charities are eager to put your money to work.
How it works: Arizona law allows donations made to qualified charity organizations through April 15 to be deducted from 2025 state taxes.
- The maximum credit is $495 for a single filer and $987 for couples filing jointly.
- Even filers using the standard deduction can get a partial write-off for charitable donations.
The bottom line: Peruse the long list of eligible charities and act quickly if you want your donation to help with tomorrow's tax deadline.
🎮 Jeremy took his kids to see "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" and enjoyed all the references to the video games he played when he was young.
🐦 Jessica is on baby quail watch in her neighborhood.
Thanks to Jessica for editing.
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