Arizonans may get a chance to overhaul the commission that redraws the state's congressional and legislative districts every decade.

Why it matters: A proposal under consideration in the Legislature would ensure that a single tiebreaking vote can't give one party control of what's intended to be an independent process that determines who represents Arizonans in Congress and the Legislature.

State of play: The legislative ballot referral would expand the commission from five to nine members — three Democrats, three Republicans and three who don't belong to either party, one of whom would serve as chair.

• The Fair and Independent Redistricting Commission, as the panel would be renamed, would need at least six members to approve district maps.

The intrigue: The measure aims to fix perhaps the biggest complaint about Arizona's current process: that it centralizes too much power under the independent chair, who serves as make-or-break tiebreaker between Republicans and Democrats, Sen. J.D. Mesnard (R-Chandler), the sponsor, told colleagues in the Senate.

Between the lines: The measure would require the most- and least-populous legislative districts to be within 5,000 people, a smaller population deviation than currently allowed.

Threat level: This will likely hinder efforts to ensure Native American representation in the Legislature.

• Legislative District 6, which includes the Navajo Nation, was drawn with nearly 21,000 fewer people than the most-populous district, but was carefully crafted to ensure voters could elect Native American candidates.
• "The premise of this bill is to silence the voice of tribal membership, tribal nations at this level," Sen. Theresa Hatathlie (D-Coal Mine) said on the Senate floor on Monday.

What they're saying: Mesnard told Axios he's willing to support an amendment that would exempt tribal nations but won't budge on the population limit, noting in a committee last month, "there's kind of nothing more fundamental than equal representation."

What's next: The measure goes to the House after Senate Republicans approved it on a party-line vote Monday.

Read more

After a very brief heat reprieve brought on by Monday's storm, temperatures are expected to climb once again, with some forecasts calling for 100-degree weather next week.

👎 Why it matters: That's more than a month sooner than we're supposed to see triple-digit temperatures.

State of play: To add a bit of levity to our least favorite time of the year, we're asking you all to share your guesses as to when Phoenix Sky Harbor will record 100 degrees and 110 degrees for the first time.

• And for a fun bonus, you can also guess the hottest high temperature we'll see in 2026.

By the numbers: The average first 100-degree day arrives on May 2, though the earliest occurrence came March 26, 1988, per the National Weather Service.

• And we typically hit 110 degrees on June 11, with the earliest occurrence recorded on May 8, 1989.

Take our poll

😈 ASU defeated Baylor in the first round of the Big 12 men's basketball tournament. The Sun Devils play Iowa State today at 9:30am. (Sports Illustrated)

🐘 Republicans chose three candidates to fill the Arizona House vacancy left by the resignation of former Rep. Joseph Chaplik (R-Scottsdale). The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will choose the new representative. (KJZZ)

👀 The paid suspension of Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky's chief of staff Lamar Whitmer was again extended for 10 days. He's been on leave since Jan. 14 for unspecified alleged violations of city policy. (ABC15)

🚨 Phoenix police arrested 30-year-old Michael Dominguez on Monday and booked him on several charges for allegedly firing paintballs and BBs at a north Phoenix mosque over the weekend. (Arizona's Family)

UofA's "Bear Down" rallying cry turns 100 this year, and the university is giving it a national platform.

Catch up quick: In 1926, student body president and quarterback John Byrd "Button" Salmon was in a fatal car crash.

• As the story goes, his final message for his teammates was, "Tell them…tell the team to bear down," and the university immediately adopted the phrase as its official motto.

The latest: To celebrate the 100th anniversary, the university has launched an ad campaign to showcase student and faculty "Bear Down" moments through the decades — from creating the Center for Creative Photography to developing the first FDA-approved total artificial heart.

What's next: Catch the commercials during the upcoming Big 12 and NCAA basketball tournaments, where the UofA men's basketball team is expected to make a big splash.