PIMA COUNTY, July 24, 2024 – The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ) is issuing a ground-level Ozone Action Day for the Tucson metropolitan area today. Individuals who are especially sensitive to ozone air pollution may experience shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation, wheezing, and breathing discomfort.  If you are especially sensitive to ozone, you may want to limit your level of exertion outside between noon and sunset when elevated levels of ozone pollution are more likely to occur. Intense physical outdoor activity causes heavier breathing, which allows ozone to penetrate deeper in the lungs. Those who are most likely to be sensitive to ozone include children, adults who are active outdoors, people with respiratory diseases, and certain individuals who have an unusual sensitivity to this particular pollutant. Those people who are feeling symptoms should seek medical attention, if necessary. There are many types of emissions that generate ground-level ozone. Motor vehicle exhaust, industrial and power plant emissions, gasoline vapors, chemical solvents, as well as natural sources, emit oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) that form ozone in the presence of intense sunlight and heat.  Actions to reduce the production of ground level ozone:

• Reduce driving – combine errands into one trip.
• Ride the bus, walk, bike, or share a ride with friends and family.
• Avoid idling your vehicle’s engine.
• Re-fuel your car after dark or during cooler evening hours when vapors are less likely to form ozone.
• While re-fueling, always stop at the click.
• Make sure your gas cap is tightly sealed after re-fueling.
• Avoid using gas-powered lawn and gardening equipment.
• Check your tire pressure monthly and keep tires properly inflated for peak performance.
• Conserve electricity to reduce emissions from power plants.
• Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers and ensure that they are sealed properly.

PDEQ’s Clean Air Program educates Pima County residents about the potential health effects associated with elevated levels of air pollution and promotes actions to reduce air pollution. PDEQ monitors air pollution in our region at 16 air quality monitoring sites. Real-time air pollution levels are available online at the PDEQ website . To receive Air Pollution Action Day advisories, sign up here .

The Pima County Board of Supervisors and the County Health Department are seeking public input on a proposed Heat Ordinance   to protect County employees and workers of businesses contracted with the County who work out in the Arizona heat.   As part of the County’s Beat the Heat plan, this ordinance will include a set of minimum guidelines to protect people exposed to extreme temperatures. A public comment period will be open now until August 6, 2024. Members of the public can read the details here and are encouraged to provide their feedback to: [email protected].    The Board will also hold a public hearing on Monday, August 19, 2024, about the proposed heat ordinance. The meeting will start at 9 a.m. in the Pima County Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 130 W. Congress St. If approved, the ordinance would become effective 30 days after the date of adoption.  NOTE: The only businesses expected to adhere to the proposed ordinance would be all Pima County Departments and any businesses that are contracted to work with the County. Any other businesses in Pima County are welcome to add this heat ordinance to their plans if so inclined.  Visit the Beat the Heat website to learn about how to stay safe in the heat, descriptions of heat illnesses, find a Cooling Center, how to stay safe during power outages, and much more. 

PHOENIX – Bettors in Arizona wagered approximately $568.5 million on sports in May of 2024, according to a new report by the Arizona Department of Gaming. This represents an approximate 25.9% increase when compared to May of 2023. The state collected approximately $4.3 million in privilege fees in the month. You can view the full May report on the ADG website: https://gaming.az.gov/resources/reports

Bianca Lopez will have her final day with Team Sinema on Friday, July 26. Bianca is currently serving as Sen. Sinema’s Border and Immigration Affairs Director. She has been with Sinema for over 10 years (House & Senate). Bianca will take a new role with the Boys and Girls Club as their Director of External Affairs. Please send immigration casework inquiries to [email protected] .     Ben Stewart will have his final day with Team Sinema on Thursday, August 8. Ben is currently serving as Sen. Sinema’s State Director and has been with the Senator for 5 years. Ben will join Arizona Public Service as Senior Advisor for Strategic Engagement in late August. Victoria Okula’s final day with Team Sinema was on Friday, July 19. She served as Sen. Sinema’s Outreach Director for the last two years. Victoria is now with EPCOR as the Local Government Affairs Representative.   For outreach and casework related items, please continue to contact Sen. Sinema’s AZ staff via [email protected] & [email protected] .  

July 24, 2024 — Today, the leaders of Activate 48 , LUCHA , and Our Voice, Our Vote Arizona released the following letter making the case for why U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) would be an exceptional Vice President: With Kamala Harris poised to become the Democratic presidential nominee for 2024, we strongly believe Senator Mark Kelly should be considered for the position as Vice President, and we encourage the national Democratic Party to rally behind a Harris-Kelly ticket. Senator Kelly is a strong advocate on the issues that matter most to the communities we represent. He is a staunch proponent of protecting women’s reproductive rights. He understands what it means to live in a border state and stands with us on creating a path to citizenship for new immigrants. He has proposed bills in the Senate to provide affordable housing to Indigenous Americans in 20 tribes. He fights for clean air and clean energy for all Americans. Mark Kelly cares about us .     In 2020 and 2022, our organizations rallied the efforts of our grassroots movement to elect Senator Kelly to a full term in the Senate. We ran robust voter outreach and GOTV efforts to ensure the needs of our communities were heard at the national level, and we knew Senator Kelly was a champion we could trust. We believed in him then and we believe in him now.  Senator Kelly has kept working-class families, communities of color, and everyday Arizonans at the forefront of his work in Washington, especially at this critical time in our democracy. His commitment to transparency and accountability in government are the reasons our communities can depend on him.  We know Mark Kelly, we trust him, and we are confident that as Vice President, he will continue to be a leader who fights for a free democracy, a thriving economy, and a fighting chance at success for families in Arizona and across the country. Respectfully, Reginald Bolding, Coalition Director, Activate 48 Alejandra Gomez, Executive Director, LUCHA Sena Mohammed, Executive Director, Our Voice, Our Voice Arizona

Phoenix, Ariz. (July 24, 2024) – During their formal meeting earlier today, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved over $130,000 in funding for an East Valley dark-sky discovery center, trail improvements, early education training, and heat relief efforts. “Over the past several years, the East Valley has undergone a significant period of growth and development that isn’t slowing down anytime soon,” said Vice Chairman Thomas Galvin, who represents District 2 on the Board of Supervisors. “To aid this continued expansion, Maricopa County is intentionally investing in projects that enable residents and their families to learn about our natural world, enjoy outdoor spaces, pursue an education, bolster their careers, and live healthy and fulfilling lives.” The largest portion of the Board’s investment will go towards the International Dark Sky Discovery Center in Fountain Hills that teaches Maricopa County residents about the importance of dark skies for humans, animals, and plants. Approximately $100,000 will be used to create hands-on exhibits and camps for school-aged children and subsidize the cost of admission for residents of all ages. “We are so thankful to Supervisor Galvin and the Board for recognizing the importance of the STEM education and dark-sky preservation mission of the International Dark Sky Discovery Center. With the largest telescope in the Phoenix area, a planetarium, and much more, residents will have an amazing experience at this unique facility,” said Joe Bill, President of the Discovery Center.  The Board also approved $10,000 for sign improvements at the Hawes Trail System in the Tonto National Forest. The funds will be used to install three new signs at trailheads to welcome the public, place new signs at intersections of newly created trails, and maintain existing signage throughout the trail system. “The Hawes Trail Alliance was formed to help build, maintain, and enhance the Hawes Trail System to be enjoyed by bikers, hikers, and all outdoor enthusiasts for generations to come,” said Grant Taylor, Co-Founder of the Hawes Trail Alliance. “Our hope is that this new and improved signage will help Maricopa County residents and visitors be safer and more informed while exploring this beautiful trail system.”   From an education standpoint, Maricopa County recognizes that early education training is critical for preparing students to thrive in the highly technical future workplace. That’s why $8,000 is being invested in early education training curriculum, supplemental resources, and aides for students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program at the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) in Mesa. “EVIT appreciates this generous donation to our Early Childhood Education program,” said Superintendent Dr. Chad Wilson. “This funding will help ensure our students have access to resources and materials needed for their training. Thank you to Supervisor Galvin and the Board for recognizing the importance of early childhood education.” The Board is also funding the purchase of critical heat relief supplies like portable evaporative coolers, cooling vests, and durable medical equipment for seniors and individuals with disabilities enrolled in the Maricopa County Human Services Department’s Senior & Adult Services program. “More and more residents over the age of 50 are being disproportionately impacted by the relentless summer heat,” said Jayson Matthews, Interim Director of Maricopa County’s Human Services Department. “Many of them live on fixed incomes and are unable to afford the costs of maintaining, fixing, or replacing their air conditioning units. These supplies will play a vital role in keeping seniors and folks with disabilities cool and safe in the case of an HVAC emergency.” Finally, an additional $3,000 was allocated towards the purchase of dog shoes and leashes for heat relief centers in the continuing effort to help keep pets cool and safe during the stifling summer months. These projects are being funded using Maricopa County Community Solutions Funding allocated by Vice Chairman Galvin. The Board’s Community Solutions Funding is designed to help advance Maricopa County’s strategic goals and provide clear public benefits for Maricopa County residents.