Good morning, Tucson.

Over the weekend, Pima Animal Care Center opened its new eastside location at 7225 E.

Broadway Blvd, where more than 200 dogs and 150 cats found new homes and a celebration with live music and giveaways was held. The center now offers set weekday and weekend hours (supporting local pet adoption).

Villas Market, which has served the Hispanic community for nearly 60 years, operates on south side and in Nogales with owner Oscar Villa preserving family heritage amid rising prices while also sponsoring a student athlete program (near Sunnyside High).

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona is inviting residents to volunteer for Days of Caring from Oct.

1 to 17, with projects including park cleanups and support at clothing banks. Community partners are also hosting free food distributions at local sites + such as Pima Community College Downtown Campus on Oct. 1 and TMM Family Services on Oct. 2.

Firefighters rescued an exhausted hiker from the Tucson Mountain Park trail system on Sept.

26 using a specialized Big Wheel device + a paramedic evaluated the patient, who then refused further transport.

AAA data shows gas in Tucson has hit $4.58 per gallon, $1.35 more than last year, and residents like River Havens are turning to extra jobs + switching to fuel-efficient rides as prices steadily rise.

Arizona farmers are squeezed by record diesel prices, with costs hitting $6.45 per gallon on Sept.

22 due in part to a conflict with Iran. Owners like Zach Brooks at Arizona Worm Farm face up to $40,000 extra per year (roughly one salary) as rising fuel costs pressure local operations.

Arizona educators (including many from Pima County) have until 10 p.m. Sept.

30 to apply for one of 500 $2,500 grants from Fiesta Sports Foundation's Wishes for Teachers program, and winners will be notified on Nov. 18.

Today, Sunnyside board examined Proposition 320 that may force cuts to staff outside the classroom and will vote on hiring Core Construction for a $69 million renovation of Sunnyside High School (funded by approved bonds).

Meanwhile, Tanque Verde board met briefly to honor top students and launch a girls flag football program.

The U.S. Forest Service closed public access at border wall construction sites across southern Arizona on Monday at midnight for safety, with fines up to $5,000 and potential jail time (closures near Nogales and in the Patagonia Mountains will last until Jan.

20).

Arizona court leaders reported a cyberattack on the state court system that may have compromised personal data, and notifications are being sent to affected individuals.

Scientists at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson are starting Phase 1 trials for PNA5, a new drug candidate aimed at treating vascular dementia, with testing of 60 healthy volunteers planned for later this year and Phase 2 trials set for 2027 if the initial trial is successful.

Pima County health confirmed a third measles case on Friday in an international visitor exposed in Colorado who is now isolating at home.

Officials urge anyone who visited the Banner (University Medical Center) Emergency Department last Thursday to monitor symptoms and contact Pima County Health if ill.

New federal rules will reduce Arizona Medicaid payments starting in 2028 (cuts of 10-25 percent of budgets), which may lead hospitals and doctors to limit the number of Medicaid patients they serve.

The change follows a tax law signed in July 2025.