Good morning, Tucson.

Tucson toy store owner Lorenia Fierros closed Astro Toys for good and donated hundreds of toys to the Salvation Army just days before the holidays & her gift brightened the season for many children.

Fierros plans to continue spreading joy through mobile toy events and birthday party pop-ups.

On Dec. 10 at 12:43 p.m., the Tucson Fire Department responded to a scrap metal fire at 6581 E.

Drexel Road near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base—firefighters controlled the blaze by 2:12 p.m. with no injuries reported.

Crews battled a scrap metal fire near Davis-Monthan Air Base in Tucson on Dec.

10.

Baker and Taylor ceased operations last fall — leaving Southern Arizona libraries and bookstores scrambling for supplies — as Pima County Public Library prepares to finalize a contract with Ingram Content Group by January and local stores like Desierto Books switch to ordering directly from publishers.

A 28,000-pound all‐copper dome was installed for Casino Del Sol Vahi Taa’am — the new destination for play, dining, and desert-inspired beauty that will soon enhance Tucson’s local scene.

The Center for Biological Diversity announced plans to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today over the lack of habitat protection for Bartram’s stonecrop — a rare succulent in Arizona’s Sky Islands.

Mining and groundwater withdrawals threaten its 4,300 plants.

Arizona will begin a statewide review of teaching standards in early 2026 to assess DEI language tied to federal funding — State Superintendent Tom Horne said draft recommendations will be presented to the Board in September.

The Tucson Fire Department is battling a brush fire south of Davis-Monthan AFB at 6581 East Drexel Road (near Craycroft Road), and officials confirmed the base is not at risk.

DES cut staffing by 36% last summer because of reduced federal funding, leaving about 18,000 SNAP applications pending over 30 days among 54,000 processed.

DES said it is using all available resources — its goal is to speed up reviews so affected families can receive food benefits faster.

Beale Infrastructure, the developer behind Project Blue, is offering $15M in community benefits including $5M for STEM scholarships and renewable energy plans as it seeks Pima County's Board of Supervisors approval to close the public land sale on Christmas Eve near the fairgrounds.

Pima Community College’s men’s soccer team produced three NJCAA Division II All-Americans when selections were announced Tuesday.

Freshman Leonel Gutierrez (Salpointe Catholic HS) earned First Team honors and ACCAC Player of the Year while Eythan Mancilla (Sunnyside HS) and Robert Castaneda (Nogales HS) were named First and Second Team honors.

Blue Dream Trio featuring Chelsee Hicks

10:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. — The Century Room — $10-$15 + Dice fees — Enjoy a late-night jazz session with Chelsee Hicks and holiday classics.

Tucson's Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

4-9 p.m. — Sky Bar Tucson — $15 online ticket — Explore Tucson's nightlife with a fun pub crawl featuring games and prizes.

Rich Hinman vs Adam Levy: An Afternoon of Guitar

4:30-6 p.m. — The Century Room — $20-$30 + DICE fees — Experience the soulful interplay of guitar heavyweights Rich Hinman and Adam Levy in a jazz-infused instrumental performance.

Tucson Speed Dating Event for Singles Ages 35-45

7-9 p.m. — Aloft Tucson University — Cost varies — Meet up to 12 potential matches and discover your next success story in love.

Candlelight: Christmas Special

6:30-8:30 p.m. — La Rosa — Ticket prices vary — Experience a magical evening of festive music under the glow of candlelight featuring 'The Nutcracker' and other holiday classics.

The Nutcracker Returns

7-9 p.m. — Flowing Wells High School Auditorium — General Admission tickets available — Experience a modern twist on the classic Nutcracker with new adventures and holiday traditions.

Late Night with Sounds by Posi

10 PM - 2 AM — Hotel Congress — Free entry — Dance the night away at the Plaza with DJ Posi's evolving beats.

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at Arizona Wildcats Basketball

7-9 p.m. — McKale Memorial Center — Enjoy an exciting basketball game between two competing teams.

Circuitous Beer Release

3-9 p.m. — Pueblo Vida Brewing Company — Cost varies — Experience the intricacies of our new hazy DIPA brimming with berry notes.

Christmas Brunch Buffet

1:15-7:15 p.m. — Tanque Verde Ranch — Adults $80, Children $40 — Indulge in a festive buffet featuring holiday favorites in the serene Sonoran Desert.