The Surprise Resource and Senior Centers will be closed December 24-26, with limited meal services offered. Alternative meal options are available through local senior centers, with details for ordering provided.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs initiates the "Ag-to-Urban" program, issuing the first Groundwater Savings Credits for sustainable growth, water conservation, and housing development.

Casa Grande is accepting applications for its 2026 Resident Leadership Academy to educate residents about local government, with sessions starting February 4, 2026.

Fire management teams at Fort Apache Indian Reservation are conducting pile burning operations and monitoring treated areas for safety, with new burns planned and public cautioned to remain alert.

Maricopa County updated its zoning ordinance to simplify the development process for housing and technology projects, with unanimous approval from the Board of Supervisors.

A pedestrian is in critical condition after being hit by a truck in Buckeye; the driver is arrested, facing reckless driving charges and past traffic warrants. Neither speed nor impairment is currently cited as a cause.

Governor Katie Hobbs nominates Jessica Manuell for the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, highlighting her background in conservation, education, and community engagement.

Maricopa County launches a nonprofit to support shelter pets and enhance their welfare, while also increasing the expenditure cap for animal care donations to $350,000.

Maricopa County is set to increase park fees in 2026 to fund maintenance and resource management; this includes raising entry and annual pass costs, as well as camping and other permit fees.

Arizona Rep. Lisa Fink urges ADHS to align with federal guidance favoring parental choice in newborn hepatitis B vaccinations, following ACIP recommendations and a directive from President Trump.

Senator Ruben Gallego endorses the FAMILY Act, proposing up to 12 weeks of partially paid leave for family and medical reasons, aiming to assist working-class families in Arizona.

Police in Apache Junction seized explosives from a vehicle after de-escalating a crisis situation near a treatment center; the individual involved was referred to mental health services.

The Desert Botanical Garden in Arizona is preserving endangered desert plants by banking seeds and caring for poached cacti, with research on cultivation led by Steve Blackwell.