Well, it’s just about here: the midterm elections are this Tuesday, Nov. 3. And as you can imagine for a news organization, it’s just about all we can think about… if only to take our minds off the arrival of the New World screwworm in Arizona, which also happened this week. Shudder.
AZPM spent this week prepping for the elections by looking at the state races from several different angles, from the border to data centers to local ballot measures such as Prop 421. We even spoke to some reporters from Germany, who’ve also taken an interest in how Arizona is voting.
But the election isn’t all we looked at.
Elsewhere, Tucson Unified School District continued to recommend schools for closure, while making mitigating offers to parents in an effort to keep families in the district. Activist icon Dolores Huerta passed away, and we found archival footage of her marching in Tucson. And then there was that whole screwworm thing, which… well, you’re just going to have to read about it, but maybe put down your bagel and coffee before you do.
Want to hear more about these stories and everything else from the week that was? Stream AZPM’s News Weekend podcast above.
1. “Free childcare, zero layoffs: TUSD makes promises ahead of school closure vote” (Oct. 29)
Tucson Unified School District has recommended multiple elementary and middle schools for closure. Now comes the bargaining, as TUSD looks to convince parents to keep their kids in the district. Education reporter Noor Haghighi attended a district board meeting at Palo Verde High School this week to gauge how families are feeling about the proposed changes. The answer: not great.
2. “Border wall construction is swiftly progressing. Could the midterms change that?” (Oct. 29)
All across the southwest, border wall construction remains a major point of political contention. What might change after this Tuesday’s election? Angela Gervasi explores.
3. “First confirmed AZ case of New World screwworm triggers containment response” (Oct. 29)
Halloween is over, but if you’re still in the mood for some body horror, behold: the first case of the parasitic screwworm in Arizona was confirmed in a dog in Cochise County this week. Warning: some of the images and descriptions are not safe for work, home, public transportation… anywhere you don’t feel comfortable potentially dry-heaving, basically.
4. “Data centers are a major issue this election season. What does that mean for Arizona?” (Oct. 30)
Data centers are a hot-button political issue in 2026. Kieran Hadley looked at the role the debate over these hubs of AI technology is playing in the midterm election in Arizona.
5. “From the Archives: Dolores Huerta talks to Tucson teens about the power of protest” (Oct. 29)
Labor rights icon and activist Dolores Huerta passed away this week at age 96. The co-founder of what would become the United Farm Workers union knew something about the impact of peaceful demonstration: she was arrested around two-dozen times across her life while advocating for the rights of workers. In 2011, she visited Sunnyside High School to discuss, among other things, how protest marches allow the dispossessed to have their voices heard.
Three For the Week: What to look forward to in the week ahead
- As noted, the midterm elections are happening this Tuesday, Nov. 3, and AZPM is planning around-the-clock coverage on radio, web and television. If you haven’t filled out your ballot, check out our Voter Guides, along with all of our other election coverage, at the AZPM Election Center.
- As part of our election coverage this season, we went some of our student workers out into the streets, cafes and classrooms of Tucson to ask young voters about the issues that matter the most to them. This week, the reporters convened with The Press Room’s Tony Perkins to talk about what they discovered. Check out the Student Perspectives Elections Special here.
- Get your skull makeup in order: The All Souls Procession is returning. The parade has been one of Tucson’s biggest annual community events for 37 years. It happens this year on Sunday, Nov. 8. Go here for details.
