It was a week of new eras arriving in southern Arizona – some immediate, some in the near future.
To start with something almost everyone can agree on, the state appears to be on the verge of getting its fourth national park, thanks to the efforts of Rep. Juan Ciscomani. The Congressman has tried three times to get federal recognition for Chiricahua National Monument, and looks like he may finally succeed – if Trump signs the bill.
(Speaking of Ciscomani, he is, of course, campaigning for reelection in one of the tightest Congressional races in the entire country. He stopped by The Press Room this week to discuss a range of issues. You can watch his appearance here.)
And, well, that’s about it for the uncontroversial stuff. Elsewhere, it was all new detention centers, new missiles, new ransom notes tied to the Nancy Guthrie case and new owners for the Daily Star.
Want to hear more about these stories and everything else from the week that was? Stream AZPM’s News Weekend podcast above.
1. “Prison firm signs contract with ICE for Marana detention facility” (Sept. 30)
After more than a year of speculation, it was confirmed this week that a former prison in Marana is going to be converted into an ICE detention center – and it’s set to begin operating in just two months.
2. “Raytheon awarded $20.7 billion Pentagon missile contract” (Sept. 29)
The Department of War announced it’s giving a bunch of money to Tucson-based weapons manufacturer Raytheon to re-up the country’s stockpile of missiles, which has dwindled in the aftermath of the wars in Iran and Ukraine.
3. “USA Today Co. purchases Arizona Daily Star” (Sept. 28)
The country’s largest media conglomerate has taken full ownership of Tucson’s nearly 150-year-old daily newspaper. How are employees feeling? “Hopeful,” says one columnist.
4. “Officials investigate possible new ransom note in Nancy Guthrie case” (Sept. 29)
Rumors of another ransom note related to the February disappearance of the mother of Today host Savannah Guthrie began to circulate on social media this week. Here’s what we know so far.
5. “Arizona is one step closer to getting its fourth national park” (Oct. 1)
The third time is looking like the charm for Rep. Juan Ciscomani in his long-running quest to have Chiricahua National Monument designated as a national park.
Three For the Week: What to look forward to in the week ahead
- Who’s your great-great-great-great grandaddy? Find out – or at least, find out how to find out – at AZPM’s free Genealogy Workshop on Oct. 6.
La Rosa instantly became Tucson’s coolest music venue when it opened inside the chapel of the former Benedictine Monastery in 2025. The club celebrates its first anniversary on Oct. 9 with sets from Las Azaleas, Bolero Jonze, New Misphoria and Street Blues Family.
- Depending on how early you read this, you might still have time to get down to the Arizona Insect Festival on the UA campus, which runs from 10 am-3 pm on Sunday, Oct. 4. Touch some creepy-crawlies – and if you’ve got the stomach, eat a cricket cookie. Pretty good, actually!
