Stories - AZPM

A saguaro cactus in the Grand Canyon National Park is in full bloom, displaying beautiful pink flowers.

Arizona Spotlight for August 11th, 2022

Native plants return to Hermosillo's urban landscape; Tucsonan John Rhodes tells about his family's rodeo history; Meet the new CEO of The Western National Parks Association; and a short story by Aurelie Sheehan.

Forest "greenup" could lead to increased mountain wildfire danger

Monsoon-assisted growth is expected to dry out and may provide fuel for potential fires.

Pima County tourism saw strong rebound in 2021

Report commissioned by local tourism bureau says visitor spending up 77 percent

Lake Mead and the rest of the Colorado River system are shrinking rapidly. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has called for new conservation measures, asking states to conserve a tremendously large amount of water, and giving them a 60-day timeline to formulate a plan for those reductions.

What will Arizona do as its share of Colorado River water diminishes?

We hear about efforts to reassess state allocations and what may come of a billion-dollar fund established this summer.

Looking east towards downtown Tucson from Tumamoc Hill. From January 2022.

Pima County Issues Ground-Level Ozone Advisory

Thursday marks the second consecutive day of an advisory.

A screenshot from "Godzilla vs. Moguera" (A Short Stop motion battle), produced by Jurassic studios (aka Tobias).

Young Arizona filmmaker makes epics in miniature.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Making Tucson more accessible for those with visual impairments; Neighbors come together and transform their alleyway as a means of coping with grief; and a look at the rarely enforced "Stupid motorist" law.

Fire managers have restricted campfires in Arizona to limit the risk of human-caused fire following a wet winter.

Some fire restrictions ease ahead of the holiday weekend

Officials warn to always check restriction status before starting a fire.

Researchers say the smell of the monsoon is good for your health.

Arizonans benefit from the special scent of the monsoon

Scientists find evidence of health benefits in the desert rain.

Part of the Contreras Fire burning near the Kitt Peak Nationla Observatory on June 16, 2022.

Contreras Fire listed as 100% contained

Local management team will hand over control Saturday.

Experts say car batteries last for only three years in desert heat.

Southern Arizona heat takes annual toll on car batteries

Experts say motorists should plan to buy a new one every 3 years.

A June heat wave is typically broken by monsoon rains by the end of the month.

Hot Tucson weather expected to lead to season's first monsoon activity

Forecasters say southern Arizona will get most of the state's rainfall this season.

Snow hangs in Colorado's Elk Mountains in May 2022. The Colorado River gets the majority of its water from high-altitude snowpack, and climate scientists say it's likely that less water than normal will make it into rivers and streams.

For this summer's water forecast, climate experts are looking back to winter

Snow is the key to water in Arizona and other the Colorado River Basin states.

Adia Barnes on Teamwork and Motherhood.

Also on Arizona Spotlight:Can new technology save water on farms? Plus Chris Dashiell remembers Peter Bogdanovich, and a short story read by author Michelle Ross.