The Targeted One-Time Crisis Assistance program began July 6, 2026, and the city announced it July 7. Eligible households can receive $600 applied to a utility account and $100 in transportation assistance through either a gas card or a bus or light-rail pass.

The program is intended for households that lost all of their SNAP benefits on or after October 1, 2025. It does not replace SNAP benefits; instead, it provides limited, one-time local assistance for essential expenses.

Who can apply

Applicants must currently live in Phoenix or receive City of Phoenix water services. They also must document a complete loss of SNAP benefits that occurred on or after the October 1, 2025, eligibility date.

Applications require photo identification, proof of residence, a SNAP case number and utility account information. Each household may receive the assistance only once between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.

The Phoenix Human Services Department is administering the program. Applications remain open while funding lasts, so the eligibility window does not guarantee that every household that applies will receive assistance before the money is exhausted.

City budget provides the funding

The program was created through a $3.15 million supplemental budget allocation for Flexible Financial Assistance. The Phoenix City Council approved the city’s fiscal 2026–27 budget on May 19, 2026, including the supplemental allocation that supports this assistance.

For households that qualify, the benefit is divided between two immediate costs: $600 directed to a utility account and $100 for transportation. The transportation portion can be provided as a gas card or as a pass for the city’s bus and light-rail system.

That structure gives the program a narrow but practical local focus. It is designed to help with two costs that can affect a household’s ability to keep utilities active and travel to work, appointments or other necessary destinations. The approved city information does not state how many households the $3.15 million allocation is expected to serve.

What happens next

Eligible Phoenix households can apply during the program period, subject to the availability of funds and the required documentation. The one-time benefit period runs through June 30, 2027, but applications may close earlier if the allocation is spent.

The city’s announcement does not identify how much funding remained as of August 8, 2026. Residents considering an application should be prepared to provide the required identification, residence, SNAP and utility-account records and should not assume that the program will provide recurring support.

The assistance is a Phoenix-administered response to a loss of federal food benefits. The city has not identified in the announcement a specific federal policy as the cause of those SNAP losses.

The four-day gathering brings a national gymnastics competition and an industry event to Phoenix during the city’s current convention and sports-hosting calendar. The City of Phoenix identified the city as the host location and announced the Aug. 6-9 schedule.

A competition and industry gathering

The championships are the central sports event. Alongside them, USA Gymnastics is holding its National Congress and Trade Show, bringing the organization’s professional and industry programming into the same Phoenix event window.

That combination gives the event two local dimensions. It is a competition for athletes and spectators, but it is also a convention-style gathering connected to the gymnastics industry. The city has promoted the event as part of its convention and sports-hosting activity.

The approved event information does not include an attendance total, ticket-sales figure or estimate of economic impact. It also does not provide a complete venue-by-venue schedule. Those details should not be inferred from the event’s national profile or from its presence in Phoenix.

Why the Phoenix location matters

Hosting a national competition and an industry gathering places Phoenix in the role of both sports venue and convention destination for the Aug. 6-9 period. The event is scheduled at Phoenix-area venues, with the Phoenix Convention Center among the local entities identified in the city’s event information.

For the city, the immediate significance is the use of Phoenix facilities and services for a major organized event. The gathering adds another nationally oriented competition to the city’s convention and sports-hosting activity, while creating a reason for athletes, gymnastics professionals and other attendees to be in Phoenix during the four-day window.

The available official information does not quantify how many visitors are attending or how the event is affecting hotels, restaurants, transportation or city revenue. It supports the event’s local status and schedule, but not specific claims about visitor volume or financial results.

What happens next

The championships, National Congress and Trade Show are scheduled to remain in Phoenix through Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. The next confirmed milestone is the conclusion of the event at the end of that scheduled window.

As of the current Aug. 7 news cycle, the City of Phoenix newsroom lists convention and city-service activity in Phoenix. The available material does not identify additional public deadlines, attendance updates or post-event economic reporting tied specifically to the gymnastics championships.

For now, the confirmed local development is straightforward: Phoenix is serving as host for the 2026 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships and the related USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show, with the event continuing through Aug. 9.

The investigation found that crews skipped or accelerated required procedures, failed to recognize that the helicopter was over populated areas and placed civilians at risk. The findings were reported by KJZZ on July 31.

What happened over Phoenix and Tempe

The Army MH-60M Black Hawk, operated by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, departed from the Papago Park Arizona National Guard base in Tempe and landed at Sky Harbor about 10 minutes later.

Phoenix and Tempe fire crews responded to reports of a low-flying helicopter releasing fuel near Priest Drive and 10th Street and near Sixth Street and Wilson Street. Responders found dry petroleum residue on nearby vehicles, according to local response records described in KJZZ’s reporting.

The Army investigation also said one resident self-transported to a hospital after the incident. That finding does not establish broader injuries or long-term health effects.

Why the helicopter released fuel

The helicopter had been grounded because of maintenance issues and needed to be transported to Tacoma, Washington, for repairs. The Army had considered moving it by truck, but that option could take up to three weeks.

An available Air Force C-17 created a faster opportunity to move the aircraft. The C-17 was available on Feb. 6, creating a tight deadline for getting the helicopter to Sky Harbor. The aircraft was too heavy to load with fuel aboard, and neither Papago Park nor Sky Harbor had the equipment needed to defuel it.

Army personnel therefore planned a short flight from Tempe to Sky Harbor while releasing fuel to reduce the helicopter’s weight. The investigation describes the release as intentional rather than simply the result of a leaking tank.

What investigators found went wrong

Investigators said crews skipped or accelerated necessary steps because of time constraints. The crew believed it had enough altitude to avoid negative effects from the fuel release, but could not recall the altitude and did not realize the flight was over populated areas.

The report said there was no precedent that would make a low-altitude fuel release over a populated area acceptable and concluded that the action placed civilians in harm’s way. Those are the investigation’s findings and conclusions, not a court judgment or criminal finding.

What remains undisclosed

The report redacts both the amount of fuel released and the altitude at which it was released. The available records therefore do not support a precise estimate of the quantity that reached the ground or the full geographic extent of the residue.

People seeking compensation for documented effects can contact the Army’s Fort Huachuca Claims Office at 520-533-2212, according to KJZZ. The sources reviewed for this article do not establish penalties, discipline, lawsuits, long-term environmental contamination or long-term health effects.

Sources

• U.S. Army AR 15-6 safety investigation report
• KJZZ: Army report details why a Black Hawk helicopter intentionally dumped fuel on Phoenix, Tempe

The National Weather Service Phoenix office issued an Extreme Heat Warning at 11:48 p.m. MST Saturday, August 1, for the Phoenix metropolitan area. The warning is in effect through 8 p.m. MST Tuesday, August 4, and identifies a major to extreme heat risk, with increased danger of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The warning makes heat relief an immediate public-services issue for Phoenix residents, especially outdoor workers, older adults, children, people experiencing homelessness and anyone without reliable air conditioning.

Where Phoenix residents can cool down

The city lists a 24/7 Respite and Navigation Center at 20 W. Jackson St. as an around-the-clock location with cooling space, water, navigation services and connections to shelter and other resources for anyone who needs them.

Justa Center, at 1001 W. Jefferson St., is open to the public as a cooling center from 3 to 9 p.m. daily.

Cholla Library, at 10050 Metro Pkwy E., offers cooling access along with full library services. It is open until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with Sunday and holiday hours from noon to 9 p.m.

Hours and availability can change, so residents should check current city information before traveling to a location.

Transportation and water assistance

People who need transportation to a cooling center or other heat-relief location can call 2-1-1 daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The service can also help residents locate water and other heat-relief resources.

Phoenix’s 2026 Heat Response Plan, identified by the city as a draft dated February 13, describes a broader Heat Relief Network that includes cooling centers, hydration stations, respite centers and extended-hour services. The plan says Phoenix would operate one 24/7 Heat Respite and Navigation Center for the heat season.

Demand is already high

Nearly 30,000 people had visited Phoenix heat-relief centers by July 24, according to Arizona’s Family. The outlet reported that Phoenix city officials had recorded 31 heat-related deaths as of that date, with 321 additional deaths under investigation. The cases under investigation should not be treated as confirmed deaths.

Those figures provide context for the current warning but do not establish that the latest heat period alone caused the visits or deaths. The Associated Press reported that Phoenix was expected to reach 116 degrees on August 1 as part of a broader Western heat event.

Recognize heat illness

Residents should limit strenuous outdoor activity, move to a cool or shaded place when symptoms appear and drink water regularly. Dizziness, nausea, headache, weakness, confusion and unusual fatigue can signal heat illness.

Suspected heat stroke is an emergency. Call 911, move the person to a cool location and take steps to lower their body temperature while waiting for help.

The warning and service hours can change as conditions develop. Phoenix residents should check the latest National Weather Service alert and city heat-relief information before heading outside or traveling to a cooling site.

Sources

• National Weather Service Phoenix Extreme Heat Warning
• City of Phoenix heat-relief sites and hours
• Arizona's Family report on Phoenix cooling-center use and heat deaths

The agreement sets the operating framework for the countywide primary, which is underway. It comes amid a broader 2026 election calendar in which Maricopa County says it will administer four elections, including state and national elections in August and November.

Agreement follows mediated negotiations

County officials said the agreement resulted from mediated negotiations between the Board of Supervisors and the Recorder’s Office. The two offices play central roles in county election administration, and the announced arrangement provides a shared plan for primary-election operations.

The county said those operations will be governed by a 12-point plan detailed in an Arizona Supreme Court order in Heap v. State. The announcement ties the plan to that court order, but the materials provided do not establish that the agreement resolves every issue in the underlying case.

Neither the county announcement nor the available News Flash material identifies specific operational changes from prior election procedures. The available material also does not provide the full agreement or a complete public listing of all 12 points.

What is known — and what is not

The confirmed development is that the Board of Supervisors and Recorder’s Office agreed on rules to administer the 2026 primary. The county has not, in the supplied announcement material, described how each part of the 12-point plan will be carried out or which procedures, if any, differ from earlier practice.

That distinction matters because the announcement establishes an operating agreement for the primary without supplying enough detail to independently characterize every requirement of the plan. The county’s notice also does not set out separate election procedures for Phoenix.

Phoenix is within Maricopa County, and the agreement applies to countywide primary-election operations. The county published the announcement through its official News Flash system.

Next on the county’s election calendar

The immediate next step identified in the announcement is administration of the 2026 primary under the agreed framework. Maricopa County’s 2026 schedule also includes state and national elections in August and November.

No additional implementation deadline, primary-election date or full public breakdown of the 12-point plan was included in the approved source material. Until more detail is released, the agreement is best understood as the county’s announced framework for operating the 2026 primary rather than a public account of every election procedure it covers.

The nomination makes Biggs the Republican candidate in the race scheduled to determine Arizona’s next governor on Nov. 3, 2026. Hobbs is the sitting governor.

Biggs’ win was reported before the state completes its official statewide canvass. Arizona’s election calendar lists Aug. 6, 2026, as the date for the canvass of the July 21 primary.

Canvass is the next statewide election step

County canvasses began July 27, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s 2026 election information. The statewide canvass is scheduled after that county-level process and remains the next listed statewide step in finalizing the primary election.

As of Aug. 2, the official statewide canvass was still pending. Biggs should not be described as governor-elect: the November general election, rather than the Republican primary, will decide who becomes Arizona’s next governor.

The available reporting does not provide a complete vote total or margin for Biggs’ nomination victory. The reported result establishes his position as the Republican nominee while the state’s formal canvass remains ahead.

A contest between a former congressman and the governor

Biggs previously represented Arizona in the U.S. House. He also chaired the House Freedom Caucus from 2019 through 2022, a period that forms part of the political background cited in reporting on his gubernatorial bid.

His nomination places a former Arizona congressman and former leader of the conservative House caucus in the race against Hobbs, the Democratic incumbent. The contest is one of Arizona’s principal 2026 statewide elections because it will determine the governor for the next term.

For voters, the remaining dates on the state calendar are Aug. 6 for the official statewide primary canvass and Nov. 3 for the general election. Biggs and Hobbs are set to be the Republican and Democratic candidates, respectively, in that November contest.

The City of Phoenix’s 2026 election calendar lists Aug. 5 as the deadline for pro and con ballot-measure arguments to be submitted to the City Clerk. It is the next dated step identified in the city’s published schedule for ballot measures.

Arguments due to the City Clerk

The calendar applies to Phoenix’s 2026 municipal election process and identifies the City Clerk as the office receiving the arguments. The deadline concerns written arguments for and against ballot measures, rather than a vote on the measures themselves.

Those submissions matter because they will determine which official pro and con arguments are presented to voters in election materials. The filing date also creates a near-term opportunity for the public to seek election information and records before ballot materials are finalized.

The published calendar does not identify the specific ballot measures for which arguments may be submitted. It also does not name committees or other participants expected to file arguments.

What the deadline does not establish

The Aug. 5 deadline does not by itself confirm that any particular measure has qualified for the 2026 ballot. The calendar also does not say how many measures, if any, will ultimately appear before Phoenix voters.

Nor does the deadline indicate whether an argument for or against a measure reflects the views of Phoenix voters generally. It sets a procedural date in the city election schedule, not a measure of public support or an election forecast.

Phoenix voters, candidates and political committees now have the city’s listed deadline for submitting ballot-measure arguments. Additional City Clerk filings would be needed to identify particular measures and the people or groups participating in the argument process.

Part of the 2026 election schedule

The City of Phoenix published the calendar as its “Key Dates for Candidates 2026” schedule. In addition to placing the argument deadline on Aug. 5, the document serves as the city’s official calendar for the 2026 municipal election process.

For voters, the immediate significance is limited but practical: the deadline marks when the record of submitted pro and con arguments begins to take shape. The calendar does not provide the contents of any arguments, identify a ballot measure, or establish the outcome of any future election.

ASU announced the initiative on July 9, 2026. The effort is planned as a collaboration among academic, hospital and public-health partners, with hospitals as the focus of the preparedness work.

Federal grant supports Arizona preparedness effort

The project is supported by the $1 million Hospital Preparedness Program grant. The Arizona Department of Health Services administers the grant, according to ASU’s announcement.

ASU identified its Health Downtown Phoenix campus in describing the initiative. The project connects Phoenix-based academic health infrastructure with hospital emergency-preparedness planning and Arizona’s broader public-health response capacity.

The announced purpose is to help hospitals prepare for public-health emergencies. ASU did not identify a particular disease, threat or emergency scenario in the available information.

Hospitals are the intended focus

Hospitals, academic institutions and public-health partners are expected to be involved in the collaboration. The announcement does not identify all participating hospitals, however, so it is not yet clear which facilities will take part.

The available summary also does not quantify the number of hospitals or patients that could be affected. It does not provide a breakdown of how the $1 million will be allocated among preparedness activities.

No project completion date or specific deliverables were included in the available summary. Those details would be needed to assess the scope, timing and results of the work as it develops.

A planning initiative, not a completed capacity change

The announcement describes a preparedness initiative rather than completed improvements to emergency capacity at any individual hospital. The grant should not be read as a guarantee that particular services will be available at a given facility during a future emergency.

Likewise, the project is not described as direct funding for hospital construction in Phoenix. Its stated role is to support hospital preparation for public-health emergencies through coordination among academic, hospital and public-health partners.

ASU’s July 9 announcement is the available source for the project details. Further information from the participating organizations would be needed to establish the participating facilities, the project’s deliverables, its timetable and the eventual reach of the preparedness effort.

The filing deadline is the next listed ballot-measure step before the November election. The city’s approved election materials say the arguments are part of preparation for the official voter-information pamphlet, which will determine which submitted pro and con arguments voters receive before voting.

The calendar does not identify the ballot measures at issue, provide measure numbers or state the text of any arguments. The deadline should not be read as confirmation that any particular proposition will appear on the ballot.

Election administration timeline

Phoenix is scheduled to hold its regular council election on Nov. 3. The Phoenix City Clerk administers the election information reflected in the calendar and on the city’s candidate-information page.

The candidate-list certification deadline was July 16. The City Clerk says it certifies the candidate list after the candidate filing deadline. However, the approved materials for this report do not provide a current certified slate, so they do not establish which candidates have qualified or withdrawn.

Following the Aug. 5 deadline for ballot-measure arguments, the next listed candidate-related deadline is Sept. 4 for write-in candidates. The calendar then lists Oct. 5 as the voter-registration deadline for the Nov. 3 election.

Voting and certification dates

Early-ballot mailing is scheduled to begin Oct. 7, two days after the voter-registration deadline and less than a month before Election Day. The listed dates set the remaining administrative schedule for voters and prospective write-in candidates as the election approaches.

After votes are cast on Nov. 3, Phoenix estimates that the City Council will canvass and certify the results on Nov. 18. The calendar labels that certification date as an estimate, rather than a confirmed final date.

For people seeking to participate in the ballot-measure debate, Aug. 5 is the immediate deadline. For voters, the later registration and early-ballot dates mark the next milestones before the council election. The available city materials do not name a specific ballot measure, identify argument submitters or provide a final candidate list.

The city’s police page says the involved woman was later released from the hospital and booked on charges connected to the incident. It does not identify her in the material available for this report or specify the charges.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety was conducting the criminal investigation, according to the Phoenix Police listing. That investigation is separate from the department’s public release of a critical-incident briefing.

Official briefing follows June 28 incident

The June 28 shooting and the July 10 briefing are distinct events. The shooting occurred at the East Thomas Road location, while the later publication provided Phoenix Police’s official critical-incident video briefing about the incident.

Phoenix Police identifies the release as part of its official critical-incident video-release process. The public briefing provides the department’s account and video presentation of the event; DPS, rather than Phoenix Police, was identified as the agency handling the criminal inquiry.

The available city listing does not name the officers involved. It also does not provide a court case, a hearing date, a charging document or a final court outcome for the woman who was booked.

Criminal review remains separate

A booking on charges is not a conviction or a final judgment. The city’s listing states that charges were connected to the incident, but the approved material does not describe the allegations or identify the precise offenses. No conclusion about the woman’s criminal liability can be drawn from the booking information alone.

Likewise, the release of a critical-incident briefing is not itself a finding on whether the officers acted lawfully or unlawfully. The available material identifies DPS as conducting the criminal investigation but does not establish that the investigation had been completed.

For residents following the case, the most significant known next development is the status of the DPS criminal investigation. Any later investigative finding, charging decision, court proceeding or final legal determination would be separate from the July 10 Phoenix Police briefing.

The public information currently identified by the city establishes the location and dates of the incident and briefing, the woman’s release from the hospital and booking, and DPS’s role in the criminal investigation. It does not provide additional identities, charge details or a final disposition.

The decision was reported July 3, 2026. It puts Phoenix into a regional water-management effort involving Arizona municipalities, though the available report does not identify which other cities would participate.

A response to shortage concerns

Officials presented the program in connection with concerns about Colorado River shortages. The approved action is intended to address how municipalities could manage water supplies if river deliveries are reduced.

The Central Arizona Project delivers Colorado River water to the Phoenix area. That connection makes the council action relevant not only to Phoenix, but also to the broader network of Arizona communities that depend on water management decisions involving the system.

The approval is a planning response to potential supply reductions, not confirmation that Phoenix has already lost Colorado River deliveries. It also does not guarantee the city’s water supply or establish that future restrictions will be avoided.

Major operating details remain unknown

The available reporting does not specify the total amount of water that could be shared through the program. It also does not identify the participating cities, a pricing formula or an implementation schedule.

Those unanswered terms are significant because they would determine how the program works in practice: which municipalities can take part, what quantities could be available and when any sharing arrangement could begin. The report does not provide those details.

The underlying Phoenix council resolution and final program rules were not located in the available results. As a result, the approval confirms the direction of the city’s action but leaves the program’s operational terms unclear.

What comes next

No next council action, public deadline or program launch date was identified in the available report. Further city documents or announcements would be needed to establish the final rules, participant list, water volumes and financial terms.

For now, the confirmed development is that Phoenix has approved a water-sharing program as Arizona cities prepare for the possibility of Colorado River shortage-related supply reductions. Its eventual effect on Phoenix and other municipalities will depend on details that have not yet been reported.

The filing milestone is separate from candidate filing. It concerns written arguments about ballot measures that may be included in official election materials for the city’s Nov. 3, 2026 municipal election.

Phoenix is scheduled to hold its regularly scheduled City Council election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The city conducts that municipal election in conjunction with the state general election.

An election-materials deadline

The City Clerk is the filing authority identified in Phoenix election materials. The Aug. 5 date applies specifically to arguments supporting or opposing ballot measures, not to the election of City Council candidates.

The available city materials do not identify which ballot measures will be on the November ballot or name all people or groups that may submit arguments. They also do not provide final argument text.

That distinction is important as the election calendar advances: the deadline governs a part of the ballot-measure process, while the Nov. 3 vote will determine the City Council election. The city’s calendar identifies both dates but does not, in the materials provided, state the outcome of any ballot measure or identify a particular measure for voters.

What comes next on the city calendar

After the Aug. 5 argument deadline, Phoenix lists Oct. 5, 2026, as the voter-registration deadline for the November election.

The City Council is then expected to canvass and certify the election results on an estimated date of Nov. 18, 2026. The calendar describes that canvass date as estimated, rather than as a final confirmed meeting date.

For voters and people participating in ballot-measure campaigns, the immediate known deadline is Aug. 5. The City Clerk Department’s calendar places it nearly three months before Election Day and about two months before the voter-registration deadline.

The election remains at the administrative stage reflected in the city calendar. The supplied election materials confirm the argument-submission deadline, the November election date, the registration deadline and the estimated canvass date, but do not establish a final ballot lineup or the final content of voter arguments.

Both fuels rose from Friday, the previous week, the previous month and the same period last year. Diesel remained the more expensive fuel, averaging $1.130 more per gallon than regular gasoline.

Regular gasoline reaches $4.510

AAA reported Phoenix Proper regular gasoline at $4.510 per gallon on August 1. That was 1.3 cents higher than Friday’s $4.497 average.

The increase was larger over longer comparison periods. Regular gasoline was up 8.1 cents from a week earlier, 65.1 cents from a month earlier and $1.249 from a year earlier, according to AAA’s Phoenix Proper figures.

The Phoenix Proper average represents an area-wide price measure, not the price at every station. Drivers may see significant differences depending on the station, neighborhood, payment method and fuel grade.

Diesel rises faster and reaches $5.640

Diesel climbed to $5.640 per gallon in the same AAA check, up 3.7 cents from Friday’s $5.603 average.

Diesel also posted larger increases than regular gasoline across every comparison window listed by AAA. It was up 17.7 cents from a week earlier, 73.1 cents from a month earlier and $2.025 from a year earlier.

Compared with regular gasoline, the diesel average was $1.130 higher. That difference matters most for operators that use diesel-powered trucks, vans, equipment and delivery vehicles regularly.

Since the last check

Compared with the last check on July 30, regular gasoline increased 4.1 cents, from $4.469 to $4.510 per gallon. Diesel rose 10.4 cents, from $5.536 to $5.640.

That short-term movement shows diesel continuing to rise faster than regular gasoline in Phoenix Proper, even though individual station prices may not follow the area average at the same pace.

National context

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s July 28 release placed the national weekly average for regular gasoline at $4.096 per gallon for the week ending July 27. The national on-highway diesel average was $5.313.

Those figures are weekly national measurements, not same-day Phoenix prices. The August 1 Phoenix Proper averages were therefore 41.4 cents higher for regular gasoline and 32.7 cents higher for diesel than the EIA’s dated national figures.

What higher fuel costs could mean locally

For commuters, repeated increases can add to weekly transportation costs, especially for people with long drives or larger vehicles. Households may also see fuel compete with other weekend and back-to-school expenses.

Contractors, landscapers, delivery drivers and service businesses face a more direct diesel and gasoline cost issue because fuel is part of the cost of reaching job sites and customers. Restaurants and other businesses that rely on deliveries may also need to watch transportation expenses if higher prices persist.

Weekend travelers should compare stations before filling up. AAA reports an area average, so checking several nearby pumps may identify a lower price than the Phoenix Proper average.

What are you seeing locally? Share the highest and lowest gasoline or diesel prices you have found around Phoenix.

Sources

• AAA Fuel Prices — Arizona
• U.S. Energy Information Administration — Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update

The county’s July 21 notice gives separate dates for when people should continue watching for symptoms. Those deadlines are August 2 for the Chase Field exposure and August 3 for the IHOP exposure.

Phoenix exposure locations

• Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St.: Possible exposure occurred Sunday, July 12, from 7 p.m. to midnight. People at the ballpark during that period should monitor for symptoms through August 2.
• IHOP, 5020 E. Ray Road: Possible exposure occurred Monday, July 13, from midnight to 3:30 a.m. People at the restaurant during that period should monitor for symptoms through August 3.

Maricopa County officials said the listed time windows include the period during which measles virus may remain airborne. A possible exposure does not mean that every person at either location was exposed or infected.

Local reporting identified the Chase Field window as connected to a Fuerza Regida concert. The county notice concerns a nonresident who tested positive; it does not say the person was a Phoenix resident or that either location became a confirmed transmission site.

Why the warning matters

The county listed six new public exposure locations in its July 21 update and reported 25 confirmed measles cases among Maricopa County residents in 2026 as of that date. The county said that compares with an annual average of one case during the previous 30 years.

The July 21 number is a dated case count, not a current July 28 total. The notice is part of the county’s broader outbreak response and is not a closure order for Chase Field or the IHOP.

What potentially exposed people should do

People who were at either Phoenix location during the listed window should check their written immunization records and contact a health care provider if they are unsure whether they are protected by the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Arizona’s myIR system may also help residents locate vaccination records.

Common measles symptoms include a fever above 101 degrees, red or watery eyes, cough, runny nose, and a red, raised, blotchy rash. The rash usually begins near the hairline and spreads downward. Symptoms alone do not confirm measles.

Anyone who develops symptoms after a possible exposure should stay home and call a health care provider before arriving. The caller should identify the possible measles exposure so the office can provide instructions that reduce the risk of exposing other patients.

CDC guidance distinguishes routine vaccination from time-sensitive post-exposure options. In some circumstances, MMR vaccine may be used within 72 hours of exposure, while immunoglobulin may be considered within six days. Those options depend on individual circumstances and should be discussed with a health care provider or public-health official.

Pregnant people, people with weakened immune systems, and anyone caring for an infant younger than 12 months should seek prompt professional guidance after a possible exposure. Residents should rely on county health officials and medical providers for case-specific instructions.

Sources

• Maricopa County Department of Public Health: July 21 measles exposure notice
• CDC: Measles vaccine and post-exposure guidance
• Arizona's Family: Chase Field measles exposure report

Gallego made the appeal during a climate-focused press event on July 20. KJZZ reported that American Rescue Plan Act funding supporting Phoenix heat and related relief programs is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026.

Her request is an advocacy position, not an approved federal funding package. The mayor is seeking broader federal support for household energy assistance, transportation, infrastructure, affordable housing and disaster-relief programs that could help cities manage longer and more dangerous heat seasons.

What Phoenix is funding now

Phoenix has adopted a 2026-27 budget that includes $8.9 million for the city’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation. The budget also provides $18.4 million to replace expiring federal COVID-era funding for homelessness services and efforts to prevent housing insecurity.

Those allocations show the city is using local money to maintain services as federal support winds down. The June 17 formal meeting results from the Phoenix City Council confirm adoption of the final 2026-27 operating, capital and reappropriated-funds budgets.

The $18.4 million is specifically tied to homelessness-related services and housing-insecurity prevention. It should not be treated as a replacement for all heat-response funding.

What residents can access this summer

Phoenix’s 2026 heat-response plan includes a 24/7 respite center at 20 W. Jackson Street, extended-hours cooling locations and a partnership with UMOM to support families seeking shelter. The plan also includes $450,000 in FEMA grant-supported employee training.

The city says its regional heat-relief network includes more than 60 sites, with locations scheduled to operate through September 30. Residents who need transportation to a cooling or heat-relief site can call 2-1-1 daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

These services matter most to people facing direct heat exposure or limited options, including unhoused residents, seniors, outdoor workers and families without reliable cooling. Renters and homeowners also face higher electricity bills during prolonged heat, making energy assistance part of the broader policy debate.

What remains uncertain

Maricopa County has experienced two consecutive years of declining heat-related deaths alongside expanded heat-relief services, according to city officials and KJZZ. The trend is important, but it cannot be attributed solely to Phoenix programs. Weather patterns, public behavior, medical response and other factors may also affect the totals.

The larger question is whether Phoenix taxpayers can sustain expanded heat services as federal pandemic aid ends. Gallego’s appeal could lead to future state or federal policy changes, but no new federal assistance has been approved based on the July 20 request.

For now, Phoenix has local funding in place for the next fiscal year and a network of heat-relief services operating through the summer. The next policy test will be whether state or federal officials respond before the current funding structure begins to narrow after 2026.

Sources

• KJZZ: Phoenix mayor calls for more federal funding for extreme heat
• City of Phoenix: Phoenix Adopts Budget Focused on Affordability

What’s changing in 2026 (and beyond)

Phoenix City Council approved a multi-year residential solid waste rate schedule on April 22, 2026. Per the City’s approved schedule, the monthly residential solid waste rate increases as follows:

• July 2026: +$5/month (new approved rate: $42.32/month)
• July 2027: +$5/month
• July 2028: +$4/month
• Each July from 2029 to 2033: Public Works will assess whether an inflationary increase is needed, not to exceed 5% in a single year

The City also explains the solid waste rate is an enterprise fund charge—meaning Solid Waste covers operating costs using its own revenue, rather than relying on general funds from the City budget.

Why the City says it’s raising the fee

On its rate adjustment materials, the City says the increase is needed to address a budget shortfall and keep revenue aligned with operating and infrastructure costs required to maintain ongoing solid waste collection and disposal service.

How to reduce your bill: the smaller-container discount

One bill-lowering option is switching to a smaller trash container. The City offers a 60-gallon (black) refuse container for residents receiving curbside collection service. Residents can exchange the standard 90-gallon container for the smaller 60-gallon container at a reduced monthly rate, and the City says the newly approved discount increases to $5 per month for a 60-gallon trash container (up from $3/month).

To qualify for the smaller-container discount, the City says households must be enrolled in the City’s recycling program, which it describes as having no additional cost.

Could you qualify for help paying the bill?

The City says Project Assist may help customers who are having trouble paying for water, sewer, or solid waste services. The City’s guidance says customers must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty income level to apply, and that Project Assist is administered by the Human Services Department.

What residents should do now (and where to find details)

• Check your current trash container size and whether you’re enrolled in the City’s recycling program (needed for the smaller-container discount).
• If money is tight, review the City’s Project Assist eligibility guidance and follow the City’s instructions for checking options.
• Use the official City rate schedule/FAQ for the full multi-year timeline and the discount/assistance details.

The City also published the message in its PHX At Your Service (PAYS) July 2026 newsletter notice, telling residents they will notice the increase on their July solid waste bill.

Sources

• City of Phoenix — 2026 Solid Waste Rate Adjustment (rate schedule + FAQ)

So for Phoenix-area APS customers, the near-term question isn’t whether efficiency work disappears overnight. It’s whether energy-efficiency-related surcharges/adjustors that appear as separate line items on APS bills get revised or phased out later as regulators revisit them.

What AZCC repealed — and what the ruling does (and doesn’t) change

In its July 8 announcement, AZCC said the EEE Rules created an unjust subsidy and had become outdated. The commission also emphasized that current energy-efficiency programs already approved by AZCC will continue.

AZCC’s key clarification for residents: repealing the EEE Rules is not the same thing as instantly ending DSM and energy-efficiency programs. Instead, AZCC indicated that surcharges related to energy-efficiency programs may be phased out on an individual basis — potentially during a future APS utility rate case or through a later AZCC order.

Where this could show up on your APS bill

APS bills can include multiple “adjustors,” which are separate line items used to collect costs approved by regulators. APS explains that these adjustors — including those connected to energy-efficiency efforts — can change at certain times and are reviewed by the AZCC.

One place to look is the Environmental Benefits Surcharge, which APS says is comprised of two adjustments:

• REAC (Renewable Energy Adjustment Charge)
• DSMAC (Demand Side Management Adjustment Charge)

APS describes DSMAC as the portion of the Environmental Benefits Surcharge that funds energy-efficiency projects and programs. If AZCC later revisits whether certain energy-efficiency-related components should be modified or phased out, that’s the kind of line item where readers are most likely to see the practical effect.

Importantly: AZCC’s repeal vote does not mean APS bills will drop immediately. Any change depends on what regulators decide in subsequent filings and orders.

What happens next (the timing depends on regulators)

AZCC’s messaging points to a process-driven timeline. In practical terms for Phoenix-area customers, “what happens next” likely means:

• APS regulatory filings that address how DSM/energy-efficiency-related components are handled going forward
• Future AZCC decisions on whether energy-efficiency-related surcharges/adjustors are phased out, modified, or maintained — and when
• Changes to line-item labels or charge behavior on individual APS bills, depending on the outcome of those later proceedings

What you can do now

• Check your APS bill for the Environmental Benefits Surcharge area and look specifically for how DSMAC is described on your current statement.
• If you track monthly budgeting tightly, treat energy-efficiency-related adjustors as the lines most likely to be revisited if AZCC later orders phase-outs.
• When APS posts rate/adjustor updates, look for details that indicate whether any energy-efficiency-related components are being continued, replaced, or phased down.

Bottom line: AZCC’s July 8, 2026 repeal removes an outdated energy-efficiency mandate. But AZCC said DSM and energy-efficiency programs can continue, and it suggested that only some energy-efficiency-related surcharges may be phased out later — with the biggest bill impacts tied to future APS filings and subsequent AZCC orders.

Sources

• Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) news release — July 8, 2026 (repeal of EEE Rules; eliminating surcharges; phased elimination framing)
• Arizona Secretary of State Administrative Register — rule materials for repeal of Electric Energy Efficiency Standards (Article 24) (includes rationale and status of standard)
• APS — Bill Adjustors (Environmental Benefits Surcharge / DSMAC explainer and where charges appear)

In the city’s authorization packet, Phoenix ties early implementation planning to the federal timeline for Post-2026 Colorado River Operating Guidelines effective January 1, 2027. That means the practical “what happens next” is largely about preparation and coordination—not an immediate change in everyday water service.

What Phoenix approved (the decision in the official record)

Phoenix’s packet seeks authority for the city manager (or designee) to enter into “Aid Agreements”—mutual-aid style agreements—with partner entities including Tucson and the Town of Cave Creek, plus Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD) and other relevant Arizona/federal entities and Colorado River/Central Arizona Project entitlement holders.

The packet also asks for authority to execute related “Transactional Agreements” designed to advance the objectives of the Aid Agreements, while still noting these agreements are structured for later completion subject to additional required approvals.

And Phoenix included a city-code exception to allow specific indemnification and liability language in transaction-related documents that would otherwise be restricted under Phoenix City Code.

SWAP in plain terms: voluntary sharing, not a new water supply

Public reporting describes SWAP as completely voluntary and built around multiple parts:

• An emergency reserve: described as a small amount that could be made available on a very short-term basis to create “runway” while a longer-term plan is developed.
• Longer-term mechanisms: including an “offset reduction” approach and a structure intended to connect willing buyers with willing sellers—positioned as hands off and intended to keep transactions occurring at the user-to-user level.

The key takeaway for residents: SWAP is meant to reduce regional risk and improve readiness if cutbacks occur. It is not a guarantee that Phoenix will automatically receive extra water on a predictable schedule in any specific shortage scenario.

What Phoenix residents should realistically expect next

Because what Phoenix approved is a framework for agreements and readiness, residents should expect planning and coordination first—followed by details on how the program’s early components will operate.

City materials also emphasize that Phoenix is already using a phased drought-management approach that prioritizes public awareness and conservation. As that plan evolves, residents and businesses may see conservation actions expand if conditions worsen.

So for most households and local businesses, the near-term changes tied to SWAP are likely to feel like more coordination and messaging, not like a new water source turning on.

What to watch next

• Follow-up approvals for the finalized transactional agreements referenced in the authorization packet.
• More specifics on “initial portions” of the program—what will be ready first, and how the emergency reserve and other mechanisms are expected to work as the January 1, 2027 federal timeline approaches.

Bottom line: SWAP is one risk-management tool in Phoenix’s broader Colorado River planning—built to support voluntary cooperation with other cities, while conservation and long-term reliability planning remain central.

Sources

• Phoenix Legistar: Secure Water Arizona Program (SWAP) authorization (agenda packet/official materials)
• KJZZ: Phoenix approves water share program (SWAP) to help Arizona weather Colorado River shortages
• City of Phoenix newsroom: Update on water resources/drought (SWAP background)

Bottom line for residents: APS says your rates are not changing now. The next key moment is when the ALJ issues a Recommended Opinion and Order (ROO), followed by ACC review and an open-meeting vote.

What changed after the July 7 hearing

Before July 7, the case focused on evidence presented during the evidentiary hearing. After that hearing concluded, the ACC says the matter moved to the next stage: the ALJ’s recommendation process. In practical terms, this is where the ALJ turns the record into a recommendation that the ACC can consider later in the decision process.

APS’s customer-facing update confirms the near-term takeaway: rates are not changing now just because the hearing stage has ended. Instead, the “what happens next” timeline becomes the primary thing customers should watch.

What the “recommendation phase” means

In ACC rate cases, the recommendation phase is not the final rate decision. The ALJ is expected to issue a Recommended Opinion and Order, which becomes the basis for what parties do next and what the ACC ultimately reviews.

That distinction matters for budgeting: while the case is moving forward, customers should avoid assuming that a recommendation automatically triggers immediate bill changes.

Key dates Phoenix-area customers should watch

• Late November 2026: The ACC says it expects the ALJ’s ROO by late November 2026.
• After the ROO: APS and other parties are expected to respond, followed by ACC review of the recommendation.
• By Dec. 31, 2026: The ACC says the deadline for the Commission to vote on the ROO during an open meeting is Dec. 31, 2026.

If the ACC approves new rates after that review, the ACC’s guidance points to early 2027 as the window when any customer impact could show up—again, contingent on final ACC action.

What customers can do now

Even though the process is moving, APS’s message for customers is clear: no immediate rate change is expected right now. For Phoenix-area households and local businesses, that means this is a “watch and plan” phase rather than an “adjust this month” phase.

As the case reaches the ROO stage and ACC review approaches, keep an eye on ACC and APS updates tied to docket milestones—those procedural markers are what separate “moving through process” from “final rate decision.”

For residents, relocators, and local businesses that budget around predictable utility costs, the most important signal in the coming months will be whether the ACC’s open-meeting vote results in approved rate changes and, if so, what timing the ACC sets for any effect.

Sources

• Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC): “What’s Next in the APS Rate Case?” (July 10, 2026)
• APS newsroom: “APS Rate Case Hearing Concludes; Process Moves to Next Phase”

What’s changing on your Phoenix bill

City of Phoenix Public Works says the approved schedule phases the increases in over multiple years:

• July 2026: +$5/month, new monthly fee $42.32
• July 2027: +$5/month, new monthly fee $47.32
• July 2028: +$4/month, new monthly fee $51.32
• July 2029 through July 2033: Public Works will assess annual inflationary adjustments that do not exceed 5% in a single year

Because City services bills can be issued on different customer billing cycles, residents should watch for the first appearance of the new amount on their upcoming July 2026 bill.

How the rate decision was made

Public Works says Phoenix City Council approved the updated monthly residential solid waste rate on April 22, 2026 (a vote to approve the formal schedule). The City newsroom explainer also says the final approved schedule is less of an increase than what was originally proposed in February after staff reviewed feedback from the Community Solid Waste Rate Information Sessions and a customer survey.

Discount update for smaller 60-gallon trash containers

If you receive curbside trash collection, the City’s rate materials say you can exchange your standard 90-gallon container for a smaller 60-gallon container at a reduced monthly rate. Under the newly approved schedule, the discount for the 60-gallon container increases to $5/month (up from $3/month).

The City also says a household must be enrolled in the City’s recycling program (with no additional cost) to qualify for the smaller container discount.

Also affected: curbside green organics subscription

The City’s July materials also cover a change to the optional curbside green organics subscription fee:

• The City’s July 2026 PAYS newsletter says the green organics subscription is $10.83/month.
• Public Works’ approved rate schedule says the green organics subscription is one-fourth of the applicable monthly solid waste rate and lists $10.58 effective July 1, 2026.

To confirm the amount tied to your specific services account, check the line item on your City bill.

What residents can do now

For the most reliable answer on your account and timing, the City’s resident service page (myPHX311) states that the new solid waste rates go into effect July 1, 2026 and directs customers to the City’s solid waste rate information.

Sources

• City of Phoenix Public Works: 2026 Solid Waste Rate Adjustment (rate schedule)
• myPHX311: Solid Waste Container (resident service page)

What the NWS Extreme Heat Warning means for Phoenix

The National Weather Service warns that dangerously hot conditions can raise heat-risk during the afternoon and early evening. NWS Phoenix guidance emphasizes practice smart heat safety by drinking water and electrolytes and reducing time outside during the afternoons.

City of Phoenix Heat Safety: what’s active

On the City’s heat-safety page, the alert window is listed as active until Friday, July 10 at 8 p.m.. The City also notes that heat-related illness will be possible for people who are sensitive to heat (including the elderly), as well as people spending time outdoors or without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration.

Trail restrictions during the warning (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

For public safety on days when the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Heat Warning, the City says certain trails close from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.—but this does not mean every trail in Phoenix is closed.

Specifically, the City says Camelback Mountain’s Echo and Cholla Trails and all trails associated with Piestewa Peak Trailhead in Phoenix Mountains Preserve and South Mountain Park and Preserve will close during that 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. window.

Where to cool off and get heat relief this week

The City’s July 2026 PAYS newsletter lists these heat-relief options:

• 24-hour respite center: 20 W. Jackson St. (open to the public through Sept. 30)
• Justa Center extended hours: 1001 W. Jefferson St. — 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily
• Cholla Library cooling center hours: Mondays through Saturdays until 9 p.m.; Sundays and holidays noon to 9 p.m.

What to do tonight and Friday: quick checklist

• Hydrate: the City says to drink water even when you don’t feel thirsty.
• Plan outdoor time for cooler hours: limit and reduce outdoor activity and take frequent breaks.
• Drink water around activity: the City recommends providing drinking water before, during, and after outdoor activity.
• Skip certain drinks: the City advises avoiding drinks with sugar, alcohol, and caffeine.
• Know heat-exhaustion signs: if you feel faint or dizzy, or if you are pale or your skin is clammy, treat it as a heat warning condition.

Where to find updates

For ongoing City updates related to heat response and services, the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation points residents to Phoenix Weekly Heat Reports. For the weather timing itself, keep an eye on NWS hazard information for the Phoenix area.

Sources

• NWS Phoenix forecast map (Extreme Heat Warning timing)
• City of Phoenix Heat Safety (alert window + trail closures)

What the City approved (and what you’ll pay in July 2026)

City Council approved the following residential monthly solid waste rate schedule to go into effect July 1, 2026:

• Standard trash + recycling (90-gallon trash + blue recycling): $42.32/month
• Optional curbside green organics subscription: $10.58/month (City rate documents list this as effective July 1, 2026)
• All three together (trash + recycling + green organics): $52.90/month

The City’s Phoenix at Your Service (PAYS) July 2026 newsletter also discusses the green organics subscription, and it lists that option as $10.83/month. If your bill shows a different number for the organics line item, treat the July city services bill as the final word for what you’re being charged.

When you’ll notice the change: check your July city services bill

The City says the first $5/month increase will be reflected on the July city services bill. That’s the key timing for residents who want to identify the start of the new rate before it becomes a routine monthly amount.

New option: curbside green organics subscription

Green organics is an optional subscription, not automatic. The City describes the fee as tied to the applicable monthly solid waste rate and starting July 1, 2026.

Discount update: switching to a smaller trash container (SAY R&R)

Phoenix also updated the discount for households that switch to a smaller trash container through the City’s Save As You Reduce & Recycle (SAY R&R) program:

• Previously: discount of $3/month
• Starting July 2026: discount increases to $5/month

In the City’s rate chart, the package with SAY R&R (using the smaller 60-gallon black trash container) is shown as $47.90/month for regular trash + recycling + green organics.

What to do now (before the July billing period)

• Review your current setup (your trash container size and whether you’re in SAY R&R).
• Decide whether green organics makes sense for your household and whether you want to add the optional subscription.
• Plan to check your July city services bill—the City says that’s when the first $5/month increase shows up.

Sources

• City of Phoenix newsroom: Solid Waste Rate approved by City Council