Migrant Deportation Efforts Ramp Up

Deportation efforts continued in Pima County this weekend with the use of military aircraft coinciding with the closure of the county’s migrant shelters.

A C-17 aircraft already used once to deport 80 migrants to Guatemala on Jan. 23 was again seen at the Tucson Airport on Saturday, and at the same time, vans were seen leaving the the Los Reales migrant processing center.

Meanwhile, Pima County officials said she expected both of the county’s migrant shelters to be shut down by Sunday.

As deportation efforts increase, the Phoenix Union High School District unanimously adopted a resolution to establish a “safe zone” for immigrant students.

  Bill to End Taxes on Tips Moves Forward

A bill that would end taxes on tips is making its way through the state legislature.

House Bill 2081 mirrors what President Donald Trump vowed to pursue if he won the election, and during a speech in Las Vegas on Saturday, Trump reiterated his promise, saying “Any worker who relies on tips (as) income, your tips will be 100% yours.”

Sponsored by Republican State Rep. Gail Griffin, the bill advanced through a House Committee last week, with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposing. The bill next goes to the Rules Committee and then to the Senate.

The IRS currently mandates that any employee making more than $20 per month in tips is required to report their tips to their employer.

  ‘Fred Flintstone’ Addresses Tempe Council

A man dressed himself as Fred Flintstone to address the Tempe City Council in response to council members who privately referred to citizens as “crazy uncles” and “cave people.” Here’s a photo.

Claiming he was “from the cave in Tempe” and that he was “just a humble caveman,” Jack Maverik criticized the council for the disparaging remarks made during an illegal 2022 closed-door meeting, accusing them of hypocrisy and insincerity.

The council members made the comments about residents opposing a 2022 Phoenix Coyotes arena project. The project was rejected by voters in 2023 and the hockey team subsequently moved to Utah after being bought.

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➤ Statewide: A Trump executive order will require the state’s 13,000 remote federal workers to give up remote work and return to the office. (See Details)

➤ Phoenix: School superintendent Dr. Mario Ventura resigned after the district was placed under state control due to budget issues. (See Video Report)

➤ Sedona: The city council passed a resolution declaring a “housing shortage emergency” and urged lawmakers to pass legislation allowing local governments to regulate the number of short-term rental units. (More)

➤ Statewide: February kicks off a number of popular events around the state, including the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and the Arizona Renaissance Festival. (See Events)

➤ Marana: A Republican lawmaker proposed a bill that would lease a closed Marana prison to the federal Immigrations and Custom Enforcement department. (See Video)

➤ Tombstone: City officials are asking for public input on how to best utilize a potential $515,000 grant that would augment the living conditions of low-income residents. (More)

➤ Arizona men’s basketball improved to 13-6 on the season with a strong 78-63 win over Colorado. Tonight they will take on No. 3 Iowa State, coming off of a 76-61 win over Arizona State. (More)

➤ Arizona Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll was ranked sixth on MLB Network’s Top 10 Right Fielders Right Now list. (More)

➤ Phoenix Suns new center Nick Richards led the team with an impressive 19 rebounds in a 119-109 win over the Washington Wizards. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ A group of home builders in Maricopa County filed a lawsuit against the state’s water resources department for imposing what they claim are illegal policies that prohibit water delivery to new home construction. (More) 

➤ The Cottages at Tucson, an off-campus student housing complex formerly known as The Retreat at Tucson, sold for $91 million. The complex has 183 units and 774 beds in one-, two-, and three-story buildings. (See Details)

➤ Macy’s announced it will close its Superstition Springs Center location in Northeast Mesa. It’s one of the company’s 66 “under-productive” stores scheduled to shut down this year. (More)

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➤ A recent study named Arizona home to five of the 10 most dangerous highways in the U.S. for speeding, with Interstate 10 at the top of the list. (See List)

➤ A Tempe man has been trying for a year to get a refund from StubHub after the musician he paid to see died before the concert took place. He said StubHub told him they “need documentation” and then ignored him. (See Video Report)

➤ Harkins Theatres in Arizona is offering moviegoers the chance to see all films nominated for an Academy Awards Best Picture this year for $5 per film. The deal runs from Feb. 14 to March 2. (See Details)

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Which of these Arizona-born singers is your favorite?

1. Linda Ronstadt
2. Joe Jonas
3. Stevie Nicks
4. Dierks Bentley
5. Chester Bennington
6. Other

Previous Results:

Which Arizona animal would you least like to see at your doorstep?

1. Rattlesnake: 30%
2. Mountain Lion: 23%
3. Javelina: 13%
4. Scorpion: 12%
5. Cow: 11%
6. Gila Monster: 11%

What is the official neckwear of Arizona?

Show me the answer