Study: Little Runoff Reaches Aquifers

Researchers at three Arizona universities found that only about 3% of the rain and snow falling on the state ever soaks down into its groundwater aquifers.

More than 95% of Arizona’s precipitation evaporates from soil or is taken up by plants before it can reach the groundwater supply, the researchers said.

Part of the schools’ newly released $3.7 million study on the state’s water resources, the segment on aquifers profiled all 51 of the state’s groundwater basins over three years, finding that the Mogollon Rim holds the most potential for groundwater recharge.

The findings come as Arizona faces ongoing worries about the state’s water supply.

Pinal Tax Rebates on Hold

Pinal County residents expecting a $300 check for illegally collected sales taxes shouldn’t wait by the mailbox, after a rebate plan died in the state Senate before the session’s end.

The money stems from a half-cent transportation tax that Pinal County voters approved in 2017, which the state Supreme Court voided in 2022 as unconstitutional. The subsequent refunds were made available to merchants, but $45 million to $50 million went unclaimed and remains in a state account.

Legislative proposals called for the money to go to Pinal County road projects or $300 resident rebates, but no agreement was reached. The rebate proposal passed through the state House on a unanimous vote but stalled in the state Senate.

In the end, lawmakers chose to hold onto the funds until next year’s legislative session rather than let the money go to the state treasury, where the county would lose access to it permanently.

  Fans Swarm Buc-ee’s

Thousands lined up—some camping out days early—as Arizona’s first Buc-ee’s opened its doors Monday near Interstate 10 and Bullard Avenue in Goodyear.

Buc-ee’s co-founder and CEO Arch “Beaver” Aplin III attended the event, saying the turnout topped his expectations. He added that a Utah store is in the works and voiced hope that other western states, including California, could eventually land a location.

Gov. Katie Hobbs was among the dignitaries who attended the 8 a.m. ribbon-cutting. The first customer had staked out a curb spot Saturday afternoon with a chair and umbrella in 103-degree heat.

Motorists lined a 6.5-mile dedicated traffic route that was put in place for the opening. The city also ordered some ramp and street closures near I-10 to control traffic.

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➤ Mesa: Three police officers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation after rushing into a burning home to pull out a trapped woman. Body-camera video shows the home’s owner running back toward the flames for his wife. (Watch)

➤ Flagstaff: Northern Arizona University projects full-time enrollment will drop about 10.5% next school year, prompting a planned 8% budget cut. (More)

➤ Globe: The lightning-sparked Sycamore Fire in the Tonto National Forest grew to more than 8,000 acres at 7% containment. (More)

➤ Ahwatukee: The Foothills Club West HOA rescinded a long list of new AI-drafted parking rules after hearing from an overflow crowd of angry homeowners. (See Details)

➤ Tucson: Pima County will search for a new operator of the historic Old Tucson Studios attraction, after American Heritage Railways declined to extend its lease after next spring. The 1939 movie-set landmark will remain open in the meantime. (More)

➤ Coconino County: A driver who told troopers she was running late for a foam-sword, play-action costume tournament was pulled over for allegedly doing 106 mph in a 65 mph zone, as part of state troopers’ ongoing speeding crackdown. (See Details)

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➤ Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker celebrated Father’s Day by announcing he will switch his jersey number from 1 to 15 next season to honor his father, Melvin Booker, who wore the number as a college player. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, rumors continue circulating that the Suns will try to trade up to the first round of tonight’s NBA Draft. (More)

➤ In other Suns roster news, the Suns re-signed guard Jordan Goodwin to a three-year, $19 million deal. Goodwin averaged 8.7 points and led the team with 106 steals last season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: World Cup | MLB | College World Series |WNBA | Men’s Tennis

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➤ Small business owners are strapping on Meta camera glasses to turn first-person videos of everyday work into viral marketing. Prescott deli owner Deb Kovacs says her Speed’s Hangar Deli clips now draw visitors from across the state. Phoenix truck seller Eddie Sanchez says one video drew 100-plus inquiries. (More)

➤ Used-car magnate Ernest Garcia II of Tempe tops the state’s billionaire list at $23.6 billion, according to a Forbes-based ranking of Arizona’s 15 richest. Garcia’s son, Carvana CEO Ernest Garcia III of Phoenix, ranks No. 3 at $11.7 billion. (List)

➤ A Sedona estate spanning five acres went on the market for $6.95 million. Features include a private cinema, a 1,000-bottle wine cellar, and tennis courts amid red rock views. (More)

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➤ A Scottsdale couple who dress as Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam went viral from the front row of last week’s U.S.-Paraguay match in Los Angeles. (More)

➤ Prescott Frontier Days returns for its 139th year from Monday through July 5, with a theme of Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom and a July 4 parade. (Schedule)

➤ A 58-year-old Phoenix man walked away after his Toyota 4Runner rolled several times down a switchback near the 13,114-foot summit of Colorado’s Imogene Pass on June 18. He climbed about 150 feet back to the road, where crews near Telluride found him standing with non-life-threatening injuries. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Everyone’s suddenly fighting about tipping, and the rest of the world thinks Americans are the confused ones. (Listen now)

➤ Nearly 50 years after little Etan Patz vanished on his way to the school bus, the Supreme Court just had the final say. (Listen here)

➤ A new book traces a question the Catholic Church keeps reopening but never answers: Were women once ordained as deacons? (Listen here)

What’s the first item you’re grabbing at Buc-ee’s?

1. Beaver Nuggets
2. Brisket sandwich
3. Cart full of jerky
4. Just here for clean restrooms
5. Other

Previous Results:

What’s your go-to way to beat the heat?

1. Crank the A/C: 31%
2. Pool or lake: 19%
3. Go north to the pines: 18%
4. Cold drink and shady patio: 18%
5. Other: 14%

What arts community of about 450 residents was once a copper-mining boomtown and the fourth-largest city in the Arizona Territory?

Show me the answer