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Nature and Environment

Rain and sunlight interact over Tucson, July 5, 2018.

Drought Remains, But Rains Put Dent in Southwest Fire Danger

Jul 25, 2018 While monsoon can act as a "shut-off valve" for wildfire, much of the West continues to experience drought conditions.
The bright sun sets behind some trees near Soleng Tom Elementary School on Tucson's east side.

112 Degrees in Tucson? No Sweat!

Jul 25, 2018 Old Pueblo shrugs off record breaking heat
Since the 1980s Tucsonans have replaced their green lawns with decomposed granite and opted for plants like palo verde trees and cacti, which can endure long periods of drought and extreme heat.

In the Desert City of Tucson, the Grass is Not Greener

Jul 25, 2018 A few factors helped turn this former city of lawns into a leader in desert-adapted landscaping practices.
Santa Cruz River near Tubac, Arizona, July 20, 2018.

Santa Cruz County Residents Demand Fix for Outdated Sewer Pipe

Jul 24, 2018 The pipeline, prone to failure, carries raw sewage from Mexico into the U.S.
Vehicles driving in the summer heat.

Southwest Sizzles as Temperatures Near 120 Degrees

Jul 24, 2018 This week promises to be one of the hottest of the year, with Phoenix breaking a daily record.
Resource Central employees Max Hartmann, left, and Neka Sunlin haul the MacFarland family’s vintage toilet out of their Longmont, Colorado home.

The Modern Toilet: A Contender for Water Conservation MVP

Jul 24, 2018 The toilet's rise to a central role in conservation included an act of Congress, logs of miso paste and some serious elbow grease.
Monarch butterflies are among the most popular in Arizona and across the United States.

Nature Enthusiasts Help UA Researchers Tackle Butterfly Data

Jul 24, 2018 Volunteers' hobby turns into valuable citizen science from the field.
Meteorologist Ken Waters examines weather maps and radars at the National Weather Service's headquarters in Phoenix.

Exploring the Dangers of Dust on I-10

Jul 23, 2018 Arizona 360 hears from a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
A vehicle sprays water onto dirt paths at a construction site off Interstate 10 in Pinal County where the Arizona Department of Transportation plans to install software that will detect when a dust storm is approaching.

ADOT Project Aims to Prevent Dust-Related Crashes on I-10

Jul 23, 2018 How a new alert system will inform drivers sooner of an approaching dust storm.
Wild horses near Heber-Overgaard, Arizona in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

Drought Forces Emergency Measures for US West's Wild Horses

Jul 23, 2018 Parts of the region have witnessed some of the driest conditions on record, putting stress on wild horses experiencing overpopulation.
Ron Thompson, general manager of the Washington County Water Conservancy District, says southwestern Utah needs the Lake Powell Pipeline to meet the needs of a growing population. He said even the most ambitious conservation programs won’t provide enough water.

Water Conservation Ethic Grows in Utah While Some Eye Pipeline Project

Jul 23, 2018 The state requires districts to set usage goals as developers look to projects to increase the flow to consumers.
The sand spider, Homalonychus selenopoides, takes a dust bath after each molt.

The Secret Life of Spiders

Jul 19, 2018 Also on Arizona Spotlight: a new dust detection system on I-10; cumbia rhythm energizes downtown Tucson; and a story about the perils of being a king.
Ragged Top Peak in Ironwood Forest National Monument.

Attempt to Block Funding for Ironwood Forest Falls Short

Jul 19, 2018 Conservationists said the amendment would have paved the way to roll back its national-monument protections.
The Navajo Generating Station can be seen beyond Lake Powell near Page, Arizona, April 2018.

Navajo Nation Begins Negotiations With Possible New Coal Plant Owner

Jul 17, 2018 President Russell Begaye said Monday that an agreement with New York-based Avenue Capital could be in front of lawmakers by October.
Image released on the National Weather Service Flagstaff Twitter account for a flash flood warning Sunday night.

Flagstaff Hit by Flooding Following Storm

Jul 16, 2018 The water resulted in stranded vehicles and traffic-light outages.
Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls-Area Flooding Forces 200 Evacuations

Jul 12, 2018 No injuries reported; the popular destination on tribal land is expected to be closed for more than a week.

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