
Click below for the latest news updates from the:
Office of U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly

FLAGSTAFF — Community members and organizations are being asked to rally to support local cultural icon — Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff.
The organization has launched a fundraising campaign after it reported it may lose more than $13,000 in funds due to the bankruptcy of the Oakland-based fundraising platform Flipcause Inc.
“Storms don’t break real teams. They reveal them,” the Ballet Folklorico reported on its Facebook page.
“We want to be real with you all about where we are right now.”
Flipcause has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with more than 3,000 nonprofit organizations owed more than $29 million.
Also see:
• State of California Dept. of Justice — Funds Being Held by Flipcause? You Are Not Alone: Attorney General Bonta Announces Guidance for Affected Nonprofit Organizations
• Oakland Voices — Flipcause files bankruptcy, owing $29 million to nonprofits across country

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
COCONINO COUNTY — We imagine a world where every person lives in peace and is supported by a thriving, resilient community.
The purpose of CCC&Y is bold and your help is needed.
When you become a member of CCC&Y, your financial contribution helps cultivate and strengthen well-informed communities by providing education and resources, bringing stakeholders together, building new systems of communication and more.
Each week, the Coalition produces a weekly newsletter where we share partner news and events in our blog section and links to community resource meetings.
READ MORE

Dear Museum Friends,
As we move into the new year, I’d like to share why becoming a member of the Museum of Northern Arizona means a deeper connection to the Colorado Plateau you love, as well as belonging to a community of people who share that interest.
Members enjoy all that MNA has to offer with free year-round general admission to the Museum, early access to exhibitions and events, invitations to member-only experiences, and discounts on select programs and in the Museum Gift Shop. Some membership levels also include reciprocal admission to cultural institutions across the U.S. and Canada through the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association—an especially valuable perk for frequent travelers and museum lovers.

WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest will be hiring seasonal employees for the upcoming recreation season and is encouraging local residents to apply.
“Our seasonal employees are the backbone of summer operations—keeping our campgrounds, trails and recreation sites open, safe and welcoming for visitors,” said Kaibab National Forest Supervisor Nicole Branton. “These positions offer meaningful work, hands-on experience and the chance to support public lands close to home.

At the Museum of Northern Arizona, we care deeply about creating a meaningful experience for you, our community, and our visitors.
But we need your help. We want to better understand our visitors’ needs and values so we can best serve you. Museums (like ours!) strive to encourage and expand learning while also addressing the challenges facing our society, and we need to hear your thoughts.
To do this, we are participating in a national survey of museum-goers sponsored by the American Alliance of Museums. This survey provides data from our visitors and visitors to museums nationwide, helping us be more effective in the coming months and in the communities we serve.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — During the Jan. 20, 2026 Council meeting, the Flagstaff City Council approved a grant from the Arizona Department of Public Safety in the amount of $285,000 to fight against drug trafficking, human smuggling and other criminal activity. This funding is not related to, nor will it be used for immigration or the enforcement of immigration laws.

Arizona law provides property tax assistance options for eligible widows and widowers, veterans with a disability and individuals with a permanent disability, commonly referred to as individual exemption programs. These exemptions reduce the assessed value of qualifying property, which may include individually owned real estate, mobile homes and, in some cases, personal property. Applications for individual exemptions are accepted Jan. 1 through Mar. 1 each year.

Arizona law provides property tax assistance options for eligible widows and widowers, veterans with a disability and individuals with a permanent disability, commonly referred to as individual exemption programs. These exemptions reduce the assessed value of qualifying property, which may include individually owned real estate, mobile homes and, in some cases, personal property. Applications for individual exemptions are accepted Jan. 1 through Mar. 1 each year.

Our Valentine’s Day Jewelry auction will be closing soon! This auction will close on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 12:00 pm (MST) to allow us time to ship any items and ensure that they will arrive before February 14th.
If you have been looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift, look no further than MNA’s virtual auction, featuring 20 stunning jewelry pieces! What’s more, all auction proceeds will benefit MNA’s educational mission, so you can give a lovely gift and support the museum at once.

his past year, the Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona has worked on the region’s behalf to promote the greater Flagstaff area, Sedona, Winslow and Camp Verde.
We took the story of the opportunities available in northern Arizona to conferences around the country – the ICSC Retail Show, the national Site Selector Guild, SEMI-CON, and the Flinn Brown Bio Capital Conference.
ECoNA lent its support to applications for funding for work on the I-40 corridor, the Northern Arizona University Venture Studio, and infrastructure improvements along the BNSF railway in Flagstaff.
We also fielded 62 qualified leads that resulted in 34 competitive bids with the potential of added more than 3,000 jobs and $1.8 billion in capital investments to our area. Almost half of these businesses were in the manufacturing sector, with the rest being a mix of retail, office, transportation and bioscience.

FLAGSTAFF — Allthrive365 (formerly known as the Foundation for Senior Living), owns the parcel at 320 S. Humphreys St and had planned to build two housing communities on the parcel.
The City has been leasing the southern portion of the parcel for parking for the Municipal Courthouse and downtown needs. In late 2025, Allthrive365 approached the city to discuss options for the city to purchase the southern portion of the parcel. In December 2025, Council approved moving forward with purchasing this southern portion to be used for parking for Courthouse and downtown patrons.

COCONINO COUNTY — Small businesses, community stakeholders and residents affected by the 2025 Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires are invited to take part in a community survey that will help shape long term recovery priorities.
This survey follows nine public listening sessions held across Coconino County in December 2025.
Your experiences matter, and your voice can directly influence how recovery resources are prioritized. Please complete the community survey by Jan. 30, 2026, if any of the following apply to you, your household, your community or your business:

Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift? Look no further than MNA’s virtual auction, featuring 20 stunning jewelry pieces! What’s more, all auction proceeds will benefit MNA’s educational mission, so you can give a lovely gift and support the museum at once.
This auction is now open and will close on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 12:00 pm to allow us time to ship any items and ensure that they will arrive before February 14th.

FLAGSTAFF — Thank you for supporting the Literacy Center this year. We wanted to let you know that as the year comes to a close, your support helps makes a lasting difference. Your generosity ensures that adults and children in our community have access to tutoring, classes, and immigration legal services that open doors to learning, belonging, and opportunity. Every day, we see lives transformed–parents gaining confidence in English, children discovering the joy of reading, and families finding stability and hope. These successes are possible because people like you choose to invest in our learners.
As the only privately funded adult education center in Northern Arizona, The Literacy Center relies on charitable giving to provide one-on-one tutoring, ESL and GED classes, youth reading programs, and immigration legal services at little to no cost.

Season’s Greetings!
As we wrap up 2025, we reflect with deep gratitude on the 36-year journey of the Flagstaff Festival of Science and the many lives changed because of supporters like you.
Each year, the Festival shines a spotlight on the incredible research, innovation, and discovery happening right here in our community. Through more than 100 free events—lectures, field trips, hands-on activities, and school programs—we connect people of all ages to the excitement of science.

As FLYRS heads into its 10-year anniversary next year, we’re gearing up for our most impactful season yet—and we need your help to get there. Only about half of our annual budget comes from program fees, which means nearly 50% of our operating costs must be raised each year through donors, sponsors, and grants. This year, 221 youth participated in our school-based programs at no cost, made possible entirely through fundraising. These programs give kids resilience, confidence, mentorship, and a healthy community at a time they need it most. As we approach this milestone year, your support is what keeps these opportunities accessible to every young rider—no matter their family’s financial situation. A donation today strengthens the path into our next decade of impact. We have a goal to reach $15,000 dollars by the end of 2025! We are almost there!

This special section highlights the outstanding achievements of Arizona teachers and schools in 2025. These accomplishments reflect not only individual talent but also the collaborative spirit that drives educational success across schools and classrooms serving Native American students. (Note: This is not an exhaustive list and is presented in no particular order. Some achievements may be missing due to reporting timelines or limited availability of information.)

Workplace fundraising is truly the beating heart of our Annual Campaigns, and they simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible dedication of Workplace Campaign Coordinators.
These champions inspire their colleagues, organize creative events, and help share the message of what it means to Live United.
From the government and education sector to businesses of all sizes, their leadership ensures that our community continues to come together to support youth opportunity, healthy communities, and meeting the basic needs of our neighbors in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties.

For the past four years, the city of Flagstaff has been leading transformative work in an attempt to address two City Council-declared emergencies: the critical need for approximately 8,000 more housing units by 2031, while also striving to achieve carbon neutrality by the end of this decade.
Much of the work to address these issues is coming out of the city’s Planning and Development Services Division, led by Director Michelle McNulty in partnership with the Housing and Sustainability Divisions.

F3 believes that there are too many concerns and questions at this time for the City Council, in good faith, to approve an amended contract with Flock. There is ample evidence around the country of misuse of the data and extremely lax security measures to protect people’s privacy. We will be urging the City Council, as we did prior to the Flock discussion in October, to stand against this type of surveillance, cancel the contract with Flock and remove all cameras leased by the city. Please read our summary of the issue below and consider writing or speaking to the council in opposition.

As 2025 comes to a close, we reflect with deep gratitude on the extraordinary community that keeps Theatrikos Theatre Company thriving. This year, your support fueled bold productions, empowered local artists, and ignited creativity in students across Flagstaff. Your generosity has been the heartbeat of our success, fueling our passion and determination. As we prepare for another incredible year, we invite you to join us in shaping a vibrant future for our community.

Many of you have already given to MNA’s year-end matching campaign – thank you! Your support is critical to sustaining MNA’s mission, and for that we are very grateful.
If you haven’t yet made a year-end gift to MNA, there’s never been a better time. Your donation before December 31 will be doubled through a matching fund created by a group of generous anonymous donors.
A gift to MNA is an investment in learning and discovery. Your generosity supports our many programs and exhibitions for visitors of all ages, connecting them to the art, science, and culture of the Colorado Plateau region.

South Rim Water Update – December 2, 2025
Grand Canyon National Park continues to address the significant breaks along the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL). As announced, additional water restrictions and a temporary suspension of overnight guest lodging on the South Rim will begin Saturday, December 6.
This short-term measure will help conserve limited water supplies while repairs continue. The park remains open for day use, and overnight lodging in Tusayan and other gateway communities is unaffected.

Thank you for your support on Giving Tuesday!
If you missed us on Tuesday, you can still support our work through the end of the year by becoming a member/renewing your membership, purchasing gifting memberships for friends and family, or giving an end-of-year donation.
We are actively growing our membership with a goal of 500 members. Our collective voices carry more weight with decision-makers, leading to greater influence as we advocate for a livable Flagstaff.

COCONINO COUNTY — Small businesses, community stakeholders and residents impacted by the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires are invited to help shape recovery priorities through a series of nine community recovery listening sessions during the week of Dec. 8.
Coconino County contracted AC Disaster Consulting to develop a Long-Term Recovery Plan to address the impacts of the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires. This plan will include economic/tourism, health/social and natural/cultural resource recovery initiatives for the county, local jurisdictions, Tribal Nations and Grand Canyon communities.

COCONINO COUNTY — The 2026 Point-in-Time Count is almost upon us, and my amazing team of fellow organizers and community partners wanted to pass along a little bit of information regarding what we know so far and what to expect going forward!
If you are unfamiliar with the Point-in-Time Count, it is a survey conducted across the nation that aims to survey people experiencing homelessness and ask them where they were staying on one particular night during the week of the survey (whether that be a shelter, Safe Haven, in a place not meant for habitation, etc.).

This Giving Tuesday, Creative Flagstaff is rallying our community to support a major initiative for Youth Arts Engagement & Accessibility at Coconino Center for the Arts. Thanks to a generous commitment from the Robert Lehman Foundation, we’re already halfway to our $30,000 goal—and with your help, we can bring this transformative space to life.

The Coconino County Accommodation District has been awarded a $500,000 School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) federal grant to enhance safety at Ponderosa High School in Flagstaff and Tse’ Yaato’ High School in Page.
The award is part of a $682,471 safety project, supported by a $182,471 district match, that will deliver modern, integrated security improvements. The project, “Safer Coconino County Accommodation Schools,” advances federal SVPP goals by addressing critical safety needs through evidence-based technologies and practices.

Every ten years, Coconino County embarks on an update of the Comprehensive Plan, which is the official policy document that guides development in the unincorporated areas of the County.
After a nearly three-year process that included input from County residents engaged through dozens of public meetings, public hearings and event appearances, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors adopted Envision 2045 at their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.
The plan’s core priorities reflect the values, vision, needs and topics identified during public outreach which include:

As we wrap up the 40th Anniversary of Coconino Center for the Arts, we are reflecting on how this deeply supportive community has shaped our organization over the years. Now, we are building on our historic legacy with responsiveness and flexibility to keep the organization relevant and sustainable for the next 40 years. We are grateful for your prior participation and contributions that have helped lay the foundation for our work today!
We are entering the next chapter with exciting new developments. We want to give you the first opportunity to support these new initiatives through naming and sponsorship where Creative Flagstaff recognizes you, your business, or a loved one as a core part of our legacy. We invite you to consider the ways that your interests align with our needs:

We have exciting news to share! Thanks to an anonymous group of donors, your donation to MNA between now and December 31 will be doubled – doubling your impact as we prepare for big things in 2026.
With your help, MNA is poised to share our mission with more people than ever, expanding our work to create new exhibitions and educational programs, plus increasing access so that more people can visit the museum. The impact of your gift today will be doubled as you support:
Donate
New exhibitions in the coming year, including an expansion of MNA’s katsina doll display, plus three new exhibitions in our rotating galleries.
Programs to encourage more visitors to MNA, such as discounted admission of $10 on Sundays for Northern Arizona residents; subsidies for school field trips; and free admission for local college students.
Longstanding MNA traditions such as the Heritage Festival of Art & Culture, plus new initiatives including Indigenous demonstrations, interactive activities, and tours and talks related to rotating exhibitions.

The Festival Fête auction will remain open for just 36 more hours, so register, place your bids and support a good cause!
Your participation helps fund STEM education opportunities in Flagstaff through the development of science programming for youth in Flagstaff! Make an impact today and at the same time, win some amazing items such as unique experiences, valuable services, gift cards, body treatments, local art, and cool products!

With Elevate, NAU’s new $300 million campaign, we’re on a mission to give every student access to a high-quality education. Elevate is our call to action—to make college more accessible, advance academic excellence, support and attract visionary faculty and level up the campus experience. Find out what you can do to help elevate NAU.

FREDONIA — At the recent Grow Together Fredonia, participants provided the following links to families who may be affected by the ongoing government shutdown.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) families in Coconino County will continue to receive benefits without interruption through December 31, 2025, due to the approval of emergency funding by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors. …
Food Resources:
DES updates on SNAP benefits https://des.az.gov/na
Additional DES food resources https://des.az.gov/food-assistance
DES emergency food boxes https://des.az.gov/emergency-food
Double up Food Bucks location finder for Farmer’s Markets https://doubleupaz.org/locations/
Food banks https://azfoodbanks.org/get-food/#find

The updated Flagstaff Regional Land Use Plan 2045 is now available! Read the plan at www.flagstaff.az.gov/RegionalPlan2045.
Hard copies of the Regional Plan will be available shortly. Reference copies will be available for review at the City Hall Community Development counter, the Downtown Library Information Desk, and the East Flagstaff Library Information Desk. To request a take-home hard copy of the plan, please email Elsa Erling at elsa.erling@flagstaffaz.gov.
The Regional Plan was adopted by the Flagstaff City Council on Thursday, October 9th. Council directed staff to revise the draft based on Conditions of Approval and an Errata document. The plan has now been updated to incorporate these revisions. Find more information about the public hearings and adoption at the project website linked above.

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest will begin selling a limited number of Christmas tree permits online starting Nov. 14 at 8 a.m., and permit owners will be allowed to begin cutting Nov. 14 through Dec. 31.
A total of 2,200 permits will be available for purchase on the Coconino NF Christmas tree permit site online through Recreation.gov, which also lists details about designated cutting areas, maps, dates, and types of trees that may be cut.
Seven hundred permits will be designated for cutting areas within the Flagstaff Ranger District, while 1,500 permits will be designated for the cutting areas within the Mogollon Rim Ranger District.

When federal SNAP benefits lapsed this month due to the government shutdown, tens of thousands of northern Arizonans faced uncertainty about how they would feed their families.
While legal challenges may eventually restore those funds, delays mean too many children and families are going hungry today.
Once again, our community is showing its heart. Restaurants are donating food. Businesses and government entities are organizing food drives. And individuals across the region are stepping up in countless ways to make sure families have what they need.

Coconino County Treasurer Sarah Benatar joined Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs and Flagstaff Family Food Center Food Bank and Kitchen CEO Ethan Amos to discuss the impacts of the federal government shutdown on SNAP recipients in Coconino County.
“In Coconino County, where 18 percent of residents live in poverty, SNAP-authorized stores redeem more than $500,000 in benefits annually, making the stakes significant for local economies and small businesses,” said Treasurer Benatar.
Flagstaff Family Food Center Food Bank and Kitchen CEO, Ethan Amos, expressed that the situation is unprecedented. Food banks are already stretched and cannot fill the gap left by SNAP’s suspension.

FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Mayor and City Council have named Joanne Keene as the new City Manager. Keene will begin in the role effective Nov. 4 and was selected after participating in an open and competitive recruitment process.
Mayor Becky Daggett said “Joanne is a proven leader with deep roots in Flagstaff. The City Council was unanimous and enthusiastic in our belief that she is the right person to lead our City. Her selection from a pool of 34 qualified candidates speaks to her track record, skills, and new ideas about the future direction of our City. Please join me in welcoming Joanne to this new role”.

We’re delighted to announce that Creative Flagstaff has been awarded the competitiveNational Endowment for the Arts’OurTown Grant to support urban and rural engagement in multidisciplinary arts programming throughout Coconino County, Arizona, which will provide arts access to diverse communities through creative placemaking. This partnership between Coconino Center for the Arts and Coconino County will provide leadership to broaden arts and cultural programming to reach urban and rural communities county-wide, through:

COCONINO COUNTY — Due to the shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will end for more than 8,000 Coconino County families on Nov. 1, 2025. The loss of these benefits will result in families losing access to critical monthly food assistance, leaving food banks and nonprofits to fill the gap.
With household budgets stretched thin, food pantries and community programs are anticipating continued increased demand. To help address these needs, Coconino County is mobilizing resources to sponsor a community food drive. Those with the ability to help are asked to donate.

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. – Grand Canyon National Park will implement Stage 3 Water Restrictions and Stage 2 Fire Restrictions beginning Oct. 31, 2025, in response to limited water availability and construction activities associated with the ongoing Transcanyon Waterline Replacement Project.
A temporary interruption in water pumping is scheduled for Nov. 4 through approximately Nov. 18 to allow crews to replace and test a critical pipeline segment. This work is part of a multi-year effort to modernize the park’s aging water delivery system, expected to be completed in 2027.

Recently, ECoNA and our regional partners took Northern Arizona’s story of opportunity and innovation to two major industry event – SEMICON West and ICSC@Western – reaching decision makers who can help shape our region’s economic future.
This was the first year the SEMICON West was hosted in Phoenix, underscoring Arizona’s growing leadership in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Give back at Sharon’s Attic
Looking to use some of your NAU volunteer hours this fall? Check out Sharon’s Attic Thrift Store, a nonprofit whose proceeds support transitional housing for people and families experiencing homelessness. Whether you’d like to exercise your creative muscles setting up a display or channel your inner Marie Kondo by helping to organize the store, your Axe of Service are appreciated at Sharon’s Attic.

Our 2025 Virtual Auction to benefit the Museum of Northern Arizona is now open! This year’s auction includes exclusive experiences with MNA experts and beautiful, authentic jewelry and accessories.
View the auction online here! All bidding for this auction will take place online. If you are in need help or have any questions, please contact us at development@musnaz.org or call 928-774-5211 x 285. This auction will be open until Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 12:00 pm.

FLAGSTAFF — As part of the City’s annual Road Repair and Street Safety (RRSS) program, lane closures are scheduled on N Highway 89 between N Country Club Dr and old Rte 66 for overlay removal and pavement marking. The work is schedule to take place from Monday, Sept. 29 – Wednesday, Oct. 1 between the hours of 5 a.m. – 5 p.m. Drivers in the area should expect delays.

At Theatrikos Theatre Company, we believe theatre is more than performance; it’s a catalyst for creativity, confidence, and community. And now, we’re one step away from building something extraordinary for Flagstaff.
This year, we launched a $30,000 capital campaign to transform a commercial building into a state-of-the-art rehearsal and education studio; a vibrant, dedicated space for year-round theatre education. We’ve raised $22,000 so far, and now we have thrilling news:
An anonymous donor has stepped forward to MATCH every dollar donated; up to our final $8,000!

The underlying belief embodied by the supporters of United Way of Northern Arizona is that strong communities are built when we come together to learn, share, and act.
We had a chance to do just that recently at the kickoff breakfast for our Annual Campaign to raise $1.2 million.
Donations to the Annual Campaign will help ensure all who live in Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties can thrive.

Latest news updates for September 2025
Attorney General Mayes Announces Town Halls on Health Insurance Denials
Attorney General Mayes Files Brief in Support of Federal Employees’ Right to Collective Bargaining and Free Speech
Attorney General Mayes Wins Lawsuit Against Trump Administration, Stops $184 Million Cut to AmeriCorps Service Programs
MORE…

Also see:
The Latin Times — Mexican Man Reportedly Dies In Arizona Facility, ICE Yet To Disclose Cause Of Death
KNAU — Flagstaff man dies in ICE custody
Tucson Sentinel — Mexican man dies in immigration detention in Arizona
FLAGSTAFF — KNAU is reporting an individual who grew up in Flagstaff has died in ICE custody and the family has started a Go Fund Me account to raise money for his funeral expenses and repatriation of his body to Mexico.
As stated on the family’s fundraising page, “With heavy hearts, we honor the life of Lorenzo Antonio Batrez Vargas known to family and friends as “Lenchito”, a beloved son, brother, and friend, who passed away far too soon at the age of 32 while in ICE custody in Florence, Arizona.”
KNAU reports that Batrez Vargas, a Mexican nation who has been held at the Central Arizona Correctional Complex in Florence, died on Aug. 31 at the Mountain Vista Medical Center in Mesa.
While ICE officials said his cause of death is under investigation, the family alleges he died after not receiving adequate medical care while in detention,” KNAU reported.

Creative Flagstaff is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the 2026 Arts & Science Project Grant Program. With $125,000 available for funding, these grants are designed to empower and expand the creative, scientific, and cultural landscape of the Flagstaff community!
Arts & Science Project Grants are available to non-profit ORGANIZATIONS or INDIVIDUALS with a non-profit fiscal agent for INNOVATION: