Office of U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego
Latest news updates for August 2025
Gallego Leads Colleagues in Demanding Answers from Navy Federal Credit Union on Overdraft Fees
Gallego Backs Bill to Reverse GOP Energy Tax Hike and Cut Americans’ Electricity Costs
Gallego Backs Legislation to Cap the Cost of Prescription Medication
MORE …
Office of U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly
Latest news updates for August 2025
Kelly, Gallego Demand Answers on Trump Administration’s Weakening of U.S. Cyber Agency Following Arizona Election Cyberattack
Kelly Calls Out Trump Administration for Funding Cuts Threatening Community Colleges
Kelly, Arizona Lawmakers Demand Full and Immediate Disbursement of Solar for All Funds
Office Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes
Latest news updates for August 2025
Attorney General Mayes Wins Lawsuit Against Trump Administration, Stops $184 Million Cut to AmeriCorps Service Programs
Attorney General Mayes Announces Two Convictions for ESA Program Fraud
Attorney General Mayes Sues Hefty® Parent Company for Misleading Arizona Consumers
Attorney General Mayes Secures Full Relief for Arizona Schools in Lawsuit Challenging Withholding of Education Funding
Attorney General Mayes Joins 44 States in Demanding Tech Companies End Predatory AI Interactions with Kids
Attorney General Mayes Sues Operators of Real Estate Scam Targeting Elderly Arizonans
MORE …
The gray area of AI in academics
Artificial intelligence has quickly become part of the fabric of academic life, causing scholars to ask: When does innovation come at the expense of integrity? Two NAU faculty members and one Lumberjack alumna are part of a research team that’s examining the ethical gray area of AI usage in academic publishing.
Less than two weeks remain to get your tickets to attend the return of our popular and educational CCC&Y Conference with this year’s theme of “Coherence Rising: Inner Alignment as the Catalyst for Systematic Change.” The 2025 conference will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.
Join us in a beautiful setting that reminds us the universe is infinite and so is our potential.
We are joined by not one, but two amazing and powerful keynote presenters who share their expertise, gift for inspiration and profound insights.
In her morning presentation “Cohere. Connect. Conduct,” guest speaker Iya Affo will weave together storytelling, science, spoken word and systems change to spark transformation within organizations and communities. Affo, a Culturalist and Trauma Specialist, will draw on personal experiences, neuroscience and the power of collective healing to talk about how self-healing communities and systems change can be the foundation for lasting transformation.
… During her afternoon presentation, Dr. Sandra Solano will talk about “From Within to the World: Harnessing Heart Coherence for Healing and Systematic Empowerment.” Solano, M.D., M.S. is a results-driven healthcare executive, will explore the science and practical applications of how your heart’s powerful energy works and influences your entire environment. You’ll discover that true, lasting change begins not “out there,” but within you.
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FLAGSTAFF — Congratulations to Coconino County Health and Human Services who received $7,900 at the Arizona Community Foundation/Flagstaff awards ceremony to provide Community Care Kits.
The kits are backpacks filled with essential person hygiene items that help reduce stress by meeting personal care needs and provide an opportunity for HHS to connect individuals with community resources.
Acres: 145,504 Containment: 64% Personnel: 646
Start Date: July 4, 2025 Cause: Lightning Location: Grand Canyon North Rim
Current Situation: With fire activity minimized due to several days of precipitation, crews are focused primarily on the large task of removing hazards and rehabilitating the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park lands to as much of a pre-fire condition as possible while reducing further impacts in the future.
Make Your Gift Count for Art,
Community, and Learning
Your support of Sedona Arts Center empowers creativity, community, and lifelong learning. Recent changes in tax law may provide new ways to maximize the impact of your giving—helping us continue our mission to inspire, educate, and connect artists and audiences across the Verde Valley.
COCONINO COUNTY — After consultation with the United States Forest Service (USFS), areas of Coconino County within the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest will move to Stage 1 fire restrictions effective Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 8 a.m.
This decision, according to Coconino County’s Wildfire Defense Ordinance, will apply to all private property within, and adjacent to, the boundaries of the Coconino National Forest.
Exploring Flagstaff’s Latino Heritage and Community
Thursday, Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30
3:30 to 5 p.m.
Dive into the rich and diverse stories of the Latino communities that have shaped Flagstaff. This course offers a discussion of the people, traditions, and industries that have played a vital role in the city’s development.
Latino – Learn more and register!
FLAGSTAFF — Due to recent moisture across the region, the City of Flagstaff will lower fire restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1 at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025.
Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions,
Permits for open burning within the City will not be issued.
The sale or use of consumer-grade fireworks is prohibited.
The use of charcoal and wood-fired BBQs are prohibited in City parks and open spaces.
Use of fire pits and other open flame devices without an on/off switch are prohibited on Red Flag Warning days, as issued by the National Weather Service.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools, Cheryl Mango-Paget requests nominations for the 13th Annual Coconino County Teacher of the Year, 8th Annual Coconino County Rookie Teacher of the Year and 5th Annual Coconino County Lifetime Achievement Award.
The awards are a distinguished countywide event created to celebrate, honor and recognize full-time teachers from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. Even the simple act of nominating a teacher can mean the world to them. Nominating a teacher recognizes them for their hard-work and efforts throughout the academic year.
Welcome back, Jacks!
It’s been a big week for new Lumberjacks. When they weren’t toting luggage around campus and saying goodbye to loved ones, they were enjoying a Welcome Week full of music, games, meet-and-greets and more. Flip through a few photo highlights and watch this Welcome Week video.
FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff is seeking input from the public and relevant stakeholders on proposed updates to the Engineering Design Standards and Specifications for New Infrastructure. The proposed updates to the design standards will allow fiber providers who have a franchise or license agreement that allows them to place facilities within city right-of-way to utilize a new technology known as micro-trenching as a method to install fiber.
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest will move from Stage 2 to Stage 1 fire restrictions, effective 8 a.m., Wednesday, August 27,due to widespread precipitation across all three districts of the forest.
Motorized closures around specific areas of the San Francisco Peaks, Marshall Lake area and Pumphouse Wash area will be lifted, and campers at developed recreation sites are allowed to burn campfires following proper campfire guidance.
Judge McVickers has devoted the vast majority of her professional career to serving the people of Coconino County in a variety of roles, including as prosecutor, public defender, private attorney and on-call judge pro tempore. Her wide-ranging experience includes work in civil, criminal, juvenile and family law matters, both locally and across the country.
Discover something new, deepen your creative practice, or reignite your artistic passion with one of our upcoming workshops at Sedona Arts Center. Here are just a few exciting classes you can sign up for now—and you’ll find our full lineup of workshops and events online at SedonaArtsCenter.org. Join us in the studio and be part of a vibrant community of artists and learners in the heart of Sedona.
BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events be prepared to act. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website. NWS Flagstaff, AZ
Also see: Arizona Daily Sun — Coconino Community College celebrates Kaibab Campus grand opening
FLAGSTAFF — Dozens of college, community and business supporters gathered on Aug. 16, 2025 at the new Coconino Community College Kaibab Campus for the grand opening for a facility that will provide hand-on instruction in automotive technology and serve as the home for the college’s growing trades training program, including a potential welding program.
The event included speeches by CCC President Dr. Eric Heiser and other college and community officials, the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, music, food and tours of the new facility, which previously served as the unused Flagstaff Chevrolet automotive repair center.
The event underscores CCC’s commitment to expanding career training pathways and preparing students for in-demand, high-wage jobs across northern Arizona, the college stated in a media release.
FLAGSTAFF — Even though it was on short notice, a crowd of 500 or so protesters gathered at the Flagstaff City Hall on Aug. 16, 2025 as part of the “Rapid Response: Fight the Trump Takeover” to protest the potential moves by the Trump Administration and its allies in Texas change the voting map to keep Republican in power in Congress.
The protest in Flagstaff included members of Indivisible Northern AZ and other organizations.
“Trump told Texas Republicans to gerrymander the state to add congressional seats to the map. It’s a power grab pure and simple,” Indivisible Northern AZ officials stated before the event.
FLAGSTAFF — From classic lowrider to street rods and military trucks, the annual 2025 Mother Road Classic Car Show had it all at the Flagstaff City Hall Parking Lot on Aug. 16, 2025.
Here are a few of the classic rides:
14th Annual Hopi Arts and Cultural Festival
Flagstaff Mall
Experience the incredible talent of Hopi artists through diverse artwork and captivating social dance performances. Sat. 10 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m. Free.
COCONINO COUNTY — Businesses impacted by the Dragon Bravo and White Sage Fires can meet with representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration to learn about the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) program and receive assistance with competing applications.
The SBA declared an economic disaster on Monday, August 18 and Coconino County Emergency Management and Economic Development teams along with Coconino County Supervisors have been on the ground since, finding dates, times and locations to host two SBA mobile service teams.
or 36 years, the Flagstaff Festival of Science has been bringing free, cutting-edge STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programming to Northern Arizona. In September, our community gathers to celebrate curiosity, innovation, and discovery during what has become fondly known as the 10 Best Days of the Year.
Highlights: On the northernmost portion of the fire, suppression repair work is nearly complete. Equipment operators are progressing toward the south to continue their work. Chipping groups are working across the west side, and hazard tree removal progressed on the southern portions of the fire. The Kaibab National Forest reduced the size of the temporary forest closure on the North Kaibab Ranger District on August 19, 2025. Western portions of the district are now open to public access and the closure boundary is comprised of a series of forest roads between the Jacob Lake area and Timp Point.
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. – A multi-agency Department of the Interior (DOI) Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is beginning work this week to assess the impacts of the Dragon Bravo Fire on National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management lands. This process involves identifying the values at risk, determining any post-fire impacts to those values, and prescribing treatments to mitigate impacts.
FREDONIA — A U S Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team, led by Eric Schroder, has begun making burned area surveys of the Kaibab National Forest. BAER team assessments are rapid evaluations of post-fire conditions of the burned landscape to determine the level of risk from potential flooding and debris flow to values on National Forest System lands. If unacceptable risks are found the team recommends appropriate and effective emergency stabilization measures to reduce the risks to national forest lands and values. BAER emergency stabilization efforts are focused on the protection of human life and safety, property, and critical cultural and natural resources.
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Effective immediately, Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim will transition to Stage 2 water restrictions due to rising water levels in reservoir tanks.
Operational changes include:
Camper Services, operated by Delaware North, will reopen to the public.
Water spigots in Mather Campground and Desert View Campground will be turned on.
Despite these changes, water restrictions remain in place on the South Rim. Visitors and residents are urged to reduce water consumption by following these practices: flush toilets selectively, take shorter showers, wash clothes and dishes only with full loads and in eco-mode if available, and turn off the sink while brushing teeth, soaping hands, or shaving.
Good afternoon, Frank,
Dr. Eric Heiser has spent more than two decades in higher education, with the past three as President of Coconino Community College. His journey to the role wasn’t a straight line: in fact, he first tried his hand in the hospitality industry before a chance invitation to teach changed his career trajectory – and life – forever.
In our recent conversation, Dr. Heiser, a member of the ECoNA Executive Committee, shared how growing up on Wyoming’s Wind River Indian Reservation gave him a deep understanding of — and commitment to — diverse and often underserved student populations.
The County has updated the Plan and will hold public hearings this fall. Opportunities for public comment will be available during the public hearings. To submit written comments in advance email: mshaw@coconino.az.gov.
The 60-day review comments and the public hearing draft will be available on September 1, 2025. To view these documents:
