Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What Tucson’s new Daily Star editor thinks local news must do next
Make time for Funeral For Laya on the Tucson Patch calendar
Morning Tucson! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What Tucson's new Daily Star editor thinks local news must do next
- How Tucson residents can train for new aerospace careers in 13 weeks
- How UArizona's new year and housing changes could affect Tucson students
Also on today's calendar: Funeral For Laya and 8 more events.
Today's riddle: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Tucson Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Tucson Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Tucson. 
- Tuesday: Very hot, with a high of 108 and low of 79 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: Partly sunny and very hot, temps: high: 110, low: 81.
- Thursday: Very hot, with a high of 110 and low of 81 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. The Arizona Daily Star's new editor is hopeful about the future of local news (kjzz.org) — Tucson's Arizona Daily Star has promoted longtime reporter and editor Alexis Huicochea, a Tucson native, to executive editor as the paper navigates industry layoffs and digital change. She reflects on serving her hometown, adapting coverage for phones and social media, and why she remains optimistic about the future of local news here. 
2. MHIRJ Opens Structures Academy In Tucson (aviationweek.com) — A new paid training academy at MHIRJ's Tucson service center is preparing local residents for careers as sheet metal structures technicians, with the first 15-student cohort now underway. The company expects to train dozens more by early 2027, offering hands-on instruction and clear pathways into high-demand aerospace maintenance jobs based right here in Tucson.
3. University of Arizona welcomes students back to campus for the start of a new school year (kgun9.com) — Students are back on campus at the University of Arizona in Tucson, with enrollment stabilizing and new academic options like astrobiology and human-animal interaction launching this year. The story also notes some dorms are offline for maintenance while new housing is built, and highlights advice from seniors plus a Tucson-based reporter eager to connect with the community.
4. Tucson leaders claim progress made to improve public transit safety (kold.com) — Tucson officials are rolling out a multimillion‑dollar plan to make buses, streets, and busy intersections safer, including more police at key stops, new transit ambassadors, and major road upgrades. Residents and bus drivers raised concerns about open‑air drug use, cleanliness, and inconsistent incident responses, and the city says visible enforcement, cleaner stops, and better driver protections are coming soon.
5. Tucson airman accused of faking retirement to triple-dip paychecks (azfamily.com) — A Tucson man has been indicted on federal charges alleging he lied about his Air Force retirement date while also working for government contractors, allowing him to collect multiple paychecks. Prosecutors say he later misrepresented his work history when seeking another federal contracting job, and he now faces potential prison time and a substantial fine if convicted.
📸 Around Tucson
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Tucson
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Funeral For Laya →
Phoenix Funeral and Cremation Services, 1327 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix
10:00 am
Tuesday August 25
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- MS Project Best Practices 101 Course →
Key Consulting, 310 S Williams Blvd, Tucson
9:00 am - Band Feeder Fun Night @ IRHS
Amphitheater School District (Tucson) Tucson, AZ 85705
5:00 pm - Beer for Bikes: Art for Auction →
Dragoon Brewing Company, 1859 W Grant Rd, Tucson
5:00 pm - MS Project Best Practices 102 Course →
Key Consulting Project Management Education Center
8:00 am - PTO Parent Mixer
Amphitheater School District (Tucson) Tucson, AZ 85705
6:00 pm - Colors of the Stone - Fall Gem Show →
Casino Del Sol, 5655 W Valencia Rd, Tucson
10:00 am - PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification Preparation Course →
Key Consulting Project Management Education Center
8:00 am - Tucson Terror & Oddities Market Kicks Off the Spooky Season Sept. 12 →
Ramada by Wyndham Tucson, 777 W Cushing St, Tucson
10:00 am - Mexican Independence Day Celebration →
Presidio San Agustín del Tucsón Museum, 196 N Court Ave, Tucson
6:00 pm - Introduction to Project Management Course →
Key Consulting Project Management Education Center
8:00 am
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Thursday September 3
Friday September 11
Saturday September 12
Monday September 14
📣 Tucson Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Story School by Make Way for Books
Mission Branch Library 3770 South Mission Road, Tucson, AZ 85713
11:00 am - Tiny Art Party
Mission Branch Library 3770 South Mission Road, Tucson, AZ 85713
4:00 pm - Bilingual Babytime! / ¡Tiempo para los Bebes! Bilingüe
Mission Branch Library 3770 South Mission Road, Tucson, AZ 85713
10:30 am - Crafternoon/Tarde de manualidades
Sam Lena-South Tucson Branch Library 1607 South Sixth Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85713
2:00 pm
Tuesday August 25
Wednesday August 26
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Tucson PatchAM possible:
- Catalina Behavioral Health — (520) 999-2560
- Artemis Adolescent Healing Center — (520) 614-8647
- Junk King Tucson — (520) 549-5865
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for Inventory Specialist in Tucson. Apply here.
- Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Team Member in Tucson. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Tucson here.
Ok Tucson! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: If you weren't so sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam! (Thank you Patti F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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