KJZZ's Sun Up is a weekday morning news podcast giving you the Arizona news you need to start your day. It is the biggest stories of the day from KJZZ news.
KJZZ's Sun Up Transcript for July 3, 2026
ANNOUNCER: KJZZ's Sun Up is supported by Banner Health, Arizona's largest nonprofit healthcare system. Last year, Banner reinvested more than $1.1 billion in community health and charity care. Banner Health, nonprofit for Arizona. bannerhealth.com/nonprofitforaz.
PHIL LATZMAN: Hey, this is KJZZ's Sun Up, your daily news update from here in Phoenix, on our state and region. I'm Phil Latzman, your host for this podcast, a daily digest of Arizona news as reported by our award-winning and amazing KJZZ news team. It is Friday, happy July 3, as we get set for this Independence Day weekend. Let's get the news.
Well, the Pocket fire near Oak Creek north of Sedona has now burned more than 21,000 acres, but it is 25% contained, according to federal forest officials. Over 1,100 personnel are battling the blaze. Oak Creek Canyon remains on high alert for evacuation. Other nearby communities were downgraded to ready. State Route 89A remains closed from Sedona to I-17 except for residents. And fire crews are making progress elsewhere on the Sycamore fire, that's north of Globe in the Salt River Canyon Wilderness. That lightning-caused blaze now 91% contained and there are no evacuation issues.
Well, public school advocates are calling for an ethics investigation into state lawmaker Matt Gress over allegations that his lobbying in other states influences his work at the Arizona Legislature. From the Politics Desk, Wayne Schutsky has more.
WAYNE SCHUTSKY: Gress, a Phoenix Republican, works for Americans for Fair Treatment, an Oklahoma nonprofit that advocates for anti-union legislation. The Arizona Agenda reported that Gress is registered as a lobbyist for the organization in four other states, but not Arizona. But Jacob Martinez, vice president of Save Our Schools Arizona, accused Gress of pushing legislation tied to his employer. He pointed to a ballot referral Republican lawmakers sent to voters that would restrict public school teachers' ability to engage in union activities.
JACOB MARTINEZ: He's using his status as chairman of the House Education Committee to do nothing else but serve his employer's interests.
WAYNE SCHUTSKY: Gress denied the allegations and said his employer was not involved in the legislation. He accused his critics of engaging in politically motivated attacks during election season. Wayne Schutsky, KJZZ News, Phoenix.
PHIL LATZMAN: The city of Phoenix officially passed a new water-sharing program that is designed to help Arizona cities survive shortages. As Alex Hager reports, it's called the Secure Water Arizona Program, or SWAP.
ALEX HAGER: Phoenix and its large neighbors are worried that if any Valley city goes dry, it would cause bad press for the whole metro and hurt the economy. SWAP creates an emergency reserve of water to help cities survive water cutbacks in the short term, and helps them find other cities and businesses that might want to sell them some in the long term. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego voted to approve it.
KATE GALLEGO: It's a practical program that will allow our state the flexibility to weather the uncertainties in the Colorado River basin, and it reflects our commitment to one another.
ALEX HAGER: Valley cities could face massive cutbacks to their supplies from the river under a federal plan that's expected later this month. Alex Hager, KJZZ News, Phoenix.
PHIL LATZMAN: Well, the Trump administration announced this week it was not ready to renew the trade pack between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. From the Frontera Desk, Nina Kravinsky reports on the response from Mexico.
NINA KRAVINSKY: The USMCA, the trade deal the first Trump administration signed to replace NAFTA, now goes into a period of likely prolonged negotiations. In a statement, the US says it wants to address what the administration sees as shortcomings with the treaty, along with trade deficits with Mexico and Canada. Mexico's economy minister, Marcelo Ebrard, said Mexico plans to use the talks to try to reduce or eliminate Trump administration tariffs on certain Mexican goods, including steel and aluminum.
MARCELO EBRARD: (Speaking Spanish) Hay una diferencia que yo identifique... (Speaking English) I haven't identified any differences between the US, Mexico, and Canada that we can't resolve.
NINA KRAVINSKY: Mexico and the United States are expected to meet to discuss the trade agreement the week of July 20th. Nina Kravinsky, KJZZ News.
PHIL LATZMAN: Well, Pinal County health officials have confirmed a potential case of measles exposure at a Wendy's in Coolidge. Taylor Griffith has more.
TAYLOR GRIFFITH: A person positive for measles visited the Wendy's on North Arizona Boulevard in Coolidge on Thursday, June 25, between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The county says the individual is not a resident. Officials are asking anyone who visited this location at this time who's unsure of their vaccination status to call public health services. Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, runny nose, and unexplained rashes. Those who develop symptoms should stay home and call a healthcare provider immediately. Vaccination is the most effective way to avoid measles infection. The vaccine comes in two doses and requires two weeks to build immunity. Taylor Griffith, KJZZ News, Phoenix.
PHIL LATZMAN: A potential strike is looming in Tucson for bus and streetcar drivers. Connor Greenwall reports on negotiations between Sun Tran and union leaders.
CONNOR GREENWALL: Sun Tran is the transit service in Tucson, and the union representing its drivers failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement before the old one expired on June 30th. Workers with Teamsters Local 104 voted to authorize a strike on June 7, citing driver safety risks. The two parties continued negotiations into early Wednesday. Sun Tran presented what it calls its best and final offer, which the union will consider on July 11 and 12. In a statement, Sun Tran says if a work stoppage occurs, it will operate a limited service schedule and people should be prepared for longer wait times. Connor Greenwall, KJZZ News, Phoenix.
PHIL LATZMAN: The FBI has discounted some of the ransom notes that surfaced after the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie as extortion attempts. As Jill Ryan reports, the agency says it's still evaluating others that might be legitimate.
JILL RYAN: Nancy Guthrie, mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, has been missing for five months. Since then, investigators and media outlets have received several ransom notes and kidnapping-related material. The agency says it's still investigating the case as a kidnapping for ransom. The Pima County Sheriff's Department is also investigating the case. The department declined to comment on the notes but said it's taking every tip seriously. A volunteer group recently conducted a search for Nancy Guthrie's body near the Arizona-Mexico border. Jill Ryan, KJZZ News, Phoenix.
PHIL LATZMAN: Well, as we've been hearing, Saturday marks 250 years since the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. But as Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, Indigenous peoples have a complicated relationship with this federal holiday.
(Music clip from Schoolhouse Rock plays: "And on the 4th of July they signed it ...")
GABRIEL PIETRORAZIO: Here's a fact from Navajo activist and blogger Mark Charles, something this catchy tune from Schoolhouse Rock left out.
MARK CHARLES: Thirty-one lines below the statement 'all men are created equal' refers to native peoples as 'merciless Indian savages' and one of their grievances against the king is that he took away their right of discovery.
GABRIEL PIETRORAZIO: Charles has written a lot about 1776.
MARK CHARLES: They refer to us in dehumanizing terms, and this is really crucial because, again, people look at this as an aspirational, great, grandiose document, but the more we understand this history, we see that's not the case.
GABRIEL PIETRORAZIO: Gabriel Pietrorazio, KJZZ News, Phoenix.
PHIL LATZMAN: Well, North Phoenix is getting a new sports and entertainment complex that will help support youth leagues. Lilly Roseburrough has more.
LILLY ROSEBURROUGH: Fire and Ice Arena will have capacity for 2,500 people. The $190 million project will include a hotel and youth sports training facilities. Troy Mick is the executive director of Fire and Ice.
TROY MICK: Something that we're looking forward to do is, you know, showing the people of, you know, all the greater Phoenix area, and especially the north here on I-17 that, you know, they're going to have a lot of options for entertainment. And I think health-wise, conscious-wise, exercise is the number one thing for motivation for this facility.
LILLY ROSEBURROUGH: Mick says the project faced significant roadblocks during the COVID-19 pandemic but was revived last November. The facility is set to open in September. Lilly Roseburrough, KJZZ News, Phoenix.
PHIL LATZMAN: Well, the federal government announced on Thursday grants totaling over $1.7 billion to improve airports across America, and more than 33 million is coming to Arizona. John Brodsky is spokesperson for Phoenix Sky Harbor, which will receive more than 18 million of it.
JOHN BRODSKY: 9.5 million is going towards the taxiway U project, and 8.5 million is going toward the Terminal 3 North Concourse apron.
PHIL LATZMAN: The new taxiway will bridge over Sky Harbor Boulevard on the west side of the airport. The Terminal 3 project will add additional passenger gates as well.
In sports, basketball in the WNBA, the Mercury are on a roll. Kahleah Copper scored 23 of her 30 points in the first half, they beat the Seattle Storm 96-67 last night in Phoenix. Lexie Hull added 17 and a career-high five 3-pointers for the Merc in their third straight victory.
In baseball, after taking two of three from the Giants, the Diamondbacks start a weekend series tonight hosting the Milwaukee Brewers. Arizona begins play at the .500 mark, they're three games out of the National League's last wild-card spot.
And that does it for this version, this edition of KJZZ's Sun Up, Arizona's morning news podcast on this Friday, July 3. I'm Phil Latzman. Happy birthday, America! You don't look any older than 249. Enjoy the Fourth of July holiday, and we'll be back at you here on Monday. Talk to you then.
