Local News

The City of Flagstaff has secured $2.4 million from a federal grant to begin flood mitigation work in west Flagstaff. The area has been inundated several times in recent weeks as a result of heavy rain over the Pipeline Fire scar.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lyzer offered their condolences to the family of U.S. Army Veteran Gibson B. Jones, who died on Friday at the age of 76.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has called for the seven states of the Colorado River Basin to make immediate, steep cuts in their water use. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny reports, Monday is the deadline for the states to finalize their plans, but the call has been met with confusion and dismay.

Navajo Nation president Jonathan Nez announced that New Mexico attorney Chad Abeyta will be his running mate in November's general election.

The Arizona Department of Transportation will close State Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon overnight beginning next Monday.

Grand Canyon National Park officials this weekend will again implement mandatory water conservation measures as storage tanks on the South Rim are not refilling at a sustainable rate. Park officials had lifted the restrictions earlier this week.

A pipeline on the San Francisco Peaks that provides water to Flagstaff has been shut down after it suffered heavy damage during recent monsoon rain. Many areas northeast of Flagstaff have seen cataclysmic flooding following this year’s wildfires.

Emory oak trees in the Mogollon Rim country of Arizona have begun to disappear. Their loss means the loss of a cherished tradition of the Apache people, who prize Emory oak acorns for food. KNAU’s Melissa Sevigny reports, tribal elders, foresters, and scientists teamed up to try to save the tree, and with it, a vital piece of Apache culture.

Voters on the Navajo Nation cast ballots Tuesday for several offices including tribal president. They narrowed a field of fifteen candidates to just two—incumbent President Jonathan Nez and previous vice-presidential candidate Buu Nygren. KNAU’s Sakya Calsoyas was at the polling place in the community of Tolani Lake and spoke with voters and candidates.

Governor Doug Ducey has declared a state of emergency in Coconino County following recent flooding. Multiple communities in and near Flagstaff have been impacted since heavy monsoon rains began last month.