🌱 Patch AM: How fast will Tucson’s economy really grow in 2026?

Good morning Tucson! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How fast will Tucson’s economy really grow in 2026?

Also on today's calendar: Arizona National Livestock Show and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Mostly cloudy and warm, with a high of 74 and low of 53 degrees.
• Saturday: Mainly cloudy and cooler, temps: high: 64, low: 44.
• Sunday: Rather cloudy, with a high of 66 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• A Slow Climb, but Upward: Health care, defense, tech services lead a slow reset after two stalled years (tucsonweekly.com) — Tucson’s economy is expected to inch forward in 2026, with modest job growth led by health care, defense, tech services, and the University of Arizona–anchored innovation ecosystem. Economists say reduced policy turbulence and steady performance from Raytheon and UA should help, though high housing costs, labor shortages, tariffs, and immigration enforcement still threaten to slow progress for many local workers and employers.
   

📸 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 ★

Saturday December 27

• Arizona National Livestock Show
  Arizona State Fair, 1826 W McDowell Rd, Phoenix
  8:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 27

• Fiber Arts Club
  Valencia Branch Library , 202 West Valencia Road , Tucson
  2:30 pm

Monday December 29

• Homework Help
  Valencia Branch Library , 202 West Valencia Road , Tucson
  4:00 pm

Tuesday December 30

• Toddler Storytime
  Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
  10:15 am
• Preschool Storytime
  Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
  11:15 am
• Read to a Dog
  Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
  2:30 pm
• Kindness Rock Painting
  Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
  2:30 pm
• GED One-on-One Help
  Valencia Branch Library , 202 West Valencia Road , Tucson
  3:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• It's Babytime! Storytime for Babies
  Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
  10:30 am

Saturday January 3

• Mainly Murals Walking Tour-Jan 3rd
  Presidio San Agustín del Tucsón Museum , 196 N Court Ave , Tucson
  10:00 am

📣 Tucson Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday December 26

• Craft Table
  Sam Lena-South Tucson Branch Library , 1607 South Sixth Avenue , Tucson
  10:00 am

Monday December 29

• Behavioral Health Outreach Walk-In Clinic (El Rio)
  Joel D Valdez Main Library , 101 North Stone Avenue , Tucson
  10:00 am
• It's Babytime! Storytime for Babies
  Joel D Valdez Main Library , 101 North Stone Avenue , Tucson
  10:15 am

Tuesday December 30

• Pima County Health Department Health Care Kit Distribution
  Joel D Valdez Main Library , 101 North Stone Avenue , Tucson
  10:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Tucson PatchAM possible:

• Sunrise Roofers LLC — (520) 668-6638
  Roofing Contractor in Tucson, Arizona.
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Junk King Tucson — (520) 549-5865
  The Greenest, Cleanest Junk Removal in the Desert!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Albuquerque is tackling homelessness with an innovative approach.
  Instead of offering aid alone, the city pays people experiencing homelessness to clean streets and public areas. Participants earn daily wages,… (Nextdoor Colonia Del Valle)
• And to all a good night.
  Wishing you all peace and joy this holiday season. From the slumbering Lord Bear and Little Lady Paprika... (Nextdoor Rolling Hills)

• Dead person found in a vehicle on southbound I-19 near Sahuarita Rd. Law enforcement investigating (X: whatsuptucson)
• STORMTRACKER 4 UPDATE: The Drought Monitor has been released for Southeastern Arizona. Check out this week's conditions across the area! #azwx ... (X: KVOA)

• Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Tucson. Apply here.
• ABM Industries posted a job opening for Janitorial Cleaner in Tucson. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Tucson here.

🗞 Nearby News

Vail

• Basketball Recap: Empire Comes Up Short (maxpreps.com)

Sahuarita

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: I guess I’m out of time.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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