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🌱 Patch AM: Which literary stars are coming to Tucson’s 2026 Festival of Books?

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Hello again Tucson! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which literary stars are coming to Tucson’s 2026 Festival of Books?
  • Why is Tucson freezing new public housing and Section 8 applications?
  • How 49 new citizens are reshaping life in Tucson

Also on today's calendar: All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 Preview and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Tucsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Tucsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 79 and low of 53 degrees.
  • Sunday: Very warm, temps: high: 82, low: 58.
  • Monday: Sunny, nice and warm, with a high of 78 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Salman Rushdie to headline Tucson Festival of Books (tucson.com) — Tucson readers can look forward to Salman Rushdie, Erik Larson, Brad Thor and dozens of local writers headlining the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books at the University of Arizona on March 14-15. The festival will spotlight more than 300 sessions, celebrate Tucson authors, support Southern Arizona literacy programs, and even tie into America’s 250th anniversary and Spanish-language literature.
   

2. 'It would take us decades to get through' Tucson to close public housing waitlist (azpm.org) — If you need public housing or a Section 8 voucher in Tucson, you have until Dec. 31 to get on the waitlists before they close on Jan. 1. With about 40,000 households already waiting and only 600 admitted yearly, officials say they must pause new applications until there’s real capacity to help more residents.
   

3. 49 people become U.S. citizens in Tucson naturalization ceremony (kgun9.com) — Forty-nine immigrants took the oath of allegiance at a downtown Tucson courthouse, becoming new U.S. citizens ready to live, work, and vote in Southern Arizona. Several shared how Tucson hospitals, businesses, and families shaped their journeys, highlighting both the long path to citizenship and the deep connections they’ve built in the local community.
   

4. Tucson's fee hike for pawn shops may hit customers' wallets (kvoa.com) — Tucson officials are weighing a plan to triple the per-transaction reporting fee pawn shops pay the city, a cost many customers ultimately shoulder when reclaiming pawned items. Shop owners warn the change, expected to raise about $400,000 a year, would hit underbanked residents hardest if the City Council approves it next Tuesday for a March 1, 2026 start.
   

5. Millions for Tucson Raffle raises $1.8M for charity (tucson.com) — A Tucson-based raffle led by local businessman Jim Click raised more than $1.8 million this year for 379 Southern Arizona charities, with winners announced at Reid Park Zoo. Prizes ranged from a new Kia Carnival Hybrid to first-class plane tickets and cash, while organizers praised Tucson’s nonprofits for improving life across the region.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Is this your cat??
    very very friendly male, wearing a blue collar with a small bell on it. I’ve been feeding him about a week. He is definitely someone’s pet and I am… (Nextdoor Oak Flower)
  • ***Found Dog***
    Found black male chihuahua on Thursday 12/11 Found near Doubletree on Alvernon between Broadway & 22nd St, Tucson No collar / No chip He is safe… (Nextdoor San Gabriel Park)
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker in Tucson. Apply here.
  • Bashas' posted a job opening for 100 - Bashas' Night Operations Team Member - Camp Lowell & Swan 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: I demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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