Monsoon 'debut' is today, but don't expect rain just yet

Welcome to the first day of Tucson's monsoon. It'll probably be hotter today than it was Friday. But the National Weather Service says there is a teeny, tiny chance of rain.

Monsoon 'debut' is today, but don't expect rain just yet

Carlos Garcia says he intended to start doing yard work at 9 a.m. Friday to try and beat the heat, but didn't get started until 11 - and by then, well, we all know how he suffered. He was doing a favor for an elderly woman who lives near Second Avenue and Delano Street.

Arizona woman accused of abandoning dogs in desert

PHOENIX — A Mesa-area woman has been arrested on animal cruelty charges accusing her of abandoning two dogs in the desert.

Desert Museum turns 60

A mountain lion lounges - clearly alert, but utterly relaxed - in its enclosure at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

Desert Museum turns 60

Jim and Ann Konz of Kansas City, Kan., check out the vistas from the museum's Coati Kid Clubhouse on the Desert Loop Trail.

Desert Museum turns 60

The museum's director says the hummingbird exhibit is the most popular.

Desert Museum turns 60

Desert bighorn sheep also are on exhibit at the museum.

Desert Museum turns 60

Keeper Araceli Cons uses a blow-dryer to prepare a kit fox den for its occupants at the museum's Underground Life Exhibit.

Desert Museum turns 60

On Labor Day, 60 years ago, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum opened its doors.

From dry, prickly desert to moist, smooth skin

Retired teacher Paula Morris' Sweet P's makes dozens of organic skin-care items, as well as home-care products like disinfectant spray, mineral makeup and baby products.

From dry, prickly desert to moist, smooth skin

Antioxidant-packed prickly pear shows up in many of Morris' skin-care products, including sunscreen and a night cream with resveratrol.

From dry, prickly desert to moist, smooth skin

Paula Morris is a retired educator - but she's a lifelong learner.

Let critters make your backyard their home

For 10 years, Dennis Caldwell has encouraged lizards to take up residence in his garden, like this desert spiny lizard on a cholla cactus. "The key element," he says, "is to have protection from the cats."

Let critters make your backyard their home

A painted lady goes about the business of being a butterfly in the backyard of Dennis Caldwell.

Let critters make your backyard their home

An ornate tree lizard makes good use of a wood pile in Dennis Caldwell's yard.

Standings

CLASS 5A

Larcena Pennington Page: Pioneer woman redefined what it meant to be tough

Hardships were part of life for Southern Arizona pioneers in the mid-1800s, but the trials endured by Larcena Pennington Page would have brought the toughest frontiersman to his knees.