Good morning, this is Tucson Local Pulse for Friday, June 13, 2025. We start our day with breaking news from downtown, where tensions flared earlier this week during an anti-ICE protest near Congress Street. Protestors and private security clashed Wednesday night, resulting in several injuries and at least two arrests. Police remain present in the area, and we encourage everyone to be cautious if you’re downtown today. City officials are closely monitoring the aftermath, with Vice Mayor Ortega expressing concerns about rising anxiety among immigrant communities and urging calm as investigations continue.Switching gears, the monsoon season is beginning to make its presence known. We woke up under mostly clear skies, but forecasters warn of a chance for late afternoon thunderstorms, especially near the Catalina Foothills and Oro Valley. Temps are expected to top out near ninety-three today with humidity creeping up—so plan ahead if you’re headed outdoors, especially for evening events. Looking ahead, the weekend should be a bit cooler, but keep that umbrella handy.On the local business front, we’re seeing interesting movement this week. The long-awaited Mercado Kitchen on West Congress opened with a soft launch last night, offering new options for the downtown lunch crowd. Meanwhile, the historic Rincon Market on East Sixth announced a temporary closure for renovations, aiming for a grand reopening by mid-July. In job news, Pima County’s unemployment rate edged down to five percent, with new hiring sprees at Banner Health and Raytheon aiming to add over two hundred jobs this summer.From City Hall, there’s news that may affect your next electric bill. The council is weighing a proposal to expand rebates for home solar installations, hoping to push Tucson closer to energy goals by 2030. The decision is drawing support from environmental groups and could be voted on as early as next week.In real estate, the Tucson market remains hot, with median home prices holding steady around four hundred thousand dollars. Realtors report brisk sales in the Civano and Sam Hughes neighborhoods, especially for homes with backyard pools ahead of the summer heat.Big things are happening in our cultural scene. Tonight, Paint Night in the Park kicks off at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park in Marana. Artists of all ages are welcome, and registration is still open. Saturday brings the last Sahuarita Sunset Market of the season, featuring local food trucks and live music—great for family fun.Turning to sports, Tucson High’s baseball team brought home a state championship earlier this week, and celebrations are planned along Fourth Avenue. And in college news, the University of Arizona is breathing a sigh of relief as financial officials say the recent budget crisis has eased, securing summer programs and faculty jobs.We end with a feel-good story: a group of neighbors near Reid Park rallied together to clean up graffiti after last weekend’s storms, turning the park mural into a local art project. It’s a small reminder of the community spirit that keeps Tucson strong.This has been Tucson Local Pulse. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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