Arizona is ramping up its efforts to protect its share of the Colorado River’s dwindling water supply, as the state faces an uncertain future over the fate of one of the West’s most crucial resources.

A bill advanced Tuesday by the Arizona House Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Water aims to allocate $1 million to defend the Grand Canyon State’s water rights as part of the ongoing battle over the Colorado River.

The bill, known as House Bill 2103, seeks to set aside the funds to support litigation in the event that negotiations among the seven states dependent on the river break down.

Arizona is preparing for the possibility of legal action if the ongoing discussions fail to resolve water allocation disputes.

The bill passed with unanimous support from the committee, though Democrats indicated they will propose an amendment to increase the allocation to $3 million, in line with Governor Katie Hobbs’ proposed budget.

State Representative Gail Griffin, a Republican from Tucson and the bill’s sponsor, told the committee, “It just shows we are ready to take action,” the Courthouse News Service reported.

The Colorado River, which feeds both Lake Mead and Lake Powell—critical water reservoirs for the Southwest—has been a vital source of water for more than 40 million people across the U.S. and Mexico.

But after years of drought and climate change, the river’s once-mighty flow is at its lowest levels in recorded history, prompting urgent discussions about how to share its shrinking resources before current agreements expire in 2026.

At the center of the debate are two factions: the Upper Basin states—Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming—and the Lower Basin states, which include Arizona, California and Nevada.

The Upper Basin states argue that their smaller reservoirs and more severe drought conditions justify keeping their water consumption levels higher, while the Lower Basin states, already committed to significant cuts, push for more aggressive reductions.

But as the clock ticks down toward 2026, when potential cuts could be enforced by the federal government, tensions are mounting over the distribution of the river’s limited water supply.

Arizona’s position is clear: it wants to be able to fight its corner if necessary and needs funds to do it.

The request for funds to potentially fight a legal battle was first proposed in September 2024 by Tom Buschatzke, the director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Buschatzke has warned of a growing divide between the Upper and Lower Basin states, referring to the rift as a “Grand Canyon-sized chasm” that could lead to a standoff if compromise proves elusive.

“It doesn’t seem like the Upper Basin feels like they have any risk that any additional cuts to their use can be imposed upon them,” Buschatzke said in a previous interview with Newsweek.

“We think we have a strong case if we have to go to court.”

Despite the potential for litigation, Buschatzke stressed that legal action would be a last resort.

He said: “If we end up in court, which we don’t want, it would be begrudgingly because it’s kind of a last-gasp effort.”

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PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in favor of property owners in Ahwatukee after they filed a case saying the construction of the South Mountain Loop 202 freeway brought down the value of their homes and weren’t correctly compensated.

The Court ruled that the owners must receive just compensation, and that will be an additional $12 million from the state.

The case was based on the 2017 construction of Loop 202, which took away common areas within the Foothills Reserve Master Planned Community in Phoenix but not their homes.

The Arizona Department of Transportation paid $6 million as fair market value for the common areas.

However, the homeowners association, representing 589 property owners, filed for damages since the loss of property directly impacted the value of their homes because of “noise, pollution, loss of view and the unsightliness as a result of the South Mountain Freeway.”

The Maricopa County Superior Court ruled in favor of the homeowners, but the Arizona Court of Appeals overturned that decision.

The Arizona Supreme Court disagreed with the lower court and said the property value loss should be included in the compensation to the HOA because of how close the freeway is.

The opinion was unanimous. The case could have an impact on future lawsuits involving Arizona’s infrastructure projects and property value.

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The Senior Bowl is the first big event in the NFL Draft cycle as essentially an All-Star game for college football’s best players.

The entire league attends the event with the knowledge that many of the players in Mobile, Alabama has pro potential and even more will prove to be valuable targets in the later rounds of the draft.

The Arizona Cardinals have limited ammo in the 2025 NFL Draft, so finding those types of players, no matter the position or the side of the field they play on is pivotal.

As practices roll on this week, expect lots of news from the event including standouts and more. The Cardinals will be paying as much attention as you and me.

The offensive side of the football is loaded with big names and talents, especially at quarterback. I have a handful of players at each position who should have the Cardinals full attention this week. One main standout and a few other names to watch for make up this list.

Let’s begin.

I’m on record for saying that Kyler Murray needs real competition in the quarterback room and this offseason is the most pivotal time to do that. The 2025 NFL Draft has no shortage of veteran QBs with lots of playing time to their name and chances to be difference-makers at the next level.

None appeals to me more than Dart, the Rebels all-time passing yards leader.

In his three seasons in Oxford after appending his freshman year at USC, Dart tossed 10,617 yards with 72 touchdowns while completing 65.7% of his passes. Dart also tallied 1,498 rushing yards and 12 more scores. He’s done all of this while proving he’s an NFL quarterback.

I believe that Dart deserves to flirt with being a first round draft choice, but there are many who disagree. He doesn’t seem to have a consensus opinion on where he should be drafted, but the Cardinals should seriously consider adding him as a high-end backup to Murray at worst, and someone who could usurp him at best.

Other names to watch: Riley Leonard (Notre Dame), Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)

ASU legend Cam Skattebo is opting out of the Senior Bowl to focus on preparing for the NFL Scouting Combine. The hometown hero would have been the runaway favorite to watch, but with him out we turn our attention to an inner-conference rival instead.

Neal is the Jayhawks’ all-time leading rusher with over 4,300 yards and 49 touchdowns. What has my attention the most is his prowess as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Neal has 70 receptions for 654 yards in the last three seasons and looks comfortable and confident in the passing game.

The Cardinals have capable running backs in the passing game with James Conner and Trey Benson, but Neal could be an elite pass catcher and a primary third down back for obvious passing situations.

Other names to watch: Damien Martinez (Miami), RJ Harvey (UCF)

Royals has had great production in his two seasons with the Aggies, including over 1,900 yards and 21 touchdowns. Royals possesses plenty of play-making ability after the catch and can make some serious cash with a good week in Mobile.

The Cardinals wide receiver room has Marvin Harrison Jr, Michael Wilson, and not much else. Depth and quite frankly upgrades from last season are desperately needed for Arizona to roll out a much more balanced passing attack next season and I like Royals to be that guy.

Sliding Royals into this offense gives Arizona a run after catch threat and a player who would thrive off a quick-passing attack. Royals compliments the big bodies of Harrison and Wilson while possessing more than adequate size at 6’ and 205lbs.

Other names to watch: Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins (Iowa State), Xavier Restrepo (Miami)

The most productive tight end in the nation and a Consensus All-American, Fannin is quite an intriguing prospect. Fannin set NCAA records at the tight end position across the board, including single-season receiving yards (1,555), yards per game, total receptions (117), receptions per game (9.0), and so many more. Fannin also had just four drops on 150 targets.

It was undeniably a special, special season.

Fannin is a fan-favorite in the draft community even with average to below-average size at the tight end spot at 6’4 and 230lbs. However, there’s no denying his insane production and terrific chance to produce in the pros.

Yes, Trey McBride is still here, and the Cardinals are all but guaranteed to extend him, but having a second pass catching tight end – and one who’s better after the catch – isn’t a bd option to have for an offense that likes two tight ends.

McBride was seen as a luxury pick when he was drafted in 2022, but he’s worked out fantastically. The same could be said if Fannin is drafted, but he’s a special talent in the passing game you can find a fit for him.

And besides, if you want to get crazy then put him outside at receiver. Have fun with that matchup, opposing DBs!

Other names to watch: Terrance Ferguson (Oregon), Mason Taylor (LSU)

Jones entered the 2024 season with hype to be a first round pick. Unfortunately, Jones didn’t show enough growth in his final season in Baton Rogue and looks to be a day three pick. The Senior Bowl is his biggest opportunity to work his way back up at least into day two range.

The one aspect of Jones that may be turning teams off is his lack of versatility, as he’s solely a right tackle prospect. It also doesn’t seem coincidental that Jones had a worse season after the departure of Heisman quarterback Jayden Daniels, whose running ability helped extend plays.

But to Jones’ credit, that’s a two-way street and he helped Daniels stay upright in the pocket.

Jones isn’t exactly a project player, but he needs refinement to get back to where he was in 2023. The Cardinals can grab Jones late in the draft and stash and develop him into becoming the high-end right tackle he has shown he can become.

Other names to watch: Wyatt Milum (West Virginia), Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota)

Savaiinaea has spent time all over the offensive line in Tucson, both on the left and right side, plus ample experience at tackle and guard. I’m on record that I like Savaiinaea to move inside to guard at the next level, but his versatility makes him a much more attractive prospect that others.

Savaiinaea split his snaps almost 50/50 in 2024 between left and right tackle, and his previous two seasons were spent on the right side between tackle and guard. He improved his play each season and feels ready for the pros thanks to so much experience.

Plenty of teams should fancy such an experienced and well-versed offensive lineman, and the Cardinals should be among his biggest suitors. AZ’s offensive line is solid, but needs upgrades, to which Savaiinaea can provide. But it’s the versatility to move around separates him after a season that saw plenty of injuries to the group.

Other names to watch: Grey Zabel (North Dakota State)