Happy weekend, everyone!

I hope you have Monday off for MLK Day like we do. As a heads-up, we’ll be back in your inbox on Tuesday!

To keep you busy until then, here are some MLK Day events coming up:

And here are some other events going on this weekend:

I hope the weather isn’t too chilly where you are so you can get out and enjoy the weekend! Do you have plans? Let me know in a reply to this email.

Take care!

Photo by John Moore/Getty Images

💬 “We cannot go forward without first addressing Washington’s ongoing failure to secure our southern border.”

— Gov. Katie Hobbs

Hobbs has expressed frustration with the federal government’s ability to process, in a timely manner, immigrants and refugees who wish to enter the country, while providing security for border communities that are impacted by illicit activity.

Tensions came to a head in December when the federal government closed the Lukeville Port of Entry so US Customs and Border Protection could reassign agents to assist in processing migrants.

Hobbs called the monthlong closure an “unmitigated crisis” and launched a new division within the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to better coordinate border efforts between state and federal governments.

The new division, called the Border Security Office, was part of Hobbs’ Operation Safety, Enforcement, Coordination, and Uniform Response (SECURE), and will coordinate border efforts between local, state, and federal agencies.

Hobbs designated $2 million from Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act to keep the operation running through 2024 and urged the Legislature to reserve funding in the state budget to keep Operation SECURE operational in the coming years.

Republican lawmakers have expressed interest in an increased law enforcement presence at the border but have not said whether they plan to provide long-term funding for Operation SECURE.

Chris McKay/Getty Images, Ed Perlstein, Redfern/Getty Images

The rumors are true!

Actress and singer Selena Gomez is set to star in a new biopic about the life of Tucson native Linda Ronstadt. 

Variety confirmed that the Latina star from Texas is set to play the iconic Latina singer. Both women are of Mexican descent.

The film is currently in preproduction.

According to Variety, producers on the upcoming film also produced the 2019 documentary “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice.”

Rondstadt, 77, won 11 Grammy awards before she retired in 2011 due to progressive supranuclear palsy. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. 

❤️ Here’s one way you can help people without homes in Phoenix this winter. 

🚊 This part of the Valley Metro light-rail expansion is opening two years early. 

⛳️ If you’re into golf, you’re going to want to rent this Scottsdale Airbnb. 

❄️ Who doesn’t love a snowy pic of the Grand Canyon? 

🥰 This throwback photo shows a touching way that Scott Kelly honored his sister-in-law, Gabby Giffords. 

🤯 Things we do in Arizona that would blow other states’ minds, part two. 

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Jessica Swarner. The Copper Courier is happily free to read for everyone. Your financial support means a lot to us. Donate here.

Send us your feedback and news tips to info@coppercourier.com