I know a lot of us have had to turn on our AC way earlier than we would have liked to this year.

It’s been a bummer to miss out on precious cooler days that allow for open windows, but I also feel grateful that I have the ability to comfortably weather these high temperatures.

I keep my thermostat at 79 because that seems to be the sweet spot between staying cool enough to sleep OK with fans and not having a crazy electric bill—but I know that temperature differs for a lot of people.

In our news section below, I shared a story in which experts name a certain temperature that is most efficient for your thermostat. Want to take a guess at what it is before reading?

I’m interested to see if any of you adjust your thermostats today with this new information. Stay cool out there!

A newsletter for Phoenix renters, written by someone who’s lived it—me! Rent Check PHX gives you news, resources, and real renter stories from across the Valley every other Wednesday.

Arizona Education Association union members stand together during a press conference at the Arizona State Capitol on March 18, 2026, in Phoenix, Ariz. (Evan Bejar/Arizona Education Association)

By Alyssa Bickle

Arizona’s Legislature is three months into session, but lawmakers have not complied with a court order requiring legislators to fix the state’s unconstitutionally inadequate funding system for public schools, or renewed an expiring education funding stream. 

Instead, the Republican-controlled Legislature is prioritizing bills that micromanage school instruction, threaten educators with criminal or legal penalties, and force national political issues into Arizona schools and classrooms, education advocates say.

Teachers also say they need to know that they can sustain themselves and their families on their salaries and see the government investing in their careers. 

“We are done with being politically attacked, we are done with being scapegoated for things that we are not in control of and we are demanding real investment in our schools today,” said Marisol Garcia, president of the Arizona Education Association, in a March 18 news conference.

Local news is essential for democracy.

Our reporting cuts through false narratives, documents what’s actually happening in our communities, and provides voters with the clear, factual information they need—especially when the stakes are high.

Here are 28 of Arizona’s biggest events happening this weekend.

A series of No Kings protests, marches, and rallies are planned across Arizona on Saturday, March 28.

Whether you’re seriously searching or just looking for fun, here are some Phoenix rentals that grabbed our attention on Zillow this week.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Jessica Swarner with stories from Alyssa Bickle, Sahara Sajjadi, Martin Nieves Sanchez, and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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