June 15 marks the official start of Arizona’s monsoon season, but this year, the skies are silent. Phoenix is baking under a relentless 113°F sun, and the National Weather Service says no rain is expected for at least another week. While media outlets rush to link the heat to climate change, longtime residents and meteorologists alike point to Arizona’s naturally erratic summer weather. In fact, the state has seen monsoon rainfall vary wildly — from nearly 10 inches in 1984 to just 0.15 inches in 2023.
The monsoon, derived from the Arabic word mausim (season), is driven by a seasonal shift in wind patterns that pulls moisture from the Gulf of California and Pacific Ocean into the desert Southwest. But for storms to form, three ingredients must align: heat, moisture, and atmospheric instability. This year, the heat is there — but the moisture isn’t.
Despite the dry start, forecasters say there’s a 40% chance of above-normal rainfall later this season. Arizona’s Republican-led legislature has focused on practical resilience: investing in flood control, early-warning systems, and emergency response — without resorting to sweeping climate mandates that critics say hurt small businesses and rural communities.
And while the federal government debates carbon taxes and emissions targets, Arizonans are watching the skies, waiting for the first crack of thunder to break the heat.
Philippines: Marcos Stands Firm Amid Political Turmoil
On June 15, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his decision not to interfere in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte — a move that has reshaped the political landscape. The Senate, now acting as an impeachment court, has taken oaths and begun proceedings that are expected to stretch into the 20th Congress.
The charges stem from Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds during her tenure as Education Secretary. Her allies argue the case is politically motivated, while critics say it’s a necessary test of accountability. In a surprise twist, the Senate voted to remand the articles of impeachment back to the House, citing procedural concerns — a move some legal scholars say violates constitutional norms.
Marcos’s refusal to intervene has been praised by conservatives who value institutional independence. “This is a president who understands the limits of executive power,” said one analyst. “He’s letting the process play out — and that’s a good thing.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Education is grappling with a 160,000-classroom shortage. Education Secretary Sonny Angara is pushing for public-private partnerships to accelerate construction — a market-based solution that avoids bloating the national budget. The administration’s approach blends constitutional restraint with pragmatic governance, offering a sharp contrast to past regimes that centralized power and expanded bureaucracy.
