Photos: Arizona Daily Star photographer Mamta Popat's favorite photos from 2025
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Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
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Look through some of Mamta Popat's favorite photos from 2025.
Sandhill cranes
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Sandhill cranes take flight as the moon begins to set at the Lake Cochise Wildlife Viewing Area, 1296 S. Rex Allen Jr Dr. in Willcox, Ariz. on February 13, 2025.
Children's Museum Tucson
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Valor Davidson sticks his arm up a nose sculpture at the Children’s Museum Tucson, 200 S 6th Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on May 27, 2025. The museum will officially open its Angel Charity for Children Education Center this week according to Teresa Truelsen, director of marketing.
Hot Weather in Tucson, 2025
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A pair of cyclists ride along the Third Street bicycle boulevard near Campbell Avenue as heat radiates off the asphalt in Tucson, Ariz. on June 17, 2025. Temperatures are expected to hit 107 degrees in Tucson on Tuesday.
Tucson weather, 2025
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Kids take a ride on playground equipment at Joaquin Murrieta Park in Tucson, Ariz. under clouds that moved in early in the evening on June 30, 2025.
First day of School, Vail School Distict
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Tommy King, left, gives some words of encouragement to is daughter, Olivia, before she walks into her kindergarten classroom on the first day of school at Saguaro Creek K-8 school, 8150 S Rocking K Rnch Loop in Vail, Ariz. on July 14, 2025. Saguaro Creek is the newest school to open and will serve approximately 420 students.
Project Blue public meeting
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Citizens shout their opinions during a public meeting about Project Blue at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Ariz. on August 4, 2025. Representatives from the city of Tucson, Tucson Electric Power, and Project Blue developer Beale Infrastructure shared information and answered community questions regarding the project.
Serve Society
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Cynthia Cottrill watches as Aidan Stover, a volunteer stylist, performs touch ups on her hair at Old Pueblo Community Services - Re-entry Recovery Community at 4434 E Bellevue Street in Tucson, Ariz. on September 8, 2025. Serve Society, founded by Punit Dhesi, is a collective of barbers and stylists who provide free haircuts to those in recovery programs. Dhesi, after overcoming his own substance abuse issues, became a barber and an addiction counselor. He saw how a simple haircut could help uplift people and provide a space for support. Dhesi partners with organizations that are offering services to those in need.
Rain storm
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A pedestrian uses a plastic bag to shield his head from a downpour as he walks along N. Sixth Ave and E. Congress Street in downtown Tucson, Ariz. on October 13, 2025. Elevated showers and thunderstorms continued on Monday. Drier weather is expected with below normal temps through the week.
Hit-and-run reaction
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Celeste Calvillo, far right, places flowers at a memorial site as Samantha Peal, far left, and Jasmine Alvarez watch at the intersection of North Euclid Avenue at East Second Street, near East University Boulevard in Tucson, Ariz. on November 3, 2025. Josiah Santos, 22, Sophia Troetel, 21, and Katya Castillo-Mendoza, 21, were killed after they were struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run crash on October 30, 2025 night. An online petition to build a HAWK light at the intersection has already gained nearly 8,000 signatures.
All Souls Procession, 2025
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Dwight and Christy Schannep sit on a bench as the sun begins to set before the start of the 36th Annual All Souls Procession in Tucson, Ariz. on November 9, 2025. The couple said this was the first time they wore masks but have participated in the procession many times before.
All Souls Procession, 2025
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A woman takes a photo as participants walk by during the 36th Annual All Souls Procession in Tucson, Ariz. on November 9, 2025.
All Souls Procession, 2025
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People sit along the sidewalk and watch participants walk in the 36th Annual All Souls Procession in Tucson, Ariz. on November 9, 2025.
Tucson Veterans Day Parade, 2025
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Rowdy Polivchak, 4, covers his ears after hearing sirens from a police vehicle before the start of the annual Tucson Veterans Day Parade in downtown Tucson, Ariz. on November 11, 2025. This year is the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Army, Marine Corps, and Navy.
Closure of the 100 Acre Wood encampment
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Bridgett Marie moves her belongings out of the 100-Acre Wood, often called “The Acres” located near the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz. on November 18, 2025. Tucson's largest homeless encampment was cleared out Tuesday ahead of the city constructing a bike park on-site. Marie said she’s lived at The Acres for four years and said she didn’t have a tent because she had built a structure within the encampment.
ICE raid
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Officers with Homeland Security Investigations Special Response Team push protesters back after throwing tear gas to clear Grande Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on December 5, 2025. HSI carried out targeted enforcement operations at multiple Tucson restaurants early Friday morning, part of a years-long investigation into immigration and tax violations, federal officials said.
ICE raid
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U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, standing, tries to talk to Homeland Security Investigation agents as they arrest a protester during a targeted operation outside of Taco Giro, 610 N Grande Ave. in Tucson, Ariz., on December 5, 2025. HSI was working with the IRS Criminal Investigation and other federal partners, executed 16 warrants throughout Southern Arizona.
Arizona women's basketball vs. Eastern Kentucky
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Students from Tucson area schools react to seeing their faces on the big screen before the start of the Arizona women’s basketball game against Eastern Kentucky at McKale Center on December 10, 2025. Students were bussed in as part of Field Day trip game.
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy football at Sabino
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Sabino football players put on their pads before taking on Pusch Ridge Christian Academy in a game at Sabino High School, 5000 N. Bowes Road in Tucson, Ariz. on October 3, 2025. Pusch Ridge won 27-8.
Arizona Men's Basketball vs. Iowa State
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Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) is surrounded by Iowa State defenders in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on January 27, 2025.
Arizona Men's Basketball vs. Iowa State
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Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (1) screams out after dunking the ball in the first half during a game against Iowa State at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on January 27, 2025.
Arizona Women's Basketball vs. TCU (11)
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Arizona Wildcats guard Paulina Paris (23) looks to make the pass in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 16, 2025.
Arizona Women's Basketball vs. TCU (11)
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Arizona Wildcats guard Skylar Jones (4) makes a shot as she falls while TCU Horned Frogs guard Madison Conner (2) and TCU Horned Frogs center Sedona Prince (13) defend in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 16, 2025.
Empire (No. 1) vs Tanque Verde (No. 6)
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Marian Fisher, left, of Empire High School, chases after Mikaela Jackson, of Tanque Verde, to tag her out as the runner got stuck between second and third base in the first inning during a game at Tanque Verde High School, 4201 N Melpomene Way in Tucson, Ariz. on April 21, 2025. No. 6 Tanque Verde upset No. 1 Empire, 5-1.
Arizona softball vs. Santa Clara, NCAA regionals
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Arizona outfielder Dakota Kennedy (4) dived for a fly ball as Arizona infielder Tayler Biehl (2) celebrates her catch in the first inning during a NCAA regional game at Hillenbrand Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on May 16, 2025. Arizona run-ruled Santa Clara 13-5 in the fifth inning.
Arizona (13) men's basketball vs. Embry-Riddle exhibition game
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Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) and Embry-Riddle Eagles forward Peter Dress (13) scramble on the floor in the first half during an exhibition game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on October 27, 2025.
Arizona women's basketball vs. Grambling State
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Arizona Wildcats guard Noelani Cornfield (4) looks to make a pass as Grambling State Lady Tigers guard D'Mya Griffin (22) defends in the second half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on November 16, 2025. Arizona won 85-64.
Arizona women's basketball vs. Grambling State
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Arizona Wildcats guard Noelani Cornfield (4) is defended by Grambling State Lady Tigers in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on November 16, 2025.
Arizona women's basketball vs. Grambling State
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Arizona Wildcats guard Tanyuel Welch (11) and Arizona Wildcats forward Daniah Trammell (33) congratulate each other after beating Grambling State at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on November 16, 2025. Arizona won 85-64.
Arizona women's basketball vs. NAU
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Arizona Wildcats guard Tanyuel Welch (11) and Northern Arizona Lumberjacks guard Naomi White (25) grab at the ball as Arizona Wildcats head coach Becky Burke makes a jump ball gesture towards the referees in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2025.
Arizona women's basketball vs. NAU
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Arizona guard Tanyuel Welch (11), Northern Arizona guard Madison Watts (3), Northern Arizona forward Emma Dasovich (0) and Arizona forward Daniah Trammell (33) reach for a rebound in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson on Nov. 19, 2025.
Arizona women's basketball vs. Utah Utes
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Arizona Wildcats head coach Becky Burke talks to Arizona Wildcats forward Nora Francois (13) in the second half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on December 22, 2025. Utah won 63-62.
Arizona (2) men's basketball vs. University of Denver
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Arizona Wildcats center Motiejus Krivas (13) loses his grip on the ball as he was defended by Denver Pioneers forward Shaun Wysocki (1), Denver Pioneers forward Gabe Oldham (32) and Denver Pioneers forward Logan Kinsey (5) in the first half during game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on November 24, 2025.
No. 1 Arizona men's basketball vs. Bethune-Cookman
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Arizona Wildcats forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) dives on the floor to save the ball from going out of bounds in the second half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on December 22, 2025. Arizona won 107-71.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
