Staff photographer Mamta Popat's favorite photos from 2022.
Ash Wednesday
Teresa Soqui receives ashes on her forehead from Minister Ailsa Guardiola Gonzalez during the Ashes to Go drive-thru at the First Christian Church, 740 E. Speedway Blvd. on March 2, 2022. Gonzalez says she reminds people on Ash Wednesday that humans are imperfect and that God's grace and forgiveness is always offered. And people should remember that they are dust and shall return to dust. Ash Wednesday signifies the start of Lent. The drive-thru was canceled last year due to the pandemic but has been around for at least six years prior to covid.
Pima Community College
A student walks on the Pima Community College's West Campus on January 13, 2022.
Carjacking
Two Department of Public Safety state troopers watch over a suspect in a carjacking who is handcuffed in the bed of a pickup truck near South Kino Parkway and Duvall Vista on February 2, 2022.
Tucson Weather
Two women walk along Pennington Street as a slight drizzle falls on downtown Tucscon on February 16, 2022. A morning rain moved across the city and tapered off by mid-morning on Wednesday.
Float Decoration for Tucson Rodeo Parade
From left to right, Liz Nunez and Connie Gajewski hold down a decoration as Phillip Nunez prepares to drill them into the United Healthcare float at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds on February 23, 2022. Friends and family gathered to decorate their floats in preparation for the the 97th Annual Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo parade. The event is known as the longest non-motorized parade in the country.
First Lady Jill Biden
First Lady Jill Biden waves to supporters in the backyard of Tucson City Mayor Regina Romero on March 8, 2022. After a visit to the Tohono O'odham Nation, Biden attended a Women's Day ceremony at Romero's home.
Desert Survivors Native Plant Nursery
Kirk McEneany pushes a cart while working at the Desert Survivors Native Plant Nursery, 1020 W. Starr Pass Blvd. on March 9, 2022.
Spring Fourth Avenue Street Fair
A shopper looks at windchimes during the Fourth Avenue Spring Street Fair on April 1, 2022. The fair continues through the weekend, 10:00a.m. till dusk. The fair is a biannual event and is produced by the North Fourth Avenue Merchants Association, Inc., a local nonprofit. Vendors are local, national and international that sell art, jewerly, food, clothing and many other items. The event is free and open to the public.
La Frontera's Tucson International Mariachi Conference
Gianni Campuzano, right, plays his trumpet in a class with other students during the annual La Frontera's Tucson International Mariachi Conference at the Tucson Convention Center on May 4, 2022. The conference aims to foster traditional values of mariachi music and baile folklórico. The student showcase takes place on May 6 at the Tucson Music Hall.
Roe v. Wade ruling
An nnti-abortion activist, left, stands with a sign as a clinic escort looks on outside of Planned Parenthood, 2255 N. Wyatt Dr. on June 24, 2022. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade leaving it up to the states to decide on abortion rights.
Abortion-rights Protest in Tucson
Cora Bates stands along W. Congress St. at S. Granada Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. as an abortion-rights protest gets underway on June 24, 2022. In 6-to-3 ruling, the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade leaving it up to the states to decide on abortion. Protests erupted around the country.
Abortion-rights Protest in Tucson
Abortion-rights activists protest at W. Congress St. and S. Granada Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on June 24, 2022. In 6-to-3 ruling, the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade leaving it up to the states to decide on abortion. Protests erupted around the country.
First Day of School at Ocotillo Ridge Elementary School
After comforting his son, Josh Gamboa carries Jace into his kindergarten class on the first day of school at Ocotillo Ridge Elementary School, 10170 S White Lightning Lane in Vail, Ariz. on July 18, 2022. Monday was the first day of school for the Vail School District.
Waterman Restoration Interpretive Site
John Scheuring with the Arizona Native Plant Society, is part of the effort to restore a portion of the desert near the Silver Bell Mine west of Avra Valley Road in Marana, Ariz. The Bureau of Land Management will celebrate the designation of the 18-acre Waterman Restoration Interpretive Site and demonstration garden on Oct. 22. The work has been going on for 12 years. September 13, 2022.
Fire at Recycling Plant
Tucson Fire Department and Northwest Fire District on scene at a fire at SA Recycling, 1525 West Miracle Mile on October 13, 2022.
Morning Fog in Tucson
Early morning fog rolls in after a rainy weekend at Tucson Mountain Park on December 5, 2022.
Diamond ChildrenÕs Medical Center
Barry Dacus, cleans a window while dressed up as an elf at Diamond Children’s Medical Center, 1625 N. Campbell Ave. on December 5, 2022. Dacus dressed up as an elf to bring some holiday cheer to children staying at the hospital for care. Amber Fisch, wife of Jeff Fisch, University of Arizona football coach, and several players passed out gifts to patients.
Tucson Holiday Ice
Brigett Murrietta regains her balance while ice skating at the Tucson Holiday Ice rink, 260 S. Church Ave. on December 15, 2022. The City of Tucson, Rio Nuevo and Pima Pain Center are hosting an outdoor ice skating rink which opened on November 20 and runs through January 8, 2023. The rink is closed on Christmas Day but open on New Year's Eve and day.
Arizona vs Washington State Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) and Washington State Cougars forward Ula Motuga (15) collide with each other while chasing a loose ball in the first half during a game at Mckale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on January 7, 2022.
Arizona vs Washington State Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Cate Reese (25) and Arizona Wildcats guard Helena Pueyo (13) celebrate a foul called against Washington State in the second half during a game at Mckale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on January 7, 2022. Arizona won 60-52.
UCLA Bruins at Arizona Wildcats men's basketball
UCLA Bruins forward Cody Riley (2) defends Arizona Wildcats center Oumar Ballo (11) in the second half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 3, 2022. Arizona won 76-66.
UCLA at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats guard Bendu Yeaney (23) jumps over UCLA Bruins guard Natalie Chou (23) to grab the ball in the second half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 24, 2022. UCLA won 64-46.
UCLA at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) and UCLA Bruins guard Jaelynn Penn (31) land on the floor while scrambling for a loose ball in the second half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 24, 2022. UCLA won 64-46.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
USC Trojans forward Jordan Sanders (5) is defended by Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) and Arizona Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) eyes the basket as USC Trojans guard Kyra White (22) defends in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) is defended by USC Trojans center Clarice Akunwafo (34) in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
USC at Arizona Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Lauren Ware (32) and Arizona Wildcats forward Sam Thomas (14) let out screams as Arizona catches up to USC in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on February 26, 2022.
Final round of Cologuard Classic golf tournament
Miguel Angel Jimenez smokes his cigar at the 4th tee box during the final round of the Cologuard Classic golf tournament at Omni Tucson National Resort in Tucson, Ariz. on February 27, 2022.
University of Arizona Women's Basketball
Cate Reese, #25, at the University of Arizona Women's basketball media day at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on September 30, 2022.
Nicholls State at No. 17 Arizona, Men's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) makes the pass as he's defended by Nicholls State Colonels forward Manny Littles (22) and Nicholls State Colonels guard Latrell Jones (11) in the first half during the season opener game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on November 7, 2022.
Arizona Wildcats vs Texas Southern Tigers, Women's Basketball
Arizona Wildcats forward Cate Reese (25) defends Texas Southern Lady Tigers forward Skye Green (42) in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on December 14, 2022.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
Our reporters, producers and photographers chose their top 5 pieces of work from 2022. Here are their selections: