Last Updated on March 2, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Early risers in Arizona are in for a celestial show.

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, a total lunar eclipse will be visible across much of North America — including Phoenixand the Valley. During this event, the Moon will pass completely into Earth’s shadow, turning a deep copper-red color often called a “Blood Moon.”

Here’s what you need to know.

🌍 What Is a Total Lunar Eclipse?

A total lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align perfectly, with Earth positioned directly between the Sun and the Moon. As the Moon moves into Earth’s darkest shadow (the umbra), it doesn’t disappear — instead, it glows red.

That reddish color comes from sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere — essentially, we’re seeing all the world’s sunrises and sunsets projected onto the Moon at once.

🕒 Phoenix Viewing Times (MST)

Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time in March, so these times are in Mountain Standard Time (MST).

• 1:44 a.m. – Penumbral eclipse begins (subtle dimming begins)
• 2:50 a.m. – Partial eclipse begins (Earth’s shadow becomes clearly visible)
• 4:04 a.m. – Totality begins 🌕
• 4:34 a.m. – Greatest eclipse
• 5:03 a.m. – Totality ends
• 6:18 a.m. – Partial eclipse ends
• 7:20 a.m. – Penumbral eclipse ends

The most dramatic portion — totality — lasts nearly one hour.

🌅 Where to Look in Phoenix

The eclipse happens in the pre-dawn hours, so the Moon will be low in the western sky as it sets.

For the best view:

• Find a location with a clear western horizon
• Avoid city light glare if possible
• Consider desert viewpoints, parks, or elevated areas around the Valley

Because the Moon will be setting as the Sun begins to rise, the backdrop of early morning twilight could make for stunning photography.

🔭 Do You Need Special Equipment?

No.

Unlike a solar eclipse, lunar eclipses are completely safe to view with the naked eye. However:

• Binoculars enhance color detail
• A small telescope reveals subtle shadow gradients
• A tripod and DSLR or smartphone with night mode can capture impressive images

🌎 Why This Eclipse Matters

This will be one of the most accessible celestial events of 2026 for Arizona residents. Total lunar eclipses don’t happen every year in the same location, and the timing — just before sunrise — adds dramatic visual contrast.

If skies are clear, Phoenix could have a spectacular view.

📌 Quick Viewing Reminder for Phoenix

Set your alarm for around 3:45 a.m.

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Step outside by 4:00 a.m.

Look west

Watch the Moon turn red

No tickets. No crowds. Just the sky putting on a show.

For more science, space, and Arizona skywatching coverage, visit STM Daily News.

Related Coverage

• NASA: What Is a Lunar Eclipse?
• Time and Date: March 3, 2026 Total Lunar Eclipse Details
• Sky & Telescope: How to Watch the March 2026 Lunar Eclipse
• Space.com: Where and When to See the 2026 Blood Moon
• STM Daily News – Science & Space Coverage

Hard Rock International is teaming up with long-time partner Coca-Cola to spotlight women shaping the music business with a new content initiative and a month-long slate of events.

Announced Feb. 26, 2026, the collaboration introduces “Women Empower,” a micro-documentary series rolling out throughout March as part of Hard Rock’s annual International Women’s Month celebrations. Alongside the video series, Hard Rock says it’s aiming to host 1,000 live music and special events globally across its Cafes, Hotels, Casinos and Live venues.

A micro-documentary series focused on women across the industry

Rather than focusing only on performers, “Women Empower” highlights women working in a range of roles across music and media. Hard Rock notes that less than 5% of music and media creators are women, and the series is designed to put more faces—and job titles—into the public conversation.

The six featured women include:

• Janelle Abraham — Director/Film Producer
  
• Kat Luna — Singer/Songwriter
  
• Minami Minami — Composer/Dancer/Singer
  
• Claire Murphy — Guitar Tech
  
• Mayna Nevarez — CEO & Founder, Nevarez Communications
  
• Wendy Ong — Co-President/CMO, TaP Music

Elena Alvarez, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand Partnerships at Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International, said the brand is using International Women’s Month to “lift the curtain” on the series while tying the celebration back to Hard Rock’s music-first identity and philanthropic work.

$100,000 donation to Women in Music

Hard Rock Heals Foundation®, Hard Rock’s charitable arm, is donating $100,000 to Women in Music, supporting the nonprofit’s education and empowerment efforts.

Nicole Barsalona, President of Women in Music, said the campaign highlights diversity on stage and “the wide range of roles across the music business—and the women behind the scenes whose work drives our industry forward.”

Limited-time Coca-Cola menu items at participating Hard Rock Cafes

Throughout March, participating Hard Rock Cafes will offer a limited-time Coca-Cola-inspired menu tied to the regions represented in the series.

Specialty drinks include:

• Passionfruit Splash — passionfruit beverage with Minute Maid Lemonade, Sprite and cranberry juice
• Mango Guava Chiller — mango and guava-flavored drink with Sprite, pineapple and lime juice
• Spiced Yuzu Soda — spiced brown sugar, yuzu and Coca-Cola blend

Food items include:

• Fattoush Chicken Caesar Salad — romaine with grilled chicken, mint, vegetables, fried naan and red wine Caesar dressing
• Mahi Sandwich — mahi filet with remoulade, lettuce, tomato and shoestring onions, served with seasoned fries
• Dulce de Leche Brownie — brownie with chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche and whipped cream

Hard Rock Hotels: curated listening experiences honoring female artists

Hard Rock Hotels will also highlight women in music through live performances, curated playlists and themed listening experiences using the brand’s Sound of Your Stay® program. Hard Rock says guests can expect music-themed amenities such as limited-edition vinyl, memorabilia highlights and playlists centered on female artists—both iconic names and emerging talent.

Events worldwide + Rock Shop merch

Hard Rock says it will host women-led performances, networking events, brunches and other community-driven experiences across its global footprint throughout March.

Hard Rock’s official International Women’s Month T-shirts are available at Rock Shop® retail locations and online.

For the full list of International Women’s Month activations, visit https://www.hardrock.com/women.

The Bridge is a section of the STM Daily News Blog meant for diversity, offering real news stories about bona fide community efforts to perpetuate a greater good. The purpose of The Bridge is to connect the divides that separate us, fostering understanding and empathy among different groups. By highlighting positive initiatives and inspirational actions, The Bridge aims to create a sense of unity and shared purpose. This section brings to light stories of individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect. Through these narratives, readers are encouraged to appreciate the richness of diverse perspectives and to participate actively in building stronger, more cohesive communities.

https://stmdailynews.com/the-bridge

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Last Updated on March 1, 2026 by Daily News Staff

The long-awaited high-speed rail connection between Southern California and Las Vegas just hit a major milestone.

According to recent reports, the final environmental assessment for Brightline West is now 99% complete — signaling that one of the most critical regulatory hurdles for the project is nearly finished.

For a project that has been discussed for over a decade, this is significant progress.

What “99% Complete” Really Means

Before major infrastructure projects like high-speed rail can move into full construction, they must go through extensive federal environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

For Brightline West, this includes:

• Environmental impact evaluations
• Wildlife and habitat assessments
• Air quality studies
• Noise and vibration analysis
• Cultural and tribal consultations
• Traffic and community impact reviews

Reaching 99% completion means the overwhelming majority of those studies, revisions, and agency approvals are essentially done. In practical terms, the project is nearly clear of its final federal environmental review requirements.

That’s a huge step toward full-scale construction.

The Route: Southern California to Las Vegas

Brightline West will run approximately 218 miles largely within the median of Interstate 15, connecting:

• Las Vegas
• Apple Valley
• Hesperia
• Rancho Cucamonga (with connections to Metrolink toward Los Angeles)

Trains are designed to reach speeds up to 200 mph, cutting travel time between Southern California and Las Vegas to roughly 2 hours.

Instead of battling I-15 weekend traffic, travelers could board a train in Rancho Cucamonga and arrive on the Las Vegas Strip in about the time it currently takes just to get through the Cajon Pass on a busy Friday.

Construction Status

The project officially broke ground in 2024, and early work has included:

• Geotechnical testing
• Land surveying
• Utility relocation
• Pre-construction corridor preparation

While heavy civil construction has not yet fully ramped up across the entire route, completing environmental clearance removes one of the last major barriers before large-scale building accelerates.

Timeline Update

The original goal was to open before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. That timeline has shifted.

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Current projections place passenger service around late 2029, depending on construction pace and financing milestones.

Why This Milestone Matters

High-speed rail projects in the United States often stall due to environmental review delays, funding gaps, or regulatory challenges.

Getting to 99% completion on final environmental assessment means:

• Federal review is nearly wrapped
• Legal vulnerability is reduced
• Major construction can proceed with more certainty
• Investor confidence improves

For Southern California and Nevada, it represents real forward momentum.

The Bigger Picture

Brightline West is privately developed, separate from California’s state high-speed rail system. If completed as planned, it would become one of the first true high-speed rail lines operating in the western United States.

The I-15 corridor between Los Angeles and Las Vegas is one of the most heavily traveled leisure routes in the country. A successful rail alternative could significantly reshape travel patterns between the two regions.

Final Take

The headline may sound small — “99% complete” — but in infrastructure terms, it’s a major breakthrough.

With environmental review nearly finished, Brightline West is closer than ever to turning renderings into reality.

Now the question shifts from if the train gets built… to how fast construction can move from here.

Further Reading & Outside Coverage

• Brightline West Official Project Website
• Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
• Las Vegas Review-Journal – Brightline West Coverage
• Los Angeles Times – Transportation & Infrastructure
• Progressive Railroading – Industry Updates
• Trains Magazine – Rail Industry News
• U.S. Department of Transportation

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