PHOENIX (September 11, 2026) – The Phoenix Symphony announces that single tickets are on sale for its 2026/27 Season, the organization’s 79th anniversary season, featuring an exciting new chapter in the Symphony’s history with newly appointed Virginia G. Piper Music Director Designate Paolo Bortolameolli.

Bortolameolli, who was announced as the Symphony’s new Virginia G. Piper Music Director Designate in March 2026, brings an international perspective and dynamic artistic vision to the orchestra as it begins this new era.

The 2026/27 Season offers more than 35 performances spanning beloved classical masterworks, acclaimed guest artists, Phoenix Pops® favorites, blockbuster films with live orchestra, holiday traditions, chamber music, family programming and special experiences throughout the Valley.

“This season represents an extraordinary moment for The Phoenix Symphony as we begin a new chapter with Music Director Designate Paolo Bortolameolli,” said Peter Kjome, President and CEO of The Phoenix Symphony. “This season offers something for everyone, from the great composers and masterworks that define the symphonic tradition to the films, artists and contemporary experiences that bring new audiences to the orchestra. We invite our community to experience this season with us.”

 A New Chapter Begins

The 2026/27 Season opens with newly appointed Virginia G. Piper Music Director Designate Paolo Bortolameolli, who leads The Phoenix Symphony in Paolo Conducts Rachmaninoff & Prokofiev, October 9–11 at Symphony Hall. The program features Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 performed by celebrated pianist Olga Kern, a Gold Medalist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and Prokofiev’s powerful Symphony No. 5. The program opens with Glinka’s dazzling Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla.

Among the season’s other Classics highlights are Beethoven’s 7^th Symphony and Chopin’s 2^nd Piano Concerto; Schumann and Barber; Bruch and Mendelssohn with concertmaster Rolf Haas; a celebration of John Williams’ 95^th birthday; Bortolameolli leading The Rite of Spring; Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with pianist Joyce Yang; and Mahler’s 5^th Symphony.

Guest conductors and artists throughout the season bring additional perspectives and extraordinary talent to the Symphony stage, including Joyce Yang, Michelle Cann and Bella Hristova.

 Phoenix Pops®

The 2026/27 Phoenix Pops season welcomes Stuart Chafetz as the Symphony’s new Principal Pops Conductor, making official a relationship with Phoenix audiences that has become a favorite over the years.

The Pops lineup offers an eclectic mix of legendary music, contemporary favorites and spectacular live experiences, beginning with Music of the Knights: Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John & Sir Paul McCartney.

Additional highlights include the Holiday Pops Spectacular, The Music of Paul Simon, Cirque Adventure with Troupe Vertigo, The Taylor Swift Symphonic Experience, Mandy Gonzalez Sings Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Symphonic Genesis & Phil Collins.

Photo by Jaron Quach for Tavit’s Photography

 Films, Special Performances and New Experiences

The Symphony’s popular film concerts return with some of cinema’s most memorable scores performed live by The Phoenix Symphony.

The season includes Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl™ in Concert, Elf™ in Concert, E.T.™ in Concert, Top Gun: Maverick™ in Concert, and Raiders of the Lost Ark™ in Concert.

The season also features special performances including Final Symphony: Music from Final Fantasy, bringing the music of the iconic video game series to Symphony Hall; Fleetwood Mac: A Symphonic Tribute, celebrating the legendary band’s timeless music; and SYMPHONYFUSE: MAHLER X NOTORIOUS B.I.G X 2PAC, continuing the Symphony’s exploration of innovative musical fusions.

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Fennemore and Gallagher & Kennedy (G&K) will join forces Dec. 1, 2026.

This landmark law firm combination will provide clients across Arizona and New Mexico access to a broader bench of lawyers and legal services, including Fennemore’s proprietary technology and innovation platforms through Project BlueWave AI.

Together, and operating under the Fennemore name, these two firms will unite their deep roots in Phoenix and long-standing relationships with the businesses, industries, and communities that have helped shape Arizona. G&K adds established relationships and significant experience in natural resources, environmental, water, business law, and litigation, as well as an established New Mexico presence through its Santa Fe office. The combined firm will include more than 300 lawyers and legal professionals in Phoenix and more than 800 across its broader platform.

“Both Fennemore and Gallagher & Kennedy have played an important role in the growth of Phoenix and Arizona for generations,” said James Goodnow, CEO of Fennemore. “It is rare to have the opportunity to bring together two firms with this much history, this caliber of talent, and such strong client relationships. We know each other, we respect what each firm has built, and we believe we will be even better together.”

“Uniting is a significant opportunity for our clients and our people,” said Kevin O’Malley, managing partner and shareholder of Gallagher & Kennedy. “Gallagher & Kennedy has built its reputation on strong relationships, practical counsel and a deep understanding of our clients and the communities we serve. Joining Fennemore will give our clients access to additional resources and capabilities, while giving two groups of people who know and respect one another the opportunity to work as one team.”

Electronic Music Duo Joins Alaskan Franks and Walter Productions for a Full Day of Music, Polo and Entertainment Nov. 7 at WestWorld

The 15th annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships has found the soundtrack for a milestone anniversary, with electronic music duo Phantoms set to bring its mix of house and indie-dance to WestWorld of Scottsdale this November.

Phantoms, featuring Kyle Kaplan and Vinnie Pergola, will headline the DJ lineup at the nation’s most-attended polo event Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, bringing even more energy to a day already packed with international polo, fashion, luxury cars, live entertainment and over-the-top experiences. Local duo Alaskan Franks, which includes Ladell Ransom and Frank Terry, will join Phantoms on the DJ lineup, giving Arizona talent time in the spotlight alongside the nationally touring headliner.

The music continues after the last polo match when Walter Productions rolls out Kalliope, its massive mobile sound stage, for the Sunset After-Party. Known for creating immersive experiences on a grand scale, Walter Productions has established a strong presence in Arizona’s entertainment scene with its music venues, production and fabrication work, and unmistakable fleet of oversized art cars. Since 2009, the Walter Productions team has taken its larger-than-life creations beyond the Valley to festivals and events across the country. The full entertainment lineup gives Scottsdale Polo Party guests plenty to listen to between matches — and another reason to stick around until, and after, dark.

“Walter Productions is proud to be part of the 15th annual Polo Championships,” said Walter Productions’ Kirk Strawn. “As always, the event brings some of the most eclectic and innovative cultural contributions to our Valley.”

Kaplan and Pergola launched Phantoms in 2016 and have spent the decade since building a sound that combines house, indie-dance and alternative electronica.

“Just a Feeling” featuring Vérité, from Phantoms’ self-titled debut album, spent four consecutive weeks at No. 1 on U.S. Dance Radio and set a record on SiriusXM BPM’s Top 20 countdown. Phantoms followed its successful debut with the 2019 Disconnect EP featuring dance-chart hit “Say It,” and earned support from some of electronic music’s biggest names, including Pete Tong, Diplo, Duke Dumont, Martin Garrix and Jai Wolf.

This year’s event will pit England’s Select against Dark Horse Dallas in a first-ever Scottsdale matchup. The championships will also feature The Arizona Polo Club and New Orleans Polo Club squaring off in the opening match, along with Army vs. Navy in the Semper Fi Heating and Cooling Military Matchup just days before Veterans Day.

Past attendees will also find plenty of new elements at this year’s festivities, including Best of the West: The Inaugural Arizona State Acoustic Guitar Championships, and the event’s first-ever rugby match between the nationally ranked Scottsdale Blues Rugby Team and San Diego Old Aztecs.

Guests can also check out an Arizona wine tasting experience, a new on-site sports bar and cigar lounge with Million Dollar Mingle and the Scottsdale Polo Party’s first Western Pleasure Competition with the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show.

Fashion will also again hit the field with Phoenix Fashion Week’s “The World’s Longest Catwalk,” Lugari Pet Salon’s Canine Couture dog fashion show and a new Cowgirl Couture show from Franklin, Tennessee-based Moo Country. Million Dollar Mingle will return as its own “event within the event,” while Riot House DayClub and the Barrett-Jackson Champagne & Jazz Lounge will give guests even more places to kick back and take in all the action.

Then, as the sun sets over WestWorld, the Sunset After-Party gets underway.

“The music has become a huge part of the Scottsdale Polo Party,” said Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships General Manager Mary Turner. “Phantoms bring exactly the kind of energy we want for our 15th anniversary, and pairing them with Alaskan Franks and Walter Productions gives people yet another reason to come out for polo and stay all day.”

Festivities will begin Thursday and Friday, Nov. 5 and 6, with welcome parties and VIP receptions for sponsors, players and ticketholders taking place before the main event hits WestWorld Saturday.

Tickets start at $45 and are on sale now at ThePoloParty.com, along with additional information about tables and sponsorship opportunities. Premium experiences include Prime, a Luxury Tent Experience by Bentley Scottsdale, Neiman Marcus, Barrett-Jackson and Maple & Ash; The Scottsdale Maserati Drivers & Players VIP Lounge; the Barrett-Jackson Champagne & Jazz Lounge; All Access passes; and Sideline Parking packages.

The Arabian Horse Association (“AHA”) today announced the appointment of Taryl O’Shea as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 11, 2026. O’Shea succeeds lifelong Arabian horse trainer and breeder Stan Morey, who announced his retirement earlier this year after serving the organization with distinction for six years as Executive Director and previously as Commissioner since 2009. O’Shea will lead AHA’s strategic direction, operations, and long-term growth initiatives.

“Taryl brings the leadership, vision, and operational experience—both within and outside the Arabian horse industry—required to guide AHA through its next chapter,” said Lisa Blackstone, President of the AHA Board of Directors. “During our search process, we sought a leader capable of balancing our vision for the future with the change management required to make that vision a reality. Taryl’s passion for and experience with the Arabian horse, combined with her deep executive management background, make her uniquely suited for this role.”

“I am honored and thrilled to join AHA at such an important moment,” said O’Shea. “The mandate coming out of the Convention last year was clear—we need to unite our breed and execute a growth plan. This organization has such an important mission to fulfill. I look forward to working with the Board and our dedicated staff to position AHA for success in a 21st-century world. We must become relevant to a broader audience while ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the association.”

O’Shea brings more than 25 years of experience in the Arabian horse industry. She previously served as Executive Director of the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona for more than two decades, where she successfully managed and led the internationally recognized Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show. She has also served as Director of the Global Champions Arabians Tour – Americas, in addition to holding leadership roles in the automotive industry. O’Shea has been a member of AHA for nearly three decades.

Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in business marketing, and executive education programs from Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania.

As CEO, O’Shea will focus on several strategic priorities, including:

• Unite – Unifying the broad and diverse community of Arabian horse owners, breeders, and enthusiasts
• Revamp – Refreshing how the Arabian horse is perceived by highlighting its beauty, athleticism, emotional intelligence, and rich history
• Market – Providing industry leadership in the promotion and marketing of the Arabian horse
• Grow – Expanding participation and significantly growing the Arabian horse community
• Innovate – Transforming Arabian horse shows into dynamic experiences that are fun, rewarding, entertaining, educational, and competitive for exhibitors and spectators alike

The Board also extends its appreciation to Stan Morey for his leadership and contributions to AHA during his tenure and for his commitment to ensuring a smooth leadership transition.

“Elevated Fast Casual” Restaurant Pairs Mediterranean Flair and Globally Inspired Fare With a High-Profile Location Steps From ASU Gammage and ASU Art Museum

From one of the most beautiful towns in America to one of Tempe’s most prominent locations, two Phoenix-area natives with deep Arizona roots and more than a decade in Colorado’s restaurant scene have come home with a fresh take on fast casual, opening Urban Hip-E Fresh Kitchen on Mill Avenue.

Stanya and James Gorraiz, the husband-and-wife team behind G6 Culinary Concepts, opened the new “elevated fast casual” restaurant Monday, Aug. 10 at the corner of Mill Avenue and 10th Street. Sitting across from the Arizona State University campus and ASU Art Museum and catty-corner from ASU Gammage, Urban Hip-E Fresh Kitchen puts fresh salads, gyros, grain bowls and other globally inspired food within easy reach of students, faculty, neighborhood residents, theatergoers and others passing through one of Tempe’s busiest districts.

The opening also represents a homecoming of sorts for the Gorraizes, both of whom grew up in the Phoenix area. Stanya attended Xavier College Preparatory, while James attended St. Mary’s High School before later earning his degree from Arizona State University. Today, the parents of four children split their time between Telluride and Tempe.

“We’ve been watching this place evolve for years and years,” Stanya said, of Tempe and the Mill Avenue corridor. “We’ve seen how much it’s changed and how much the city has done to revitalize the area. To now be smack-dab in the middle of it all is amazing.”

The Gorraizes see plenty of parallels between their two home bases. Both Telluride and Tempe have layouts, parks and amenities that encourage people to get out, walk and explore, and while Tempe’s grown more rapidly, it maintains the same small-town feel that they’ve come to appreciate – and associate with – both communities.

The Tempe restaurant is the second location of Urban Hip-E Fresh Kitchen, with the first opening in Montrose, Colorado, in November 2024. No strangers to the restaurant industry, the Gorraizes also opened Steamie’s Burger Bar, a two-time winner of “Colorado’s Best Burger,” and Shake N’ Dog, both in Telluride.

Restaurants were not always the couple’s bread and butter, but the seeds of what Stanya and James are doing today took root long before they moved to Colorado. In north-central Phoenix, the Gorraizes owned a large landscape design, installation and maintenance firm as well as a public nursery. They’d long envisioned turning the nursery property into more of a neighborhood gathering place complete with a restaurant, bar and other places for people to spend time together.

The couple sold the property before moving to Telluride, but the idea they had in mind for it ultimately took shape. Today, the site at 12th Street just north of Glendale Avenue is home to The Orchard Phoenix and Luci’s at the Orchard, a neighborhood destination centered around food, drinks and gathering. For the Gorraizes, it offered an early glimpse of what culinary neighborhood development could look like. After moving to Telluride, they finally had the opportunity to pursue that vision themselves, turning their longtime interest in food and community into a growing restaurant business.

When the pair decided to open the first Urban Hip-E Fresh Kitchen in Montrose, they wanted to fill a gap in an area known for traditional fast food and steakhouses. They created Urban Hip-E to be quick and approachable enough for a casual lunch or dinner, but with more attention to ingredients, preparation and flavor than diners have come to expect from a typical counter-service restaurant.

“Fresh Is Hip” became both the restaurant’s tagline and the philosophy behind the concept.

Urban Hip-E’s menu centers on what the Gorraizes call “Mediterranean flair,” drawing inspiration from the cuisines and flavors of Morocco, Spain, France and other parts of the world. Salads, pastas, flatbreads, ramen and dumpling soups and fresh smoothies are just some of what’s on the expansive menu, offering plenty of choices for diners looking for fresh, filling food without a lengthy sit-down meal.

Ingredient transparency is also a key part of the concept. Urban Hip-E Fresh Kitchen eliminates all seed oils and high-fructose corn syrup from its offerings, and makes all of its dressings, sauces and drizzles in-house, rather than relying on premade versions.

For Stanya, who describes herself as a “culinarian,” those details matter as much as the finished dishes. Some of her personal favorites include the Urban Gyros, which include traditional and unique flavor and ingredient combinations, the Hot Honey Flatbread topped with peach, prosciutto and other goodies, and the Ruby Scarlet Salad made with beets, pomegranate molasses chicken, pumpkin seeds, feta and other mix-ins.

She’s also a big fan of the Salmon & Shrimp Cold Protein Bowl, which features both proteins served over a bed of jasmine rice with fresh veggies and a pineapple sweet chili drizzle. The menu’s global influences also extend to dessert, with sweets from Portugal, France, Italy and Spain adding more international flavor to the mix.

The restaurant also accommodates dietary preferences and restrictions, including gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. Offering a full liquor license, it serves cocktails, including Aperol spritzes, with prices it intentionally keeps approachable. Its counter-service format makes it equally suited to a quick meal between classes, dinner before a performance at ASU Gammage or a casual night out on Mill Avenue.

Urban Hip-E Fresh Kitchen also offers another amenity that’s often elusive around downtown Tempe: easy parking.

About 15 employees currently staff the Tempe eatery, which is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For the Gorraizes, the new Tempe location is more than just a second outpost – it also ties their restaurant business back to the community where they grew up and attended school. The pair also hopes to franchise future locations of Urban Hip-E and open the elevated fast-casual model in additional markets.

For now, though, they’re focusing on their new corner of Tempe, bringing together the food they love and the standards they’ve developed over more than a decade in the restaurant business in a city that once again feels like home.

For more about Urban Hip-E Kitchen or to check out the full menu, visit UrbanHip-E.com.

By Doreen Reinke

Campaigns have a way of reducing people to mailers, slogans and thirty-second advertisements. But the Raoul Zubia I know is much easier to describe: he is a good man who genuinely cares about Scottsdale.

Raoul was born and raised here. Scottsdale isn’t someplace he moved to and decided to get involved in; it is home. His memories are here. His friendships are here. His family is here. And his commitment to this community didn’t begin when he decided to run for City Council.

For years, Raoul has quietly done the work.

He has served Scottsdale through the Human Services Commission, the Protect and Preserve Scottsdale Task Force, Partners for Paiute, our schools, charitable organizations and community events. If there is work to be done, Raoul has never needed his name at the top of the program before agreeing to help.

That tells you something about a person.

I’ve also watched how Raoul treats people. He listens. He asks questions. He doesn’t assume the person across the table is an enemy simply because they disagree. In today’s politics, that quality is becoming far too rare.

Raoul isn’t interested in turning every disagreement into a fight. He wants to understand the problem, gather the facts and figure out what will actually work.

Scottsdale City Council could use more of that.

This election will feature plenty of arguments about policies and votes, as it should. But character matters too. Temperament matters. Judgment matters.

I’ve known Raoul outside the campaign spotlight. The person voters see today is the same person his friends have known for years: thoughtful, dependable, hardworking and deeply proud of this community.

That’s why I’m supporting my friend Raoul Zubia for Scottsdale City Council.

Doreen is a Community Philanthropist

464 Days and Counting

Corbin Burnes made his long-awaited 2026 debut on September 8. He threw three scoreless innings in an 11-inning win over the Royals. It capped a 464-day rehab that began with Tommy John surgery in June 2025. The road got even longer this June, when he strained his teres major during a bridge outing. Burnes signed a six-year, $210 million contract with Arizona in December 2024. He then made just 11 starts before his elbow gave out. He could have coasted through a lost season on that money. Instead, he logged a rehab start with Triple-A Reno. Beyond that, he threw a bridge camp game in Tempe, 53 pitches across three innings, just to prove he was ready. “Now we can stop talking about how long it has been,” Burnes said after the win. “Let’s just get back to playing baseball.”

Corbin Burnes. Photo Credit: Fox Sports

A Different Kind of Absence

Ketel Marte’s path back looked nothing like that. In August, Marte no-showed a game in Boston. For instance, manager Torey Lovullo said he “didn’t get much back from him” when he tried to reach out. The Diamondbacks placed Marte on the restricted list. Soon after, they moved him to the injured list for a sore left knee. Even so, fans booed him in his first at-bat when he returned. Marte offered a blunt explanation for the missed game. “It’s a moment of frustration,” he said, adding, “I failed him by not showing up.” Notably, this marked the fourth straight season Marte has missed a game without authorization. His numbers have slipped too. As a result, he is hitting .249 with 21 home runs, a steep drop from the near-MVP form that earned him back-to-back All-Star nods.

Ketel Marte. Photo Credit: Wikipedia

What Arizona Actually Needs

Major League Baseball doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The Diamondbacks are locked in a tight Wild Card race. Currently, they sit half a game ahead of San Diego heading into September. Three head-to-head games in late September could decide the final spot. Naturally, Lovullo called Burnes’ return “a manager’s dream.” Meanwhile, Marte remains in the lineup, and Arizona still needs his bat down the stretch. Still, the contrast between these two comebacks is hard to ignore. One player fought for fifteen months just to earn back his roster spot. The other, signed through 2031 on a $116.5 million extension, walked away from his team mid-race. Ultimately, he needed a knee MRI and an apology to make it right. In the end, Arizona fans noticed the difference. So did the standings.

By Allen Frank

A Second Cancellation in as Many Weeks

Saguaro has called off its game against American Leadership Academy-Queen Creek, scheduled for September 11. The district cited a simple reason: there were “not enough healthy and available student-athletes to safely field a team.” This is the second straight week a Saguaro game has disappeared from the schedule. We covered the first cancellation against Chaparral, and warned then that it looked like more than a one-week problem. That warning held up faster than expected.

How a 14-Time Champion Got Here

During better days

The roster math explains the panic. Saguaro opened the season with a 62-0 loss to Desert Mountain. Injuries from that game left the varsity roster at just 25 players. Roughly 35 players have transferred out of the program over the past two seasons. The coaching carousel did not help. Darius Kelly was fired after going 4-16 across two years. His replacement, Jason Ronquillo, quit before coaching a single game. Butch Goncharoff won 11 state titles at a Washington high school before taking over in February. He inherited just 14 players. Since then, he has rebuilt the roster to roughly 35 by merging the freshman and JV teams into varsity. That is five head coaches since 2022, at a program that has won 14 Arizona state titles since 1995. Broader SUSD turmoil sits in the background too.

What This Might Mean for Saguaro’s Future

Goncharoff insists the season will continue. “We are not canceling the season,” he said, and Saguaro is still scheduled to host Mountain Ridge on September 18. However, two cancellations in two weeks suggest a program running on fumes rather than momentum. A roster this thin cannot absorb many more injuries before it simply cannot field a team at all. Even a strong coach with a championship résumé needs bodies to coach, and Saguaro does not have many to spare.

Photo Credit: On3

If the pattern continues, expect more late-week cancellations rather than blowout losses. The district appears committed to player safety over playing shorthanded. Longer term, this likely means a rebuilding window measured in years, not months. Talented players do not transfer back quickly once they leave. A shortened schedule this fall makes it harder to convince the next freshman class that Saguaro football is still worth their time. The dynasty is not dead. It is, for now at least, on life support.

“Twenty-five years ago, 40 men and women showed uncommon courage on Flight 93. Today, we honor their sacrifice and their example on a field of honor forever in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

On the morning of 9/11, I was in a skyscraper in Pittsburgh as the attacks unfolded. We knew another plane had been hijacked somewhere over Pennsylvania, but we did not know where it was or where it was headed. Then came the news from Shanksville — and, later, the story of what its passengers and crew had done.

Less than an hour after United Flight 93 left Newark, four al Qaeda terrorists seized the plane and forced the passengers and crew to the rear of the aircraft. “

Read the full piece here

By John Nelson

Councilmember Barry Graham’s vote for the controversial Brown Avenue parking garage raises legitimate questions about the appearance of a conflict of interest.

In 2019, Legacy Gallery owner Jinger Richardson was specifically identified among gallery owners who had pushed City Hall to address downtown parking shortages.

Fast forward to April 14, 2026. Graham voted to approve a $3.8 million first-phase contract for the Brown Avenue garage, part of a project budgeted at roughly $18 million, despite substantial opposition from residents and Old Town businesses.

Then, on May 7, Richardson contributed $1,000 to Graham’s reelection campaign. Graham’s own campaign-finance filing identifies her as the owner of Legacy Gallery.

Residents deserve transparency. Did Richardson or other Graham donors advocating for additional Old Town parking communicate with him about this garage? Were meetings held before the vote? Did the Farmers Market come up?

If so, Graham should release those communications.

When elected officials approve multimillion-dollar projects benefiting priorities long advocated by political supporters without allowing there to be a study or clear justification, disclosure should not require a public-records request.

On this day, 25 years ago, nearly 3,000 Americans were tragically murdered in the most devastating terrorist attack in U.S. history.

In the quarter-century since September 11, 2001, we have bravely looked evil in the eye, called it by name, and condemned those responsible for the senseless violence. We have strived to show the world that we still fight for the same ideals and values that make America a beacon of freedom.

I encourage you to reflect on the strength and unity displayed across America following 9/11. I will never forget the sights of strangers embracing, first responders running into burning buildings, civilians carrying the injured, and neighbors who rallied for the grieving families. While it may feel as though those unifying moments have passed, I believe the greatest way to honor the lives lost is for a renewal of that communal spirit.

Today, I encourage you to act with kindness. Extend grace to a colleague having a hard time, hold the door for the person behind you, reach out to an elderly neighbor, or remind a child to thank a veteran for their military service. This day should serve as a reminder that our country’s darkest hours are always followed by inspirational examples of bravery, heroism, and sacrifice. Our inherent goodness always wins out.

As we remember the leaders, first responders, and everyday people who came together to help in the wake of 9/11, I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to those who protect us now. I’m grateful for our brave Emergency Management Team at Maricopa County, fearlessly led by Director Frank McWilliams, Assistant County Manager Blanca Caballero, and County Manager Jennifer Pokorski.Read More

In response to a series of recent violent incidents in Old Town Scottsdale, Mayor Lisa Borowsky is pushing to expedite her recently agendized request to conduct a sweeping review of the city’s Public Safety Plan ordinance.

In furtherance, the mayor is convening a summit of Entertainment District stakeholders and decisionmakers geared toward protecting public confidence in one of the country’s premier entertainment destinations.

Mayor Borowsky’s initiative follows unanimous City Council support for her recently agendized proposal to strengthen Scottsdale’s Public Safety Plan ordinance in entertainment-based establishments, including potential reforms and stronger security requirements for businesses covered under the ordinance.

“The recent violence in Old Town is unacceptable; I am confident the area’s stakeholders and business owners agree. Together, we will work to identify enhanced security measures that serve to reduce safety compromising incidents and create an overall better experience.” Mayor Borowsky said.

“Scottsdale is one of the safest cities in America, a longstanding reputation that the current City Council continues to prioritize and strengthen. We will not tolerate the actions of a handful of bad actors to threaten that reputation, endanger public safety or undermine the businesses that depend on a safe and welcoming environment.”

Among the issues under consideration are enhanced training standards and other measures aimed at preventing violence, deterring criminal activity and improving public safety in high-traffic entertainment venues.

“It is important that any security enhancements the city seeks to impose be crafted with the input and, ideally, with consensus, from the area’s stakeholders,” Mayor Borowsky points out.

Of Note: Updates and recommendations will be developed with the support of the City Council Community Safety Subcommittee.

Mayor Borowsky has called a Public Safety Summit for Friday, Sept. 11, bringing together operators from Scottsdale’s Entertainment District and city leadership to examine recent incidents and identify immediate and viable solutions.

The meeting will focus on security practices, coordination between businesses and law enforcement, crowd management, patron safety, operational standards and other measures designed to prevent violence and disorder before they occur.

“Public safety is not an afterthought,” Mayor Borowsky said.

“Every business in the Entertainment District benefits from Scottsdale’s safe and robust reputation, and every stakeholder is encouraged to be part of the solution. We are bringing the decision-makers to the table to discuss what is working, what is not and what additional steps should be implemented to better protect residents, visitors and employees.”

Mayor Borowsky contends the city is prepared to take a close look at whether existing public safety requirements are sufficient to meet today’s challenges.

“Nobody should come to Old Town wondering whether they will be safe,” Mayor Borowsky said. “Once improvements are identified which strengthen our Public Safety Plan ordinance, security training or enhance accountability, then those must be implemented.”

The summit comes as city officials work to balance Scottsdale’s vibrant nightlife economy with the need to maintain order, protect patrons and support responsible business operators who have invested heavily in the district’s success.

“Our objective is simple,” Mayor Borowsky said. “I fully support a thriving and successful Entertainment District, but that success is conditioned upon a foundation of safety.”

By Don Henninger

When Raoul Zubia talks about Scottsdale, you can tell right away that this isn’t just a city to him. It’s home.

Raoul was born and raised in Scottsdale, and he has seen it change and grow over the years. He knows what makes the city special because he has lived it. He knows the neighborhoods, the people, the traditions, and the institutions that make Scottsdale what it is.

That personal connection is a big part of why Raoul has given so much of his time to serving the city.

He’s always been interested in public service and the value of being involved. He has served on the Human Services Commission, the Protect and Preserve Scottsdale Task Force, Partners for Paiute, education organizations, and lots of other community efforts.

That says a lot about who Raoul is. He believes that being part of a community means showing up, getting involved and pitching in.

You can count on Raoul. If he says he’s going to do something, he follows through. He listens to people, even when the conversation is difficult, and he genuinely wants to understand different points of view.

Scottsdale has important decisions ahead. Growth, water, infrastructure, public safety and preserving the character of our neighborhoods are complicated issues. They aren’t going to be solved with political slogans or easy answers. They will be solved by leaders who have a track record of serving the city, willing to do the hard work to make good things happen.

That is Raoul. He is steady, hardworking, thoughtful, and genuinely committed to Scottsdale. Most importantly, he cares about this community because it has always been home.

And that’s why I trust him to help lead Scottsdale into the future.

Don Henninger of Scottsdale is co-director of the Arizona Democracy Resilience Network.

By Al Simms

A Vote Rooted in Real Concerns

Roughly 250 doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants at Arizona Banner Medical Group voted better than two-to-one to unionize with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists. The concerns behind that vote are specific and worth taking seriously on their own terms. Clinicians have described no cap on how many primary care patients they’re assigned, pushing wait times out three to four months. They’ve described administrative work that doesn’t fit into the hours allotted for it, done unpaid, after hours. One primary care physician put her weekly hours at around 60. A nurse practitioner said the workplace culture leaves people feeling like they’re walking on eggshells. These are the kinds of complaints that tend to reflect real strain, not just a difficult negotiating tactic.

Part of a Longer Conversation

This isn’t the first time this year we’ve looked closely at Banner Health. We covered the $31.5 million malpractice verdict in which the fetal heart monitoring records central to the case went missing. We covered a state land transaction that drew scrutiny over how it was priced relative to comparable purchases. And we noted, earlier this year, an MIT Sloan review of more than 150,000 hospital employee reviews that ranked Banner near the bottom nationally on nurse satisfaction, alongside a proposed Scottsdale hospital expansion that drew comparison to how Flagstaff voters responded to a similar proposal there.

A Pattern, Not a Verdict

Any one of these episodes could reasonably be treated as an isolated setback, and we’re not suggesting otherwise. But taken together, alongside a union vote driven by clinicians describing real strain, it’s fair to ask whether Banner has a communication and accountability gap worth addressing, separate from the merits of any single incident. That’s a question for the organization to answer, not one we’re answering for them.

What Happens Next

The vote still needs certification from the National Labor Relations Board, and contract negotiations typically take a year or two once that happens. Banner has said it will consider its next steps once certification is complete. Whatever the eventual contract looks like, this vote is one more data point for anyone trying to understand how Banner Health is navigating a stretch of scrutiny, and how it chooses to respond will say a lot about where things go from here.

From Data Orbital

Nearly eight in ten Arizona voters support updating the state’s existing tobacco-based funding model for early childhood programs to include vaping and other nicotine products, according to a new statewide survey of likely 2026 General Election voters conducted by Data Orbital.

The survey found 79.5% of voters support updating the existing funding model, compared with just 15.4% who oppose it.

Support crosses political lines, including 92.0% of Democrats, 81.5% of Independents and 68.1% of Republicans. Support is also particularly strong among women ages 18-54 (85.5%), Hispanic voters (83.2%) and parents with children under 18 in the home (82.2%).

“The breadth of support for updating the existing funding model is notable,” said Steven Sensmeier, Director of Data Services at Data Orbital. “Strong majorities of Republicans, Independents and Democrats support including vaping and other nicotine products, demonstrating broad agreement across Arizona’s electorate.”

The survey also found broad agreement about the relationship between child care and Arizona’s economy and workforce. More than nine in ten voters (90.2%) say access to child care is important to Arizona’s economy and workforce.

That view extends across demographic groups, including 97.8% of Hispanic voters and 95.0% of voters ages 18-34. There was also little to no difference between voters with children in the home and those without children, or between households currently using child care services and those that were not.

This survey was commissioned as independent market research by First Things First to better understand voter sentiment on potential funding solutions for early childhood programs.
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This poll of 600 likely 2026 general election voters was conducted through a combination of live phone survey and text-to-web that collected 12.4% of the results from live caller landlines, 49.8% from live caller cell phones, and 37.8% via text-to-web. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.08% with a 95% confidence interval. Respondents were weighted on a number of different demographic figures based on prior general election voter turnout figures. The poll was conducted from July 30 – August 2, 2026. The questions released are verbatim from the survey provided to respondents. Toplines and demographic data can be found here. Crosstabs for this survey can be found here.

By Janice H.

The Arizona Progress Gazette has discovered a troubling new problem for Raoul Zubia: apparently he has gone silent.

There is just one small problem.

Someone should tell the Arizona Progress Gazette.

Its latest column claims Zubia has failed to offer voters “a competing version of his own” and has left an empty chair for his opponents to define him.

That is an interesting theory for a publication that has repeatedly published Zubia’s own words.

Just two weeks ago, APG published a guest editorial from Zubia responding directly to attacks involving Axon and Josh Isner.

On August 24, the site published another Zubia editorial laying out his position on Colorado River cuts, advanced water purification and Barry Graham’s water votes.

And only two days before declaring that Zubia somehow has not defined himself, APG awarded him its “Best imagery (to Date) of the 2026 Election Cycle” for a campaign message explaining why he is running and what he believes Scottsdale needs.

Apparently the definition disappeared sometime between Saturday and Monday.

The column also says Zubia has not answered the growth or short-term-rental questions. Yet his campaign platform explicitly calls for stronger enforcement of short-term-rental ordinances, more local control and development that respects surrounding neighborhoods, height and traffic impacts.

Criticizing those positions is fair.

Pretending they do not exist is something else.

The same applies to campaign contributions. Scottsdale REALTORS endorsed Zubia, along with Solange Whitehead and Ethan Knowlden, saying its selections were based on issues including property values and community character. Zubia’s relationship with donors is a legitimate subject for scrutiny, just as Graham’s and Ugenti-Rita’s relationships and records are.

But there is a difference between scrutinizing a candidate and repeatedly insisting he has not answered questions after publishing his answers.

APG’s writers are free to dislike those answers.

They are free to argue that voters should interpret them differently.

But “he hasn’t defined himself” is becoming a curious argument from a website that keeps publishing the definition.

Perhaps the problem is not that Zubia has been silent. Perhaps its that APG can’t decide on how its choosing to define him,

The Same Playbook That Built GoDaddy and PXG

Scottsdale resident and city’s Hall of Famer Bob Parsons has spent his entire career betting on things other people weren’t ready to take seriously yet. A hosting and domain company nobody thought could scale into a household name. A premium golf equipment brand launched in a crowded, brand-loyal market. Both became empires because Parsons saw value where the conventional wisdom saw risk. His entry into therapeutic psychedelics follows the exact same instinct, applied this time to a field of medicine, not a market.

A War He Never Fully Left

Parsons served as a Marine rifleman in Vietnam, where he was wounded on Hill 190 and earned a Purple Heart. What he carried home was harder to see: PTSD that followed him for nearly five decades. After reading Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind, he pursued psychedelic-assisted therapy himself, completing a supervised multi-day session with ayahuasca and psilocybin in Hawaii. As he put it, it’s been 48 years since the war and he finally came home. That’s not a marketing line. That’s a man describing the first real relief he’d found in decades.

Photo Credit: Forbes

Putting Real Money Behind It

Parsons didn’t stop at his own healing. He committed $5 million to establish the Parsons Research Center for Psychedelic Healing at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, plus another $2 million to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. Notably, he’s stayed out of investing directly in psychedelic companies, a deliberate choice to keep his credibility as an advocate for the science rather than someone with a financial stake in the outcome.

Why This Fits Exactly Who He’s Always Been

The through line here isn’t subtle. This is the same entrepreneur who has never been content to let a good idea sit untested, now pointing that same restlessness at a treatment mainstream medicine spent decades avoiding. Veterans dealing with trauma the rest of us can barely imagine stand to benefit most directly, but the ripple effects of legitimate, well-funded psychedelic research reach a lot further than one clinic. Parsons built two companies by moving early on ideas everyone else was too cautious to touch. This time, the payoff isn’t a bigger balance sheet. It’s people getting their lives back.

Photo Credit: Forbes

By Priya Curley

Councilmember Barry Graham’s vote for the controversial Brown Avenue parking garage raises legitimate questions about the appearance of a conflict of interest.

In 2019, Legacy Gallery owner Jinger Richardson was specifically identified among gallery owners who had pushed City Hall to address downtown parking shortages.

Fast forward to April 14, 2026. Graham voted to approve a $3.8 million first-phase contract for the Brown Avenue garage, part of a project budgeted at roughly $18 million, despite substantial opposition from residents and Old Town businesses.

Then, on May 7, Richardson contributed $1,000 to Graham’s reelection campaign. Graham’s own campaign-finance filing identifies her as the owner of Legacy Gallery.

Residents deserve transparency. Did Richardson or other Graham donors advocating for additional Old Town parking communicate with him about this garage? Were meetings held before the vote? Did the Farmers Market come up?

If so, Graham should release those communications.

When elected officials approve multimillion-dollar projects benefiting priorities long advocated by political supporters without allowing there to be a study or clear justification, disclosure should not require a public-records request.

Fourteen Banners and a Decade of Fear

For most of the last thirty years, Saguaro was not just Scottsdale’s football team, it was Arizona’s. Fourteen state championships since 1995, with a run under Jason Mohns from 2011 through 2018 that turned the Sabercats into arguably the most recruited program in state history. The alumni list reads like an NFL scouting report: Christian Kirk, Byron Murphy, D.J. Foster, Denzel Burke, Kelee Ringo. Opposing coaches didn’t game plan for Saguaro so much as they braced for it.

From Dynasty to Depleted

Photo credit: AZCentral.com

Mohns left for a spot on ASU’s staff, and what came next wasn’t a rebuild, it was a collapse. Darius Kelly took over and went 1-9 in 2024, then 3-7 in 2025, before he was let go. In the gap between his firing and the hiring of new head coach Butch Goncharoff, roughly 35 players walked away from the program. Goncharoff, who built an 11-title dynasty of his own at Bellevue High School in Washington, arrived to find so few bodies left that Saguaro isn’t fielding a freshman or JV team this fall. Sophomores are simply being folded into varsity because there’s no other option.

A Cancellation Nobody Saw Coming

That shortage caught up with the program on August 31, when Scottsdale Unified School District canceled Saguaro’s rivalry game against Chaparral outright, citing too few healthy, available players to compete safely. No makeup date has been set.

This Isn’t Just Saguaro’s Story

Look past the field and the same story is playing out across the entire district. SUSD’s governing board voted 3-2 in December to close Pima Elementary and Echo Canyon, two schools with a combined 560 students, and the superintendent has already said two more will close before the 2027-2028 school year. Enrollment districtwide has fallen roughly 25 percent over fifteen years, the equivalent of losing ten elementary schools’ worth of kids, as families have drifted to charter schools and ESA-funded options. In 2010, 71 percent of students living within SUSD boundaries actually attended SUSD schools. Today it’s 56 percent. The district is now working through a budget shortfall in the millions, with families getting a chance to weigh in and a final decision on which schools close next expected in October.

Saguaro football didn’t lose its talent pipeline because Scottsdale kids stopped being good at football. It lost it for the same reason the district keeps closing schools: families with options are quietly taking them, and the institution meant to hold them has spent years giving them reasons to leave. A fourteen-time state champion running out of players and a district running out of students to fill its buildings aren’t two separate problems. They’re the same problem, showing up on a scoreboard and a spreadsheet at the same time.

Can Goncharoff Rebuild It

Butch Goncharoff

If anyone can turn the roster around, it’s probably Goncharoff, whose 206-15 record at Bellevue speaks for itself. But rebuilding a football team is the easy version of the problem SUSD is facing. Whether the district can rebuild the trust that used to keep families enrolled in the first place is a much bigger question, and it’s not one a new coach, or a new closure plan, can answer alone.

By Jan Dubauskas

To the Editor,

I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding Raoul Zubia’s candidacy for the Scottsdale City Council. While his campaign materials claim a desire to return to “commonsense” and restore civility, his actual conduct on the campaign trail reveals a glaring double standard that is anything but unifying.

Mr. Zubia claims he will restore decorum to the council, yet his own campaign relies on name-calling and division. He has actively used street signs to refer to incumbent members as “clowns” and publicly labeled his opponents “cowards” simply for missing a debate due to prior commitments. This duplicitous style of campaigning is deeply divisive and directly contradicts his self-proclaimed mission of bringing civility back to our city’s leadership.

Furthermore, Mr. Zubia’s platform lacks substantive policy positions. Beyond vague campaign talking points about protecting neighborhoods, his campaign fails to offer concrete, detailed plans on how he would actually govern or advocate for Scottsdale residents on the council.

Finally, we must look closely at his assertions that he will work across the aisle with everyone. Despite these claims, his candidacy lacks any demonstrated support from local Republicans; his endorsements and backing stem exclusively from Democrats and socialist factions. A candidate who cannot bridge partisan divides during a campaign cannot be expected to foster true unity once elected.

Scottsdale deserves leaders who offer substance, respect, and a genuine ability to collaborate with all members of the community. Raoul Zubia’s divisive approach and lack of clear policy show his candidacy is not in the best interest of Scottsdale

Sincerely,

Jerome J. Garcia

By Councilman Barry Graham

By Cynthia Wenström

Scottsdale is fortunate to have scenic beauty, safe neighborhoods and amenities that contribute to an enviable quality of life. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, generously equipped libraries and senior centers, are community assets worth protecting and maintaining.

The continuing question is how Scottsdale can sustain that quality of life while addressing the challenges ahead.

In 2023, I had the honor of chairing a City Council-appointed task force charged with developing a long-term plan for reinvestment and maintenance of parks, protection of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, expanded public-safety capabilities, and critical infrastructure improvements at WestWorld. In 2024, Scottsdale voters overwhelmingly approved that plan through Proposition 490, which passed in every precinct.

The task force brought together residents from diverse perspectives. Raoul Zubia, who served as vice chair, helped facilitate the process and build consensus. He also participated in subsequent community outreach.
Today, Scottsdale faces another significant challenge: water availability. With Colorado River cutbacks and continuing questions about long-term water supplies, the city must determine how best to provide residents with safe, dependable, and affordable water while responsibly managing growth and resources.

Scottsdale’s ability to address issues such as water, infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life will depend on constructive civic dialogue and thoughtful leadership, which is the reason I am grateful to Raoul Zubia for stepping forward to run for City Council in 2026. Proposition 490 is just one of the more recent examples of his leadership.

As Scottsdale voters consider the city’s future, candidates’ records of community involvement, ability to work across differences, and approaches to these challenges deserve careful consideration. The choices made today will shape Scottsdale for decades to come. I support Raoul Zubia and ask you to consider a vote for Raoul for Scottsdale’s City Council.

Cynthia Wenström, Chair
Protect & Preserve Scottsdale Task Force

By Betty Janik
Former Scottsdale Councilwoman

Great schools don’t just educate our children—they help build great cities. In Scottsdale, the strength and reputation of our schools are an important part of what makes our city such a desirable place to live. Keeping our schools highly rated and competitive helps attract families and businesses, strengthens our neighborhoods, and supports the property values Scottsdale homeowners have worked hard to build.

That is why I am proud to endorse Dr. Jennifer Johnson for the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board.

Jennifer understands something I believe strongly as a former member of the Scottsdale City Council: our schools and our city are partners in the health and success of our community.

That understanding is reflected in her leadership as Board Chair of School Connect, a statewide organization dedicated to building meaningful partnerships between schools and the communities they serve. Through School Connect, Jennifer has helped bring educators together with parents, businesses, nonprofits, civic leaders, and community organizations around a shared goal—helping schools and students succeed.

That experience matters. Jennifer knows that some of the greatest opportunities for our students come when we look beyond the walls of the classroom and tap into the talent, expertise, resources, and relationships that already exist throughout our community.Read More

Jason Alexander

By Jason Alexander

Raoul Zubia has the strongest track record of supporting the Preserve. Raoul Zubia was Vice Chair of the Protect & Preserve Task Force that helped write Prop 490 two years ago, and guaranteed future funding and maintenance for our parks and Preserve. Zubia also supported Prop 420 in 2018, which put the proposed Desert Discovery Center to a vote of the citizens. I know this because I spent 3 years helping lead the PAC behind that signature drive. Prop 420 saved the residents $70 million in taxes and stopped development in the Preserve. Finally, Raoul Zubia has been endorsed by four of the City of Scottsdale’s recognized Preserve Pioneers – former Mayor Mary Manross, former Councilwoman Virginia Korte, former Mayor Sam Campana and Preserve founder Carla.

Raoul’s dedication to the Preserve has impressively earned support from leaders across the political landscape, who all have spent decades advocating and protecting Scottsdale’s unique amenity. Zubia has also spent years volunteering for other community pillars like the Coronado Promise which supports college educations for Scottsdale kids, and Partners for Paiute which helps South Scottsdale neighbors at the Paiute Neighborhood Center and senior centers.

Barry Graham’s track record is the polar opposite of Zubia’s. On April 2, 2024, Barry Graham voted against placing Prop 490 on the ballot. Graham again voted no on August 20, 2024. Denying residents a vote is typical for Barry Graham – three times he blocked sending the Axon referendum to the voters, nor did he support Prop 420 which put the Desert Discovery Center to a vote. Barry is not endorsed by our Preserve Pioneers. But most damningly, Barry’s PR merchant – Rod Pritchett of Primary Consultants – actually ran the divisive PR campaign FOR the Desert Discovery Center. Raoul Zubia is the right choice.