Supermodel-Turned-Trilogy Wellness Ambassador and Host of “Unexpired” Podcast Reflects Growing Trend of Older Adults Pursuing New Opportunities Well Beyond Traditional Retirement Age

Kim Alexis has never been one to stand still. Across a career that has taken her from the world’s most recognizable fashion runways to television, publishing, entrepreneurship, wellness advocacy and public speaking, the Scottsdale resident has continued to evolve with intention. Today, the supermodel is channeling that same energy into a new podcast, new business ventures and a growing platform dedicated to encouraging others to embrace life’s next chapter with purpose and possibility. Since moving to Arizona, Alexis has built a network of personal and professional relationships that have supported her continued evolution, including a longstanding relationship with locally owned Scottsdale Community Bank.

“I have no interest in retiring,” Alexis said. “I love the idea of working, reinventing, creating, evolving – the basis of the ‘Unexpired’ show is finding likeminded people. People that understand that you don’t have to give up just because you’re a certain age.”

Alexis represents a growing number of Americans who continue launching businesses, pursuing new careers and embracing new challenges long after reaching traditional retirement age.

“We may be aging, but we’re still relevant,” Alexis said. “We can start new things and new businesses.”

Alexis is also one who leads by example, having just launched “Unexpired,” a podcast featuring long-form conversations with a series of celebrity guests. Alexis chose the name “Unexpired” to reflect the belief that people do not lose their value or purpose simply because they reach a certain age.

The premiere episode featured Arizona veteran broadcaster Mike Broomhead interviewing Alexis and giving listeners a glimpse into her own journey before she takes the hosting lead in future episodes.

It was a venture that grew out of an unexpected disappointment. Alexis was set to appear in a Super Bowl commercial before illness sidelined the deal. Rather than dwell on that, she instead chose to devote her time and attention to creating something new.

Working with Phoenix-based Backlot Studios and with support from her husband, Jeff Schwartz, Alexis developed “Unexpired” as a platform for conversations about fitness, nutrition, self-esteem, reinvention and personal growth. Together, the team has completed 28 episodes, with a new episode debuting each Wednesday. Featured guests include a wide variety of chefs, musicians, athletes, comedians and entertainers, among them Carol Alt, Kathy Ireland, Justine Bateman, Esai Morales, Bruce Hall of REO Speedwagon, Larry the Cable Guy, Roger Clemens, Nancy Lieberman, Jay Leno and Jason Scheff of the band Chicago, among others.

Listeners embraced the podcast from the outset, with its third episode, featuring Alt, generating more than 5,000 YouTube views. The show currently streams on 13 platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and is actively seeking sponsorship partners as its audience expands. More information about episodes and streaming platforms is available at UnexpiredPodcast.com.

While the podcast itself is a recent development, reinvention has long been a recurring theme in Alexis’ life. Raised outside Buffalo, New York, Alexis initially enrolled at the University of Rhode Island to become a pharmacist. Her life changed after someone encouraged her to try modeling, and she enrolled in a modeling class in the 1970s, which was then not unlike a “charm school.”

A photographer affiliated with Elite Models spotted her and immediately saw potential, making her an offer she couldn’t refuse: guaranteed income for a year if she were to put college on pause to pursue modeling.

Alexis accepted, and after graduating high school and turning 18, she moved to New York City and in four days landed a magazine cover. Within three months, she’d secured a national cosmetics campaign with Elizabeth Arden. In time, she became one of the most recognizable faces in fashion, but she found herself

facing an uncertain future at the age of 27 when her work as an Ultima II girl came to an end after another company acquired Revlon, eliminating existing contracts.

Rather than see this as a setback, Alexis chose to view it as a fresh start. She soon signed on with the William Morris Agency, which had broadcast and entertainment divisions. Soon, she landed a spot at Good Morning America, where she spent three years as a fashion editor and correspondent from 1987 through 1990. While living in Florida and commuting back and forth from New York City, Alexis realized she enjoyed this new side of media arguably more than modeling.

“I realized I liked being able to speak,” Alexis said. “Whereas, with modeling, you’re just staying silent.”

Following her time at Good Morning America, Alexis hosted a variety of cable television programs while continuing to evolve professionally. She continued following her curiosity, earning certifications as a fitness instructor and integrative health practitioner and obtaining her real estate license in her early 60s. Rather than pursuing entirely new careers, Alexis viewed those experiences as opportunities to deepen her understanding of wellness, lifestyle and active adult living, areas she now focuses on in her role as National Wellness Ambassador for Trilogy by Shea Homes.

In that position, Alexis occasionally leads fitness classes and group hikes, develops adaptable fitness programs for older adults and collaborates on healthy menu items at select communities. Several of those items already appear on menus, with additional desserts and mocktails planned for the future.

And while many of Alexis’ current efforts involve older communities, she’s also interested in connecting with younger generations, helping people of all ages make decisions that improve their health and wellness while sharing lessons from a career that has spanned multiple industries, decades and reinventions. Drawing on her experiences from the worlds of fashion, media, wellness and business, Alexis approaches those interactions with warmth, credibility and a passion for growth.

“Feedback was hard to come by back then,” Alexis said, of her early modeling days. “It wasn’t like today. If my fame was right now, it would be such a different thing. But you’ve got to love the era you were put in; there were reasons for it.”

Alexis moved to Arizona in 2017 after marrying Jeff Schwartz and soon found herself at home in the state. She loves the fact that it’s a large area with a close-knit culture, and she loves how you can be in a big city at one moment and fully immersed in nature in another. That sense of community also extends to the local businesses she supports.

“It’s a big town, but it still feels like everyone knows everyone,” she said, noting that this relationship-focused approach is one of the reasons she chose to bank locally with Scottsdale Community Bank since moving

to Arizona. “I appreciate having a local bank where people know you by name and take the time to understand your goals. Those kinds of relationships are becoming harder and harder to find.”

Today, Alexis balances her professional pursuits with family life as the mother of three adult sons and a grandmother of one grandson. She also remains open to partnerships and endorsement opportunities that align with her values and interests, preferring long-term collaborations built on authenticity, rather than traditional social media influencing.

For Alexis, every new venture serves the same purpose: proving that growth doesn’t have an expiration date. On “Unexpired,” she grills guests about the decisions that steered their lives, the challenges they faced along the way and the reasons they had for starting over, and in many ways, these conversations have mirrored her own experiences.

And if Alexis has her way, the next chapter may just be her busiest yet.

Learn more about the “Unexpired” podcast at UnexpiredPodcast.com.

Friday, July 10 at 9:00a.m. at Mountainside Fitness (Brown & Greenfield in Mesa)

As he approaches his 100th birthday, it goes without saying that David Keaggy of Mesa, Arizona knows a thing or two about staying fit.

The 99-year-old credits daily exercise with keeping him healthy, active and alive.

On Friday, July 10 at 9 a.m., Keaggy, a retired master archer and U.S. Air Force Veteran, will once again celebrate his birthday – this time his 100th birthday at Mountainside Fitness, 1253 N. Greenfield Rd. Mesa, AZ 85205, doing what he loves most: riding the stationary bike and lifting some weights.

And, of course, enjoying a slice of well-deserved birthday cake – once the workout is complete.

The Mesa 99-year-old, who was born in 1926, is no stranger to special birthday workouts and challenges. For his 90th birthday, the World War II Veteran performed 83 consecutive push-ups in front of onlookers and a local television station. When he turned 97 and 99, Keaggy performed his birthday challenge in front of dozens of TV cameras and onlookers as his story made national news. And he’s back at it for his 100^th birthday!

“I’ve always loved an audience. It keeps me pushing even harder,” Keaggy said. “But even more importantly, if I can inspire someone else to get out here and change their body for the better, that’s worth it. I always say if I can do these workouts at my age, almost 100 years old, then everyone else needs to be out here with me. No more excuses!”

Keaggy is dedicated and has exercised all his life. Even now, at 99 years old, he still works out several days a week at Mountainside Fitness in Mesa. His usual routine includes warming up on the stationary bike for 10 minutes, followed by a circuit workout using 15 different machines and free weights.

The soon-to-be centenarian says his secret to a long, healthy life includes staying away from alcohol and caffeine, coupled with maintaining a low weight and working out as much as five times a week.

“We are beyond excited that Dave is once again celebrating his birthday here at Mountainside Fitness. The fact that he is about to turn 100 and is still devoted to his regular workouts is incredible and definitely something to celebrate,” said Craig Cote, CEO of Mountainside Fitness. “Dave is not only our oldest Member, he is also the biggest cheerleader and motivator to everyone he meets and everyone who sees him working out.”

Mountainside Fitness Mesa is located at 1253 N. Greenfield Rd. Mesa, AZ 85205.

Members of the media and the public who want to see Dave Keaggy complete his special birthday workout should plan to arrive at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 10.

For more information or to sign up for a Mountainside Membership — visit www.mountainsidefitness.com.

Carson Rose, Reid Umar Launch June 30 Presale for ATLYS Water Bottle With More Than Three Million Social Media Views and a 1,400+ Sign-Up Waitlist 

The ATLYS One, a patent-pending sports bottle developed by two Phoenix Country Day School students, has attracted a sizable following ahead of its June 30 presale launch, generating more than three million social media views, a 1,400+ sign-up waitlist and upwards of $140,000 in funding before selling a single bottle.

Lifelong friends Carson Rose and Reid Umar will launch presales Tuesday, June 30, 2026, for the press-to-spray ATLYS One, a 24-ounce, vacuum-insulated electric stainless-steel squirt water bottle that combines one-handed hydration with all-day cold retention.

The first 1,000 units are available at a discounted presale price of $49.99. After the initial production run, the bottle will retail for $54.99, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Inspiring Children Foundation, which helps young people navigate depression, anxiety, trauma and other mental health challenges.

The launch follows two years of product development and multiple design revisions, with the pair documenting

the process of building the company while balancing school, sports and everyday life.

The concept took shape after Umar had ongoing problems with disposable and reusable water bottles, including damaged lids, problems keeping liquids cold and mold buildup. As an athlete, he wondered if a better option existed and decided to design one himself. He ran the idea by his longtime friend, Rose, later that day.

Carson Rose

“I remember thinking there had to be a better way,” Umar said. “I called Carson and said, ‘Why doesn’t this exist?’ The idea stuck with us, and before long, we found ourselves spending most of our free time trying to figure out how to make it work.”

Rose and Umar were both 15 when they formed a 50/50 partnership and agreed to work together on a design that would solve issues associated with other popular water bottles. Now 17, they are preparing to bring the product to market after two years of development, testing and refinement.

While both Rose and Umar relied on disposable squeeze bottles during practices and games, they failed to keep

Reid Umar

drinks cool for long, especially during Arizona’s intense summer heat. Insulated metal models did a better job of keeping beverages cold, but lacked the ease and portability that athletes wanted.

“We looked around and realized there wasn’t anything currently on the market that solved these common issues,” Rose said. “Every bottle seemed to involve

Home Run Derby, Celebrity-Owned Teams and Championship Competition Headline Big League Wiffle Ball’s Signature Event

Scottsdale Stadium will once again host the biggest event on the Big League Wiffle Ball calendar when the seventh annual Western Wiffle Ball Classic returns Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. The tournament draws the country’s top wiffle ball talent, uniting elite pitchers, serious power hitters and teams willing to travel hundreds of miles for a chance to leave with a championship trophy. The league has taken off in recent months, drawing sold-out crowds and hosting games on ESPN, Fubo and other broadcast networks.

The Western Wiffle Ball Classic is the best-attended event on the Big League Wiffle Ball calendar and features Recreational and Competitive divisions, with teams of three to five players competing throughout the day for championship honors. All ages can enter for a day of fun.

Differences in strike zone dimensions, pitching distances and equipment define each division, helping produce a wide range of playing styles and strategies.

The tournament will also include a Home Run Derby, giving players an opportunity to compete for a separate trophy and prove who has the most power at the plate.

“This event has developed a reputation as one of the toughest tournaments we host all year,” said Big League Wiffle Ball Founder Logan Rose. “The level of competition is incredibly high, so if you want to see some of the best pitchers and hitters in the country compete against one another, this is one you don’t want to miss.”

Big League Wiffle Ball’s ownership group includes a growing roster of well-known athletes, entertainers, entrepreneurs and business leaders. Former NFL star Julio Jones and Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Nelly joined the league earlier this year as owners of the Atlanta Ballers, while other teams count Kevin Costner, Dude Perfect, Gary and AJ Vaynerchuk, Marc Lasry, David Blitzer, David Adelman, Ron Biscardi, Molly Bloom and Howard Warren Buffett among their ownership ranks.

Celebrity ownership may draw attention to the league, but the Western Wiffle Ball Classic has built its reputation on competition and fun. All 10 of BLW’s professional teams will be in attendance and participating in the pro division.

For more about Big League Wiffle Ball or to purchase tickets, check out BLWiffleBall.com or follow developments on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube.

For sponsorship inquiries or general questions, email LRose@blwwiffleball.com.

Home Unbound Summer Home Tour Hits Alamar July 25-26, 2026, Showcasing 16 Model Homes Across 10 Neighborhoods

Alamar, the premier master-planned community in Avondale, is entering its most ambitious chapter yet. Today, Brookfield Residential announced an exciting new phase of growth, featuring 694 new single-family homes, seven thoughtfully designed parks featuring art installations, and a future state-of-the-art high school set to become the educational anchor of the West Valley that will serve up to 2,400 students.

To celebrate this momentum, Alamar will host the Home Unbound Summer Home Tour July 25-26. This marquee event offers a first look at the expansion, showcasing 16 stunning model homes across 10 distinct neighborhoods. The tour offers a firsthand look at our builders, homes, lifestyle and sense of community that defines Alamar. New homes are currently priced from the mid-$300,000s.

“While new homes draw people to Alamar, it is the soul of the community – the parks, public art, and shared learning spaces – that inspires them to stay”, says Eric Tune, SVP of Development at Brookfield Residential. “This expansion isn’t just about adding rooftops; it’s about deepening the connection between our residents and the rich agricultural heritage of this land.”

A Modern Tribute to “Ranch Relics.” This expansion includes two new residential phases that pay homage to the land’s history of the former Lakin family Ranch.

Phase One is now open and includes 327 homes from Brookfield Residential, Lennar, Pulte, and Richmond American Homes. Sales launched in March, with all nine model homes slated to be complete in early August with the debut of Richmond American’s models.

Phase Two is coming soon and will introduce 367 homes by Brookfield Residential, DRB Homes, Pulte, and Taylor Morrison, with Taylor Morrison scheduled to launch in July—just in time for the Home Tour. All five new model homes are expected to be complete in September.

The heritage comes to life through seven new neighborhood parks, including Golden Fields, Rolling Plains, Ironwood Acres, Harvest Range, Tractor Trails, Seedlings Patch and Rustler’s Ridge. Each park serves as an outdoor gallery featuring custom artwork installations created by local and regional artists. Upon completion, Alamar will boast a collection of 21 original works of art, weaving creativity into the fabric of everyday life.

Investing in the Next Generation. A major cornerstone of this expansion is Estrella Vista Academy, a new high school planned on a 65-acre site adjacent to the community’s newest phases. Set to open in fall 2027 near Alamar Boulevard and Dysard Road, it will be the largest campus in the Tolleson Union High School District. More than just a school, the academy will be a future-forward hub, offering specialized programs in engineering, electric vehicle technology, culinary arts, and data analytics.

A Life Well-Lived. Beyond the bricks and mortar, residents will continue to enjoy a lifestyle defined by connection. Year-round programming facilitated by Cohere, the Alamar community life team, ensures a robust calendar of shared experiences and neighborly gathering designed to bring people together.

For more information about Alamar, visit LiveatAlamar.com.

To learn more about Brookfield Residential land, visit BrookfieldResidentialland.com.

TAAAZE Welcomes Back Bob Littlefield As Its Chairman
Axon Apartment Opposition Group Leader Returns To Lead Fight Against Massive Unwanted Development

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) Scottsdale has never had or needed a more important voice against unnecessary development. That’s why TAAAZE (Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions) is proud to welcome back Bob Littlefield as its Chairman to continue this important effort.

TAAAZE is challenging in court the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) the Scottsdale City Council struck with Axon to greenlight 1,200 multi-family units near Hayden and the 101.

Currently, TAAAZE is seeking assurances Axon lives up to a promise to limit its project to 600 apartments and 600 condos though a deed restriction. Without a deed restriction, there is no way to enforce that. Axon has fought multiple requests for a settlement conference to resolve these issues. While TAAAZE is fighting the massive apartment project in court, it is not opposing the previously approved corporate headquarters.

Littlefield stepped away from TAAAZE to run for a seat on the Scottsdale City Council. Having secured a place on the ballot, despite an avalanche of negative ads targeting Littlefield and other Axon opponents, Littlefield made the tough decision to withdraw from the race and focus his attention on TAAAZE. Arizona’s campaign finance laws made it difficult for Littlefield to run for council AND serve as Chairman of TAAAZE at the same time.

Littlefield gathered an impressive 22,091 votes in the July 21 primary placing him as one of only four candidates to move onto the general election before deciding to leave the November general election to two of his slate mates while re-positioning himself in the critical fight against the apartment explosion which now boasts the first, second and third largest apartment projects in state history, all approved within just the past 5 years.

Littlefield will re-assume the chairman role Tim La Sota had held while Littlefield was a candidate.

Littlefield said, “I have spent decades standing up for Scottsdale neighborhoods and standing up to developer shenanigans such as Axon’s current efforts. If Axon was serious about living up to its promises and moving ahead, they would agree to work with us toward a mutually beneficial solution rather than trampling on the rights of Scottsdale citizens.”

TAAAZE is also opposing SB 1543 which prevents voters across Arizona from challenging certain rezoning decisions, including a rezoning in Scottsdale that originally gave Axon permission to build nearly 1,900 apartments near Hayden and the 101 despite massive public opposition.

Littlefield added, “Just as we organized to amass 27,000 signatures in just 30 days to put Axon’s apartments to a public vote before Axon convinced the Arizona State Legislature and Governor Katie Hobbs to eviscerate Scottsdale voter rights—the subject of ongoing litigation—the same resources and passion will be deployed to make sure Axon doesn’t get any additional development favors for its massive apartment development.”

By Ronald Sampson

Let me tell you what usually happens in a Republican primary these days. A candidate finds the nearest camera, praises the man in the White House, and calls it a platform. Then they win, arrive at the Capitol, and contribute nothing. George Khalaf is not that guy.

Khalaf just topped the field in the LD3 House primary, and he did it the honest way. In a district this red, the primary is the whole ballgame. Consequently, he is bound for the state legislature. That is good news for anyone who still believes conservatism means something.

A Conservative Who Actually Knows What That Means

Here is the thing about Khalaf…he understands conservatism as a governing philosophy, not a hashtag. He talks about cost of living, housing, and healthcare in concrete terms. Meanwhile, too many of his peers just parrot whatever generates the easiest engagement online.

That distinction matters more than ever. Principles require homework, and cynics rarely bother. Khalaf bothers. In fact, he built an entire career on getting the facts right.

The Pollster’s Edge

Khalaf runs Data Orbital, one of the most accurate polling firms in the state. Think about what that means for a legislator. He does not guess what his district wants. Instead, he knows, down to the precinct.

Few people arrive at the Capitol understanding Arizona this intimately. He has tracked its voters, its moods, and its shifting demographics for years. Moreover, he has done it with a reputation for transparency. That isn’t a talking point; it’s a genuine qualification.

Born in Lebanon, he came here as an immigrant and worked his way up from legislative intern. He knows the building. Furthermore, he knows why the work matters. Cynicism has not touched him yet.

Speaker Material, Plain and Simple

I do not hand out compliments freely, so take this one seriously: George Khalaf has future Speaker of the House written all over him.

He combines conviction with competence, which is rarer than it should be. He can count votes because counting is literally his profession. Meanwhile, he can explain why a policy works, not just whether it polls. That blend builds coalitions and moves legislation.

The political arena needs more people like him and fewer performers. Khalaf is the sort of person you actually want in the fight. Watch him closely. He is going somewhere, and Arizona will be better for the ride.

By Raoul Zubia

Water is not an abstract policy debate in the Sonoran Desert. It is the fundamental condition for our life, our economy, and our future.

As the federal government releases its framework for the Colorado River, we face a critical moment. Arizona has stepped up, conserving over 5.5 million acre-feet of water since 2014 and demonstrating that lower basin states can lead through consensus. Yet, federal frameworks must reflect real hydrology and respect the legal realities of our compacts, rather than creating uncertainty for communities that depend on the Central Arizona Project.

For Scottsdale, resilience requires both federal advocacy and local discipline. True leadership isn’t measured by political photo-ops, one-off storage credits, or dismissive slogans like “toilet to tap.” It is built through sustained, long-term investment in renewable supplies, advanced purification technology, and the retention of world-class technical talent. When a city loses institutional knowledge and defers vital infrastructure, it puts its financial stability and future security at risk.

We cannot simply rely on groundwater reserves as a permanent fix, nor can we allow political friction to delay necessary capital investments. Responsible governance means planning for the hard realities ahead: expanding our delivery infrastructure, evaluating large-scale water users prudently, and embracing innovative recycling systems.

Water security is simultaneously an economic issue, a public safety issue, and a moral obligation to the next generation. Scottsdale has built one of the most resilient municipal water systems in the Southwest because we historically chose foresight over fear and substance over rhetoric. To preserve that legacy, we must continue to lead with data, invest in modern infrastructure, and remember that protecting our lifeline demands practical collaboration across every level of government.

Arizona lost one of its finest this week. Former Congressman Harry Mitchell died at 86, his family announced on July 29. He was a teacher, a mayor, a state senator, and a congressman. Above all, he was decent.

Mitchell spent his career proving that public service could still be honorable. He taught civics at Tempe High School, then lived the subject for decades. Moreover, Attorney General Kris Mayes called him one of the kindest people in Arizona politics. That reputation was earned, not manufactured.

A Life of Service in Tempe

Born in Phoenix in 1940, Mitchell built his legacy in Tempe. He joined the City Council in 1970 and became mayor in 1978. For 16 years, he led the city he loved. During that time, he championed the Rio Salado Project that became Tempe Town Lake.

His fingerprints are everywhere in Tempe. Furthermore, he helped build the city’s iconic downtown City Hall. Generations of residents grew up in a city he shaped. Few politicians leave such a tangible mark.

Harry Mitchell and son Mark

The Vote That Cost Him His Seat

Mitchell reached Congress the hard way. In 2006, he unseated Republican J.D. Hayworth in a district where Republicans held a wide edge. Then he governed the way he always had, with integrity over calculation.

That integrity carried a price. In 2010, Mitchell voted for the Affordable Care Act. He knew the political risk, yet he did it anyway. Consequently, he lost his seat to David Schweikert that November.

He never regretted it. As Congressman Greg Stanton recalled, Mitchell put people before politics, always. He believed the law would extend coverage to tens of thousands of his constituents. For Mitchell, that mattered more than survival.

Better Than the Politics of His Time

Think about how rare that is today. Many in Congress calculate every vote for self-preservation. Mitchell did the opposite when it counted most. In fact, he treated a hard vote as a matter of conscience.

He was, in the truest sense, a statesman. Meanwhile, the tributes pouring in from both parties tell the real story. Republicans and Democrats alike have mourned him this week. That bipartisan grief is its own eulogy.

Arizona was better for having him. Tempe was luckier still. His example should shame the cynics and inspire the rest. Rest in peace, Congressman Mitchell.

By Vanessa Rogers

The effort to recall Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas is still limping along, though nobody seems to know how strong it actually is. According to the Scottsdale Independent, the group has until September 2 to gather 12,800 signatures. Yet organizers refuse to disclose how many they have collected. That silence speaks volumes.

Jan Dubauskas. Photo Credit: Coalition for Greater Scottsdale

Remember, this is a councilwoman who cruised to victory as the only council candidate to win outright in the primary. Moreover, she was the highest vote-getter in the last election. There is no scandal here. Instead, there is a list of policy gripes dressed up as a crisis.

The Sour Grapes of Dan Ishac

So who is behind this? Dan Ishac, president of the Conservatives of Greater Scottsdale PAC, announced the recall at the May 5 council meeting. Notably, Ishac is also a failed former council candidate. The voters already rendered a verdict on his vision for Scottsdale. Apparently, he did not like the answer.

Dubauskas herself has called this what it is. In her words, it is a ploy by a failed candidate who wants to kick her off the council. Frankly, it is hard to argue with that read. When you lose an election, the democratic remedy is simple: run again and make your case. Instead, Ishac wants a do-over funded by donations and fueled by grievance.

Policy Disputes Are Not Grounds for Recall

Look at the actual complaints. Ishac objects to a city manager hire and an Old Town parking garage. Those are legitimate topics for debate. However, they are votes, not misconduct. Recalls exist for corruption, abuse of office, and genuine betrayals of public trust. They do not exist because one man disagrees with a parking structure.

Dan Ishac. Photo Credit: scottsdale.org

Furthermore, the whole exercise sets a corrosive precedent. If every contested vote triggers a recall petition, no councilmember can govern. Scottsdale has real challenges ahead, from water to development pressure. Meanwhile, this sideshow drains civic energy and money that could go somewhere useful.

Let the Voters Decide, Again, in Due Time

Dubauskas faces the voters again on the regular schedule. That is how accountability works. Until then, residents should recognize this recall for what it appears to be: a personal grudge wearing a civic costume. Ishac had his shot at the ballot box. Consequently, his refusal to accept the result says far more about him than it does about her.

If the signatures never materialize by September 2, nobody should be surprised. Scottsdale voters, after all, already made their choice. They made it emphatically.

Mayor Borowsky: Decades of planning position Scottsdale to meet challenges ahead

Following the Bureau of Reclamation’s release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that outlines the framework for Arizona, California and Nevada to realize Colorado River water allocation reductions, Scottsdale leaders are reaffirming the city’s commitment to responsible water management and long-term planning.

Under the newly announced framework, Scottsdale expects to see reductions in its Central Arizona Project (CAP) water allocation with Arizona, California and Nevada expected to reduce Colorado River water use further over the next 10 years.

Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky serves on the board of the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association and is a member of the Protect Arizona’s Lifeline Coalition, both of which advocate for sustainable Colorado River policies and Arizona’s interests during ongoing negotiations.

Mayor Borowsky is pointing out key facts regarding the FEIS plan released earlier today:

• Arizona has serious concerns with the FEIS. The framework contains legal flaws, downplays the Colorado River Compact and mischaracterizes Arizona’s Colorado River rights.
• The Lower Basin is leading. Arizona, California and Nevada have committed to conserve at least 3.2 million acre-feet through 2028, building on more than 9 million acre-feet already conserved since 2007.
• Consensus works. The Lower Basin states came together and proposed a practical plan that protects reservoir levels and provides near-term stability for the river.
• We expect the Bureau of Reclamation 2027-28 operating plan to reflect key elements of the Lower Basin proposal.
• The FEIS is a framework, not a final operating plan. It establishes guardrails for river management and calls for operating decisions in two-year increments based on actual hydrology.
• The FEIS does little to encourage true basin-wide consensus. Long-term success requires meaningful contributions from all seven basin states.
• Arizona continues to lead on conservation. The state conserved nearly 900,000 acre-feet last year and more than 5.5 million acre-feet since 2014, enough to raise Lake Mead more than 80 feet.
• Arizona is using less Colorado River water than it has in 35 years. Our actions demonstrate a strong commitment to responsible water management.

Approximately 70% of Scottsdale’s water supply comes from CAP, the proposed reductions underscore the importance of continued conservation, innovation and thoughtful water planning.

“Water is Arizona’s lifeline, and today’s announcement makes clear that we must continue preparing for a future where every drop matters,” Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky said. “Scottsdale has spent decades investing in conservation, aquifer recharge, pure water technology, and long-term planning. These investments have positioned our city to remain resilient even as the challenges facing the Colorado River grow.”

Earlier this month, the Scottsdale City Council unanimously supported Mayor Borowsky’s initiative to explore a large water user ordinance, which would establish an additional framework for reviewing developments and business operations with substantial water demands.

“We are facing reductions in a major water supply source; it is incumbent upon us to ensure future growth aligns with our long-term water security goals,” Mayor Borowsky said. “Scottsdale has never waited for a crisis before taking action, and we won’t start now.”

While negotiations over the Colorado River’s future will continue, Scottsdale remains committed to protecting its water resources, supporting regional conservation efforts and ensuring a reliable water supply for future generations.

“Water security is an economic issue, a public safety issue and a quality-of-life issue,” Mayor Borowsky said. “The decisions we make today will help determine Scottsdale’s success for decades to come.”

By Bedouin Bourdain

She does not compete. Canada’s smallest province sits out past the causeway of hype, content to be found rather than advertised. The red soil arrives first, that improbable rust running down to water the color of cold steel. Then the lupines. Then the quiet. Prince Edward Island rewards the traveler who slows to its speed, which is roughly the speed of a tide. Bring an appetite. Bring nothing to prove. Somewhere between the harbor and the pasture, a creamery has already outsold every souvenir shop on the island.

Charlottetown Wears Its Colors

Great George Street climbs in ochre, oxblood and slate. Confederation was argued into being here, in rooms smaller than most conference centers. A bronze figure gestures toward the sidewalk, mid-sentence, still making his case. Evening light does the rest. The town is walkable in an hour and worth three days. Music leaks out of doorways after dark, unamplified and unhurried.

The Oysters Announce Themselves by Address

Raspberry Point. Lucky Lime. Irish Point. On this island an oyster carries a return address like a wine carries a vineyard. They arrive on ice in a slow circle, brine-bright and cold enough to hurt. Lemon is optional. Mignonette is a suggestion. Malpeque Bay does most of the heavy lifting, and mussels and lobster fill whatever gaps remain. Eat them within sight of the boat that brought them. It changes things.

Lupines Do Not Ask Permission

They arrive in June and take the ditches by force. Purple, pink, cream, thousands deep, leaning over ponds that mirror the sky back doubled. No one planted them. No one manages them. They simply show up and make every roadside a viewpoint. Pull over. Everyone does.

Victoria and French River

The Victoria Range Light stands white and red at the end of a boardwalk, hemmed in by hostas and lupine spears. The village behind it holds a chocolate shop, a playhouse and roughly forty people. Down the north shore, French River arranges its fishing sheds along the water in a row of primary colors. Boats rest at the wharf. Hayfields roll up the hill behind. It is the most photographed harbor on the island for reasons that require no explanation.

What the Island Keeps

Convenience is not on offer. Cell service falters. Restaurants close early and without apology. That is the arrangement, and it is a fair one. What you get instead is a place still shaped by weather, tide and neighbors rather than by demand. Islands like this are getting harder to find.

PEI does not perform. She simply continues.

Go before everyone else figures that out.

By Alexander Lomax

Photo Credit: Amkor

A real plant, no strings attached

Amkor just landed one of Arizona’s biggest chip deals ever. The Tempe firm secured a $1.5 billion Nvidia prepayment to expand its advanced packaging plant. That facility rises in Peoria, near the TSMC fabs anchoring the state’s chip corridor. It will package the processors powering the AI boom. Amkor is worth billions. It builds real things that ship worldwide.

Notice what Amkor did not demand. No apartments. No condos. No special law to dodge zoning review. Now weigh that against Axon’s 1,200-unit housing plan in Scottsdale. While one company is building the other bargains for real estate.

The Peoria standard

Amkor’s Peoria plant is a $2 billion investment. It already won federal chip funding. Nvidia’s cash now supercharges the expansion. This is what serious manufacturing looks like. No hostage-taking. No zoning theater. Simply shovels and jobs.

Then there is Axon

Axon, another multibillion-dollar company, insists it cannot build a headquarters without housing. Half apartments half condos, except they won’t guarantee that their condos will be condos, meaning Mayor Borowsky’s brokered “compromise” is a failure until this is rectified. All near Loop 101 and Hayden Road. The residential piece was never about the workspace. It was always about the real estate.

Axon Rendering

When residents pushed back, Axon did not compromise first. It backed a state law to erase their referendum. Twenty-seven thousand signatures got steamrolled. That isn’t a partnership or being a good stakeholder, it’s bullying until you get your way.

The double standard is obvious

Two Arizona giants. Two very different attitudes. Amkor builds. Axon demands. One respects the community. The other bulldozes it. If a chip titan can expand without apartments, so can a Taser maker. The excuse collapses on contact.

Axon says the housing makes the project “work.” Amkor makes billion-dollar projects work without a single unit. So spare us the lecture about necessity. The apartments were always a want dressed up as a need. Scottsdale never owed Axon a captive rental market. Residents said so. Twice, in fact. The company just did not want to hear it.

A better path forward

Here is the simple fix. Axon should drop the apartments. Build the headquarters. Build the manufacturing. Add the hotel and the offices. Bring the 5,500 jobs Scottsdale wants. North Scottsdale is awash in apartments as is the rest of Scottsdale with tens of thousands already approved and in the pipeline.

Do that, and the lawsuits fade. The referendum fight ends. The neighbors exhale. The company gets its campus. The city gets its tax base. The jobs still land. Everybody wins.

Amkor just showed how it is done. Arrive with ambition, not entitlement. Build the thing you promised. Leave the land grab at home. The hubris is the problem, not the zoning. Unite the community. Then break ground. That is the deal Scottsdale deserves. And it is one Amkor already modeled.

Federal officials will unveil their Colorado River plan next week, and for Scottsdale and other cities in the area, the news is unlikely to bring relief. Quite the opposite.

Central Arizona Project

The pain lands here first

Scottsdale draws roughly 70% of its water from the Central Arizona Project. That canal now sits at the center of a shrinking river. Federal officials will release a long-awaited Colorado River management plan next week. As our ongoing coverage has documented, the reservoirs keep falling. The Lower Basin water fight has left Arizona holding the heaviest losses.

Arizona surrenders the most

The Lower Basin states proposed deep cuts for 2027 and 2028. Arizona, California and Nevada would give up at least 3.2 million acre-feet. Arizona alone would surrender 760,000 acre-feet in mandated cuts. That comes from its 2.8 million acre-foot share. California loses 444,000. Nevada gives up just 50,000 a year.

The math is not accidental. Federal law placed CAP water below California’s supply in priority. So when the river shrinks, CAP absorbs the blow first. Scottsdale sits at the end of that vulnerable line.

Lake Mead keeps dropping

Lake Mead is the river’s largest reservoir. It entered summer below 30% of capacity. Lake Powell fared no better. Combined storage broke its record low on July 12. Researchers called it a significant moment in the crisis. Every day now threatens a new record.

Photo Credit: Utah State University

Near-record low snowpack last winter deepened the wound. Experts warned for years that storage was too thin. Nobody rebuilt it. Now the bill comes due.

No lasting certainty

The plan covers only two years at a time. The Department of the Interior chose flexibility over long-term clarity. The seven states still cannot agree on a broader deal. A decade-old set of shortage rules expires October 1. New guidelines must take effect for the 2027 water year.

The conflict will not end next week. Arizona may still sue upstream states over shrinking flows. The Upper Basin insists it cannot conserve water it never receives.

What Scottsdale should expect

Less water. Higher costs. Harder choices. The city built its growth on Colorado River deliveries. That foundation is thinning fast. Conservation is no longer a talking point here. It is the new baseline.

The river gave Scottsdale its lawns and its fountains. Now it is asking for much of that back.

Photo Credit: Pinyon Coastal Mediterranean

Scottsdale has added another national title to its shelf. Pinyon Coastal Mediterranean was named the No. 1 Mediterranean restaurant in the United States by Yelp Elites, the review platform’s most active and trusted contributors. The honor arrived in a top 25 national guide released last month. Pinyon was the only Arizona restaurant to make the list.

The recognition landed just weeks after a Phoenix smokehouse claimed the national barbecue crown, as Phoenix New Times reported. The Valley is on a run. Scottsdale keeps finding itself at the center of it.

A New Arrival That Landed Fast

Pinyon opened in October overlooking Scottsdale Civic Center Park in the heart of Old Town. It comes from Hi Noon Hospitality, the group behind Buck & Rider and Ingo’s Tasty Food. Nine months from opening to national first place is remarkably quick. Most restaurants spend that long finding their footing.

A six-week trip through Europe and the Middle East inspired CEO Adam Strecker to build the concept. The menu runs the coastline, mixing Spanish tapas, Italian pastas and Middle Eastern skewers and dips.

Photo Credit: Pinyon Coastal Mediterranean

The Details Matter

Yelp reviewers singled out the house-made pita, artichoke hummus, yellowtail crudo and a baklava cheesecake. The room drew equal attention. Portuguese marble floors, modern chandeliers and a French outdoor fountain fill the two-story indoor-outdoor space, with a custom Josper grill from Spain powering the kitchen.

That level of sourcing reflects a specific ambition. Scottsdale operators are no longer building for the local market alone. They are building for national comparison.

A Pattern, Not an Accident

Culinary recognition is only the latest category where Scottsdale outperforms its size. The city punches above its weight in resort hospitality, contemporary art, golf design, automotive auctions and health care innovation. It draws talent that could go anywhere and chooses to stay.

Old Town has been the biggest beneficiary. Civic Center Park’s renovation gave the district a genuine center. Restaurants like Pinyon now anchor a walkable core that did not exist a decade ago. Public investment created the setting. Private ambition filled it.

What This Says About the City

National lists are imperfect. Yelp rankings reward volume and enthusiasm as much as pure craft. Notably, longtime local favorites like Kabob Grill N’ Go did not appear on the list despite prior New York Times recognition.

Still, the direction is unmistakable. Scottsdale attracts operators who intend to compete nationally, and increasingly they win. That reputation was built deliberately over decades.

The next council will inherit it. Preserving what makes Old Town work should rank high on the list.

By Alexander Lomax

Scottsdale’s November ballot is shaping up as an arithmetic problem. Four candidates. Two seats. Three of them share the same lane. One does not. The Scottsdale general election will give every voter two council votes to spend. How those votes get spent, or deliberately withheld, will decide this race.

Barring surprises from the final canvass, the field looks set. Barry Graham, Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Littlefield occupy the conservative bloc. Raoul Zubia stands alone as the relative liberal. That imbalance is not a weakness for Zubia. It may be his single greatest asset.

The Power of the Unused Vote

Democrats and independents backing Zubia have an obvious play. Vote one and done. Cast a single vote, leave the second blank, and refuse to lift anyone else. It sounds passive. It is anything but.

A second vote given to a rival is worth nearly as much as a vote taken from your own candidate. Bullet voting concentrates support where split fields dilute it. In a three-versus-one race, discipline beats numbers.

Three Candidates, One Shared Pool

The conservative bloc faces the opposite problem. Graham, Ugenti-Rita and Littlefield are largely fishing in the same water. Their voters like all three. Their voters will likely use both votes. That generosity spreads support across three names instead of two.

The math gets uncomfortable quickly. If conservative votes divide evenly enough, all three land in a cluster. Zubia only needs to clear one of them. He does not need to win. He needs to place second.

Jockeying Without Wounding

So the bloc has to compete without bleeding. Each candidate needs to climb into the top two. None can afford to attack the others too openly. Negative contrast within the bloc depresses turnout across all three. It also hands Zubia a cleaner narrative.

Expect coded endorsements. Expect slates that quietly favor two names over three. Expect independent spending that boosts one conservative while ignoring another. Watch where the outside money lands, because that will tell you which two the establishment has actually chosen.

What to Watch Between Now and November

Track the mailers. Track the yard sign pairings. Two names on one sign is a strategy, not a coincidence. Track whether Democratic organizations formalize the bullet vote message or leave it to word of mouth.

Coordination beats enthusiasm in low turnout municipal races. One side has a simple instruction. The other has a delicate negotiation among three ambitious people.

Simple usually wins.

By Ronald Sampson

Political money sometimes buys outcomes. Other times it manufactures the opposite. The campaign against Barry Graham may end up as a case study in the second category. Axon and its allied committees spent heavily to remove him from the Scottsdale City Council. What they produced instead was his clearest identity in years.

Graham was not cruising before the spending started. Early polling showed a candidate with real vulnerabilities. He takes hard positions. He collects opponents. That is a difficult profile in a low turnout municipal race, one that often makes you an easy target.

Photo Credit: Scottsdale Progress

He Was Beatable on His Own Terms

Every politician carries baggage. Graham carried his openly. Critics called him abrasive and inflexible. Colleagues chafed at his style. Those complaints had traction with voters who wanted a functioning council.

That was the case against him. It was personal, it was about temperament, and it was working. Then the outside money arrived and changed the subject entirely.

The Spending Rewrote the Story

A well-funded corporate campaign does not just attack a candidate. It defines what the candidate represents. Axon’s operation told Scottsdale voters, over and over, that Barry Graham stood in the way of a massive development. Not just one massive development, but the greatest in a long string of him opposing large developments.

Voters heard that message clearly. Many of them agreed with him. Suddenly a councilman known for friction became the councilman who held the line. He was no longer a difficult personality. He was the last obstacle.

Martyrdom Is Cheaper Than Persuasion

Graham voted against the project when others did not. That vote was already on the record. It might have stayed a footnote in a busy council term.

Instead it became his entire brand, promoted at considerable expense by the people who wanted him gone. He did not have to spend a dollar making that case. The opposition made it for him.

The Miscalculation

There is a lesson here for corporations that treat local politics like a procurement problem. Scottsdale voters are protective of the city’s character. They notice when a large employer tries to purchase a council.

Attacking one councilman turned a scattered debate into a referendum with a single face on it. Graham became the answer to a question voters were already asking. Ignoring him would have cost nothing and accomplished more.

What Comes Next

Graham now enters the general election with a defined role and a genuine constituency. That constituency was assembled largely by his opponents.

Corporate money remains the dominant force in Scottsdale municipal politics. It is not always the smartest force.

Sometimes the surest way to create a hero is to spend a fortune attacking one.

by Bedouin Bourdain

The Adirondacks do not announce themselves. They accumulate. Ridge after ridge, green folding into blue, until you understand why the old guides called this a park and not just a range. Six million acres, and still it feels like a secret whispered between pines.

The Gorge and the Grain

Start at High Falls Gorge, where the river does not so much flow as argue with the rock. Catwalks cling to the cliff face, suspended above water the color of strong tea, churning white where it drops. Stand on the bridge long enough and the roar becomes a kind of silence, the way loud things sometimes do.

Climb out of the canyon and the Adirondacks reward you twice. First with a summit view, ridgelines stacking toward the horizon under clouds heavy enough to touch. Then with a pint. This stretch of upstate New York claims some of the highest brewery density per capita in the country, and I believe it. A day of vertical gain earns a flight of something hoppy and local, sipped on a porch while the light goes long.

Miracle Ice, World Cup Nights

Lake Placid carries its Olympic history like a birthright. Walk into the arena and a wall tells you plainly: you were born a player, you were meant to be here. This is the rink where American college kids beat the Soviets in 1980, a Cold War fought on skates and somehow won by belief.

That same civic electricity was alive this summer watching the World Cup, crowded around screens for the Norway Row, strangers united by a shared, temporary nationalism. Different sport, same current. Lake Placid understands that sports are never really about the score. They are about the story a town tells itself, generation after generation, about who it is capable of becoming.

A Parade, A Porch, A Pour

Independence Day here is unhurried and unpretentious. A small parade rolled past Mirror Lake, a “Team USA” float trailing red, white, and blue bunting, families lining the water’s edge in lawn chairs. Kayaks drifted toward lunch at a lakeside dock. The storied Lake Placid Lodge sat above it all, stone and timber against a sky stacked with clouds, patient and unbothered by time.

This is a place built on pay-it-forward tips and Cold War conquests, on grit sold humbly, without a hashtag. Its story is still being written, mountain by mountain, summit by summit. Some of its best prose has not happened yet.

From the Adirondacks to Arizona, discovery never really concludes. It just changes altitude.

By Alexander Lomax

The first election results dropped from the night, and absolutely nothing is set in stone at this moment, but there is definitely plenty of certainty and more than enough question marks to keep us hitting refresh on our browser constantly.

First, Scottsdale. One councilmember is likely advancing and a few incumbents are fighting for their seats. Scroll down a bit for a significant local race, statewide primaries as well as a saucy Congressional primary.

Whitehead in Scottsdale’s pole position at the first count

Solange Whitehead is the clear leader tonight, pulling 23,001 votes in today’s first tabulation. Arizona law sets the majority in a multi seat primary by dividing total votes cast by the number of seats, then halving the result. Scottsdale had three seats and 124,974 votes cast across eight candidates. The math produces a clean shortcut. With three seats, a candidate needs 16.67 percent of all votes. Whitehead sits at 18.40 percent, an excellent position to be in.

Plenty of ballots remain uncounted. The threshold will rise as they land, but so will her total. She would need to collapse by nearly a third among remaining voters to fall back. Certainly not impossible, but she’s in an enviable position regardless.

A couple incumbents are fighting from behind, but later Republican turnout favors them (and their bloc)

Here is where the night turns strange. If Whitehead is declared elected, two seats remain unfilled. State law advances twice the number of unfilled seats to November. Two seats means four candidates, not five.

Bob Littlefield currently sits sixth. He trails Ethan Knowlden by 643 votes, and conservative incumbent Barry Graham is only 125 votes above Knowlden. Under those rules Littlefield is out.

BUT this battle is so very far from over. Reports have stated that late turnout locally has favored Republicans by as much as 40 points. That means a late round insurgency by Littlefield potentially overcoming Knowlden. With Republicans Carroll and Sloan out, the local GOP is certain to circle the wagons and coalesce behind the conservatives still in the fight.

That would lead us to three conservatives vying against one Democrat (Raoul Zubia) fighting for two seats. And that bodes well for Mr. Zubia, but a hornet’s nest has been kicked, and his path won’t be an easy one.

Axon’s election interference wasn’t as effective as it needed to be

At least with this first count, there is one real standout: that in a conservative-ish city, the slate of conservatives seemed to be pushed down together, with one of the liberals leaping above the fray. It means that the Axon interference tipped the early votes, but that is not how this will end up. Based on turnout numbers the conservative votes are highly likely to dominate the later counts. They did not run up the number as much as they needed to.

The 3^rd Legislative District GOP primary: George Khalaf stands alone

The 3^rd legislative district covers much of Scottsdale as well as Fountain Hills and Cave Creek: maybe not crimson red but a strong Republican district. The one standout in the four-person GOP primary for two seats was George Khalaf, with a lead of over seven points above the two closest competitors, Jay Schlum and Cody Reim, who sit a mere 121 votes apart. That’s the sort of standout performance in a strong red district that is remembered and lends itself to something more. There’s been speculation that he’s a strong candidate for party leadership, perhaps even a future Speaker of the House. These results won’t quiet that chatter.

Knocking on Doors Defeats National Party Support on the Democratic Side

In one of the few Democratic primaries of note to watch, and one that specifically covers most of the readership of our humble publication, Amish Shah looks as though his well-documented habits of knocking on more doors than any candidate around will prevail him to victory once more, holding a 5,713 vote and nearly 10 point lead against DCCC-supported Marlene Galán Woods.

He will almost certainly go on to face former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely in November. Feely is currently up a commanding 14.2% and over 9,000 votes against Joseph Chaplik in the GOP primary for the same seat.

By the way, we wrote specifically about this primary. I think we kinda nailed it?

Biggs cruises while Schweikert torches a safe seat

Andy Biggs is running away with the Republican nomination for governor. He holds 74.9 percent to David Schweikert’s 12.4 percent in the first count.

Schweikert gave up a congressional seat for this. He has served in the House since 2011. He traded that for 12 percent and a 33,000 vote deficit. The rest of the field combined for roughly the same share he managed. Ambition is not a strategy.

Three races, one identical margin

Warren Petersen leads at 54.5 percent. Kimberly Yee leads at 53.7. Alexander Kolodin leads at 54.6. Three separate contests, three margins within a point of each other. Republican primary voters moved as a bloc. Candidate quality barely registered. These are first count numbers, but uniformity like that rarely unwinds.

The Assman lost again

Petersen leads Rodney Glassman by 4,655 votes for attorney general. Arizona has now rejected Glassman under two party registrations. He was the Democratic nominee against John McCain in 2010, then switched to Republican and kept chasing statewide office. He has yet to win one. At some point the common denominator stops being the electorate.

Horne runs out of road

Treasurer Kimberly Yee leads incumbent Tom Horne by 3,937 votes for superintendent. Horne has held statewide office across three decades. Republican voters may have just ended that run.

Kolodin leads former state party chair Gina Swoboda by 4,618 votes. She ran the AZGOP through 2024 and 2025. She could not beat a Freedom Caucus litigator who sued over the last two election results.

It’s a lot to take in right now

…and depending on whether or not it’s worth staying up for, I might be re-writing this at 11 PM, or wake up very validated. Either way, plenty has been decided but there’s still a lot of fun and bickering to be had. Buckle up!

By Vanessa Rogers

Legislative District 4 voters are about to learn what it feels like to be a battleground. The money pouring into this Senate race already signals a fall onslaught of mailers, TV spots and digital ads that will be impossible to avoid.

The Money Is Already Absurd

Incumbent Republican Sen. Carine Werner started the year with $272,939 already banked. She added another $110,000 in the first quarter alone. Her war chest now sits at $414,402, with only about $66,000 spent so far. That means most of her firepower is still loaded.

Carine Werner

Democratic challenger Aaron Lieberman is no slouch either. He has already raised $157,000 in his bid to flip the seat back after Werner unseated former Sen. Christine Marsh in 2024. Lieberman knows LD4 well. He previously served in the Legislature and ran for governor in 2022. He is not walking into this race short on name recognition or ambition, and he is well known for being a prolific fundraiser, so much so that his $157K somehow seems on the light end for him.

Aaron Lieberman

Add up both campaigns and residents are looking at well over half a million dollars chasing one state Senate seat. That kind of money does not sit quietly in a bank account. It becomes commercials. It becomes postcards. It becomes the same 30-second ad playing four times during the show on Hulu that you’re trying to watch.

Where LD4 Actually Sits

For anyone confused about whether this fight lands on their doorstep, LD4 covers Paradise Valley, the Arcadia and Biltmore neighborhoods of Phoenix, north-central Phoenix, and central and north Scottsdale, including Old Town. Roughly, think Camelback Road as the southern edge, Loop 101 wrapping the north and east, and State Route 51 marking the west. If you live in that box, you are the audience this money is built for.

Congress Piles On

But here is where it turns into a genuine mess. David Schweikert vacated Arizona’s 1st Congressional District to run for governor, and that seat now overlaps much of the same north Scottsdale and Phoenix territory as LD4. The result is a wide open, crowded primary on both sides. Democrat Jonathan Treble has already topped $1 million raised. Republicans Gina Swoboda and Scottsdale’s own John Trobough are in the mix, along with familiar names on the Democratic side, all of whom are fundraising well and have already dumped a fortune into winning the primary, with two candidates poised to spend an even larger fortune before November.

Joseph Chaplik

Even former state Rep. Joseph Chaplik is juggling his own CD1 fundraising while writing checks to Scottsdale council candidates. Everybody is raising money from everybody, for multiple races, at the same time.

For residents who sit inside both LD4 and CD1, this fall will feel like a siege. Every mailbox, every commercial break, every digital scroll will carry a candidate’s face. Buckle up. November is a long way off, and the money has only just started moving.

By SongBird

No matter how the elections turn out Tuesday for Scottsdale City Council, or in November, Solange Whitehead is a Hall of Famer.

Amongst the contemporary rancor over Axon, out of state funding, apartments, development, transparency, elections and parking garages, one can forget her many, many contributions to the city over the past decade.  That shouldn’t be.

She serves with a smile.

Her constituent services are second to few.

She ran 8 years ago as a relative unknown but was an important, early voice against one of the most misguided development ideas in Scottsdale history:  the so called “Desert Discovery Center” at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve’s Gateway Trailhead.  Her sincerity and engagement helped torchbear massive opposition that led to the project’s shellacking at the polls in 2018, a lightning bolt for her insurgent council candidacy.

Over her first term she became a conscience of the council, often seeking to find compromise, interrupting the notion and concern that she was just some tree loving and hugging liberal.

When Scottsdale desperately needed an infusion of infrastructure dollars via a $300 million bond that was crafted without raising taxes – improvements that hadn’t happened in 20 years — no one on the council was more involved in the landslide public vote than Whitehead.

After that electoral success she also helped the city snatch victory from the jaws of defeat for a new and more restrictive General Plan whose fortunes were flailing until she said not this day, and again engaged meaningfully and successfully with voters.

But her biggest legacy may be the perseverance to help power a repurposing of an expiring McDowell Sonoran Preserve tax that voters passed by a substantial margin in 2024, despite opposition from Bob Littlefield, Barry Graham, Michelle Ugenti-Rita, Adam Kwasman and many others.  Those valuable, critical funds will supply billions over time for the very quality of life services the “conservatives” claim  essential but often don’t know how to fund.  Thanks to Solange they have the resources to actually implement their priorities.

And that leads us to another important observation about Whitehead, something the “conservatives” governing and running don’t yet understand.  Newt Gingrich didn’t get beamed with his “Contract With America” in 1994 into 2024 and cause or justify some new type of righter governance in the city.  Scottsdale is Center-Right, Center-Left.  Always has been. Always will be.  And that’s why it’s such a shining city on its Sonoran hills.  Name one radical right or left city in America that’s particularly special for being so.  It doesn’t exist.  Jim Lane served for 12 years as Scottsdale’s Mayor.  He was as conservative as it gets.  Yet, he governed Center-Right, not just Right.  He was rewarded by voters three times.  Whitehead understands this too, as a progressive.  She governs Center-Left.

Yes, Whitehead got snookered by Axon .  The company’s vanity corporate HQ design to ego came in very expensive and they needed a new way to help pay for it since Scottsdale – thanks to Jim Lane – doesn’t do subsidies.  So they concocted a monstrous apartment plan that is a subsidy of a different sort.  Axon’s conduct would have been laughed out of a place like Paradise Valley if such threats to leave or development largesse had been made.  But if the worst you can say about Whitehead is that she isn’t a very good poker player, there are worst things that can be said of a person.

If re-elected Whitehead will have to deal with all of the ethical  questions Axon has injected into Scottsdale politics.  No one wants to go through what Tom Forese and Doug Little endured under similar circumstances. Ask Claude if you don’t recall.  I, for one, don’t believe Whitehead purchases a lot of knee pads at Dick’s Sporting Goods, for anyone.

After all, anyone who gives Axon any more than they received for the “compromise” of 600 apartment and 600 condos in November, 2025 will get recalled and have to live with a personal and policy legacy akin to a skin cabaret.

Whitehead talks a lot about Scottsdale resident Jim Bruner when making big decisions.  While a Maricopa County Supervisor he famously did what was right, casting the deciding vote for what is now the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.  He cast it while running for Congress.  Once the prohibitive favorite, he finished third.  But Axon’s apartments are no Chase Field, amplifying where Whitehead’s analogies fall flat.

But her compass is more right than wrong.  And no matter how the 2026 elections go for her, she has done more good for Scottsdale with her leadership and votes than most councilmembers in the city’s 75 years.  Like Jim Bruner she is a gold standard for public servants.  Even in disagreement.  Especially in disagreement.  Win or lose Whitehead is a winner, especially for Scottsdale.

By Bedouin Bourdain

A Career Built on Getting Things Done

Jim Thompson spent nearly four decades in public administration, and a good chunk of the most consequential years happened right here in Scottsdale. He steered the city as manager from 2017 through 2024, guiding it through growth, infrastructure fights and the kind of complicated municipal decisions that rarely make headlines but shape a city for a generation. Now he is heading back to Arizona, and the Valley is better for it.

The Kind of Steady Hand Cities Need

City managers do not get the glory that elected officials do, but they carry the weight of actually running the place. Thompson held that role in Casa Grande before Scottsdale, then left in 2024 to take the top job in Loveland, Colorado, near family. In between, he found time to teach organizational behavior and human resource management at Arizona State University, along with stints at Regis University and the University of Washington. That is not the resume of someone coasting. It is the resume of someone who actually cares about how institutions function.

Even the Messy Chapters Show Competence

Thompson’s Scottsdale tenure was not without its odd turns. He technically retired in October 2022 due to Arizona State Retirement System rules, then picked up right where he left off as a contractor days later. The council voted in 2023 to search for a permanent replacement, never actually ran that search, and rehired him outright that October. Rather than a scandal, it reads like a city that knew exactly what it had and was not eager to let it go.

A New Chapter With AI and Engineering

Thompson is joining the Phoenix-based Sustainability Engineering Group as president and chief growth officer, working under CEO Dr. Ali Fakih, who serves on Scottsdale’s Development Review Board. SEG blends traditional engineering and planning with AI-powered tools, and most specifically its new initiative ChatAEC, that are designed to help municipalities and developers evaluate sites and catch problems earlier. Fakih praised Thompson’s decades of experience with Arizona growth and development, and the trust he has built across the state.

Coming Home on His Own Terms

Thompson said Arizona was home for much of his career, and the pull to return was real. What drew him to SEG was the marriage of engineering know-how with technology built for an era where growth decisions are only getting more complicated. For a region still sorting out how to balance development with livability, having someone with Thompson’s institutional memory back in the mix is a genuine asset.

The Takeaway

Scottsdale spent seven years benefiting from Jim Thompson’s steady leadership at city hall. Now the private sector gets him, and the Valley gets him back. That is a win worth applauding on both counts.

Photo Credit: CNBC

From Kitchen Table to Reader’s Choice

Sam Fox spent decades building a reputation as one of the country’s most respected restaurateurs. Now he can add hotelier to the resume. His Global Ambassador in Phoenix just landed the No. 1 spot on Travel and Leisure’s 2026 list of Arizona’s best resort hotels. The ranking came straight from reader votes, not critics with an agenda.

Breaking a Streak That Looked Unbreakable

Castle Hot Springs had owned this list. The historic wellness retreat topped the rankings in four of the last five years and picked up a Relais and Chateaux nod along the way. This year it slid to No. 4. The Global Ambassador took the crown in its very first appearance on the list, a rare feat for any property.

What Fox Built Was Never an Accident

The 141-room hotel opened in 2023 and quickly caught the attention of global travel press. It became one of the first Arizona properties recognized by the Michelin Guide. Fox has said he personally curated everything from bed linens to curtain placement. That obsessive attention shows in the reviews.

Photo Credit: ABC15

Readers Loved the Details They Could Feel

Guests praised the hotel’s European atmosphere, calling it worldly and distinct from typical Southwest resort design. Five restaurants anchor the property, including the Mediterranean rooftop spot théa and the French steakhouse Le Âme. Readers also gave high marks to the spa and to the hotel’s accessibility for guests using wheelchairs.

A Team Effort, According to the Man Himself

Managing director Younes Atallah credited the staff rather than any single achievement. He said the focus has always been on details guests feel but rarely notice. That kind of humility tracks with how Fox has run his restaurant empire for years, letting the food and the room speak for themselves.

Arizona’s Hospitality Scene Keeps Climbing

The Global Ambassador shared the top 10 with familiar names like the Hermosa Inn, Under Canvas Grand Canyon, and the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. But Fox’s hotel stood alone at the top. For a chef who built his name one restaurant at a time, running Arizona’s best hotel is not a pivot. It is the same instinct for hospitality applied at a bigger scale.

The Takeaway

Sam Fox did not stumble into this ranking. He built a hotel the way he builds a restaurant, obsessing over every small choice until the whole thing feels effortless. Arizona’s hospitality scene just got another reason to pay attention to what he does next.

Today I made the difficult and personally painful decision to withdraw from the City Council race and return to my position as the Chairman of TAAAZE (Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions). I made this decision based on the results of the recent primary election and the effect those results have had on the Scottsdale political landscape. My departure from the campaign leaves two strong opponents of overdevelopment in the race who I am confident will capture the two remaining seats on the City Council while leaving me free to battle the awful Axon apartment development on the legal and political fronts.

This change literally gives us more “boots on the ground” in the fight to Keep Scottsdale Special! You should have no concern I will slack off on the fight against overdevelopment as I will be working harder than ever to win that fight!

Former Councilman Bob Littlefield

By Councilmember Barry Graham

By Alexander Lomax

The first election results dropped from the night, and absolutely nothing is set in stone at this moment, but there is definitely plenty of certainty and more than enough question marks to keep us hitting refresh on our browser constantly.

First, Scottsdale. One councilmember is likely advancing and a few incumbents are fighting for their seats. Scroll down a bit for a significant local race, statewide primaries as well as a saucy Congressional primary.

Whitehead in Scottsdale’s pole position at the first count

Solange Whitehead is the clear leader tonight, pulling 23,001 votes in today’s first tabulation. Arizona law sets the majority in a multi seat primary by dividing total votes cast by the number of seats, then halving the result. Scottsdale had three seats and 124,974 votes cast across eight candidates. The math produces a clean shortcut. With three seats, a candidate needs 16.67 percent of all votes. Whitehead sits at 18.40 percent, an excellent position to be in.

Plenty of ballots remain uncounted. The threshold will rise as they land, but so will her total. She would need to collapse by nearly a third among remaining voters to fall back. Certainly not impossible, but she’s in an enviable position regardless.

A couple incumbents are fighting from behind, but later Republican turnout favors them (and their bloc)

Here is where the night turns strange. If Whitehead is declared elected, two seats remain unfilled. State law advances twice the number of unfilled seats to November. Two seats means four candidates, not five.

Bob Littlefield currently sits sixth. He trails Ethan Knowlden by 643 votes, and conservative incumbent Barry Graham is only 125 votes above Knowlden. Under those rules Littlefield is out.

BUT this battle is so very far from over. Reports have stated that late turnout locally has favored Republicans by as much as 40 points. That means a late round insurgency by Littlefield potentially overcoming Knowlden. With Republicans Carroll and Sloan out, the local GOP is certain to circle the wagons and coalesce behind the conservatives still in the fight.

That would lead us to three conservatives vying against one Democrat (Raoul Zubia) fighting for two seats. And that bodes well for Mr. Zubia, but a hornet’s nest has been kicked, and his path won’t be an easy one.

Axon’s election interference wasn’t as effective as it needed to be

At least with this first count, there is one real standout: that in a conservative-ish city, the slate of conservatives seemed to be pushed down together, with one of the liberals leaping above the fray. It means that the Axon interference tipped the early votes, but that is not how this will end up. Based on turnout numbers the conservative votes are highly likely to dominate the later counts. They did not run up the number as much as they needed to.

The 3^rd Legislative District GOP primary: George Khalaf stands alone

The 3^rd legislative district covers much of Scottsdale as well as Fountain Hills and Cave Creek: maybe not crimson red but a strong Republican district. The one standout in the four-person GOP primary for two seats was George Khalaf, with a lead of over seven points above the two closest competitors, Jay Schlum and Cody Reim, who sit a mere 121 votes apart. That’s the sort of standout performance in a strong red district that is remembered and lends itself to something more. There’s been speculation that he’s a strong candidate for party leadership, perhaps even a future Speaker of the House. These results won’t quiet that chatter.

Knocking on Doors Defeats National Party Support on the Democratic Side

In one of the few Democratic primaries of note to watch, and one that specifically covers most of the readership of our humble publication, Amish Shah looks as though his well-documented habits of knocking on more doors than any candidate around will prevail him to victory once more, holding a 5,713 vote and nearly 10 point lead against DCCC-supported Marlene Galán Woods.

He will almost certainly go on to face former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely in November. Feely is currently up a commanding 14.2% and over 9,000 votes against Joseph Chaplik in the GOP primary for the same seat.

By the way, we wrote specifically about this primary. I think we kinda nailed it?

Biggs cruises while Schweikert torches a safe seat

Andy Biggs is running away with the Republican nomination for governor. He holds 74.9 percent to David Schweikert’s 12.4 percent in the first count.

Schweikert gave up a congressional seat for this. He has served in the House since 2011. He traded that for 12 percent and a 33,000 vote deficit. The rest of the field combined for roughly the same share he managed. Ambition is not a strategy.

Three races, one identical margin

Warren Petersen leads at 54.5 percent. Kimberly Yee leads at 53.7. Alexander Kolodin leads at 54.6. Three separate contests, three margins within a point of each other. Republican primary voters moved as a bloc. Candidate quality barely registered. These are first count numbers, but uniformity like that rarely unwinds.

The Assman lost again

Petersen leads Rodney Glassman by 4,655 votes for attorney general. Arizona has now rejected Glassman under two party registrations. He was the Democratic nominee against John McCain in 2010, then switched to Republican and kept chasing statewide office. He has yet to win one. At some point the common denominator stops being the electorate.

Horne runs out of road

Treasurer Kimberly Yee leads incumbent Tom Horne by 3,937 votes for superintendent. Horne has held statewide office across three decades. Republican voters may have just ended that run.

Kolodin leads former state party chair Gina Swoboda by 4,618 votes. She ran the AZGOP through 2024 and 2025. She could not beat a Freedom Caucus litigator who sued over the last two election results.

It’s a lot to take in right now

…and depending on whether or not it’s worth staying up for, I might be re-writing this at 11 PM, or wake up very validated. Either way, plenty has been decided but there’s still a lot of fun and bickering to be had. Buckle up!

By Ronald Sampson

Barry Graham has a target on his back this election cycle, and the paint job looks familiar. Orange and black yard signs are popping up across north Scottsdale attacking the councilman, paid for by a group calling itself NorScoDems PAC, doing business as North Scottsdale Democrats.

Graham posted the signs to Facebook this week, along with the enlarged disclaimer proving they came from the group. He noted the PAC is also endorsing Solange Whitehead, Ethan Knowlden, and Raoul Zubia, three candidates who have shown little appetite for challenging Axon Enterprise’s expansion plans in this city.

A PAC That Historically Stayed Small

Here is where it gets interesting. North Scottsdale Democrats has never been a heavy hitter in Scottsdale politics. Campaign finance records show the group has raised roughly $33,000 and spent about $28,500 across its entire existence as a PAC. Its own top contributors are individuals giving a few hundred dollars at a time. Its biggest expenditures historically have been reimbursements to its own members and modest bills to local vendors and print shops.

This is a group that describes itself on its own website as all-volunteer, with no paid staff. It explicitly claims it receives no financial support from outside entities. That claim was true when the group was hosting coffee meetups and collecting signatures at Brown’s Ranch Trailhead.

A Sudden Shift in Aggression

But signage attacking a sitting councilman is not the same animal as a Facebook post about a candidate forum. It suggests money, design work, and a coordinated messaging strategy against Graham specifically. That is a real jump for a PAC whose lifetime spending would barely cover a modest ad buy in a competitive race.

Axon Enterprise or its principals may be pouring resources into Better Together PAC and Arizonans for a Better Future, directly or indirectly; both of which have shown a clear appetite for reshaping the council in a direction friendlier to the company’s Scottsdale ambitions. Graham has been a persistent obstacle to that agenda. Whitehead has not.

The Question Worth Asking

Nobody has produced a receipt showing Axon money moving directly into NorScoDems PAC. To be fair, that documentation may not exist and everything done so far seems to be legal, whether or not it should be. But when a historically small, dues-funded club suddenly finances an aggressive attack campaign against the one councilman Axon wants gone, and endorses the candidates Axon prefers, the coincidence deserves scrutiny rather than a shrug.

If Axon money or its allies are quietly propping up this PAC, that would mark a serious departure from what North Scottsdale Democrats has claimed to be. Residents deserve full transparency on where this sudden aggression is being funded, and why.