The following is an op-ed from Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman which originally ran in the Arizona Republic Few issues unite Arizonans more than water security. Throughout the desert, we understand that water is life and take pride in our culture of conservation. The careful stewardship of our water has guided our state and our cities, … Read More
Guest Editorial: 23-Year Wait Must End for an Expanded Old Town Parking Garage
By Suzanne Klapp The latest case before Scottsdale City Council which requires in-lieu parking credits for a restaurant/bar could be described as an owner in a Catch-22 situation. The new Old Town Tavern (OTT) request is to expand its existing business, and the city requires the owner to pay indefinitely $80,000 per year for 41 parking spaces somewhere in the … Read More
Guest Editorial: The Campaign Has Just Begun and the Attacks have Already Started!
By Bob Littlefield Dear Friends: Every time I run for office my opponents always run a lying, negative campaign against me. That’s because they have no choice. They can’t attack me on the issues because the core issues of my campaign – stopping toxic overdevelopment and fiscal responsibility – are exactly what Scottsdale voters want! So, my opponents have … Read More
Axon’s Stock Is Down Nearly 60%. Maybe It’s Time to Look in the Mirror.
Axon Enterprise, the Scottsdale-based maker of Tasers and body cameras, has been one of the great local tech success stories of the past decade (before being one of its biggest local headaches). So it’s worth pausing to ask: what happened? As of this week, Axon shares are trading around $350, down roughly 60% from their 2025 peak above $880. In … Read More
BREAKING: Whitmer Notice of Claim
City of Scottsdale Attn.: City Clerk Attn.: City Manager Scottsdale City Hall 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Re: Whitmer v. City of Scottsdale and Gregory Caton, in his individual and official capacities To whom it may concern: I represent Lamar Whitmer in his dispute with the City Manager Gregory Caton and the City of Scottsdale. Mr. Whitmer was … Read More
Notice of Claim: Wrongful Termination of R. Lamar Whitmer
From Attorney Dennis I. Wilenchik This morning the City of Scottsdale and the City Manager, in his personal and official capacity, were served with a notice of claim (attached) regarding what we claim therein to be the farcical investigation and wrongful termination of R. Lamar Whitmer and the damage caused to Mr. Whitmer and his reputation as a result. What … Read More
The Mayor’s Brother, the Strip Clubs, and the Lawsuit Nobody Asked For
By Ronald Sampson Scottsdale has always had a complicated relationship with its adult entertainment industry: a city that projects upscale resort glamour while quietly hosting a cluster of strip clubs near Scottsdale and McDowell roads that have survived ballot measures, police scrutiny, and enough controversy to fill several seasons of prestige television. Now, that long, strange history has produced its … Read More
Guest Editorial: Preserve Voting Records
By Betty Janik One can tell that it’s election time in Scottsdale because suddenly everyone’s a McDowell Sonoran Preserve supporter! Unfortunately, the truth isn’t always being told. City Council Candidate Bob Littlefield touts that he: “fought commercial development in the Preserve by opposing the Desert Discovery Center and working to pass Proposition 420”. As Treasurer of the “Protect Our Preserve” … Read More
Lake Powell and the Dam That May Not Hold: A Crisis Decades in the Making
The Colorado River has been in trouble for a long time. But a new wave of reporting suggests the situation may be moving from chronic to acute, with Lake Powell potentially reaching “deadpool” status before the end of 2026. For the 40 million people across seven states who depend on the river, this is no longer a distant warning…it is … Read More
Zoox Picks Scottsdale: A Win for the Valley’s Tech Ambitions… With Eyes Wide Open
The Greater Phoenix area has another reason to feel good about its tech credentials. Zoox, an autonomous vehicle company owned by Amazon, has announced it is opening a Fusion Center in Scottsdale to support its expanding robotaxi operations. It’s welcome news and, with a dose of healthy realism, worth putting in proper context. What Zoox Is Actually Bringing to Scottsdale … Read More