By Recker McDowell — The New York Times and Atlanta Journal-Constitution today published an essay penned by U.S. Rep. John Lewis shortly before the civil rights icon died earlier this month. Lewis’ farewell essay focuses on the current state of race, class, and democracy in America in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter … Read More

By Recker McDowell — We all know planning is not easy during this time of COVID-19. School districts, universities, workplaces, and small businesses are all navigating the moving targets of COVID cases and how to protect public health. It can be a day-to-day exercise — just ask the Miami Marlins or local school districts across the country. Still, we need … Read More

By Recker McDowell — COVID-19 has upturned so many aspects of daily life. Public health, jobs, and activities we have taken for granted such as travel, going to the movies or a sporting event or church have all been changed. We are still figuring out when many things will return to some resemblance of normal. Volunteering and community work have … Read More

Staff Report — Candidates for Mayor and City Council in Scottsdale are filing fresh campaign finance reports as they head toward the August 4th primary. Suzanne Klapp and Virginia Korte lead the money race in the contest to succeed Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane who is term limited. There are three City Council seats up for grabs with John Little, Tammy … Read More

Dumb & Dumber was a slapstick comedy back in 1994. It’s an apt description of landlord lobbyist David Ortega’s campaign for Scottsdale Mayor in 2020. Stung by documented, fair critiques of his Scottsdale record, the lowlight being his vociferous opposition to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve during his first, failed run for Mayor in 2004, Ortega has resorted to attacking the … Read More

By Recker McDowell — Diane Vaszily has been volunteering at the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale for the past 9 years. Southwest Wildlife is home to orphaned, injured and rescued wild animals including wolves, bears, coyotes, foxes, deer, bobcats, skunks, and mountain lions. SWCC celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. Vaszily is a retired environmental educator so the wild animal … Read More

By Scottsdale Pinetop — In 1965, U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater led a citizen initiative to save Camelback Mountain. Over 55 years later, the fight continues in Paradise Valley. And one Paradise Valley family has found a new, creative way to help preserve the beloved mountains. The Story of Camelback Mountain is a new children’s book that tells the untold story … Read More

Listening to many of the candidates for Scottsdale Mayor and City Council prior to the August 4th primary election it’s as if no pandemic or economic pandemonium has occurred. Oblivious to the economic trauma that has severely wounded our galleries, special events, restaurants, and small business candidates continue to rail against height and density. It’s like complaining about a cold … Read More

By Recker McDowell — Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel has announced her office was easing its opposition to adoptions by same-sex couples. Adel’s predecessor, Bill Montgomery, was not keen on adoptions by same-sex couples. That led to the County Attorney’s Office outsourcing legal work for adoptions mandated by state law. Arizona statute requires County Attorneys to provide some free legal … Read More

By Recker McDowell — There is still a lot of uncertainty regarding when and how schools and colleges will reopen for the new school year. There is also a lot of uncertainty for many students on when and how they will continue their educations including going to college. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on jobs, livelihoods, and of course … Read More