For months, we’ve heard dire predictions about tourism’s demise under the current political climate. Critics insisted that political tensions and policy changes would devastate the hospitality industry, particularly in luxury markets like Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. If that’s true, someone forgot to tell the resort owners who are pouring tens of millions into upgrades across the Valley. The numbers tell … Read More
Don’t We Have Anything Better to Protest?
By Ronald Sampson In a world where inflation is crushing middle-class families, schools are struggling with chronic teacher shortages, and students are falling behind in basic reading and math skills, what has mobilized the activist parents of Scottsdale? A state legislator’s unfortunate hot-mic moment where she described a district employee as “morbidly obese.” Yes, really. Over 1,500 people signed a … Read More
On Charlie Kirk, Arizona’s Politics, and Us
By Alexander Lomax I doubt that I need to tell you about the death of Charlie Kirk. Locally you couldn’t have turned on a TV without seeing something about it, and because of the success of the organization he founded, Turning Point USA, it has become an international story, another example of America seemingly splitting at the scenes, another example … Read More
BREAKING NEWS: Special Scottsdale City Council meeting scheduled for Friday, Sept. 12 regarding SB 1543
Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky is calling a special City Council meeting at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12 at City Hall, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., to address next steps regarding Senate Bill 1543. The Sept. 12 special Scottsdale City Council meeting will address one item: 1) Possibly authorizing the Interim City Attorney, and/or his designees, to proceed as instructed in the … Read More
Guest Editorial: It’s Time To Weed Out The Lies Surrounding Social Equity Marijuana Licenses
By Takosha Murray My name is Takosha Murray. I work graveyard shifts at Amazon to make ends meet. I have worked hard all my life. A marijuana dispensary license offered me a chance at a better life thanks to the efforts of people like Michael Halow, who partnered with me to navigate stacks of regulations and paperwork. Unfortunately, some recent … Read More
A Competitive Golf League Coming to Scottsdale? How Hasn’t This Been Done Before?
The golf world is buzzing about an innovative new concept that’s revolutionizing how we think about the game, and Scottsdale is perfectly positioned to be at the forefront of this exciting evolution. The Grass League, a high-stakes, par-3 golf organization featuring city-based franchises, has just secured $2.75 million in funding and is bringing fast-paced, team-based golf to eleven franchises across … Read More
Is Something in the Water? ANOTHER Person Drove Into a Scottsdale Cop Car! What is Happening?
In the annals of criminal genius, there’s a special category reserved for individuals who manage to compound their initial poor judgment with decisions so spectacularly misguided that they deserve academic study. This week, Scottsdale provided us with a textbook example of how to transform simple vehicle theft into a master class in escalating stupidity. Lyle Dennis Harmon Jr. was arrested … Read More
Guest Editorial: Fate of Salt River Horses rests with Gov. Hobbs
By Mayor Lisa Borowsky The Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the US Forest Service, intends to remove most if not all of the Salt River Wild Horses from the Tonto National Forest. Though the department claims no harm will come to them, history tells us otherwise. One example: In the Apache National Forest in northern Arizona, home of the … Read More
An AP&G Exclusive: An Interview with Former Paradise Valley Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner
Thank you Mr. Mayor for taking the time to chat with us. You’ve been such a long time at the helm, three entire terms, that we all have been really looking forward to hearing about what you learned. Looking back on those three terms, what problem in Paradise Valley was hardest to solve and why? The challenges were constant. I … Read More
Will the Scottsdale City Council Listen to the Voters or Spit in Their Faces?
Today, the Scottsdale City Council will be at a crossroads with a critical vote; it will decide if it will proceed with litigation against newly-created state law that stole our ability to determine our own fates. You may remember how Axon decided to circumvent your desire and the desires of the over 25,000 voters who wanted to bring their apartment … Read More