Scottsdale Police Using Drones: Effective Crime-Fighting or Intrusion on Privacy?

Arizona has always had a bit of a social libertarian streak; one focused on self-reliance, of personal freedoms, and a disdain for “big government”. Sometimes that desire for personal freedom and a lack of government intrusion can clash with another aspect of much of the state, and specifically Scottsdale: a respect for the work of law enforcement. So what happens … Read More

Speaker’s Corner: Gem Ray

This is a place where free speech and public debate are welcomed and encouraged. The Speakers’ Corner originated in the mid-19th century at London’s Hyde Park. The concept spread worldwide both physically and now virtually. Here at the Arizona Progress & Gazette, we are presenting this platform in the form of question-and-answer style interviews with people who have had a … Read More

Looking Forward to November: The Scottsdale City Council Race

The recent primary in Scottsdale offered some clarity on how the next iteration of the City Council will look, as well as one surprise: instead of fundraising favorite Tammy Caputi avoiding a run-off and winning outright, it was Jan Dubauskas who finished in first with enough of a margin to avoid a run-off, and as such will be the first … Read More

AI Deep Fake Videos in Politics – Is This a Real Concern?

By John Coppotelli IV Videos during Political Campaigns are one of the most effective ways to get a message across to as many people as possible. However, with the rise of generative technology, the line between fact and fiction is becoming blurred. Videos of political candidates using AI and deep fake technology have been showing up more frequently. So what … Read More

Guest Editorial: Listen to Our Firefighters, Not the Loud Activists

By Ronald Sampson Most cities of a certain size have some kind of a loud activist minority (minority referring to their size, not any immutable traits). You know the types; they don’t have too much to hang their hat on when it comes to their personal or professional lives, so they throw everything into some political causes, consistently raise the … Read More

Is Arizona Headed Towards a Recession?

The economy is always a hot talking point when elections are approaching, and this year will be no different. However, the current economy isn’t as cut-and-dry as years past. By most traditional metrics, the economy has been in very good shape, with reasonable GDP growth and unemployment bouncing around all-time lows. That said, as all of us know, inflation has … Read More

Guest Editorial – It’s Not Just You: There’s Been a Lot of Construction

by John Coppotelli IV You haven’t just been imagining it: there has been a lot of construction recently. Some of the busiest streets and neighborhoods in the valley have been under construction for months. While these projects are intended to be beneficial, they have made it more difficult for people to reach their destinations. For instance, 68th Street between Indian … Read More

Early Election Results: Potential Shocks, Numerous Surprises

By Alexander Lomax The initial primary results have come in, and at the time of writing there are still a few questions but also a number of answers. There were a couple shocks, some more surprises, and increased clarity as to how the November elections will shake out. First off, Republican turnout was robust both locally and throughout the county; … Read More

Huge Human Trafficking Sting in Scottsdale (and It’s Not the first): Is This a Serious Issue?

Scottsdale is a center of tourism and recreation, with myriad options to enjoy yourself ranging from the completely benign, such as golf and sunbathing, to the more debaucherous, including being a destination for bachelorette parties and our myriad nightclubs. However a recent development helped uncover a much seedier side to its reputation for recreation. A recent police sting related to … Read More