Letter writer calls for greater transparency in campaign endorsements

Christian Serena’s recent opinion piece urged voters to back Barry Graham and Michelle Ugenti-Rita. It was presented as the view of a former planning commissioner and concerned resident. While he is entitled to his opinion, Mr. Serena did not mention that he is chair of Barry Graham’s campaign. That is not a minor omission. A campaign chair supporting his own … Read More

Declining Enrollment: Will Public Schools Adapt or Close?

By Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board Member Amy Carney Across Arizona, public school districts are facing declining enrollment and difficult financial decisions. But how districts respond to these challenges matters. Consider two neighboring districts: Mesa Public Schools and Scottsdale Unified School District. Mesa has adapted by redesigning smaller schools, sharing resources, creating specialized academic programs, welcoming Empowerment Scholarship Account … Read More

Op-Ed: We need Michelle Ugenti-Rita on City Council, she’s the real deal.

By Ashley Earle As a 41-year-old Scottsdale native, wife, homeschool mom of three children, and small-business owner alongside my husband, I understand how much the decisions made at City Hall affect our families, our neighborhoods, and our community’s future. I want leaders who understand those responsibilities and have the experience to make sound decisions. That is why I am enthusiastically … Read More

The Music Stops in America’s Fifth-Largest City

Most of us have a Symphony Hall memory. Maybe it was a school field trip, a holiday pops concert, or a date night that went better than expected. For nearly 80 years, the Phoenix Symphony has quietly scored the life of this Valley. Now, it is about to go silent. On Tuesday, the orchestra announced it will suspend operations after … Read More

A $50,000 Machine Tells the Whole Cardinals Story

Marvin Harrison Jr. began his NFL career with about as much hype as a wide receiver can have coming out of college: the #4 overall pick in 2024 and widely considered a generational talent. Fast forward a couple years and he is now considered on the cusp of being a generational draft bust, and the Arizona Cardinals are no better … Read More

An Important Update from The Phoenix Symphony

Dear Friends, I am writing to share extraordinarily difficult news. The Phoenix Symphony will suspend 2026-27 performances and programs following its performance on Sunday, November 1, 2026, because the organization does not have the funds needed to continue the season as planned. Although ticket sales have increased, contributed revenue has grown, and administrative and operating expense reductions have been made, … Read More

One Manager, One Win, and the Future of Baseball in Arizona

Former Arizona State baseball coach Pat Murphy has done the unthinkable: as the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, they slayed Goliath and swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, thus taking them to their first World Series appearance since 1982. That is a 44-year wait. As columnist Dan Bickley argued at Arizona Sports, the stakes reach far beyond Milwaukee. … Read More

Op-Ed: Raoul Zubia Understands Downtown

By Former Scottsdale Mayor Sam Campana I agree the farmers Market new location is pretty terrific.  For the vendors and the buyers. But I was there for the initiation of the Farmers Market in Old Town years ago.  The WHOLE point of which was to support Old Town!!  Park once, wander the Market, then enjoy the cafes, boutiques, Western offerings, … Read More