Scottsdale Loses an Architectural Giant: Vern Swaback Dead at 87

Scottsdale said goodbye this week to one of its defining architectural voices. Vernon “Vern” Swaback, founder of SWABACK Architects + Planners, died July 5 at age 87. He was one of the last living apprentices of Frank Lloyd Wright. His firm helped shape decades of Scottsdale’s built landscape, and his civic fingerprints run through some of the city’s most consequential … Read More

Guest Editorial: Just Say No to Barry Graham

By Steve Tyrrell Dear Editor: I previously voted for Barry Graham for City Council but will not be doing so this time.  Like many other Scottsdale residents I have grown tired of Mr. Graham’s attempt to portray himself as putting taxpayers first when in fact he does the opposite. His “Taxpayer First” slogan is just that: A slogan that is … Read More

Supermodel and Scottsdale Resident Kim Alexis Continues Reinventing Herself With New Podcast, New Ventures and No Plans to Retire

Supermodel-Turned-Trilogy Wellness Ambassador and Host of “Unexpired” Podcast Reflects Growing Trend of Older Adults Pursuing New Opportunities Well Beyond Traditional Retirement Age Kim Alexis has never been one to stand still. Across a career that has taken her from the world’s most recognizable fashion runways to television, publishing, entrepreneurship, wellness advocacy and public speaking, the Scottsdale resident has continued to … Read More

Guest Editorial: The Truth About Axon

By Christian Serena Axon Enterprise, the Scottsdale maker of Tasers and body cameras, wanted one of the largest apartment developments in Arizona history — roughly 1,900 units beside its own campus near Loop 101 and Hayden Road. As a member of the city’s Planning Commission, I studied the proposal, listened to residents, and voted no. When I refused to knuckle … Read More

Better Together’s Latest Trick: Laundering the Money Trail Through Virginia

A Campaign Finance Report That Answers Nothing Better Together wants Scottsdale voters to believe it has nothing to do with Axon. Its second-quarter campaign finance report shows no ties back to Axon, at least not directly. Every dollar the PAC raised this quarter came from a single source: National Horizon Inc., a self-described conservative super PAC based in Alexandria, Virginia. … Read More

Complete BS

Here at the Arizona Progress & Gazette we support free speech to the fullest, and we are honored to give voice to a wide range of opinions. But free speech does not mean freedom from retort. We have a ton of respect for Betty Janik, who has earned that standing through a storied career of public service and honorable politics. … Read More

Guest Editorial: Photo Ops Won’t Secure Scottsdale’s Water Future

By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead This week, a Council majority is staging a photo opportunity at Scottsdale’s Water Campus to reassure residents that Scottsdale’s water future is secure. It isn’t. The backdrop may be our award-winning Water Campus, but the reality is different. The experts who built Scottsdale’s nationally recognized water utility are gone. Funding for critical water projects has been … Read More

Former Scottsdale City Manager Jim Thompson Returns Home to Join SEG Leadership Team

After Decades in Local Government, Thompson Brings Public-Sector Perspective to Growing Phoenix Firm Former Scottsdale City Manager Jim Thompson is heading home to Arizona for a new chapter in the private sector. Following 40 years in city government, Thompson will join the Sustainability Engineering Group as president and chief growth officer starting July 1, 2026, bringing decades of experience in … Read More

Handicapping the Elections: Contested Primaries in Statewide Races

By Alexander Lomax The Arizona Governor’s Race Narrows to Two (plus Hobbs) Karrin Taylor Robson’s exit in February cleared the Republican gubernatorial field down to Andy Biggs and David Schweikert. Both are sitting members of Congress. Both will face off on July 21. Biggs holds a commanding financial edge. His campaign reports roughly $2.7 million raised for the cycle and … Read More