Momentum for Arizona as an AI Hotbed is Building, but Not Without Roadblocks

Arizona’s transformation into a major technology hub reached another milestone this month with Cognite’s announcement of its new global headquarters in Tempe. The Industrial AI company’s relocation from Oslo, Norway represents more than just another corporate move; it’s validation of Arizona’s emergence as a serious player in the artificial intelligence economy. With over 100 new jobs coming to the Phoenix area … Read More

Scottsdale Art Week Unveils Honoree Lineup, Opening Night Vernissage Details Ahead of March 19 – 22, 2026, Celebration

Four-Day International Art Fair Returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale This Spring With 120 Galleries From 15 Countries With galleries from across the country and around the world converging and a slate of esteemed honorees ready to step into the spotlight, Scottsdale Art Week presented by Scottsdale Ferrari returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale March 19 – 22, 2026. It all kicks off with an … Read More

Rising from the Ashes and Above the Clouds: the Phoenix Suns Might Be the Most Surprising Team in the NBA

When the Phoenix Suns traded Kevin Durant and bought out Bradley Beal’s contract this summer, the basketball world collectively wrote them off. The “Big Three” experiment had crashed and burned with a dismal 36-46 record, and with only Devin Booker remaining from last year’s star-studded roster, most prognosticators predicted disaster. ESPN’s preseason projections had them finishing 13th in the Western … Read More

Paradise Valley’s Assisted Living Debate: Balancing Character with Compassion

Rarely is there contention in paradise, but Paradise Valley finds itself wrestling with a question that reveals the heart of what kind of community it wants to be. The planning commission recently voted 4-3 to recommend reducing occupancy in assisted living facilities from 10 to six residents; a proposal that has divided the town in ways that go beyond simple … Read More

Scottsdale’s Public Comment Changes: A Mixed Bag for Resident Engagement

By Alexander Lomax After a marathon five-hour meeting that ended at 10 p.m., the Scottsdale City Council voted 4-3 to implement significant changes to how residents can participate in council meetings. The decision has sparked debate about transparency and accessibility in local government. So what changed? In what supporters frame as an expansion of public access, the council increased the … Read More

News Release from TAAAZE: New Axon Opposition Demand Letter Signals Likely Lawsuit Against Recent City Approval

TAAAZE Preparing New Lawsuit To Fight Outrageous Scottsdale Approval Of 1,200 Unit Multi-Family Housing Project (SCOTTSDALE, Ariz) TAAAZE (Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions) has sent a demand letter to the City of Scottsdale, a first step toward likely litigation challenging a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Axon and the City of Scottsdale purporting to allow Axon to build a … Read More

Fresh Hope for South Scottsdale: Sprouts Coming to Papago Plaza

Long ignored within the city’s politics and growth, South Scottsdale is finally getting its moment in the sun. Sprouts Farmers Market has confirmed plans to open a new location at Papago Plaza, at the southwest corner of McDowell and Scottsdale Road, with an expected opening in late 2025. For residents of this often-overlooked neighborhood, the announcement is more than just … Read More

What Mesa’s Mekong Plaza Expansion Shows Us About How Cultural Diversity Drives Economic Growth

While Scottsdale gets plenty of attention for its upscale dining scene and luxury shopping, something equally exciting is happening just down the road in Mesa…and it’s a reminder that the Valley’s most interesting growth often comes as a result of its own maturity and diversity. Mesa’s Asian District recently completed a $10 million expansion of Mekong Plaza, adding twelve new … Read More

Guest Editorial: Treating Your Money As If It Were Our Own

By Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas Dear Friends, In business and in our personal lives, we seek the best deal – the biggest bang for our bucks. And, we shake our heads at cushy government contracts. This week, Scottsdale City Council faced that exact situation. We are working to revitalize our Old Town area. And one aspect of it is a $1.3M … Read More

Scottsdale’s Finest Tradition: Blackout Wednesday Lives Up to Its Name (and We’re Not Judging)

Ah, Blackout Wednesday…or as the more refined among us prefer, “Drinksgiving.” The unofficial drinking holiday drew massive crowds to Scottsdale and Phoenix bars on Thanksgiving Eve, with venues like Coach House reporting their busiest night of the year. If you ventured anywhere near Old Town Scottsdale last Wednesday evening, you witnessed a heartwarming American tradition: college students reuniting with high … Read More