By Councilwoman Solange Whitehead On the surface, Avala Scottsdale (Modus Companies) and Old Town’s AC Marriott Hotel (PEG) don’t appear related. But both followed a similar path—and show what happens when a Council negotiates hard and delivers prosperity for all in Scottsdale. Both projects are in highly desirable locations—though in Scottsdale, that’s every site. Avala, a single-story, net-zero energy rental … Read More
Paradise Valley’s New Budget Is Bigger. Here’s What You Should Know.
Paradise Valley’s Town Council has approved a tentative $69 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, and the headline number tells only part of the story. The vote was 5-2, with council members Scott Moore and Anna Thomasson dissenting, and the final budget won’t be adopted until May 14. It’s a Significant Jump The proposed budget is 12.5% higher than … Read More
Guest Editorial: Who’s Bad For Business?
By Larry Heath With two Scottsdale City Council debates behind us, I have a few questions: Councilman Barry Graham: Is it true that you’re consulting your phone during City Council votes? If so, are you “fighting for residents” as your tagline suggests, or relying upon someone texting you, and your personal prejudices? Is it also true you’re suppressing time for … Read More
Q1 Money Race: Whitehead Leads the 2026 Scottsdale City Council Field
By Alexander Lomax The first campaign finance reports of the 2026 Scottsdale City Council election cycle are in, covering January 1 through March 31. Eight candidates are chasing three seats currently held by Solange Whitehead, Barry Graham, and term-limited Kathy Littlefield. The numbers tell a story of incumbency advantage, an early frontrunner, and a field where the financial gaps are … Read More
Raoul Zubia: Proud to Announce Endorsements from Local and Statewide Leaders
By Raoul Zubia Friend, I am honored to announce two more endorsements from leaders I greatly admire.
Guest Editorial: $100k Grant – Thank You Senator Werner!
By Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas Amazing news! We received an incredible $100,000 grant for the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park!! This historic grant was made possible by Senator Carine Werner – a strong champion for Scottsdale. In the spring of 2025, Senator Werner reached out to me and asked if the city had any needs she could help with? City Manager Caton and I quickly … Read More
The Bidwill Bowl: Arizona’s Draft Was Built for the Box Office
By Ronald Sampson There’s a moment in every Arizona Cardinals offseason when you realize the team isn’t building toward a championship. It’s building toward a sellout. This draft was that moment, delivered in primetime from Pittsburgh, gift-wrapped in red and white. A Running Back Nobody Asked For With the third overall pick, the Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah … Read More
Newsletter: Barry Producing Real Results For Residents
By Barry Graham
Potential Scandal Looming: Did Arizona Democrats Break the Law by Funding a Primary Challenge?
The Party Thumb on the Scale Democrats haven’t forgotten 2016. They should remember it more carefully. When the DNC tilted the primary apparatus toward Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders, it didn’t just cost a candidate…it cost the party a generation of trust. The argument then was the same as it always is: we’re just supporting our strongest candidate. The method, … Read More
Weekly Travel Review: South Africa
by Bedouin Bourdain There is a version of South Africa that lives in the public imagination: dangerous, unequal, impossibly remote. Then there is the South Africa you actually encounter when you land, look around, and let the place work on you. The two versions rarely match. In fact, they are barely acquainted. Johannesburg: More Alive Than Dead Most travelers bypass … Read More