Residents, Local Businesses Drive Growth for City’s First New Community Bank in 14 Years 

Scottsdale Community Bank recently crossed the $100-million mark in assets, marking a major milestone for Arizona’s first new community bank in 14 years.

After opening its doors in 2022, the bank became a favorite among locals looking for an institution that knows the market, supports entrepreneurship, prioritizes personal relationships and strives to keep more capital circulating at the local level.

“We are the best local bank in the best city in America. Local businesses want a banking partner that understands their needs and the nuances of this community,” said Scottsdale Community Bank President & CEO Neill LeCorgne. “We’re setting up new accounts daily from individuals and business owners who want real relationships with, and direct access to, the people handling their money, and hitting the $100-million asset mark so quickly showcases just how much this community values this kind of connection.”

The Phoenix Business Journal recently ranked Scottsdale Community Bank as the second-fasted growing bank in the Phoenix metropolitan area. While the bank prides itself on the personal and civic relationships it builds with clients and businesses, it also opens doors to accessible financing for small businesses, offering both traditional loans and an innovative “micro loan” program for new businesses and nonprofits looking to build momentum and boost their presence in the Valley. The bank also offers personalized services rarely available at any banking level, including an innovative Art Advisory service that helps art collectors and investors navigate Scottsdale’s thriving art market.  

“We make a point to create opportunities for our clients that reflect their specific needs and extend far beyond what a typical bank offers,” LeCorgne said. “Our clients know they can count on us for quick responses and clear communication, and we’re proud to support the individuals and entrepreneurs who keep Scottsdale’s businesses and communities thriving.”

With the bank about to enter its fourth year, it looks to continue to build upon its $100-million milestone by backing more individuals and businesses, investing in more ideas that create jobs and economic impact, and continuing to expand services that reflect the needs of the surrounding community

Efficiency Arizona’s Limited-Time Rebate Program Offers Financial Incentives for Energy-Efficient, Eco-Friendly Upgrades — Homeowners Encouraged to Act Fast Before Funding Ends

For many Arizona homeowners, replacing an outdated air conditioner or gas appliance is an expensive undertaking that grows more costly with each passing year. In fact, most manufacturers have already announced 7% price increases for 2026.

Now, a new government rebate program called the Home Energy Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program makes it possible to replace an HVAC system at half the price. A local company, Reeis Air, Plumbing & Electrical, is among a select group of contractors approved to help make it happen.

The statewide HEAR program, launched by Efficiency Arizona, provides thousands of dollars in rebates for homeowners who replace old or underperforming air conditioners, furnaces, water heaters, and other systems with high-efficiency, environmentally friendly upgrades.

“These rebates are changing the conversation about whether you should consider replacing your AC,” said Reeis owner Todd Russo, an Arcadia resident and Brophy College Preparatory alumnus. “A lot of people don’t know this program exists, yet it can save them over 60% of the costs of the system through thousands in rebates and even more in long-term energy costs. We’ve seen families breathe easier, retirees finally upgrade their comfort, and homeowners tell us their bills dropped overnight. It’s a win-win all around.”

Under the HEAR program, eligible homeowners with gas furnaces who meet income-based qualifications can recoup 50% to 100% of their project costs. That can mean getting a high-efficiency Trane A/C system valued at $14,000 for under $2,500, or enhancing a home’s energy efficiency for little to no out-of-pocket expense.

Approximately 75% of Arizona homeowners will meet the income qualifications, especially in active-adult and age-restricted communities where many residents live on fixed incomes.

The Reeis team has already helped dozens of homeowners take advantage of the program. Recently, one homeowner was told their 12-year-old AC system had a non-repairable failure and was quoted $18,900 for a replacement. After speaking with their son, they contacted Reeis for a second opinion. Mrs. Rickard was thrilled to learn she qualified for the HEAR Program. With the instant rebates, her original, $18,900 quote dropped to under $4,000, and Reeis included additional upgrades such as electrical, insulation and ductwork improvements she needed.

Brian Farrell of Reeis explained that he has gotten over 40 homeowners approved in the past month.  “Of these customers, we see homeowners pay as little as $1,500 for a brand-new heat pump under the program.”

With $151 million in federal funding earmarked for Arizona, the HEAR program is currently active and accepting new participants. However, homeowners are urged to act quickly. Recent legislation, including the Home Energy Freedom Bill, will eventually eliminate these rebates. In addition, the 25C tax credit worth up to $3,200 expires at the end of this year.

“Once the HEAR funding runs out or if Congress passes a bill to rescind the funds, it’s gone,” Russo emphasized. “We want to make sure Arizona homeowners don’t miss their chance to lock in these savings while they still can.” After a rebate is approved, the state secures it for that homeowner, meaning even if the HEAR program ends, their rebate is protected.

Reeis handles everything from eligibility checks to installation and follow-up service. The company’s goal is to make the experience as easy and stress-free as possible for every homeowner.

“Our job is to make this process simple,” Russo said. “We verify if you qualify, walk you through your options, and install a high-quality, efficient system that will make your home more comfortable and affordable for years to come.”

For more about how REEIS is helping homeowners access HEAR program rebates, visit REEIS.com or contact Jennifer Parks-Sturgeon at JParks-Sturgeon@roseallynpr.com or (480) 495-3806.

The 9th Annual Day of Giving, presented by Purposeful Giving Alliance, returns to the Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday, December 20, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., bringing together families, volunteers, businesses, and civic leaders for a day dedicated to generosity, joy, and community connectio

Held at 16101 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria, AZ 85382, this special holiday event is designed to ensure local families experience a joyful and stress-free holiday season. More than 2500 toddlers, teens, and families are expected to benefit from free toys, holiday meals, and festive activities.

“Our goal has always been simple—make sure families don’t have to worry about whether there will be food on the table or gifts under the tree on Christmas morning,” said Brian Morris, co-founder of Purposeful Giving Alliance. “Seeing the kids light up with smiles, shopping for toys with an Elf, jumping in bounce houses, and feeling celebrated—that’s what drives us all year long.”

The Day of Giving transforms the Peoria Sports Complex into a vibrant holiday village, complete with:

• Free toy distribution, including a special “shop with an Elf” experience for children
• Holiday meals for families
• Bounce houses and festive activities
• Community engagement with the Peoria Police and Fire Departments
• Support from local leaders, including Mayor Jason Beck, who has donated to support the event

In 2024, the Annual Day of Giving served more than 300 families, creating an unforgettable day filled with hope, kindness, and meaningful connection through the support of volunteers, sponsors, and community partners.

“This event is about more than giving—it’s about dignity, trust, and reminding families they are not alone,” Morris added. “When the community comes together like this, it creates something truly powerful.”

Purposeful Giving Alliance was founded by Brian Morris, a dedicated community advocate, and David Bell, a passionate supporter of family well-being. What began as a shared vision to address unmet needs in Peoria has grown into a nonprofit organization focused on breaking down financial barriers, fostering unity, and inspiring purposeful giving across Arizona.

Since its founding, the organization has expanded beyond a single holiday event to offer multiple year-round initiatives, all rooted in its core principles of empowerment, transparency, trust, and authentic connection.

“Our dream is to take this model into more neighborhoods,” said Morris. “Whether it’s back-to-school season or the holidays, no family should feel forgotten during times that matter most.”

For more information, volunteer opportunities, or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Purposeful Giving Alliance https://purposefulgivingalliance.org/day-of-giving/ or call Brian Morris at (602) 299-8162 or email brian@purposefulgivingalliance.org.

Brophy/Xavier Takes Team Title as 145 Students From 25 Clubs Compete in Mesa

The future of pickleball in Arizona took a major step forward Dec. 6 & 7, 2025, when 145 athletes from 25 high schools converged on Mesa’s Dink & Dine Pickle Park for the inaugural Arizona High School Pickleball Championships. Presented by HonorHealth and powered by PURE Pickleball & Padel, the USA Pickleball-certified and Sporfie-livestreamed event included five championship divisions and crowned Brophy/Xavier the overall high school state champion, highlighting the rapid growth of organized youth participation in pickleball.

Brophy/Xavier secured the top team score of 26 points after two full days of fierce competition, with Tempe’s Corona del Sol High School taking second, with 24 points, and Mesa’s Mountain View High School claiming third, with 19 points. Horizon Honors in Phoenix, Payson High School and Mesa’s Red Mountain High School rounded out the top six participating schools, racking up 14, 12 and 10 points, respectively.

“It was a privilege to coach these kids, many of whom hadn’t started playing the game until this year,” said Xavier/Brophy Coach Paul Shoen, whose team scored Joola equipment and a one-year club sponsorship along with the state title. “Most of them had a tennis or other competitive sport background, so they were all able to dig deep. Epic battles and nail-biters all weekend. By bringing pickleball to the high schools, PURE is pushing the Arizona talent even further. Everyone is now on notice, and next year the level of competition will be wild. I told my players that we will now be drilling all year long.”

Top finishers across other championship divisions included:

Girls Doubles

• Gold – Makenna McLachlin & Ava Shoen – Xavier College Prep
• Silver – Vicki Westover & Lindsey Lees, Red Mountain
• Bronze – Gabby Dupnik & Maya Solomon, Horizon Honors

Boys Doubles

• Gold – Santiago Morales & Hogan O’Malley – Corona del Sol
• Silver – Chace Marlor – PURE Academy & Bryce Marler – Mountain View
• Bronze – Colin St. Hilaire & Dhruva Vignesh – Brophy

Mixed Doubles

• Gold – Erin Clark & Hogan O’Malley – Corona del Sol
• Silver – Ava Shoen – Xavier College Prep & Colin St. Hilaire – Brophy
• Bronze – Mollie White & Maddox Tompkinson – Red Mountain

Girls Singles

• Gold – Maya Solomon, Horizon Honors
• Silver – Ava Shoen – Xavier College Prep
• Bronze – Erin Clark – Corona del Sol

Boys Singles

• • Gold – Brody Rosselli – Payson
  • Silver – Roman Anderson – Mountain View
  • Bronze –
  • Bentley Halvorsen – Mountain View

Stephanie Newton, Director of PURE Pickleball & Padel, remarked, “This weekend surpassed everything we had hoped for—the level of competition was remarkable.”

The students demonstrated impressive intensity, skill, and good sportsmanship. She shared her enthusiasm for tracking the development of these athletes as PURE advances its plans to grow Arizona High School Pickleball, including launching regional leagues next spring and establishing additional high school pickleball clubs in 2026.

Sporfie, a popular live-streaming platform and one of the event’s major sponsors alongside USA Pickleball, streamed live coverage from the Championship Court and six additional courts throughout the weekend, giving family members, friends and supporters statewide a chance to follow all the action in real time. Streamed matches are available to rewatch at no cost, and event coverage and replays are viewable at sporfie.com/azhspb.

Additional event sponsors who made the inaugural Arizona High School Pickleball Championships possible included Caliber Co., Joola Pickleball, RacketPro, Pickleheads, Pita Jungle, Protein House, Raising Cane’s, Tosi Snacks, Flick Weight, Franklin Pickleball, Crush Pickleball, and Andrei Daescu.

After seeing the success and enthusiasm surrounding the state championships firsthand, USA Pickleball also finalized its decision to launch a new high school division as part of its “Golden Ticket Events” series in 2026. PURE Pickleball & Padel also made a groundbreaking announcement of its own over the weekend, unveiling plans for PURE Academy, a youth and adult training program that will launch its first location at Dink & Dine Pickle Park in January. The announcement followed the Girls Doubles Medal Ceremony, with the PURE team surprising Director Stephanie Newton with a reveal of the “PickleBus,” a custom Volkswagen ID. Buzz that will function as a mobile unit, bringing coaching, equipment and supplies to students and high schools statewide.

Many student athletes who participated in the Arizona High School Pickleball Championships expressed excitement over the sport’s explosive popularity and growth.

“Playing in the first-ever high school pickleball state championship is something my team and I are truly honored to be part of. Competing on this stage and seeing the sport grow has been incredible, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for high school pickleball in Arizona. I also want to thank our head coach, Mr. Ray, for everything he’s done for our team, along with Mr. Warner, Mr. Berk and Mrs. Newton from PURE, for their efforts to establish Arizona High School Pickleball and for organizing the state championships tournament.”

The success of the inaugural Arizona High School Pickleball Championships provided further evidence of pickleball participation rising sharply among young players, driven in part by PURE Pickleball & Padel’s efforts to build and shape the next generation of competitors across the state.

For more about PURE Pickleball or to learn more about starting a new high school pickleball club, email info@purepickleball.com or subscribe for updates at purepickleball.com.

The Public is Invited to Watch and Judge the Final Competition

from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale 

Arizona Bike Week, the premier motorcycle rally in the Southwest, is gearing up for an electrifying music showdown as ten local bands compete for four prized performance slots at the HandleBar Saloon during the upcoming rally at WestWorld of Scottsdale, April 8 – 12, 2026.

The public is invited to come out to this FREE event and cast their votes at the final competition, which will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6  at the iconic Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale, located at 15656 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.

Arizona Bike Week receives well over a hundred inquiries each year from talented bands eager to perform at the rally. The Rock Out to AZ Bike Week contest was created to address this overwhelming response and showcase the state’s diverse musical talent. This will be the third annual event and producers are expecting around 2,000 in attendance.

The ten Valley bands that will be competing are Bad Reputation, BadJune, Brownedog Blues Band, Doubleblind, Great Black Swamp, Last Train to Juarez, Magnum Axxe, Miss Conduct, Plum and Vertigo. These popular, local bands have already made it through the first round of online voting, which started with 24 bands, and are now moving onto the finals.

They will compete for the audience’s favor, with attendees having the unique opportunity to vote in person for their favorite acts.

Event-goers can expect an exciting day of music, motorcycles, and more. Each band will showcase its talent with a 20-minute set, and voting will be conducted exclusively in person. Each attendee can vote one time, for up to four bands.

In addition to the musical showdown, the event will feature food trucks, a bar, a custom bike show, an indoor scavenger hunt, a bikini bike wash and a chance to win a $1,500 gift card – ensuring a vibrant atmosphere for both music and motorcycle enthusiasts.

Lisa Cyr, event producer of Arizona Bike Week, expressed her enthusiasm for the competition, stating, “Rock Out to AZ Bike Week has become a cornerstone in our efforts to celebrate and support the incredible musical talent that Arizona has to offer. This competition provides a stage for local bands and allows our audience to actively participate in shaping the entertainment lineup for Arizona Bike Week. We can’t wait to see which bands will rock the stage this year.”

Arizona Bike Week invites everyone to come out and experience the energy, passion, and talent of the local music scene. Rock Out to AZ Bike Week promises to be an unforgettable event, showcasing the best of Arizona’s musical talent and adding a dynamic element to the upcoming rally.

Rock Out to AZ Bike Week is a free event, but if you’d like to learn more about Arizona Bike Week or purchase tickets to watch these winning bands and the headline concerts at the rally in April, please visit: https://azbikeweek.com/

For more information about Rock Out to AZ Bike Week, please be sure to follow Arizona Bike Week on Instagram and Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/azbikeweek

https://www.instagram.com/arizonabikeweek/  

For more information on Arizona Bike Week, call (480) 644-8191 or visit www.AZbikeweek.com.

Michael Bidwell. Photo Credit: Arizona Republic

Yesterday you may remember that when we spoke about the Jonathan Gannon firing, we took a critical position regarding ownership being the one tying bind in the team’s failures. But there are good reasons to dole out blame and unfair ones.

Michael Bidwill is facing criticism over ticket prices and stadium changes at State Farm Stadium, but the backlash deserves more context than it’s receiving. Yes, loyal season ticket holders were displaced by luxury additions like the Casa Roja club and field-level Casitas. Yes, ticket prices have increased. But painting Bidwill as tone-deaf ignores the broader picture of NFL economics and his genuine investments in the fan experience.

Cardinals tickets remain below the NFL average for game pricing, even after recent increases. While fans rightfully point to the team’s poor on-field performance (a 3-14 season doesn’t justify price hikes) Bidwill is operating in an inflationary environment where every NFL franchise faces rising costs. The secondary market told the real story this season: tickets sold for as little as $12 before the home finale, proving that market forces, not just ownership greed, dictate actual pricing.

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

Critics conveniently forget that Bidwill has invested over $300 million in stadium improvements in recent years. The Cardinals have made substantial investments in the terrace level and other areas accessible to all fans, not just premium seating. Local food vendors were added throughout the stadium at all price points. These aren’t the actions of an owner solely focused on squeezing every dollar from high rollers.

The visiting fan problem? Bidwill acknowledged it drives him crazy and outlined concrete strategies to address it, something previous ownership might have ignored entirely. The displaced season ticket holders? Many were relocated to better sideline seats and expressed satisfaction with the move.

State Farm Stadium

Should Bidwill have raised prices during a historically bad season? Ideally, no. But judging him solely on 2025 ignores that his most controversial decision this week, firing Jonathan Gannon despite owing him two more years on his contract, demonstrated a willingness to spend to win. That’s three coaches on the payroll simultaneously, unprecedented in Arizona Cardinals history.

Bidwill isn’t perfect, but he’s operating a business in America’s most expensive sports league while genuinely trying to balance affordability, fan experience, and competitive necessity. Sometimes that’s an impossible balance to strike.

Former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has died. He was a happy warrior and an innovator who wasn’t afraid to take on corporate titans for the greater good. He was elected Arizona Attorney General in 2014 and 2018.

While in office he secured more than $1.5 billion in judgments and settlements for Arizona consumers.  In many instances he wasn’t coat-tailing on class actions lawsuits but rather leading the charge.

He negotiated an historic $85 million settlement—one of the largest per capita in U.S. history—to resolve claims that Google deceptively tracked users’ location data even after they disabled tracking settings.

He took on TicketMaster and achieved a first-in-the-nation settlement that returned over $71 million to consumers for Arizona events canceled or rescheduled due to the pandemic.

He reached a settlement with APS for $24 million for over 225,000 customers who were overcharged because they were not on the company’s most economical rate plan.

He won $4.8 million in restitution from CashCall Inc. for issuing high-interest personal loans with interest rates as high as 169%, violating Arizona law.

Brnovich created a first-in-the-nation FinTech Sandbox in 2018 which allowed startup companies to test innovative financial products without immediately needing to navigate expensive and time-consuming state licensing requirements.

Unlike other occupants of the office, as AG he did not define himself by suing the White House, but the Arizona Republican did challenge federal policies under the Obama and Biden administrations, especially policies dealing with immigration and environmental regulations. He knew a thing or two about immigration. His parents immigrated from the former Yugoslavia to escape communism.Read More

By Bob Littlefield

Dear Friends:

Happy New Year! I want to start off 2026 by insuring everyone is up to speed on the status of our effort to stop Axon from building one of the largest apartment complexes in Scottsdale history against the express wishes of the vast majority of Scottsdale residents.

To recap; at the November 17th City Council meeting Mayor Borowsky and her sidekicks in the pro-Axon majority – Councilmembers Kwasman, Whitehead and McAllen – totally sold out to Axon at the expense of Scottsdale residents.

These four Councilmembers voted “yes” on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Axon that approved the unnecessary and unneeded 1,200 multifamily units. Using an MOU to approve a development is unprecedented and is, we believe, an illegal attempt to bypass the normal process for development review and public input.

Additionally, at a time of drought the council majority relieved Axon of its obligation to provide water for its project. Who thinks this is a good idea?! And for the first time in Scottsdale history, the developer will be allowed to govern itself when it comes to compliance with construction requirements, rather than answer to City inspectors.

The pro-Axon Councilmembers claim Axon will build 600 apartments and 600 condominiums yet included no language in the MOU to require any units to be condominiums; without such language the Borowsky-led approval allows for all 1,200 units to be apartments.

Council Members Barry Graham, Jan Dubauskas, and Kathy Littlefield voted against the Axon apartment scheme. They stood up for the residents!

There was an item on the agenda that night to have the city join the TAAAZE lawsuit to reverse the “Axon bill” which nullified the right of referendum for Scottsdale residents. Every time this item was voted on in the past it was defeated by the pro-Axon majority. On November 17tth it passed, but with so many amendments it will never take effect. So don’t let Borowsky, Kwasman, Whitehead and McAllen gaslight you into believing they voted to have the city join the TAAAZE lawsuit – they didn’t!

If we at TAAAZE win our lawsuit we can reverse much of the pro-Axon majority’s bad decisions, which is no doubt why Borowsky and her allies attached so many poison pill conditions to the City’s participation in it.

In addition to the lawsuit we had already filed against the state to reverse the “Axon bill” we also, in response to this latest Council debacle, filed a lawsuit against the city seeking to reverse this resident-unfriendly and clearly illegal MOU. The City and State have to respond to our complaints by January 23rd and the court hearings on our complaints will start in February and be heard over the next few months.

We will keep everyone informed as events develop.

Former Councilman Bob Littlefield
Chairman, Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions (TAAAZE)

Jonathan Gannon. Photo Credit: azcentral.com

The thing that everyone knew would happen actually happened: the Arizona Cardinals have fired head coach Jonathan Gannon after a dismal 3-14 season that saw the team finish with the worst record in franchise modern history. With a combined 15-36 record over three years and never reaching the playoffs, Gannon’s dismissal was inevitable. The numbers don’t lie: a 3-15 record against NFC West opponents, including an 0-6 showing against the Seahawks, made his position untenable.

Let’s be clear: Gannon deserved to be fired. When your peak achievement is briefly holding first place in the division before losing four straight games to fall to third, that’s not progress. When injuries can’t fully explain away consecutive losing streaks of five and nine games, something is fundamentally broken. The Cardinals focused heavily on defense in the offseason, yet the team regressed spectacularly, suggesting issues far beyond personnel.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth Cardinals fans must face: firing Gannon changes nothing if the ownership remains the same. General manager Monti Ossenfort will lead the coaching search, but this is the same front office that orchestrated a supposed three-year rebuild that somehow left the team worse off than when it started. The same organization that has cycled through coaches and coordinators while consistently failing to build sustainable success.

Photo Credit: Arizona Cardinals

Sure, injuries devastated the roster; 42 players missing games, 25 on injured reserve including Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. That’s legitimate adversity. But championship organizations find ways to overcome adversity. The Cardinals simply collapsed.

So yes, there will be a new coach. There will be optimism. There will be promises of change and renewal. Cardinals fans will feel that familiar flutter of hope that maybe, just maybe, this time will be different.

But until there’s accountability at the ownership level, until the organizational culture fundamentally shifts, this is just another lap around the same depressing carousel. Gannon is gone, and rightfully so. What comes next? Probably more of the same, dressed up in different colors.

Michael Bidwell. Photo Credit: Arizona Republic

Over the last century the Cardinals have been one of the most flaccid organizations in all of professional sports, not just football. There has been one and only one tying bind during this entire history of failure: the last name “Bidwell”. The one position that can’t be replaced save extraordinary circumstances or a willingness to be replaced. As a result, while we may have a glimmer of hope for a little while, it’s hard to believe that this history of failure will truly reverse.

From Ben Domenech, reposted from The Spectator

Read the full article here

By Bedouin Bourdain

Madrid doesn’t seduce you with ancient ruins or Gothic spires piercing the heavens. It grabs you by the shoulders at 2 AM on a Tuesday, pulls you into a tapas bar you didn’t know existed, and refuses to let you sleep until you’ve understood something fundamental about what it means to be alive.

This is a city that operates on its own clock, where dinner doesn’t start until 10 PM and the night only truly begins when most cities are closing their doors. The Madrileños have mastered something other capitals still fumble with: the art of living deliberately, stretching each day until it surrenders every last drop of possibility. You’ll find businessmen in pressed suits standing shoulder-to-shoulder with artists and students at zinc countertops, all united in the democratic ritual of vermouth and conversation as the afternoon sun slants through centuries-old windows.

Walk the tree-lined Paseo del Prado as golden hour transforms the Prado Museum into something transcendent, where Velázquez and Goya whisper truths about the Spanish soul that guidebooks can’t articulate. Then lose yourself in the tangled medieval streets of La Latina, where each corner reveals another hole-in-the-wall serving jamón ibérico sliced so thin it dissolves on your tongue like a prayer.

But Madrid’s genius lies not in monuments—though the Royal Palace holds its own—but in its plazas. Plaza Mayor, where history happened and still does. Puerta del Sol, the pulsing heart where Spain measures all distances and midnight on New Year’s Eve means twelve grapes and twelve wishes. These aren’t tourist attractions; they’re living rooms where the city gathers to argue, celebrate, and simply be.

The Retiro Park on Sunday afternoons becomes a masterclass in leisure, where families picnic, musicians perform, and fortune tellers read palms beneath ancient trees. This is where Madrid exhales, spreads out, and reminds you that a city isn’t measured by its skyline but by the quality of its idle moments.

Yes, Madrid lacks the cathedral drama of its neighbors. But what it offers instead is something rarer: an unapologetic commitment to the present tense. It doesn’t ask you to genuflect before history. It invites you to participate in the ongoing miracle of a city that refuses to dim its lights, lower its voice, or apologize for demanding that you live as intensely as it does.

Come for the Prado. Stay because Madrid won’t let you leave until you’ve learned to properly live.

By Councilmember Julie Pace

Julie Pace. Photo Credit: paradisevalleyaz.gov

For approximately ten years, our town has discussed the need for a Paradise Valley Police Training Center and Shooting Range. The Council even funded plans to make this physical project a reality.

The actual funding of the Police Training Center, however, kept getting put off, while the Council worked to pay down the required contributions to the state pension fund.  The time is now to move forward with this important physical project.

The PV Police Training Center will improve and strengthen skill sets, provide space for a variety of classroom and physical training sessions, and assist with recruiting the best officers.

We are the safest community in the State of Arizona and we need to support the resources required to maintain that goal.

The training center will integrate space for officers to complete required shooting certifications, instead of traveling to Ben Avery Shooting range, a long drive and time commitment.  Phoenix police departments have sound-proofed shooting facilities at each of their precincts.  PV has none.  And yes, any shooting range will be completely sound-proofed and residents will absolutely not hear any of it.

We have some financial support from the State Legislature with the leadership of Sen. Carine Werner.  In 2025, Sen. Werner introduced and worked with colleagues to pass a bill to provide $150,000 to assist with the process to design and build a gun range behind the PV Police Department.

New News!  Big Kudos to Sen. Carine Werner who introduced a 2026 bill in the state legislature that seeks $2.5 million to get a PV Police Training Center built in PV.  Join us in supporting this important project for PV that will have lasting impact for a safe community for decades into the future.

Photo Credit: Scottsdale Progress

January transforms the Valley into Arizona’s cultural epicenter, offering art enthusiasts and culture seekers an impressive lineup of world-class events. Whether you’re a serious collector or simply appreciate creativity in all its forms, this month delivers something extraordinary across Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Tempe.

Parada del Sol & Trail’s End Festival (January 31, Scottsdale)

This over 70-year Scottsdale tradition celebrates the city’s Western heritage with a festival that captures the spirit of the Old West. Held in Old Town Scottsdale, this beloved event connects residents and visitors to the cultural roots that shaped Scottsdale’s identity, featuring Western art, crafts, and entertainment that honor Arizona’s frontier legacy. The Parada del Sol has been a cornerstone of Scottsdale’s cultural calendar for generations, reminding us that beneath the city’s modern sophistication lies a rich cowboy heritage. From authentic Western artwork to traditional crafts and performances, this festival offers a uniquely Arizona cultural experience that you won’t find anywhere else.

Million Dollar Quartet (Through January, Phoenix)

Phoenix Theatre Company brings the magic of rock and roll’s most legendary recording session to life with Million Dollar Quartet. Inspired by the historic 1956 impromptu jam session that brought Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis together at Sun Records in Memphis, this electrifying musical features iconic hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Great Balls of Fire,” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” Located at 1825 N. Central Avenue, the production captures a moment when four future legends created musical history. Tickets start at $60 for an unforgettable evening celebrating American music heritage.

Tempe Blooms (January 24-25, Tempe)

Downtown Tempe welcomes spring early with this vibrant festival celebrating flowers, gardens, and outdoor living. The perfect antidote to winter doldrums, Tempe Blooms showcases local nurseries, landscape designers, and garden artists while offering workshops and demonstrations for green thumbs and aspiring gardeners alike. The festival transforms downtown Tempe into a botanical showcase, proving that January in Arizona means year-round growing season and outdoor entertainment.

Scottsdale Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival (January 30 – February 1, Scottsdale)

Capping off the month, this 15th annual juried art festival along the Scottsdale Waterfront combines visual arts with Arizona’s growing wine culture. Over 100 artists showcase striking bronzes, dazzling glass creations, breathtaking photography, and handcrafted jewelry alongside curated wine tastings and live music. The scenic canal setting creates an elegant atmosphere for discovering new artists while enjoying Arizona’s beautiful winter weather.

Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction (January 17-25, Scottsdale)

While technically automotive-focused, Barrett-Jackson has evolved into a nine-day cultural phenomenon at WestWorld that celebrates American craftsmanship, design, and history. The event kicks off with the Rock The Block concert on January 16, featuring country superstar Cole Swindell and Chase Rice. Beyond the world-class collector cars crossing the auction block, Barrett-Jackson showcases custom paint artistry, vintage automotive design, and the mechanical artistry that defines American car culture. It’s a celebration of form, function, and the creative passion that transforms vehicles into rolling works of art.

January proves once again why the Valley has earned its reputation as the West’s premier destination for arts and culture. With events running throughout the month across multiple cities, there’s never been a better time to explore the creative heart of the desert.

Paradise Valley Town Council is changing how it distributes community service funding, and residents should understand what this means for local nonprofit organizations and the broader community. At its December 11 work session, the council heard a proposal to adopt a hybrid approach combining requests for proposals with needs-based assessment for allocating these funds.

What’s Being Considered

For fiscal year 2025, the council has allocated $265,000 to community services, though that number is somewhat misleading. The town combines funds for homelessness with the general community services fund, and for the past two fiscal years, the council earmarked $200,000 to the Maricopa Association of Governments homeless initiatives. If that same amount goes to MAG this year, only $65,000 remains for other community organizations.

The proposed process would involve two council members selected by Mayor Mark Stanton working with the town manager’s office to review applications. Their recommendations would then go to the full council for approval. This represents a return to elements of the town’s pre-2021 system, which relied solely on requests for proposals from 2015-2020.

Why the Change

From 2021 to present, the town moved to a needs-based assessment approach. The hybrid model aims to balance competitive grant applications with strategic assessment of community needs. As Councilwoman Anna Thomasson emphasized during the session, there’s growing interest in documenting how funding directly benefits Paradise Valley residents rather than the broader region.

This represents a shift in philosophy. Mayor Stanton acknowledged the importance of considering Paradise Valley’s position in the greater community, noting “we can’t forget that we’re part of a bigger community and that we should be part of a solution-driven space” when discussing groups like Central Arizona Shelter Services that serve the broader Valley.

What Residents Should Know

Paradise Valley has supported community service agencies since 1985, with 40 different organizations receiving funding over the years. Recent consistent recipients include MAG homeless initiatives, Duet Partners in Aging, and Central Arizona Shelter Services. Others like Arizona Friends of Foster Children, Voices for CASA Children, Scottsdale Unified School District Foundation, and McCormick-Stillman Ranch Railroad Park have also benefited.

Here’s what makes this discussion significant: Paradise Valley operates from an exceptionally strong financial position. The town’s 2025 fiscal year saw revenues of $58 million against expenses of $36 million, resulting in a $22 million excess contributed to general fund strategic reserves. The town derives about 35% of revenue from resort taxes, 15% from construction sales tax, 10% from investment income on strategic reserves, and under 10% from state shared revenue, a revenue diversity that gives the town substantial financial flexibility that many neighboring communities lack.

The question isn’t whether Paradise Valley can afford to support community services: it clearly can. The question is philosophical: Should an affluent town of roughly 14,000 residents primarily fund services that directly benefit its own population, or should it contribute to regional solutions for challenges like homelessness that don’t respect municipal boundaries?

The hybrid approach may represent a reasonable compromise, allowing both competitive grant applications and strategic needs assessment. However, residents should pay attention to how this plays out in practice. Will the focus on demonstrating direct town benefits squeeze out worthy regional causes? Or will Paradise Valley continue recognizing its role in supporting the broader community ecosystem?

As the council moves forward with implementing this new process, residents interested in how their tax dollars support community services should attend council meetings or provide input to ensure the town strikes the right balance between local impact and regional responsibility.

By Carla
61 Year Scottsdale Resident &  Preserve Pioneer

REALLY?!

Once again, the Goldwater Institute thinks it knows Scottsdale better than its residents.
A recent editorial from the Institute’s CEO Victor Riches touts an unnecessary hospital rezoning by Banner Health that will reduce the quality of Scottsdale’s healthcare, citywide.

Riches’ wrongheaded position comes after a judge recently dismissed a lawsuit in which the Institute sought to derail Prop 490, a voter approved measure to invest in Scottsdale’s parks; protect our Preserve, and provide additional funding for our Fire and Police Departments. I was proud to serve as Campaign Manager for the Yes on 490 effort.

The Institute never considered the consequences of defunding the Preserve, city parks, and public safety, or the time and money it costs Scottsdale to defend the will of its voters. Instead, they have doubled down and appealed the ruling!

Now apparently they’re also jumping into another local issue without considering the consequences – the quality of healthcare in Scottsdale. Riches’ editorial doesn’t account for the shortage of doctors and nurses and the fact that adding another, unnecessary, hospital would spread resources too thin, hurting patients and raising costs. He fails to mention that Scottsdale already has an excellent healthcare system and Banner’s plans could break what doesn’t need fixing.

Most of us live in the real world where lives are at risk when a hospital doesn’t have enough staff or a Level One Trauma Unit. Personally, as a senior with a heart condition, I need to count on quality healthcare.

Years ago, I helped champion the creation of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It has become one of the things that make Scottsdale special. Scottsdale’s current healthcare system, powered for more than 60 years by HonorHealth, is another. We shouldn’t allow an outside entity to lessen our quality of life.

By Councilmember Barry Graham

By Alexander Lomax

Photo Credit: YourValley.net

In a bit of a surprise move, Mayor Lisa Borowsky has called a special City Council meeting for January 7 to discuss creating a Downtown Task Force focused on Old Town Scottsdale. According to a letter to the Old Town business community, the proposed task force would “evaluate and refine the Downtown Character Area Plan and current marketing efforts”, with presentations from a historian, tourism consultant, and business stakeholders.

The timing is curious. Just weeks ago, the council deadlocked on a marketing contract with the James Agency that would have promoted Old Town, leaving approximately $1.3 million in bed tax revenue unused while Old Town businesses wonder who’s advocating for their interests. As Councilwoman Maryann McAllen observed, the task force proposal appears to be a direct response to that controversial impasse.

But is another government task force really what Old Town needs right now? Or is this conveniently timed political theater designed to distract from what’s been an extraordinarily contentious year at Scottsdale City Hall?

Let’s examine the pattern. Since taking office in 2025, the conservative-majority council has generated one firestorm after another. In January, they repealed the city’s sustainability plan that took three years and $2.2 million to create. In February, they voted 5-2 to defund the city’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion despite hours of passionate public testimony against it. In December, they voted 4-3 to eliminate one of two public comment periods at council meetings, moving the remaining period to the end of meetings when fewer citizens can participate.

Former Mayor David Ortega suggested that the council is “seldom at City Hall”, while Councilwoman Kathy Littlefield described unprecedented “animosity” and “vitriol” in her 10 years on council. Three council members even reported Mayor Borowsky to county investigators over alleged campaign finance violations related to a parking garage dispute, what became known as “Parkingate.”

Against this backdrop of controversy, dysfunction, and genuine animosity among elected officials, suddenly we need a task force to study Old Town? It’s hard not to see this as a convenient pivot from the chaos. Creating a task force allows the council to look productive and business-friendly without actually committing resources or making hard decisions about Old Town’s future.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Old Town doesn’t lack for plans, character studies, or visioning documents. What it lacks is political consensus and follow-through. The council just couldn’t agree on a marketing contract because of cost concerns and political divisions. If they can’t fund basic marketing, what makes anyone think they’ll implement whatever recommendations a task force produces?

Old Town business owners don’t need more meetings or studies. They need a functional city council that can agree on priorities, fund marketing consistently, and stop generating negative headlines that make Scottsdale look like a political circus rather than a premier destination. They need leaders focused on economic development rather than culture war battles over DEI offices and sustainability plans.

The real question isn’t whether Old Town needs a task force. It’s whether the City Council is capable of governing effectively enough to act on whatever recommendations emerge. or whether this is just another distraction from a contentious, chaotic year that’s seen Scottsdale’s reputation suffer while elected officials fight amongst themselves.

By Mike Welborn

I am proud to be a Scottsdale resident and to serve as Chair of the HonorHealth Board of Directors. Nearly twenty years ago, I joined the Scottsdale Healthcare Board, and since then have taken seriously the responsibility of safeguarding our community’s health and well-being while ensuring every patient receives timely, high-quality care. HonorHealth has upheld this commitment for more than 60 years in Scottsdale, and Mayo Clinic has likewise played a vital role in delivering exceptional healthcare to the Northeast Valley.

Yet for several years, we have watched Banner Health advocate for rezoning land they purchased—land that does not currently allow for a hospital use—despite clear evidence that Scottsdale’s hospital needs are already being met.

The reality is that Scottsdale is fortunate to have outstanding hospitals and healthcare providers. By nearly every objective measure, we enjoy access to some of the best healthcare options in Arizona. HonorHealth and Mayo Clinic have long delivered comprehensive services with top-tier quality ratings. HonorHealth’s Thompson Peak Medical Center—just three miles from the proposed Banner site—already has an expansion planned, including new beds and operating rooms, to responsibly meet future demand without any need for rezoning.

In fact, Scottsdale already has three hospitals and one of the highest concentrations of hospital beds per 1,000 residents in Arizona—second only to Sun City and Sun City West. This means residents and visitors are well-served, and do not face the access challenges or lack of hospital services that justify new hospital construction in other parts of the Valley.

At first glance, adding another hospital might seem positive: more access, more choices, and increased competition. But with hospitals, the proof is in the patient outcomes—and more is not always better. When too many hospitals compete for the same limited pool of physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals, resources become fragmented. This can lead to higher costs and, ultimately, diminished quality and consistency of care. The Scottsdale Firefighters Association has raised similar concerns, emphasizing that oversaturation does not improve patient outcomes and can even compromise service availability to the local community.

Emergency departments illustrate this challenge clearly. Emergency department throughput—the time it takes for patients to be seen, treated, and admitted or discharged—is a critical measure of patient safety. In areas where hospitals cluster too closely, throughput times tend to rise. For example, in downtown Phoenix, where three hospitals operate within a short radius, the median emergency department throughput time at Banner University Medical Center in 2024 was 284 minutes, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. By comparison, HonorHealth’s Scottsdale medical centers averaged 186 minutes during the same period. These differences matter, especially in emergencies where every minute counts.

Beyond healthcare concerns, the proposed rezoning raises serious safety and infrastructure issues. The site is near Scottsdale Airport, and the proposed hospital would include helipads. Increased helicopter traffic in an already busy airspace could create dangerous conflicts with existing airport operations. The Scottsdale Airport Advisory Commission recently voted 5–1 against the rezoning, citing these public safety risks.

Scottsdale residents have also voiced concerns about traffic congestion resulting from the proposed rezoning. The area near Hayden Road and Loop 101 is already experiencing significant development, and adding a 300-bed hospital would only increase strain on local roads and infrastructure. These challenges are especially troubling given that objective measures clearly demonstrate that the hospital is not needed to meet the inpatient needs for current and future Scottsdale residents.

Scottsdale deserves a comprehensive healthcare system that continues to prioritize quality, safety, and collaboration—the very principles HonorHealth has practiced for more than six decades, and which have made our current system a model for the Valley. Our healthcare and EMS network is widely regarded as one of the best, and that is an achievement worth protecting. Rather than creating another divisive community debate, let us focus on preserving what works.

The only party advocating for a rule change to allow an additional, unnecessary hospital is Banner Health. While we respect their business interests and the significant role they play in serving healthcare needs across multiple states, in this instance, the proposal serves their insurance objectives—not the hospital needs of our community.

 

Campaign Launch Party Tuesday, January 20, 2026 5:30 – 7:30 pm Desert Camp Community Center 9260 E Desert Camp Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 Please join us for wine and hors d’oeuvres to celebrate the launch of my campaign for Scottsdale City Council. We look forward to sharing the evening with you and welcoming your support. Thank you to our Host Committee members: Councilwoman Maryann McAllen, Former Councilwoman Betty Janik, Former Councilwoman Linda Milhaven, Former Councilman David Smith, John Ainlay, Marlene Reiss and Diana Smith Hope you can join us on the 20th! — Ethan Knowlden

 

Photo Credit: PHOENIX Magazine

Arizona’s most ambitious cultural event is returning for its second year, and it’s already shaping up to be bigger and better than its blockbuster debut. Scottsdale Art Week, presented by Scottsdale Ferrari, returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale March 19-22, 2026, and in conjunction with the myriad art galleries in Old Town is helping cement Scottsdale’s position as a premier arts destination in all of the western United States.

The inaugural 2025 edition set the bar remarkably high, drawing 14,000 attendees and 106 galleries from nine countries to the iconic WestWorld venue. The four-day extravaganza generated millions in art sales while showcasing everything from contemporary masterworks to powerful Indigenous art, alongside fashion shows, cultural performances, and immersive installations that transformed the 120,000-square-foot space into a world-class art destination.

For Scottsdale, this event represents far more than another addition to the calendar. It positions the city alongside the nation’s premier art markets and reinforces the Southwest’s growing reputation as a cultural powerhouse. As co-owner Trey Brennen notes, Scottsdale already knows how to host world-class events: the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, the WM Phoenix Open, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, and MLB spring training all draw massive crowds. Scottsdale Art Week was designed to claim that same marquee status for the visual arts.

The event also benefits from strengthened partnerships with Arizona’s leading cultural institutions. Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, ASU Art Museum, and the Center for Creative Photography are all continuing their collaboration, while organizers are actively courting additional out-of-state arts organizations to expand the fair’s national reach.

Amy Gause, who serves as director for the 2026 edition, emphasized that metropolitan Phoenix’s status as the nation’s fifth-largest city demands an art event of this caliber. The region boasts a sophisticated collector base and vibrant gallery scene that deserves international recognition, and Scottsdale Art Week delivers exactly that platform.

The fair kicks off with an elegant opening night Vernissage on Thursday, March 19, from 6 to 9 PM, followed by full days of exhibitions Friday through Sunday. With many 2025 exhibitors already committed to returning and booth space filling rapidly, early ticket purchases are recommended.

For art lovers, collectors, and anyone who appreciates world-class cultural events, Scottsdale Art Week has quickly established itself as a must-attend destination that showcases the very best of contemporary art against the stunning backdrop of the Sonoran Desert, and is quickly becoming an integral aspect of the positioning of the city of Scottsdale as a regional mecca for culture.

In what now seems to be a recurring theme, Scottsdale Unified School District faces another troubling chapter in its ongoing struggles with employee misconduct. In just the past three months, three district employees have lost their positions over allegations of inappropriate behavior involving minors. This isn’t merely another bureaucratic misstep; it’s a pattern that demands serious attention from parents and taxpayers alike.

The cases are deeply disturbing. Former Cocopah Middle School teacher Michael Gill and Hohokam Elementary School crossing guard Thomas Giorlando were both terminated and charged by police for allegedly possessing child pornography. Meanwhile, Saguaro High School athletic director Lucas Ackerson was permitted to resign following allegations he inappropriately messaged a female student on social media (read our coverage here), though police determined there wasn’t enough evidence to pursue an official investigation.

For our readers, this won’t come as a complete surprise. We’ve documented SUSD’s troubled waters for years, from the Greenburg dossier scandal to governance dysfunction to plummeting academic performance. But this represents something far more serious than political infighting or administrative incompetence. These are allegations involving the safety of children entrusted to the district’s care.

The district deserves some credit for swift action once Ackerson’s case came to light. According to reports, administrators removed him from campus within an hour of the family’s complaint and immediately notified police and the State Board of Education. That’s the right protocol. But it raises an uncomfortable question: how many warning signs were missed before families had to come forward?

SUSD has policies prohibiting staff from communicating with students outside approved platforms like Synergy, district email, and ParentSquare. Yet somehow, an athletic director allegedly found ways around these safeguards. When policies exist but fail to prevent misconduct, the problem isn’t just individual bad actors but potentially systemic oversight failures.

This isn’t about political correctness or culture war distractions. This is about basic child safety. Parents choosing SUSD deserve confidence that the adults supervising their children have been properly vetted, monitored, and held accountable. Three cases in three months suggests something isn’t working in the district’s screening or supervision processes. Whatever political disputes divide the governing board, protecting students from predatory behavior should unite everyone.

Parents, stay vigilant. Talk openly with your children about appropriate and inappropriate adult behavior. Create environments where kids feel safe reporting uncomfortable situations. And demand accountability from SUSD leadership. The district must conduct a thorough review of its hiring, training, and supervision practices to ensure these cases represent isolated failures, not systemic weaknesses.

Where there’s smoke, there’s often fire. Three cases in three months is more than smoke. It’s a five-alarm blaze that demands immediate attention before more children are put at risk.

As the clock ticks down on 2025, Scottsdale, as always, will transform into one of Arizona’s most exciting destinations for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Whether you’re seeking glamorous rooftop parties, elegant dinners, or high-energy dance floors, our city has something for everyone looking to welcome 2026 in style.

W Scottsdale Renaissance Affair

Step into a Bridgerton-inspired wonderland at W Scottsdale’s annual New Year’s Eve party, featuring lavish Renaissance-themed décor, live performers, talented DJs, and a spectacular midnight fireworks show. This stylish indoor and outdoor celebration promises luxe cocktails and vibrant energy from 9 PM until late into the night. With tickets starting at just $50 for those 21 and over, it’s one of Scottsdale’s most accessible upscale parties. VIP table service and cabanas are also available for those wanting an elevated experience.

Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse Gala

Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse is hosting its 6th annual New Year’s Eve Gala from 6 to 11 PM, featuring an extravagant buffet dinner with prime rib carving and crustacean stations, plus bottomless champagne. Guests can enjoy live music from Mercer Lane and dance under the stars on the Starlight Roofdeck Patio before the 10 PM countdown and champagne toast. At $150 per person, it’s an ideal choice for those who want to celebrate and still get home at a reasonable hour.

Caesars Republic Scottsdale Posh Party

For late-night revelers, Caesars Republic Scottsdale takes over both the Romulus Ballroom and Cleopatra Pool for an all-access celebration starting at 9 PM, featuring four hours of prepaid drinks, entertainment from DJ Damien and DJ Nick, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. With tickets starting around $120, this high-style affair offers multiple areas to mingle and dance the night away until 1:30 AM.

No matter which celebration you choose, Scottsdale delivers an unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience. Book early, as many events are selling out quickly. Here’s to an incredible 2026!

Photo Credit: Arizona Digital Free Press

When 480 Career and Technical Education students gathered at Chaparral High School for the 2025 Future Ready Conference, they weren’t just attending another school event: they were experiencing the kind of transformative educational opportunity that defines excellence in Scottsdale Unified School District.

The full-day conference, presented by SUSD’s CTE department in partnership with Scottsdale Rotary, brought students face-to-face with real-world career pathways across multiple industries. From professional networking workshops and personal branding sessions to specialized tracks in hospitality, finance, engineering, and criminal justice, the event gave students practical skills they can apply immediately. More than 35 Scottsdale Rotary members volunteered as mentors and industry experts, demonstrating the deep community partnerships that strengthen SUSD’s educational mission.

“We are excited that our students had the opportunity to learn directly from community leaders who work in these fields and see how their current studies can translate to careers after high school,” said Chaparral Principal Joshua Pantier. This direct pipeline from classroom to career represents exactly what sets Scottsdale schools apart.

The Future Ready Conference is just one example of SUSD’s nationally recognized CTE programs. The district offers 17 different career pathways spanning nine in-demand fields, from healthcare and engineering to information technology and hospitality. Students can earn industry-recognized certifications and dual enrollment college credits while still in high school, giving them a competitive advantage whether they pursue higher education or enter the workforce directly.

The results speak for themselves. In spring 2025, SUSD CTE students earned an impressive 314 industry credentials across five high schools. The district’s 2024 CTE graduates saw a 77% placement rate in universities, colleges, trade schools, or direct workforce entry—, demonstrating that these programs genuinely prepare students for success beyond graduation.

Academically, SUSD continues to excel across the board. The district ranks number one among all Arizona districts and charter schools serving more than 10,000 students in key academic subjects. With a 98.7% teacher licensure rate and a student-to-teacher ratio lower than the state average, SUSD maintains the high-quality instruction that families expect.

The district’s commitment extends beyond CTE programs. SUSD offers International Baccalaureate programs at multiple schools, a renowned Math and Science Academy, dual language immersion programs, gifted education, and comprehensive athletics and arts opportunities. Recently, five SUSD schools earned Blue Zones Project approval for their commitment to student wellness, including Coronado High School as the district’s first high school to receive this recognition.

For over 128 years, Scottsdale Unified has been delivering premier public education to more than 20,000 students across 30 campuses. Events like the Future Ready Conference aren’t anomalies: they’re emblematic of a district-wide culture that pairs rigorous academics with practical skills, connects students with community leaders, and ensures every student leaves prepared for whatever path they choose.

When students walk away from experiences like resume-building labs, elevator pitch coaching, and networking with professionals, they’re not just learning about careers, but they’re also building the confidence and competence to succeed in them. That’s the Scottsdale Unified difference, and it’s why families continue to choose this district generation after generation.

By Scottsdale Voter

Just in time for Christmas, three-term Councilor and TAAAZE founder Bob Littlefield, delivers a gift to residents: a second lawsuit against the City’s shameful backroom MOU with Axon.

This latest suit goes straight at the outrageous November 17 “compromise” that the Axon Faction, led by unpopular Democrat Solange Whitehead and embattled Mayor Lisa Borowsky, rammed through on a narrow 4-3 vote.

We agree with Bob Littlefield: “It’s illegal to bypass the planning and zoning process with a MOU. Abdicating code enforcement? Wrong. Waiving Axon’s water obligations during drought? Wrong.”

Littlefield notes that the sweetheart deal lets Axon self-certify their massive campus without real city oversight, skips vital zoning hearings, and waives their water promises – all while stealing your 27,000-signature referendum.

While the Axon Faction celebrates the corporate giveaway, enabled by the special-interest “Axon Bill,” Littlefield is once again stepping up to fight for residents, our laws, our water, and our voice.

Residents: Rally behind TAAAZE. This fight isn’t over.

By Mary Manross, Former Scottsdale Mayor and Chairwoman for Vote YES YES Scottsdale PAC
and Carla, Preserve Pioneer and Campaign Coordinator for Vote YES YES Scottsdale PAC

In most campaigns there are winners and losers. Not when it comes to the passage of Propositions 490 and 491 in Scottsdale which happened on November 5th. We believe everyone in Scottsdale wins.

Proposition 490 will help revitalize and maintain Scottsdale’s parks, beginning with the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt, and will provide ongoing care and protection for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  It will provide funding to prevent and fight fires in and around the Preserve, and funds for increased police rangers for the parks and the Preserve.

Almost sixty years ago Scottsdale had the wisdom and foresight to create the Greenbelt and, thirty years ago, to create the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. They are two of Scottsdale’s greatest decisions and treasures. That wisdom and foresight are still with us today as evidenced by this vote.

Proposition 490 contains legal safeguards to ensure the money is properly spent. And we think these safeguards, and the benefits of the measure will win over many who voted no and maybe even some critics. Now that the voters of Scottsdale have spoken overwhelmingly in support of Proposition 490, we look forward to working with the new Mayor and Council to see that it is implemented properly and responsibly.Read More

By Carla (Carla), Preserve Pioneer

This year Scottsdale was fortunate when it came to wildfires. Next year we might not be so lucky.

As every summer gets hotter and drier, nature and human caused fires are a fact of life in Scottsdale and our Preserve. Thanks to the quick response and hard work of our Firefighters  – plus a little luck with wind direction  – we have avoided a catastrophic fire this year.

But next year, unless Propositions 490 & 491 pass, we won’t have as many tools to help prevent fires.

Year round our Fire Department does excellent outreach work with developments in Northern Scottsdale to address not planting invasive species and removing fire loads. They also work with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management to get grants which provide for wildfire prevention. Specifically invasive plant removal and preventative measures along our Preserve boundary and major roadways.

But Scottsdale did NOT get a grant to fund this work in 2025!

Proposition 490 would add Fire Department funding to provide quicker response times; increased Fire prevention programs; a second Technical Rescue Team; and additional resources to better protect you and your neighborhoods.

Proposition 491 – which is not a tax increase or budget override  – would allow Scottsdale to spend the money it already collects on programs and services that residents want and need. Without its passage, city services will face cutbacks, including in public safety.

Please join the Firefighters, who dedicate their lives to protecting you,  in voting YES-YES on Props 490 and 491. It’s critical to Scottsdale’s safety and future quality of life.

Carla (Carla), Preserve Pioneer

Data Orbital, in conjunction with AZ Free News, is pleased to announce the results of its latest statewide, live caller survey of likely General Election Voters. The survey was conducted from September 7th 2024 – September 9th 2024. The survey measured support for candidates in Arizona’s Presidential contest. This survey was sponsored by AZ Free News.

For President, the Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris trails Republican former President Donald Trump by a slim 46.0% to 46.2% margin. 7.7% reported as being undecided or refused the question.

Speaking with AZ Free News about the Presidential race, George Khalaf, President of Data Orbital, stated “That 7.7% undecided number, I would say, is going to be one of two things: 1.) Either individuals that are saying that they are likely to vote but don’t end up voting or 2.) People that really are truly undecided. But I would be shocked if the true undecided number is in the high single digits”. Khalaf goes on to explain, “I would guess that right now, the true percentage of people that are undecided is maybe one or two percent, if that. This is a high-profile race and so most people have made up their minds. But I think a portion of people that are undecided likely will not end up making a decision on November 5th”.

By Jeanne Beasley
Candidate for Scottsdale School Board

As students return to school this week, let’s consider what we can do to help support and strengthen our local public schools. I am running for a seat on the Scottsdale Unified School Board on November 5, alongside Gretchen Jacobs and Drew Hassler, to serve our community positively.

We are parents, professionals, and community leaders who have had students in our Scottsdale schools and believe that strong communities should have strong public schools. Families shouldn’t have to look elsewhere for the excellent academic opportunities and well-rounded extracurricular experiences they desire for their children.

Our campaign, “Just Be Honest,” will bring a new era of transparency, accountability, and integrity to SUSD. Our mission is to ensure that every decision made is in the best interest of our students, families, and teachers.Read More

With just five days remaining until Arizona’s 2024 primary election, let’s take a closer look at how Republicans and Democrats are performing across the state.

Focusing first on the Republicans, a total of 1,156,580 GOP ballots have been requested. Of these, 1,089,498 are from registered Republicans and 67,082 from Independents. These numbers surpass the total requests from both 2020 and 2022, which were 1,035,288 and 1,059,348, respectively. Currently, Republicans have a 32.7% ballot return rate, while Independents have a 49.2% return rate, resulting in an overall return rate of 33.7%.

At this stage in the election, GOP ballot returns across the state are ahead of 2022 but are behind 2020. In 2020, returns at this time were 426,571, compared to 375,714 in 2022. So far in 2024, a total of 389,458 GOP ballots have been returned.

Now looking at the Democratic side, total ballot requests stand at 1,063,267, with 1,008,909 from Democrats and 54,358 from Independents. This exceeds the totals from both 2020, which had 1,044,288 requests, and 2022, which had 1,041,271 requests. Democrats are returning their ballots at a 29.4% rate, while Independents are returning at a 48.9% rate, resulting in an overall return rate of 30.4%

At this stage in the cycle, Democratic returns are lagging behind both 2020 and 2022. In 2020, Democratic returns were 439,383, and in 2022 they were 368,745. Both figures are notably higher than the current returns in 2024, which stand at 322,984.