For a century, the Colorado River has been governed by a fragile set of deals among seven states. This month, Arizona decided those deals were no longer enough. On October 16, Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Water Resources moved to join Nevada’s lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior. Then, on October 27, the Central Arizona … Read More
Handicapping the Elections: How Arizona’s Statewide Races Will Play Out
By Alexander Lomax Arizona’s ballot is long this year. Voters will choose a governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, schools chief, mine inspector and two corporation commissioners. For the first time, they will also elect a lieutenant governor, paired on a ticket with the governor. Early ballots are already coming back, so here is how we see each race … Read More
Maybe It’s Time to Look Ahead: Who Could Challenge Amish Shah in 2028?
Amish Shah is a slight favorite to win Arizona’s 1st Congressional District on Nov. 3, with analysts saying Democrats hold the edge. If he does, Republicans will start hunting for a 2028 challenger almost immediately. Nobody has declared anything. Still, Jay Feely’s primary win and a deep bench of local officeholders make for an interesting shortlist. As far as public … 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
Scottsdale Is Letting a Toilet Joke Drown Its Best Water Plan
By Vanessa Rogers Scottsdale made national news this week, and not in a way worth celebrating. An Associated Press report that ran from Houston to Las Vegas told how “poop water” attacks helped kill the city’s plan to purify recycled water for drinking. The headline in some outlets was blunt: a wealthy suburb dropped its recycling plan over election-year claims. … Read More
Jon Kyl and the Arizona That Used to Get Things Done
By Vanessa Rogers Jon Kyl died Thursday at 84. The former senator stepped away from public life last December after announcing a dementia diagnosis. At the time, he said his family faced “moments of joy and increasing difficulties.” Now Arizona says goodbye to one of its most consequential public servants. You do not have to share Kyl’s politics to respect … Read More
Supervisor Galvin’s Statement on the Passing of U.S. Senator Jon Kyl
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl, not only for the loss of this great man, but for what his passing represents to all Arizonans. Senator Kyl was a statesman in every sense of the word. He was staunch in his beliefs, yet always sought compromise. Senator Kyl was quick to teach and eager … Read More
New Survey: Nearly 8 in 10 Arizona Voters Support Updating Early Childhood Funding Model to Include Vaping and Nicotine Products
From Data Orbital Nearly eight in ten Arizona voters support updating the state’s existing tobacco-based funding model for early childhood programs to include vaping and other nicotine products, according to a new statewide survey of likely 2026 General Election voters conducted by Data Orbital. The survey found 79.5% of voters support updating the existing funding model, compared with just 15.4% … Read More
Eight Years Later, Arizona Still Isn’t Done Talking About John McCain
Last week marked eight years since Senator John McCain died at his Cornville ranch after a long fight with brain cancer, and if anything, the tributes have only gotten more consistent with time. Whatever else has shifted in Arizona politics since 2018, the state’s habit of pausing every August to remember him hasn’t. Arizona Keeps the Torch Lit Governor Katie … Read More
Thank You, Readers
Readers, it’s no secret that we enjoy being relative insiders to the world of Arizona (and specifically Scottsdale) politics, and this year has been an interesting one. We’ve been fortunate in our ability to carve a successful niche of sharing a wide variety of viewpoints and stances of one of the best areas and states in the world, and we’re … Read More