Big Surf Is Becoming a Warehouse. Is That Really Progress?

The Arizona Republic confirmed this week what’s rising on the old Big Surf Waterpark site in Tempe: a 694,000-square-foot industrial park, three buildings ranging from 190,000 to 259,000 square feet, with no tenants named yet. Layton Construction broke ground back in February 2025. The 36-acre site sat vacant for years after Big Surf was demolished in 2021. America’s First Wave … Read More

Harry Mitchell: A Public Servant Who Put People Before Politics

Arizona lost one of its finest this week. Former Congressman Harry Mitchell died at 86, his family announced on July 29. He was a teacher, a mayor, a state senator, and a congressman. Above all, he was decent. Mitchell spent his career proving that public service could still be honorable. He taught civics at Tempe High School, then lived the … Read More

Tempe City Council Results: Who Rose, Who Fell, and What It Means for the City

By Vanessa Rogers Tempe voters delivered a clear verdict on May 19. The runoff election reshaped the city council in ways that will echo for years. For a full breakdown of the unofficial results, Maricopa County Elections has the numbers. Here is a look at who came out ahead and who didn’t survive the night. Rising: Arlene Chin Chin never … Read More

ASU receives $10M gift to endow football coach position

Gift from Brian and Kelly Swette is the largest endowed leadership position at ASU Via news.asu.edu Brian Swette loves college sports and what they mean to a university. “Success in sports is important for the university,” said Swette, who graduated from Arizona State University in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. “It enhances the college experience. It brings a … Read More

So…How’s That Landfill Working Out for You, Tempe?

By Ronald Sampson In May 2023, Tempe voters had a decision to make. On the table was a privately funded, $2.1 billion entertainment district built on 46 acres of city-owned land near Rio Salado Parkway and Priest Drive. The plan included a 16,000-seat NHL arena, two hotels, a 3,500-person theater, restaurants, retail, and residential units. The project’s rallying cry said … Read More

Is There an Anti-Incumbent Wave in Tempe? Recent City Elections Border on Shocking

Something unexpected is happening in Tempe. The March 2026 city council election, a race for three seats among seven candidates including three incumbents, has produced results that few political observers saw coming, and the story isn’t over yet. The clearest winner of the night was incumbent Arlene Chin, who cleared the majority threshold outright and earned re-election without a runoff. … Read More

AP&G Exclusive: Our Interview with Tempe City Councilmember Randy Keating

Hi Councilman, thank you so much for your time. We unfortunately neglect your city in our coverage and that needs to change, so thank you for offering your insight. Thank you, happy to help shine a light on all the great things we are doing in Tempe! To start out, you’ve had an impressively long time in council. How did … Read More

We All Can Breathe a Sigh of Relief: Coach Dillingham is Staying in Tempe

tempe, asu, The past week has been an emotional rollercoaster for Sun Devil Nation. When Michigan fired Sherrone Moore and Kenny Dillingham’s name immediately shot to the top of their wish list, every ASU fan felt that familiar dread; the sinking feeling that comes when blue-blood programs start circling our best asset. But today, we can finally exhale. Coach Dillingham … Read More