Veterans Day 2026

Remembering fellow Americans who served

The Republican Party received a wake-up call

OPINION — The results of the Nov. 3 election should be a wake-up call for the Republican Party. The party that once appealed to people like me — conservative, practical and focused on responsible …

Opinion

A return to decency, honesty and integrity

OPINION — On Nov. 3, America spoke loud and clear. We will not accept Republicans who support an authoritarian president who is not only corrupt, but continues to destroy our economy and …

Opinion

Why the US Senate must pass bipartisan sextortion bill now

OPINION — In November 2022, Tamia and Tim Woods lost their only child. James, a 17-year-old from Streetsboro, Ohio, was known as a joyful, compassionate kid with a bright future. Then someone on Instagram, posing as a young woman, groomed him, persuaded him to send intimate photos and turned those photos into a weapon.

Opinion

Service members in crisis need more than a ‘thank you’

OPINION — Every year, we pause on Veterans Day to celebrate our veterans for their service. But for decades now, many returning veterans have asked us for more than platitudes.

Opinion

Prop. 318 has passed; why stop at the gym?

OPINION — Arizona voters have settled the question of fairness in girls’ sports. Proposition 318 has passed. So why stop at the gym?

Opinion

The Vance myopia will hurt the GOP going forward

OPINION — JD Vance exhibits little in the way of political acumen or skills. Exhibit A could be his post-election social media post. In it, Vance said that the Republican debacle was solely the result of the Iran war. Moreover, everyone knows it and any contention to the contrary was dishonest. This is typical of the way Vance practices politics. Any disagreement with him, according to him, is stupid or dishonest, and probably both.

Opinion

Loud exhaust sounds increasing in West Valley

OPINION — What is with the loud exhaust? What used to be just a few annoying exhaust sounds from motorcycles, cars and trucks has now increased in frequency to where a walk outside or an evening rest on the back porch sounds like an afternoon at the Indianapolis 500.

Question of the Week: Did midterm election attack ads sway your vote?

Nov. 3 brought a merciful end to nonstop political attack ads by candidates and political action committees in the run-up to Election Day. They unfold predictably: tear down the opponent with the …

Opinion

US should make Armistice Day great again, ditch Veterans Day celebrations

OPINION — At “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918, guns officially fell silent across Europe and World War I came to a military end (the political finish came in 1919 with the Treaty of Versailles).

Congressman Alexander Pirnie, R-NY, second from left, reaches into a container of draft numbers during the Dec. 1, 1969, Selective Service draft lottery in Washington, D.C. Flanking Pirnie in the image by photographer Marion S. Trikosko are Selective Service director and deputy director Lt. Gen. Lewis Blaine Hershey, left, and Col. Daniel O. Omer.

Opinion

Holy cow! History — Vietnam conflict: The night young men learned their fate on live TV

OPINION — Hearts were racing from Connecticut to California and countless places in between. Americans were about to witness something they’d never seen before. It would bring immense relief to many households and deliver dark fear to others.

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Checkmark Set a good example. Practice civil behavior online as well as in public and in your interaction with others. Encourage others to practice these civil behaviors. And it's OK to challenge disrespectful behavior — but be courteous, respectful and helpful in your approach.

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Your Community Your Voice

Thomas Jefferson’s work didn’t end with the Declaration of Independence

OPINION — The Roman Republic was formed in 509 B.C. and lasted 482 years, until 27 B.C. when Octavian crowned himself Caesar Augustus, Roman emperor. By comparison, the United States’ 250 years barely crosses the halfway point of republican Rome. Aware of Rome’s longevity, America’s founders approached their project with remarkable ambition.

What it took for Trump to lose Republican support

OPINION — I always wondered what President Trump would have to do to make him lose Republican support. Now I know: Lose an election decisively. Up until they lost the midterms, his policies and behavior appeared to be acceptable to most Republicans.

Honoring those who served: Why I still do this work after 30 years

OPINION — Every Veterans Day, there is a moment that reminds me why I do this work. It isn’t the marching bands, the magnificent floats or the thousands of spectators lining Phoenix streets.

Teachers’ union celebrates Arizona’s legislative flip, statewide wins for public education

OPINION — Following landmark midterm election results across the state, the Arizona Education Association is celebrating victories for public education and working families, attributing historic wins to years of organizing by AEA members up and down the state. This election has produced a monumental shift in state leadership.

Voters demanded change, accountability in midterms

OPINION — The final two years of Donald Trump's presidency may be the most overwhelming yet. With the power change in next Congress, the new majority’s key to success will be calling out bad actors, pushing forward bold proposals and clearly demonstrating a “fight mentality” to the American people.

Tempe reader: Trump squandered his chance, now he should resign

OPINION — I've been a Christian Conservative Republican my entire adult life (I'm 77 years old). I worked hard to get Donald Trump elected in 2016 and 2024. I've worked hard for decades to elect Conservative Republicans. Trump and his administration bear the overwhelming responsibility for the Republicans' disastrous midterm-election results.

Midterm elections were an enormous populist blowout

For years, Americans have been viciously divided according to race, religion, immigration status and gender identity by politicians dead set on making us fight each other rather than them. In a year where real people’s struggles were impossible to ignore, that effort fell short. It’s hard to overstate the scale of Democratic victories in this year’s midterm elections.

Valley travelers should buckle up for discomfort, indifference in the skies

OPINION — You can see them everywhere at this time of year, people who have a hollowed-out look. They are people who have endured the agony of airline flights, from buying a ticket in an online minefield of dynamic pricing and extra charges to having their hopes blown up.

FDA can’t protect Valley families if it can’t make decisions

OPINION — Every mother knows that when it comes to protecting her children, waiting and hoping for the best isn’t good enough. We ask questions. We look for answers. And when something threatens our family’s health or safety, we expect action. So why should we accept anything less from the Food and Drug Administration?

What’s behind America’s ‘blue tsunami?’

Now that it’s all over except for the final tallies, the nation is collectively analyzing what will go down as one of the most consequential midterm elections in modern American history. Here are two views on what led to what many are calling a “blue tsunami.”

Historic election results

OPINION — Yes, it was a blue wave! Not a normal wave, but a tidal wave that swept through many red states. I celebrated near Central Park in New York City. I embraced Haitians, Colombians, …

‘It’s your money’ should be every school boards’ mantra

OPINION — A simple principle should guide every entity’s vote on how to spend public funds: It’s your money. That principle matters because taxpayers entrust school boards with funds to educate students, support staff, maintain buildings and keep schools safe. Fiscal responsibility means spending wisely.

The day after: A look at the campaigns that weren’t

OPINION — I’ve never seen an election cycle in which the gulf between real policy choices and campaign messaging was wider. Based upon campaign messaging, you’d think that the biggest issue confronting the state and nation is pedophilia.

A reminder to pedestrians: Stay on the sidewalk

OPINION — Arizona’s glorious weather has finally returned, after a long, blazing summer. And with this nice weather, many of our seasonal guests have returned, too. As a result, we’ve seen many, many people walking around getting their health steps in, walking their animals, getting fresh air but it’s where some are walking that is disturbing.

West Valley Symphony board thanks supporters; mourns Phoenix Symphony's season suspension

OPINION — The West Valley Symphony would like to thank residents for their continued support, for attending our concerts and for their commitment to live orchestral music, which helps sustain an important part of our community’s cultural life.

How healthy is the air in Valley schools?

OPINION — Millions of American children spend time in classrooms that are often inadequately designed and maintained, and that school districts spend $78 billion annually to operate. In the classrooms where students learn, there is one thing most parents and some school administrations probably haven’t checked: the indoor air quality.

Homes outside FEMA flood zones could still be at risk, and some Arizonans could suffer more others

OPINION — If your home isn’t in a federally designated flood zone, flooding might seem like someone else’s problem. No one requires you to buy flood insurance, and the map suggests you’re in the clear. But reality may be very different.

Valley’s innovation economy runs on small businesses

OPINION — Small businesses are the engine of America’s economic and technological future, and the Trump administration knows it. Administration officials have repeatedly cited startup formation and entrepreneurship as key to addressing the nation’s most urgent policy challenges, from AI advancement and scientific leadership to job creation and reindustrialization.

Question of the Week: How often do you fly for pleasure or work?

A new terminal is coming to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport west of Terminal 3 by 2033, the airport’s first new terminal since 1990. That suggests anticipated continued increase in …

My town passed a data-center moratorium, and yours can, too

OPINION — I’m the mayor of Lochbuie, Colorado, and my residents are worried about our water supply. So, we passed a five-year moratorium on AI data centers. Your town can, too. Like many other parts of the country, our state is facing a serious water-supply problem.

The trouble with license plate readers is the architecture, not just some users

OPINION — Wherever Marci Bakely went, her ex-boyfriend seemed to know. When the Georgia single mother drove to the grocery store or a date, he often texted within minutes. According to a Washington Post investigation, Bakely’s ex-boyfriend, Braselton Police Chief Michael Steffman, searched her license plates and those of her teenage daughter roughly 600 times through Flock Safety, a company that makes and operates networks of automated license plate readers, or ALPRs.

George Samson is pictured in in his HMS Victory uniform wearing his Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest military award for valor, in this 1917 image by an unknown photographer.

Holy cow! History — This young Scotsman was a war hero, but she saw a coward

OPINION — They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. More than 110 years ago, that proved truer than anyone could have believed.

Do ESA vouchers really provide a better education for Arizona students?

OPINION — As a retired public-school educator, I have always been interested in the latest trends and challenges that are happening in public schools throughout our country. Most recently, I have been watching what has especially happened here in Arizona.

Why Phoenix is resuming water-service disconnections

OPINION — Beginning Nov. 1, Phoenix will resume water-service disconnections for customers with seriously delinquent city-services accounts. Water shutoffs were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and delinquent balances have continued to grow.

Medicaid’s asset limit punishes Valley residents it is supposed to help

OPINION — My son, Jonathan, needed a new bed, so I bought him a Sleep Number. His room needed a chair, so I bought a La-Z-Boy. I didn’t make these purchases because Jonathan needed the finest furniture. I made them because Medicaid’s rules gave me no choice: Spend down his savings on anything, no matter how extravagant, or risk losing the coverage he depends on to survive.

For many Arizonans, happy hour isn’t about alcohol, it’s about connection

OPINION — An 82-year-old Minnesota grandmother recently made national headlines after successfully leading an effort to pass a law allowing happy-hour gatherings at her senior living community. The woman, Anita LeBrun, was not fighting for easier access to alcohol. She was fighting for something deeper.

Savor the season of connection

OPINION — Welcome November, the “Month of Connection.” At least that is what I call it, because people tend to get together all month long. Then the culminating event for most of us will be on …

Arizonans should have rights when ‘debanked’ by frequent-flier program

OPINION — By all outward appearances, Ari and Shanna Nachison did what airline loyalty programs want their best customers to do. They joined American Airlines’ AAdvantage program, signed up for American-branded credit cards and then started collecting miles. By early 2020, each of them had more than 550,000.

Childcare affordability is an issue the Valley can’t ignore

OPINION — Recently, my 2-year-old daughter and I attended Sen. Ruben Gallego’s Childcare Town Hall in Phoenix. As a mom of three, I joined other Arizona parents and childcare providers to speak about a challenge that affects families across our state: the high cost of childcare.

Maintaining mobility an investment in Valley residents’ independence

We may all lose just a little bit of the spring in our step as we age, but slowing down a little does not mean we need to give up our independence. Taking time to work on your mobility and balance is a key part of the strategy for aging well and moving confidently into the future.

Arizona teachers constantly evaluated; bureaucrats around them, not so much

OPINION — I never expected to become a teacher. After serving in the Navy and spending more than three decades in federal law enforcement and public service, I went back to college and later taught eighth-grade social studies at an Arizona public school.

Moving forward on Rio PHX development

OPINION — Phoenix adopted the Rio Salado District Policy Plan, which will guide future development and revitalization efforts in Districts 7 and 8. This long‑term plan covers the area between I‑17 and Broadway Road and from 19th Avenue to 32nd Street, aligning land use and investment strategies to support the Rio PHX vision.

Jon Kyl: Remembering a lifelong friend and leader

OPINION — Jon Kyl was a close friend for all of my adult life. Prior to becoming a journalist, I was also part of his political team, serving, for example, as general chairman of his first campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1994.

A call for refugee support

OPINION — In this fraught time when so many freedoms are endangered, this letter calls for support for vetted refugee immigrants. This October, the Department of Homeland Security cut the …

What first responders carry home after the call ends

OPINION — For first responders, what most of us would consider an extraordinary crisis can simply be part of a Tuesday. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, correctional officers and paramedics routinely face circumstances many people may experience only once, if ever, in their lifetime.

Arizona elections are transparent, honest

OPINION — Arizona’s election system doesn’t rely on blind trust. It’s built on transparency. Ballot processing and other activities at the Maricopa County Tabulation & Election Center are livestreamed 24 hours a day. Teams of political observers from the various political parties monitor ballot verification procedures, tabulator checks and other operations.

Phoenix Symphony pausing performances, programs is devastating

OPINION — I’ve watched thousands of children walk into Symphony Hall over the years. Before they hear a single note, the students look up and take in the environment. ... Phoenix needs to understand what we’re losing.

Shouldn’t campaign finance outrage apply to Hamadeh, too?

OPINION — Campaign finance outrage? Apply it to Abe Hamadeh, too. Jacquelyn Loiselle’s October 7 letter asks whether Bernadette Greene-Placentia’s financial reporting problems reflect “incompetence or something worse.” That insinuation outruns the evidence she presents.

Why I believe partisanship is bad for democracy, and what we can do

OPINION — Partisanship is bad for democracy, in my opinion. I have worried about how to teach my children what healthy politics look like when their only experience is the current political landscape.

Politics more important than a baseball game

OPINION — I love the Milwaukee Brewers and even more being from Wisconsin. However, politics must come first. This is especially true for the most vulnerable people in our community and nation. …

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