Opinion

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.

Opinion

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.

Opinion

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.

Opinion

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.

Opinion

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.

Opinion

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.

Opinion

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?

Opinion

Housing an essential component of Phoenix economic development

OPINION — Housing is not separate from economic development. Housing is a key part of economic development. As Phoenix continues to grow, we must be intentional about ensuring that housing is part of our economic-development strategy.

Point & Counterpoint

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.”

Opinion

‘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.

Opinion

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.

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Civility Checklist

How to engage in respectful, honest & civil dialogue about public issues.

Checkmark Take the high road. Respond to the topic — not the person. Refrain from demonizing others for their opinions. Assume those you disagree with are, like you, genuinely interested in improving the community.

Checkmark Be respectful. Bullying, public humiliation, insults, name-calling, harassment, and threats directed at another person — or that person's race, gender, religion, ethnicity, etc. — have no place in civil discussions. Find ways to respectfully disagree without questioning someone's character or motives.

Checkmark Be truthful. Base your opinions/arguments on facts. Value honesty. Make only accurate statements when making your point and avoid exaggeration and stereotypes. When appropriate, cite your sources of information that others may question.

Checkmark Don't misrepresent. Always identify your opinions as opinions (not stating opinions as facts). Never misrepresent the views of others or falsely claim your opinions represent someone else. If quoting the words of others, identify and credit the source.

Checkmark Listen & learn. It's both polite and respectful to listen to those we disagree with (as well as those we support) and be genuine in our attempts to understand their point of view. Expand your mind by thoughtfully seeking out views that don't agree with your own.

Checkmark Look for common ground. When disagreeing with others, look for even small areas of agreement — which can be the gateway to working together for the greater good.

Checkmark Respect privacy. Keep private things private — whether it involves your own information or those with whom you disagree. Revealing private information about someone else is rude, unethical, potentially harmful and, in many cases, illegal.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sounds of Autism founder endorses Donna Davis for MCCCD Governing Board

OPINION — I am proud to support Donna Davis’s reelection to the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board.

Love at first byte: Is your next date human — or is it AI?

OPINION — Online dating used to mean wondering whether someone’s profile photo was 10 years old. Now there’s a more fundamental question: Does this person even exist?

What happens if Democrats win nationwide?

OPINION — The United States is in dire need of rescue. That will happen if Democrats win nationwide. What exactly would that look like? Since 2025, the Executive branch has run virtually everything.

Don't let technical rule thwart delivery of cutting-edge drugs to Valley patients

OPINION — For years, some of the most effective cancer and immune therapies came with a hidden cost: an afternoon in an infusion chair. That is changing ... a proposal pending at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services could put that progress at risk.

Donna Davis is our choice for MCCCD Governing Board

OPINION — We are writing this letter in support of Donna Davis who is running for re-election to the Maricopa County Community College Governing Board. She has served as an MCCCD board member for four years.

Question of the Week: Do you still play games in the Arizona Lottery?

The Arizona Lottery was created when voters approved Proposition 200 in November 1980. The two biggest games are Powerball and Mega Millions, both multi-state games. Odds of winning are just as …

Hamadeh’s $10,000 reward for information on rival’s attackers rings hollow

OPINION — Abe Hamadeh and Bernadette Greene-Placentia are running for the Congressional District 8’s U.S. House seat. Personally, I default to believing women who come forward with news of an assault. Sadly, I am seeing horrific comments online by Hamadeh supporters.

Americans have a grief problem we still call a mental health problem

OPINION — Americans have become much better at talking about mental health. We have learned words such as trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, burnout, compassion fatigue and moral injury. That vocabulary matters.

Big snag with GLP-1 program

OPINION — When President Trump and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz announced the creation of the GLP-1 Bridge Program last year, many Americans might have thought the administration had cut a deal that would drop the price of GLP-1 medications to $50 per month for anyone looking to lose weight.

Midterms are really about who controls the money

OPINION — Less than two weeks from Election Day, every headline is heads down: polls, turnout, which party takes which chamber. That is my disappointment with mainstream media.

Conservation group: US Senate should put brakes on public lands permitting bill

OPINION — A bipartisan permitting bill headed for a Senate vote right after the election would give President Donald Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum two years to approve data centers, nuclear facilities and fossil fuel projects on public lands, then make those approvals nearly impossible to reverse, according to a new analysis from the Center for Western Priorities.

Phoenix council candidate failed Isaac’s kids; now she wants a bigger job

OPINION — Patricia Jimenez is running for Phoenix City Council in District 4. Her pitch is experience. Voters should ask what that experience has produced. Jimenez has served on the Isaac School District board for more than two decades. She has been board president 13 times. When the district’s budget crisis hit, she held the gavel.

Arizona’s fentanyl overdose statistics are alarming; free Narcan training can help

OPINION — While deaths from drug overdoses across the United States declined during each of the last three years, they have surged in Arizona. From September 2024 to September 2025, our state recorded a 17% increase in overdose deaths — twice the national average — according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Phoenix physical therapist urges Congress to pass SAFE Act

OPINION — Nobody wants to see an older parent, grandparent or loved one suffer the aftermath of a serious fall. Yet for too many families in Arizona, falls happen every day. A simple misstep on a driveway, a loss of balance in the kitchen or a stumble while walking outside can quickly lead to hospitalization, long-term disability and a loss of independence.

Ahead of November, better conversations can lead to a stronger Arizona

OPINION — Republicans, Democrats and Independents disagree on many issues. That is not a weakness of our democracy, but one of its greatest strengths. The ability to bring different perspectives to the table, debate them openly and work through our differences is what has always allowed our communities to grow stronger. Yet too often today, we are told that hostile division is inevitable. The loudest voices make it seem like everyone already hates the other side. That describes a fight. It doesn't describe a country. Many Arizonans feel like politics leaves only two options: Pick a side or check out entirely. The truth is that most Arizonans want something different.