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.
more
OPINION — Fiscal responsibility is among a school board’s most important duties. It must be applied consistently. At its Sept. 9 meeting, the Chandler Unified Governing Board approved school resource officers for Payne Junior High and Perry High School. Board President Patti Serrano cast the lone dissenting vote, as she had on an August agreement covering nine Chandler middle and high schools.
more
OPINION — I’ve been a Gilbert resident for 16 years, and I’ve watched our state government go from bad to really bad. Our legislature has been controlled by Republicans for the whole time I’ve lived here, and what do we have to show for it?
more
Safety can change in a moment, but feeling safe again can take much longer. This is something I have come to understand through my work as a therapist in Arizona with individuals who have experienced domestic violence and other forms of trauma.
more
There was a time when nothing signaled the onset of autumn like Halloween, the annual cultural celebration observed on Oct. 31, which features trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and carving …
more
OPINION — When parents think about bullying, they may picture a confrontation in a school hallway or a cruel comment at lunch. Those situations still happen, but social media and messaging apps have extended bullying well beyond the school day. A child can be home, sitting beside a parent, while classmates target them on their phone.
more
OPINION — When most people think about hunger, they picture an empty pantry or fridge. Yet, for families struggling to make ends meet, the challenge is often more complicated than simply having enough food to eat.
more
OPINION — As a 16-year Gilbert resident, I’m quite concerned about the cost of, and access to, water and energy, as I’m sure many of my neighbors are. The status of the Colorado River is getting dire, and I’ve seen it with my own eyes while driving to San Diego. Energy and water costs continue to escalate, hurting middle-class Arizonans.
more
Former Army Medical Corps psychiatrist Nidal Hasan is scheduled to be executed by firing squad Dec. 3 at Fort Hood, Texas, for the 2009 mass shooting that claimed the lives of 13 soldiers and wounded …
more
OPINION — Education is foundational to our community and economy, which is why I am voting for Stephanie Walsh for State Senate to represent Legislative District 14. She will provide a strong and consistent voice supporting our public schools.
more
OPINION — As a pediatric registered nurse, I have spent much of my life caring for children and advocating for their well-being. I believe healthcare should be accessible to everyone, and I believe just as strongly that every child deserves access to a quality public education.
more
