Arizona Agenda

The good news sandwich Sink your teeth in … Broken promises … And homegrown strawberries.

Good News. Bad News. Good News. We’re making the news less of a doomscroll and more of a sandwich.

Monsoon vs. Drought Weathering the weather … An eighth AMA? … And Kolodin’s last word.

In today’s Water Agenda: Arizona’s monsoon ended with a flourish, but reservoirs didn’t.

The power players' new formula How Arizona’s biggest utilities just made higher bills a habit.

The 14% rate hikes Arizona’s major utilities are proposing for 2026 are just a baseline. APS and TEP also set the framework for yearly increases.
www.arizonaagenda.com/p/the-power-...

One brain, many bodies Robots just got a whole lot smarter … The Oscar goes to … And welcome to Stargate.

In today’s AI Agenda: Get ready for a wave of the smartest robots you’ve ever seen.
azaiagenda.substack.com/p/one-brain-...

The radical left shutdown Let the blame games begin … It's not a shutdown! … And who doesn't love Taco Bell?

This isn’t your typical shutdown.

The more you know Raking in tax dollars … Eyeing Facebook ads … And pumping up the volume.

In today’s Education Agenda: Superintendents with CEO salaries, MAGA’s plan for universities and civics quiz results that may surprise you.

Power up for grabs Chasing the Ninth Floor, risking the House ... The shutdown showdown has begun ... And it's only rigged if you lose.

U.S. Rep. David Schweikert says Arizona is “savable.” The bigger question: is he electable?
www.arizonaagenda.com/p/power-up-f...

Tales from the Light Rail Buy the ticket, take the ride ... Show us your scrapbook … And y’all are dirty.

South Phoenix just got its new light rail extension. Billy Robb rode it to dinner, a D-backs game and straight into the messy politics of public transit.
www.arizonaagenda.com/p/tales-from...

Pop Quiz! What just became law? The laws landed ... Return of the QAnon Shaman ... And Sheriff Joe is $38 richer.

Hundreds of new laws just went live in Arizona, and they impact everything from your HOA to your browser history. Test your knowledge here: www.arizonaagenda.com/p/pop-quiz-w...

Who owns your news? Why Nexstar wants 12News — and Trump’s Blessing.

Trump allies already pulled Jimmy Kimmel off the air. What happens if they take over one of Arizona’s biggest TV stations?

arizonaagenda.com/p/who-owns-y...?

Thanks for the Best Local Newsletter award, @phoenixnewtimes.com! We promise to keep making state politics entertaining (and slightly less painful).

The General Fund Hunger Games Let the budget games begin … School choice becomes a tough choice … And you can redownload Disney+.

As federal cuts threaten to slash Arizona’s agency budgets, here are the departments making the biggest grab for state dollars.
arizonaagenda.com/p/the-genera...

Kris Mayes has your texts If you're a fake elector or texted one ...

If you exchanged texts, emails or social media direct messages with any of the so-called “fake electors” from late 2020 to early 2021, then the Arizona Attorney General’s Office has a copy of them.
www.arizonaagenda.com/p/kris-mayes...

Know your Grijalva The political dynasty news quiz ... Some good news, for once ... And keep your VPN handy.

I got a perfect score on today's @arizonaagenda.bsky.social "Know your Grijalva" quiz.

(I did not write the quiz...)

Take the test here: www.arizonaagenda.com/p/know-your-... and let me know how you did!

Know your Grijalva The political dynasty news quiz ... Some good news, for once ... And keep your VPN handy.

Adelita Grijalva is set to take her father’s seat in Congress. Can you tell their politics apart?
www.arizonaagenda.com/p/know-your-...

The evaporating water promise Water cuts (for the children) … A memorial fit for kings … And let's rename everything.

Arizona has been siphoning from its water future to pay for its present, and with deeper fiscal trouble ahead, the cycle could get worse.
www.arizonaagenda.com/p/the-evapor...

The dogs of (water) war Still no plan in sight ... The quail are thirsty ... And we're all sliding in.

Arizona’s top water official says failure to strike a Colorado River deal “could bring Arizona’s people to their knees.”
Right now, it’s looking more likely by the day.
Read here: azwateragenda.substack.com/p/the-dogs-o...

Everybody's laughing at me! Trump throws a tantrum and we all get baby food on us.

The free press dies in settlements and silence.

www.arizonaagenda.com/p/everybodys...

Bonding time Eat your bond vegetables … A new town is born … And those who can't, well, they get paid better.

Bonds are confusing, but they’ll be on Maricopa County voters’ ballots next month.
Now is a good time to figure them out.
www.arizonaagenda.com/p/bonding-time

Tumultuous times: A Kirk and Crow story A muddy history … Searching for teachers … And data skills are essential.

In today’s Education Agenda: Arizona State University gave Charlie Kirk a 14,000-seat sendoff, despite years of sparring between the conservative firebrand and the university’s faculty and leadership.

azeducationagenda.substack.com/p/tumultuous...

Throwing shade But, like, in a good way … New mine inspector just dropped ... And death is just the beginning.

Phoenix is spending millions on shading the city. But is it working?
www.arizonaagenda.com/p/throwing-s...

Good morning, #Tucson. In about ~10 minutes, I'll be covering the Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting.

#PimaSupes

Dark money, dim light Who’s policing Prop 211? … Arpaio still haunts us all … And the Howie mute button.

As Arizona’s Supreme Court weighs the fate of an anti-dark money law, Turning Point’s PAC is facing two complaints under it.

www.arizonaagenda.com/p/dark-money...

Your legal cheat sheet New laws incoming … Tall order for top Dem … And laughing beats crying.

Arizonans will have a lot more rules to follow in less than two weeks, when hundreds of new laws will quietly snap into effect.

www.arizonaagenda.com/p/your-legal...

Mourners pay tribute at HQ of Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk’s death Supporters leave flowers and flags at the Phoenix offices of the far-right activist following his shooting

Mourners pay tribute at HQ of Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk’s death

School board soap opera Previously, on Cartwright ... Saying the racist part out loud ... And him?!?

Rep. Lydia Hernandez and her daughter broke the law by serving on the same school board together, but it’s too late to matter.
www.arizonaagenda.com/p/school-boa...

Justice for Abe Your email got his attention … $8,000 is > $170,000 … And creepy poster, bro.

When veteran Republic columnist Abe Kwok got fired while on medical leave, we picked a fight with Gannett CEO Mike Reed.
And we enlisted our readers to help.
Today, we have some good news to share.
But the fight continues.

www.arizonaagenda.com/p/justice-fo...

Your claim has been rejected A redacted dumpster fire … It’s gonna be a skinny fiscal year … And you can forge anything these days.

Prop 312 was sold as tax refunds for property owners. So far, it’s delivered red tape, rejections and a whole lot of camping bans.

www.arizonaagenda.com/p/your-claim...

Arizonans who are understandably frustrated by the gutting of the Republic should look into @arizonaagenda.bsky.social, which does great work on a shoestring. (May be of interest to non-Arizonans too, given how much national-level absurdity flows through and out of this goofy-ass state.)

Inside baseball A long game, won with public money … No charges for debate heist … And a simple yes or no will do.

In 2018, a county leader said taxpayers wouldn’t pay “a single cent more” for Chase Field. This year, Arizona’s legislature gave the Diamondbacks $1.2 billion. Here’s the playbook that made it happen.

www.arizonaagenda.com/p/inside-bas...