It’s mid-October 2011, and Occupy Phoenix protesters sit in a city park, some with their arms locked, most chanting: “We are the 99 percent!” They are part of a movement gaining momentum across the United States whose mission is to denounce corporate greed. Their civil disobedience also is intended to deride…
The Rise of South Phoenix and Team Awesome, two groups that have built a reputation of mobilizing their friends, family, and neighbors during local, state, and federal elections, are empowering the community beyond the ballot box. They continuing hosting neighborhood clean-ups, organizing food drives, and urging more civic engagement. On…
The Phoenix City Council adopted on Tuesday what officials are saying is one of the “toughest ethics policies in the nation,” a set of rules that guide how elected representatives conduct themselves in office. Although some of the details are still being worked out, policy provisions will require elected officials…
Black progressive community leaders in Phoenix are speaking out against a recent editorial written by Cloves Campbell Jr. in which he referred to one of the City Council District 8 candidates as a “house negro.” Campbell published the opinion piece in his newspaper, the Arizona Informant, on May 22. He…
Viri Hernandez, a DREAM Act student organizer who has spent the last few years mobilizing Latino voters in West Phoenix, is criticizing Pastor Warren Stewart for his stance on gay relationships. (The DREAM Act was intended to grant a pathway to U.S. citizenship for individuals brought to this country as…
Arizona State University, the reformed party school, isn’t earning a passing grade in LGBT-Friendly 101. That is, its programs, practices and policies aren’t as friendly as they could/should be to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. See also: RIP, Arizona State University’s Party-School Reputation (1987-2012)…
One month shy of her 40th birthday, former Phoenix City Councilwoman Jessica Florez died in Scottsdale on June 1. Although she reportedly died in her sleep, her cause of death has not been disclosed. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office says the death investigation remains open, and can not yet…
Could it be that Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu is even more of a liberal Republican than we thought? We know he supports same-sex marriage and gays in the military. But what about his views on medical marijuana? Well, consider that he handpicked for his staff a fitness trainer/bodybuilder/bookkeeper with…
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, who booted the Superstition Search and Rescue team to start his own search crew, has faced criticism over how his office has conducted searches. But now, the wife of one missing hiker who was found in 2009 by the all-volunteer-no-charge-to-the-county Superstition Search and Rescue (SSAR),…
Cloves Campbell, publisher of the Arizona Informant, shocked a good deal of people when he labeled Pastor Warren Stewart’s opponent, Lawrence Robinson, a “house Negro” in a May 22 editorial. On the Informant’s Facebook page, the editorial is labeled as “provocative.” Most seem to call it offensive. Councilman Michael Johnson,…
Take advantage of grocery stores’ Memorial Day sales to stock up on cases of bottled water you can donate to the City of Phoenix for distribution to the homeless, seniors, people with disabilities, youth and others in need. The city collected and distributed more than 210,000 bottles of water last…
Police arrested a now former City of Phoenix employee, who worked for several years as a part time recreation leader in Ahwatukee, over allegations that he attempted to molest a 13 year old girl. Cops say that the suspect, 21-year-old Michael Hudson, resigned instead of getting fired after Parks and…
Local cops spying on vocal community protestors? That’s part of the conclusion reached by Beau Hodai, the Center for Media and Democracy, and DBA Press after poring over thousands of public records in a yearlong investigation examining law enforcement officials’ response to organizing and protesting conducted by Occupy Wall Street…
It’s getting downright dirty in the race for a District 8 seat on the Phoenix City Council. In the latest round of mud-slinging, one of the candidates is accused of going to Scottsdale for dinner, stopping at random Starbucks for caffeinated beverages, and even going to happy hour with “new…
If you’re keeping score in the Tohono O’odham Nation’s epic — and seemingly endless — battle against state and local officials to build a resort-style casino in the West Valley, chalk up another point for the Nation. The Nation unveiled in 2009 plans to build the West Valley Resort and…
New Times received top honors for its design and illustrations, arts criticism, and news, features and opinion blogs on Saturday during the Arizona Press Club’s Best Journalism in Arizona awards reception at The Duce. New Times also was represented in the Virg Hill Arizona Journalist of the Year category by…
Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu has been catching some serious heat over the way his office handled the search for missing hiker Christopher Hensley. The PCSO’s own search crew combed the Superstition Mountains for days. But it was Superstition Search and Rescue, a private, all-volunteer team ousted by the sheriff…
Pastor Warren Stewart’s life in Phoenix has been deeply rooted in fighting for civil rights, and he has been a bold voice for immigrants’ rights and immigration reform. But his run for District 8 has fallen short of that same glory. While he’s received support from some of the heavyweights…
The Phoenix Parks Foundation paid tribute to Councilman Tom Simplot and Councilman Michael Johnson, each serving out their final year in office. Johnson, who is endorsing Pastor Warren Stewart as District 8 his successor, and Simplot were recognized during the 2013 Dinner in the Park – Moon Over South Mountain…
No doubt many moms enjoyed breakfast in bed, flowers or some chocolaty goodness today in honor of Mother’s Day. But, as New Times’ blogger/reporter Matt Hendley has extensively documented, not all women deserve such special treatment. We can think of a few things these women — some of the worst…
After years of ongoing opposition to the Tohono O’odham Nation’s plan to build a resort-style casino, the new Glendale City Manager suggests the city drop legal opposition and develop a “more positive” relationship with the tribe. Acting City Manager Dick Bowers authored a memo on April 26 to the City…
Is Daddy living in the mountains now?” It’s a heartbreaking question that 5-year-old Alexa has been asking her mom, Tonya Hensley, since her father went missing on April 15. It’s been three weeks since members of Superstition Search and Rescue (SSAR) traced Chris Hensley’s steps into the Superstition Mountains and…
