It was quite a public-relations coup for that dinosaur of daily newspapers, the Arizona Republic. Last week, it seemed as though everyone in the country was talking about how a “conservative newspaper” or a “conservative editorial board” had endorsed a Democrat for president for the first time in its 126-year…
Despite public outcry and two congressional letters asking for a delay to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s proposed ban on the herbal remedy kratom, the DEA remains poised to make the head-shop staple a Schedule I drug, adding it to the same category of illicit substances as heroin, LSD, and…
Churches aren’t supposed to endorse federal candidates, but it’s easy to see from a recent political screed which way a Tempe Catholic church pastor wants his flock to vote. Pastor John Bonavitacola, leader of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Tempe, doesn’t refer to the candidates by name in his…
Do you live under a rock? No, right? So you’re aware that Monday night, September 26, brings the first of three presidential debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. The event is already being billed the most-watched television event in U.S. history, which, given the complete and total lack of uncertainty…
Republican vice-presidential candidate Mike Pence largely sidestepped politics at a low-key question-and-answer session at a Mesa megachurch on Thursday, choosing instead to focus on more personal matters. Before a crowd of about 900 people at Living Word Bible Church, the Indiana governor described Republican running mate Donald Trump as a…
The number of undocumented immigrants living in Arizona has slightly increased over the past few years, while the number nationwide has remained relatively the same, according to a new Pew Research Center study. In 2014, the year for which the most recent numbers are available, there were 325,000 undocumented immigrants living in…
In an era of hyperpartisan debate, it’s feels rare for an issue to generate broad consensus or cut across political, geographic, and demographic lines. But apparently the Grand Canyon, one of the country’s oldest and most iconic national parks, is that issue. According to a new bipartisan poll released this…
In commemoration of the recent fifth anniversary of the massive police raid on the Phoenix Goddess Temple, founder Tracy Elise has delivered a special recorded message to her supporters from Perryville Women’s Prison, where she’s serving a 4.5-year sentence for an array of prostitution-related charges. “It may appear to everyone that we have…
Christine Jones conceded the Arizona Congressional District Five primary election to Republican competitor Andy Biggs on Friday after a judge announced the results of the election recount. Biggs, the current State Senate President, won the contest 25,244 votes to Jones’s 25,217 — a difference of 27 votes. He’s all-but certain to…
Like a cancerous tumor that defies radiation therapy, section 2b of Senate Bill 1070 — Arizona’s infamous immigration law — remains on the books, despite a settlement announced Thursday in a six year-old lawsuit brought against the State of Arizona by the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil-rights groups. As part…
Rose Mofford, who stepped into office as Arizona’s first woman governor in 1988, passed away this morning at the age of 94. Mofford was one of Arizona’s best-liked former governors, owing both to her short time in office and her warm and open personality. Born and raised in the mining…
A new five-kilometer fitness trail in Papago Park is drawing outrage from mountain bikers and others who worry the treasured slice of desert in the city has been needlessly ravaged. After spending $323,000 on the trail without first holding a public hearing, the city is now considering changes following complaints…
Is Senator John McCain trying to deceive Latino voters by pandering to them in Spanish? According to a new television ad from McCain’s Democratic rival, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, the answer is a resounding yes. In the ad, which begins airing today on nine different Spanish-language television stations in Phoenix and…
There was a moment during Donald Trump’s rambling and free-associative speech at Fountain Hills back on March 19 that seemed to sum up his appeal to a certain stripe of Arizonan. “They just approved a budget, which is a disaster, the omnibus, they call it the omnibus budget,” he said…
When employees of the Arizona Department of Economic Security turn on their computers in the morning, the first thing they see is an inspirational video, often made fresh daily. “Man, I wear this cowboy hat, I have flashbacks. I thought I was riding a mechanical bull,” DES Director Tim Jeffries…
Phoenix Democrat Joe Downs easily has the coolest campaign pledge of this election cycle. “If you elect me county treasurer,” he promises in a recent YouTube video, “Russell Pearce is fired on Day One.” For those new to school, the 35-year-old Downs is referring to former state Senate President Russell…
Maricopa County Recorder Helen Purcell is sending the results of the August 30 primary election for certification this morning, without first checking to see if she actually lost her job. In theory, a judge’s ruling on Friday in the lawsuit by Congressional District Five candidate Christine Jones could have meant…
Doubts as to whether the Democratic Party sincerely believes it has a strong future in Arizona – not just this November but in elections beyond – might be put to rest later today, when, New Times has learned, the national party will announce a new, long-term effort to strengthen its place in Arizona…
The lawsuit against the state by Arizona Congressional candidate Christine Jones has exposed a serious flaw in Maricopa County election policy, and more votes will be added to the total, a judge ruled on Friday. Jones, who is running in Congressional District 5, sued the state and county after last…
Third-party candidates rarely impact the outcome of a presidential election, yet in almost every political cycle, they’re typically cast as “spoilers,” and their supporters are chastised for “throwing away” their votes. But in a year like 2016 — a year that is anything but typical and one in which both…
The Log Cabin Republicans are accusing the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee of bullying their pal Sheriff Paul Babeu, and they want it to stop, like, right now. Yep, the nation’s pre-eminent gay GOP organization is seriously peeved that, the day after Babeu emerged victorious from the August 30 Republican primary…
Some people were upset to see that late U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater’s name is no longer on the state Republican Party headquarters in central Phoenix. One concerned citizen went as far as to contact the Arizona Republic to investigate, curious if the missing moniker might be a political statement about…
