Tucson Politics

  Pinal’s County Attorney wants to prosecute a state Senator from Phoenix for posting the location of federal immigration agents online – but the state attorney general says he has no jurisdiction to do so and that there’s no crime to prosecute.

  The Colorado River is in trouble: Not as much water flows into the river as people are entitled to take out of it. A new idea might change that, but complicated political and practical negotiations stand in the way.

  Despite rehabilitation, despite remorse, despite superior intelligence, James Hamm’s life has been one of scandal. At the edge of 78, Hamm is in the early stages of dementia, and wanted to sit down and tell as much of his story as he could still remember.

  The Arizona Silver Belt newspaper ceasing to publish last week is like having my old high school demolished. It's got me thinking about the the industry, the joys of "Red America" and laughing at the greatest crime story I've ever heard.

  "I will not criticize the mayor and City Council for their decision, even though Mayor Romero gratuitously attacked the Board of Supervisors and county staff. City officials deserve ample criticism, however, for the so-called public process they sponsored." — Supervisor Rex Scott

  Updated: Sadie Shaw picked up a majority of the ballots counted after Election Day, pulling within 19 in the Democratic primary against Tucson Councilman Kevin Dahl. A recount in the race is almost certain, but just 13 ballots remain to be added to the total tally.

  School districts are starting to review a number of policies required by new state laws; Oro Valley to use sales taxes for operations and not just recreation; plus more from local government meetings around Tucson this week.

  Tucson City Councilmember Paul Cunningham got into a scuffle with a shoplifter who was trying to steal bottles of liquor from a drugstore Friday night.

  Sadie Shaw has picked up a majority of the ballots counted after Election Day, pulling within 19 with just a handful remaining in the Democratic primary as she seeks to knock Tucson Councilman Kevin Dahl out of his Ward 3 seat. The race will almost certainly trigger a recount.

  Michele Lewis has been appointed to serve the remainder of a term on the Continental Elementary School District Governing Board. Kelley Allen resigned this summer.

  To improve law enforcement and public safety providers’ response to crime in Indigenous communities, the Department of Interior’s Victim Assistance Program offers various training programs throughout the year.

  The Navajo Nation Council voted to remove Heather Clah from her position as the Navajo Nation Attorney General, just weeks after her confirmation — the second time the council has removed an attorney general in the last eight months.

  Using the signature-counting formula to double-count invalid signatures when determining whether a citizen initiative qualifies for the ballot is unconstitutional, the state’s Supreme Court concluded this week, in an opinion explaining a ruling it made nearly a year ago.

  As part of Operation Robocall Roundup, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and 50 bipartisan attorneys general are sending warning letters to 37 voice service providers, which transmit the calls, demanding they stop illegal robocalls being routed through telecom networks.

  Arizona is joining with five other states to offer residents discounts on prescription drugs, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced with the signing of an executive order, though the ArrayRX discount card program won’t be available to Arizonans until early 2026.

  Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes is eliminating several top positions in his office, citing budget constraints. Out are George Diaz, director of government relations; JP Martin, deputy communications director; and Angie Cloutier, security operations manager, while general counsel Amy Chan and deputy C. Murphy Hebert have resigned.

  Two things can be true at the same time. We can rejoice in the end of a business deal not right for Tucson, while recognizing the local government process was awful, and that's a threat to future economic development.

  Sen. Mark Kelly and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley warned Tuesday that the Trump administration’s layoffs are putting Social Security at risk.

  Tucson city leaders unanimously voted to halt discussions with the developers of a massive planned data center on the Southeast Side, and continue to implement a policy regulating such sites. "We're done with Project Blue," said Councilmember Karin Uhlich.

  Artificial intelligence carries the potential to improve voter outreach, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes told state officials across the country this week, even as he also warned of its risks.

  The top Republican in the Arizona Senate is calling for a federal investigation into a Democratic senator’s social media posts about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

  The death of a suspect after Phoenix police struck him with projectiles from less-lethal launchers raises questions about the safety of the munitions police classify as “less likely to cause death or Serious Physical Injury than a weapon,” such as a firearm.

  A Republican state lawmaker has filed a complaint with the Arizona State Bar Association after a disgraced former state lawmaker who has faced child sex charges and espoused racist views posted racist AI-generated cartoons aimed at the lawmaker.

  The top Republican in the Arizona Senate is calling for a federal investigation into a Democratic senator’s social media posts about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

  Updated: Selina Barajas and Miranda Schubert were winning their races in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for Tucson City Council in the first returns, while Councilmember Kevin Dahl had a 138-vote lead over Sadie Shaw in a race that's still too close to call.