Strong communities are made up by the teachers who educate our children, the healthcare workers who serve our most vulnerable neighbors, the first responders who put their lives on the line to protect us and the countless workers whose dedication keeps our communities running every day. more

OPINION — September is a time when food banks and meal programs across the country shine a spotlight on a problem that never takes a month off. Food insecurity in America has reached its highest level in more than a decade, affecting more than 47 million people, including 14 million children ... the Valley is no exception. more

OPINION — Foster families make an important commitment when they open their homes to children. What is sometimes less visible, but equally important, is the difference a caring community can make by standing alongside them. more

OPINION — It was good to see some rational commentary in the last edition of the Sun City West Independent. As citizens of the world’s most powerful democracy, it is our duty to be aware of what’s really going on because of the power of our vote. We can change direction. more

Delaware will spend $2.52 billion in state taxpayer funds on public education in fiscal 2027 — 36% of the state’s entire nearly $7 billion operating budget. more

OPINION — When I read Abe Hamadeh’s recent newsletter, I see that he has been very helpful to individuals struggling with the bureaucracy (otherwise known as our hardworking, understaffed Civil Service) and supportive of the military and police. But what about the 400,000 Arizonans who lost their SNAP food benefits and those who will not be able to afford health insurance after the election because of the Big Beautiful Bill his vote helped put into law? more

OPINION — Why are our officials telling us that we are coming into a water shortage crisis and that our water rates will go up significantly to create a re-use system for our water supply (because … more

OPINION — I am a South Scottsdale resident who takes neighborhood issues, integrity and citizen input very seriously. I know, as does Raoul Zubia, that Scottsdale is a great place to raise a … more

AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor answers questions about Social Security. more

OPINION — Were sanctuary cities, by progressive’s design, assembled to be socialist voting strongholds? Multitudes of illegal aliens overwhelmed cities carrying immense expectations that have … more

OPINION — State Medicaid programs are heading toward a fiscal wall. Nationwide, state leaders are grappling with severely strapped budgets, rising healthcare costs and shrinking revenues. To make matters worse, the federal government has begun pulling back match funding and aggressively deferring payments, holding back over $1 billion in federal Medicaid transfers to states while demanding stricter documentation. With federal dollars tightening, states are bracing for severe budget cuts in 2027. more

This Labor Day, we celebrate the men and women whose hard work keeps the country running. But, in Delaware, many of those same workers face a real threat: Pay union dues or lose their jobs. more

For the first time, Arizonans will select a lieutenant governor in November. The new office will be the No. 2 position in state government. Gov. Katie Hobbs raised eyebrows when she named former Mesa … more

OPINION — Giving birth can be deadly. In 2024 in the United States, 17.9 women per 100,000 live births died during pregnancy or within 42 days after childbirth. That is double or triple the number in other high-income countries, and much higher than in English-speaking peer countries Australia (3.5), Britain (5.5) and Canada (8.4).  more

OPINION — If Will Rogers were here today, he might have something to say: Well, I’ve been watching this country for a spell now, and I’ll tell you something that may not sit easy: … more

East Valley school leaders debate land acknowledgement This is a ridiculous waste of time. — Tom S. Get over it! Heritage is important and should be honored, but it does not have to be … more

OPINION — Life was a struggle for Nathan Straus from the very start. In 1854, his Jewish family immigrated from Germany when he was 6. Told that business opportunities were good in the South, the family settled here. more

OPINION — I would like to offer some commentary on the great opinion piece, The Long Run: Glendale native dispels myths about stuttering, by Kaleb Brown. I have had issues with stuttering in my life and thought that Brown made great points that the media has consistently portrayed stuttering as a negative or undesirable way of speaking. more

OPINION — Tempe has decided to discontinue Flock license-plate readers that have helped law enforcement connect cases and solve crimes. Mayor Corey Woods, in a statement, said: “We have to be able to provide public safety in a way that maintains the trust of our community. For Tempe, that means taking these cameras down.” more

OPINION — We’ve been experiencing another summer of extreme heat, the leading cause of weather-related deaths. Extended exposure to high temperatures increases the risk of developing illnesses, like heat stroke, and exacerbates other existing ailments, such as heart disease or diabetes. The situation is worse in low-income areas and communities of color, for they are disproportionately more likely to experience extreme heat, and residents are less able pay more for increased air-conditioner electric bills. more