Fifty years ago, the moviegoing world was mesmerized by “The Godfather” story. Don Vito Corleone, the head of a criminal organization, managed an enterprise that was focused on empire-building, often through the use of extortion. more

OPINION — For months, our community has watched a very public disagreement unfold between the East Valley Institute of Technology and nine East Valley school districts, including Tempe Union. Many parents have understandably asked a simple question: Why are two longtime partners suddenly at an impasse? more

OPINION — As we head into August, I hope you and your family are enjoying a safe and memorable summer. more

OPINION — I was happy to learn recently that our Attorney General Kris Mayes was able to at least stall Department of Homeland Security’s plan to convert the industrial warehouse in Surprise into an ICE detention facility. more

OPINION — When most people hear the word, “scientist,” they picture someone in a white lab coat working in a laboratory. They probably don’t picture a farmer in southeastern Arizona, a librarian in a small town or a student on the Navajo Nation, but they should. more

OPINION — Two recent letters reveal different versions of the same secular mistake. Alfred Southall claims America is not a Christian nation but a “secular democratic republic,” then defines a … more

OPINION — As a taxpayer in the Scottsdale Unified School District, I hope voters will remember the lessons of the last school board election before casting their ballots for the two open seats this … more

OPINION — For years, we have talked about America’s skilled labor shortage as if it is a pipeline problem, but it isn’t. The issue is not that Americans lack interest in pursuing high-demand careers, it’s that the systems designed to connect workers, training and jobs don’t work together. more

If we need to stop changing the time, then we should remain on standard time all year. more

OPINION — The reviews of “Toy Story 5” have settled into a comfortable consensus: It’s a movie about children and digital screens, and about the parents who worry over them. Director and co-writer Andrew Stanton has said as much, describing the film’s central crisis as the fact that “nobody’s really playing” anymore. The tears in theaters, the BBC declared, belong to parents watching a child’s loneliness unfold. more

OPINION — Local elections matter. Slightly more than half of Fountain Hills' eligible voters participated in our recent mayoral and town council election, leaving a small minority to decide the … more

OPINION — The last cycle showed me a lot, especially how much religion influences certain candidates. It also made me wonder how much that should matter to me as a voter. Let it be clear, … more

The sports complex aka Darrell Enfinger is such a beautiful park. Unfortunately there are lazy, litter bug trashy people that do not clean up after themselves. more

At a time when civic participation feels more important than ever, we each have a role to play in strengthening our democracy. more

OPINION — For the first time in several years, America has encouraging news in the fight against suicide. New data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, based on the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, show that suicides have declined modestly since reaching a record high in 2022. Expanded access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, greater public awareness and improvements in crisis response may all be contributing to that progress. more

The Trump administration has announced it is ending a temporary Biden-era Medicare Part D premium stabilization subsidy on Dec. 31, eliminating roughly $3.6 billion in insurer subsidies. That could … more

OPINION — As a blind professional and proud team member at Arizona Industries for the Blind, I know firsthand that blindness is not a barrier to success; outdated public policies and misconceptions are. more

Gilbert declines to investigate incoming council members What is there to investigate — they were elected by the people. — Liam M. Safeway opens new Gilbert store, awards grants … more

OPINION — Say “Founding Fathers,” and the names pour forth … Yet one name is usually missing. And it’s a pity … Because without Haym Solomon, America’s independence might have ended as quickly as it had begun. more

OPINION — In a time of rising transportation costs brought on by the conflict between the United States and Iran, one part of America’s transportation network has kept its rates remarkably stable: the nation’s freight railroads.  more