Opinion - Civility Learning Lab

Fountain Hills resident thanks local veterinarian

Marie Cossalter and Ivanka are still enjoying each other's company thanks to the kindness of Palisades Veterinary Hospital and Dr. Deah M. Hessian. more

Marie Cossalter | Fountain Hills | 7/9/26

Do mega-media mergers help or hinder competition?

OPINION — Nexstar Media Group’s pending $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna, a deal that would merge the nation’s largest and third-largest local-television station owners, has the support of President Trump and the approval of his Federal Communications Commission. However, it is under fire from an unusually diverse collection of opponents. more

By Randall Bloomquist | 7/9/26

LD28 precinct committeeman endorses Katherine Haley for state treasurer

OPINION — I am a concerned voter in Legislative District 28. This is in response to the “clip and save” advertisement in the July 8, 2026, issue (page 11) about who to vote for in the upcoming primary election. more

By John Matthews | Sun City | 7/9/26

The Weekly Clothesline: Gifts of the Spirit – Part IV

For several weeks, we have been looking at the Gifts of the Spirit, and we continue with: Healing, Mercy, and Hospitality. more

By Reverend Elizabeth Nelson
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church | 7/9/26

The virtues of honesty and truth are being ignored

OPINION — The liberal group-think script professes compassion and self-esteem. However, deeper into their narratives they make the demand that others must subordinate their own … more

By Rick Dime | Fountain Hills | 7/8/26

The record on River of Time in Fountain Hills is far from straight

OPINION — In a recent letter Shelby Blecker attempted to “set the record straight” regarding the “conservative” majority’s recent decision to grant a “temporary extension” to the … more

By Beth Culp | Fountain Hills | 7/8/26

Proud to have Daran Wastchak represent me on town council

OPINION — I have known Daran Wastchak for the past 15 years as my neighbor in Paradise Valley. I honestly cannot say enough good things about Daran as a candidate. He is well informed and has … more

By Katie Herberger | Paradise Valley | 7/8/26

Trump as a unitary executive: What could go wrong?

OPINION — In two important recent decisions, Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the U.S. Supreme Court majority, asserts that the Constitution forbids Congress from establishing government officials who the president can only remove for cause — with the singular exception of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors. His argument is unpersuasive. more

By Robert Robb | 7/8/26

Aronsky: 9 tips to stay safe this summer

Summer brings long days, family vacations, afternoons by the pool and more time outside. But, as temperatures rise and families head to the water, it’s also a time to be extra mindful about staying safe. more

By Dr. Amy Aronsky | 7/8/26

Arizona’s water dilemma reminiscent of Heartland aquifer depletion

OPINION — “A race to the bottom of the aquifer,” and “Water governance aligned with corporate interests.” The two quotations above are from the book, “Running Out: In Search of Water on the High Plains,” by Lucas Bessire. more

By David Hunter | Sun City West | 7/8/26

Should I claim spouse benefits now or my own SS benefit?

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

By Russell Gloor
AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor | 7/8/26

The conservative case for a flexible, broad Arizona energy policy

In the desert, reliable power is not merely a convenience, it’s a matter of life and death ... That’s why I’m grateful to the Arizona Corporation Commission and generations of state leaders that have prioritized a resilient, reliable power grid. more

By Barry Goldwater Jr. | Phoenix | 7/8/26

Speak Up: P&Z, council election on Surprise readers' minds

Here are some comments about stories happening in Surprise. more

Independent Newsmedia | 7/8/26

Appreciating Universal Waste Systems’ contribution to Fountain Hills event

OPINION — Fountain Hills' Fourth of July celebration was especially meaningful this year as our community joined Americans across the country in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the … more

By Gayle Earle | Member, Fountain Hills Town Council | 7/8/26

Surprise reader shares perspective on city’s meeting with senators

OPINION — I read Cali Overs’ recent letter regarding her meeting with U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. In it, she questioned the Surprise mayor and City Council’s meetings with our federal representatives. I’d like to offer some perspective. more

By Bob Doyle | Surprise | 7/7/26

Sowers: Trump in regard to Alice in Wonderland

Do you remember the 1865 children’s novel, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”? It’s about Alice, who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world of surreal characters, like the Cheshire Cat and Humpty Dumpty who sat on a wall. more

By Arthur E. Sowers | 7/7/26

Arizona pay-to-play government contracts as old as America

OPINION — The Spoils System, as we called it 250 years ago, is now called pay-to-play government contracts. more

By Scott Mitzner | Sun City West | 7/7/26

New Maricopa County option may speed up early-ballot count

OPINION — Many Arizona voters may not realize that Maricopa County has introduced a new option for returning early mail ballots that could significantly speed up the counting process. more

By Annarose Lilly | Sun City | 7/7/26

Speak Up: Upon return to House, right-to-marry bill succeeds

The Delaware House of Representatives brought back and successfully passed Senate Bill 100 on Tuesday, June 30, a first-leg amendment to enshrine the right to marry, regardless of gender or race, into the state constitution. more

7/7/26

Does ICE facility warrant ending Surprise cityhood?

OPINION — I just read an article that revealed the next in a long line of absurd stunts aimed at Arizona by leftists. Do they actually think that their ongoing tantrum against the much-needed ICE detention facility here justifies decertifying Surprise as a city? more

By Dave Frank | Surprise | 7/7/26