Lila Downs At Centennial Hall
Lila Downs took to the stage like a chiltepin—a wild chili pepper known for producing intense heat despite its diminutive size—at Centennial Hall (Thursday, April 28) kicking off the annual Agave Heritage Festival. Early in the set, horn section ablaze, Downs tore into “Son del Chile Frito”—a track imbued with fiery cumbia rhythms from Al…
The Daily Agenda: Maricopa County Needs a Few Thousand Good People
It’s Politico v. Wade … Legislative Ethics Committee is an oxymoron … And be nice to everyone, just in case. Editor’s note: The Arizona Agenda is a Substack newsletter about Arizona government and politics run by Rachel Leingang and Hank Stephenson. You can find their archives and subscribe at arizonaagenda.com. The Maricopa County Board of…
Dem AG candidate Mayes: Brnovich has politicized his office and should resign
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich should resign to focus on his bid for U.S. Senate for “politically motivated activities” that are preventing him from his elected duties, said Kris Mayes, a former corporation commissioner and the Democratic nominee for attorney general. Brnovich has siphoned millions of dollars earmarked to prevent consumer fraud in Arizona in…
Biden on leaked draft opinion on abortion: The ‘right to choose is fundamental’
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Tuesday that his administration “will be ready when any ruling is issued” on abortion rights, after the nation was rocked by the leak of a draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court that confirmed the court is planning to overturn access to abortion. “I believe that a woman’s right…
Education, housing, paid leave: Advocates demand record budget surplus be invested in Arizonans’ well-being
Tatyanna Duchene pushed her 1-year-old son’s stroller around the State Capitol on Wednesday, following a crowd of students and volunteers as they gathered to petition legislators to use the current $5.3 billion dollar budget surplus for community needs. Her daughter, Khaleesi, is just 4 years old, and enjoying the one-on-one attention she gets from her…
‘Only the beginning’: Brandon Act meant to reduce barriers, stigma for military members seeking mental health help
PEORIA – The mountain that sits just steps away from Teri and Patrick Caserta’s backyard was their son Brandon’s favorite hiking spot. Today, a statue of an angel faces the peak, marking the place where his ashes were spread. Four years ago, the 21-year-old Navy petty officer third class killed himself on the flight line…
The Daily Agenda: Election Lawsuits Have Consequences
All the lawsuits fit to print … Today in Arizona dumpster fires … And that’s a wicked vintage tee. Editor’s note: The Arizona Agenda is a Substack newsletter about Arizona government and politics run by Rachel Leingang and Hank Stephenson. You can find their archives and subscribe at arizonaagenda.com. Arizona court dockets are already getting…
New program hires parents to care for their medically fragile children
Nine years ago, Laura Gjacs became a full-time mom. And while getting paid in smiles and kisses is nice, it doesn’t exactly help her care for her daughter Tori, who suffers from a rare autoimmune disorder. But thanks to a newly implemented program, Gjacs and 700 potentially eligible Arizona parents can be trained and then…
Cochise sheriff: Border crime at ‘all-time high,’ immigration reform needed
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States win delay, for now, in White House plan to end Title 42 at border
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On Holocaust Remembrance Day, Paul Gosar tweeted a meme used by neo-Nazis
This story contains descriptions of videos and images of a racially charged nature, as do some of the links. On Holocaust Remembrance Day, Republican Congressman Paul Gosar posted — and later deleted — a meme rooted in violent and racist online culture that was praised by neo-Nazis and white nationalists. Gosar’s social media postings on…
The Daily Agenda: It’s Getting Hot in Here
Quitting is an art … Really? That guy? … And all we are is dust in the wind, dude. Editor’s note: The Arizona Agenda is a Substack newsletter about Arizona government and politics run by Rachel Leingang and Hank Stephenson. You can find their archives and subscribe at arizonaagenda.com. We’ll hit 100 degrees here in…
Socially Awkward: ADHS awards SE licenses as Tucson launches process to figure out where they can open
The Arizona Department of Health Services held its lottery for the new social equity licenses earlier this month, but due to an ongoing conversation within City Council, there is a possibility none of those businesses could wind up in Tucson. The April 8 random drawing was at best anti-climactic as far as spectacle goes, but…
Mental Breakout
Physicist Christof Koch explains how expanding the walls of our conscious perception could answer big questions about the nature of humanity, including: Why does that dress look white and gold to some people and blue and black to others? A little over an hour into a keynote speech about the brain and consciousness, physicist Christof…
Between the Lines: Literacy Connects celebrates 10 years of reading and storytelling
The National Center for Education Statistics estimates that nearly 5% of American adults are “functionally illiterate,” which can make it hard to maintain a job, understand critical paperwork, and even navigate the world. For a decade, one local nonprofit has worked to improve reading comprehension and passion throughout Southern Arizona. Literacy Connects is a nonprofit…
Thorny Feast: The Agave Heritage Festival returns to celebrate the spirit and spirits of the Southwest
According to Aztec mythology, the agave plant is a gift from the gods with the ability to bring comfort when its liquid is prepared and ingested. And while agave spirits have certainly brought their fair share of comfort and joy throughout the years, the plant group has also found its way into art, medicine, cuisine…
City Week: Weekly Picks
Pima County Fair. This is the final weekend for the Pima County Fair, but there’s plenty of fun still to be had, from carnival rides to face painting, from fried foods to art displays, from champion livestock to model trains and planes. You can even come home with a free birdhouse from the friendly folks…
Weaving a Legacy
This may be the first time that the art on view inside the Tohono Chul gallery is made entirely with the same kind of grasses and plants that grace the gardens outside. On display are 85 stunning woven baskets handmade by native artists. Visitors can look out the big gallery window and see yucca, devil’s…
XOXO: Mark Your Calendars
Mark your calendars… Thursday, April 28 In a career marred by controversies and legal troubles (drugs, weapons, assault, fraud charges)—T.I. dropped No Mercy (2010) while serving 11 months in federal prison—the Atlanta rapper has announced that Kill the King (TBA) will be his final solo album. In an interview with SOHH, T.I. reveals, “I’m ready…
Bottom’s Up!
Tequila, mescal, bacanora— these all come from agave. And if that were all that this thorny plant gave us, it would be enough. But agaves also provided desert dwellers with food, medicine, artistic material, thread, building material and more. And those stalks are magnificent! It’s time again to celebrate the Agave Heritage Festival. Centered at…
