Cover Story
How to thrill and chill this Halloween
There are plenty of Halloween parties set for this weekend, from tours at local fantasyland Valley of the Moon to spooky movies at the Loft and Fox theaters to Howl at the Tucson Museum of Art. (See “Arty Party,” Page 13 for details on the TMA party.) Sure, there’s still a frightful bug out there,…
Maricopa County Supervisor: A year after 2020 elections, threats, abuse still coming in
WASHINGTON – It’s been a year since the 2020 elections, but Maricopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman said he continues to get threats for his part in certifying the election. “We’ve been at this for a year, and it’s difficult,” Hickman said Tuesday during a Washington Post Live forum on the aftermath of the Jan. 6…
Some Arizona lawmakers poised to lose out in redistricting draft maps
A number of incumbent lawmakers find themselves facing suddenly unfavorable electoral prospects under the proposed legislative map drawn by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. Some lawmakers who were previously in politically advantageous districts may now have to run in districts controlled by the other political party. Others remain in friendly territory from a partisan standpoint, but…
Democrats Win City Council Races; Minimum Wage Prop Passes
With the first release of ballots, Democrats were way out ahead of their challengers in today’s election for Tucson City Council. In Ward 6, Councilman Steve Kozachik had captured 64% of the vote in his quest for a fourth term, while his independent challenger Val Romero had just 30%. In Ward 3, Kevin Dahl had…
Online auction to help support mortgage, rent assistance
Care Fund will hold an online auction to help shore up its Mortgage and Rent Assistance Program. The program provides mortgage and rent support to Arizona families facing financial hardship because of their child’s extended illness or injury. Event Details: Tuesday, Nov. 2 – 10 a.m. – Auction opens Tuesday, Nov. 9 – 6 p.m.…
Public can comment on proposed changes to management plan for Mexican wolves
PHOENIX – A 90-day public comment process has begun on a proposal to allow more endangered Mexican wolves to be released into the wilds of Arizona and New Mexico, where, federal officials say, the animals are thriving. “Recovering the Mexican wolf remains a top priority for the service, and we continue to make steady progress…
Pima County prepares to start vaccinating children for COVID
COVID Testing Sites Pima County is still offering free COVID tests at multiple locations throughout Tucson for anyone with or without symptoms and people of all ages (2 years or older for a PCR test). Tests are not free for people who need to take them for work or if you had a test administered…
Jerusalem Quartet delivers stirring performance of works by Haydn, Beethoven
After a long absence — since early 2020 when the specter of pandemia intervened, forcing the cancellation of live performances worldwide — the Jerusalem Quartet performed at the Leo Rich Theater this past Wednesday, Oct. 27. The faint plucking of strings, tuning up backstage, prompted a still the audience held, as they waited in reverence…
Arizona draft maps approved: 4 competitive congressional seats, 6 legislative districts
Four of Arizona’s congressional districts would be competitive, with two as legitimate toss-up seats, under a new draft map adopted Thursday by the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. Republicans would have three safe seats and Democrats would have two. And the commission’s official draft legislative map would give Republicans more safe districts, but give Democrats a chance to…
FC Tucson Has Playoff Spot on the Line in Final Home Game
Hey, sports fans! FC Tucson, the Old Pueblo’s soccer team, had a rough start to the season but now just has to win two more games to land a spot in the national USL League One playoffs. It’s our community’s comeback story of the year! If you’re interested in cheering on the team’s effort to land…
Ghost tours in Tombstone, Flagstaff scare up more business during COVID pandemic
TOMBSTONE – Larry Widen believes ghosts and spirits have unfinished business in the human world. In what’s considered one of Arizona’s most-haunted towns, where ghosts lurk on practically every corner, his Ghost City Tours combine the Wild West history of Tombstone with stories of spirits who still linger. “This town is one of the top…
Guest commentary: Sinema has a choice to protect Latinos, combat climate change
In Arizona, the climate crisis has become a real and growing threat to our lives and livelihoods. Prolonged drought is creating a ripple effect of uncertainty, massive wildfires are devastating local economies, and heat-related illnesses and deaths are on the rise as triple-digit temperatures skyrocket. This week, U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema has a historic chance…
Editor’s Note: Get well, Chuck
Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry is in rough shape. Last Saturday, Oct. 23, Huckelberry was on his bike in downtown when two vehicles collided and one them was pushed into him. Huckelberry was rushed to the hospital, where he remained in critical but stable condition as of our Tuesday deadline. Huckelberry’s family released a statement…
City Week: Weekly Picks
Editor’s Note: While we are delighted to see Tucsonans once again gathering for fun events, we are also aware that the Delta variant is in widespread circulation. Please consider getting vaccinated against COVID if you haven’t yet and following CDC guidance, which includes wearing masks at crowded indoor events. Keep yourself and others safe—the pandemic…
Ballot Box BS Trump’s ridiculous voter fraud claims come to Pima County via Finchem and Shiva
In late September, the Republican-backed “audit” of votes in Maricopa County confirmed—yet again—that Joe Biden had legitimately won the electoral votes of the State of Arizona. To summarize: This was an unprecedented extra review of votes based in conspiracy theories that happened after certification of the results by the (Republican-led) Board of Supervisors, conducted by…
Emerge! Pandemic changed how agency approaches domestic violence prevention
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and a rise in domestic violence during COVID-19 outbreak, the Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse is asking Pima County residents to join in their educational campaigns and Stuff-the-Bus events. The nonprofit organization assists victims of domestic violence—whether women or men—by finding them shelter, providing crisis intervention and teaching…
Tucson Salvage: Fabulous philanthropist
Eyes on a comely drag queen gliding between tables and a trashy barroom cowboy in a rainbow-glam jacket with a room-filling laugh. There’s flat-screen football no one watches behind the bar and INXS’ “Need You Tonight” fills the house-lighted room like an aural wink to a Reagan-era gay disco. Not an empty seat in the…
Arty party: TMA welcomes the community back with Howl
I saw the best minds of my generation trapped indoors, quarantining and away from museums. But those days are coming to an end as venues reopen and community events fill downtown Tucson. Although the Tucson Museum of Art has held some events since reopening, their upcoming Howl at the Museum will be their largest event in…
Spice of Life: Dune is a sumptuous sci-fi epic
Back in 1984, a sweetheart of a director with an eccentric twinkle in his eye named David Lynch refused directorial duties on Return of the Jedi in favor of adapting Frank Herbert’s Dune to the big screen. The resultant film was a disaster at the box office, loathed by critics, and disavowed by Lynch. The…
Asphalt Astronaut makes a more intimate album by removing herself
The only person you truly have is yourself, says local musician Jessica Tanner ahead of the second album under her Asphalt Astronaut moniker. The new album Andromeda certainly embodies this realization, with its lonely and peaceful songs. But to complement this, Tanner has built an enveloping world of characters and landscapes to prove one’s self…
XOXO: Mark your calendars
Mark your calendars… Thursday, Oct. 28 Performing bolero, pop, cumbia and salsa, in addition to being the recipient of numerous international awards and distinctions, this Chilean firebrand is the most-streamed Chilean artist ever. La Chica de Rojo, Mon Laferte, with an emphasis on tear-jerking sentimentality, offers a taste of música cebolla. At Rialto Theater. With…
Golden Ticket: Here’s your chance to get into the cannabis biz—provided you meet the requirements
October was a big month for Prop 207’s Social Equity program, as the Arizona Department of Health Services released its final rules for the program that is intended to redress some of the damage done to disadvantaged communities throughout the decades-long war on drugs. ADHS dropped the rules in mid-October after an earlier release of…
