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Latest regional, state and national issues
Opinion

Rains: East Valley real estate market ready for a bountiful spring

Last winter, the East Valley real estate market was in a state of limbo. Relatively high interest rates remained in effect, meaning fewer prospective buyers could enter the market. Despite the higher …
Opinion

Reinhardt: Pinal County’s water resources must be managed carefully

An Arizona Department of Water Resources report found all of Pinal County’s groundwater is spoken for. Yet over 700 rental homes have been approved in Casa Grande which circumvent water laws. …
Opinion

Melvin: There should be no partisanship when voting for a Pinal County sheriff

Whether Republican, Independent or Democrat — R.I.D. — there should be no partisanship in public safety. Our law-enforcement professionals need our support by ensuring they receive the …

Wheatley/ Goodman: Funding crucial to growth

On Jan. 12, 2024, Governor Hobbs released her Fiscal Year 2024-25 Executive Budget Proposal.
Opinion

Wheatley, Goodman: Hobbs must restore SR 24 funds

On Jan. 12, Gov. Hobbs released her Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Executive Budget proposal. While we recognize the state is facing a budgetary shortfall this year, we didn’t expect to see a proposed …
Opinion

Experts: Is it OK to pay your employees in Bitcoin?

A trend has emerged where some celebrities, professional athletes, or other high net worth individuals are asking to be paid...
Opinion

Will your license fly? Arizona Travel ID deadline just around the corner

Next year might feel like a long way away, but it’ll be here quickly.
Opinion

Hettick: Let’s consider the role of women in film industry

The medium of the movies helps to project information, opinions and policy.
Opinion

Robinson: It’s time for us to choose better leaders for Arizona

I don’t write this to try and tell or convince you how to vote or whom to vote for.
Opinion

Miller: Let’s raise the age for guns, voting to 21

In the wake of the Uvalde, Texas shooting, there is a very strong clamor for doing “something” about gun control.
Take the Civility Pledge

Civility Checklist

How to engage in respectful, honest & civil dialogue about public issues.

Checkmark Take the high road.  Respond to the topic — not the person. Refrain from demonizing others for their opinions. Assume those you disagree with are, like you, genuinely interested in improving the community.

Checkmark Be respectful. Bullying, public humiliation, insults, name-calling, harassment, and threats directed at another person — or that person's race, gender, religion, ethnicity, etc. — have no place in civil discussions. Find ways to respectfully disagree without questioning someone's character or motives.

Checkmark Be truthful. Base your opinions/arguments on facts. Value honesty. Make only accurate statements when making your point and avoid exaggeration and stereotypes. When appropriate, cite your sources of information that others may question. 

Checkmark Don't misrepresent. Always identify your opinions as opinions (not stating opinions as facts). Never misrepresent the views of others or falsely claim your opinions represent someone else. If quoting the words of others, identify and credit the source.

Checkmark Listen  & learn. It's both polite and respectful to listen to those we disagree with (as well as those we support) and be genuine in our attempts to understand their point of view. Expand your mind by thoughtfully seeking out views that don't agree with your own.

CheckmarkLook for common ground. When disagreeing with others, look for even small areas of agreement — which can be the gateway to working together for the greater good.

Checkmark Respect privacy. Keep private things private — whether it involves your own information or those with whom you disagree. Revealing private information about someone else is rude, unethical, potentially harmful and, in many cases, illegal.

Checkmark Set a good example. Practice civil behavior online as well as in public and in your interaction with others. Encourage others to practice these civil behaviors. And it's OK to challenge disrespectful behavior — but be courteous, respectful and helpful in your approach.

Now that you've read the checklist, take the Civility Pledge. 

Your Community Your Voice

Breen: Does GOP really care about life? What about shooting victims?

How easy is it for us to “normalize” murder.

Bowers: Prison sentencing reform among my key issues

District 4 voters and neighbors! I am a candidate for a District 4 seat in the Arizona House (the district was formerly 28 but was renumbered).

Casem: You can help protect Arizona’s forests from wildfire

As our temperatures warm up, our fire activity across Arizona is picking up and we urge all Arizonans to be prepared and take preventative measures around their property, before it’s too late. So, what does that mean to you?

Everything you wanted to know about the World Series … but were afraid to ask

Imagine you’re at an outdoor dinner party (yes, COVID-friendly). It’s October, and the conversation steers towards the World Series. While you are generally culturally literate, you know …

Christensen: Health literacy more important than ever for Arizonans in ongoing COVID-19 crisis

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted millions across the country, and Arizona has not been spared. This virus and its resulting economic fallout have put a harsh spotlight on rising health care …
Opinions with Civility