Tucson Politics
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Judge: Az GOP use of ‘unborn human being’ is a biased way to describe abortion rights ballot measure
Republican lawmakers violated state law when they used the phrase “unborn human being” to describe the Arizona Abortion Access Act in a voter information pamphlet, a Maricopa County judge ruled - a decision Republicans already said they will appeal.
Republican lawmakers violated state law when they used the phrase “unborn human being” to describe the Arizona Abortion Access Act in a voter information pamphlet, a Maricopa County judge ruled - a decision Republicans already said they will appeal.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Alabama man pleads guilty to threatening Arizona election workers
A former business professor who has taught at numerous colleges and universities, including Maricopa Community Colleges, pleaded guilty Thursday to sending threatening messages to Arizona election workers during and after the 2022 primaries.
A former business professor who has taught at numerous colleges and universities, including Maricopa Community Colleges, pleaded guilty Thursday to sending threatening messages to Arizona election workers during and after the 2022 primaries.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com In lawsuit to block Az abortion rights initiative, foes claim it is ‘too confusing’ for voters
Anti-abortion group Arizona Right to Life filed a lawsuit to block voters from deciding whether the Arizona Constitution should be amended to protect abortion rights, claiming the ballot measure is too confusing and misleading.
Anti-abortion group Arizona Right to Life filed a lawsuit to block voters from deciding whether the Arizona Constitution should be amended to protect abortion rights, claiming the ballot measure is too confusing and misleading.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Judge in Arizona abortion ballot summary case skeptical that GOP language is unbiased
Whether the phrase “unborn human being” will appear in a description of the Arizona Abortion Access Act sent to every voter in the state in advance of the November election is now in the hands of a Maricopa County Superior Court Judge.
Whether the phrase “unborn human being” will appear in a description of the Arizona Abortion Access Act sent to every voter in the state in advance of the November election is now in the hands of a Maricopa County Superior Court Judge.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Democrats hammer out rules for post-Biden nomination process
Members of the Democratic National Convention’s Rules Committee met to lay out the timeline for delegates to cast their votes in the first open convention in decades, as Vice President Kamala Harris has been all but confirmed as the Democratic choice to run in November.
Members of the Democratic National Convention’s Rules Committee met to lay out the timeline for delegates to cast their votes in the first open convention in decades, as Vice President Kamala Harris has been all but confirmed as the Democratic choice to run in November.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Engel slams Ciscomani over links to Christian-nationalist Patriot Academy
Tucson congressman Juan Ciscomani, who enjoys a reputation as a relatively moderate Republican, has long been active with a group that promotes the goal of Christians stewarding the nation’s morality through “biblical citizenship.”
Tucson congressman Juan Ciscomani, who enjoys a reputation as a relatively moderate Republican, has long been active with a group that promotes the goal of Christians stewarding the nation’s morality through “biblical citizenship.”
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Citizens United, GOP state parties file FEC complaint over Biden-Harris campaign funds
A conservative group and a group of Republican state parties Thursday filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of improperly assuming control of Biden campaign funds after he withdrew from the race.
A conservative group and a group of Republican state parties Thursday filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of improperly assuming control of Biden campaign funds after he withdrew from the race.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Colorado judge temporarily blocks Kroger-Albertsons grocery ‘megamerger’
A Colorado judge has issued an order temporarily blocking the proposed $24.6 billion merger between the nation’s two largest supermarket chains ahead of an antitrust trial in state court set to begin in September.
A Colorado judge has issued an order temporarily blocking the proposed $24.6 billion merger between the nation’s two largest supermarket chains ahead of an antitrust trial in state court set to begin in September.
-
Some religious leaders oppose IVF, causing tension among churchgoers struggling with infertility
www.tucsonsentinel.com Some religious leaders oppose IVF, causing tension among churchgoers struggling with infertility | ‘Commodification of life:’Reproductive technologies have increasingly been scrutinized by religious leaders, with genetic testing and manipulation as other concerns, but for many churchgoers struggling with infertility, the decisions are personal.
Reproductive technologies have increasingly been scrutinized by religious leaders, with genetic testing and manipulation as other concerns, but for many churchgoers struggling with infertility, the decisions are personal.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Az Dem Party endorses Mark Kelly for VP, urges Kamala Harris to pick him
The Arizona Democratic Party on Wednesday formally endorsed U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly to be the running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, who is expected to become the Democratic nominee for president next month.
The Arizona Democratic Party on Wednesday formally endorsed U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly to be the running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, who is expected to become the Democratic nominee for president next month.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com GOP lawmakers defend use of ‘unborn human being’ in description of abortion rights ballot measure
Republican lawmakers that used the phrase “unborn human being” to describe the Arizona Abortion Access Act in a voter information pamphlet are pushing back on a lawsuit accusing them of unlawful partisanship, defending the phrase as impartial and legally accurate.
Republican lawmakers that used the phrase “unborn human being” to describe the Arizona Abortion Access Act in a voter information pamphlet are pushing back on a lawsuit accusing them of unlawful partisanship, defending the phrase as impartial and legally accurate.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Democrat April Hiosik Ignacio says its time for Tohono representation on Pima Couny Board of Supes
April Hiosik Ignacio is in a four-way Democratic primary for the District 3 seat and is running against Jennifer Allen, Edgar Soto and Miguel Cuevas.
April Hiosik Ignacio is in a four-way Democratic primary for the District 3 seat and is running against Jennifer Allen, Edgar Soto and Miguel Cuevas.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Prop. 314, allowing Az cops to enforce federal immigration laws, would see same legal hurdles as SB1070
Prop 314 would make it a crime under Arizona law to cross the border illegally – allowing police to arrest anyone who can’t prove U.S. citizenship or legal residency and state courts to order deportations - but even if voters approve the measure in November, it faces high legal hurdles.
Prop 314 would make it a crime under Arizona law to cross the border illegally – allowing police to arrest anyone who can’t prove U.S. citizenship or legal residency and state courts to order deportations - but even if voters approve the measure in November, it faces high legal hurdles.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Sen. Mark Kelly is being vetted as a possible VP pick for Kamala Harris
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat who has won two consecutive elections in once solidly red Arizona, is among the five contenders being seriously considered as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat who has won two consecutive elections in once solidly red Arizona, is among the five contenders being seriously considered as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Arizona starting new fiscal year with $400 million more than expected
Arizona closed out the 2024 fiscal year with nearly $600 million more revenue than budget analysts predicted in January — and more than $400 million than lawmakers expected when they approved a state budget in mid-June.
Arizona closed out the 2024 fiscal year with nearly $600 million more revenue than budget analysts predicted in January — and more than $400 million than lawmakers expected when they approved a state budget in mid-June.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com AI deepfakes could wreak havoc in elections, but Az officials are determined to avoid that
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has opened the doors to a flood of new possibilities in politics – including convincing deepfakes and the rapid spread of disinformation - and Arizona election officials are taking steps to prepare for AI-based disruptions.
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has opened the doors to a flood of new possibilities in politics – including convincing deepfakes and the rapid spread of disinformation - and Arizona election officials are taking steps to prepare for AI-based disruptions.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Hobbs, other Arizona Dems rally behind Harris for presidential nomination after Biden bows out
Arizona’s Democratic delegates, federal lawmakers and governor have rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s new presidential nominee.
Arizona’s Democratic delegates, federal lawmakers and governor have rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s new presidential nominee.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Phoenix man convicted of assault for dragging BP agent during stop
A Phoenix-area resident was convicted of assault on a federal officer by a U.S. District Court jury in Tucson last week for dragging a Border Patrol agent alongside his car during a 2023 traffic stop.
A Phoenix-area resident was convicted of assault on a federal officer by a U.S. District Court jury in Tucson last week for dragging a Border Patrol agent alongside his car during a 2023 traffic stop.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Trump rally shooting puts election officials on even higher alert over political violence
Within hours of when former President Donald Trump and others were shot at a political rally in Pennsylvania, election officials in Arizona were scrambling to assess the implications for the early voting already in progress for the state’s July 30 primary.
Within hours of when former President Donald Trump and others were shot at a political rally in Pennsylvania, election officials in Arizona were scrambling to assess the implications for the early voting already in progress for the state’s July 30 primary.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Conflict of interest a hitch: No 2025 Rillito Park horse racing season
Spurred by an apparent "unfair advantage" of a member of the Horse Racing Commission intending to submit a response to an RFP for a new operator at Rillito Park, Pima County has canceled that process and will review the condition of the track. There will be no 2025 racing season.
Spurred by an apparent "unfair advantage" of a member of the Horse Racing Commission intending to submit a response to an RFP for a new operator at Rillito Park, Pima County has canceled that process and will review the condition of the track. There will be no 2025 racing season.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Az Republicans embrace Trump’s pledge of mass deportations, but is it feasible?
Former President Donald Trump has vowed to deliver the “largest deportation operation in American history,” and Arizona delegates at the Republican National Convention offered mixed views about mass deportation, though all agreed that border security is a top priority.
Former President Donald Trump has vowed to deliver the “largest deportation operation in American history,” and Arizona delegates at the Republican National Convention offered mixed views about mass deportation, though all agreed that border security is a top priority.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com State AGs ramp up scrutiny of alleged price-fixing in rental housing
In the past two years, more than 30 lawsuits have been filed in federal and state courts alleging that companies such as RealPage and Yardi are equipping corporate landlords with software algorithms that allow competitors to collude on rent prices.
In the past two years, more than 30 lawsuits have been filed in federal and state courts alleging that companies such as RealPage and Yardi are equipping corporate landlords with software algorithms that allow competitors to collude on rent prices.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Legislation introduced to ratify Yavapai-Apache Nation water rights settlement
An Arizona congressional delegation introduced bipartisan legislation to ratify and fund the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s Water Rights Settlement Agreement, an agreement that would resolve the tribe’s water rights claims and bring additional water supplies to the Verde Valley and the tribe.
An Arizona congressional delegation introduced bipartisan legislation to ratify and fund the Yavapai-Apache Nation’s Water Rights Settlement Agreement, an agreement that would resolve the tribe’s water rights claims and bring additional water supplies to the Verde Valley and the tribe.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Arizona poised to provide MDMA therapy to first responders with PTSD, if FDA approves psychedelic
Police and firefighters in Arizona who suffer from PTSD could soon use workers’ compensation to cover therapy that involves the psychedelic drug commonly known as ecstasy or molly.
Police and firefighters in Arizona who suffer from PTSD could soon use workers’ compensation to cover therapy that involves the psychedelic drug commonly known as ecstasy or molly.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com More early voting centers open in Pima County for July 30 primary
Pima County voters have new spots to cast a ballot or drop off early ballots this week.
Updated: Pima County voters have new spots to cast a ballot or drop off early ballots this week.
-
Carvalho: Conover has 'decimated' diversion programs at Pima County Attorney's Office
www.tucsonsentinel.com Carvalho: Conover has 'decimated' diversion programs at Pima County Attorney's Office | Guest opinion"Pima County Attorney Laura Conover has decimated diversion programming at the Pima County Attorney’s Office — programming vitally important to providing restorative justice as an alternative to prosecution for those who have committed nonviolent crimes." — Jordanna Carvalho, former PCAO program man...
"Pima County Attorney Laura Conover has decimated diversion programming at the Pima County Attorney’s Office — programming vitally important to providing restorative justice as an alternative to prosecution for those who have committed nonviolent crimes." — Jordanna Carvalho, former PCAO program manager
- www.tucsonsentinel.com ‘Unbelievable’ RNC finale with Hulk Hogan leaves Az GOP delegates dazzled & hopeful
Arizona Republicans were awestruck after a week devoted to all things Donald Trump – dazzled by a high-spirited finale and moved to tears in some cases as he recounted his narrow escape from an assassin’s bullet just five days earlier.
Arizona Republicans were awestruck after a week devoted to all things Donald Trump – dazzled by a high-spirited finale and moved to tears in some cases as he recounted his narrow escape from an assassin’s bullet just five days earlier.
-
Peck: Ball, Wilson & Buglewicz for Pima justices of the peace
www.tucsonsentinel.com Peck: Ball, Wilson & Buglewicz for Pima justices of the peace | Guest opinion"Two of the judges seeking re-election are among the finest in our state. A third candidate promises to be a tremendous addition to the bench." — former JP John Peck
"Two of the judges seeking re-election are among the finest in our state. A third candidate promises to be a tremendous addition to the bench." — former JP John Peck
-
A big nope to President Mark Kelly, a man unfit for these sadistic times
www.tucsonsentinel.com A big nope to President Mark Kelly, a man unfit for these sadistic times | What the Devil won't tell youWe happen to live in an age when voters prefer presidents who endlessly brag about what they didn't do to those who get stuff done without being obnoxious about it. Offensiveness is our new national fetish and Mark Kelly just doesn't have it.
We happen to live in an age when voters prefer presidents who endlessly brag about what they didn't do to those who get stuff done without being obnoxious about it. Offensiveness is our new national fetish and Mark Kelly just doesn't have it.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Sen. Justine Wadsack claims 'political persecution' over Tucson criminal speeding ticket
Arizona Sen. Justine Wadsack, a Tucson-area Republican, is claiming "political persecution" over a criminal speeding ticket dating from a March incident that police allege saw her driving her Tesla down Speedway at more than 70 mph.
Arizona Sen. Justine Wadsack, a Tucson-area Republican, is claiming "political persecution" over a criminal speeding ticket dating from a March incident that police allege saw her driving her Tesla down Speedway at more than 70 mph.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Proponents of Az open primaries ballot measure sue over ‘misleading’ description
The group behind a ballot measure that would overhaul Arizona’s election laws is suing lawmakers for approving a description of the measure that the group says only serves to mislead and confuse voters.
The group behind a ballot measure that would overhaul Arizona’s election laws is suing lawmakers for approving a description of the measure that the group says only serves to mislead and confuse voters.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com COVID cases on rise again in Arizona, on its way to ‘becoming a common cold’
Arizona is seeing a slight increase in COVID-19 cases, and some have theorized that COVID is settling into a seasonal virus model, however, evidence has suggested that human activity is the main attributable factor, not the virus itself.
Arizona is seeing a slight increase in COVID-19 cases, and some have theorized that COVID is settling into a seasonal virus model, however, evidence has suggested that human activity is the main attributable factor, not the virus itself.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Feds sue Southwest Key migrant shelters over ‘severe sexual abuse & rape’ of children
The U.S. Department of Justice has sued the nation's largest operator of migrant child shelters, Southwest Key claiming it allowed employees to repeatedly sexually abuse children in its care. The nonprofit's network has facilities in Arizona, including Tucson.
The U.S. Department of Justice has sued the nation's largest operator of migrant child shelters, Southwest Key claiming it allowed employees to repeatedly sexually abuse children in its care. The nonprofit's network has facilities in Arizona, including Tucson.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Motherhood, menopause & MAGA: Kari Lake’s appeal at the RNC
Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake, running against Democratic Ruben Gallego in a highly competitive Senate race in Arizona, leaned into motherhood — and menopause — in a fiery address at the Republican National Convention.
Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake, running against Democratic Ruben Gallego in a highly competitive Senate race in Arizona, leaned into motherhood — and menopause — in a fiery address at the Republican National Convention.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com COOLtainer box shelter damaged en route to Ajo
Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher said county and state officials are sending resources to Ajo to help residents endure high desert temperatures, including a cooling center built from a modified cargo container, part of an effort to repurpose dozens of the steel boxes that formed former Gov. Doug...
Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher said county and state officials are sending resources to Ajo to help residents endure high desert temperatures, including a cooling center built from a modified cargo container, part of an effort to repurpose dozens of the steel boxes that formed former Gov. Doug Ducey's ad-hoc border barrier.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Friday deadline to request early ballots in Pima County
Pima County voters who wish to receive an early ballot for the July 30 primary in the mail must request one by Friday, July 19.
Pima County voters who wish to receive an early ballot for the July 30 primary in the mail must request one by Friday, July 19.
-
Az ‘fake elector’ leverages notoriety selling mug shot merch as GOP convention delegates flock to Trump souvenirs
At street corners all around the Republican National Convention, vendors have set up shop with merchandise that celebrates Donald Trump, and Arizona state Sen. Anthony Kern said he followed the former president’s lead when he started offering defendant-themed items.
- www.tucsonsentinel.com Opponents appeal judge’s decision on Az border ballot referral
Latino advocacy groups are appealing a judge’s approval of an Arizona GOP ballot referral that would allow local police to jail migrants, in a last-chance attempt to prevent it from being considered by voters in the fall.
Latino advocacy groups are appealing a judge’s approval of an Arizona GOP ballot referral that would allow local police to jail migrants, in a last-chance attempt to prevent it from being considered by voters in the fall.