The Press Room

A four-day week is coming to one of Tucson's high schools. How will breaking from the traditional school week make a difference? Plus, a state spending proposal threatens the future of downtown Tucson development. And the city cuts off water to Project Blue, just as developers are breaking ground: We'll have an update as Southern Arizona's data center fight continues.

Despite strong publish pushback, Arizona's data center boom continues. What's the latest for two proposed data centers here in Southern Arizona? Plus, we preview the 2026 election season, and what voters can expect. And the DeConcini Port of Entry could be in for a $2 billion update. We discuss how that project might transform downtown Nogales.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors continues to scrutinize Sheriff Chris Nanos over questions about his record. Meanwhile, the City of Tucson weighs its budget options: Could fare-free public transit be on the chopping block? Plus, our host Tony Perkins sits down for a one-on-one with prominent University of Arizona astrophysicist Erika Hamden, recently named a 2026 Guggenheim Fellow.GUESTS:Tim Steller, Arizona Daily Star; John Washington, Lookout;Angela Gervasi, AZPM News.Special Newsmaker Guest: Erika Hamden, PhD, University of Arizona.

From K-12 to higher education, the school year is drawing to a close. We bring in two education beat reporters to talk about some of the issues facing students, teachers, administrators and family members: Budgets, enrollment and school closures, and how those factors impact the greater community. GUESTS: Prerana Sannappanavar, Arizona Daily Star; Noor Haghighi, AZPM News

Civilian observers pepper sprayed in South Tucson by ICE: It's not the first time such an incident has occurred in Southern Arizona. Plus, the city of Tucson is looking to make some cuts. What's on the chopping block? We talk about these issues, plus the latest response to the war in Iran, our takeaways of the Wildcats' tournament run and we set our sights on the moon. GUESTS: Joe Ferguson, Tucson Agenda; Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel; Tony Perkins, AZPM News; Nick Rommel, AZPM News

Spring is in the air, and Tucson’s arts and cultural scene blossoms this time of year. Professionals in the Southern Arizona arts landscape and the journalists who cover the beat sit down for a robust discussion of ways to enjoy Tucson’s arts, music and food, and some of the challenges the arts face in an ever-changing world. GUESTS: David Slutes, La Rosa; Kevin Larkin, Art State Arizona;Cathalena Burch, Arizona Daily Star; Thatcher Warrick Hess, AZPM News

This week on The Press Room, our panel discusses the latest developments in the recall effort targeting Pima County sheriff Chris Nanos. Plus, lack of DHS funding and shortage of TSA agents has put ICE agents in airports. And, institutions continue to respond to the sexual abuse allegations against late labor leader Cesar Chavez as we approach the holiday named in his honor. GUESTS:Jim Nintzel, Tucson Sentinel; Rafael Carranza, AZ Luminaria; John Washington, Lookout; Angela Gervasi, AZPM News

This week, The Press Room discusses one of the most pressing environmental issues facing southern Arizona and the greater southwest: water allocations from the Colorado River. Our panel digs into the failed negotiation between states in the Colorado River basin, the potential cuts Arizona's CAP could face and the economic fallout. Plus, we look at mining projects in the region. GUESTS: Katya Mendoza, AZPM News; Tony Davis, Arizona Daily Star; Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel; Sharon Megdal, Ph.D., University of Arizona Water Resources Director

On Tuesday, Pima County voters approved the Regional Transportation Authority's RTA Next plan, a two-part ballot measure that will extend the county-wide half-cent sales tax to fund a list of roadway projects, public transit and safety improvements for another 20 years. RTA Executive Director Mike Ortega joins our panel of journalists on The Press Room to discuss the agency's plans to complete yet-unfinished RTA 1 projects, and the implementation of the newly-approved plan, including accountability measures. GUESTS: Mike Ortega, RTA Executive Director; Jim Nintzel, Tucson Sentinel; Tim Steller, Arizona Daily Star; Nick Rommel, AZPM News

As Arizona Men's Basketball wins the Big 12 conference title outright this week, a panel of Tucson journalists talk Arizona sports both on and off the court: How stadium naming deals, NIL and more impact local economy and culture. Plus, the Iranian national soccer team is set to train for the World Cup at Kino Sports Complex, but with the escalating military conflict, how might those plans change? PANELISTS: Justin Spears, Arizona Daily Star Pat Parris, KGUN 9 News, Steve Rivera, All Sports Tucson and Fox Sports 1450, Tony Perkins, AZPM News

South Tucson Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela joins The Press Room to discuss the city's decision to end its contract with Flock surveillance cameras, the partnership with Rural Metro Fire and other issues facing the community. Then, our panel of journalists discuss Tucson's Safe City Initiative and take another look at RTA Next, Props 418 and 419, ahead of the March 10 vote on the regional transportation plan. SPECIAL GUEST: Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela, city of South Tucson PANELISTS: Joe Ferguson, Tucson Agenda,Nick Rommel, AZPM News

As the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance enters its third week, national coverage is slowing, but social media influencers and YouTubers continue to dig in, sometimes highlighting sensational leads. What impact is this having overall on media credibility, public interest and the investigation itself? Plus, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem recently visited the state twice. We're fact checking her border visit, and looking into her push to make changes to Arizona's elections. And finally, our panel discusses the potential of a new ICE detention center opening in Arizona, and we remember the late Rev. Jesse Jackson.

With Tucson making national headlines after the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, local journalists break down the ongoing coverage. Plus, ballots for the RTA Next special election are hitting mailboxes this week. We continue our at Props 418 and 419. And Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar steps down. We talk about his tenure, and what to expect as incoming chief Monica Prieto prepares to take the reins. PANELISTS: Joe Ferguson, Tucson Agenda, Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel, Nick Rommel, AZPM News, Tim Steller, Arizona Daily Star. GUESTS: L.M. Boyd, AZPM News, Katya Mendoza, AZPM News

The Press Room continues the discussion on the Regional Transportation Authority’s RTA Next plan with an urban planning and transit expert. Along with our panel of journalists, we break down what you need to know about Props 418 and 419, which ask voters to extend the current half-cent sales tax to fund a new transportation plan in Pima County. Ballots are set to hit voter mailboxes next week. GUESTS: Arlie Adkins, UA Associate Professor of Urban Planning, Yana Kunichoff, AZ Luminaria, Jim Nintzel, Tucson Sentinel

Our panel of journalists and a studio audience engage in a conversation with leaders from the Regional Transportation Authority about RTA Next, a 20-year extension of the RTA One plan that voters approved in 2006. RTA Next, Propositions 418 and 419 on the upcoming ballot, asks to extend the current half-cent sales tax in Pima County, and puts a new transportation plan before voters. GUESTS: Tim Steller, Arizona Daily Star, Caitlin Schmidt, Tucson Spotlight, Nick Rommel, AZPM News, Mike Ortega, RTA Executive Director, Ted Maxwell, RTA Board Member and chair of the Arizona State Transportation Board

This week on The Press Room, we welcome a special panel of journalists whose reporting focuses on border immigration issues in the Arizona-Sonora borderlands. We're digging into their experience covering everyday life on the border, issues of security, the ongoing construction of the border wall, and potential for US involvement on Mexican soil and more.

Southern Arizona’s response to the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Plus, Mark Kelly files suit against Secretary Pete Hegseth, Marana moves forward with data center plans, and we remember the legacy of former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. GUESTS: Alisa Reznick - KJZZ, Paul Ingram - Tucson Sentinel, Danyelle Khmara - AZPM News, Katya Mendoza - AZPM News

15 years ago, a mass shooting in Tucson killed six and left 13 injured, including former Rep. Gabby Giffords. The shooting brought Tucson to the forefront of the national news. Local journalists who covered the shooting look back on that day, and the media coverage surrounding it. Plus, we sit down with a January 8 survivor to talk about how her life was forever changed 15 years ago.

The Press Room host Steve Goldstein sits down with Tucson Mayor Regina Romero for her perspectives on some of the biggest news stories in 2025 that will carry over into the new year: Tucson's Safe City's Initiative, immigration enforcement, the ongoing data center battle and more. Plus, we dive into affordability issues facing the state of Arizona and welcome a new face to The Press Room.

2025 is coming to a close, and we've got a panel of journalists joining us on The Press Room to discuss Southern Arizona's big stories of the year. From community activism against big data to a new face in Congress with a familiar name, we wrap up the year with a lively discussion of the year's news, and a look ahead to 2026.

This week, we discuss Pima County Supervisors moving Project Blue another step forward; Attorney General Kris Mayes joins lawsuit over Trump Administration attempting to charge $100,000 for H-1B visas; City council approves transit safety plan. GUESTS: Yana Kunichoff, AZ Luminaria; Dylan Smith - Tucson Sentinel; Alisa Reznick - KJZZ; Nick Rommel - AZPM News

Senator Kelly speaks at Tucson Town Hall about President Trump and in support of Mendoza's congressional bid. Updates on new potential data centers. Representative Grijalva and others pepper-sprayed by HSI and CBP as Taco Giro location were raided by ICE. GUESTS: Joe Ferguson, Tucson Agenda; Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel; Prerana Sannappanavar, Arizona Daily Star and Danyelle Khmara, AZPM News.

Border Patrol agents raid a No More Deaths humanitarian aid camp, allegedly without a warrant, and arrest three people. Plus, Senator Mark Kelly says he won’t back down from his criticism of President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth. This week on The Press Room, our panel of Southern Arizona journalists discuss these stories and more. GUESTS: Paul Ingram of the Tucson Sentinel, Katya Mendoza of AZPM News, and John Washington of AZ Luminaria.

A special newsmaker panel discusses homelessness in Tucson, the needs of the unhoused community, and the services available to help fill those needs. Joining us are Jenifer Darland, Pima County Office of Housing Opportunities and Homeless Solutions, Tisha Tallman, CEO of the Primavera Foundation and Bruce Beikman, Communications Director of Gospel Rescue Mission.

This week, a widely anticipated meeting between the Pima County Board of Supervisors and Tucson Mayor and Council focused on crime, drug use, and homelessness. What did they accomplish? Our panel of journalists talk it over. Plus a new section of the border wall and what it means for wildlife in the remote bi-national biodiversity hotspot, the San Rafael Valley. GUESTS: Alisa Reznick of KJZZ, Nick Rommel of AZPM News, Caitlin Schmidt of Tucson Spotlight, and John Washington of AZ Luminaria

Our panel of journalists discuss the end of the federal government shut down and the beginning of Rep. Adelita Grijalva’s congressional term; plus, local law enforcement voices concern that immigrant crime victims are being targeted for deportation, and what that could mean for police outreach in the community. GUESTS: Rafael Carranza of AZ Luminaria, Jim Nintzel of the Tucson Sentinel, and Tim Steller of the Arizona Daily Star.

Democrats sweep the Tucson City Council election, with two new council members voted in. Our panel of journalists discuss what changes could be ahead for the newly-elected council. Plus, the government shutdown continues, and Southern Arizona finds itself at the center of some social media misinformation this week. GUESTS: Joe Ferguson of the Tucson Agenda, Paul Ingram of the Tucson Sentinel, Katya Mendoza of AZPM News, and Dan Shearer of Green Valley News

Arizona joins the lawsuit over the suspension of SNAP benefits, and our panel of journalists look at the upcoming Tucson City Council races. Also on this week’s program, hear about an investigative collaboration between AZPM and AZ Luminaria on hardships facing mobile home residents in Southern Arizona. GUESTS: Yana Kunichoff of AZ Luminaria, John DeSoto of AZPM, and Raye Winch of Poder Casas Moviles.

The University of Arizona rejects the Trump administration's higher education compact, but leaves the door open for some discussion. Plus, The Press Room's panel of journalists breaks down the lawsuit filed by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva against the US House for her delayed swearing in. GUESTS: L. M. Boyd of AZPM News, Paul Ingram from the Tucson Sentinel, Prerana Sanappannavar of the Arizona Daily Star, and John Washington of AZ Luminaria.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has threatened to sue House Speaker Mike Johnson over his delay swearing in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva. Plus, Customs and Border Protection is awarded $800 million for a "smart wall" in Southern Arizona, and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero unveils a new "Safe City" initiative. GUESTS: Danyelle Khmara of AZPM News, Yana Kunichoff of AZ Luminaria, Jim Nintzel of the Tucson Sentinel, and Caitlin Schmidt of Tucson Spotlight.

The Trump Administration looks to the University of Arizona as one of nine universities asked to sign its "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education." Our panel of journalists examines reactions by the U of A Faculty Senate and Tucson City Council. Plus, safety on Tucson public transit and The Loop, and CD 7's Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva has yet to be sworn in. GUESTS: Hannah Cree of AZPM News, Paul Ingram of the Tucson Sentinel, Alisa Reznick of KJZZ, and Prerana Sanappannavar of the Arizona Daily Star.

The fallout of the government shutdown on Arizona, and Rep. Adelita Grijalva's swearing in gets political. Plus, seven Tucson Starbucks are closing, but our panel is not too broken up about it. Susan Barnett of the Tucson Spotlight, Tucson Sentinel's Jim Nintzel, Tim Steller from the Arizona Daily Star, and AZPM's Katya Mendoza join Steve Goldstein to discuss this week's top news from Southern Arizona.

Democrat Adelita Grijalva, a former Pima County Supervisor and daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva, came out the winner of Southern Arizona's special election for Congressional District 7. She'll be headed to DC as the state's first Latina elected to Congress. We sit down with her for a one-on-one interview this week. Plus, political science professor Samara Klar on politics and partisan rhetoric.

Some Tucson residents are pushing back against a city-sanctioned safe sleeping site for unhoused women and nonbinary individuals. We discuss the project details with our weekly panel of journalists. And, the company behind the Project Blue data center is still moving forward on Pima County land. Plus, we discuss the state of the First Amendment following the death of Charlie Kirk. Paul Ingram of the Tucson Sentinel, Prerana Sannappanavar of the Arizona Daily Star, and John Washington of AZ Luminaria join host Steve Goldstein to discuss these issues and more.

Following the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a public appearance, the Press Room discusses social media's role in the news, and local reactions by students. Plus, we speak with Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes about President Trump's statement on eliminating vote-by-mail elections. Hannah Cree of AZPM News, Jim Nintzel of the Tucson Sentinel, and Yana Kunichoff of Arizona Luminaria join host Steve Goldstein to discuss these issues and more.

The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to tighten up its policies on non-disclosure agreements and environmental reviews after Project Blue raised a red flag around government transparency. Plus, Republicans in the State Senate claim a democratic lawmaker endangered ICE agents by sharing a post about possible raids on social media—but she says that information was already public knowledge. Rafael Carranza of AZ Luminaria, Joe Ferguson of the Tucson Agenda, Danyelle Khmara of AZPM News, and Tim Steller from the Arizona Daily Star join host Steve Goldstein to discuss these topics and more.

Is Project Blue moving forward despite Tucson City Council's resounding 'no' vote? A request by Tucson Electric Power to provide energy to the potential project is raising questions. Plus, the Congressional District 7 candidates Daniel Butierez (R) and Adelita Grijalva (D) met on the debate stage this week to talk immigration, water, foreign policy and more. And Tucson's Ward 3 recount is a go after a judge's ruling this week. Eric Fink of KVOA, Paul Ingram of the Tucson Sentinel, and John Washington of AZ Luminaria join host Steve Goldstein to discuss these topics and more.

Will Pima County decide to extend a Regional Transportation Authority sales tax? Plus, a Tucson City Council recount is on hold after candidate Sadie Shaw claims that some voters were disenfranchised, alternative sites for Project Blue, and Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes responds to President Trump's social media comments about getting rid of mail-in voting. Alisa Reznick of KJZZ, Caitlin Schmidt of Tucson Spotlight, Jim Nintzel of the Tucson Sentinel, and Steve Jess of AZPM News discuss these stories and more with host Steve Goldstein.

As the school year starts in Southern Arizona, we talk with guests Marisol Garcia, President of the Arizona Education Association, about funding for K-12; Janice Palmer, VP for Government Affairs and Public Policy for the Helios Foundation, about higher education; and Fred DuVal from the Arizona Board of Regents about the economic impact of Arizona's public universities and federal cuts to university research programs.

The Tucson City Council pulls the plug on Project Blue after a raucous public meeting. What's next for data centers in the desert? Plus, some results from Tucson City Council primaries. Joe Ferguson of Tucson Agenda, John Washington of AZ Luminaria, Andrew Brown of AZPM News, and Tucson Sentinel's Dylan Smith join Host Steve Goldstein to discuss this week's top news stories.

Project Blue: Tucson's secret annexation plans and questions remain about jobs, power and water. Plus, the ACLU sues the Pima County Sheriff's office, an undocumented man in federal custody is charged with murder, and Laura Conover vs. the DOJ. Yana Kunichoff of AZ Luminaria, Paul Ingram the Tucson Sentinel, The Daily Star's Tim Steller, and Paola Rodriguez of AZPM join host Steve Goldstein to discuss this week's top news stories.

The company behind Project Blue appears to be Amazon Web Services. We speak to AZ Luminaria's John Washington who broke the story and unpack a community meeting about the proposed data center's impact on water, power, and jobs. Pima County Supervisor Jennifer Allen, Ian McDowell of Sundt Construction, and Caitlin Schmidt of the Tucson Spotlight join host Steve Goldstein to discuss the heated issue.

Adelita Grijalva dominates Deja Foxx and Daniel Hernandez in CD7 Democratic primary, and the "Project Blue" data center will require more water, electricity, and locations than previously thought. Dylan Wells of the Washington Post, Joe Ferguson from Tucson Agenda, Dylan Smith of the Tucson Sentinel, and AZPM's Hannah Cree join host Steve Goldstein to discuss a busy week in Southern Arizona.

ICE's staggering 75 billion dollar funding increase and cuts to Medicaid with the "Big, Beautiful Bill," the DOJ releasing fliers asking immigrants to self-deport, and the unexpected drama of Arizona's CD7 race. John Washington of Arizona Luminaria, Jim Nintzel of the Tucson Sentinel, Caitlyn Schmidt of Tucson Spotlight, and Danyelle Khmara of AZPM News join host Steve Goldstein to spill all the tea on this week's top news stories in southern Arizona.

We talk with the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona about what dramatic federal funding cuts will mean for their programs. GUESTS: Lee Bucyk, Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation; Adriana Gallego, The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona; Chris Firmage, The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

Arizona's Congressional District 7 candidate, Daniel Hernandez, has an incident in Bisbee, Tucson's mysterious "Project Blue" data center and its unknown water use, chaos at the State Capitol, and are beloved Arizona public lands really for sale? Natalie Robbins of the Tucson Sentinel, Katya Mendoza of AZPM News, AZ Daily Star's columnist Tim Steller, and Jeremy Duda of Axios Phoenix discuss this week's top news stories with host Steve Goldstein.

The Tucson City Council votes to ban camping in washes, a controversial new data center named "Project Blue," TEP's proposed 14% rate hike, southern Arizona's No Kings protests, and border wall construction. Paul Ingram of the Tucson Sentinel, Christopher Conover of AZPM News, and Tucson Spotlight's Caitlin Schmidt discuss this week's top news stories with host Steve Goldstein. Plus, Larry Starks of the Tucson Juneteenth Festival.

The race to fill Congressional District 7's open seat is heating up. AZPM hosted Republican and Democratic debates this week and our panel breaks it down. Plus, Tucson's reaction to ICE protests in LA, and the House passes a bill rescinding funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Yana Kunichoff and John Washington of AZ Luminaria, Paola Rodriguez of AZPM News, and Jim Nintzel of the Tucson Sentinel discuss this week's news with host Steve Goldstein.

Advocates providing information and support outside immigration court, a report that ICE impersonated Tucson Electric Power workers, and how divided are we, really? Plus, economic impacts of uncertainty in AZ, and Justine Wadsack is back (in court). Dylan Smith of the Tucson Sentinel, Danyelle Khmara of AZPM News, the Arizona Republic's Sarah Lapidus, and University of Arizona Professor Samara Klar discuss this week's top news stories with host Steve Goldstein.

The University of Arizona responds to Trump executive orders by consolidating cultural centers, and the first debate by Democratic candidates for Congressional District 7, including newcomer Deja Foxx. Plus, the Supreme Court declines to hear Oak Flat tribal religious rights case, making way for copper mining, and Tucson mayor Regina Romero's controversial trip to Qatar. GUESTS: Caitlin Schmidt (Tucson Spotlight), Paul Ingram (Tucson Sentinel), Tim Steller (Arizona Daily Star), Hannah Cree (AZPM News)