The Press Room

Primary Election Day in Arizona is fewer than two weeks away. With ballots already in the hands of voters, The Press Room is talking primaries this week. We're examining key state and local primary races, and examining national trends and polling data as we begin looking ahead to the November midterms. PANEL: Samara Klar, Ph. D., University of Arizona professor; Joe Ferguson, Tucson Agenda

The US Supreme Court has delivered two major decisions on immigration. Our panel of journalists breaks down how the rulings affect Southern Arizona. Plus, some difficult questions facing the University of Arizona on how it manages its money. PANEL: Angela Gervasi, AZPM News; Caitlin Schmidt, Tucson Spotlight; Erik Fink, News 4 Tucson

A standoff in the San Rafael Valley: How opposing sides are responding to a new challenge at the border. Plus, we take a look at Southern Arizona's economic forecast, and the external factors affecting jobs, affordability and more. And as we close out Pride month 2026, what challenges are organizations within the community facing in the future? PANEL: Hannah Cree, Arizona Daily Star; Susan Barnett...

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has signed a new state budget into law. The Press Room's panel of journalists breaks down what's in the $18.3B budget and what it means for tax cuts and public program funding. Plus, as summer sets and Southern Arizona braces for extreme weather events, we look at the resources available for our most vulnerable residents, the unhoused population. And on the heels of the de...

Could Sun Tran drivers be on the verge of a strike? Tucson's Mayor and Council begin to put RTA Next public safety funds to use on public transit. Plus, we talk about the latest development surrounding a South Tucson landmark-turned-eyesore. And with election season coming up, we preview a heated Southern Arizona legislative primary race. PANEL: Nick Rommel, AZPM News; Caitlin Schmidt, Tucson Spot...

With primaries now in full swing for this midterm election cycle, we break down what early results in other states could mean for Arizona's upcoming elections. Plus, what's behind the sudden push to modernize the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales? Those stories and more, plus a one-on-one interview with Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield, as he finishes out his final term in office. GUEST: Oro Valley...

Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva joins us this week on The Press Room for the first time since taking office last fall. She discusses ICE and immigration, the state's water crisis and more. Plus, on our weekly roundtable we talk about the future of Tucson's Berger Performing Arts Center, and the decision to move the Iranian national soccer team's training basecamp out of the Old Pueblo. GUEST: Rep....

Monday morning, ICE arrested a Tucson resident and DACA recipient in her home. How has the community reacted to this news? Plus, University of Arizona graduated its class of 2026 last week, while the stadium erupted with booing. Our panel of journalists break down what all the fuss was about this week on The Press Room. PANELISTS: Angela Gervasi, AZPM News; Joe Ferguson Tucson Agenda; Paul Ingram,...

The Pima County Board of Supervisors votes not to remove Sheriff Chris Nanos from office; looking at the facts behind a pneumonia outbreak in a Tucson neighborhood; and how Arizona lawmakers could respond to pressure for passing a new state budget.

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...

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...

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...

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, Tu...

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 Mendo...

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...

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?...

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...

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 checki...

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 rein...

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. GUE...

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 St...

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.