Opinion - Civility Learning Lab

Why I’m voting Bernadette Green-Placentia for U.S. House

OPINION — Recently, Abe Hamadeh, our Congressman in Congressional District 8, posted on social media that his office does not belong to him alone. On that point I could not agree more. more

By Philip Eller | Sun City West | 6/5/26

New Medicaid work requirements threaten to undermine progress on HIV

More than a million Americans live with HIV. And about 40% of those adults are currently enrolled in Medicaid. more

By Carl Schmid | 6/5/26

From the Newsroom: A word about pen names

When Sun City and Sun City West readers visited our newsroom on May 18 for coffee and conversation with the staff, it was both enlightening and productive. There were lots of comments, questions and exchanges of ideas. more

By Kelly O’Sullivan | Independent Newsmedia | 6/5/26

Arizonans shouldn’t have to choose between work, child care

OPINION — Arizona families are paying more than $1,300 per month for child care, on average. That’s unaffordable, and it costs our state billions of dollars every year as parents are forced to make tough choices between working and affording child care. more

By Georgina Monsalvo | Chandler | 6/4/26

Veteran to Kelly, Gallego: End war in Iran

OPINION — On June 3, the Republican-held U.S. House of Representatives voted 215 to 208 to end the war with Iran. The war powers resolution passed with four Republicans voting with Democrats. more

By Shelly Burgoyne | Greater Tucson | 6/4/26

Summer brings more freedom — and with it added online risk for kids

OPINION — Summer is a time when kids and teens look forward to more freedom, more time with friends and a break from the structure of school. But for many families, summer also brings more unsupervised screen time and more opportunities for young people to encounter unsafe situations online. more

By Kim McWilliams | Scottsdale | 6/4/26

Sun City taxpayer wants to see real data on firefighter pay

OPINION — Regarding Zev Black’s article about Sun City Fire & Medical firefighters’ pay: Don’t treat us like we’re stupid. Include what firefighters actually make, the range for each position and include the highest-paid district for comparison. more

By Brian Hampson | Sun City | 6/4/26

Building on what makes Paradise Valley exceptional

OPINION — For more than a decade, my wife Kristin and I have proudly called Paradise Valley home. Like so many residents, we chose this community because of its unmatched beauty, quiet … more

By Bob Brown | Paradise Valley council candidate | 6/4/26

Simpson: Congress needs to reform 340B Drug Pricing Program

The 340B Drug Pricing Program was built on a sound premise of giving hospitals that serve vulnerable populations access to discounted drugs, so they can extend care further and charge patients less. more

6/4/26

A tale of two mayors in Fountain Hills

OPINION — With the upcoming primary fast approaching, residents need to take the time to truly look at the last 17 months under Gerry Friedel and Reclaim Our Town’s majority council control. … more

By Pam Cap | Fountain Hills | 6/4/26

What effective prevention, accountability should look like in Arizona schools

OPINION — When allegations of misconduct surface inside a school system, the public reaction is often immediate and familiar: “How did administrators not know?” In many cases, the more accurate question is whether warning signs were overlooked, minimized or normalized over time. The reality is that harmful behavior rarely appears without context. more

By Brecken Blades, Psy.D. | Phoenix | 6/4/26

Sowers: Americans can’t ignore climate change

I have both good news and bad news about David Legates’ recent Opinion, “DNREC’s climate claims vs. state data.” more

By Arthur E. Sowers | 6/4/26

Spinning words drives dangerous narrative

OPINION — Ominous, racist, life-threatening, existential threat, xenophobic, sexist, transphobic, lawfare, Nazi, dictator, bullying, victims, religious populist, socialist, marxist, fascist, … more

By Rick Dime | Fountain Hills | 6/4/26

Chandler SpeakUp: Detention officers, pancakes, forensic crime lab

Here are some recent online comments about Chandler Independent items: “Detention officer, attempting to meet with minor, arrested in Chandler”: “Good. Now, find out if he’s done it … more

6/4/26

The weekly Clothesline: Go and make disciples

Easter is behind us. Jesus has returned to heaven. And He has sent His Holy Spirit to be with us forever. Do you ever wonder ... more

By Reverend Elizabeth Nelson
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church | 6/4/26

Silencing Chandler’s board volunteers serves insiders — not voters

OPINION — Chandler Council member O.D. Harris recently suggested that any appointed Chandler commissioner or board member who works to influence an election should reconsider the role. … more

By Arman Sidhu | Chandler | 6/3/26

Hearn Taylor: Political signage should be ethical

Political signs have been part of campaigns for centuries. Signs are one way to tell the electorate who is running and who you support. more

6/3/26

Coyote encounter leaves resident shaken

OPINION — After a recent encounter with a large, aggressive coyote near Royal Oak Road and Thunderbird Boulevard in Sun City, I wanted to let people know never to take their fur babies’ safety for granted. more

By Sue Wilson | Sun City | 6/3/26

In support of Surprise council on ICE issue

OPINION — I’ve read too many editorials over too many weeks that I suspect are from paid protesters and assorted hangers-on ranting against the ICE facility in the Surprise City Council meetings, and I need to set the record straight. more

By Dave Frank | Surprise | 6/3/26

Hannigan: Allowing all to vote in primaries is the right move

I’m writing in full support of the Opinion by Ms. Jill Itzkowitz and Bruce Dalleo, who back House Bill 188, enabling Delaware’s nonaffiliated voters to vote in our primary elections (“Let’s open primaries to unaffiliated voters”). more

6/3/26