For more than two years, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office investigated allegations that Sunshine Residential Homes received favorable treatment from the Arizona Department of Child Safety after its owners made substantial political contributions benefiting Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Democratic Party. The resulting investigative memo, dated August 20,
This is the third post in a three part series about the intersection of technology and policing. Check out the first and second parts. Perhaps no criticism of photo enforcement is more powerful than calling it a “money grab.” The phrase immediately changes the presumed purpose of a traffic camera:
This is the second post in a three part series about the intersection of technology and policing. You can read the first part here. Phoenix's new Photo Safety Program has revived a familiar Arizona argument: traffic cameras represent government overreach. Critics describe automated enforcement as impersonal, invasive, unfair,
This is the first post in a three part series about the intersection of technology and policing. The backlash against Flock Safety cameras exposes an important fault line in the politics of policing. Automated license-plate readers are controversial because they allow law enforcement to search a large database of
In February 2026, the City of Phoenix deployed 17 photo traffic enforcement systems. Nine of these systems will be rotated through corridors with histories of speed-involved crashes and rotated every six months. Another eight systems will be placed along 15 mph school zones, rotated weekly throughout the year. If
Phoenix is evolving, and our skyline is about to get a greener, more sustainable makeover. With the recent adoption of the 2024 Phoenix Building Construction Code, the Valley of the Sun is embracing mass timber construction—a groundbreaking approach that promises a host of environmental, economic, and aesthetic benefits. This
A recent report by The Pew Charitable Trusts highlights the safety and potential benefits of single-stair apartment buildings. Analyzing fire death rates in modern single-stair buildings, the report demonstrates that these buildings are at least as safe as other types of housing. In New York City, the overall
Every year, the weeks surrounding Fourth of July in Phoenix become a cacophony of booming explosions. While fireworks displays are a cherished tradition for many, the reality is that illegal fireworks are a major source of disruption,safety hazards, and environmental concerns. Uncontrolled Chaos: Fireworks not permitted for sale within
Take a drive through any Phoenix neighborhood and you're bound to encounter a curious phenomenon: an abundance of liquor stores and beer & wine shops. These establishments seem to be everywhere, often clustered together at intersections or lining busy avenues. While some might view this as simply a
Many of us dream of grand transformations for our cities – vibrant public spaces, walkable neighborhoods, and a strong sense of community. But how do we get from those dreams to reality? Strong Towns, a national movement and bestselling book by Chuck Marohn, offers a compelling answer: start small, be incremental,
Phoenix, the sprawling desert metropolis and the 5th largest city in the US, has a traffic problem. But when it comes to solutions, the city seems stuck in first gear. While speeding is certainly an issue, the only official traffic calming measure offered by Phoenix is the speed hump. Let&
There are many ways to influence the future of a city: public comments during city council meetings, large capital investments, overbearing state legislation—the list goes on. But if you're a regular person who just wants to get started making things better, the following are a few great