The Press Room

AZPM
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Mar 27, 2026 • 27min

Recall efforts against Sheriff Chris Nanos, plus ICE agents in airports while TSA goes unpaid

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
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Mar 20, 2026 • 27min

Severe water cuts loom as Colorado River negotiations collapse

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
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Mar 13, 2026 • 27min

Voters approve RTA Next | RTA Executive Director joins to discuss what to expect

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
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Mar 6, 2026 • 27min

What are Arizona's chances in March Madness? | Local sports journalists discuss

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
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Feb 27, 2026 • 27min

South Tucson Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela on taxes, Flock cameras, and more

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
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Feb 20, 2026 • 27min

The search for Nancy Guthrie continues | Kristi Noem visits the AZ border

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.
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Feb 12, 2026 • 27min

The latest on the Nancy Guthrie disappearance | Plus, more RTA Next

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
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Feb 6, 2026 • 27min

More RTA Next | Talking with an urban planning expert

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
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Jan 29, 2026 • 1h 26min

RTA Next Special | Should voters approve Prop 418 and 419?

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
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Jan 22, 2026 • 27min

Covering the border | Journalists talk about their experiences

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.

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