This weekly roundtable news program provides deep discussion on the latest headlines from local, trusted, and experienced journalists from around Arizona. The Press Room is hosted by AZPM veteran journalist Tony Perkins.
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This week, join us for an exclusive interview with Governor Katie Hobbs. She sits down one-on-one with host Tony Perkins to discuss affordability, water security, data centers and more. Join us for the first in a series of candidate interviews leading up to the midterm elections this November, all part of AZPM Vote 2026. Plus, University of Arizona Government and Public Policy Professor Samara Klar joins us to break down the latest polling in the Arizona governor's race. GUESTS: Gov. Katie Hobbs; Arizona; Samara Klar, Ph.D.; University of Arizona Government and Public Policy professor
Arizona is asking the federal government for reimbursement funds of about $900 million that it spent border security. And the race for Congressional District 6 is heating up, starting with plenty of mudslinging attack ads by both incumbent rebublican Rep. Juan Ciscomani and his democrat challenger JoAnna Mendoza. Plus, we sit down one-on-one with frequent Press Room contributor John Washington to talk about his new book on immigrant detention camps in the US. GUESTS: Joe Ferguson, Tucson Agenda; Eric Fink, KVOA News 4 Tucson; Tim Steller, Arizona Daily Star
No Trespassing: That's the message from the Tohono O'odham Nation to border wall contractors, as they await a court decision on wall construction across tribal lands. Plus, the US is deporting detained immigrants, but not all are being sent back to their home countries. Where are they being sent, and under what circumstances? GUESTS: Alisa Reznick, KJZZ; Emily Bregel, Arizona Daily Star; Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel; Rafael Carranza, Arizona Luminaria
Data centers are back in the headlines as Tucson Mayor and Council approves regulations on the large-scale facilities within city limits. Plus, as potential cuts to Colorado River water allocations loom, the City of Tucson says it's prepared; how will Arizona be affected overall? And in political news: Runnning mates, endorsements and visits from DC officials add to the 2026 midterm momentum. GUESTS: Katya Mendoza, AZPM News; Jim Nintzel, Tucson Sentinel; John Washington, Lookout
Attention returns to immigration enforcement in the city of Tucson after ICE detains a mother following an unrelated court appearance. And as border wall construction continues in Southern Arizona near critical habitat, environmental concerns come to a head. Plus, how has recent flooding along the US southern border affected communities, infrastructure, and cross-border traffic? GUESTS: Angela Gervasi, AZPM News; Melissa del Bosque, The Border Chronicle; Alessandra De Zubeldia, Nogales International
Following this week's primary election, our journalist panel breaks down the results of major state and local races, and looks ahead to the November midterms. Plus, in the wake of last weekend's mass shooting in downtown Tucson, how are city officials, downtown businesses and community members responding? We'll discuss this major news story this week on The Press Room. GUESTS: Steve Jess, AZPM News; Yana Kunichoff, Arizona Luminarial; Joe Ferguson, Tucson Agenda; Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel
A look at education in Arizona, including technology in the classrooms, affordability and the future of school choice. Plus, our panel of education beat journalists previews the Republican and Democratic primary races for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. GUESTS: Prerana Sannappanavar, Arizona Daily Star; Shannon Conner, Arizona Luminaria; Noor Haghighi, AZPM News
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, Independent Journalist; Paul Ingram, Tucson Sentinel
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 debate between the Republican candidates for governor, we take a look at that race leading into July's primary election. PANEL: Jim Nintzel, Tucson Sentinel; Joe Ferguson, Tucson Agenda; John Washington
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 Spotlight; Tim Steller, Arizona Daily Star; Paul Ingram,Tucson Sentinel
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 Mayor Joe Winfield; PANEL: Susan Barnett, Independent Journalist; Eric Fink, KVOA News 4 Tucson; Noor Haghighi, AZPM News
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. Adelita Grijalva; PANEL: Cathalena E. Burch, Thatcher Warrick Hess
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, Tucson Sentinel
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 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
