38 Comments
Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

For the grant: I'm an Arizona transplant (just arrived about 18 months ago), and the Agenda has been invaluable in helping me better understand the complex political culture of the state. I'm currently working on behalf of the Make Elections Fair open primary initiative, and the Agenda was part of what helped me decide to work for that non-partisan effort instead of running for office myself. I always look forward to having it in my inbox!

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Jun 10·edited Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

Dear Press Forward -- I suggest you please consider strongly, awarding your grant to Arizona Agenda. They cover stories that matter to me. I am impressed with their diligence toward keeping Don Bolles work alive; I vicariously enjoy their events at Valley Bar (on my bucket list, as a huge Rose Mofford fan hoping to have a drink there someday). Their journalism sets a high bar. Me, I'm a 4th gen. daughter of AZ, their stories matter to me, they work hard, so hopefully will receive your recognition.

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Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

Arizona Agenda makes it easy to know what's happening in Arizona without blowing up the blood pressure monitor. Knowledgeable without being preachy. And I like it being in my Email over coffee and an orange.

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Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

Arizona Agenda punches way above its weight in terms of influence and insights into our state's politics. They've accomplished an impressive feat to create such a successful newsroom from scratch and they deserve all the support they can get!

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I note the distinct lack of lesbians in your Outlook panel. There are plenty of us around. But still in 2024 our voices are ignored.

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author

We did have a lesbian on the original panel lineup fwiw but she had to back out.

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Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

For the grant: I’m so happy my friend turned me on to Arizona Agenda. You’ve been giving me great information about how to deal with AZ politics and doing it in a way that makes reading even more fun. And in a way that makes it easier to pass along the information.

I love the format and really appreciate the effort.

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Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

Dear Press Forward: Arizona Agenda provides me with state-level political news and analysis in easily digestible chunks every day it publishes. That saves me time and energy since I don't have to monitor all the other available media to get tidbits here and there.

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Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

The Arizona Agenda informs me about political areas and regions that I would otherwise have no knowledge about.

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Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

Were the Arizona Agenda not around, I would still get the news because there are many outlets that cover the state capitol. Were the Arizona Agenda not around, I would still get commentary and analysis about what's happening at the capitol, but most of that commentary and analysis is spun so far left and right that it has limited value. Arizona Agenda provides high quality analysis and commentary lacking from other sources, which I find useful as a state senator.

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And John always has the "right" opinions IMO!

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Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

I rely on Arizona Agenda to provide information about local politics that is difficult to find elsewhere. It is an important part of my current situation.

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Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

For the grant. Arizona Agenda is the first source of information about local government that is unbiased, thought provoking, and factual. They offer a refreshing take on the often confusing machinations that happen behind the scenes. No one is immune which is exactly what you want in great reporting. Often we get just the sound bites or the result, this publication gives you the real story. Just the unvarnished facts with a wry delivery. This is the type of reporting we are missing across the U.S.

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author

Awwwwe these comments warm my heart thank you all so much!

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Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

The day-to-day of the legislative and political process is complex and exhausting. In Arizona, working-class citizens, often from minority groups lacking proportional representation in the legislature, are commonly deterred from participating in civic activities due to these complexities. The legislative process isn't getting any less complex, but an informed and engaged citizenry has never been more fundamental to our democracy's survival.

That is why so many Arizonans rely on the indispensable reporting of the Arizona Agenda! The Agenda's reporting is accessible, even-handed, and most importantly, informative, allowing Arizona's citizens to make informed decisions on our state's future. The Agenda delivers important insights and analysis to email inboxes across the state, empowering underserved, overworked Arizonans to stay engaged as active participants in our democracy.

An investment into the Agenda's future is an investment into American democracy's well-being at an unprecedented moment in our nation's history.

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Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

"Democracy Dies in Darkness" would be a great little tagline!

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Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

Equal portions of statewide political coverage and news explainers and context, links and credit to fellow Arizona reporting, with a heavy sprinkling of snark and fun.

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Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

Moving from Vermont to Arizona was like landing on the moon for me. The Arizona Agenda has helped me understand the political landscape in my new home. I look forward to reading it each morning.

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Jun 10Liked by Hank Stephenson

The local media seems to be more inclined to report national political things, but the Arizona Agenda sticks to Arizona and particularly what our legislature is doing. No other publication does this.

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