The Payson Unified School District’s plan to start online classes on Aug. 3 and in-person classes as soon as Aug. 17 has opened a floodgate of questions and concerns. Read moreFar more questions than answers on schools reopening
Payson, Houston Mesa and Hellsgate firefighters took a leap of faith when they voted almost unanimously recently to j… Read moreA leap of faith
We fear the Arizona Corporation Commission’s about to make a terrible mistake. Read moreCorporation commission can help save the forest
Let’s face facts. Read moreMake Fossil Creek a national park
- Incumbent Gov. Doug Ducey repeatedly throws around the phrase that Arizona is "open for business" as both a commerc… Read moreDucey, Garcia clash on economy, business climate
For the past year, Pine resident and Arizona House candidate retired Army Colonel Felicia French has been traveling t… Read morePine Mom and Daughter Hit the Campaign Trail
Here’s an issue that can unite us — conservatives and liberals. Read moreTime to stop this scourge
Never mind the 200 years of struggle. Read moreCan you call yourself an American?
Much of our state’s history can be told through its senatorial delegation — the 11 men who have represented Arizona n… Read moreMcCain: A maverick, defender of liberty
Payson voters have a chance right now to make a big change in how the town goes about attracting new, job-producing, … Read morePayson propositions: Do they make sense?
So, you need to get to the grocery store on the other side of the Beeline Highway. It’s Friday afternoon. The traffic… Read moreCrossing the highway With your eyes closed
Oh goodness. This has gotten way past our mathematical abilities. We’ve been keeping a running tally on “reasons we l… Read moreToo many blessings to count
In today’s Roundup, you’ll find the most important article we’ll write about the hotly contested race for Payson Town… Read moreFew of the Payson council candidates support WUI code
Every day, four more die. Read moreThe toll of opiates Continues to mount
Better. Way better. Read moreWe must not abandon our children
Figures don’t lie, as the sage observe, but liars do figure. Read moreCan you tell a fact from an opinion?
And off they go — candidates scurrying into the underbrush, banging on tin pots. Read moreWhat's the real issue facing council candidates?
We still don’t have the full story of the disturbing sexting episodes at the Payson High School and Rim Country Middl… Read moreDifficult lessons of sexting episode
No doubt about it — bad timing. Read moreA bad time for an empty reservoir?
Want to save democracy? Read moreNow you can fight dark money influence
Teachers took to the streets — and the Legislature at long last responded. We applaud the activism of the teachers, o… Read moreSchool board must make key decisions
Should the teachers have walked out? Read moreDid the teachers have to walk out?
You gotta admit — it’s a sweet little plan. Read moreShould we keep going With Rumsey Park plan?
They’re out to get you. Read moreHere's what I heard you say
Rain will fall from the sky. Read moreShort-term greed vs. long-term disaster
My principles mud wrestled my common sense. Read moreDid the editor make a shameful mistake?
No one likes to pay taxes. Read moreOur kids should come first
Buckle up: Water rationing ahead. Read morePayson’s economic edge
I’ve been afflicted by doubt all my life. Read moreIn praise of doubt
No one wants to spend more on electricity. Read moreGetting ripped offf?
We’re excited by the big turnout last week at a Forest Service-convened meeting to talk about expanding the network o… Read moreTrails effort finally on the right path
We didn’t just get left standing at the altar. Read moreWhat do you do when left standing at the altar?
President Trump this week justified the hopes of many of his supporters by taking on the lobbyists and the entrenched… Read morePresident Trump’s bold move
How do you sustain hope and joy in such a world? Read moreHow to you find hope amidst such torment?
President Trump this week justified the hopes of many of his supporters by taking on the lobbyists and the entrenched politicians on both side… Read morePresident Trump’s bold move
How do you sustain hope and joy in such a world? Read moreHow to you find hope amidst such torment?
Criticize otters for not having fun. Read moreTaking a careful look at transparency
Paul Gosar sounds like he’s losing it. Read moreIs our congressman just losing it?
Here’s one thing we learned from Richard Nixon: It’s not the crime, it’s the coverup. Read moreAn Attack on Justice
The horrifying revelations keep pouring in, as more and more women reveal the sexual harassment, intimidation and humiliation they have suffered. Read moreWhat will you do in this terrible moment?
If we didn’t know better, we’d think Congress has been hired by the Russians to make democracy look bad. Read moreThe wildly undemocratic Senate
Hundreds of people who care deeply about this community turned out for the town hall on plans to overhaul Rumsey Park. What a great testament … Read moreGreat questions, open process
Pine Strawberry Water Improvement District chairman Maher Hazine has labored long and diligently to serve his community. Read moreWas it fair to write about Mahr Hazine?
Is the planet heating up? Are humans to blame? Read moreRunning away from the facts
If you would have hope, read today’s Roundup carefully. Read moreUs vs. Them
Laying on my back in the long grass on the banks of the East Verde, I wait for the blaze of another portent across the star-bright sky. Read moreMiracles and portents in the night sky
So do we really want a 600-student prep school in town whose parents can cough up $55,000 in tuition each year? Read morePrep school raises some intriguing questions
Gosh. We’re living through history. Read moreLiving through history
Lots of good ideas get trampled in a political buffalo stampede. Read moreA stampede of buffalo
Thousands of hard-pressed Gila County residents can heave a sign of relief. Read moreSupreme Court upholds common sense, compassion
No one has a greater stake in helping to create a vibrant, compassionate community than Realtors. Read moreRealtors show they care
Lord, we’re sick of politicians. Right, left — don’t matter — we’re choking on manipulation, posturing and a maniacal refusal to actually solv… Read moreJust solve the problem
By a heartbreaking 11 votes, Hellsgate voters rejected the fire district’s request for a tiny increase in the property tax rate so it could we… Read moreWill Hellsgate crisis Spawn an opportunity?
Four years ago, 19 firefighters died in terror and agony trying to save Yarnell. We were horrified to think of their courage and desperation —… Read moreWhat the death of firefighters requires of us
Lawsuits are all about placing blame. Read moreWe will have only Ourselves to blame
The law of unintended consequences can bite you in the butt. Read moreBottom line reform
Sometimes, it feels like we swallowed a magic mushroom. The Red Queen’s off her head. The White Knight is talking backward. And logic and prop… Read moreLong strange trip
What will it take to get CenturyLink’s attention? Read moreWhat will it take to get CenturyLink’s attention?
The 7,000-acre Pinal Fire certainly got the attention of the Gila County Board of Supervisors. The Forest Service quickly finished its BAER re… Read moreNorth vs. South?
Run government like a business. Read moreRun government like a business.
A hurricane stalls, dumping 50 inches of rain on Texas. Read moreEverything’s connected
A broad coalition of business and education groups have united behind a comprehensive set of benchmarks to spur achievement by Arizona students. Read moreCommon sense Goals for schools
Here’s the problem with homo sapiens. Read moreShort-term thinking Long-term problems
Everything depends on great teachers. Read moreMerit pay for teachers
Five times in three years. Read moreBand to gather for broadband
The White Mountains has endured four major wildfires in the last fifteen years, causing the evacuation or pre-evacuation of thousands of residents and burning well over one million acres of precious forest. Read moreEDITORIAL: Biomass study could help forest, economy
PHOENIX -- A referendum to kill expansion of the voucher program survived its first hurdle despite efforts of the lawyers who don't want it go… Read moreVoucher repeal referendum survives first legal test
On the face of it, the APS request for a roughly 4.5 percent rate increase for residential customers and a new rate structure sounded reasonab… Read moreDark money and the APS rate increase
Lou Crabtree spent 37 years showing up to work every day — educating our children. Read moreWhat's a great teacher worth?
Public school advocates responded with surprising speed to dramatic expansion of the scope of taxpayer vouchers for private school tuition. A … Read moreWe need a real Voucher debate
We have to admit, it sounded like an odd idea: The Payson Food Truck Festival. Read moreA piece of paradise
Well, better than nothing. Read morePayson does its itty bitty bit
Here’s the most baffling question raised by our dangerously overgrown forests, prey to crown fires, bark beetles and other catastrophes. Read moreWhat will our grandchildren say about us?
Months after their colleagues in the House passed a bill to quash Obamacare and emboldened by a president eager for reform, the United States Senate this week faces the daunting, but critical, task of deciding the fate of health care for hundreds of millions of Americans. Read moreEDITORIAL: The health care conundrum
The effort of the people’s representatives to make the people shut up got a boost this week. Read moreLawmakers reveal contempt for voters
Even close to the anniversary of the death of 19 firefighters in the vain defense of the unprepared community of Yarnell — they did nothing. Read moreCouncil fails to protect Payson
The Payson Town Council’s on the brink of making a potentially tragic mistake. Read moreWill Payson make a tragic mistake?
