

The Press Room
AZPM
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 veteran newsman Steve Goldstein.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 3, 2025 • 27min
Government shutdown | How will it affect Arizona?
The fallout of the government shutdown on Arizona, and Rep. Adelita Grijalva's swearing in gets political. Plus, seven Tucson Starbucks are closing, but our panel is not too broken up about it. Susan Barnett of the Tucson Spotlight, Tucson Sentinel's Jim Nintzel, Tim Steller from the Arizona Daily Star, and AZPM's Katya Mendoza join Steve Goldstein to discuss this week's top news from Southern Arizona.

Sep 26, 2025 • 27min
Adelita Grijalva | Newest U.S. Congresswoman talks priorities and her big election win
Adelita Grijalva, Arizona's first Latina Congresswoman and former Pima County Supervisor, shares her journey from local politics to Congress and her commitment to immigration reform and environmental issues. She aims for bipartisan efforts on crucial topics like water rights. Joining her is Samara Klar, a political science professor, who discusses the rise of independent voters and the challenges they face. Together, they explore the importance of collaboration amidst partisanship and how new leadership can influence change in a polarized environment.

Sep 19, 2025 • 27min
Super STAR backlash | City-sanctioned unhoused encampment gets pushback
Some Tucson residents are pushing back against a city-sanctioned safe sleeping site for unhoused women and nonbinary individuals. We discuss the project details with our weekly panel of journalists. And, the company behind the Project Blue data center is still moving forward on Pima County land. Plus, we discuss the state of the First Amendment following the death of Charlie Kirk. Paul Ingram of the Tucson Sentinel, Prerana Sannappanavar of the Arizona Daily Star, and John Washington of AZ Luminaria join host Steve Goldstein to discuss these issues and more.

Sep 12, 2025 • 27min
Reactions to the murder of Charlie Kirk | Plus, AZ Secretary of State Adrian Fontes
Following the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a public appearance, the Press Room discusses social media's role in the news, and local reactions by students. Plus, we speak with Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes about President Trump's statement on eliminating vote-by-mail elections. Hannah Cree of AZPM News, Jim Nintzel of the Tucson Sentinel, and Yana Kunichoff of Arizona Luminaria join host Steve Goldstein to discuss these issues and more.

Sep 5, 2025 • 27min
Feeling Blue about NDAs | New govt. transparency policy after Project Blue
The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to tighten up its policies on non-disclosure agreements and environmental reviews after Project Blue raised a red flag around government transparency. Plus, Republicans in the State Senate claim a democratic lawmaker endangered ICE agents by sharing a post about possible raids on social media—but she says that information was already public knowledge. Rafael Carranza of AZ Luminaria, Joe Ferguson of the Tucson Agenda, Danyelle Khmara of AZPM News, and Tim Steller from the Arizona Daily Star join host Steve Goldstein to discuss these topics and more.

Aug 29, 2025 • 27min
Project Blue is not going away | TEP files a request to provide energy
Is Project Blue moving forward despite Tucson City Council's resounding 'no' vote? A request by Tucson Electric Power to provide energy to the potential project is raising questions. Plus, the Congressional District 7 candidates Daniel Butierez (R) and Adelita Grijalva (D) met on the debate stage this week to talk immigration, water, foreign policy and more. And Tucson's Ward 3 recount is a go after a judge's ruling this week. Eric Fink of KVOA, Paul Ingram of the Tucson Sentinel, and John Washington of AZ Luminaria join host Steve Goldstein to discuss these topics and more.

Aug 22, 2025 • 27min
20 More Years of the RTA? | Pima County mulls a sales tax extension
Will Pima County decide to extend a Regional Transportation Authority sales tax? Plus, a Tucson City Council recount is on hold after candidate Sadie Shaw claims that some voters were disenfranchised, alternative sites for Project Blue, and Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes responds to President Trump's social media comments about getting rid of mail-in voting. Alisa Reznick of KJZZ, Caitlin Schmidt of Tucson Spotlight, Jim Nintzel of the Tucson Sentinel, and Steve Jess of AZPM News discuss these stories and more with host Steve Goldstein.

Aug 15, 2025 • 27min
State of Education | What will public education look like in Arizona after funding cuts?
As the school year starts in Southern Arizona, we talk with guests Marisol Garcia, President of the Arizona Education Association, about funding for K-12; Janice Palmer, VP for Government Affairs and Public Policy for the Helios Foundation, about higher education; and Fred DuVal from the Arizona Board of Regents about the economic impact of Arizona's public universities and federal cuts to university research programs.

Aug 8, 2025 • 27min
Bye, Bye, Project Blue | Tucson City Council rejects the controversial data center
The Tucson City Council pulls the plug on Project Blue after a raucous public meeting. What's next for data centers in the desert? Plus, some results from Tucson City Council primaries. Joe Ferguson of Tucson Agenda, John Washington of AZ Luminaria, Andrew Brown of AZPM News, and Tucson Sentinel's Dylan Smith join Host Steve Goldstein to discuss this week's top news stories.

Aug 1, 2025 • 27min
Annexation Plans? | Project Blue and the city of Tucson
Project Blue: Tucson's secret annexation plans and questions remain about jobs, power and water. Plus, the ACLU sues the Pima County Sheriff's office, an undocumented man in federal custody is charged with murder, and Laura Conover vs. the DOJ. Yana Kunichoff of AZ Luminaria, Paul Ingram the Tucson Sentinel, The Daily Star's Tim Steller, and Paola Rodriguez of AZPM join host Steve Goldstein to discuss this week's top news stories.