

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 24, 2025 • 27min
Arizona AG and Adelita Grijalva take legal action against the US House | UA rejects Trump Compact
The University of Arizona rejects the Trump administration’s higher education compact, but leaves the door open for some discussion. Plus, The Press Room’s panel of journalists breaks down the lawsuit filed by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva against the US House for her delayed swearing in. GUESTS: L. M. Boyd of AZPM News, Paul Ingram from the Tucson Sentinel, Prerana Sanappannavar of the Arizona Daily Star, and John Washington of AZ Luminaria.

Oct 17, 2025 • 27min
Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva still not sworn in | AZ Attorney General threatens to sue
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has threatened to sue House Speaker Mike Johnson over his delay swearing in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva. Plus, Customs and Border Protection is awarded $800 million for a "smart wall" in Southern Arizona, and Tucson Mayor Regina Romero unveils a new "Safe City" initiative. GUESTS: Danyelle Khmara of AZPM News, Yana Kunichoff of AZ Luminaria, Jim Nintzel of the Tucson Sentinel, and Caitlin Schmidt of Tucson Spotlight.

14 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 27min
Trump admin asks University of Arizona to sign 'compact'
Journalist Paul Ingram from the Tucson Sentinel dives into the Trump Administration's push for the University of Arizona to sign a controversial 'Compact for Academic Excellence.' He highlights faculty concerns about academic freedom and the financial pressures tied to compliance. The discussion also explores the impact of a government shutdown on healthcare subsidies for Arizonans, alongside the pressing issues of public transit safety in Tucson. Ingram emphasizes the delicate balance between ensuring public safety and addressing the needs of the unhoused community.

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.


