The Buzz

This week on The Buzz, a post-election debrief with the Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes. From voter registration to bomb threats, we’ll explore the issues of the 2024 election in Arizona.

Kathy Ferris, a senior research fellow at Arizona State University and co-author of the state's water law, joins environmental advocate Robin Silver and former city manager Chuck Patusik to discuss Arizona's critical 100-year water supply rule. They explore how this regulation impacts housing developments and urban planning amid water shortages. The conversation delves into the delicate balance between environmental preservation and economic growth, highlighting challenges facing the San Pedro River and the ongoing legal disputes over water resources.

We mark 50 years since the cave's discovery and 25 years since it opened to the public with a tour.

The Buzz discusses the big picture of US elections while hearing from foreign journalists about how this election is being viewed worldwide. Plus, take a closer look at why Arizona election results take so long to finalize.

As 2024 campaigns draw to a close, we ask how we can dial back inflammatory rhetoric.

How are all those signs, mailers and commercials getting paid for? We'll start with a breakdown from state and federal finance reports and later see what's going on with the money leftover from Krysten Sinema's last campaign.

Doug Clark, the Executive Director of the Arizona Corporation Commission, and Lou Gumm, News Director at KAWC and host of Arizona Edition, dive into the critical race for open seats on the commission. They discuss its crucial role in setting utility rates and how these impacts everyday Arizonans. Topics include the election's historical significance, candidate debates on energy policy, and the tensions between corporate interests and solar energy initiatives. Listeners gain insights on balancing consumer protection with the state's energy transition.

We speak with both candidates for Arizona's Congressional District 6—incumbent Juan Ciscomani (R) and challenger Kirsten Engel (D)—after this week's debate.

Arizonans will weigh competing ballot initiatives this year that could have a major impact on how the state handles its primary elections. Will Arizona switch to open primaries or codify its current system in the state constitution?

The 2024 general election is less than six weeks away, and The Buzz is heading into Your Vote 2024 coverage. This week, we go beyond the horse race to talk about efforts to ensure the information being given to the public is accurate.