Arizona

Arizona bill targeting 'swatting' could raise First Amendment concerns

Published

2 years ago

February 5, 2024

Arizona bill targeting 'swatting' could raise First Amendment concerns

If you like this post, sign up to get The Nuance newsletter delivered straight to your inbox every Sunday night!

“Swatting” — falsely reporting a crime to draw an aggressive police response — is an extraordinarily harmful and potentially lethal prank that should be very illegal.

It has also become a popular tactic to harass public officials. In early January, police were called to respond to a reported shooting at the home of Tanya Chutkan, a federal district court judge in Washington, D.C., presiding over one of the federal criminal cases against former President Donald Trump. The prosecutor in the same case against Trump, Jack Smith, also fell victim to a swatting attempt: Police in Maryland raced to Smith’s home on Christmas Day in response to a false report that he had shot his wife. Rusty Bowers, the former speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives, was targeted by swatting in recent weeks, too. An anonymous caller falsely reported a murder inside Bowers’s house and said there was a pipe bomb inside.

In the department of “bad facts make bad law,” the Arizona Legislature is currently considering a bill aimed at targeting swatting, but that could sweep further and raise concerns for public interest news reporting and free speech more broadly. H.B. 2508 would criminalize “initiating or circulating a report of bombing, fire, offense or other emergency knowing that such report is false and intending … that it will cause public alarm or an emergency response.”

The bill does not, however, define the term “public alarm” and it is not otherwise defined in Arizona law. This may be a problem, since when left open to interpretation, “caus[ing]” public alarm could cover a wide range of activities, including those of journalists. As currently drafted, the bill could be read to apply to a journalist who “circulate[s]” a false report about an emergency, knowing it to be false but adding context or an explanation to it. Or, it could be interpreted to apply to journalists or others writing satirical or parodic social media posts or news articles about phony emergencies that someone may inadvertently take seriously. (Granted, the statute does require “intent” to cause public alarm, but an aggressive prosecutor could still make the case that the act itself implies the requisite intent.)

This concern is not hypothetical. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Louisiana man published a post on Facebook comparing the COVID-19 pandemic to a zombie apocalypse movie and saying that law enforcement officers would shoot infected people “on sight.” In an apparent reference to the actor that played the conquering hero in zombie movie “World War Z,” the man ended the post with “#weneedyoubradpitt.” Despite his repeated attempts to explain that this was a joke, the local sheriff’s office arrested the man for “terrorizing” and put him in jail. Though the charges against him were eventually dropped, the man filed a lawsuit against the sheriff’s office, alleging that his First and Fourth Amendment rights had been violated. In a recent decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that the man’s post was entitled to First Amendment protection and there had been no probable cause to support his arrest.

Similar issues have arisen with respect to the scope of the Federal Communications Commission’s broadcast “hoax” rule, which permits the FCC to punish licensees who deliberately broadcast false reports. It was implemented in the early 1990s after a few incidents of dumb pranks by shock jocks and the like. Not all were frivolous, though. One, KSHE radio’s report of a nuclear attack on the U.S. was a bona fide political statement by a DJ in response to callers urging the U.S. to drop an atomic bomb in the first Iraq war. The FCC has, however, interpreted the hoax rule narrowly and requires that the broadcast actually cause manifest harm in the world before bringing an enforcement action.

Fortunately, there’s an easy fix for the Arizona bill: lose the terms “circulating” and “public alarm.” That would narrow the bill to its intended purpose — actual swatting — and limit unintended consequences, like giving the state the authority to go after a modern “War of the Worlds”-type broadcast. If only all things were that simple.

The Technology and Press Freedom Project at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press uses integrated advocacy — combining the law, policy analysis, and public education — to defend and promote press rights on issues at the intersection of technology and press freedom, such as reporter-source confidentiality protections, electronic surveillance law and policy, and content regulation online and in other media. TPFP is directed by Reporters Committee attorney Gabe Rottman. He works with RCFP Staff Attorney Grayson Clary and Technology and Press Freedom Project Fellow Emily Hockett.

Source link

Arizona

Arizona’s 10 best national park hikes offer peak Southwestern views

Published

3 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Press Room

Arizona’s 10 best national park hikes offer peak Southwestern views

Roger Naylor
| Special for The Republic

An extraordinary array of national park units — 34 in all, which include national monuments and historic sites in addition to parks — blanket Arizona from border to border. This is where we keep our most exquisite scenery, our storied history and wide-open spaces. Parks range from the volcanic sprawl of stone hoodoos crowning Chiricahua National Monument to the gaudy badlands of Petrified Forest National Park to the miles of seductive shoreline at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. And there’s even a certain canyon known to steal hearts and alter lives.

Last year brought cutbacks to staff and funding, putting a strain on our national parks. Let’s show our support in 2026 by rediscovering these crown jewels. To get you started, here are 10 of the best hiking trails in Arizona’s national parks.

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Victoria Mine Trail

Starting from the campground, this 2.2-mile trail rambles across a rolling desert plain to the foothills of the Sonoyta Mountains. The trail highlights the range of cactus species the park protects as it dips in and out of arroyos on its way to the remains of the Victoria Mine. Founded in the 1890s, the Victoria produced enough gold and silver to keep men digging for decades in this lonely place. Rusting equipment lies scattered about and the ruins of the company store still stand. Return the way you came for a 4.4-mile outing or continue on one of the other trails connecting here.

Details: Park admission: $25 per vehicle. 520-387-6849, www.nps.gov/orpi.

Tonto National Monument, Lower Cliff Dwelling

Even without the big payoff at the end, the hike to the Lower Cliff Dwelling makes a gorgeous desert outing. The paved trail twists up the slope in a series of curves. Signs are posted along the path providing information on native plants and animals, and a good reason to pause and catch your breath. As you climb, the views across the basin widen. What starts as a slivered peek grows into a broad panorama with a bristling foreground of saguaros and a distant backdrop of mountains framing the blue of Roosevelt Lake. At the top of the trail, a rough stone house fills the eye socket of a cave. Built more than 700 years ago by people of the Salado Culture, it contains about 20 rooms. A docent is on hand to answer your questions.

Details: Park admission: $10 per person. 928-467-2241, www.nps.gov/tont.

Chiricahua National Monument, Heart of Rocks Loop

Hidden in the southeastern corner of the state, Chiricahua National Monument is a place of remarkable beauty, sheltering an array of sculpted stone. Massive columns, slender spires and impossibly balanced boulders loom above the timber. The skyline seems built from the splintered remains of ancient castles. An interconnected network of trails provides visitors with several options. The short loop through Heart of Rocks is the craggy core of the park, where you’ll find the most spectacular formations. Easiest route to reach Heart of Rocks is via a trio of trails: Ed Riggs, Mushroom Rock and Big Balanced Rock. The Heart of Rocks twists through a weird stone garden filled with formations like Thor’s Hammer, Duck on a Rock, Camel’s Head and Totem Pole. Mileage totals 7.3 miles round-trip.

Details: Park admission: Free. 520-824-3560, www.nps.gov/chir.

Saguaro National Park, Hugh Norris Trail

Unlike the cruel slog of most summit hikes, the Hugh Norris Trail (10 miles round-trip) is an airy jaunt that keeps your noggin on a swivel while you gawk at one sweeping view after another. There are some steep pitches but that only sweetens the deal, making it feel like you earn the expansive vistas, among the best in Tucson. Set in Saguaro National Park West, the trail carves a route through classic Sonoran landscape to the top of 4,687-foot-high Wasson Peak. The trail starts out on a cactus-studded bajada and switchbacks upwards to snag a rocky ridgeline. From there the trail angles towards Wasson, hugging first one side of the high shoulder and then the other.

Details: Park admission: $25 per vehicle. 520-733-5183, www.nps.gov/sagu.

Grand Canyon National Park, South Kaibab Trail

Screamingly steep, shade-less and sun-beaten may not sound like an endorsement but it’s what makes the South Kaibab astounding. Most canyon trails follow a fault line limiting range of vision. But Kaibab is a torpedo, launching from the South Rim and chasing a ridge down and out across the canyon. In just under a mile, the canyon cracks open wide at aptly named Ooh Aah Point. At 1.5 miles you reach a comfy plateau called Cedar Ridge, the most popular day hike option. Only the fittest hikers should continue to Skeleton Point atop the Redwall Limestone, offering your first glimpse of the Colorado River. This makes for a 6-mile strenuous round-trip.

Details: Park admission: $35. 928-638-7888,www.nps.gov/grca.

Petrified Forest National Park, Blue Mesa Trail

This 1-mile loop appears to wind its way through the suburbs of the moon. The path from the parking area starts out paved but switches to gravel as it makes a sharp descent into a small basin wrapped in an otherworldly array of bluish bentonite clay badlands. These are haunting hills streaked with a soft, mournful color palette. Sprinkled amid this lunar landscape is a colorful collection of petrified wood. Watch for pedestal logs, remnants of ancient trees perched atop a crumbly stand of thick clay as if on display. Numerous plant and animal fossils have been found in the layers of Blue Mesa.

Details: Park admission: $25 per vehicle. 928-524-6228, www.nps.gov/pefo.

Navajo National Monument, Betatakin

Tucked inside a cavernous arch, the ancient village of Betatakin is completely sheltered by the overhanging canyon wall. Approximately 120 rooms were built in the alcove, with some spilling outside. The only way to visit Betatakin is with ranger-led hikes generally offered Memorial Day through Labor Day. These strenuous 5-mile round-trip hikes climb into and out of a steep canyon with the trail dropping through a diverse forest (including a surprising aspen grove), fed by a perennial stream, and wrapped in towering sandstone cliffs. Reservations are not required. A signup sheet is posted in the visitor center and tours are first come, first served. The free tours generally last 3-5 hours.

Details: Park admission: Free. 928-672-2700, www.nps.gov/nava.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, River Trail

This short hike is a fascinating history lesson paired with enchanting scenery. The River Trail is located at Lees Ferry, a crossroads of western history. Starting at the launch ramp, the mile-long path follows an old wagon road past a collection of stone buildings in varying states of decline. Well-placed signs provide a detailed account of life on the frontier here that included Mormon pioneers and hopeful miners. All the while, the river shimmers in the sun, blue then green, then melancholy and moody as cloud shadows sweep overhead. Banks are fringed with grasses and scrubby trees, as colorful hills slant down to the water. The Spencer Trail branches off; an old pack mule route hacked from the cliffs. A brutal climb but it’s worth scrambling up just a level or two for the elevated vistas. The trail officially ends after 1 mile at the ruins of an old cabin.

Details: Park admission: $30 per vehicle. 928 608-6200, www.nps.gov/glca.

Walnut Canyon National Monument, Island Trail

Dozens of prehistoric cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people are tucked away in the contours of Walnut Canyon, east of Flagstaff. The Island Trail is the centerpiece of the park, dropping steeply 185 vertical feet. It allows visitors to experience a rare intimacy in this small, forested gorge with surprises tucked in every fold of the sloping walls. Ancient cliff dwellings line the path and soot-darkened rooms invite you inside. Interpretive signs tell the story of this resourceful culture. The staircase into the canyon consists of 273 stair steps that will be waiting on the way out. The loop portion of the trail includes another 190 stair steps. That means 736 stair steps if you’re keeping score. As the National Park Service emphasizes: Going down the Island Trail is optional. Returning is mandatory.

Details: Park admission: $25 per vehicle. 928-526-3367, www.nps.gov/waca.

Coronado National Memorial, Joe’s Canyon Trail

This lanky route traverses Montezuma Canyon gaining 1,000 feet of elevation in the first mile as it switchbacks up with lovely views. Out of the canyon, you’ll cross the slanted grasslands of Smuggler’s Ridge while peering deep into the green rolling hills of Sonora, Mexico. When you reach the junction with the Yaqui Ridge Trail, this is more than just two paths crossing. This is the beginning of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (another national park unit). The 800-mile-long iconic trail stretches the entire length of the state from Mexico to Utah, and Yaqui Ridge is the southern terminus. Joe’s Canyon Trail ends at the high saddle of Montezuma Pass. Return the way you came for a 6.2-mile round-trip hike. The park occasionally runs a hiker shuttle so that only a one-way hike is necessary.

Details: Park admission: Free. 520-366-5515, www.nps.gov/coro.

Find the reporter at www.rogernaylor.com. Or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZ.

Meet Roger Naylor

The Arizona Republic contributor and author, Roger Naylor, will be giving several book presentations over the coming weeks, including discussions of his book, Arizona National Parks and Monuments. All events are free, unless otherwise noted.

February 2 in Maricopa at the Maricopa Library & Cultural Center, 5 p.m. Topic: Route 66 Centennial. 18160 N. Maya Angelou Dr., 520-568-2926.

February 3 in Chandler at the Chandler Museum, 12 p.m. Topic: Route 66 Centennial. 300 S. Chandler Village Dr., 480-782-2717.

February 4 in Tucson/Oro Valley at the National Parks Store, 11 a.m. Topic: Route 66 Centennial. 12880 N. Vistoso Village Dr., 520-622-6014.

February 7 in Scottsdale at the Holland Center, 2 p.m. Topic: Route 66 Centennial. 34250 N. 60^th St., Bldg. B, 480-488-1090. $10 admission to benefit Cave Creek Museum.

February 26 – Scottsdale at the Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 6 p.m. Topic: Arizona National Parks and Monuments. $10 admission. 3830 N. Marshall Way, 480-686-9539. Register at: https://westernspirit.org/project/arizona-national-parks-and-monuments-with-roger-naylor/

Source link

Arizona

Route 66 centennial brings renewed hope to historic Oatman in northern Arizona

Published

15 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Press Room

Route 66 centennial brings renewed hope to historic Oatman in northern Arizona

OATMAN, AZ (AZFamily) — This year marks the centennial of Route 66, 100 years since the highway connected Chicago to California through northern Arizona.

The so-called Mother Road played a significant role in shaping many of the towns in northern Arizona, including Oatman, where Route 66 helped transform a dying ghost town into a tourist destination.

Nestled in the mountains at the western edge of Arizona, Oatman has fewer than 100 residents but draws more than half a million visitors each year. People come for the mining history and the burros, but what saved this town from obscurity is that it sits on Route 66.

From gold boom to ghost town

Main Street Oatman is only about a quarter of a mile long, but it comes to life with old west gunfights, burros, and friendly locals.

Over a hundred years ago, it was a mining town and one of the highest producers of gold in the American West.

“Once that happened, everybody in the country knew there was gold here and that’s when the boom of Oatman actually started,” said local Mike Fox. “Route 66 went from mining area to mining area.”

Fox first moved to Oatman in 1986. He has worked as one of the local gunfighters and spent his time learning the town’s history.

Fox said Oatman’s boom lasted just a couple of decades. America’s focus shifted away from gold, and in 1951, Oatman and this stretch of Route 66 were bypassed.

“Once that happened, Oatman literally just died and became nothing but a wide spot in the road for the next 30 years,” Fox said.

Oatman fell on hard times, and its population dropped by thousands.

Route 66 resurrection

By the early 1990s, something was changing. Western movies had been shot in town, and an appreciation for the Mother Road resurfaced. Route 66 helped to resurrect the town.

“More and more people started traveling through Oatman and Oatman started coming back to life,” Fox said. “We actually sit on the longest stretch of Route 66.”

Now, more than 500,000 people visit Oatman each year from all over the world.

Julie Slayden is the owner of Julie’s Saloon. She said Oatman is now a Route 66 bucket list destination for tourists passing through.

“Julie’s Saloon, the sign out there is what they want a picture underneath so that’s one of their stops on the bucket list,” Slayden said. “You can have people on the bar tops from all over the place just having conversations with each other.”

Today, tourism is the town’s main economic driver, but Fox said it has taken a hit since the pandemic. He is hopeful this year’s Route 66 centennial will create another boom.

“It’s coming back and it will come back. It’s just a matter of time,” Fox said.

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.

Source link

Arizona

Arizona restaurant named most romantic in US, and 5 others in top 100

Published

1 day ago

January 28, 2026

Press Room

Arizona restaurant named most romantic in US, and 5 others in top 100

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, the biggest date night of the year, Yelp revealed its list of the 100 most romantic restaurants in the U.S., and six Arizona restaurants made the cut.

The list was compiled using data from reviews posted by Yelp’s Elite members, ranking restaurants that offered features like “candlelit ambiance, breathtaking views, or indulgent culinary creations” based on the total volume and ratings of reviews.

How many dates have you been on at the cozy Arizona restaurants that made Yelp’s 2026 list? Here’s a closer look at the six date-night-approved restaurants that got a shout-out this year, including one named best in the U.S.

Cafe Monarch

Cafe Monarch has once again been named the No. 1 most romantic restaurant in the U.S. by Yelp. The Old Town Scottsdale restaurant offers prix fixe four-course dinners. It is known for its elegant architecture and the staff’s fine attention to detail. A strict dress code is enforced.

Details: 6939 E. First Ave., Scottsdale. 480-970-7682, cafemonarch.com.

Cibo

Cibo, an intimate Italian restaurant nestled inside a historic bungalow in downtown Phoenix, was No. 3 on Yelp’s list. Guests can choose to sit inside the cozy house or outside on the patio, draped with twinkling string lights and greenery. The menu includes wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, saltimbocca bread, salads and crepes.

Details: 603 N. Fifth Ave., Phoenix. 602-441-2697, cibophoenix.com.

Dahl & DiLuca Ristorante Italiano

Chef Lisa Dahl’s Sedona fine dining restaurant was No. 14 on Yelp’s list. Dahl & DiLuca Ristorante Italiano was praised by Yelp Elites for its “elegant ambiance, ornate decor, and welcoming, attentive service.”

Details: 2321 W. Highway 89A, Sedona. 928-282-5219, dahlanddiluca.com.

LON’s at the Hermosa Inn

LON’s restaurant at the Hermosa Inn was No. 83 on Yelp’s list. Yelp Elites shouted out the restaurant for its “Southwestern fine dining with adobe-chic elegance and stunning desert views… contemporary American dishes, from mesquite-grilled steaks to cactus-fed lamb, amid a lush patio garden.”

Details: 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley. 602-955-7878, azhideawaycollection.com/hermosa-inn.

Different Pointe of View

Different Pointe of View, located at the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort, was No. 85 on Yelp’s list. The hotel and restaurant reside atop North Mountain in Phoenix. Menu highlights include prime beef tenderloin tartare, 30-day aged ribeye, prickly pear miso-glazed salmon, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, a surprise daily feature from the chef.

Details: 11111 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-866-6350, tapatiocliffshilton.com/dining.

The Mission Old Town

The Mission Old Town was No. 92 on Yelp’s list. Yelp Elites especially liked the restaurant’s “tableside guacamole, slow-roasted meats, and killer margaritas” as well as the “vibrant ambiance and top-notch service.”

Details: 3815 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale. 480-636-5005, themissionaz.com.

Reach the reporter at eddie.fontanez@azcentral.com. Follow @ERFontanez on Instagram.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

Source link