Arizona

Arizona Democrats bar press from convention events, defying norms

Published

2 years ago

August 21, 2024

Arizona Democrats bar press from convention events, defying norms

CHICAGO – Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, fresh from Kamala Harris’ vice presidential short list, kicked off the morning for Wisconsin Democrats on Tuesday with a plea to avoid complacency and get voters to the polls.

“We cannot allow Donald Trump to get within a mile of the White House again,” the former astronaut told the breakfast crowd on Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention. “This is not rocket science. It isn’t. If it was, I could help you with that.”

Kelly’s remarks were aired on C-Span and open to journalists, as state delegation breakfasts typically are at the parties’ conventions every four years.

But in 2024, the Arizona Democrats and Republicans both denied access to journalists, puzzling some delegates who said there was nothing sensitive – just the usual speechifying and daily pep rally.

“It’s a good way for the Democrats from Arizona to see who else is there and meet each other because in a venue like this, people are from all over the country,” said Ellen Ferreira, one of the Arizona Democratic Party’s 91 delegates in Chicago and president of the Sedona-area Democrats of the Red Rocks. “Nothing high level or secretive went on. I don’t see any reason why the press wasn’t (there).”

Other delegates also had no explanation for excluding news media from the Arizona delegation’s breakfast meetings.

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The state Democratic Party’s spokeswoman, Patricia Socarras, said by email that while delegates would be available for interviews, the breakfast was “not open to the press.” She provided no explanation, or speaker lists.

Arizona Republicans similarly refused to let in reporters at the GOP convention in Milwaukee in June.

For both Arizona parties, barring news media from delegation breakfasts is a departure from previous national conventions – and from the tradition of openness continued by other state delegations this year. These morning gatherings are a major focus on the delegates’ day, an opportunity to hear from state and national party luminaries and size up future contenders.

New York delegates, for instance, heard Monday morning from Empire State VIPs – Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries – and from Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, according to the American Prospect and other news reports.

The Georgia delegation heard from Sen. Raphael Warnock.

“Donald Trump tried to steal Georgia’s votes,” he said, according to Politico, referring to a call pressuring the state’s top elections official to somehow find enough votes to tip the 2020 election his way. “Kamala Harris is trying everything she can to earn our votes.”

Wisconsin delegates heard not only from Kelly but also from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz – Harris’ choice for running mate.

Walz also made a surprise appearance at the Pennsylvania breakfast, according to MinnPost, though Minnesotans had to make do on Monday with Klobuchar and the state’s lieutenant governor.

The Illinois delegation heard from Walz’s wife, Gwen Walz, according to Axios, plus their own governor, JB Pritzker, and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.

That’s a sampling of the breakfast events open to the press in Chicago this week.

On Wednesday, Gov. Katie Hobbs headlined the Arizona breakfast, along with Booker and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

On Tuesday, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a rising Democratic star, spoke to the Arizona delegation along with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary.

That’s all according to delegates in the room who provided that information to Cronkite News; the state party itself has declined even to identify speakers.

At the Arizona breakfast on Monday, delegates heard from Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego – and they were “amazing,” according to a social media post by delegate Stephen Roe Lewis, governor of the Gila River Indian Community.

“It was nice, kind of building up the energy because everyone is tired and it was early,” said Llama Habern, a first-time delegate and co-founder of the Rural Organizing Initiative. “It was fun that we all have the Arizona shirts.”

Habern said the state party chair, Yolanda Bejarano, also addressed delegates, that Fontes “was really good at getting a room going,” and that delegates rallied around the goal of “taking back the Senate.”

Asked later why the event wasn’t open to reporters, Gallego said she was “happy to share anything I said.”

“We have had reporters around all the time,” Gallego said. “When Arizona landed, most of our delegation did interviews at the baggage claim. So I feel like it’s been great representation for the Arizona media.”

Tom Morrissey, a former chair of the Arizona Republicans, said he allowed reporters into the delegate breakfasts at the 2012 convention, but times have changed.

“I don’t recall my keeping the press out because I believe in open discussion, but the temperature of the country and the landscape has shifted substantially,” he said by phone. “It’s a judgment call. I guess if I were chairman today, there might be times or circumstances where I wouldn’t allow somebody in that I thought might compromise the integrity of the meeting.”

Kansas Democrats closed their Monday breakfast to the media but said that was an isolated decision.

“Some folks do not want press there for various reasons, whether it’s to protect their identity, job security, that kind of stuff, but they might have really compelling stories or history that is motivating to our delegation, so we still want them there,” said Matthew Lang, communications director for Kansas Democrats. “Otherwise, we open up the space to the press.”

In 2016, Arizona Democrat and Republican delegation breakfasts provided insights into how the conventions intersected with Arizona issues and campaigns, as documented by Arizona news outlets.

Black Lives Matter discussions stood out in the Democrats’ meeting that year, soon after Dalvin Hollins, a Black robbery suspect in Tempe, was shot and killed by police.

That year, Arizona GOP leaders called for party unity after the divisive primaries that led to Trump’s nomination. They discussed outreach to independent voters and previewed campaign strategies.

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Arizona

8 best menus to try during Arizona Spring Restaurant Week 2026

Published

2 hours ago

May 12, 2026

Press Room

8 best menus to try during Arizona Spring Restaurant Week 2026

Restaurant Week is returning to Arizona, which means its time to try something new at some of the best locally-owned restaurants in the state for lower-than-usual prices.

Spring Restaurant Week lasts from May 15-24, and will return in the fall from September 18-27. During those weeks, three-course prix fixe menus are available at over 200 local restaurants for $33, $44 or $55.

Reservations are not required at most establishments to enjoy the Restaurant Week menus, but they are highly encouraged.

With so many to choose from, we combed through the offerings to find the stand out deals. Many of the participating restaurants have appeared on The Arizona Republic’s list of 100 essential restaurants. Others have received numerous national awards and recognitions, including several James Beard Foundation Awards semifinalists.

Here are 8 of the best menus to try during Arizona Spring Restaurant Week 2026.

Beginner’s Luck

When Beginner’s Luck opened in Old Town Scottsdale in December 2023, The Republic’s Bahar Anooshahr fell in love with chef Bernie Kantak’s brunch. The restaurant later earned him a spot on the semifinalist list for Best Chef — Southwest for the James Beard Foundation Awards in 2025.

Beginner’s Luck’s $55 Restaurant Week menu includes roasted corn and green chile chowder, pork belly, pan roasted Norwegian salmon, mole rojo short rib and blueberry bread pudding. Many options are gluten-free.

Details: 7240 E. Main St., Suite C100, Scottsdale. 480-571-0416, beginnersluckaz.com.

Cocina Chiwas

Multiple-time James Beard Award semifinalists and culinary power couple Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin opened Cocina Chiwas at Culdesac Tempe in 2023 as an upscale sister restaurant to their original Tacos Chiwas restaurants.

Cocina Chiwas’ $44 Restaurant Week menu includes ceviche, ribeye tacos, mole and pastel de elote. For an additional $14, guests can try the Roxxstar cocktail made with vodka, Cocchi Rosa, watermelon, lemon juice, yuzu and orange bitters.

Details: 2001 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe. 480-916-3690, cocinachiwasaz.com.

Espiritu

Espiritu is a chef-driven Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar from the teams behind Bacanora and Tacos Chiwas. It was named one of the best new restaurants in the U.S. in 2022, the year it opened in downtown Mesa.

Espiritu’s $55 Restaurant Week menu includes birria dumplings, K4 flat iron steak, pan seared red drum filet, vegan potato tacos and chile chocolate truffle.

Details: 123 Main St., Mesa. 480-272-6825, espiritumesa.com.

First & Last

First & Last is a contemporary neighborhood restaurant. Their sandwiches are Instagram-famous and got the stamp of approval from The Republic. The whole menu focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients.

First & Last’s $55 Restaurant Week menu includes roasted beet salad, Hiramasa crudo, bacon sourdough bolognese, grilled chicken piccata and pistachio tiramisu. The menu also includes recommended optional wine pairings for each course.

Details: 1001 N. Third Ave., Suite 1, Phoenix. 602-975-8297, firstandlastphx.com.

Indibar

Indibar was named one of USA Today’s Restaurants of the Year in 2025 for its fine dining twist on traditional Indian cuisine. It was also a semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in 2026.

Indibar’s $55 Restaurant Week menu includes avocado papdi chaat, paneer tikka, achari broccoli, crab curry with mango and dried chilies, veg korma and rasmali tres leches.

Details: 6208 N. Scottsdale Road, Paradise Valley. 480-219-9774, theindibar.com.

Latha

Latha is a pan-African restaurant led by Evelia Davis and chef Digby Stridiron in downtown Phoenix’s Heritage Square. The restaurant pulls inspiration from the entire Black diaspora, from Africa to the Caribbean to the American South.

Latha’s $55 Restaurant Week menu includes whipped goat cheese, Griot wings, dayboat moqueca, pineapple piri piri chicken, oxtail barbacoa and southern poundcake.

Details: 628 E. Adams St., Phoenix. 480-640-6183, lathaphx.com.

Tarbell’s

Tarbell’s is celebrity chef Mark Tarbell’s namesake restaurant and magnum opus. Described as a “neighborhood restaurant for the nation,” Tarbell’s has received numerous accolades since opening in 1994.

Tarbell’s $55 Restaurant Week menu options include a shrimp ceviche tostada, endive salad with tomato caper vinaigrette, pan seared chicken, beef rillette, charred tomato risotto, chocolate cake or whipped lemon curd and berries.

Details: 3213 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-955-8100, tarbells.com.

Warren’s Supper Club

Larry Warren White and Rasheeda White, the owners of Monroe’s Hot Chicken, Lo Lo’s Chicken & Waffles and Brunch and Sip, opened Warren’s Supper Club in 2025. Larry “Lo-Lo” is the grandson of beloved Phoenix restaurateur Mrs. White, the owner of Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe.

Warren’s Supper Club’s $55 Restaurant Week menu options include lobster deviled eggs, charbroiled oysters, apple and walnut salad, wild mushroom campanelle, baby back Korean sticky ribs, blackened salmon and a half smoked chicken.

Details: 1040 N. 54th St., Chandler. 480-753-1040, warrenssupperclub.com.

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

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

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Arizona

Arizona Diamondbacks Gameday Thread, #40: 5/11 @ Rangers

Published

14 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

Arizona Diamondbacks Gameday Thread, #40: 5/11 @ Rangers

Any time we go to Globe Field, memories immediately go back to the 2023 World Series, when we faced the Texas Rangers in this ballpark. It’s interesting to note that neither team has made it back to the postseason since then. Indeed, at least the D-backs have come close: the Rangers failed to post a winning record in 2024 or 2025, missing out on the playoffs by eight and six games respectively. The two sides have similar records right now as well, with Texas’s 19-21 a mere half a game behind Arizona’s 19-20. However, in the mediocre AL West, that’s good enough for the Rangers to be in second, two games back of… the Athletics? Wait, what?

Yeah, the last time before this year the A’s had sole possession of first was June 19, 2021 – y’know, back when they were in a different city, and weren’t embarrassed to name it. But, then, the AL as a whole is strikingly mediocre, with only three teams above .500: the Yankees, Rays and A’s. It’s because just four teams have winning records in interleague play, and none of those are better than 5-4. Right now, the National League is 25 games above .500 in interleague play, at 315-290. Texas are 7-8, taking two of three from the Cubs, Phillies and Pirates, but losing to the Dodgers and getting swept by the Reds (y’know back when they didn’t suck).

Last time the Diamondbacks were here was in August last season, and we took two out of three. We lost the opening game on a walkoff, 7-6, but rebounded to take the next two contests, by margins of 3-2 and 6-4. Andrew Saalfrank got the save in the final game. How long ago that all seems. We’ll see if Michael Soroka can keep the sterling streak of starts going. He was certainly a hard-luck loser last time, allowing just the one run over 6.1 innings. But that was enough in a 1-0 loss. In his last three start, the D-backs have scored a total of two runs, so hopefully he gets a bit more support tonight.

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Arizona

Where to watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 11

Published

1 day ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

Where to watch Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers: TV channel, start time, streaming for May 11

Baseball is back and finding what channel your favorite team is playing on has become a little bit more confusing since MLB announced plans to produce and distribute broadcasts for nearly a third of the league.

We’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know Monday as the Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Texas Rangers.

See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.