Joe Ferguson

Joe Ferguson got his first big break covering the Arizona Legislature as the Don Bolles Fellow for the University of Arizona School of Journalism. From there, he spent seven years at the Arizona Daily Sun before returning to Tucson to cover politics and local government for the Arizona Daily Star for another seven years. He joined the Tucson Agenda in 2025, where — surprise — he covers politics and local government. Along the way, Joe has picked up numerous awards from the Arizona Press Club and Arizona Newspapers Association, including the Press Club’s Sledgehammer Award in 2019. A lifelong Trekkie, Joe spends his free time with his family and remains disappointed that the 21st century has produced neither transporters nor replicators. [email protected]

Sep 14, 2026

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5 min read

Christians are winning the voucher game

They’re trouncing secular schools ... Everyone still hates data centers ... And he-who-shall-not-be-named vibes.

Curt Prendergast, +1

Sep 11, 2026

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9 min read

Live-Slacking the debate

Our commentary from the cheap seats ... The Chamber <3s Prop 421 ... And Doom enters the chat.

Joe Ferguson, +1

Sep 10, 2026

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7 min read

TEP tests its political power

The electric company makes its case (again) ... Hobbs v. Mayes, data center edition ... And the guy behind Evil Torta.

Joe Ferguson, +1

Sep 9, 2026

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6 min read

The questions we’d ask in CD6

Tomorrow's debate has our attention ... The LD18 debate was spicy ... And did Elon forget to add a zero?

Joe Ferguson, +1

Sep 8, 2026

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7 min read

Jan Lesher’s secret notebook

She’s writing it for her successor ... It’s just paper cuts ... And the name’s Hoffmann, David Hoffmann.

Joe Ferguson, +1

Sep 4, 2026

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5 min read

Another secret data center

Can you un-sign an NDA? ... Sending someone else’s kid to Salpointe ... And wait, Trump is campaigning in Tucson?

Joe Ferguson, +1

Sep 1, 2026

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7 min read

A golden goose and a gold rush

Data centers are bad (for you) ... Questions for voters, but not by voters ... And a bonkers cautionary tale.

Joe Ferguson, +1

Aug 31, 2026

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6 min read

Stahl Hamilton speaks up

She lost her primary, but not her ambition ... What’s a “good” industry? ... And a match made in heaven (or hell).

Joe Ferguson, +1

Aug 21, 2026

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6 min read

Big Brother waits at city hall

Council wary of surveillance agreement ... Lee rules out a third term ... And a very Tucson political sign.

Joe Ferguson

Tucson’s three-decade-old Raytheon promise

Aug 20, 2026

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6 min read

Tucson’s three-decade-old Raytheon promise

The Council inherited a deal that they may not love, but don’t dare break.

Joe Ferguson

Aug 19, 2026

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6 min read

Inside Tucson’s camping crackdown

Criminalizing homelessness is helping? ... You should just get vaxxed ... And guess we’re visiting the ranch.

George Headley, +2

Aug 18, 2026

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7 min read

Mudslinging gets everybody dirty

Romero gets roped into CD6 race ... Saying no to non-disclosure ... And we’re not listening, but the bots are.

Joe Ferguson, +1

Aug 17, 2026

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8 min read

Bordering on insanity

The border is abuzz with controversy ... Much ado about data centers ... And those boos don’t really count.

Curt Prendergast, +1

Jul 27, 2026

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8 min read

The watchdog and the data center

Protecting the environment versus attracting big business in the age of Project Blue.

Joe Ferguson

Jul 24, 2026

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7 min read

A plan for repeat offenders

Treatment is good, but it's complicated. ... Kash weighs in on Guthrie case ... And Reddit weighs in on Empire Pizza.

Joe Ferguson

Jul 23, 2026

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7 min read

Calling the local races

Who won across Pima County ... Even more local races ... And see you soon, Rodney.

Joe Ferguson, +1

Jul 22, 2026

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5 min read

Tucson voters resist calls for change

Hernandez wins as Southern Arizona voters (mostly) favor incumbents

Joe Ferguson, +1

Jul 21, 2026

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8 min read

Our primary election highlight reel

The best and worst of primary season ... Contributions to end the prosecutions ... And endorsements at the buzzer.

Joe Ferguson

Jul 17, 2026

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5 min read

Southern Arizona’s six-figure primaries

Money pours into local campaigns ... Don’t trust your veggies ... And everyone loves Juan?

Joe Ferguson

Jul 16, 2026

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7 min read

A tiny number worth millions

Tucson’s credit rating is better than ours ... ICE is shooting people again ... And exactly who cut those funds, Christy?

Joe Ferguson

Jul 15, 2026

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5 min read

Why the supervisors hit pause

Trust, but verify ... Antenori vs. Mayes, part two ... And the fictional tenth applicant.

Joe Ferguson

Jul 14, 2026

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5 min read

Following the CD6 money

Mendoza's campaign paycheck ... Bus drivers still driving buses ... And Juan helps one lucky family.

Joe Ferguson

Jul 13, 2026

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5 min read

Pima County's election message: Relax

Officials brace for election day ... Keep an open mind ... And a savory and savvy strategy.

Joe Ferguson

Jul 7, 2026

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7 min read

Choosing the next treasurer

Don't rush it, supervisors ... Swatting is way out of hand ... And they're getting ahead of themselves.

Nicole Camacho, +1

Jul 6, 2026

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8 min read

Marana's proxy referendum

The data center ballot ... Vouchers on your ballot ... And we apologize in advance for the simile.

Joe Ferguson