We're calling it. These Phoenix chefs are the next big names Across the Valley, these rising culinary talents are leaving their mark in wood‑fired kitchens, chef‑driven tasting rooms, food trucks, taquerias, and neighborhood counters.

Across the Valley, these rising culinary talents are leaving their mark in wood‑fired kitchens, chef‑driven tasting rooms, food trucks, taquerias, and neighborhood counters.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/20/r...

Arizona lawmakers respond after Mexican army kills leader of powerful Jalisco cartel The Mexican army killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho," on Sunday, decapitating what had

"Sharing intelligence with Mexican authorities to target the cartels is the right approach. We have been doing this for decades. This is a good thing, we should do more of it." - @gallego.senate.gov
coppercourier.com/2026/02/22/a...

10 upcoming protests and political events in Arizona A weekly roundup of Arizona political events, protests, advocacy opportunities, and ways to take action statewide from Friday, Feb. 20, through Thursday, Feb.

A weekly roundup of Arizona political events, protests, advocacy opportunities, and ways to take action statewide from Friday, Feb. 20, through Thursday, Feb. 26.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/19/y...

Window shopping: Interesting rental listings we found in Phoenix this week (Feb. 18) Whether you’re seriously searching or just looking for fun, here are some Phoenix rentals that grabbed our attention this week.

Whether you’re seriously searching or just looking for fun, here are some Phoenix rentals that grabbed our attention this week.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/19/p...

Arizona Republicans push for ICE at polling locations New legislation would force county recorders and county boards of supervisors to work with federal agencies to deploy immigration officials at voting locations across Arizona.

If passed, SB1570 would require the deployment of ICE agents at polling locations across the state in the upcoming midterm elections.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/18/i...

Move over, Moo Deng. Cute little pygmy hippo in Arizona needs a name A pygmy hippopotamus born in metro Phoenix a few weeks ago needs a name. Here's how to vote for one.

A pygmy hippopotamus born in metro Phoenix a few weeks ago needs a name. Here's how to vote for one.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/17/p...

Arizona Republicans in Congress vote for bill that would make it harder to vote The SAVE that would require US citizens to show birth certificates or passports when registering to vote, even though tens of millions of Americans lack access to those documents.

The SAVE Act would require US citizens to show birth certificates or passports when registering to vote, even though tens of millions of Americans lack access to those documents.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/17/a...

Tempe passes ordinance requiring bars to offer drink spiking test kits A new Tempe ordinance requires bars and restaurants serving alcohol after midnight to carry drink spiking test kits.

A new Tempe ordinance requires bars and restaurants serving alcohol after midnight to carry drink spiking test kits.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/17/t...

9 upcoming protests and political events in Arizona A weekly roundup of upcoming Arizona political events, protests, advocacy opportunities, and ways to take action statewide.

Want to get involved this week? You can attend ICE Out rallies in Tempe and Glendale, join weekly rush-hour resistance gatherings across Phoenix, and participate in community food drives tied to local advocacy efforts.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/12/y...

Is it cheaper to buy or rent in Phoenix in 2026? If you're deciding whether to buy or rent a home in Phoenix in 2026, you're not alone—what used to be a simple answer has become more complex.

If you're deciding whether to buy or rent a home in Phoenix in 2026, you're not alone—what used to be a simple answer has become more complex.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/12/c...

Judge temporarily blocks Pentagon from punishing Sen. Mark Kelly A federal judge agreed to temporarily block the Pentagon from punishing Sen. Mark Kelly for participating in a video that called on troops to resist unlawful orders.

A federal judge agreed to temporarily block the Pentagon from punishing Sen. Mark Kelly for participating in a video that called on troops to resist unlawful orders.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/12/j...

Arizona teachers push ballot measure to end school voucher fraud Voters may decide the fate of Arizona’s controversial universal school vouchers program as an accountability initiative heads for the November ballot.

The ballot initiative is not intended to eliminate the school voucher program; rather, it aims to eliminate fraud and prioritize fiscal accountability in how taxpayer money is spent.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/11/b...

The world's best hoop dancers are competing in Phoenix. How to watch Since 1992, the World Championship Hoop Dance Competition has been held at the Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix. Here are the details for this year's event.

Since 1992, the World Championship Hoop Dance Competition has been held at the Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix. Here are the details for this year's event.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/09/p...

Arizona Republicans look to boost Trump's mass deportation agenda Republicans in Arizona’s State Legislature have introduced bills that would aid the president’s aggressive and violent crackdown on immigrants.

Republicans have introduced over a dozen bills in Arizona’s State Legislature this year to increase cooperation with federal law enforcement and allocate more funding to President Trump’s mass deportation machine.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/09/a...

How to celebrate Galentine's Day in Arizona Your guide to Galentine’s Day in Arizona, featuring local events, at-home ideas, and special ways to celebrate friendship.

Your guide to Galentine’s Day in Arizona, featuring local events, at-home ideas, and special ways to celebrate friendship.
coppercourier.com/community/ce...

Her mom was detained in the Zipps raids. Now, she’s speaking out Patricia Gonzalez was one of more than 30 people detained after immigration authorities conducted raids at Zipps Sports Grill locations across the Valley. Now, her daughter is speaking out.

Betzaida Torres’ life came crashing down after her mother was detained by immigration agents at Zipps Sports Grill. Now, her family is reeling in the absence of their mother. coppercourier.com/2026/02/09/a...

Marana voters may get to decide fate of proposed data centers The No Desert Data Center Coalition, Worker Power, and other local activists garnered thousands of signatures to let Marana residents decide the fate of a proposed data center campus in the town.

The No Desert Data Center Coalition, Worker Power, and other local activists garnered thousands of signatures to let Marana residents decide the fate of a proposed data center campus in the town.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/06/d...

Census Bureau plans to use citizenship question in 2030 test, alarming experts The Census Bureau plans to use a survey form with a citizenship question as part of its practice test of the 2030 census.

Among the questions on the survey is one that asks, “Is this person a citizen of the United States?”

Questions for the census aren’t supposed to ask about citizenship, and they haven’t for 75 years.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/06/c...

6 unique, romantic things to do this Valentine's Day in metro Phoenix Instead of just going to dinner for Valentine's Day, surprise your significant other with one of these romantic, creative date ideas in the metro Phoenix area.

Instead of just going to dinner for Valentine's Day, surprise your significant other with one of these romantic, creative date ideas in the metro Phoenix area.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/02/v...

Uproar over Surprise ICE facility prompts Gosar to demand transparency from Noem Rep. Paul Gosar, a Republican whose district includes the planned ICE detention facility, wrote a terse letter to Noem demanding coordination with a community that had received none so far.

Rep. Paul Gosar, a Republican whose district includes the planned ICE detention facility, wrote a terse letter to Noem demanding coordination with a community that had received none so far.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/05/g...

How a Phoenix litter-lifting group helped me feel more connected to my neighbors This Phoenix litter-lifting group does more than just beautify the area—it also serves as an easy way to connect with neighbors.

This Phoenix litter-lifting group does more than just beautify the area—it also serves as an easy way to connect with neighbors.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/04/p...

Judge sees Hegseth bid to demote Sen. Mark Kelly as assault on free speech of veterans At a hearing Tuesday, a federal judge cast Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s effort to demote Sen. Mark Kelly in retirement as an unprecedented attack on the free speech rights of military veterans.

At a hearing Tuesday, a federal judge cast Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s effort to demote Sen. Mark Kelly in retirement as an unprecedented attack on the free speech rights of military veterans.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/04/h...

How to contact your representatives in the Arizona Legislature and Congress Here are the best ways to contact your elected officials in the Arizona Legislature, as well as your representatives in Congress.

Here are the best ways to contact your elected officials in the Arizona Legislature, as well as your representatives in Congress.
coppercourier.com/2026/01/30/c...

Communities push back as Trump rolls out $45B ICE detention expansion Federal officials have been scouting cities for places to hold immigrants as detention facilities financed by Trump's recent tax-cutting law.

Federal officials have been scouting cities and counties across the US for places to hold immigrants as they roll out a massive $45 billion expansion of detention facilities financed by Trump’s recent tax-cutting law.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/03/c...

Nearly 1,000 demonstrators gather against planned ICE facility in Surprise Nearly 1,000 people protested on the sidewalks in Surprise against ICE and its planned detention facility in the city.

Over the weekend, nearly 1,000 people protested on the sidewalks in Surprise against ICE and its planned detention facility in the city.
coppercourier.com/2026/02/02/s...

ICE confirms it will add 1,500-bed detention facility in Surprise ICE said it would add a processing facility with approximately 1,500 beds in Surprise as part of the agency's efforts to expand detention space.

ICE said it would add a processing facility with approximately 1,500 beds in Surprise as part of the agency's efforts to expand detention space.
coppercourier.com/2026/01/30/i...

These local businesses are closing Friday to protest ICE raids These restaurants, coffee shops, and bars are closing their doors Friday in solidarity with a nationwide protest against ICE and the killings of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and others.

Restaurants, coffee shops, and bars are closing their doors today in solidarity with a nationwide protest against the killings of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and others by federal agents. Here are some local businesses participating in today's shutdown 👇
coppercourier.com/2026/01/29/a...

These local businesses are closing Friday to protest ICE raids These restaurants, coffee shops, and bars are closing their doors Friday in solidarity with a nationwide protest against ICE and the killings of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and others.

Hundreds of organizations have called for a “national shutdown” on Friday to protest ICE, and multiple Arizona businesses are participating

Know of more businesses participating? Shout them out in the comments.

coppercourier.com/2026/01/29/a...

Phoenix rentals that made us pause the Zillow scroll this week Whether you’re seriously searching or just looking for fun, here are some Phoenix rentals that grabbed our attention this week.

Whether you’re seriously searching or just looking for fun, here are some Phoenix rentals that grabbed our attention this week. coppercourier.com/2026/01/28/p...

A man who authorities say was involved in a human smuggling operation was shot Tuesday in an exchange of gunfire with the US Border Patrol. coppercourier.com/2026/01/27/b...