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Ray Stern Profile
Ray Stern

@raystern

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State politics and issues reporter for the Arizona Republic. Married 💕to @amysilvermanaz . Previously @PhoenixNewTimes & EV Trib. rstern @arizonarepublic .com

Phoenix, AZ
Joined November 2008
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 days
"...Willoughby’s background in healthcare brings a critical perspective to the Legislature, one that is deeply rooted in the realities of patient care and the challenges faced by healthcare providers," Mahboubi said. See my story here:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
AZ Sen. Wendy Rogers allowed unvetted accusations of "bribery" into the 2/23 joint special elections committee she chaired. She put out a notice late Sunday downplaying the accusations after I sent her an email showing that the source of the accusations also accused her.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
@S0NlA9 They’re so cute when not covered in blood as they claw and tear raw flesh.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
Sen. @WendyRogersAZ has beaten back a defamation lawsuit arising from the 2018 election in a 4-3 opinion by the state Supreme Court. The case will be remanded back to trial court for summary judgment in favor of Rogers.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
Elections attorney Marc Elias: "Arizona will be sued" over its new congressional district map.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
A Maricopa County Court has confirmed the election of Katie Hobbs as Arizona Governor-Elect and found no clear and convincing evidence of Kari Lake's claims.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
On Aug. 23 I’ll be joining @azcentral as a state politics and issues reporter. I can’t wait! Got a tip? Let’s talk. DM me.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
4 years
A different image than many you’ll see today: A white Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy helps a young black person change a tire in the roadway as they talk about the young person’s upcoming internship. Peace, folks!
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 months
Arizona Senator Brian Fernandez has filed an ethics complaint seeking the removal of Sens. Anthony Kern and Jake Hoffman from their committee assignments due to their indictments on felony allegations of trying to overturn the 2020 election in AZ.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
5 years
""They raided my condo and vehicle ... with 25 heavily armed SWAT officers, and pointed a silenced assault rifle in my face." -- Tempe police announce arrest in "Penis Man" graffiti taggings:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer announces he's suing former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and gives an exclusive interview to the Washington Post:
@stephen_richer
Stephen Richer—MaricopaCountyRecorder (prsnl acct)
1 year
I'm suing Kari Lake. I'd hoped the defamation would stop after the election. I waited. I'd hoped it would stop after the first election trial. I waited. I'd hoped it would stop after the appeal. I waited. I'd hoped it would stop after the second trial. I waited. I'd
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Ray Stern
3 years
Personal/professional news: After 15 years at Phoenix New Times, I'm leaving for a new journalistic challenge. It's a very exciting time for me -- I'll share details as soon as I can.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
The allegations, (made by a local lawyer as part of his ongoing dispute with his wife and mother-in-law), should not have been brought before the Legislature, Rogers said in the statement. But the other Elections committee presentations had problems, too. See my story here:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
I'm hearing that @KariLake lawyers just withdrew their subpoena to have @katiehobbs testify in the upcoming trial, which begins tomorrow.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
11 months
Arizona Freedom Caucus member and Turning Point employee Rep. Austin Smith, R-Wittman, is featured in a viral meme in which he apparently forgot about the purchase of fancy water in his complaint about a high grocery bill:
@MatthewARein
Matthew Rein
11 months
A story in four parts
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
@AZGOP @KariLake Where’s Mills Street? You mean Mill Avenue?
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
The Arizona Senate has passed a bill 16-12 that would transfer $700,000 from the general fund to the state's Border Security Fund for construction and maintenance of a physical border fence on the state's border with Mexico. @TylerPaceAZ was a reluctant yes based on the amount.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
Flagstaff Justice Court Magistrate Judge Amy Criddle signed the restraining order requested by Sen. Wendy Rogers, but the petition from Rogers doesn't show Sanchez doing anything out of the ordinary in her job as a reporter. -- See my story here:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
4 months
Former Az Sen. Tony Navarrete was taken into custody by a court bailiff this morning after a judge sentenced him to one year in prison following his Feb conviction for sexual conduct with a minor, a class 6 felony.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
Sophie’s officially a graduate. She enters the adult world with more challenges than most, but also more optimism and deeply felt appreciation for other people than just about anybody. She has a lot to look forward to - not the least of which, she starts at GCC this fall.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
Mesa police say they just solved the two-decade-old case of the East Valley Rapist -- and the culprit is a recently retired Border Patrol agent.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
“Every Arizonan should have the freedom to make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures," said Chris Love, senior adviser for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, one of six groups backing the effort. - Story by @sbarchenger :
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
Education advocates erupted with loud cries of “shame! Shame!” and at least one F bomb from the House gallery after the House passed an amended private school voucher expansion bill, HB 2853 on party lines. The bill now moves to the senate.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
Richer also penned an op-ed published in the Arizona Republic about his reasons for the defamation case: "Her defamatory allegations have unleashed violent vitriol and other dire consequences..."
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
"One cannot play politics with the instruments of the law. One cannot play politics with prosecutorial power," the supervisors wrote... Given the oaths you took as both a lawyer and elected official, we were shocked" by the report. Story by @maryjpitzl :
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
Introducing the newest member of the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Sophie Stern! Sophie is one of the strongest advocates Arizona could have to help disabled people. Technically, she’s disabled, but she’s also one the most able people I’ve ever met.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
Three days before former Arizona lawmaker Noel Campbell said he was quitting his campaign for state Senate to protect his wife, police were investigating him for running her over with his car and driving away. -- See my story here:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
Amy & I were proud to see our daughter Sophie introduced on the state House floor yesterday as the newest member of the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council. Thank you, Rep. @JenLongdon , for inviting her! Sophie is a terrific advocate for herself and others w/disabilities.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
John Thaler’s ( @Thaleresq ) sentencing on 13 counts of violating orders of protection was delayed after he failed to appear, and a Mesa judge imposed a $300k bond if he’s captured. Some conservatives still believe Thaler’s fictional tale of cartel “bribery” of AZ officials.
@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
"Licensed to practice in Arizona and California, John Thaler has defied the law for two years, suing and filing false liens against perceived enemies and avoiding capture on warrants... Still, he maintains the backing of some on the far-right in Arizona."
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@raystern
Ray Stern
4 years
"Arizona is one of a handful of states that have been resistant to employ strict measures to control the virus. It does not have a mask mandate and remains largely devoid of restrictions on indoor dining, bars and nightclub activities..."
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
It’s Easter, and Az DHS is reporting -1 covid death today. Makes sense.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
11 months
"I think she's proven herself to be a grifter and a sore loser, and I'm not going to be able to support her in the primary," Townsend said. -- See my story here:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
4 years
My weekend wildlife sighting... (Hermit Trail, Grand Canyon)
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@raystern
Ray Stern
5 years
“Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations.” ― George Orwell
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
"About 290,000 mail-in ballots were dropped off at Maricopa County vote centers on Election Day, surpassing the record for drop-off ballots by 70% percent." By @robertanglen :
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@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
Former Az State Rep Otoniel Navarrete faces a minimum of 49 years if he’s convicted at trial, prosecutors just said at a settlement conference in Maricopa County Superior court.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
The graduate just before the ceremony…
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
Congratulations to my talented wife @amysilvermanaz !! 😍🥰 Three-peat! Whoo-hoo! Love you!
@AZPressClub
Arizona Press Club
3 years
🏆 Please help us congratulate the 2020 Virg Hill Arizona Journalist of the Year — Amy Silverman @amysilvermanaz for @TucsonStar . Judges said Amy did "fantastic work highlighting issues within the state for those with disabilities."
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
(For subscribers:) "Hamadeh made clear he would enforce the state's 158-year-old anti-abortion ban (and) would not have helped certify the 2020 election... Mayes used his positions to paint him as dangerous to democracy and to women." See my story here:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
Looks like @WendyRogersAZ 's committee seat in the Senate's HHS Committee remains intact a day after the state Senator was censured by the Senate for comments she made at a conference led by white nationalist Nick Fuentes. Rogers joined the committee as scheduled at 9 a.m.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
4 years
Very proud of our first-time voter!
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
The Arizona Republic has requested records from the diversion agreement between @GeneralBrnovich and the @AZStateBar . Now, another Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, @GeneralMcGuire , has made the records a political issue. By @yvonnewingett :
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@raystern
Ray Stern
4 months
Arizona Senate votes 16-10-4 to repeal the state’s abortion ban from 1864. The bill now heads to Gov. Katie Hobbs’ desk. The vote was accomplished after two GOP senators, Shawnna Bolick and TJ Shope, voted with Democrats. Three GOP House members voted for it in the House.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
@WendyRogersAZ @TylerPaceAZ Sorry, my bad -- the proposal is $700 million, not $700,000.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
Az House moving forward on a motion to expel Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton now. Republicans, with a one-vote majority, don’t have the votes necessary to do this without Democrat votes.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
"Comments by state Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale, in the House Judiciary Committee and on Twitter on March 29 drew immediate comparisons to the March 28 tweet by Hobbs' former spokesperson, Josselyn Berry, which resulted in her resignation."
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
The diversion agreements mean Brnovich will not face formal discipline on his record if he completes certain terms. Those terms are confidential. Brnovich announced the resolution on Friday, without mentioning the strings attached. @sbarchenger / @raystern
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
Nine write-in candidates are now running for the state Senate seat abandoned by @espinozadiego19 . The field incls 3 Republicans, 5 Democrats, and 1 independent. The new LD-22, which incls Tolleson and parts of Phoenix & Avondale, is designed to be a Democratic stronghold.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
fyi: "STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – House Speaker Rusty Bowers has invited Dmytro Kushneruk, Consul General of Ukraine, to address the war and needed assistance to help the people of Ukraine during a special joint session that will be hosted in the chamber of the Arizona House...
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
The Arizona Senate has passed HB 2237, a ban on same-day voter registration, which AZ doesn't now have. It's already passed the House, also on party lines, and now awaits the Gov's vote. @MichelleUgenti says the law is needed b/c of people who "exploit" laws, like @Adrian_Fontes .
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@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
Sen. Wendy Rogers told me “no comment” when asked if she would attend the May 10 hearing in Flagstaff in which reporter Camryn Sanchez and Az Capitol Times intend to challenge the restraining order against Sanchez for asking questions and ringing Rogers’ doorbell for a story.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
"...the report failed to include any way to verify its dubious findings, and the only two specific examples it provided of alleged ballot problems were swiftly debunked." See my story here:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 months
I’m so proud of Sophie for helping with this. It’s a great opportunity for people to learn to advocate for the policies they want.
@NDSC
National DS Congress
3 months
We are excited to have Arizona Sen. Ken Bennett, former Rep. Jennifer Longdon, and Sophie Stern, AZ DD Planning Council Member at NDSC Advocacy Training Boot Camp. Learn how to effectively engage with elected officials for positive change. Learn more:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 months
Why, yes, my wife is a complete journalism badass… Congratulations for winning this important case for AZ reporters!
@amysilvermanaz
Amy Silverman
3 months
Huge thanks to @gregg_leslie and his team @ASULawFAC for representing me in this public records case against @AHCCCSgov -- we won!
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
Just received a phone call from someone telling me to "keep it up, you keep it up, motherfucker." I'm fairly sure that these were not intended as words of encouragement.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
Any politician who worries about being ambushed must not be diligent about returning reporters’ calls or emails. Reporters don’t ambush politicians that don’t require ambushing.
@WendyRogersAZ
Wendy Rogers
3 years
Aren’t you the guy who hides behind trees to try and get an interview by ambushing elected officials? If that is not you, then I am happy to tweet who it was. I honestly can’t keep track of all these reporters who shill for Soros.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
@megoconnor13 A car will be by to remove your catalytic converter between 9:30 and 3.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
Some days, there is too much change. Arizona without Bashas' is hard to imagine.
@yvonnewingett
Yvonne Wingett Sanchez
3 years
Basha family sells company, an Arizona institution, to California-based grocer via @azcentral by @MrJoshuaBowling
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@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
Liz Harris was expelled.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
Just pulled this out of a fortune cookie:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
"Electors from Arizona included Jim Lamon, currently a U.S. Senate candidate; Jake Hoffman, a state representative; Anthony Kern, a former state lawmaker running for a state Senate seat; and Kelli Ward, the state Republican Party chair." By @sbarchenger :
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@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
Quite a squabble going on in House Judicial Committee between Sen. Justine Wadsack and Rep. Analise Ortiz over evidence (and lack of it) that State Bar told attorneys not to take cases. Wadsack started it by saying she doesn’t owe Ortiz anything in the way of proof.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
In the LD 4 House race, @MatthewGress is now ahead of @lauraforAZ .
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
This week marks my one-year anniversary at The Arizona Republic, and what a 12 months it’s been! The best part of my new gig: the inspiration and learning I get from my many talented colleagues.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
A bill that would ban sales tax for firearms passed the House 31-28. As Rep. @JenLongdon noted, other things that Arizonans need, like tampons and child car seats, are still taxable. The bill now moves to the Senate.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
Arizona banned illiterate people from voting until the mid-'60s, but random voters in line weren't supposed to be hassled. Witnesses say Republicans incl late Chief Justice Rehnquist did just that in majority Black Phoenix neighborhoods. See my story here:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
9 months
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
Take a lesson, journalism friends: Watch quintessential professional @sbarchenger patiently wait for @KariLake to finish her anti-media speech during an interview:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
SB1343, which requires that all ballots received for a precinct gets counted at that precinct, passes the senate gov’t committee along partisan lines 4-3. “This isn’t governing, this is stoking fear,” said @SenQuezada29 .
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
"I don't want to be bullied out of service," Bowers said in an interview on Friday. "That bully caucus that surrounds me at times wears on you, but then you start thinking ... what's the physics of getting stronger? It's ... contrary force."
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@raystern
Ray Stern
4 months
Whoo-hoo! This kicks butt. It’s wonderful to see Amy’s important and always highly readable work honored. Nice job.
@NDSC
National DS Congress
4 months
The winner of the 2024 NDSC National Media Award is @amysilvermanaz ! Amy is a renowned journalist, writer and teacher whose focus is improving coverage of people with disabilities. You can learn more about Amy, and even read some of her work, at .
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
Happy anniversary, @amysilvermanaz ! I like what a couple-dozen years of marriage does to a man. See you around, sweet thing. Your ever-loving husband.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
Good start to the morning… #PatsRun w/ @bpweiler & @azcentral
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@raystern
Ray Stern
4 years
I just got a mass email from the White House Regional Communications Director in charge of Arizona, Ike Hajinazarian, just, you know, reaching out and making sure AZ journos had his contact info. This is definitely a different administration.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
4 years
"PHOENIX⁠ — Governor @DougDucey today issued an Executive Order halting evictions in the state for small businesses and nonprofits that are unable to pay rent due to financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic."
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
ICYMI -- The rally with Trump and Trump-endorsed AZ candidates is off due to the death of Trump's former wife, Ivana:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
4 years
Can we get through the last night of Hanukkah without the cat catching fire from the menorah again? Stay tuned.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
4 years
My grandpa turned 102 today. Family in Queens couldn't celebrate with him -- he's in a nursing home now and they aren't allowing visitors. But my aunt says he's not lonely in there and has friends. Happy birthday, Gramps!
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
"While the council and developers considered alternatives, many neighbors had already decided the former golf course was a preserve. They started — illegally — traversing the 208-acre property by foot, on bikes, with dogs and strollers." By @zaynasyed_ :
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
Good news here for Arizona radio listeners -->>> (True, I'm more than a little biased on this one... 🥰) Congrats on the new job, @amysilvermanaz !
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@raystern
Ray Stern
4 years
Read my tale about an epic FBI debacle involving a Phoenix agent who traded sex for information about convicted terrorists with a Scottsdale skinhead fresh out of prison, then quit just before he sent explicit photos of them to her family & co-workers.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
6 months
Thomas Van Flein, a lawyer who's worked with Kari Lake and Sarah Palin, is leaving his job as Congressman Paul Gosar’s chief of staff for a new job in AZ government. See my story here:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
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@raystern
Ray Stern
6 months
@LaikenJordahl And on the other side of the wall separating Organ Pipe National Monument from Mexico is Highway 2, where the saguaros were cleared out long ago.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
SB1308, by Sen. @AZDavidGowan , would legalize bottle rockets and other "aerial devices" that fly up and explode, which are illegal in AZ now (though used frequently by scofflaws). Gowan sells fireworks in his spare time.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
A potential challenger to @kyrstensinema emerges: Newly elected (results subject to recount) State Rep. Liz Harris ( @LizHarrisMBA ), who has vowed to withhold her vote on any bill until a new state election is held, has filed a statement of interest for the '24 Senate race.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
1 year
A hearing has been scheduled in Flagstaff at 1:30 pm, May 10, challenging the injunction against harassment filed by Sen. Wendy Rogers against a reporter.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
Senate audit liaison and former Republican Secretary of State Ken Bennett confirmed yesterday that the audit didn't determine that any ineligible voters voted: Further investigation... is necessary..." he said:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
5 months
@FineBreger @Thaleresq As you know, Ms. Fine-Breger, my investigations found that you lied to the Legislature and that Thaler, a fugitive from the law in Mesa, Gilbert and the Maricopa County Superior Court, made false claims about two of his ex-wives. Nothing about his "book" changes those facts.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
A real Dick Weed is running for the Arizona Legislature. No, seriously - this night manager for Skyview Networks in Scottsdale, is the 10th write-in candidate for LD-22's senate race:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
Sen. Ken Bennett, R-Prescott, is using tissue boxes to illustrate local, state and federal funding during a Senate Education Committee hearing. Each box is $1B. Most people here are waiting for the hearing on SB 1001 about proposed restrictions on school use of student pronouns.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
Deniece Platt signed up as a Republican write-in candidate in LD-22, where @espinozadiego19 resigned. But the home address she listed isn't in LD-22, it's in LD-25. I reached out to ask her about this, but her email doesn't seem to be working.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
@maryjpitzl It's how much the employees care about you.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
9 months
"An Arizona election denying group continued its losing streak in court on Tuesday when a judge dismissed its public records lawsuit against a private firm that conducts election-related services." -- See my story here:
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@raystern
Ray Stern
3 years
I just got my booster shot. A woman in line with me at CVS told me that her 33-year-old daughter died of covid.
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@raystern
Ray Stern
2 years
A judge on Saturday dismissed Republican Kari Lake’s election challenge and affirmed Democrat Katie Hobbs’ election as governor two days after a trial in which he said Lake failed to prove her case. -- See my story here:
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