Reporter for Axios Phoenix. Former ballwriter. I watch a distressing amount of television.https://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mteov4nmzc2pFor months, the post office has seemingly forgotten the Phoenix neighborhood of Westwood Village & Estates. Residents told me of going without mail for weeks or even months, and crucial pieces of mail being marked "undeliverable" and returned to sender. https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/08/18/phoenix-neighborhood-forgotten-by-post-office18 Aug 2026 16:59 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mteov4nmzc2phttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3msw4zl46zk22The ACLU is making a strategic retreat on its lawsuit challenging Prop. 314, which makes being in the country without authorization a state crime. It dismissed its suit today but promises to refile when there's any evidence of a Prop. 314 arrest. https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/08/12/aclu-arizona-border-law12 Aug 2026 22:02 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3msw4zl46zk22https://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mstlgzvelc22Arizona got its infrastructure grade today. It was, uh, not glowing. "While this grade is ahead of many states around the country, an average grade of C is not acceptable." What will it take to boost that evaluation? Lots of $$$$$$$. https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/08/11/arizona-infrastructure-barely-scraping-by-engineers11 Aug 2026 21:42 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mstlgzvelc22https://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3msgvupejrc2uWe had two Class 5 dust storms this week, the first time that's ever happened, at least according to the data we have from the last 16 years. Before this, the Valley had seen only four Class 5 haboobs ever. Story: https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/08/06/phoenix-haboobs-same-week06 Aug 2026 20:44 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3msgvupejrc2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3msgnhyvtis2uA new AARP poll shows Katie Hobbs with an 8-point lead over Andy Biggs Kris Mayes has a 5-point lead over Warren Petersen. Still three months to go. https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/08/06/aarp-poll-hobbs-biggs06 Aug 2026 18:14 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3msgnhyvtis2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mseagesne22uNEW: Former Mesa Mayor John Giles, reportedly to be Katie Hobbs' running mate, left the GOP earlier this year and switch to "no party preference." Being a Never Trump Republican was a large part of his appeal, so the implications of the move are unclear. https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/08/05/katie-hobbs-john-giles-republican05 Aug 2026 19:15 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mseagesne22uhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mrwzexhyyk2uNEW: Andy Biggs has tapped former state lawmaker Sine Kerr as his nominee for lieutenant governor. https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/07/31/andy-biggs-arizona-lt-governor31 Jul 2026 13:04 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrwzexhyyk2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mrnepjzbns2uLife announcement, Part 2! It's my first day as a reporter for Axios Phoenix. Super excited to be teaming with/learning from @jeremyduda.bsky.social and continuing to bring you essential reporting on the Valley.27 Jul 2026 17:01 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrnepjzbns2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mrg2ufwcvc2kI'm not leaving Phoenix or even the Phoenix news scene. But today is my last day at Phoenix New Times, and I'm really going to miss all the wonderful people who make it such a special place. https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/opinion/phoenix-new-times-farewell-column-zach-buchanan-40684501/24 Jul 2026 19:16 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrg2ufwcvc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mrb5dsgm6k2bWe have the 922-page DPS report on the death of Christian Diaz Rendon, whom a Phoenix cop shot as Rendon subdued an intruder. Half of it is redacted, including 363 fully redacted pages in a row. Still, it provides new details. Story by @csosin.bsky.social: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/report-on-phoenix-cops-wrong-man-shooting-is-heavily-redacted-40684236/22 Jul 2026 20:17 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrb5dsgm6k2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mqdafmb2m22dPersonal news: I am entering the final two weeks of my time at Phoenix New Times. I already know my next step, but you'll have to wait to find out what it is.10 Jul 2026 22:52 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqdafmb2m22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mqckek4rm22fRobert Gawlitza, the ex-Circle K manager who "bought" the disputed $12.8 million-winning ticket a day after the drawing, isn't going down without a fight. He says he followed Circle K rules to buy it, and says the company fired him for doing so. Story: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/manager-says-he-followed-circle-k-policy-to-buy-12-8m-lotto-ticket-40680931/10 Jul 2026 16:17 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqckek4rm22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mqaoykxxjk2fJanuary: Pinal County Sheriff's deputy roughs up deaf 79-year-old Tom Garro April: Garro talks to @csosin.bsky.social, says he's considering a lawsuit May: Pinal County Attorney decides to file charges against Garro Interesting timing, huh? Story: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/pinal-county-attorney-charges-deaf-man-tackled-sheriffs-deputy-40680921/09 Jul 2026 22:35 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqaoykxxjk2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mq3jcy4hzs2zIn an interview with @morgfisch.bsky.social, GOP state Rep. Quang Nguyen called Turning Point COO Tyler Bowyer a "shitter" for tweeting a racist comment at him yesterday. Bowyer questioned whether Nguyen, who fled Vietnam when he was 12, can speak English. https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/turning-point-leader-tweets-racist-dig-asian-gop-lawmaker-40680701/07 Jul 2026 21:10 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq3jcy4hzs2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mq36x44m2k2zBefore passing an ordinance to restrict homeless aid in city parks, the city of Phoenix sent out a survey. The questions were slanted toward support of the ordinance. Yet the responses were overwhelmingly against it. Phoenix buried it. By @csosin.bsky.social: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/phoenix-buried-slanted-parks-ordinance-survey-after-backfired-40680602/07 Jul 2026 18:04 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq36x44m2k2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mpz6i4qmvc2zRuben Gallego is dropping Graham Platner over sexual assault allegations, not long after Gallego had to do the same with Eric Swalwell. His office did not answer questions from @morgfisch.bsky.social about whether Gallego's vetting needs to be more thorough. https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-gallego-yanks-platner-endorsement-rape-claim-40680622/06 Jul 2026 22:51 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpz6i4qmvc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mpp5rkyx2k2zWe've talked to three people who described aggressive encounters with Pinal County Sheriff's deputy Aaron McRae, who tackled a deaf Lyft driver in January. Three others have filed complaints against him. He's been a deputy for 18 months. By @csosin.bsky.social: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/complaints-trail-sheriffs-deputy-who-roughed-up-deaf-lyft-driver-40679105/02 Jul 2026 23:11 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpp5rkyx2k2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mp5mabfhsk2gTwo pastors and a PAC have filed a challenge to the GOP's anti-trans ballot measure that bars trans girls from playing girls' sports and forces them to use boys' restrooms. The filing also claims the bill language outlaws single-occupancy restrooms. https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-pastors-challenge-gops-anti-trans-ballot-referral-40677332/25 Jun 2026 23:42 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp5mabfhsk2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mp2srq6fg22xAlejandro Romero, the Tolleson student who was punched in the face by a school resource officer in 2024, is suing over it. An internal school district investigation already found the now-former cop, Eric Hendrix, used excessive force. By @morgfisch.bsky.social: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/tolleson-student-sues-beating-school-resource-officer-40677141/24 Jun 2026 21:01 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mp2srq6fg22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3moykdnjvok2xWe previously reported how, in January, a Pinal County Sheriff's deputy roughed up a 79-year-old deaf Lyft driver. Now we have 911 audio from the driver's passenger, who told us she feared the deputy might shoot her. Story by @csosin.bsky.social: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/audio-lyft-user-calls-police-pinal-county-deputy-deaf-man-40677007/23 Jun 2026 23:25 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3moykdnjvok2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3moykdnjvok2xWe previously reported how, in January, a Pinal County Sheriff's deputy roughed up a 79-year-old deaf Lyft driver. Now we have 911 audio from the driver's passenger, who told us she feared the deputy might shoot her. Story by @csosin.bsky.social: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/audio-lyft-user-calls-police-pinal-county-deputy-deaf-man-40677007/23 Jun 2026 23:25 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3moykdnjvok2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mohen4rtbc27Dilan Paredes, the Tempe eighth-grader detained by ICE outside his school alongside his mother in May, has returned home. Rep. Greg Stanton told us that the pair landed at Sky Harbor today after weeks in ICE lockup in Texas. By @morgfisch.bsky.social: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/tempe-teen-taken-ice-outside-school-returned-home-40675289/17 Jun 2026 03:28 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mohen4rtbc27https://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3moenl2zbb22iPhoenix is being sued -- again -- over its parks ordinance restricting food distribution and medical treatment for homeless people in parks. Two nonprofits, Circle the City and Valle del Sol, say it violates the First Amendment. By @csosin.bsky.social: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/phoenix-sued-again-over-parks-ordinance-restricting-homeless-aid-40675186/16 Jun 2026 01:30 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3moenl2zbb22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3moe3kdqe6k2jShould you reach 94 years old, may your well-wishers be of a higher caliber than former mob hitman Sammy Gravano and alleged pedophile David Stringer. @stephenlemons.bsky.social reports from Joe Arpaio's birthday bash: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/joe-arpaio-birthday-party-rife-scuzzy-has-beens-40675113/15 Jun 2026 20:07 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3moe3kdqe6k2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mo2yvsidq22qSomeone get @thr.com a copy-editor12 Jun 2026 05:26 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mo2yvsidq22qhttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mnyaviy7sk2kBREAKING: A judge barred Phoenix from enforcing its parks ordinance against a church group. She said the ordinance, which bans giving food to homeless people in parks without a permit, likely violates the group's right to free exercise of religion. By @csosin.bsky.social: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/judge-phoenix-cant-enforce-parks-ordinance-church-group-40673484/11 Jun 2026 03:11 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnyaviy7sk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mnxll5bag22kCounty attorney Rachel Mitchell has a social media troll. She sicced the cops on him -- Phoenix PD, the AG's office, even the FBI. Nothing stuck. State bar charges did. By @stephenlemons.bsky.social, how the county's top prosecutor got her loudest critic disbarred. https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/maricopa-countys-prosecutor-got-loudest-critic-disbarred-40673441/10 Jun 2026 20:49 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnxll5bag22khttps://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mnsqylwyqk27Phoenix cops and park rangers used a "honeypot" on homeless people in a park. Rangers left gates open after closing time. Unhoused people entered. Later, they and cops locked all but one gate, trapping them and issuing trespass notices. By @csosin.bsky.social: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/phoenix-cops-used-honeypot-to-trap-trespass-homeless-people-in-park-40673200/08 Jun 2026 22:43 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnsqylwyqk27https://bsky.app/profile/zhbuchanan.bsky.social/post/3mnsn52pra227Sam Stone is a top official in the Maricopa County Recorder's Office, which oversees voter registration. He likes to tweet a lot of far-right, reactionary shit. And he likes to tweet it while at work, on the taxpayer dime. By @morgfisch.bsky.social: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/maricopa-county-recorder-official-posts-heinous-tweets-work-40673171/08 Jun 2026 21:34 +0000at://did:plc:et4h6vanov2csextpp7m26yi/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnsn52pra227