An editorial in Arizona State University's State Press noted that social media influencers such as celebrities and brands have taken the lead in increasing civic engagement for their audience of young people, and that is exactly what they should be doing. The integration of politics can be a valuable tactic that is reflective of both our shifting values as a society and the societal standards that are being upheld.

Arizona Republic columnist Linda Valdez wrote that recent census figures put Arizona second only to Florida as a destination for today's retirees, and it’s the great outdoors that Baby Boomer retirees crave, but we aren’t taking care of it.

Bullet points reveal a state that doesn't value its open spaces or understand the importance of outdoor recreation to Arizona's future growth.

Cronkite News reported that as civil discourse is missing in the world of politics, there's a call to focus more on the issues and less on the mudslinging.

ASU's State Press reported that with the general elections on Nov. 6 fast approaching, political organizations at ASU are seeking to bring millennials, a demographic that typically follows politics but rarely participates in elections, to the polls.

Cronkite News reported that an estimated 88,529 Arizonans rose out of the ranks of poverty last year, but that still left about 1 million – or one state resident in seven – living below the poverty level, new data show. The latest Census Bureau figures also show that Arizona’s poverty rate fell faster, but remained higher, than the national average last year.

Cronkite News reported that a recent study, "Arizona's Voter Crisis," authorized by Arizona State University's Morrison Institute for Public Policy, says the state ranks 43rd in national voter turnout. How can that be when Arizona set a record for turnout in the August primary?

The Arizona Republic reported that in a poll conducted Sept. 4-6 by Phoenix-based company Data Orbital, about 49 percent of likely voters indicated they would vote for Republican Doug Ducey in the governor's race while about 41 percent indicated they would vote for Democratic challenger, David Garcia; just under 2 percent supported Libertarian candidate Barry Hess; and about 8 percent remained undecided.

David Schlinkert
September 11, 2018

Pregnant women below the poverty line in Arizona face numerous headaches in their everyday lives, including access to affordable dental care.

Pregnant women are more likely to experience swelling and bleeding of the gums compared to non-pregnant women,1 and pregnant women with periodontal disease are more likely to have pre-term births and low-birthweight babies.2

The Payson Roundup reported that State Senator Sylvia Allen stopped by the Payson Tea Party to discuss and recommend how to vote on the five propositions on the November ballot.

Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. and the conference begins at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served.