Arizona Spotlight

This week on Arizona Spotlight, AZPM reporter L.M. Boyd previews her upcoming podcast series "Far From Delivery", that looks at the state of maternal health care across Arizona. Borderlands Theater celebrates 10 years of "Barrio Stories" and a conversation with photographer May Pang.

Stars of I-MOM-SO-HARD share the humor and challenges of parenting; the comedy and controversy behind "Eureka Day" at Invisible Theatre; the story behind a mural celebrating influential women of the Southwest; and the story of a Tucson family's survival on a borderland farm in the mid-20th century.

Also on Arizona Spotlight; Hear the eerie tale of a Tucson teenager's nighttime encounter with the legendary ghost of the Santa Cruz River: La Llorona, the Weeping Woman. Also, actor and author Angelica Page shares how the spirit of her late mother, inspired her to create a one-woman show.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Naturalist Rebekah Doyle goes "mothing" for the first time; and concert pianist Dr. Fanya Lin talks performing in Ukraine under fire; and Manny Garcia, a Tucson native, shares about locally sourced foods his family depended on.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: A woman with a love of plants starts her journey as an aspiring novelist in her 70's. Naturalist Matthew Nelson retells a story when he was in Devil's Canyon, and Archive Tucson remarks on food scarcity in mid-century Tucson.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Crystal Stark stars in Saguaro City Music Theatre's production of "Sister Act"; The future of the Arizona Trail; and "Righteous Brother" Bill Medley still sings about love at 86.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: "A Gorgeous Excitement" returns to the Steinfeld Gallery. Tucson Film Festival celebrates independent filmmaking.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Indie horror filmmaker talks about premiering his new movie "The Woods Beckon" in Tucson. Go backstage at The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre's rendition of "I'm Gonna Marry You, Tobey Maguire".

Also on Arizona Spotlight: The artistic pursuits of musician and filmmaker Chris Carlone; and Gayle Petrillo shares her story about becoming visible at 50.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: NPR's Allison Aubrey on her first book and a look behind-the-scenes at Sonoran Restaurant Week.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: What is "Song Church" at La Rosa? And film podcaster Christopher Maynard goes to Tucson Comic-Con.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: John Washington talks about his book "How to Close a Camp: Dispatches from the Fight Against Immigrant Detention"; AZPM fan Gene Fisher shares his personal Woodstock experience; and remembering drummer Frank Beard of ZZ Top.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Marquez Price talks "The Backcourt: Basketball's Best Kept Secret"; storyteller Susanne Lasseter shares the story of her family's arrival in Arizona; and a poem by Liza Porter.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Arizona Theater Board Chair Mike Seiden previews the upcoming season; And "Speaking Personally" with pubic broadcasting pioneer Linda O'Bryon.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Scott Simon's latest book offers his appreciation of animal companionship; and how the spiritual combines with pop culture at The Last Supper Museum.

Also on Arizona Spotlight, national monuments under fire by the Trump administration; Julieta ASMR explains the basics of her art; and the Zachary family story of survival and love against the odds.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: What to expect from the first ever Meza Festival, bringing global music to the local community; and storyteller Zach Gordon reflects on the importance of coffee and connection.

In part 2, more highlights from the event, including an essay from nature writer Rebekah Doyle, a poem fromindigenous creative Mariana Rivera, and an interview with acclaimed fiction author Linda D. Addison.

Highlights from Arizona Spotlight Live, recorded with an audience at The Baker Center for Public Media.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: StoryCorps launches a new initiative that anyone may participate in; what some AZPM fas think about America's 250th birtday; and how the Reid Park Zoo is conserving water in the heat.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Remembering Buddhist scholar and "Tibetan Book of the Dead " translator Robert Thurman; and Rebekah Doyle reflects on the common social media meme "Touch Grass".

Also on Arizona Spotlight: A preview of the 56th Annual Tucson Juneteenth; living with aphasia offers a chance to laugh and share good times; and the actors playing Gomez and Morticia Addams reflect on what it means to be in a great marriage.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: An Alaskan adventure 40 years ago that transformed from an epic wilderness experience to become a humbling story of the true power of friendship.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Spotlight Community Theater's new production of "The Unusual Subjevts" for Father's Day; and why women should consider documenting their wedding story to help them in the event of a divorce.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Explore the purpose of the annual global pilgrimage for the devout called Hajj,Storyteller Susan Smith shares about her second chance at life, following a heart attack and an audio postcard from a University of Arizona student talent show contest.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: NPR's Scott Simon new book shows love for pets of all make and model; and an audio postcard from the Autism Society of Southern Arizona's largest annual event.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: The curious history of ostrich farming in Arizona; and graphic novelist Alison Bechdel on letting memory guide her art.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Arizona Theatre Company presents "Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors"; and the public reaction to the decision to move The Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Looking back fifty years to the tragic wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald; and a tiny hummingbid who acts like a mighty eagle.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: PCC's "Fairview" offers a Pulitzer-prize winning play like no other; and comedian Omar Tarango tells a story about laughter and failure from the high seas.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: A night of contemporary Indigenous comedy comes to Club Congress, courtesy of The Arizona State Museum.

Learners in Tibetan Buddhism at the Bodhisattva Institute in Tucson share stories of overcoming negativity through positive coping skills.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Bisbee Bikeways is trying to build better communities; and "Truth be Told" asks important questions that won't go away.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: invisible Theater previews new show "Inside Out: Men Behind Bars"; and storyteller Ana Montanez shares how Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show was a unifying moment for her multi-generational immigrant family.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Author Jacquelyn L. Jackson talks about "The Female Rouge: A Memoir of Living Fiercely"; and historian Janelle Molony on the fascinating history of Ostrich ranching in Arizona.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Jeanine Cummins on her novel "Speak to Me of Home"; Indigenous artist Tim Farris talks about "Tricksters and Truthtellers"; and you and your pet are invited to join a parade.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: The Canelo Project: A Straw Bale Story; Ability Dogs trains canines to help humans in need; and which fictional detective do you trust?

Also on Arizona Spotlight: The 2026 NPR Student Podcast Challenge searches for the voices of tomorrow; the Arizona premiere of a new documentary about Paul McCartney in the 1970s; and a story about the bond of love between a father and daughter.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Find out how friends worked together to rescue the indie music festival called "Fallfest"; and documentary filmmaker Frances Reid shares two important LGBTQ+ films with a new generation.

Also on Spotlight: The Tiny Desk Contest is underway; meet the filmmaker behind the documentary "The Return of Navajo Boy"; and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society welcomes rock hounds from around the world.

Also on Spotlight: Paula Poundstone fights tyranny with laughter - and cats; and author, publisher and podcaster Zibby Owens on the changing book industry.

Observing the International Day of Holocaust Remembrance.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: The Aviation Pioneer behind Ryan Field; Invisible Theater's follows love across the universe and beyond; and storyteller Beth Colburn Orozco shares a story about love overcoming remorse.

A conversation with Julie Cohen and Betsy West, the directors of the documentary Gabby Giffords: Won't Back Down. Also on Arizona Spotlight: Dr. Fabi Hirsch-Kruse shares her pride over playing a part in Gabby Giffords' ongoing journey; and what Homicide Survivors Incorporated offers to a community in need.

Father and daughter join forces to ride their bicycles across the country. A University of Arizona student uses Kazakhtan as a fascinating classroom, and married flight attendants share their story about traveling the world.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Live Theatre Workshop invites you to spend "A Year with Frog and Toad"; and Saguaro City Music Theatre brings optimism personified to the stage with "Annie".

Also on Arizona Spotlight:A church in Douglas, rises from the ashes of an arson; visit a place in Tucson honoring Frida Kahlo; hear an essay that highlights the simplicity of taking a walk and listen to memories of growing up on the Rillito River.

A Story Corps mobile recording booth recently visited Tucson, here is just a small sample of what they heard from us.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: A new book commemorates the 50th anniversary of the wreck of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald; storyteller Curt Beall shares about his AIDS experience and finding new hope in Tucson; and some voices from the All Souls Procession.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: "We Walk in Beauty: Native American Photographs and Words"; Chris Dashiell on the Mexican film "No Nos Moveran"; and musician Clay Dudash talks about his band The Manor Born, and the DUSK Music Festival.