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Kierland golf course housing plan sparks debate

The proposal would eliminate nine holes at Westin Kierland, but more than 1,000 letters oppose it.

News

Kierland neighbors could lose their golf-course views under a plan to replace one of Westin Kierland&#x27;s courses with nearly 500 homes.Why it matters: The fight over 72 acres near the Scottsdale-Phoenix border taps into a bigger question about whether water-strapped Arizona has too many golf courses.

Giant horse slide and fire sculptures light up Scottsdale canal

A giant horse slide, flaming sculptures and more at Scottsdale's Canal Convergence.

Things to Do

Expect cranes and construction by the Scottsdale Waterfront this week as the city gets ready for its spectacular annual art and lights festival, Nov. 6–15.Driving the news: The Canal Convergence festival marks its 15th edition and Scottsdale&#x27;s 75th anniversary with the theme &quot;Western Nature.&quot;

Inside Drake's Hollywood, Scottsdale's new upscale restaurant

Leather booths, vintage celebrity portraits and a circular bar set the scene at Drake's Hollywood.

Food and Drink

I stopped by Drake&#x27;s Hollywood for a quick drink last weekend during its soft opening.Why it matters: It might be the snazziest new spot in Old Town Scottsdale.

Amish Shah flips Arizona congressional seat

The former state lawmaker narrowly lost the district in 2024.

Politics

Democrat Amish Shah won Arizona&#x27;s highly competitive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1st Congressional District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/scottsdale/2026/10/20/arizona-cd-1-election-jay-feely-amish-shah" data-vars-content-id="b1a8a125-30de-4efc-82eb-90c305f60de7" data-vars-headline="Amish Shah flips Arizona congressional seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/scottsdale/2026/10/20/arizona-cd-1-election-jay-feely-amish-shah" target="_self">1st Congressional District</a>, flipping the seat after years of Republican control, the Associated Press projected Thursday morning.Why it matters: Shah&#x27;s victory in one of the country&#x27;s most closely watched congressional races helped Democrats expand their House majority.

Everything you need to know about Arizona's CD1 election

Feely is casting Shah as a far-left extremist, while Shah is highlighting Feely's ties to Trump.

Arizona&#x27;s 1st Congressional District race is testing whether Scottsdale voters prefer a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="repeat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/07/22/1st-congressional-district-primary-election-results-feely-shah-galan-woods" data-vars-content-id="35da0534-95ba-4f5c-9351-3db16eef0353" data-vars-headline="Everything you need to know about Arizona&#x27;s CD1 election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/07/22/1st-congressional-district-primary-election-results-feely-shah-galan-woods" target="_self">repeat</a> Democratic nominee with a bipartisan legislative record or a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump-backed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/01/06/trump-dual-endorsement-feely-swoboda-arizona-cd1" data-vars-content-id="35da0534-95ba-4f5c-9351-3db16eef0353" data-vars-headline="Everything you need to know about Arizona&#x27;s CD1 election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/01/06/trump-dual-endorsement-feely-swoboda-arizona-cd1" target="_self">Trump-backed</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="celebrity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/09/01/jay-feely-trump-endorsement-midterms-november" data-vars-content-id="35da0534-95ba-4f5c-9351-3db16eef0353" data-vars-headline="Everything you need to know about Arizona&#x27;s CD1 election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/09/01/jay-feely-trump-endorsement-midterms-november" target="_self">celebrity</a> who lives outside the district.Why it matters: The affluent, independent-heavy district is among a handful of seats that could determine control of the House.

3 Scottsdale ballot measures voters should know 

What's next: Early voting and ballot mailing began last week.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Scottsdale" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/07/22/whats-next-in-scottsdale-city-council-election" data-vars-content-id="35883503-3013-4049-8cce-6d053c49790c" data-vars-headline="3 Scottsdale ballot measures voters should know " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/07/22/whats-next-in-scottsdale-city-council-election" target="_self">Scottsdale</a> voters have more than candidates to consider by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nov. 3" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/08/25/statewide-ballot-measures-propositions-arizona-election-2026-" data-vars-content-id="35883503-3013-4049-8cce-6d053c49790c" data-vars-headline="3 Scottsdale ballot measures voters should know " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/08/25/statewide-ballot-measures-propositions-arizona-election-2026-" target="_self">Nov. 3</a>: Their ballots include a county jail tax, and some voters will also see two Scottsdale Unified School District questions.Why it matters: The measures could shape how the county pays for detention services, how SUSD updates its schools and what happens to three district-owned properties.

A campaign hangover, one political sign at a time

Thousands came down, but officials say signs still crowd roadsides and intersections.

Irked by the droves of political signs around Scottsdale? You&#x27;re not alone — and the City Council wants to do something about it.Why it matters: The signs, some for candidates who are no longer in the running, aren&#x27;t just an eyesore. They can block drivers&#x27; sight lines at intersections, obstruct pedestrian routes and become roadside hazards, and when campaigns leave signs up past the legal deadlines, city workers have to clean up the mess.

Election 🗳️

Amish Shah flips Arizona congressional seat

DOJ investigates Arizona voter drives days before election

Kelly's Senate reelection plans are up in air

GOP fades, Democrats jump in Arizona pre-election voter registration

Everything you need to know about Arizona's CD1 election