TJ L'Heureux

Phoenix

Writer at Phoenix New Times

Staff Writer @phoenixnewtimes | featured in @AP, @CodaStory, @CronkiteNews | MA Investigative Journalism @cronkite_asu

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Articles

Oak Flat, a holy Apache site east of Phoenix, faces rapid sale and destruction

6 days ago | phoenixnewtimes.com | TJ L'Heureux

Oak Flat — also known as Chi'chil Biłdagoteel — is the Apaches’ Notre Dame Cathedral, or Mecca, or Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In the mountains 70 miles east of Phoenix, the wildlife and tree-covered jewel covers some 2,400 acres, or roughly two-thirds the size of Sky Harbor Airport. The federally protected site also sits atop a bonanza of copper.
Scottsdale mayor sues to unmask who snitched on her to county attorney

6 days ago | phoenixnewtimes.com | TJ L'Heureux

Embattled Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky really wants to know who ratted her out. Despite being in office for only a few months, Borowsky has already become the center of a controversy over a planned parking garage in Scottsdale. Dubbed “Parkingate,” the brouhaha stems from Borowsky's alleged efforts to yank a garage project away from one developer and hand it to David Hovey Jr., a campaign donor.
Arizona lawmaker brags about passing stolen valor bill she blocked

1 week ago | phoenixnewtimes.com | TJ L'Heureux

The Senate had just voted to pass Senate Bill 1424, which cracks down on people who lie or exaggerate military service — known as stolen valor — for material gain. An Air Force veteran, Rogers had voted in favor, helping to send the bill to Gov. Katie Hobbs to become law.
Tempe sued for targeting residents who feed homeless people

1 week ago | phoenixnewtimes.com | TJ L'Heureux

Nearly a year after Tempe first hauled him into court for feeding unhoused people in a city park, homeless advocate Austin Davis is going back — this time of his own volition. On Thursday, Davis and two other Tempe residents filed a federal lawsuit against the city, claiming Tempe violated their civil rights by criminalizing their efforts to feed unhoused people in public parks every Sunday.
Do Arizona budtenders know less than they used to?

1 week ago | phoenixnewtimes.com | TJ L'Heureux

In seven years as a budtender, Matt Simonson has seen a thing or two. The dispensary business was wild, in its youth. “We used to watch a lot of the video of all the crazy things that would happen — we’d get off work and check out the security footage,” Simonson said.
GOP Arizona lawmaker rips Republican who voted no on stolen valor bill

2 weeks ago | phoenixnewtimes.com | TJ L'Heureux

Whenever there’s a contrarian vote to be cast, there’s a good chance GOP state Rep. Alexander Kolodin is the one casting it. Wednesday afternoon, Kolodin’s iconoclastic streak earned a booming, passionate lecture from fellow Republican state Rep. Walt Blackman on the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives. At issue is Blackman’s bill to criminalize stolen valor, which is the practice of exaggerating or fabricating military service for personal gain.
Arizona Democrats walk out of speech by Trump’s ‘asshole’ border czar

2 weeks ago | phoenixnewtimes.com | TJ L'Heureux

At noon on Tuesday, in front of a joint session of the Arizona Legislature, Trump administration “border czar” Tom Homan stepped to the rostrum to give a speech. Then, one by one, 19 Arizona Democrats walked out of the room, holding signs with the names of Arizona residents taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “I love it,” Homan said with a smile.
Gallego roasts Homeland Security secretary for assault rifle cosplay

2 weeks ago | phoenixnewtimes.com | TJ L'Heureux

If you’re going to cosplay as a heavily armed tough guy, might want to make sure the actual war veterans don’t see you. That’s what happened Tuesday with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Visiting Arizona, where she participated in a 100-officer raid that ended in the arrest of only three people, the former governor of South Dakota and Trump’s current deporter-in-chief posed with two law enforcement officers while holding an assault rifle.
Buds-A-Palooza hits downtown Phoenix on Friday. Here’s what to know

2 weeks ago | phoenixnewtimes.com | TJ L'Heureux

Editor’s note: Bud’s Glass Joint, the organizer of Buds-A-Palooza, is owned by an executive of Phoenix New Times. That executive has no involvement with the editorial department. ***Stonerdom’s high holy holiday is just around the corner. But before April 20 hits, the Valley’s biggest weed-inspired block party — Buds-A-Palooza — will take over downtown Phoenix on Friday with live music, comedy, stoner movie screenings, glass blowing, product samples, food and more.
Have a new Arizona ID? It looks badass under a black light

2 weeks ago | phoenixnewtimes.com | TJ L'Heureux

For many Arizonans, ultraviolet lights are an invaluable tool for hunting the dreaded bark scorpions found across the state. You can also use a black light to find a scorpion right in your pocket. Since March 2023, all identification cards issued by the Arizona Department of Transportation look downright badass under a black light. On the front of each ID, essentially hidden in plain sight, is a howling coyote. On the back is a scorpion under a starry desert night. Don’t believe us?