Good morning!

Hello, everyone! My name is Alyssa Bickle, I’m an intern with The Copper Courier and a student at ASU. I will be graduating with my BA in journalism and a BA in political science this May. 

I am helping Jess out with the newsletter for the time being and an introduction is due. I’m a born-and-raised Arizonan, and I love to run (I’ll be on marathon No. 3 soon) and do anything outdoors.  

I am covering affordability and LGBTQ+ communities, so if any readers have story tips, ideas, or comments on what you want to see covered, let me know at responses@coppercourier.com!

What do you guys have planned for this weekend? I just recently went camping at Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction It was cold and beautiful, and the full moon kept it bright at night.  

The view from my campsite at Lost Dutchman State Park. (Photo by me)

If you need ideas, here are some events happening in Arizona this weekend:

Even though there is so much to do this weekend, I’ll be parked on the couch watching the 2024 US Olympic Team Trials for the marathon.

Tell me what you are up to by sending an email to responses@coppercourier.com!

Have a great weekend!

We’ve got a quick new survey for you readers so we can learn more about what you want to read in this newsletter. 

We’ve got some options for possible stories, but we’ve also got a box where you can fill in whatever you’d like! Thanks in advance. 

The Cartwright School District office in Phoenix. (Photo by Robert Gundran).

💬 “I grabbed two [teachers] from out of state and three from out of the country using the four-day model as the attractive piece.”
— Dr. Joy Weiss, principal at the Bret R. Tarver Leadership Academy

How does a three-day weekend sound? How about every weekend? That’s a major selling point that Dr. Joy Weiss is pushing in her efforts to recruit teachers to work at her school.

The Cartwright School District (CSD) in Phoenix adopted the four-day school week for students in the 2020-21 school year, then expanded it to a four-day work week for teachers in the 2023-24 school year.

That makes nine school districts across Maricopa County that have adopted the four-day school week as of the 2023-24 school year.

The shift in policy was meant to help with two metrics, according to Weiss: attendance rates for students and the retention and recruitment of teachers.

That’s key in a state where schools have widely been struggling with teacher vacancies.

Read the full story here. 

What does Linda Ronstadt love about Tucson? For starters, everything. 💕

Her family has been a lively part of the city since her grandfather arrived from Mexico in 1882 and helped found the Club Filarmónico Tucsonense civic band.

In a recent interview with the New York Times, the Arizona native
shared five of her favorite Tuscon places, including her favorite hotel and the church where she baptized her children.

You’ll be hearing (and seeing) more of the 77-year-old iconic music star because Hollywood is finally producing a biopic on the life of Ronstadt, and Selena Gomez will be playing the starring role.

Have you visited any of Ronstadt’s favorite places? Let us know by sending an email to responses@coppercourier.com!

⛰️ This timelapse video is major Arizona hiking inspiration. 

🎉 This family threw a lotería-themed party, complete with costumes. 

🚤 This “Family Guy” clip takes a funny dig at Lake Havasu. 

🩷 Here’s a fun Valentine’s Day craft: pink heart tortillas. 

🏠 This is what it looks like to power wash and paint a home in Arizona. 

🚛 We asked for advice about moving to Arizona—read the nearly 200 comments.

⌛️ See these cool photos of Phoenix through the years—starting in 1888.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Alyssa Bickle. The Copper Courier is happily free to read for everyone. Your financial support means a lot to us. Donate here.

Send your feedback and news tips to responses@coppercourier.com.