Welcome to 🌵Arizona Unscripted — the show all about Arizona: the people, the places, the food, the fun, and the stories that make the Grand Canyon State unlike anywhere else.

In this episode, host Bart is joined by co-hosts Kathryn and Jim for a lively conversation with Miranda Lopez, a candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 21, which stretches from southeastern Tucson through Sahuarita, Rio Rico, Tubac and Nogales, with a portion extending east toward Bisbee.

Miranda shares her journey from growing up in Phoenix and attending the University of Arizona to becoming a community organizer, working with the Pima County Democratic Party, advocating for students, becoming involved with organized labor, and ultimately deciding to run for public office.

Joining the conversation is returning guest Eric Robbins, a resident of the district, who helps bring a local perspective to the discussion.

The conversation tackles some of the major issues facing Southern Arizona and the state as a whole. Miranda discusses her views on public education and Arizona's school voucher system, the shortage of affordable housing, renters and homeownership, and the role she believes state government should play in addressing these challenges.

The group also heads south to the Arizona-Mexico border, discussing proposed construction and changes affecting border communities, including concerns raised in the conversation about neighborhoods, businesses, the environment, and plans for the Nogales port of entry.

Along the way, Miranda talks about her experience finding areas of agreement with people across the political spectrum and why meaningful conversations and common ground can still play an important role in getting things done.

It's another wide-ranging Arizona Unscripted conversation about the people, policies, communities, and challenges shaping the future of the Grand Canyon State.

🌵 Arizona Unscripted — exploring Arizona one conversation at a time.