“Arizona Week” hosted by former Tucson Citizen newspaper publisher/editor Michael Chihak premieres on Friday, January 14, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. Chihak will be interviewing newsworthy politicians and community leaders on a weekly basis for KUAT Channel 6, Arizona Public Media. Website is www.azpm.org.

From their press release:

With all that has transpired in Tucson over the last week, host Michael Chihak and a panel of Journalists will discuss how the tragedy is having an impact on the Arizona State Legislature. Friday’s program will include an interview with Arizona House Speaker Kirk Adams, who Monday called on his colleagues for a more civil tone.

“Arizona Week is a review of that week’s top news in Arizona: the big topics and stories that need in-depth analysis,” said host Michael Chihak. “We plan to get the newsmakers on the air, interview them and then a panel of journalists from news outlets such as the Arizona Republic, The Arizona Capitol Times, and others will be able to ask the follow-up questions and lead discussions that our citizen viewers need to know. The mission of the program is to provide depth and understanding of the key issues that affect the state.”

Arizona Week will maintain its own unique website AZweek.com featuring Chihak’s Channel blog. Arizona Week will be streamed online and you can stay current anytime with the AZweek twitter feed. It will also repeat on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. together with Washington Week (10:00 a.m.) on PBS World – broadcast channel 27-3, Comcast 203, and Cox 83.

I reported on his hiring on December 11 (click here.) Chihak left the Tucson Citizen newspaper in 2008 and moved to California to work as an executive director of the San Francisco nonprofit Communications Leadership Institute. He stepped down from that post in 2009 and studied culinary arts at the California Culinary Academy (graduated in June), and moved back to Tucson in July, 2010.

The Tucson Citizen newspaper ceased print publication on May 16, 2009 after 139 years of continuous news reporting, and has evolved into this online “news source”, the Tucsoncitizen.com.

Online right now is a reader poll by the Arizona Capitol Times, “Your Inside Track to Arizona Politics”:

“Most polls show Attorney General Terry Goddard lagging behind Gov. Jan Brewer by double digits in the governor’s race. Can Goddard close the gap by Nov. 2?” (dated 9/28/10, 330 votes so far). Vote now or see online results by checking their website & scrolling down on the left of the homepage, http://azcapitoltimes.com/.

Past polls from their archives:

“Which statewide Democratic candidate has the best shot at winning on Nov. 2?”
–Felecia Rotellini, attorney general’s race (44%, 148 Votes of 339 votes)

“Who will be the next Senate president?”
–Sen. Steve Pierce (42%, 171 Votes of 408 votes)
–Sen. Russell Pearce (31%, 127 Votes)

“Who is the most vulnerable Democratic member of AZ’s congressional delegation?”
–Harry Mitchell (34%, 121 Votes of 361 votes)
–Ann Kirkpatrick (29%, 104 Votes)

Which primary race was the biggest surprise?
— CD3 (R) – Quayle beats field of 10 (40%, 188 Votes of 473 votes)

“Which Republican will win the primary race for state treasurer?”
– Doug Ducey (42%, 171 Votes of 403 votes)

Some of these polls were accurate (State Treasurer one, which was surprising as all 3 opponents had state legislative experience and Ducey is a political newcomer). And of course the Ben Qualye win was another surprise by a political newcomer, though son of former U.S. Vice President Dan Qualye.

Wait for November 2nd for some of the results for these other polls, or thereafter for the Arizona State Senate President vote. I’m not much of a believer in political polls, but they do indicate some trends. Readers, do you agree with these poll results?

For other interesting political polls from their archives click here.