New Voices. New Stories. New Focus.

The new AZ Illustrated debuts February 4th

at 6:30 p.m. on PBS 6

Tucson, Arizona – – Arizona Illustrated, Southern Arizona’s weeknight news magazine series for over 30 years, and the flagship local TV production for Arizona Public Media (AZPM,) has undergone a make-over. The new AZ Illustrated (pronounced A-Z-Illustrated) debuts in its regular weeknight time slot at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, February 4, 2013. The new AZ Illustrated features different hosts and topics each night – Metro, Science, Nature, Arts and Politics – offering insight and discussion relevant to Southern Arizona audiences. Tapping into the wealth of talent and experience of AZPM’s award-winning producers, reporters, and production team, while introducing new specialists from the community, the series will feature new voices, new stories and a new focus.

AZ Illustrated METRO

Mondays cover education, business, government, and the policies that affect our daily lives.

The host for AZ Illustrated Metro is Maria Parham, the newly appointed Editorial Page Editor of the Arizona Daily Star. A new face on television, but a long-time veteran of print journalism in the Tucson community, Maria has experience and insight on education, business, and government in Southern Arizona. Produced by AZPM’s Andrea Kelly, Metro will provide a deeper look at many of the decisions and developments that affect the community. Andrea will work with a host of other AZPM reporters to ensure the content on Mondays is current and that it keeps the audience informed about the economy and public affairs.

Arizona Illustrated SCIENCE

Tuesdays explore issues and advances in health, science, and technology.

Jane Poynter, the new host of AZ Illustrated Science, is no stranger to the Southern Arizona science community. A scientist, author, entrepreneur, and expert on sustainable development, Jane will provide perspective and context for the health, science and technological advancements that continue to change our world. The show will explore the broad range of science in the community and ask the larger questions about what that science and technology means and how it actually affects people’s daily life experiences. Producer Georgia Davis, a journalist, documentary producer and former network news director, brings her wealth of experience to the Science segment.

Arizona Illustrated NATURE

Wednesdays dive into the environmental news and issues unique to our desert landscape.

Host Georgia Davis steps from behind the scenes to the front of the camera to host AZ Illustrated Nature. The show’s mission is to raise awareness and understanding about the area’s many ecological treasures while addressing pertinent local and national subjects such as solar energy, recycling, development, hydrology and water conservation, ecotourism, and other topics. The show will tap into the abundant professional resources from the University of Arizona and community for their perspectives, concerns, and possible solutions to different challenges. The producer for Nature is AZPM veteran journalist, producer, and former Arizona Illustrated host, Tony Paniagua.

Arizona Illustrated ARTS

Thursdays embrace the vibrant cultural community that is distinctly Southern Arizona.

Providing a unique perspective on arts and culture, host Elizabeth Burden, an artist and journalist, brings her passion to showcase the multi-faceted arts and cultural community that embodies Southern Arizona. Program features will include music, spoken word, in-studio performance, stories, and guest interviews, enlightening the audience on the power of art to enrich lives and change minds. AZ Illustrated Arts producer, Mark McLemore, is a seasoned radio producer and host, having created over 300 episodes of Arizona Spotlight, which airs weekly on NPR 89.1. Arizona Spotlight has given Mark a deep appreciation of Southern Arizona’s arts and cultural assets.

Arizona Illustrated POLITICS

Fridays provides in-depth analysis of the week’s political news.

Jim Nintzel, host and producer of Politics, continues in his role as host of the political night for AZ Illustrated. The title of the program has changed, but the in-depth political coverage will continue to provide viewers with cutting-edge interviews with politicians and their views in a new setting.

Each AZ Illustrated show will begin with a two-minute summary of the top local and state news events of the day, anchored by AZPM’s Christopher Conover. Many stories will cross platforms to radio, NPR 89.1, and online. Frequently, stories that originate online or on radio will be further explored on AZ Illustrated.

About the new studio:

The new AZ Illustrated will provide Southern Arizona viewers with a 360° perspective of their community. The series will be broadcast from a custom-designed, versatile, 360° studio which will accommodate one-on-one interviews, round-table discussions, demonstrations, and live performances. The studio, designed by local Tucson architect Rick Joy (Rick Joy Architects) features a spectacular circular photographic backdrop of the Tucson skyline and its iconic mountain ranges. The backdrop photograph was taken by Jeff Dey. The new studio design will provide a welcoming environment to guests – a meeting place for community dialogue and discussion. Visit azpm.org for more information.

Congressman Ron Barber (Democratic incumbent in CD 8) will be debating his Republican challenger ret. Col. Martha McSally on October 23, 6 p.m. at the University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center grand ballroom, 303 E. University Blvd. The Student Union is south of E. 2nd St. near Mountain Avenue. Barber was elected to his seat in June, 2012 when he defeated Republican Jesse Kelly in a special primary election. Now he is running for newly reapportioned CD 2.

Arizona Illustrated: The CD2 Forum
Airs Tuesday, October 23rd @ 6pm
Live simulcast on NPR 89.1 and azpm.org

This is a live, one-hour forum.

Panelists include:
AZPM’s Christopher Conover & Andrea Kelly (political reporters)
Tucson Weekly’s Jim Nintzel (investigative reporter)
ASUA President Katy Murray

Campaign websites:

Ron Barber (D), incumbent Congressman in CD 8, former Tucson District Director for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, www.ronbarberforcongress.com

Martha McSally (R), retired Colonel in U.S. Air Force, former Professor of National Security Studies at the George C. Marshall Center in Germany, www.mcsallyforcongress.com

There is also a Libertarian write-in candidate Anthony Prowell in this race.

Arrive early as this may be a crowded debate as there have been very few in this particular race in CD 2.

Martha McSally

Congressman Ron Barber

Local journalists are teaching Fall classes offered by OASIS,”a national education organization dedicated to enriching the lives of mature adults through challenging programs in the arts, humanities, technology and volunteer service” for those 50 years and older.

OASIS at the Junior League of Tucson building is located at 2099 E. River Rd. Phone 520-322-5627, website:www.oasisnet.org/tucson. All types of classes are offered for the September-December session, with classes beginning on September 10. Processing fee is $12 per registration form. Classes are also offered at 11 other community locations in town.

Here’s the schedule for the Fall featuring journalists in Tucson:

October 8, 1 to 3 p.m. $10, OASIS at Junior League
“Whatever Happened to the Rio Nuevo that Voters Thought They were Getting?” by Josh Brodesky (Reporter/Metro columnist) and Team Leader Joe Burchell of AZ Daily Star

October 9, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, $7, OASIS at Junior League
Pulse of the Media with Kristi Tedesco, KVOA Channel 4 anchor

October 24, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, $9, OASIS at Junior League
“Examine the Year 2012 with David Fitzsimmons”, political cartoonist at the AZ Daily Star

November 13, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, $7, OASIS at Junior League
Pulse of the Media with Jim Nintzel, political reporter at Tucson Weekly, and AZPM Channel 6′s host of Arizona Illustrated’s Political Roundtable (Friday evenings)

December 11, 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, $7, OASIS at Junior League
Pulse of the Media with Forrest Carr, KGUN 9′s News Director

Pick up the Tucson OASIS catalog (at Pima County public libraries) to select from a wide variety of classes in tai chi, yoga, computer skills, art, cooking, dance, foreign languages (Spanish, German), etc. Tours around town (i.e Benedictine Monastery, Mansions of Main Avenue) or out of town (i.e. Canyon Lake, Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Pecan Festival in Sahuarita) are also offered.

You can register online (click here), by mail, or in person.