Dear Editors:

Welcome to ArizonaNewsService.com! (And hello, again, to those of you who have heard from us already.)

ArizonaNewsService.com offers readers and media outlets the best journalism being produced by students in the University of Arizona School of Journalism. Our main focus is on Southern Arizona and the border region. We produce original content during the fall and spring semesters and also draw material from UA School of Journalism Media—The Tombstone Epitaph, El Independiente, Arizona Cat’s Eye, The Cat Scan and Border Beat.

Each Tuesday we will send you a story budget of what we’re working on that week. On Thursdays, you’ll receive e-mail notification that stories and images are available for download, with instructions on how to do so. We also will provide contact information for editors responsible for individual stories in case you have questions or concerns.

Many stories will be written by the UA School of Journalism student who is serving as the Don Bolles Fellow in Phoenix.

We welcome your story ideas or thoughts on how we can improve this service. Please direct any concerns to Professor Bruce Itule at [email protected].

Here’s what we’re working this week at ArizonaNewsService.com. 

DRUG LEGALIZATION AND BORDER SECURITY:  Violent crime and an increase in home invasions in Tucson has created an unlikely commonality between a pro-marijuana and a law enforcement group — they both think legalizing pot would eliminate the driving force that drives much of the illicit drug trade.

Look for the story this Thursday.

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