The Daily Chirp

Douglas is losing millions as shoppers from both sides of the border struggle to find places to spend. A new report shows the city missed out on $300 million in sales last year alone. This episode looks at what’s driving the gap, and how new retailers like Ross could help turn things around.

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Cochise College celebrated a major milestone with its 60th commencement ceremony at the Douglas Campus, where more than 400 students graduated in front of proud families, faculty, and community members. The event honored both the Class of 2025 and the college’s six-decade legacy as a cornerstone of education in southern Arizona. Highlights included moving speeches from student leaders, the return of alumni from the class of 1966, and a special pinning ceremony for nursing graduates. The night reflected the college’s continued commitment to helping students of all ages and backgrounds pursue brighter futures.

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On Friday, the 8th annual Top Cop event was held at the Sierra Vista Police Department along with an added Medal of Valor Ceremony honoring several law enforcement personnel who participated in a high-stakes operation last June.

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Jessica Zamudio, a longtime agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Benson High School, has officially resigned following months of controversy and formal charges of unprofessional conduct. While she’ll remain on paid administrative leave through June, her departure may not be the end of the story, with multiple state and federal investigations still underway. We break down what led to her resignation, what’s next, and what it means for the school and community.

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Douglas city leaders are making a big ask in Washington, $20 million to fully fund the road connecting their new commercial port of entry to State Route 80. Without it, they say the port’s potential could be bottlenecked from day one. In today’s episode, we break down what’s at stake, what the scaled-back road plan would mean for cross-border trade, and why Mayor Jose Grijalva and his team say now is the time to get it right.

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Charlotte Hoffman launched Safe Ride with Us after losing her son in a motorcycle crash involving alcohol. What began as a donation-based ride service at local concerts has grown into Benson’s only around-the-clock taxi operation. With her mother Chris helping behind the wheel and at dispatch, Charlotte is filling a critical transportation gap in a rural town with no public transit or rideshare coverage.

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A grieving father. A forgotten town. A Western reborn in Cochise County. In this episode, we explore The Return, a 25-minute short film by Peter Reese, filmed entirely on location in southern Arizona. From Mescal Movie Set to Texas Canyon, Reese blends personal loss with frontier storytelling and shares what’s next for John McKenna.

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A popular bed and breakfast in Ramsey Canyon is pushing back against a county lawsuit, claiming Cochise officials ignored zoning procedures and denied them due process. As the case stalls amid judicial recusals, the Kepners argue the county jumped to court without giving them a fair hearing.

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Deaf Sierra Vista native Gracie Gutierrez heads to Gallaudet University this summer, after a gap year, to train as an ASL interpreter. In this episode, she shares how a friend’s struggle for access, a transformative campus visit, and the JumpStart program fueled her mission to return home and make local classrooms truly inclusive.

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Meggen Connolley returned to Bisbee fresh off national recognition to deliver an urgent update on the city’s ambitious bike and pedestrian trail project. With $8.5 million in federal funding already secured, just under $180,000 stands between Bisbee and unlocking the final phase. But there's a catch, major donors want assurance the city will guarantee the project’s completion. At a recent work session, city leaders weighed the risks and rewards. Their decision could determine whether this multi-phase trail becomes a transformative reality or a missed opportunity.

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