Sam McLaughlin
@sammclaughlin.bsky.social
Reporter, Arizona Daily Sun. Flagstaff, AZ
My latest update on the meltdown of one of our region's most important healthcare providers.
#Flagstaff #Arizona #LocalJournalism #Healthcare
#Flagstaff #Arizona #LocalJournalism #Healthcare
North Country HealthCare confirms buyout and bankruptcy plans
The health organization has reached an acquisition agreement with Tucson’s El Rio Health and will begin bankruptcy proceedings this week.
azdailysun.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:56 PM
My latest update on the meltdown of one of our region's most important healthcare providers.
#Flagstaff #Arizona #LocalJournalism #Healthcare
#Flagstaff #Arizona #LocalJournalism #Healthcare
More on the situation with North Country HealthCare, including the impacts of its apparent failure to pay for employees' health insurance and the CEO's limited explanation of what might be coming next. #Flagstaff #Arizona #LocalJournalism
More North Country HealthCare employees speak out, as CEO promises ‘transparency’ in health insurance situation
Following the Arizona Daily Sun’s report last week that North Country HealthCare had abruptly terminated the health care plan for its hundreds of employees -- while facing a federal lawsuit
azdailysun.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:13 PM
More on the situation with North Country HealthCare, including the impacts of its apparent failure to pay for employees' health insurance and the CEO's limited explanation of what might be coming next. #Flagstaff #Arizona #LocalJournalism
A local medical provider took deductions from employees' paychecks for health insurance -- but never actually paid the insurer. Now employees' insurance has been cancelled and many are stuck with thousands of dollars in unpaid bills. More to come soon. #Flagstaff #Arizona #LocalJournalism
North Country HealthCare took employees' money for health plan but never paid insurer, lawsuit claims
North Country’s employees on Monday received an email stating that their coverage had been canceled altogether.
azdailysun.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:44 PM
A local medical provider took deductions from employees' paychecks for health insurance -- but never actually paid the insurer. Now employees' insurance has been cancelled and many are stuck with thousands of dollars in unpaid bills. More to come soon. #Flagstaff #Arizona #LocalJournalism
Turns out massive data centers built by & for distant companies aren't actually that popular with the people who live nearby. Who could have imagined?
Residents Launch Recall of Mayor Kidman and Councilor Roundtree, Seek Referendum to Reverse 500-Acre Data Center Land Sale - Lake Powell Chronicle
The Oct. 22 City Council meeting approved the sale of 500 acres of city land to Huntley LLC for a proposed $15 billion data center—igniting a new wave of civic backlash. Within days of the …
lakepowellchronicle.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Turns out massive data centers built by & for distant companies aren't actually that popular with the people who live nearby. Who could have imagined?
Really important reporting here by @azcir.org. Another case where it feels like communities with limited options for action are trying to catch up to faster-moving corporate entities.
Arizona's Hualapai Valley now a 'de facto transfer basin' for out-of-state interests
Since 2014, an influx of out-of-state interests have drilled nearly 200 agricultural wells in Mohave County’s Hualapai Valley groundwater basin, straining the aquifer and putting residential water sup...
azcir.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Really important reporting here by @azcir.org. Another case where it feels like communities with limited options for action are trying to catch up to faster-moving corporate entities.
I covered this agreement between Energy Fuels and the Navajo Nation when it was first announced in January, and am glad to see the additional attention that @azcentral.com is dedicating to community members' ongoing concerns.
Doubts persist about deal to allow uranium trucks on the Navajo Nation
People who live along the uranium transport route say they want assurances that they are not at risk.
www.azcentral.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
I covered this agreement between Energy Fuels and the Navajo Nation when it was first announced in January, and am glad to see the additional attention that @azcentral.com is dedicating to community members' ongoing concerns.
A couple of interesting stories I covered in September: first, the latest developments in the prolonged (and messy) legal battle between the City of Flagstaff and a Canadian helium company over groundwater protection (and open meeting laws). #localjournalism #flagstaff #arizona
Flagstaff City Council ready and willing to sue again over Red Gap Ranch
The announcement followed the AZ Supreme Court’s rejection of the city’s petition for review in an ongoing lawsuit with Desert Mountain Energy.
azdailysun.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
A couple of interesting stories I covered in September: first, the latest developments in the prolonged (and messy) legal battle between the City of Flagstaff and a Canadian helium company over groundwater protection (and open meeting laws). #localjournalism #flagstaff #arizona
NPS continues to claim that they pursued a 'full suppression' strategy on the Dragon Bravo Fire from day one, despite their own previous statements to the contrary. It's a glaring inconsistency that they appear determined to avoid acknowledging. Very bizarre.
Canyon officials ignored 'critical' warnings on Dragon Bravo, fire plan shows
Grand Canyon fire plan shows officials publicly downplayed safety threats as fuel and weather conditions reached the brink of "critical" fire risk.
www.azcentral.com
August 21, 2025 at 10:24 PM
NPS continues to claim that they pursued a 'full suppression' strategy on the Dragon Bravo Fire from day one, despite their own previous statements to the contrary. It's a glaring inconsistency that they appear determined to avoid acknowledging. Very bizarre.
The White Sage Fire in northern Arizona is up to almost 9,000 acres. Local residents & the Grand Canyon's North Rim have been evacuated. Hot, dry, and windy conditions are not working in fire crews' favor. More of the same in the weather forecast -- this one seems like it has potential to grow.
Grand Canyon North Rim, Jacob Lake under evacuation orders as wildfire burns
The White Sage Fire is located on Bureau of Land Management land, west of Jacob Lake and southeast of Fredonia.
azdailysun.com
July 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The White Sage Fire in northern Arizona is up to almost 9,000 acres. Local residents & the Grand Canyon's North Rim have been evacuated. Hot, dry, and windy conditions are not working in fire crews' favor. More of the same in the weather forecast -- this one seems like it has potential to grow.
And I also wrapped up an article on how planned cuts to the budget of USGS could impact Flagstaff specifically. The potential closure of the agency's Ecosystems Mission Area could mean the end of a regionally significant research center. #localjournalism
azdailysun.com/news/local/g...
azdailysun.com/news/local/g...
The home of Grand Canyon science in Flagstaff possibly at risk as results of cuts
A Flagstaff-based hub for regional science could be under threat from President Donald Trump’s proposed cuts.
azdailysun.com
June 17, 2025 at 4:49 PM
And I also wrapped up an article on how planned cuts to the budget of USGS could impact Flagstaff specifically. The potential closure of the agency's Ecosystems Mission Area could mean the end of a regionally significant research center. #localjournalism
azdailysun.com/news/local/g...
azdailysun.com/news/local/g...
I reported on Flagstaff's 'No Kings' protest this past weekend. Big turnout, but a calm atmosphere despite the obvious anger and frustration on display.
#localjournalism
azdailysun.com/news/local/n...
#localjournalism
azdailysun.com/news/local/n...
'No Kings' protest against Trump draws Flagstaff's largest turnout of the year
At least 3,000 people gathered around Flagstaff’s City Hall on Saturday, June 14, for a protest against President Donald Trump.
azdailysun.com
June 17, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I reported on Flagstaff's 'No Kings' protest this past weekend. Big turnout, but a calm atmosphere despite the obvious anger and frustration on display.
#localjournalism
azdailysun.com/news/local/n...
#localjournalism
azdailysun.com/news/local/n...
Trying to keep up with both national & local news this week has got me feeling like Sam Rockwell in Galaxy Quest. #localjournalism
m.youtube.com/watch?v=QhrP...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=QhrP...
Galaxy Quest scream
YouTube video by Sourdeed
m.youtube.com
June 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Trying to keep up with both national & local news this week has got me feeling like Sam Rockwell in Galaxy Quest. #localjournalism
m.youtube.com/watch?v=QhrP...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=QhrP...
Adopted this sweet, rambunctious gal this week. Much to learn for both of us, but we both like fetch, so that's a good start.
June 5, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Adopted this sweet, rambunctious gal this week. Much to learn for both of us, but we both like fetch, so that's a good start.
20 minutes since I booted up my work computer this morning, and I have *almost* loaded one (1) webpage. Off to a great start.
May 28, 2025 at 4:22 PM
20 minutes since I booted up my work computer this morning, and I have *almost* loaded one (1) webpage. Off to a great start.
Driving around on the dusty roads outside of Leupp, AZ, to meet some of the families and crews involved in this project was one of the best days I've had at work recently. (My car is still full of dust.) Thanks to NTUA for facilitating the visit.
For the sixth year, Light Up Navajo project brings power to rural reservation homes
Now in its sixth year of active operations, the program is on track to surpass 1,000 connections.
azdailysun.com
April 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Driving around on the dusty roads outside of Leupp, AZ, to meet some of the families and crews involved in this project was one of the best days I've had at work recently. (My car is still full of dust.) Thanks to NTUA for facilitating the visit.
Our small newspaper in northern Arizona is hiring: jobs.azdailysun.com/company/ariz...
Part-time Reporter
Flagstaff, AZ - A great opportunity to apply for this Part-time Reporter position
jobs.azdailysun.com
April 3, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Our small newspaper in northern Arizona is hiring: jobs.azdailysun.com/company/ariz...
People in Flagstaff would very much like to speak to their congressional representative, Eli Crane. But Crane has only visited the city a handful of times since being elected in 2022, and never for a public event. And his media director won't answer my emails.
azdailysun.com/news/local/w...
azdailysun.com/news/local/w...
'Where's Eli?' Flagstaff citizens call out Congressman Crane for lack of engagement with community
Other attendees highlighted President Trump’s plan to dissolve the Department of Education and the mass terminations of public lands employees as issues of particular concern.
azdailysun.com
March 27, 2025 at 5:31 PM
People in Flagstaff would very much like to speak to their congressional representative, Eli Crane. But Crane has only visited the city a handful of times since being elected in 2022, and never for a public event. And his media director won't answer my emails.
azdailysun.com/news/local/w...
azdailysun.com/news/local/w...
There's something mildly poetic about this, maybe.
March 14, 2025 at 8:40 PM
There's something mildly poetic about this, maybe.
Loved reading this story. I've seen this font more times than I can possibly count and never thought twice about it -- I'm glad somebody else was more curious. aresluna.org/the-hardest-...
The hardest working font in Manhattan
A story of a 150-year-old font you have never heard of – and one you probably saw earlier today.
aresluna.org
March 12, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Loved reading this story. I've seen this font more times than I can possibly count and never thought twice about it -- I'm glad somebody else was more curious. aresluna.org/the-hardest-...
Hello, Bluesky. I'm a journalist living & writing in Flagstaff, Arizona. My latest piece is on the abrupt firings of employees at federal land management agencies, and what that means for our community that's surrounded by public lands. You can read it here: azdailysun.com/news/local/h...
Hundreds rally in Flagstaff in support of federal workers, public lands -- and in opposition to Trump, Musk
Hundreds of people gathered at Flagstaff City Hall on Monday to protest President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s sweeping cuts to the federal workforce.
azdailysun.com
February 19, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Hello, Bluesky. I'm a journalist living & writing in Flagstaff, Arizona. My latest piece is on the abrupt firings of employees at federal land management agencies, and what that means for our community that's surrounded by public lands. You can read it here: azdailysun.com/news/local/h...