AltWeeklies Wire
Crossing Zonenew
The Monument Fire area is a well-known drug-smuggler area, border law-enforcement officers say.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
07-27-2011 |
Disasters
Tags: arizona wildfires, monument fire
Arizona Burningnew

We know a recent fire in Southern Arizona was likely set by an man in distress. What do we know about the border's other fires?
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
06-30-2011 |
Disasters
A Dirty, Vicious Businessnew

In the Peck Canyon corridor, violent crimes and the discovery of body parts occur with disturbing regularity.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
05-25-2011 |
Crime & Justice
The Border's Revolving Doornew

The indictment issued involving the murder of Agent Brian Terry raises as many questions as it answers.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
05-18-2011 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: Border Patrol, Brian Terry
The Brothers Arellanesnew

The man held in connection with the murder of Agent Brian Terry has a crime-ridden past--and so does at least one relative.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
04-22-2011 |
Crime & Justice
Murder of Arizona Rancher Provokes Border Outragenew
Will the murder of a respected Arizona rancher change anything on the U.S.-Mexico border?
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
04-28-2010 |
Immigration
Border Wars Go High-Technew
Border crossers have motivated a series of fascinating technological innovations.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
04-01-2010 |
Immigration
A Congressman Uncovers Two Studies Showing the Impacts of Illegal Immigration, Smugglingnew
The federal government's border fence has been called the Tortilla Curtain. But in the swamp of border politics, there's a more effective barrier at play, one that filters ideas rather than people. It explains why most Americans still don't fully understand the disaster on our southern border.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
12-10-2009 |
Immigration
One Helicopter Crew Looks Back on an Unforgettable Rescuenew

With the Afghan war back in the headlines, and none of the news good, the rescue led by the Air Force's 305th Rescue Squadron provides a glimpse into one story that began horribly and ended well, thanks to the ordinary Americans who made it happen.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
11-11-2009 |
War
Is the Iconic Saguaro Cactus in Jeopardy?new

Scientists say buffelgrass may be on an unstoppable march -- and the saguaro is in its way.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
11-04-2009 |
Environment
One Border Coyote and His Accomplice Have Been Captured and Released 35 Timesnew
The story the Popes tell opens a window on the world of alien- and drug-smuggling, and the criminals who operate within it. It also shines a light on a system that fails citizens in multiple ways, the most maddening being the number of times these crooks are set free to strike again.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
09-16-2009 |
Immigration
Forest Service Land Is Fertile Ground for Pot Plantsnew

Between 2006 and 2008, the Gila County Narcotics Task Force took down 43 pot farms, eradicating 82,904 marijuana plants. All but a handful were on Tonto National Forest land.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
04-16-2009 |
Drugs
Trashing the Bordernew

Illegal immigrants dump tons of waste in the wilderness every day -- and it's devastating the environment.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
04-02-2009 |
Environment
They Call Him Dr. Germnew
As microbiologist Charles Gerba cheerily explains, billions of nasty microbes await you every day.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
10-09-2008 |
Science
Drug Trafficking and Crime Plague the Bordernew

The siege of the Chiricahuas can best be described as a low-level guerilla war, intermittent but always simmering, the scenes of trouble shifting regularly.
Tucson Weekly |
Leo W. Banks |
09-12-2008 |
Immigration