(cross-posted to Arizona's Politics blog)




I appreciate that the New York Times opened up a Phoenix bureau last year, and that excellent reporter Marc Lacey has to file some stories other than border updates and unusual Arizona elected official actions, and that this story is a semi-decent slice of life.



But, was an article about how some Phoenicians have sprayed green dye on their lawns REALLY front-page news? Especially when there is no indication how popular it is - in fact, the article includes a statement that it might NOT be popular, and the business cited claims (on its website) that it is popular in California and the rest of the nation. Inside, where they place human interest or gardening stories, maybe. But, the front page?



I understand the Times' desire to place a fun or quirky story on the front page to get some attention. But, the Gray Lady does appear to relish any story - from Lacey or otherwise - which paints Arizona and/or Arizonans in a too-unusual-to-be-taken-seriously light.

Apparently, Bristol Not Only Palin Working Media In Arizona

Not sure if Bristol Palin is going to work drivetime radio in Phoenix.  But, this Tweet from KOLD (Channel 13) in Tucson leads me to wonder if her mother, Sarah, is already working for Arizona media.

@KOLD_news13
KOLD News 13

AZ lawmakers grabble with transplant coverage cut http://bit.ly/fP2mjd

"Grabble"?!?  Turns out that Merriam-Webster and other dictionaries actually do list such a word.  However, the definition does not quite fit the story:

1: to search with the hand : grope

2: to lie or fall prone : sprawl

Turns out that Channel 13 probably did not come up with "grabble" on their own.  Given that other outlets utilizing the AP story also are using it.  Perhaps one of our AP Phoenix bureau friends wrote the headline.

I suppose that the word the Tweeter and/or headline writer is groping for is "grapple".  But, hey, as Ms. Palin has shown, combo words can be much more entertaining.