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New urgency about dealing with Arizona's historic drought

Also on "Square Off," we get a report on mysterious money management by a troubled southeast Valley water company, Johnson Utilities.

There’s a new urgency about dealing with Arizona’s 20-year drought -- one of the worst in more than 1,000 years, according to a federal official.

On “Sunday Square Off,” I spoke with Dave White, director of Arizona State University's Decision Center for a Desert City and one of the state’s leading water experts, and Sandy Bahr, director of the Arizona Chapter of the Sierra Club, about why one wet winter misled us about the severity of the drought; what policy makers should be doing; and what Valley residents say they’re willing to give up to deal with the drought.

Also on “Square Off”:

  • We meet January Contreras, a longtime aide to former Gov. Janet Napolitano who's challenging Republican incumbent Mark Brnovich in the race for Arizona state attorney general.
  • We get a report from Jake Kincaid of PinalCentral.com, on mysterious money management by a troubled southeast Valley water company, Johnson Utilities. According to recent testimony, Johnson Utilities has funneled tens of millions of dollars in customer payments to an out-of-state shell company, while falling far behind on upgrades to its water system and raising water rates.

Meantime, Johnson Utilities’ owner George Johnson goes on trial Wednesday in Federal Court in Phoenix on charges of bribing a state regulator who oversaw his company.

“Sunday Square Off” airs at 8 a.m. Sundays on 12 News, after NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

How one wet Arizona winter misled us about drought

See video above.

There’s a new urgency to deal with Arizona’s historic drought after a wet winter misled us about its severity.

What Valley residents would give up for drought

A surprising new survey shows us what Valley residents would give up to deal with the 20-year-drought.

Former Napolitano aide takes on Attorney General Brnovich

Meet January Contreras, a longtime aide to former Gov. Janet Napolitano who's challenging Republican incumbent Mark Brnovich in the race for Arizona state attorney general.

What did Johnson Utilities do with millions?

We get a report from Jake Kincaid of PinalCentral.com, on mysterious money management by a troubled southeast Valley water company, Johnson Utilities.

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