75 Comments

Thank you Rachel, for the great job of reporting and keeping us informed! Best wishes on your new adventure.

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Thank you!

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Congratulations on your first actual child and kudos for figuring out early how important those family ties and support are. As to your virtual child it’s a great source of information and context on all things AZ politics. You leave it in good hands. You’ve done a good thing here.

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Thank you! Hank has it all under control.

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Best of luck to you and your family! Thank you for all your wonderful work.

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Thank you!

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Am sorry you are leaving. Understand the desire to be with your family especially with the new baby. When you are ass deep in snow this winter and spring comes in May know this one reader will think of you and grin. Good luck, will miss your writing. Have a safe trip back. Diana

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You’re so real for this comment, I’ll think of you once I’m re-learning how to drive in snow

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I only came to this publication recently, but as a precinct committee-person in the tukee area, I’ve enjoyed the updates and the overview. ...Rachel, I wish you so much good health and happiness with both your new family and your family of origin. It will be good to rely on their help. This sort of makes me feel nostalgic as I moved from the midwest when my kids were in kindergarten and 2nd grade and now they have moved far across the country -- one of them a graduate of Cronkite and working as a journalist at a tv station in Alabama. Getting the real news is so important! You’ve done so well to create this outlet and I thank you! Best of luck (and skill)!

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Aww, your kids are like mine just opposite. Thank you!

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devastating, but so incredibly happy for you rachel!!!! excited to see/read what you do next and can't wait for what's still in store here

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Thank you — keep reporting so I can read from afar!

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Best wishes on your next journey and thank you for the great work you have done with Hank on this publication.

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Thank you!

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Your work here will carry on without you living here. Sometimes jump back in to write something eloquently for us just so we can enjoy how exceptionally well you write.

As with all things related to kids, a mom's decision is always the right decision and never to be questioned. Add to that my personal belief that if I was you I'd probably do the same thing.

Take heart in this. You are not succeeding in escaping Mike Norton. There's another one of us in Minneapolis. He ran for City Council in 2022 and did well for a first election. Most people find him to be the far more entertaining and cordial of the two of us.

In his spare time he just launched the first legal weed operation in Minneapolis. And he's a lot more progressive than his Recovering Republican dad.

Enjoy life, Rachel. Don't become a stranger.

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Haha, that’s great! Other Mike Norton sounds fun

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Find him on LinkedIn. Railbox Consulting. He really is the most likable of our immense family. I will send a heads up to each of you.

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Thank you for contributing so much to solid reporting in Arizona, and best of luck!

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Thank you!

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Thank you Rachel. I understand the draw to be w family. I did not go back to NY and my mother really never got to know my daughter - so I think you’re making the right decision. You’ve left a positive legacy here.

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Thank you! My mom is perhaps most excited though there’s a long list of people ready to have us close.

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Thank you for your work here, Rachel. Best of luck!

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Thank you!

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I feel this deeply. If I didn’t live down the street from my family, life with kids would be completely different. Congratulations on a job well done.

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This is what everyone tells us. We need that help for sure

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A wise move but you'll be missed. We were snowbirds (winter chickens) from Plymouth, MN until this year. We are finding AZ summer to be easier than MN winter, but shorter, and we are in our 80's. There's much to love in MN...but you'll be back, someday, your baby maybe a student at AZSU. 😂🤗😘

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He just might go to ASU like both of his parents!

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I'll miss you. All the best to you and your family!

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Thank you!

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How smart you are. I moved to AZ for a teaching job and stayed, but I always lamented that I lived so far from my parents.

You've made a great choice. I'm happy for you and your family. Best of luck.

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I never intended to stay this long either, but it was time to close this chapter. Thank you’!

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So happy for you and your family. But this is devastating news for Arizona. No one will replace your voice or your insights. Good luck with your new gig and tell your boss that thousands of readers in a very cynical state trust your impeccable judgment.

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well said, Corinne.

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Selfishly I hope you’re right that I can’t be replaced, but I know there’s so many talents reporters here that I’m holding out hope. Thank you for the kind words!

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