Sun City is a weird place. I mean that in the best way possible, but let’s be honest: a community built specifically for active retirees in the late 1950s doesn’t operate like a standard suburb. People here actually talk to their neighbors. They care about what the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum is doing. And, perhaps most surprisingly in 2026, they still deeply value a physical Sun City AZ newspaper.
The digital age tried to kill local print, but Sun City is holding the line. If you’re looking for news in the 85351 or 85373 zip codes, you’re likely looking for more than just national headlines. You want to know why the traffic on Bell Road is backed up or which Recreation Centers of Sun City (RCSC) board member is currently under fire. You’re looking for the hyper-local stuff that big Phoenix outlets like the Arizona Republic usually ignore.
The Big Player: Daily Independent and the Sun City Independent
If you ask a local where they get their news, they’ll probably point to the Sun City Independent. It’s the heavyweight in the room. Published by Independent Newsmedia, this paper has been the "paper of record" for the community for decades.
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It’s a weekly. It’s free. And it’s everywhere.
You’ll find it in those yellow or white plastic boxes at the strip malls on 99th Avenue. You’ll see it stacked in the lobbies of the rec centers. What makes it work is that it doesn't try to be The New York Times. It focuses on the stuff that actually affects a resident's daily life. We’re talking about zoning changes for the local golf courses, water rate hikes from EPCOR, and the constant, simmering drama surrounding the RCSC board elections.
The Independent isn’t just a print product, though. They’ve migrated a lot of their real-time reporting to their digital wing, YourValley.net. If there’s a fire or a major accident on the Loop 101, that’s where the updates hit first. But for the deep dives into the community’s "Original Fun City" history or the long-form profiles of local volunteers, the print edition is still king.
Why "Hyper-Local" Still Wins in Sun City
Most people outside of Maricopa County think local news is dying. In many places, it is. But Sun City is a demographic outlier. Here, the "news desert" hasn't quite dried up because the audience is engaged.
Think about it.
When you live in a community where your property taxes and your lifestyle are dictated by a private board of directors (the RCSC), the local newspaper becomes a tool for accountability. It’s not just "nice to have." It’s a necessity. If the Independent stops covering a board meeting, who is going to tell the residents that their annual dues are going up?
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The Alternative Sources You Might Miss
It’s not just about the big weekly paper. There are other layers to the Sun City AZ newspaper landscape that residents rely on, sometimes without even realizing it.
- The Sun Views: This is more of a monthly magazine/newsletter hybrid produced by the RCSC. It’s glossy, it’s colorful, and it tells you everything about the upcoming concerts at the Sundial Auditorium. Is it "hard news"? No. But for many residents, it's the primary way they stay connected to the social fabric of the community.
- The Daily News-Sun: This one gets confusing. For a long time, the Daily News-Sun was the main competitor. It had a long history in the West Valley. Eventually, it was absorbed and merged, and nowadays, its identity is closely tied to the broader West Valley reporting of the Independent Newsmedia group.
- Nextdoor and Facebook Groups: While not traditional newspapers, the "Sun City Residents" Facebook groups have become the de facto breaking news outlets. If a helicopter is circling overhead, someone will post about it within thirty seconds. It’s messy. It’s full of rumors. But it’s where the conversation happens.
The Controversy: Reporting on the RCSC
You can't talk about news in Sun City without talking about the friction between the press and the RCSC. For years, there has been a push-pull relationship. Journalists want transparency; the board often wants privacy.
In recent years, the reporting has centered on the "Mountain View" project—a massive, multi-million dollar redevelopment plan that has divided the community. A good Sun City AZ newspaper doesn't just report the dates of the meetings. It breaks down the math. It interviews the protesters standing outside with signs. It asks why the budget increased by 20% in six months.
This is where the Independent shines. They provide a platform for "Letters to the Editor," which is basically the Sun City version of a Twitter flame war, but with better grammar and more references to the 1970s. These letters are often the most-read part of the paper. They offer a raw look at what the "average" resident is worried about—whether it's the state of the bunkers at North Golf Course or the speed of golf carts on the main roads.
How to Actually Get the Paper
If you’re new to the area, or maybe you’re just visiting your parents, you might wonder how to get your hands on a copy. It’s simpler than you’d think, but it requires being physically present in the community.
- Driveway Delivery: Many residents still get the paper tossed onto their driveways. If you aren't getting it, you usually have to call the Independent Newsmedia circulation desk to get on the list.
- The "Blue Boxes": Look near the grocery stores. Fry’s, Safeway, and the various plazas along Grand Avenue usually have kiosks. They empty out fast on the day of publication.
- Digital Subscriptions: You can sign up for the e-newsletter on YourValley.net. This is honestly the best way to keep up if you’re a "snowbird" who spends their summers in cooler climates.
Honestly, the digital version is fine, but there is something about sitting on a patio with a coffee and a physical paper while the sun comes up over the palm trees. It’s part of the Sun City brand.
What Most People Get Wrong About Sun City News
The biggest misconception is that nothing happens here. People think it’s just a sleepy retirement village where the only news is the obituary section.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Sun City is an experimental society. It was the first of its kind. Today, it’s grappling with aging infrastructure, water scarcity in the Arizona desert, and a changing demographic as younger retirees (the "young" 55-year-olds) move in with different expectations. A Sun City AZ newspaper has to cover all of that. It has to cover the pickleball craze that is literally reshaping the recreational landscape. It has to cover the legislative battles in Phoenix that might impact senior tax exemptions.
It’s a high-stakes beat.
Specific Tips for Staying Informed
If you want to be a Sun City "insider," don't just read the front page. Look at the legal notices. It sounds boring, but in a deed-restricted community, the legal notices are where the real secrets are hidden. That’s where you’ll see the notices for trustee sales, name changes, and public hearings that haven’t been advertised anywhere else.
Also, pay attention to the "Senior Living" inserts. While they are often heavy on advertising, they frequently feature interviews with local doctors or specialists who understand the specific health challenges of the West Valley.
Moving Forward With Your Search
To stay truly informed in the West Valley, you need a multi-pronged approach. Don't rely on just one source.
Step 1: Bookmark YourValley.net. This is your primary source for daily updates and breaking news in the Sun City and Sun City West areas. It’s the digital home of the Independent.
Step 2: Join the RCSC Email List. Even if you aren't a fan of the board's decisions, you need their official "Sun Views" and email blasts to know the schedules for pool closures, golf course maintenance, and club meetings.
Step 3: Pick up the physical Sun City Independent every Wednesday. Check the "Letters to the Editor" to see what your neighbors are complaining about—it’s the fastest way to understand the current political climate of the community.
Step 4: Follow the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) West Valley social media. Sun City doesn't have its own police department; it relies on MCSO. For crime stats and safety alerts, go straight to the source.
Staying informed in Sun City isn't just about reading the news; it's about participating in one of the most unique community experiments in American history. Whether you prefer the ink on your fingers or the glow of a tablet, the news is there—you just have to know where to look.