Authors
Discover the voices behind the Agenda family of newsletters.
Curt Prendergast
Curt spent a dozen years covering the border, federal courts and local government at the Nogales International and the Arizona Daily Star. Along the way, he won a bevy of awards, from community journalist of the year in 2014 to best news story in 2021. After getting laid off as the Star’s opinion editor, he co-founded the Tucson Agenda and ended up in the best job he’s ever had. These days, he gets to focus on the fascinating twists and turns of local politics, while looking for ways to innovate on the traditions that make journalism so essential. After 18 years in Southern Arizona, he moved to a small town in the Pennsylvania forest, where he writes the daily “In Other News” sections and makes sure the newsletters go out on time. His big project of the moment is building a news library that helps readers quickly understand Arizona’s recent political history. When he’s not typing away, he’s hanging out with his wife and spoiling their four dogs: Mozzie, Dobby, Althea and Pigeon.
Joe Ferguson
Joe Ferguson got his first big break covering the Arizona Legislature as the Don Bolles Fellow for the University of Arizona School of Journalism. From there, he spent seven years at the Arizona Daily Sun before returning to Tucson to cover politics and local government for the Arizona Daily Star for another seven years. He joined the Tucson Agenda in 2025, where — surprise — he covers politics and local government. Along the way, Joe has picked up numerous awards from the Arizona Press Club and Arizona Newspapers Association, including the Press Club’s Sledgehammer Award in 2019. A lifelong Trekkie, Joe spends his free time with his family and remains disappointed that the 21st century has produced neither transporters nor replicators.
Nicole Ludden
Nicole Ludden took over her high school newspaper in Nebraska and never looked back. She graduated from ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism in 2020, entering the industry during the chaos of COVID-19. After stints in the Arizona Republic newsroom and at the Tucson Weekly, she covered local government for the Arizona Daily Star. She joined the Agenda in 2023, where she digs into the antics of Arizona’s Legislature and the policy fights shaping the state. She loves falling down a good internet rabbit hole, making weird polymer clay creations and her two cats, Helly and Burt.
