One of Phoenix's very own city council members is on his way to the Middle East.
The reality in Israel and Gaza is a volatile mix of aggression with talks of peace. It's a process that has dominated the international news cycle for the last few weeks.
But instead of steering clear of the conflict, Phoenix City Council member Daniel Valenzuela is headed toward it. He'll land in Tel Aviv late Saturday night after an entire day of traveling.
"To get 21 elected officials to go out to Israel and have these meetings with other delegates from Israel, an opportunity to share best practices and ideas, I think it's a priceless opportunity," said Valenzuela.
For his first trip outside the country, council member Valenzuela picked a dangerous one, and he knows it, but the benefits outweigh the risks.
"I'm not naive. I've been watching the news, I have been on several conference calls and I understand that anytime you take a step out of this country there are calculated risks," said Valenzuela.
The councilman is being sent to Israel for educational opportunities and to exchange ideas from our city's local governmental level to another.
"Immigration, education, economic development, healthcare, what are their ideas? Those are some of the things I want to report directly back to the people of Phoenix with," said Valenzuela.
The American Israel Education Foundation is sponsoring Valenzuela along with 20 other local elected officials from western states.
For pictures and the day to day events in his trip, you can follow councilman Valenzuela on Twitter, @Daniel4phoenix.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:10:53 GMT
AP photo
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building, police said. The troubled celebrity is also accused of throwing her "drug paraphernalia"
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building, police said. The troubled celebrity is also accused of throwing her "drug paraphernalia"
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:17:32 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
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An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
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Thursday, May 23 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:49:53 GMT
AP photo
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 8:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:50:04 GMT
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
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Thursday, May 23 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:42:40 GMT
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its animatronics dinosaur exhibit. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals. The ride
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its exhibit of animatronics. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals.
Daniel Valenzuela
