Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This week on Arizona Illustrated, see how a University of Arizona film student landed Craig T. Nelson to star in his film “Be Still Boone;” learn the real history behind “A” Mountain’s crater; the South32 Hermos Project is mining for critical minerals in Patagonia, Arizona and residents are worried about effects to air, water and wildlife, and Tom sits down with recently announced Guggenheim Fellow, Dr. Erika Hamden in our latest edition of Speaking Personally.
Discovering Boone
After a life-altering cancer diagnosis while deployed overseas, University of Arizona film student Clinton Willis returned home searching for purpose and found it through storytelling. Drawing inspiration from his relationship with his father, he wrote “Be Still Boone,” a Western screenplay that would go on to be selected by acclaimed actor Craig T. Nelson.
In this behind-the-scenes documentary, Discovering Boone follows Clinton’s journey from personal hardship to creative breakthrough, as he steps into the role of director and brings his deeply personal story to life with the help of his classmates and an unexpected collaborator.
Tucson Tours – “A” Mountain Quarry
Tucson’s iconic A Mountain holds more than just city views. Known geologically as Sentinel Peak, this ancient volcanic formation has been a cultural landmark for thousands of years. But the mysterious scar on its north face isn’t a volcano vent or meteor strike, it’s a historic quarry that helped build Tucson, from St. Mary’s Hospital to the University of Arizona’s main gate.
A Mine Moves In
The South32 Hermosa Project is a developing mine that’s located in the historic mining district outside of the Town of Patagonia in Southern Arizona, that wants to source two federally designated critical minerals: zinc and manganese...materials that are needed to keep up with the demand for renewable energy products. But, nearby residents are weary about its water consumption, potential impacts to air quality and wildlife.
Speaking Personally: Erika Hamden
In April of 2026, Dr. Erika Hamden was named a Guggenheim Fellow, adding to her long list of accomplishments. In conversation with AZPM’s Tom McNamara she discusses how public broadcast opened her eyes to the universe, dropping out of MIT, the difficult decision between cooking and astrophysics and how anyone at any age can learn science. Over the past few years, Hamden has exploded as one of the best science communicators on social media with over 125,000 followers on Instagram alone. She recently published the book “Weird Universe: Everything We Don’t Know About Space (and Why It’s Important)” that explores the complicated mysteries of the cosmos. Along with her myriad accomplishments and fascination with space, she is also extremely down to earth.
This week on Arizona Illustrated, see how a University of Arizona film student landed Craig T. Nelson to star in his film “Be Still Boone;” learn the real history behind “A” Mountain’s crater; the South32 Hermos Project is mining for critical minerals in Patagonia, Arizona and residents are worried about effects to air, water and wildlife, and Tom sits down with recently announced Guggenheim Fellow, Dr. Erika Hamden in our latest edition of Speaking Personally.
Discovering Boone
After a life-altering cancer diagnosis while deployed overseas, University of Arizona film student Clinton Willis returned home searching for purpose and found it through storytelling. Drawing inspiration from his relationship with his father, he wrote “Be Still Boone,” a Western screenplay that would go on to be selected by acclaimed actor Craig T. Nelson.
In this behind-the-scenes documentary, Discovering Boone follows Clinton’s journey from personal hardship to creative breakthrough, as he steps into the role of director and brings his deeply personal story to life with the help of his classmates and an unexpected collaborator.
Tucson Tours – “A” Mountain Quarry
Tucson’s iconic A Mountain holds more than just city views. Known geologically as Sentinel Peak, this ancient volcanic formation has been a cultural landmark for thousands of years. But the mysterious scar on its north face isn’t a volcano vent or meteor strike, it’s a historic quarry that helped build Tucson, from St. Mary’s Hospital to the University of Arizona’s main gate.
A Mine Moves In
The South32 Hermosa Project is a developing mine that’s located in the historic mining district outside of the Town of Patagonia in Southern Arizona, that wants to source two federally designated critical minerals: zinc and manganese...materials that are needed to keep up with the demand for renewable energy products. But, nearby residents are weary about its water consumption, potential impacts to air quality and wildlife.
Speaking Personally: Erika Hamden
In April of 2026, Dr. Erika Hamden was named a Guggenheim Fellow, adding to her long list of accomplishments. In conversation with AZPM’s Tom McNamara she discusses how public broadcast opened her eyes to the universe, dropping out of MIT, the difficult decision between cooking and astrophysics and how anyone at any age can learn science. Over the past few years, Hamden has exploded as one of the best science communicators on social media with over 125,000 followers on Instagram alone. She recently published the book “Weird Universe: Everything We Don’t Know About Space (and Why It’s Important)” that explores the complicated mysteries of the cosmos. Along with her myriad accomplishments and fascination with space, she is also extremely down to earth.
