[1] It began publishing full-time in January 2010, with an emphasis on local politics and public policy issues, including the border and immigration.

[2][3] The site is among hundreds of startup local news organizations across the country founded to fill the gaps left by declining print newsrooms.

[11] Reporters Paul Ingram and Joe Watson jointly won 2017 Arizona Press Club awards in both the Community and Statewide divisions for their August 2017 story "Decorated Marine vet may be deported, despite likely U.S.

[13] Dylan Smith was named as a 2017 winner of the annual Sledgehammer Award by the Arizona Press Club for his work pushing government officials to release information.

[15] In recognition of the fifth anniversary of the site beginning full-time publishing, Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild proclaimed Thursday, January 22, 2015, as TucsonSentinel.com Day.