by Jonathan Eberle | Sep 29, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona added 700 nonfarm jobs in August, a modest increase that ranked the state 31st nationally in monthly job growth, according to a new analysis by the Common Sense Institute (CSI). Nationally, the U.S. economy gained 22,000 jobs, while 18 states recorded employment losses.
On an annual basis, Arizona showed stronger momentum, adding 41,400 jobs over the past year, a 1.29% gain that placed it 15th in the nation. However, CSI noted that the state has shed 15,100 jobs since April 2025, marking the second-highest nominal job loss in the country during that period and the fifth worst relative decline at 0.46%. Arizona’s unemployment rate remained at 4.1% in August, unchanged for six straight months. Labor force participation also held steady at 61.4%, below its pre-pandemic level of 62.2%.
Manufacturing led the way in August with 1,100 new jobs, a 0.6% increase that ranked Arizona third nationwide for monthly manufacturing growth. Despite the improvement, the sector remains down 1,100 jobs compared to last year. Mining and Logging posted the strongest year-over-year growth, adding 1,500 jobs, or 10.2%. By contrast, Leisure and Hospitality lost 0.6% of its workforce last month, while the Information sector continues to lag behind with a 2.7% year-over-year decline.
Average hourly wages in Arizona rose to $34.91, up 4.1% from August 2024. Adjusted for inflation, real wages increased 2.7% over the past year—outpacing the national average of 0.7%. Still, CSI’s report highlighted longer-term challenges: since April 2020, real wages in the state have fallen 4.3%.
Overall, the report points to a mixed picture for Arizona’s labor market: modest gains in key industries and wage growth, offset by lingering job losses since the spring and participation rates that remain below pre-pandemic levels.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Sep 28, 2025 | Education, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona State University history professor Alexander Aviña is at the center of controversy after social media posts highlighted comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk and Christianity.
The account Project Constitution posted on X that Aviña had referred to Kirk as “unimportant and hateful” and called Christians “blasphemous.” The post, which quickly spread online, accused the professor of mocking faith and using his position to disparage students’ beliefs.
A second post by Stu Smith also shared the clip from the podcast interview where Aviña continued to reflect on public mourning for Kirk. He compared the response to the aftermath of September 11, saying, “This feels even weirder than right after September 11th, much more intense.”
Aviña also described students whispering in his office out of concern for saying the wrong thing and criticized what he called the “fascistic revanchist right” for using the moment to “pummel the rest of us.”
In the same interview, Aviña ridiculed Kirk’s global influence, questioning whether “Kirk cultural or political spaces” might emerge in Latin America, and mocked online tributes depicting Kirk in heaven with Jesus.
“Gringo Christians are some of the most blasphemous, sacrilegious people,” he said, adding, “It is extremely bizarre… constant whiplash.”
The comments prompted backlash from voices online, who accused Aviña of disrespecting Christianity and dismissing the legacy of one of the right’s most prominent activists. Both Project Constitution and Stu Smith called on ASU to hold Aviña accountable, with Project Constitution urging followers to “cancel him.”
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 28, 2025 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Governor Katie Hobbs has sparked controversy by appointing James “Jimmy” McCain, son of the late Senator John McCain, to the Arizona Board of Regents.
The decision raised eyebrows due to McCain’s opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies, the Arizona GOP’s censure of the late senator, and James McCain’s role at Hensley Beverage Company, a key sponsor of Hobbs’ inaugural committee.
“Jimmy McCain is a veteran, a businessman, and native Arizonan who is passionate about connecting every Arizona community to the education they need to thrive,” Hobbs said in a statement about the McCain-Hensley family heir.
“His long track record of public service and knowledge of the unique challenges and opportunities of northern Arizona make him well-positioned to advocate for the students of the region,” she added. “With his deep Arizona roots and passion for serving the people of our state, I know he will be a tireless advocate for northern Arizona. I look forward to seeing Jimmy deliver for our students, universities and communities while serving on the Board of Regents.”
Absent from the Governor’s remarks were any references to the $10,000 donated to her inauguration fund from Hensley Beverage Company, as reported by the Arizona Republic in 2023.
“I am deeply honored that Governor Hobbs has entrusted me with the opportunity to serve on the Arizona Board of Regents,” said Jimmy McCain. “As the Regent representing northern Arizona, I am excited to help strengthen higher education across our state and ensure that students from every background, especially those in our Tribal and rural communities, have access to the educational tools they need to succeed. Arizona’s public universities are the economic engine of our state, and I look forward to working with my fellow Regents, President Cruz Rivera, President Crow, and President Garimella, to advance our collective mission.”
According to the Daily Courier, McCain, like his father before him, opposes President Donald Trump and the MAGA Republican movement, and departed the Republican Party in 2016 after Trump’s first electoral win. After registering as an independent for eight years, he changed parties and became a Democrat in 2024, stating that he would vote for then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Senator McCain’s widow, Ambassador Cindy Hensley-McCain, also endorsed former President Joe Biden in 2020 but told reporters she remains a registered Republican. She also remains Chairwoman of Hensley Beverage Company.
A press aide for Hobbs, Liliana Soto, told the Courier that McCain’s party change did not contribute to the Governor’s decision to appoint him. “Jimmy McCain has a strong track record of leadership, collaboration, and service,” Soto told reporters. She added that Hobbs believes he is, “committed to keeping Arizona’s universities affordable and innovative.”
Hobbs’ first pick for the Board of Regents, Liz Archuleta, was not given a hearing by the Republican-led state Senate.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 28, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Reps. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) and August Pfluger (R-TX11) introduced a bill directing the Treasury to mint 400,000 silver dollar coins honoring Charlie Kirk. The new coins will bear his image on the face and the biblical inscription, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” on the reverse.
Revealing the legislation to Fox News, Hamadeh told reporters, “Since 1892, Congress has authorized commemorative coins to celebrate and honor historic American patriots.” He described the slain co-founder of Turning Point USA as an “American Treasure.”
In a guest column for Townhall, Hamadeh described Kirk as “a fellow happy warrior for the America First agenda,” and “a soldier for God who defended traditional American values, armed only with his faith and a brilliant mind.”
“He tirelessly sacrificed his time, energy, and money to save this nation for future generations. Ultimately, at the hands of a radical leftist, he sacrificed his life,” Hamadeh told Fox. “His life must be commemorated, and this coin will allow us to pass a reminder of his remarkable life on to generations to come.”
In a post on X, Congressman Hamadeh’s Office wrote, “This commemorative coin will enable us to pass on this reminder of Charlie Kirk’s remarkable life to generations to come. Congressman Hamadeh thanks @RepPfluger for joining him in offering this small token of our appreciation for Charlie’s sacrifice.”
Congressman Pfluger emphasized the impact of Kirk’s life of 31 years, noting that the bill would make Kirk the youngest American honored on our currency. He described it as “a fitting honor that cements his extraordinary legacy alongside presidents and founding fathers who shaped our republic.”
Pfluger added, “Charlie Kirk was a conservative titan whose transformational impact on millions of Americans deserves permanent recognition alongside our nation’s greatest leaders and influential figures.”
Posting to X he wrote, “Charlie Kirk inspired millions of Americans, and his impact deserves permanent recognition. Proud to join @RepAbeHamadeh in his effort to honor Charlie’s life with a commemorative coin that will preserve his legacy for generations to come.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 27, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The sniper attack on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas has sparked a wave of reactions from Arizona politicians, reflecting a deeply divided political landscape.
In the attack, a 29-year-old gunman named Joshua Jahn killed one ICE detainee and critically wounded two others before ending his own life. The shooting was described by authorities as a targeted attack, with “anti-ICE” messages found inscribed on ammunition at the scene.
At the federal level, Arizona’s congressional delegation has been vocal, though not uniformly so. Congressmen Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) and Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) were among the first to respond. Biggs condemned the violence and offered prayer for the affected families, writing, “Violence against our courageous law enforcement officials is completely unacceptable. I am praying for our @ICEgov agents and their families while we await more details.”
Hamadeh posted to X, highlighting the emerging evidence of the crime being motivated by anti-ICE sentiment, writing, “Anti-ICE messages carved on the bullet casings. Another militant left-wing shooter inspired by the media and the left’s constant demonization of our law enforcement officers. These brave men and women are tasked with enforcing our immigration laws and protecting our homeland, and for that, these radicals have put a target on their backs.”
Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ02) shared posts from the Department of Homeland Security and President Donald Trump throughout the morning and wrote succinctly, “This violence must stop.”
In a Thursday post sharing a video from Benny Johnson, he added, “I stand with ICE. Their critical efforts are only necessary because of the border crisis forced upon everyday Americans by Joe Biden and whoever was really calling the shots while he was dozing off in the White House.”
Democrat Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ04) addressed the attack as well, calling it “Shocking, senseless news out of Dallas this morning.” He posted, “Violence of any kind has no place in America and tears our communities apart. As details continue to emerge about the shooting, we grieve with the families who lost loved ones and pray for the wounded.”
At the state level, the Republican Party of Arizona issued a statement regarding the shooting within the broader context of rising attacks on ICE agents.
“The rise in attacks on our ICE agents is no accident,” the party wrote on X. “In Dallas, a shooter opened fire on an ICE office with ‘ANTI-ICE’ bullets. Here in Arizona, we’ve seen protests escalate into violent clashes with law enforcement during ICE operations. When lawless mobs target the men and women keeping our communities safe, it’s time to draw the line. Arizona stands with ICE and every officer on the frontlines. Enough is enough — attacks on law enforcement will not be tolerated.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called the attack a “wake-up call.” She wrote in a statement:
“For months, we’ve been warning politicians and the media to tone down their rhetoric about ICE law enforcement before someone was killed. These horrendous killings must serve as a wake-up call to the far-left that their rhetoric about ICE has consequences. Comparing ICE Day-in and day-out to the Nazi Gestapo, the Secret Police, and slave patrols has consequences. The men and women of ICE are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters. They get up every morning to try and make our communities safer. Like everyone else, we just want to go home to our families at night. The violence and dehumanization of these men and women who are simply enforcing the law must stop. We are praying for the victims and their families.”
In Arizona, where border security is a profound and omnipresent issue, the incident resonates deeply given the prominent role of ICE throughout the state. Past protests and counter-protests related to ICE activities, some of which have turned violent, are fresh in the minds of many Arizonans and the threat of further violence looms large.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
