by Ethan Faverino | Jun 4, 2026 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) voted June 1st to direct the Arizona Auditor General to conduct two targeted special audits examining student safety in schools and the administration of federal childcare assistance funds.
One audit will focus on school safety practices statewide, marking the fourth special review of the issue. It will specifically include the Phoenix Union High School District following recent serious incidents of campus violence, including the August 2025 stabbing of a student at Maryvale High School.
The Auditor General will assess whether Arizona schools have properly adopted and implemented emergency response policies, thoroughly investigated student safety allegations, and complied with the state’s mandatory reporting laws.
In a separate action, the JLAC approved a special audit of Arizona’s administration and oversight of the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). The program, primarily administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, provides childcare assistance to qualifying families.
“JLAC took bipartisan action to get answers on two issues that matter to Arizona families,” said Chairman Matt Gress (R-LD4). “Parents deserve to know whether schools are prepared to respond to credible threats and whether serious safety concerns are being handled properly. Taxpayers deserve to know whether hundreds of millions of federal childcare dollars are being managed responsibly. These important audits will establish the facts, identify gaps, and help us determine what needs to change.”
Arizona spent around $573 million in federal CCDF funding during fiscal year 2024. The audit follows previous State Single Audit findings that identified deficiencies in provider oversight, questioned costs, and reporting.
The review arrives amid growing national concerns about fraud and abuse in publicly funded assistance programs. Federal officials have highlighted risks across the country, including recent charges announced by the U.S. Department of Justice in Minnesota against 15 defendants in alleged fraud schemes involving more than $90 million, some tied to childcare assistance programs.
The Auditor General’s examination of the CCDF will cover the approval and monitoring of childcare providers, inter-agency oversight responsibilities, and the accuracy and propriety of program expenditures from fiscal years 2021-25. The review may also extend to participation providers and other areas deemed necessary by the Auditor General, with particular attention to higher-risk periods during and after COVID.
“The fraud scandals unfolding in other states are a warning sign,” added Gress. “Arizona should not wait for a crisis before asking hard questions. When hundreds of millions of dollars flow through a program, strong oversight is not optional. This audit will help determine whether taxpayer dollars are protected, safeguards are working, and childcare assistance is reaching the families it is meant to serve.”
The school safety audit, which received unanimous approval, will begin following completion of the third school safety special audit now underway. It is scheduled to be completed on or before December 31, 2027. The Child Care and Development Fund audit will require cooperation from relevant state agencies and entities involved in federal childcare funding.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jun 2, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) has introduced the Military and Veterans Fuel Discount Act of 2026, a bipartisan measure designed to deliver direct financial relief to service members, veterans, and their families by providing discounts on fuel purchased at military exchange stores.
The legislation, H.R. 9027, is co-sponsored by Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07), Don Davis (D-NC-01), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19). It authorizes the Secretary of Defense to implement a program offering discounts on motor fuel sold at exchange stores and dispensed directly into vehicles owned by eligible patrons.
“As part of my unwavering commitment to America’s military heroes and keeping my promise to improve service members’ lives, I introduced legislation authorizing a fuel discount at military exchange pumps to lower living costs for our troops, veterans, and dependents,” stated Congressman Hamadeh.
The bill would allow the Secretary of Defense to provide a base discount on gasoline and diesel fuel equal to the federal fuel tax rate, which is at least 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel. It also authorizes supplemental discounts to help offset state and local fuel taxes when applicable.
These costs disproportionately impact military families, veterans, and retirees, who often face long commutes to bases, training facilities, work, or VA medical appointments. With inflation and rising transportation costs continuing to strain household budgets, many service members spend a significant portion of their income on fuel.
Discounts would be applied automatically at the time of sale to the maximum extent practicable. The authority for the program would terminate on September 30, 2029.
The legislation includes safeguards to prevent fraud or abuse, prohibits the resale of commercial use of discounted fuel, and requires the Secretary of Defense to submit annual reports to Congress detailing program usage, costs, gallons sold, and any implementation issues.
“Fuel is one of the few products sold by exchanges still subject to tax,” added Hamadeh. “This discount, equal to the federal fuel tax, shows profound gratitude to our nation’s heroes who have borne the heavy costs of war defending our freedoms. This common-sense step delivers real relief to our selfless service members and their families.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jun 2, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Retail sales increased for the seventh consecutive month in April, highlighting the resilience of American consumers despite rising gas prices and elevated inflation.
According to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, total retail sales excluding automobile dealers and gas stations increased 0.34% seasonally adjusted from March and rose 5.73% unadjusted from April of 2025. That follows gains of 0.4% month-over-month and 6.59% year-over-year in March.
“Retail sales continued to grow in April despite higher gas prices driven by the ongoing conflict in Iran, cautious consumer sentiment and the persistent concerns about sustained inflation,” stated NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.
Core retail sales, which also exclude restaurants, posted a smilier 0.34% month-over-month gain and climbed 5.53% year-over-year. For the first four months of 2026, total sales were up 6.07% year-over-year, while core sales rose 5.99%.
Sales growth was broad-based, rising in eight of nine major categories on a yearly basis and in all but one category on a monthly basis. Clothing and accessories stores led the way with a 0.59% month-over-month increase and a strong 9.75% year-over-year gain.
Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores advanced 0.12% month-over-month and 8.55% year-over-year, while health and personal care stores rose 0.45% and 8.42% respectively. Digital products, including electronic books and games, posted the strongest monthly gain at 1.11% and climbed 8.09% annually.
Other categories showing positive momentum included general merchandise stores (up 0.15% month-over-month and 6.19% year-over-year), electronics and appliance stores (up 0.16% and 4.03%), and grocery and beverage stores (up 0.36% and 3.21%).
Furniture and homes furnishings stores saw a slight 0.06% monthly decline but still posted a 2.58% annual increase. Building and garden supply stores edged up 0.009% for the month but were down 2.74% from the prior year.
“Spending on household priorities remains solid, supported by a steady labor market, wage growth and a significant influx of cash from tax refunds,” added Shay. “While consumers are mindful on costs, retailers are working hard to keep everyday goods affordable for American families.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jun 1, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap has asked the Maricopa County Superior Court to hold the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in civil contempt, claiming the Board has failed to comply with a court order issued more than six weeks ago restoring election authority and resources to the Recorder’s Office.
The filing comes 43 days after Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney ruled that the Board of Supervisors has exceeded its statutory authority by assuming control over election functions assigned by Arizona law to the County Recorder.
In an Application for Order to Show Cause filed on May 28, 2026, Heap argued the Board has continued to exercise powers the court determined belong to the Recorder’s Office while refusing to return critical election personnel, systems, and resources.
“The Court settled these issues 43 days ago,” stated Heap. “Since then, the Board has refused to comply, continued exercising powers the Court ruled it does not possess, and even interfered with Recorder personnel carrying out their lawful duties at Recorder-operated election sites.”
The dispute stems from a lawsuit filed by Heap against the Board after disagreements over election administration responsibilities, funding, and operational control.
In its April ruling, the court rejected the Board’s argument that it possessed “plenary” authority over county election administration. Blaney wrote that Arizona election statutes specifically assign numerous election duties to the Recorder and that the Board cannot assume those responsibilities without legislative authorization or the Recorder’s consent.
The court found that Arizona law designates the Recorder as the responsible official for 111 election-related functions assigned to the “recorder or other officer in charge.” As a result, Blaney ordered the Board to restore authority, personnel, and election systems to the Recorder’s Office or immediately fund replacement systems.
The ruling also directed the Board to release election-related funding appropriated for the Recorder and prohibited the Board from exercising election functions delegated by law to the Recorder.
According to Heap’s latest filing, the board has yet to return election IT personnel, servers, databases, websites, and other systems necessary for the Recorder’s Office to carry out its statutory responsibilities. The filing further claims the board has refused to authorize the use of state and federal funds appropriated for election administration.
Heap also pointed to actions taken during recent May jurisdictional elections, stating that the county’s Elections Director instructed poll workers at Recorder-operated ballot replacement sites to disregard directions from the Recorder’s Office staff regarding voter information requirements under state law.
Additionally, the Recorder’s Office argues that the Board adopted a resolution asserting authority over early ballot drop boxes during the early voting period despite the court’s injunction and Arizona statutes assigning that responsibility to the Recorder.
The Recorder’s Office contends these actions represent continued violations of the court’s order rather than delays in implementation. The filing states that Recorder officials attempted to negotiate phased transition plans, resource-sharing agreements, and other cooperative solutions which were rejected by the Board.
Heap is now asking the court to order the Board to appear and explain why they should not be held in contempt, impose sanctions sufficient to compel compliance with the April ruling, and award attorney fees and court costs.
“The voters of Maricopa County deserve election administration that follows the law, respects the courts, and remains focused on conducting elections that are lawful, secure, accurate, accessible, and worthy of the public’s trust,” added Heap.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | May 30, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
As Summer RV travel peaks across the United States, new research highlights stark differences in crowding at America’s national parks. Arizona’s iconic Grand Canyon National Park stands as a major draw for RV enthusiasts, ranking ninth busiest overall despite a cooling trend in 2025.
According to data from Blue Capital Holdings, RV campers flocked to Glacier National Park in Montana more than any other over the past five years, logging more than 429,000 summer visits (June-August) from 2021 to 2025. Yosemite National Park in California followed closely in second place.
Top 5 Most Popular National Parks for Summer RV Camping (2021-2025):
- Glacier National Park, Montana – 429,693 visits
- Yosemite National Park, California – 423,672 visits
- Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Tennessee – 333,739 visits
- Olympic National Park, Washington – 280,272 visits
- Acadia National Park, Maine – 158,105 visits
“Summer shows just how concentrated RV travel has become around a small number of national parks,” stated Blue Capital Holdings CEO Rich Turasky. “Glacier and Yosemite are in a league of their own, and together they logged more than 850,000 summer RV visits over the past five years. What is interesting is that popularity does not always mean momentum. Glacier still ranks first overall, but its numbers slipped in 2025, while Yosemite surged by 43%. Rocky Mountain also climbed 23%, and Kings Canyon rose 42%, so there are still parks seeing very strong summer demand.”
Grand Canyon National Park in northwestern Arizona recorded 124,968 summer RV visits over the five-year period, securing ninth place nationally. The park saw 26,075 visits in 2024 before declining roughly 20% to 20,854 in 2025, reflecting broader patterns where many headline destinations experienced softening demand amid concerns over heat, crowding, and access.
Arizona’s crown jewel continues to captivate travelers seeking its world-renowned vistas, dramatic landscapes, and unique Southwest character. While not topping the list, the Grand Canyon remains a bucket-list staple for the RV campers drawn to Arizona’s natural wonders.
According to the National Park Service, Grand Canyon’s North Rim reopened as of May 15, 2026, following impacts from the Dragon Bravo Fire. All paved roadways within the park have reopened, restoring access to many iconic viewpoints such as Point Imperial, Cape Royal, Roosevelt Point, and Angels Window.
The North Rim Campground is expected to reopen in June 2026 for tent and RV camping, however there will be no water or RV hookups available — campers must bring all their own portable water.
Stage 2 fire restrictions also remain in effect throughout the 2026 season due to limited water resources, prohibiting wood and charcoal fires.
Several trails remain closed due to fire impacts, including Bright Angel Point, Widforss, Transept, Uncle Jim Trail, and sections of the Ken Patrick Trail. No overnight lodging is available on the North Rim inside the park this season, though options exist outside the park boundaries.
At the other end of the list, several parks recorded dramatically lower traffic, providing quieter alternatives for summer travel.
Top 5 Least Popular National Parks for Summer RV Camping (2021-2025):
- Badlands National Park, South Dakota – 1,845 visits
- Death Valley National Park, California – 4,245 visits
- Big Bend National Park, Texas – 4,979 visits
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas – 5,531 visits
- Canyonlands National Park, Utah – 6,138 visits
“At the same time, some of the biggest names lost ground. Great Smoky Mountains fell 19%, Grand Canyon was down 20%, and Yellowstone dropped 31% year on year,” added Turasky. “That suggests RV travelers are not just following the most famous names blindly, but are being influenced by heat, crowding, access, costs and the overall experience once they arrive. The least-visited summer parks also tell their own story. Places like Death Valley and Big Bend are spectacular, but summer can be a difficult time to visit them in an RV. For travelers willing to plan carefully, though, the lower numbers can mean a much quieter national park experience.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
