by Ethan Faverino | Jul 9, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday, July 7th, that they will be launching a state-of-the-art drone pilot program. They will be partnering with Draganfly Inc. to bring a cutting-edge initiative designed to enhance surveillance and operational capabilities along the U.S.-Mexico border.
This aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive order, “Unleashing American Drone Dominance.” The order prioritizes the use of advanced unmanned aerial systems to strengthen national security.
Known for their innovative approach to border security, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office continues to lead the way in technology integration.
They have previously deployed tools such as high-resolution camera networks, sensor-integrated mobile units, and ground surveillance radar systems, which they use for border enforcement.
The department has received national recognition from President Trump and Vice President JD Vance for their commitment to technology-driven border solutions.
“The Southern Border is one of America’s most critical national security frontiers. Our organization has always been committed to leveraging the best tools available,” said Captain Tim Williams. “With Draganfly as our drone partner, we’re entering the next phase of smart border enforcement. Their North American and U.S.-built systems will enhance our ability to protect communities, manage humanitarian concerns, and respond rapidly to evolving threats.”
Draganfly Inc., a leader in drone innovation, has been developing unmanned aerial solutions for over 20 years. They specialize in advanced aerial technology, software, and AI systems for emergency response, public safety, agriculture, and defense.
CEO of Draganfly, Cameron Chell, said, “We are honored to be working with the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office for this historic program. Their team represents some of the best of American law enforcement: innovation-focused, community-minded, and mission-ready. This project embodies the spirit of President Trump’s executive order and sets a gold standard for how drone technology should be used to secure national borders.”
The new pilot program at the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office will use Draganfly’s “Family of Drones.”
It will feature long-endurance fixed-wing UAVs for extended surveillance, AI-powered quadcopters for rapid-response missions, and thermal imaging drones for search and rescue missions, as well as nighttime operations.
The “Family of Drones” is designed for rugged reliability and secure data handling, which will withstand the harsh and remote terrain of the Cochise County Border.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jul 8, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, supported by all Arizona’s Republican representatives, was signed on Friday, July 4th. The bill provides the largest tax relief in American history.
Among the bill’s most impactful provisions are no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security benefits.
These policies are designed to put more money back into the pockets of the hard-working American people.
The “No Tax on Tips” provision offers a new deduction of up to $25,000 for workers in tipped industries. Whether tips are received in cash, by charge, or through tip-sharing arrangements, employees will keep more of their hard-earned income.
This measure is expected to save tipped workers nearly $2,000 annually, providing direct financial relief to millions of Americans in these critical industries.
The bill also eliminates taxes on overtime pay. This guarantees that workers who put in extra hours are rewarded greatly with bigger paychecks. This, as well, could also save Americans on average $2,000 a year.
According to a new study from the Council of Economic Advisers, 88% (48 million) of American seniors receiving Social Security will pay no taxes on their Social Security income.
For a single senior receiving the average retirement of $24,000 annually, deductions will exceed their taxable Social Security income. Similarly, married seniors with a combined Social Security income of $48,000 will also see their deductions surpass taxable income.
The One Big Beautiful Bill also delivers an average 15% tax cut for Americans earning between $15,000 and $80,000, significantly boosting take-home pay.
For a typical family with two children, this translates to an increase of up to $10,900 per year in after-tax income. The bill also boosts the standard tax deduction, raising it to $23,625 for married couples and $15,750 for singles, a benefit utilized by 91% of taxpayers.
According to the Council of Economic Advisers, the One Big Beautiful Bill will drive significant growth and fiscal stability. This includes:
- Real wages increasing by up to $7,200 per year
- Real Investment growing by as much as 10%
- Creation of protection of 7 million jobs
- Deficit reduction of up to $11.1 trillion, driven by $5.2 trillion from economic growth, $2.8 trillion from tariff revenue, $1.6 trillion from discretionary spending cuts, and $1.5 trillion from interest savings.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jul 7, 2025 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
A record number of Arizona high school students have earned the prestigious Seal of Arts Proficiency for the 2024-25 school year. 2,366 students have received this honor, some earning more than one, indicating proficiency in more than one arts discipline.
There was a total of 2,400 awards, marking the highest number of recipients since the program launched in 2019. These students were recognized across multiple disciplines of Visual Arts, Theatre, Music, Media Arts, and Dance.
“I am a passionate supporter of the arts. Not only do disciplines such as music, theatre, art, and dance have intrinsic value, but studies have proven that students who pursue the arts often do better academically,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. “There is tremendous value in arts education, and I am extremely pleased to see the highest number of students in the history of this program receiving the Seal of Arts Proficiency. I also offer my congratulations to the Dysart district and its leadership for having the most students receiving this recognition.”
Out of the 2,400 seals and 2,366 participating students, the Dysart Unified School District was awarded 261 seals with 249 participating students.
The program was launched in the 2019-20 school year with hopes of recognizing students who demonstrate exceptional skills in the arts disciplines. Within the past 5 years, it has quickly grown from 585 participating students to 2,366. The total awards have also increased from 591 to 2,400, showing the state’s proficiency in high school arts. School involvement and support have also grown, with 58 schools participating in 2019 compared to 146 schools this year.
The Arizona Seal of Arts Proficiency honors students who demonstrate exceptional achievement in the arts, while also equipping them with essential life skills and preparing them for college. With nearly 80,000 jobs in Arizona’s arts and culture sector, the seal offers students a meaningful pathway into creative industries, allowing them to succeed both personally and professionally.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jul 5, 2025 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Arizona Department of Education sent information to the State Treasurer’s Office earlier this week regarding supplemental dollars to be sent to Arizona public schools following a shortfall this year. The information confirms funding will be sent to schools immediately, following the newly signed state budget.
As soon as the new state budget was signed into law, the Department of Finance personnel began working on this process, ensuring that schools would not face funding shortfalls.
This move by the Department of Education makes sure that schools will receive full payments for June and beyond, avoiding the crisis that emerged at the end of the 2025 fiscal year.
At the close of FY2025, Arizona’s education system faced a shortfall of just under $200 million, which was due to several factors.
The biggest factors in this shortfall were caused by recalculation of Statewide Average Daily Membership, the Qasimyar tax lawsuit, the Empowerment Scholarship Account, and the Qualifying Tax Rate Levy.
The recalculation of the state’s Average Daily Membership (ADM) caused a $45 million adjustment. This is the state’s method for counting enrolled students, which determines how much funding public schools receive per student. The state had overestimated student enrollment, likely due to increased withdrawals as families opted for other methods of schooling, some paid for by the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA).
In an unexpected blow to the state’s finances, Arizona settled Qasimyar v. Arizona. This was a tax lawsuit over disputed property assessments, resulting in a large payment of $69 million from the state’s general fund. This same fund also supports public education, causing a significant amount to be taken away from public schools across the state.
Arizona’s ESA program exceeded its projected cost by $52 million in FY2025. With more families taking advantage of the program than people anticipated, the general fund was strained even more, reducing resources for public schools.
The last big blow to public school funding was the Qualifying Tax Rate Levy, which is a property tax that contributes directly to school funding. This brought in $17 million less than what was projected.
Despite all the financial pressures, the Arizona Department of Education took early action. Before the new budget’s approval, ADE had already distributed roughly 63% of June’s payment.
With the new budget in place, the remaining balance will be paid immediately, restoring full funding levels for schools.
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 Ethan Faverino | Jul 4, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Congressmen Abraham Hamadeh and Andy Biggs proudly cast their votes on Wednesday, in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill, pushed by President Donald Trump.
Congressman Andy Biggs credited the collaboration “between President Trump and the Freedom Caucus for pushing the One Big Beautiful Bill over the finish line.
“I’m honored to stand with my great Freedom Caucus colleagues as we work in lockstep with President Trump,” said Biggs on X.
“Today, I proudly voted for the agenda that my constituents voted for when they sent me to Congress – the America First agenda. The agenda laid out by President Donald Trump during his historic, successful run to return to the White House,” stated Hamadeh. “The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers the largest tax cut for middle- and working-class Americans in history and secures increases in paychecks and take-home pay for the hardworking families in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District.”
The One Big Beautiful Bill is a foundation of President Trump’s economic vision, providing what supporters say are “significant benefits to American workers, seniors, and rural communities.”
Major elements of the bill include:
- Historic tax relief with an average of a 15% tax cut for Americans earning between $15,000 and $80,000, with no tax on tips, overtime, or Social Security benefits for seniors.
- Increased Standard Deduction, which raises to $23,625 for married couples and $15,750 for singles, boosting take-home pay over $10,000 annually for a typical family.
- Support for retirees (65+) by introducing a new tax deduction ensuring the average Social Security beneficiary pays zero taxes on their benefits, with relief phased out only at high incomes.
- Protection for social programs, like Medicaid and Medicare benefits, by maintaining full funding. Also, strengthening Medicaid for Americans with disabilities and implementing measures to eliminate fraud in Medicaid and SNAP programs.
- Investment in rural communities by expanding market access and providing historic support for farm families.
- Advancement of President Trump’s national security agenda, Peace Through Strength, by reinforcing America’s global leadership.
Congressman Hamadeh, a first-generation American and former U.S. Army Reserve Captain, highlighted the bill’s significance in countering economic challenges and misinformation. “For months, Americans have been bombarded with fake news accounts that stirred fear and anger and stoked resentment as part of the Democrats’ war on Capitalism,” he said. “Today, my Republican colleagues and I were able to ignore the noise bought and paid for by Green New Deal corporatists and hear the voices of the American workers.”
The One Big Beautiful Bill has gained significant attention for its bold approach to economic reform. Hamadeh’s vote reflects his commitment to addressing the soaring inflation and border security concerns that he identified as critical issues for Arizona’s 8th District during his 2024 campaign.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
