by Ethan Faverino | Jul 14, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
U.S Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) has reintroduced H.R. 4235. This is a bipartisan bill to designate the United States Postal Service facility at 100 N. Taylor Lane in Patagonia, Arizona, as the Jim Kolbe Memorial Post Office.
The reintroduction aligns with what would have been former Congressman Jim Kolbe’s 83rd birthday on June 28, 2025. Congressman Kolbe passed away on December 3, 2020.
The bipartisan effort is co-sponsored by Representatives Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), and Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ).
This legislation was introduced in the 119th Congress, 1st session and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
The bill includes two key provisions:
- That the post office at 100 N. Taylor Lane in Patagonia, Arizona, will be officially named the Jim Kolbe Memorial Post Office.
- That any mention of the facility in laws, maps, regulations, documents, or other U.S. records will reflect its new designation as the Jim Kolbe Memorial Post Office.
Jim Kolbe, a native of Patagonia, represented southeastern Arizona in Congress for 11 terms from 1985 to 2007.
Prior to Congress, Kolbe served in the Arizona State Senate from 1977 to 1982 and began his career as a U.S. House page.
He was also a Navy veteran who served from 1967 to 1977 including in Vietnam.
Congressman Kolbe was a respected statesman known for his leadership on the House Appropriations Committee, where he was the chairman of one of its 12 subcommittees.
Congressman Ciscomani praised the former Congressman by saying, “Jim Kolbe lived a life of service dedicated to not only our state but our country as a whole. He was a Navy veteran who represented Arizona as a true statesman, leading in foreign affairs, trade, and fiscal discipline, while staying true to his values. He continues to inspire my own service in Congress and his impactful leadership will long be remembered.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jul 11, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
In a critical move to combat the growing threat of drugs and contraband entering county jails, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has deployed advanced LineV X-ray body scanners at its Intake, Transfer, and Release (ITR) Facility.
A total of 10 scanners have been acquired and will be installed across six active jail facilities. This will significantly enhance safety for staff, inmates, and the public.
Chief Mike Dawson of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the scanners’ importance.
“This technology gives our detention deputies another tool in their arsenal to keep contraband out of our jails. Our mission is the care, custody, and control of inmates, which includes keeping them and our staff safe,” said Dawson.
The new LineV scanners are full-body imaging systems that emit less than 0.25 microsieverts of radiation, roughly 1/100th of the exposure of a typical chest X-ray.
Within just 90 minutes of these scanners being live at the ITR Facility, one scanner successfully detected drugs concealed in an inmate’s body cavity, an item that may have gone unnoticed.
The new scanning technology eliminates the need for most manual searches, helping to reduce contraband entry while improving the intake process.
There are three models of LineV scanner being utilized:
- Conpass Smart DV, which is a dual-angle, full-body X-ray system designed specifically for correctional environments. It features radiation shutters, real-time dose metering, and strict beam containment for maximum safety.
- ClearPass, a high-resolution, rapid-scanning system that produces a full body image in just three seconds, allowing for efficient and effective screening.
- Clearpass Ci, a compact, mobile scanner designed for targeted inspections for specific areas such as the torso or groin.
“My goal is to stop contraband from entering the jail system altogether,” said Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan. “So let this serve as a warning: if you are caught smuggling drugs into or within our facilities, we will be watching closely, and you will be charged. Possession of contraband drugs will result in a class two felony charge.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
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.
