U.S Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) has officially launched his general election campaign with the release of his first television and digital advertisement of the 2026 election cycle. The ad emphasizes Crane’s military background and positions him as a fighter for rural Arizona.
The advertisement titled “Fight,” debuted July 17, 2026. It centers on Crane’s service of five wartime deployments as a U.S. Navy SEAL sniper, focusing on his combat experience and leadership qualities that he says continue to guide his work in Congress.
According to the campaign, the ad will run across digital advertising platforms as Crane prepares to invest seven figures in paid media to defend Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District against Democratic challenger Jonathan Nez.
The campaign rollout follows Crane’s latest Federal Election Commission fundraising report, which shows the congressman has raised $9.4 million during the current election cycle.
The campaign says that total is more than two-and-a-half times the amount raised by Nez’s total receipts.
The filing also reports Crane entered the general election with approximately $2.8 million in cash on hand, compared to roughly $1.4 million at the same point during the 2024 election cycle.
In a statement accompanying the ad release, Crane contrasted his leadership style with what he described as Washington’s political establishment.
“The career politicians in Washington are really good at one thing – ducking a fight,” said Crane. “They retreat at the first hint of political blowback. They may talk tough on TV, but when the battle begins they are AWOL. Their battle cry is surrender. Real warriors know you are never out of the fight.”
Crane also argued that his willingness to challenge entrenched interests has made him a target of political opponents.
“The political establishment cannot control me and that is why they want me gone,” added Crane. “I do not back down. I take on the tough fights, and I deliver results. We don’t have to choose between principle and effectiveness. The real choice is between complacency and courage, between protecting the status quo and defeating it. I will fight for rural Arizona, and I will win. If the D.C. elites are firing back, that tells me I am directly over the target.”
The ad marks the beginning of what is expected to be a competitive general election campaign in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District, with Crane seeking another term representing the largely rural district against former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating a shooting that targeted a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in central Phoenix after individuals fired multiple rounds at the building’s exterior.
According to the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office, the shooting occurred on July 14, 2026, at the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations building located at 2035 N. Central Ave., near Central Avenue and Monte Vista Road.
FBI Phoenix Investigates Shooting Incident at Federal ERO Building
Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area of North Central Avenue on Tuesday, July 14, in the afternoon, or who has information regarding this shooting, is urged to contact the FBI: •Call the FBI… pic.twitter.com/NBLoy0hHxF
Authorities said several rounds struck the exterior of the federal immigration facility.
No injuries were reported as a result of the gunfire, and the damage appears to have been limited to the outside of the building.
The FBI has confirmed that one or more unidentified individuals fired the shots. The agency has not announced any arrests or identified any suspects, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Later that same day, protestors gathered outside the ICE facility. However, federal investigators said there is currently no indication that the demonstration was connected to the shooting.
The FBI is asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward as investigators continue working to determine who was responsible.
Federal authorities have not released additional details regarding a possible motive. The FBI said it will continue investigating the incident and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) announced they will be implementing a new identity verification requirement for users of its Arizona Business Center (ABC) online filing portal beginning July 20, 2026, as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen security and reduce fraudulent business filings.
Under the new policy account, users will be required to submit a government-issued form of identification during the registration process.
Existing account holders will also be prompted to verify their identity the first time they log into their account on or after July 20.
The Commission said the additional verification step is designed to better protect Arizona businesses from unauthorized filings and identity fraud by ensuring only verified users can file or modify business records through the online system.
Accepted forms of identification include state-issued driver’s licenses, state-issued photo identification cards, permanent residents cards or visas, passports, and passport cards.
According to the ACC, the verification process was designed to be both efficient and user-friendly, with most users expected to complete the process in just a few minutes.
Once the account has been successfully verified, users will not be required to repeat the process for that account.
The new security requirement builds on improvements made since the Arizona Business Center launched in January 2026. Commission officials said the online portal has already contributed to a decline in unauthorized business filings and identity fraud complaints, and the added verification requirement is intended to further strengthen those protections.
The Commission also announced that additional security measures are scheduled to roll out in the coming months.
Among them is the LLC Attestation of Existence, which is intended to help identify dormant or inactive LLCs while providing business owners with an opportunity to either secure their business or properly close it.
The ACC also plans to introduce an LLC Signing Authority Form, allowing business owners to formally designate individuals authorized to file documents on behalf of their LLC. Commission officials said the new form will reduce confusion surrounding filing authority and help prevent unauthorized submissions.
The Arizona Corporation Commission said the series of security enhancements reflects its continued commitment to protecting Arizona businesses while maintaining an efficient and accessible online filing system.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
As military families navigate permanent change of station (PCS) moves and renters search for new housing, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning consumers to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated scams that can result in the loss of thousands of dollars and sensitive personal information.
The agency says scammers often target people facing tight deadlines or major life transitions, including military members relocating on short notice.
Fraudsters commonly use fake rental listings, gift card payment schemes, cryptocurrency scams, and wire transfer requests to steal money before victims realize they have been deceived.
According to the FTC, rental scams remain one of the most common fraud schemes. Some scammers create listings for properties that do not exist or are not actually available for rent, while others copy legitimate listings, steal photos and descriptions, and report them with altered contact information. Many fraudulent listings advertise rent well below market value to attract prospective tenants.
One common warning sign is when a supposed landlord refuses to allow an in-person viewing, often claiming they are out of town or otherwise unavailable.
The FTC advises consumers to be cautious of anyone who pressures them to make a quick decision or demands payments before they have an opportunity to verify the property.
The agency recommends renters search the property’s address online to see whether it appears elsewhere under a different owner, management company, or rental price. Consumers who are unable to visit a property should have somebody who they trust tour it and verify it exists.
Military members can also seek assistance from relocation or housing referral offices at their new installation to identify legitimate housing options and avoid known scams.
The FTC also warns renters to protect their personal information during the application process. Fraudsters may request Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, pay stubs, or screenshots of credit card reports under the guise of processing an application.
Payment methods are another major red flag.
The FTC says legitimate landlords and businesses will not require tenants to pay using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer. These payment methods function similarly to cash, making it extremely difficult or impossible to recover funds after they are sent.
Fraudsters often direct victims to purchase gift cards from major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Amazon, Apple, or CVS and may even remain on the phone while the victim buys and loads the cards. Once the victim provides the card number and PIN, the scammer can quickly drain the balance.
The agency is also warning consumers about cryptocurrency-related scams, which have become increasingly common as digital currencies gain popularity.
Unlike credit card purchases, cryptocurrency transactions generally do not include legal consumer protections or chargeback rights. Once crypto is transferred, it usually cannot be removed unless the recipient voluntarily returns it.
The FTC also warns that wiring money through services such as Western Union, MoneyGram, or Ria is essentially the same as sending cash. Once the funds are collected, recovering the money is typically impossible, and identifying the individual who received the transfer is often extremely difficult.
Consumers should never wire money to someone they have not met in person, anyone claiming to represent a government agency, or anyone demanding immediate payment.
To reduce the risk of becoming a victim, the FTC encourages consumers to research landlords and property management companies by searching online for reviews, complaints, or reports of scams.
Renters should compare prices with similar properties in the area, verify ownership records when possible, and obtain copies of rental contracts before sending deposits.
Anyone who discovers fraudulent rental listings should report it to the website where it was posted, the FTC, and their state’s attorney general’s office.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The Arizona Republican Party has announced the grand opening of its new headquarters in Phoenix, the latest development in a series of organizational changes under Chairman Sergio Arellano aimed at strengthening grassroots operations and improving the party’s financial stewardship.
The celebration is scheduled for July 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the party’s new office, located at 4531 N. 16th St., Suite 114, in Phoenix. Arellano will be joined by Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters and KFYI radio host James T. Harris.
Arellano, who was elected chairman by state committeemen in Prescott in January said the new headquarters reflects his commitment to reducing costs and providing a more accessible and functional space for volunteers and candidates.
He noted that the centrally located office is intended to serve as a comfortable, user-friendly hub for grassroots efforts and party unity.
The move follows the party’s 2023 return to central Phoenix under then-Chairman Jeff DeWitt. At that time, the AZGOP purchased office space at 3033 N Central Ave. for $1.9 million using proceeds from the sale of its longtime headquarters at 24th Street and Osborn Road.
The acquisition ended a brief period in leased offices in north Scottsdale and provided more than 12,000 square feet of space, with plans to lease excess capacity to conservative organizations and Republican campaigns.
Party officials say the grand opening will celebrate both the new facility and what they describe as a return to fiscal responsibility and party cohesiveness.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
