by Ethan Faverino | Nov 2, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
A new national poll reveals a broad, cross-partisan consensus among Americans for accountability-driven reforms to address rising crime, homelessness, and judicial leniency.
With violent crime perceived as increasing by 75% of respondents, majorities support stricter sentencing, enhanced monitoring technologies, federal oversight of repeat offender states, and responsibility requirements in public assistance programs. The Cicero Institute National Crime Poll surveyed a representative sample of 2,102 U.S. voters, showing a unified public mandate that compassion must be paired with consequences to restore safety and order in communities nationwide.
“Americans are crying out for accountability,” said Stefani E. Buhajla, Senior Director of Communications at the Cicero Institute. “Across the nation, families are watching their neighborhoods decline under the weight of unchecked crime, drug abuse, and untreated mental illness. Homelessness has exploded into public view, violent criminals cycle endlessly through the courts, and too many judges seem more interested in appeasing activists than protecting the people they serve. The result is predictable: citizens feel less safe, less secure, and less confident in the institutions charged with delivering justice.”
Crime and Public Safety
- 63% support increasing criminal penalties for drug trafficking around homelessness charity facilities, recognizing the exploitation of vulnerable individuals battling addictions.
- 75% support providing law enforcement with better technology to track transient sex offenders.
- 75% support electronic monitoring of transient sex offenders’ whereabouts, with 68% more likely to support if informed that over half of transients are registered sex offenders.
Violent Crime and Mental Health
- 75% believe violent crime is increasing or staying the same.
- 61% support court-ordered treatment and stabilization for repeat criminals with mental illness.
- 64% support making it easier to commit individuals with violent tendencies to mental health facilities.
- In cases of aggravated murder by mentally ill offenders, 82% back life in prison, the death penalty, or both (46% life in prison, 18% death penalty, 18% both).
- 60% favor an automatic federal investigation into states with histories of releasing repeat violent criminals.
- 63% support removing judges with patterns of leniency toward repeat violent criminals.
Homelessness
- 64% say homeless individuals should be required to participate in addiction, mental health treatment, and job training as a condition of taxpayer-funded housing.
- 64% oppose allowing homeless individuals to camp on public property.
- 75% view moving homeless individuals to shelters as more compassionate than unrestricted camping.
- 70% support temporary structured camping areas with water, sanitation, and police services—located away from residential and business zones—when shelters are unavailable.
Juvenile Justice
- 73% support shorter probation terms for low-risk juvenile offenders who complete education or job training.
- 66% support reduced probation for those pursuing mental health counseling or drug treatment programs.
“What we see here is not a thirst for cruelty, but a yearning for justice,” added Buhajla. “Americans want accountability because they know compassion without order collapses into chaos. They understand that responsibility and opportunity must go hand in hand. And they are calling on leaders to have the courage to enforce laws, protect communities, and demand more from the very institutions that too often excuse failure.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Oct 31, 2025 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne issued a statement opposing the State Board of Education’s decision to postpone the rulemaking to strip Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) language from Arizona’s teaching standards.
The issue will now be taken up at the Board’s December meeting—a delay Horne warns risks $866 million in federal education funding and violates clear federal civil rights directives.
“I respectfully but strongly disagree with the vote to postpone opening the rule-making process,” declared Horne. “The President issued an Executive Order requiring DEI language to be removed from programs funded by federal dollars. It made it abundantly clear that federal education funding is at risk if DEI language remains in education programs. Failure to comply with federal guidance may result in the loss of an estimated $866 million to Arizona schools. That is a major funding cut to our schools, and we need to begin dealing with this as soon as possible.”
Horne pointed to a letter from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), signed by Acting Assistant Secretary Craig Trainor, which reaffirms that discrimination based on race, color, or national origin is illegal under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Protection Clause, and controlling Supreme Court precedent.
The guidance explicitly condemns race-based preferences in admissions, financial aid, hiring, training, discipline, housing, and graduation ceremonies, and warns that DEI programs often “preference certain racial groups and teach students that certain racial groups bear unique moral burdens that others do not.”
The OCR letter also cites the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (SFFA), which states that the use of racial preferences in school testing and admissions is unlawful. Their message is simple: “If an educational institution treats a person of one race differently than it treats another person because of that person’s race, the educational institution violates the law.”
“Not only is the $866 million at risk, but there is a philosophical issue at stake, too,” continued Horne. “All people should be judged based on their character and ability, not their race or ethnicity. DEI language and programs promote the exact opposite, and they have no place in the classroom. The teaching standards, unfortunately, include DEI references, and they need to be removed.”
The teaching standards at issue direct educators to teach “equitably,” with “responsiveness to the cultural backgrounds and differing perspectives learners bring to the learning environment,” and to address the “social, emotional, and cultural needs of students.”
“These terms do not belong in teaching standards,” Horne concluded. “The standards are meant to direct educators on the most effective ways to teach students’ core academics. Every instructional minute is precious, and DEI efforts distract from that essential mission.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Oct 28, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) led a bicameral coalition of lawmakers in submitting a formal comment letter to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in strong support of a petition by the America First Legal Foundation.
The petition calls for amending federal regulations and the National Mail Voter Registration Form to mandate documentary proof of U.S. citizenship (DPOC) for registering to vote in Federal Elections.
The current federal form relies exclusively on self-attestation, allowing applicants to check a box affirming citizenship under penalty of perjury, creating what lawmakers describe as an “honor system” with no meaningful safeguards against ineligible registrations.
The proposed reform would require verifiable proof of citizenship at the point of registration, aligning voter enrollment with common identification requirements.
“Requiring documentary proof of citizenship is a simple, common-sense reform,” wrote the lawmakers in the formal comment letter. “Just as Americans are asked to show identification for far less consequential activities—boarding an airplane, opening a bank account, or even attending certain events—it is entirely reasonable to require proof of citizenship to participate in our elections. This step would not burden eligible voters but would provide an essential check to ensure that only citizens are added to the voter rolls.”
The lawmakers cited recent incidents as evidence of systemic vulnerabilities:
- In Iowa, officials identified 277 noncitizens on voter rolls, with at least 35 confirmed to have cast ballots in the 2024 election.
- All 15 counties in Arizona are actively working to identify and remove noncitizens from voter rolls.
- In Texas, election integrity units have documented multiple cases of noncitizen voting and registration fraud, including a conviction in Starr County for illegal voting, prosecutions in Hidalgo County for falsifying applications with fictitious addresses, and instances in Tarrant County where noncitizens registered using the federal form without proof of citizenship.
Under the National Voter Registration Act (52 U.S.C. § 20508(a)(1)–(2)), the EAC has both the authority and duty to develop the National Mail Voter Registration Form and prescribe necessary regulations to protect the integrity of the electoral process and maintain accurate voter rolls.
“I’m proud to support this effort to strengthen our election system. In our constitutional republic, only American citizens should be able to vote, and requiring proof of citizenship at registration is a commonsense safeguard,” said Representative Crane. “Considering we already show ID to drive, fly, or open a bank account, this is not a novel concept. It’s simply a necessary step to ensure the integrity of our elections.”
Along with Senator Cruz and Representative Crane were cosigners:
Senators: Jim Banks (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ted Budd (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Bernie Moreno (R-OH).
Representatives: Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Pat Fallon (R-TX), Andy Harris (R-MD), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Mary Miller (R-IL), Barry Moore (R-AL), Riley Moore (R-WV), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), and Greg Steube (R-FL).
The lawmakers concluded with, “Requiring documentary proof of citizenship will strengthen the integrity of our elections, safeguard the voices of American citizens, and ensure that every lawful vote is protected from being diluted by unlawful ballots.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Oct 28, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
According to the newly released 2025 Retail Returns Landscape, U.S. retailers project that nearly $850 billion in merchandise will be returned this year, equivalent to 15.8% of total sales.
The figure, while substantial, reflects a slight decline from last year’s 16.9% return rate and $890 billion in total returns.
“Returns are no longer the end point of a transaction,” said NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen. “They provide an opportunity for retailers to create a positive experience for customers and can translate to brand loyalty. Retailers are constantly evolving and working to meet customer expectations, and they recognize the importance the returns process plays.”
While overall return rates remain steady, online sales continue to drive higher volumes, with an estimated 19.3% of e-commerce purchases expected to be returned in 2025.
Generational shifts are amplifying these trends, particularly among Gen Z shoppers (age 18-30) who averaged 7.7 online returns over the past 12 months, more than any age group.
Consumer demands for seamless returns are intensifying as 82% of shoppers now cite free returns as a major factor in their purchasing decisions, up from 76% last year. Additionally, 76% of shoppers are more likely to choose the return method offering instant refunds or exchanges.
However, a negative returns experience carries significant consequences: 71% of consumers report they are less likely to shop with a retailer again following a poor encounter, rising from 67% in 2024. Four out of five consumers say they are likely to share their bad experience with friends and family, potentially magnifying reputational damage.
Retailers are navigating these expectations while contending with escalating operational costs and external pressures. Surveyed merchants identified increasing online sales and reducing return rates as their top priorities in 2026.
Key drivers for charging return fees include:
- Processing costs (40%)
- Higher carrier shipping expense (40%)
- Economic uncertainty tied to tariffs (33%)
Return fraud remains another persistent challenge, accounting for 9% of all returns. Among retailers tracking fraud, 71% reported an increase in overstated return quantities, 65% noted “empty box” or “box of rocks” incidents, and 64% saw rises in decoy returns involving counterfeit items. To combat return fraud, 85% of retailers have begun to use AI to detect or prevent fraud from happening.
Notably, 45% of consumers—particularly when dissatisfied— believe that “bending the truth” is acceptable during a return.
David Sobie, co-founder and CEO of Happy Returns, said, “Return policies and their overall process have transformed into a strategic touchpoint for retailers, influencing how younger consumers shop from the outset. To stay competitive amid rising return rates and behaviors like bracketing, retailers must modernize their reverse logistics to enhance customer satisfaction, reduce fraud, and safeguard their operations in today’s high-pressure retail landscape.”
Looking into the holiday season, retailers anticipate 17% of holiday sales will be returned, consistent with prior years. To manage this surge, 49% plan to lean on third-party logistics partners, 43% will hire seasonal staff, and 37% intend to extend return windows.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Oct 27, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Representative Andy Biggs (AZ-05) has introduced the Deportation Disclosure Act, legislation designed to enhance transparency in the nation’s immigration enforcement system by requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to publicly disclose key details of individuals with final orders of removal.
The bill amends Section 240 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229a) to mandate that DHS publish on its official website, for every individual issued a final order of removal after the date of enactment: the individual’s name, a photograph, any known aliases, and the last known state of residence.
This measure follows the September 2025 arrest by ICE of Ian Roberts, a Guyanese national who had been serving as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools despite a standing final order of deportation.
Roberts, who has an extensive criminal history, allegedly falsified claims of U.S. citizenship and work authorization to secure his position.
“At the end of 2024, more than a million illegal aliens, including Ian Roberts, had final orders of removal against them, but were roaming freely in the United States,” said Congressman Biggs. “Instead of enforcing our immigration laws and deporting illegal aliens who had due process in our immigration courts, the Biden administration focused on making it as easy as possible for illegal aliens of any and every criminal background to enter and stay in our nation. Making final orders of removal readily accessible to the public will only increase public safety and ensure incidents like this one don’t happen again.”
Grant Newman, Director of Government Relations at the Immigration Accountability Project, added, “The Deportation Disclosure Act would bring much-needed transparency and accountability to our immigration enforcement process. By making final orders of removal accessible, this bill would empower communities and law enforcement, ensuring that individuals who have already received due process in our courts cannot hide in plain sight.”
Congressman Biggs emphasized that the Trump administration is actively working to reverse the border security lapses of the Biden-Harris-Mayorkas era, thus protecting American communities and restoring integrity to the immigration system.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
