by Jonathan Eberle | Nov 8, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
The watchdog organization Judicial Watch has filed a lawsuit against Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, seeking access to documents it says may shed light on whether the governor directed state agencies to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
The suit, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, comes after Judicial Watch submitted a public records request on December 17, 2024. According to the group, the Governor’s Office responded that no responsive records existed, prompting the legal action. The case is listed as Judicial Watch Inc. v. Office of the Arizona Governor (No. CV2025-039217).
Judicial Watch’s records request sought two categories of documents: any instructions, communications, or policies given to state agencies that would restrict participation in federal immigration enforcement efforts; and any legal analysis or anticipated litigation documents tied to the governor’s position on the state’s role in enforcing federal immigration laws. State law prohibits Arizona officials or agencies from limiting enforcement of federal immigration laws “to less than the full extent permitted by federal law.”
The dispute follows comments Gov. Hobbs made in November 2024, when she was asked whether state police or the Arizona National Guard would cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Hobbs said Arizona would not support what she described as “misguided policies that harm our communities,” and said the state would not participate in efforts she believes “terrorize our communities.”
Immigration enforcement is primarily a federal responsibility. Under the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and the Immigration and Nationality Act, federal authorities retain sole authority over immigration regulation, enforcement, and removal. Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton criticized the governor’s reported approach, saying that declining to support federal operations “undermines the rule of law and places law enforcement and other innocent lives at risk.”
The case now moves forward in county court, where a judge will determine whether the Governor’s Office must turn over any documents or further justify its stance that none exist.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Nov 7, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
As more Americans look beyond the traditional 9-to-5 for additional income, new research highlights the U.S. cities most actively exploring side-hustle opportunities — and one Arizona community, Tempe, has earned a spot among the nation’s top hotspots.
A study by Ninja Transfers, which examined monthly Google search activity for more than 80 side-hustle-related jobs across over 170 U.S. cities, found that Atlanta, Georgia, leads the nation in interest for earning extra income. Search terms included queries such as “how to make money with [job],” “does [job] pay well,” and “[job] gig,” spanning roles from online tutoring to podcasting, freelance writing, mystery shopping, and more.
The analysis comes as nationwide searches for “side jobs” hit a record 279,000 in July 2025—underscoring rising demand for supplemental income amid cost-of-living pressures. With an average of 1,914 monthly searches related to side hustles—equating to 384 searches per 100,000 residents—Atlanta ranked first in the country. Georgia’s capital also showed a strong preference for podcasting, online tutoring, and freelance tutoring as the most-researched side-gig categories.
Orlando, Florida, ranked second with 361 monthly searches per 100,000 people, and Florida placed strongly overall, with Fort Lauderdale (275) and Miami (269) also landing in the top 10. Salt Lake City, Utah, secured third place with 319 searches per 100,000 residents, making it the top Western U.S. city for side-hustle interest. Midwestern representation came from St. Louis, Missouri (284), in fourth place, and Minneapolis, Minnesota (270), in seventh.
Rounding out the top five was Birmingham, Alabama, with 283 searches per 100,000 residents.
Tempe ranked 21st in the nation for side-hustle search activity. According to the study, residents conduct about 380 monthly searches tied to side-gig opportunities—equivalent to 204.4 searches per 100,000 people.
With a study population of 185,950, Tempe’s ranking suggests strong local interest in supplemental income streams, particularly among gig-friendly demographics such as college students, young professionals, and remote workers.
Researchers say both economic realities and entrepreneurial ambition are driving this shift. “Many Americans nowadays are looking to explore further than the standard 9-to-5,” said Victor Ilisco, Director of Sales & Operations at Ninja Transfers. “A Bankrate study from back in 2023 found that 39% of Americans have a side hustle, and this number has likely grown since then. They are becoming increasingly accessible thanks to digital platforms and tools, and the barrier for starting one is a lot smaller than what it used to be.”
Southern and Rust Belt cities featured prominently throughout the rankings, signaling a growing appetite for supplemental income in both growth markets and historically industrial regions facing economic transitions.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Nov 1, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Senator Carine Werner (R-LD4), Chair of the Arizona Senate Health and Human Services Committee, announced that the committee will convene its third special oversight hearing on the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) on November 12 at 1 p.m.in Senate Hearing Room 1.
The hearing continues the committee’s months-long probe into what lawmakers describe as systemic failures in the state’s Medicaid program. The focus will be on AHCCCS’s ongoing response to widespread Medicaid fraud and the long-term fallout affecting behavioral health providers and Arizona families.
Senator Werner has invited newly appointed AHCCCS Director Ginny Roundtree and members of the agency’s executive leadership to testify. The committee has also requested the attendance of Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) leaders to address allegations that providers who have publicly criticized the agencies faced retaliation.
“Arizonans deserve answers — not excuses,” Werner said. “Governor Hobbs and AHCCCS continue to hide behind lawsuits and misleading data, instead of owning up to the damage caused by its failed oversight. We will not allow bureaucratic stonewalling to stand in the way of accountability.”
The committee’s investigation began earlier this year following revelations of billions in fraudulent billing, tens of thousands of member disenrollments, and severe service disruptions impacting vulnerable populations, including Native American communities. Lawmakers argue that AHCCCS’s sluggish response has deepened the crisis, with incomplete data, opaque enforcement actions, and a lack of transparency on recovery efforts.
Werner’s committee has repeatedly pressed AHCCCS for detailed documentation on how it is addressing fraud, reinstating providers, and safeguarding patient access. So far, legislators say the agency’s evasiveness underscores a larger pattern of bureaucratic failure. The November 12 hearing will publicly review AHCCCS’s compliance with data and document requests, as well as evaluate whether corrective actions are being implemented.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 31, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
The Arizona Freedom Caucus announced that Representative Alexander Kolodin will lead a special hearing on “The Implications of Artificial Intelligence for Democratic Governance and How to Preserve Meaningful Elections” on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in House Hearing Room 4 at the Arizona State Capitol.
The hearing, open to the public and livestreamed through the Arizona Legislature’s website, will focus on how the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping democratic institutions and the electoral process. Lawmakers plan to explore both the opportunities AI presents for improving government efficiency and the potential threats it poses to election security, voter confidence, and public trust.
Representative Kolodin, who chairs the House Ad Hoc Committee on Election Integrity and Florida-style Voting Systems, will be joined by four other Arizona House members, including fellow Freedom Caucus member Representative Rachel Keshel.
“The states cannot be complacent when it comes to the rapid development of AI,” Kolodin said in a statement. “The risk of insufficient oversight of AI is literally what dystopian nightmares are made of. Although it is reasonable to be excited about the prospects of AI to improve human life and society, it is equally critical to be vigilant about the ways it can be abused to erode our freedoms, including threatening democratic governance and our elections.”
The Arizona Freedom Caucus said it views the hearing as a proactive step toward crafting policy that anticipates how AI could be weaponized to undermine democratic processes. The group emphasized that while AI offers enormous benefits, its misuse could have far-reaching consequences for liberty, privacy, and electoral integrity.
“There is perhaps no greater concern than how AI will impact our elections,” the caucus said in its release. “We believe the best way to prevent destructive scenarios is to address AI’s prospective impacts and uses on the frontend.”
The November 14 session is expected to feature expert testimony and legislative discussion on strategies to safeguard Arizona’s electoral systems while responsibly integrating emerging technologies.
Members of the public can view the livestream of the hearing here.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 30, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona State Senator David Farnsworth (R-LD10), chairman of both the Senate Appropriations and Transportation committees, is pushing to bring private-sector innovation to Arizona’s public transportation system.
In a recent meeting with Uber policy officials, Farnsworth called for new partnerships that harness technology and market-based solutions to make transit in the East Valley more efficient, cost-effective, and responsive to residents’ needs.
The meeting focused on exploring how companies like Uber could play a larger role in shaping Arizona’s transportation future — particularly through autonomous vehicle technology. Farnsworth highlighted the success of similar programs by Waymo and urged Uber to consider developing comparable systems that could supplement or even replace traditional fixed-route bus services.
“We have a responsibility to find effective solutions for the people of Arizona, rather than simply maintaining inefficient systems that waste taxpayer funds,” Farnsworth said. “Meeting with companies like Uber highlights a significant opportunity to let innovation take the lead.”
Farnsworth emphasized that current bus routes often operate with minimal ridership, resulting in high operational costs with limited public benefit. By contrast, autonomous ride-share models could provide flexible, on-demand transit available around the clock — reducing taxpayer burden while improving reliability and safety.
The senator framed his proposal as part of a broader effort to prioritize fiscal responsibility and smart governance. “Autonomous vehicles can provide safer and more efficient transportation, and I will keep working to ensure that Arizona remains at the forefront of realistic and sustainable travel options for the future,” he added.
Farnsworth’s initiative reflects a growing movement among Arizona lawmakers to integrate private-sector innovation into state infrastructure systems. As the East Valley continues to grow, policymakers are looking toward new ways to connect residents to jobs, schools, and local businesses — without expanding costly and underused public transit routes.
If discussions progress, Farnsworth’s collaboration with Uber could mark a turning point for Arizona’s approach to public transportation, signaling a shift toward efficiency, adaptability, and technology-driven mobility.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
