by Jonathan Eberle | Sep 1, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Two Arizona lawmakers are criticizing recent safety reforms announced by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR), arguing that the measures come too late to address a crisis that has already cost dozens of lives inside state prisons.
State Senator Shawnna Bolick and Representative Walt Blackman said last week that while steps such as deploying body cameras and forming a Violence Reduction Workgroup mark progress, they fall short of the urgent changes needed to prevent further loss of life.
According to ADCRR, 57 people have died in state prisons so far this year, including at least 11 homicides. Senator Bolick, who chairs the Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency, said those numbers underscore the urgency of reform.
“The department’s announcement, which appears to have been driven by the threat of federal oversight, comes far too late for many,” Bolick said. “Body cameras are a positive development, but they should have been implemented long before legislative scrutiny forced the issue.”
Representative Blackman, chair of the House Committee on Government, pointed to what he described as inadequate support for the Independent Correctional Oversight Office created under SB 1507. He argued that the office cannot fulfill its role without proper funding from Governor Katie Hobbs’ administration.
“A press release is not a substitute for the resources and accountability this office needs to function,” Blackman said. “Transparency and oversight are essential if we want to prevent violent incidents like the recent inmate murders in Tucson.”
Both lawmakers also criticized what they view as a reactive approach by ADCRR Director Ryan Thornell. While acknowledging the department’s new training and workforce development programs, they said those initiatives should have been prioritized earlier.
“Director Thornell must demonstrate that safety within prison walls is a priority from day one, not a response to external pressure,” Bolick said.
Blackman added that measurable improvements are needed before lawmakers and the public can have confidence in the reforms. “Announcements alone won’t keep staff or inmates safe,” he said. “We need proof that violence is being reduced, reentry is safer, and the culture inside Arizona prisons is truly changing.”
The debate comes amid heightened scrutiny of Arizona’s correctional system, which has faced criticism in recent years over safety, staffing shortages, and inmate conditions.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Aug 30, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Financial fraud is emerging as one of Arizona’s most costly economic threats, with residents projected to lose more than $4 billion in 2025, according to a new analysis from the Common Sense Institute (CSI). The report, The Impact of Financial Fraud in Arizona, outlines how scams, identity theft, and other fraudulent activity are draining household finances and hampering economic growth. In 2024, Arizonans reported nearly 55,000 fraud cases, leading to $521 million in losses—an increase of 384 percent since 2020.
CSI economists estimate that only about 14 percent of fraud is ever reported, meaning the true cost is far higher. By next year, the institute projects that reported losses could reach $558 million, with an additional $3.4 billion in unreported incidents.
“Arizona is projected to lose over $4 billion to financial fraud in 2025. That’s nearly 1% of the state’s total GDP,” said Zachary Milne, senior economist and research analyst at CSI. “Fraud is a systemic drain on Arizona’s families and the economy. Eliminating these losses would mean billions in growth, tens of thousands more job opportunities, and lower prices for Arizonans.”
Key Findings from the Report
- The average loss per incident in Arizona was $6,270—nearly 30 percent higher than the national average.
- Arizona ranked 11th nationally for fraud cases, with 1,459 reports per 100,000 residents.
- Older residents face the greatest impact. Adults 60 and older account for two-thirds of internet-based fraud losses, with those 70 and older suffering the highest average dollar losses.
- For every dollar lost to fraud, Arizonans lose $1.06 in personal income due to broader economic effects. Families also face slightly higher prices on everyday goods and services.
- Fraud contributes to reduced economic activity, costing Arizona more than 45,000 jobs.
Fraud schemes cited in the report range from identity theft and phishing to romance scams, wire transfer fraud, and elder financial abuse. As more commerce moves online, CSI researchers warn that the risks will only grow.
The study also highlights how financial crime affects more than direct victims. Lost spending power, higher security costs, and reduced consumer confidence create ripple effects across the state’s economy. CSI estimates fraud-related losses shrink Arizona’s GDP by $5.2 billion annually. Nationally, the FBI and Federal Trade Commission tracked tens of billions of dollars in fraud losses in 2024, part of a steady upward trend over the past five years. Arizona, with its above-average loss rate and older population, is particularly vulnerable.
The report concludes that combating fraud is not only a matter of protecting individuals but also of preserving Arizona’s long-term economic health.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Aug 29, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen announced on Monday several senior staff promotions and new hires within the Senate Majority office, moves he said will strengthen support for the chamber’s 17 Republican members as they pursue their legislative agenda.
Fletcher Montzingo has been elevated to Deputy Chief of Staff after more than a decade in state government, including six years staffing the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees. In his new role, Montzingo will help oversee daily staff operations, advise on tax policy, and provide support for the newly formed Senate Committee on Appropriations & Transportation.
Brooke Huppenthal will join the staff on Sept. 15 as Deputy General Counsel. She will advise the Senate Committees on Judiciary & Elections and Military Affairs & Border Security, while also assisting the Senate Rules Committee. Huppenthal previously served as an Assistant Attorney General in Tennessee and clerked for Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick.
Simone Westbrook Hall has been named Senior Policy Advisor for the Senate Committees on Natural Resources, Energy & Water and Public Safety. She most recently served as Arizona’s Deputy Land Commissioner and has experience in both public and private sector land use and natural resource policy.
Abigail McLain will begin on Sept. 8 as Policy Advisor for the Senate Committees on Finance and Health & Human Services. A graduate of Grand Canyon University, McLain previously worked on the government relations team at Alliance Defending Freedom, focusing on First Amendment policy.
“These new additions and promotions ensure that the Arizona Senate Majority Caucus has one of the most experienced and capable legislative staff teams in the country,” Petersen said in a statement. “They will play an important role in helping us deliver results for Arizona families.”
The updated Majority Staff roster includes:
- Josh Kredit, Chief of Staff
- Fletcher Montzingo, Deputy Chief of Staff; Policy Advisor for Appropriations & Transportation, Finance
- Rusty Crandall, General Counsel; Policy Advisor for Director Nominations, Ethics, Judiciary & Elections, Rules
- Brooke Huppenthal, Deputy General Counsel; Policy Advisor for Judiciary & Elections, Military Affairs & Border Security
- Kim Quintero, Director of Communications
- Alayna Kowaleski, Deputy Director of Communications; Policy Advisor for Federalism, Joint Legislative Audit
- Blaze Baggs, Senior Policy Advisor for Health & Human Services, Government
- Simone Westbrook Hall, Senior Policy Advisor for Natural Resources, Energy & Water, Public Safety
- Emma Blair, Policy Advisor for Education, Appropriations & Transportation, Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency
- Abigail McLain, Policy Advisor for Health & Human Services, Finance, Government
- Gina Jenkins, Senior Executive Assistant
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Aug 26, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona’s labor market continued to struggle in July, losing nearly 5,000 jobs and marking the state’s third consecutive month of employment decline, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The state shed 4,900 nonfarm jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis last month, a 0.15% decrease that ranked Arizona 46th among all states in monthly job growth. Since April, the state has lost a total of 23,400 jobs—the steepest decline in both raw numbers and percentage change of any state in the nation.
Nationally, employment also slipped, falling 0.12% in July. Twenty-one states reported job losses.
On a year-over-year basis, Arizona gained 29,600 jobs, a 0.9% increase that puts the state roughly in line with the national average of 1.0%. But the pace of growth has slowed sharply compared to recent years. So far in 2025, Arizona has added just 5,200 jobs—an average of 743 per month. Between 2022 and 2024, monthly job growth averaged more than 5,300.
Economists say the state remains well below its pre-pandemic trajectory. Arizona now has about 254,400 fewer workers than it would have had if its 2017–2019 growth trend had continued. At the current pace, the gap is unlikely to close.
The state’s mining and logging industry was the strongest performer, adding 1,400 jobs in July and growing nearly 10% over the past year. Analysts credit federal policy shifts and rising demand for U.S.-sourced raw materials like copper and uranium for the sector’s continued momentum.
By contrast, manufacturing continued to contract, losing 1,100 jobs last month and more than 3,000 over the past year—a 1.6% decline. Nationwide, the sector has also struggled, with 29 states reporting year-over-year manufacturing job losses. Leisure and hospitality posted the steepest monthly decline in Arizona, down 0.9% in July.
Arizona’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1%, holding steady for the fifth straight month. The labor force participation rate also stayed flat at 61.4%. By comparison, the U.S. unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2% in July, while the national participation rate edged down to 62.2%. Both Arizona and the nation remain below pre-pandemic participation levels.
Wages showed modest improvement. Average hourly earnings in Arizona increased by 10 cents in July to $34.79, a 0.29% rise that ranked 18th among all states. Over the past 12 months, wages in the state climbed 4.9%, outpacing the national average of 3.9%. Adjusted for inflation, real wages in Arizona are up 4% compared to just 1.1% nationwide.
Still, long-term wage trends tell a different story. Since April 2020, inflation-adjusted pay in Arizona has fallen 4.1%.
The report also underscored concerns about the reliability of monthly employment estimates. June’s figures were revised downward sharply—from a reported loss of 8,400 jobs to a revised loss of 15,200. That revision ranked as the seventh largest adjustment among all states.
Economists caution that declining survey response rates and lingering disruptions from the pandemic have increased volatility in state-level labor data, making short-term trends harder to interpret.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Aug 24, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
The Sedona City Council recently voted to indefinitely shut down the city’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) program after weeks of debate over privacy, surveillance, and public safety.
At a recent special session, council members Melissa Dunn, Kathy Kinsella, Brian Fultz, Pete Furman, and Derek J. Pfaff directed city staff and police to deactivate the 11 Flock Safety cameras already installed, with one additional device awaiting installation. Mayor Scott Jablow opposed the move, while Vice Mayor Holli Ploog was absent. Roughly 50 residents attended the meeting, at times voicing strong objections to the technology.
The decision halts Sedona’s partnership with Flock Group, Inc., which had equipped the city with ALPRs to scan and log vehicle license plates as part of law enforcement investigations. Until the shutdown, only Sedona Police Department Patrol Cmdr. Chris Dowell had access to the system.
Supporters of the technology argue that ALPRs provide a valuable investigative tool, helping law enforcement identify stolen vehicles, track suspects, and improve public safety. Dowell emphasized that the cameras were not designed for broad surveillance.
“ALPR is not a mass surveillance tool; it is a focused, objective investigative asset governed by strict data retention policies and transparency protocols,” Dowell said. He noted that data collected in Sedona was stored for 30 days and that “hot list” entries—license plates flagged for criminal investigation—required supervisory approval.
But critics say the cameras still sweep up information on every passing car, raising concerns that the technology could erode civil liberties. Flock representatives acknowledged that the system can capture more than just plates—such as bumper stickers or other vehicle features—details that, while seemingly minor, could reveal political beliefs or personal affiliations.
Groups like Privacy International define “mass surveillance” as any system that collects and stores data on individuals without suspicion of wrongdoing. Civil liberties advocates warn that such technology risks normalizing constant monitoring.
The debate in Sedona echoes national concerns. In Arkansas, one homeowner recently protested a Flock camera he said photographed his property and family members, sparking a legal debate over Fourth Amendment protections. Similarly, in Scarsdale, N.Y., local officials terminated their Flock contract after residents objected to what they described as an invasive surveillance system.
Following the decision, Sedona city staff were instructed to compile a timeline of how the program was approved, establish a citizen work group, and return with recommendations for a possible pilot program that balances safety with privacy protections.
For now, the cameras will remain in place but powered off, as the community considers whether their benefits outweigh the costs to civil liberties.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
