by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 12, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A traffic stop in Arizona turned into a full arrest after what began as a speeding violation escalated into multiple criminal charges — and a surprising 911 call from the driver.
According to law enforcement sources, a deputy pulled over a vehicle for criminal speed (excessive speeding) earlier this month. During the stop, the driver allegedly placed a 911 call to report that his vehicle was being towed by the deputy.
When deputies pressed for identification and documentation, the driver was unable to produce a valid driver’s license or any legal identification. Further investigation revealed that he had outstanding warrants. Authorities also determined the individual had given false information to the deputy.
Because of the outstanding warrants and the suspected immigration status, the driver was arrested on multiple charges:
- Speeding (criminal speed)
- Providing false information to law enforcement
- Driving without a license or identification
- Violating active warrants
The deputy involved reported that once the driver realized the vehicle would be towed, he dialed 911, perhaps in an attempt to prevent the impound. The driver’s quote—“What happen you bro? I no speed my friend”—suggests he denied speeding and attempted to argue during the stop.
The video shows the deputy stating the driver has been in the country illegally “at least” since 2011, and it is likely that immigration enforcement agencies will be involved depending on the outcome of the local criminal process. In many jurisdictions, collaboration exists between law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, though policies vary by county and state.
What began as a routine traffic stop quickly turned into a broader criminal arrest after attempts to conceal identity and existing warrants came to light. As the case proceeds through the legal system, more details may emerge, including the driver’s identity, the exact charges filed, and whether immigration enforcement agencies will become involved.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 11, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona State Senator David Farnsworth, chairman of the Senate Appropriations and Transportation Committee, is doubling down on his commitment to improving Arizona’s transportation network, emphasizing both immediate roadway repairs and longer-term investments in next-generation infrastructure.
Farnsworth noted that Arizona’s rapid population growth is putting added strain on highways and local roads, making safety and upkeep a pressing priority. His plan, he said, reflects a blend of conservative fiscal principles and forward-looking technology, designed to strengthen connectivity across the state while preparing for future mobility needs.
A central component of that vision is Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) — a developing technology that uses electric aircraft, sometimes called “air taxis,” capable of vertical takeoff and landing for short-distance travel. Advocates say AAM could ease traffic congestion, expand emergency response capabilities, and connect rural communities more effectively. Farnsworth has supported legislative work on AAM since 2024, with an eye toward balancing innovation with public safety and regulatory clarity.
Other states are already moving toward implementation. For example, Archer Aviation is slated to provide official air taxi services for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Farnsworth said Arizona must be proactive in keeping pace with such developments.
The senator also pointed to autonomous vehicle testing in Arizona, particularly self-driving ground taxis, as a model for how advanced technology can be integrated into daily life. Together with AAM, he said, these tools represent the next chapter of transportation policy.
“The work begins by repairing what is broken, followed by building what comes next,” Farnsworth said. “Advanced Air Mobility and autonomous vehicles are no longer concepts of the future—they are active technologies with real-world applications. My job is to ensure Arizona stays ahead of the curve, not behind it.”
Farnsworth stressed that his focus remains on practical investments and collaboration with communities, technology leaders, and policymakers. His goal, he said, is a transportation system that is modernized, fiscally responsible, and designed to serve Arizona residents well into the future.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 10, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona House Republican leaders are demanding answers after learning that the Chief Medical Officer of the state’s Medicaid program, AHCCCS, has been serving with an expired medical license.
According to records from the Arizona Medical Board, Dr. Theresa Costales, a psychiatrist appointed as Chief Medical Officer in January 2025, failed to renew her license, which was due April 9. The statutory grace period ended on August 9, leaving the license fully expired. Despite this, Dr. Costales continues to advise on state health policies that impact more than 2 million Arizonans.
House Speaker Steve Montenegro called the lapse “a failure of oversight” by Governor Katie Hobbs’ administration. “A lapse like this should never happen in a healthcare agency responsible for millions of people,” he said. “The public deserves accountability when even the most basic standards aren’t met.”
House Majority Leader Michael Carbone echoed the concern, noting that license verification is a simple process. “Any citizen can look this up in minutes. That it slipped through the cracks at the highest level of medical leadership is completely unacceptable.”
House Majority Whip Julie Willoughby, who is also a healthcare professional, questioned whether key policy decisions were made without proper credentials in place. “You cannot have a Chief Medical Officer without an active license—it’s that simple,” she said. She raised particular concern about the recent rollout of the controversial Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) assessment tool, asking whether decisions tied to the program were made under expired authority.
Republican leaders also pointed to other state agencies, such as the Department of Corrections, that explicitly require valid medical licenses for their top medical positions. They argue AHCCCS should be held to the same standard, given its role in overseeing care for vulnerable populations.
Speaker Pro Tempore Neal Carter said the situation undermines public confidence. “Governor Hobbs’ administration has failed once again to ensure competence and accountability in state government. This isn’t a small oversight—it undermines trust in one of Arizona’s largest healthcare agencies.”
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 8, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen is pressing the state’s U.S. Senators, Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, to support measures to reopen the federal government, saying the ongoing shutdown is causing widespread harm to residents and the state’s economy.
Petersen criticized the two Democratic senators for what he described as “playing politics” and siding with “the left fringe” instead of joining a bipartisan coalition to keep the government funded. According to Petersen, both Kelly and Gallego opposed a stopgap spending bill that would have temporarily extended funding and avoided a lapse in government operations.
“This shutdown is not about helping Arizonans — it’s about defending unpopular priorities,” Petersen said. “Kelly and Gallego need to stop bowing to the radical left, put Arizona families first, and vote to reopen the government immediately.”
The shutdown, now stretching into its second week, has left thousands of Arizona residents facing financial uncertainty. State Republicans estimate that Arizona’s gross state product is losing about $296 million per week due to the disruption. Other reported impacts include:
- Roughly 58,000 federal employees in Arizona either furloughed or working without pay.
- Delayed Social Security benefits for seniors and others relying on timely checks.
- Frozen loan distributions from the Small Business Administration.
- Closures of national parks, including the Grand Canyon, straining tourism-dependent communities.
Petersen also warned that the shutdown is hitting families, small businesses, and retirees especially hard, compounding an already challenging economic environment. For now, Petersen said he will continue to urge Arizona’s federal delegation to prioritize ending the impasse. “This is about more than numbers on a spreadsheet. Real people are hurting, and every day the shutdown continues, that harm grows deeper,” he said.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 7, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
State Senator Carine Werner is escalating her oversight push against Arizona’s Medicaid agency, AHCCCS, after a tense committee hearing revealed what she called “catastrophic failures” in the state’s health care system.
As chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Werner convened an October 1 hearing that uncovered widespread fraud, lapses in oversight, and significant coverage disruptions for vulnerable Arizonans. Lawmakers heard testimony that outlined nearly $2.8 billion in estimated fraud, more than 140,000 unenrollments since September 2024, and deep impacts on Native American communities.
“This is about far more than numbers on a page—it’s about lives shattered and trust broken,” Werner said after the hearing. “Families lost coverage, providers were driven out by retaliation and red tape, and patient brokers were allowed to exploit Arizonans in need. We cannot allow the Governor’s state agencies to hide behind vague answers.”
Witnesses described fraudulent brokers shifting patients from Medicaid into federally subsidized marketplace plans, leaving families at risk of losing access to necessary care. Providers also reported delayed or denied payments that have forced some to close their practices, while law enforcement confirmed that just 91 arrests have been made despite widespread patient brokering schemes.
The committee also heard that Native American communities have been disproportionately affected by lapses in Medicaid coverage, with families struggling to find replacement providers or navigate bureaucratic hurdles.
In response, the committee issued a formal list of follow-up questions to AHCCCS. Lawmakers are seeking precise information on how many licensed behavioral health providers are actively serving patients, what actions are being taken to restore access to care in Native American communities, how much taxpayer money has been lost and recovered, and whether AHCCCS has held staff accountable for oversight failures.
Werner stressed that the requests are non-negotiable. “Governor Hobbs and AHCCCS owe Arizona’s taxpayers and families straight answers. The days of vague promises are over. This committee expects deliverables that prove action is being taken.”
The committee has given AHCCCS 30 days to provide a full set of responses and supporting data. A follow-up hearing is scheduled within 45 days, where lawmakers will publicly review the agency’s progress.
“Arizona deserves a health care system that protects the vulnerable instead of enabling fraud,” Werner said. “We will keep pressing until every loophole is closed, every fraudulent actor is held accountable, and every Arizonan can access care without fear of exploitation.”
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
