by Matthew Holloway | Jan 12, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Arizona Legislature will return to the State Capitol today, marking the start of the Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session and the beginning of legislative work for 2026.
According to information published by the Arizona Legislature, the opening day will include ceremonies in both chambers of the Capitol, followed by a joint session of the House and Senate later in the afternoon.
Per a legislative announcement released ahead of the session, events will begin at 11:00 a.m. with welcome music in the Capitol courtyard performed by the Eastern Arizona College Marching Band.
The Arizona Senate is scheduled to convene at noon in the Senate Chamber to formally open the Second Regular Session. The program outlined in the legislative release includes gathering music by Trio Fratelli, a call to order by Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14), an invocation delivered by Pastor Luke Simmons of Ironwood Church, and the presentation of the colors by the Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard.
The Pledge of Allegiance is scheduled to be led by Senator Priya Sundareshan (D-LD17), followed by the national anthem performed by Trio Fratelli. Petersen is expected to deliver opening remarks before the Senate recesses.
Following the recess, Brian Mueller, president of Grand Canyon University, is scheduled to address lawmakers and guests, according to the same announcement.
At 2:00 p.m., members of the House and Senate are scheduled to convene in the House Chamber for a joint session, during which Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs is expected to deliver the annual State of the State address, outlining her priorities for the year ahead.
Following the joint session, the Senate is scheduled to reconvene to complete remaining Senate business.
In a statement included with the opening-day announcement, Petersen said lawmakers are entering the 2026 session focused on affordability and public safety.
“This session, our top priority is to provide real relief for the people of Arizona,” Petersen said. “Opening day is both a celebration and a call to action. It offers a special opportunity for the legislature to welcome their families and loved ones to the Capitol as we mark the beginning of a new session. As we start our work, our focus is clear: lowering costs, making Arizona affordable, protecting our freedoms, and enhancing community safety. I look forward to commencing this session and delivering results for Arizonans across the state.”
The opening-day ceremonies and the joint session will be livestreamed on the Arizona Legislature’s official website at: https://www.azleg.gov/liveproceedings.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 11, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A federal judge has allowed key claims to proceed in the civil rights lawsuit filed by Rebekah Massie, a Surprise, Arizona, resident who was arrested after criticizing a city attorney’s salary during a city council meeting.
According to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), Judge Roslyn O. Silver of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona ruled this week that Massie’s First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, and Arizona Open Meeting Law claims will move forward into discovery. The lawsuit stems from an August 2024 city council meeting in Surprise, where Massie was removed, arrested, and charged with trespassing after criticizing the pay of a government attorney during public comment. She was later taken to a detention center.
FIRE said the city did not challenge Massie’s federal constitutional claims in its motion, allowing those claims to proceed. The judge also permitted Massie’s Open Meeting Law claim to move forward, noting that Arizona law places express limits on how government bodies may regulate public comment during meetings.
Several state law claims were dismissed, according to FIRE, after the court determined they were duplicative of the constitutional claims and barred under Arizona’s notice-of-claim statute.
FIRE attorney Adam Steinbaugh said the organization will continue pursuing the case.
“We’re going to continue to fight not only to vindicate Rebekah’s constitutional rights, but to ensure that all Arizonans are free to speak their minds. All of us have the right to criticize our government without being arrested.”
The ruling marks the latest development in a case that has already prompted changes from the City of Surprise.
In September 2024, the Surprise City Council voted to repeal its policy prohibiting criticism of public officials during meetings following public backlash and the filing of the lawsuit. The following month, a judge dismissed the criminal trespassing charge against Massie, calling the government’s suppression of her speech “objectively outrageous.”
According to FIRE, body-camera footage later released showed a Surprise police officer responding to Massie’s complaint that she had been thrown to the ground during her arrest by saying, “That’s what happens when you’re resisting arrest.”
The civil lawsuit against the City of Surprise and individual officials remains ongoing as the case enters the discovery phase.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 9, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Scammers are targeting veterans with fraudulent fees to register for the National Veterans Golden Age Games, prompting a Federal Trade Commission warning that the VA-hosted event is, and always has been, free for entrants to compete and caregivers, coaches, and loved ones to watch.
The alert was issued in a December 19th Consumer Notice published on the agency’s website.
In its alert, the FTC said veterans have reported finding websites or social media pages that purport to charge a fee to register for the Golden Age Games. According to the notice, these offers are fraudulent and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Registration for the Games is handled only through VA.gov using verified veteran credentials.
Local veterans and staff with the Phoenix VA Health Care System have long participated in the National Veterans Golden Age Games, with the system’s adaptive sports clinic helping prepare competitors for the event. In June, VA officials in Phoenix publicly recognized a team of Arizona veterans who won multiple medals at the Games. This local involvement underscores the importance of protecting veterans from bad actors online who charge illegitimate fees for an event that is officially free.
The National Veterans Golden Age Games is organized by the VA’s Veterans Sports Programs to promote health, wellness, and physical activity among older veterans. The FTC notice states the Games are free for veterans, coaches, caregivers, and spectators, and that official registration for the 2026 Games, scheduled for June 27 through July 2 in Tampa, Florida, will open January 28, 2026. Registration is only available through VA.gov using an ID.me account. Any online offer claiming immediate registration or requiring payment is likely a scam.
FTC Consumer Sentinel Network data show that Arizona residents filed more than 54,000 fraud reports in 2024, including thousands from military consumers, resulting in more than $336 million in reported losses statewide. Fraud involving imposter schemes, such as fake government fees or event registrations, was one of the top complaint categories among Arizona consumers.
The FTC recommends registering only through official VA channels and avoiding sharing login information or personal credentials with third-party websites. Veterans and families encountering potential fraud schemes are encouraged to report them through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office also maintains a scam-reporting portal and consumer alerts for veteran-related fraud, directing residents to file complaints through the AG Office’s website or the FTC’s federal system.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 8, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) and Nevada Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV-03) have introduced the VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide lawmakers with clearer information on the performance of Veterans Affairs medical facilities nationwide.
The bill was announced publicly in a press release on December 22, 2025, as part of lawmakers’ efforts to support bipartisan solutions to issues facing veterans.
According to the press release, the act is designed to help Congress better evaluate VA medical center operations and enable more effective responses to veterans’ health care concerns. The legislation would require greater transparency in the management and operations of VA medical facilities, giving federal lawmakers the data and insight needed to identify performance issues.
The VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act is not wholly novel; a similar bill under the same name was introduced in 2023 by Hamadeh’s predecessor, Debbie Lesko, in partnership with Rep. Susie Lee and with support from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
A notable element of this version of the bill is a three-year sunset provision, meaning the policy would expire after three years unless Congress votes to renew it. This provision was added to allow lawmakers to evaluate the legislation’s effectiveness before considering reauthorization.
In announcing the bill, Hamadeh emphasized its importance for Arizona’s veteran population, including those living near Luke Air Force Base, stating that it would allow Congress to “better assess the strengths and weaknesses of VA medical facilities” and take appropriate action. Hamadeh added that the legislation should “elevate the quality-of-care veterans receive,” according to a statement shared on social media.
Lee framed the bill as part of her responsibility to ensure that veterans “receive the care and benefits that they have earned,” and said the transparency the bill seeks will give policymakers the information they need about how the VA operates.
This legislation is the latest in a series of veterans-focused measures introduced by Hamadeh. Earlier in 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed two other bipartisan bills he sponsored: the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act, aimed at expanding education opportunities for veterans, and the Health Professionals Scholarship Program (HPSP) Improvement Act of 2025, which addresses staffing challenges at VA medical facilities.
Arizona Veterans’ Affairs medical facilities have been subject to scrutiny in recent years over issues such as waiting times, access to care, and administrative transparency. Past federal laws aimed at improving veterans’ access to care, such as the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014, came in response to reports of systemic problems at certain VA facilities.
By giving lawmakers better data on VA facility performance, the new transparency act could shape future federal oversight and policy decisions affecting veteran health care delivery.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 7, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Two Democratic candidates have withdrawn from the 2026 race for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, leaving a single Democrat, JoAnna Mendoza, seeking to challenge Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani.
According to Gila Valley Central, Samantha Severson officially withdrew from the race on Dec. 30, reducing the Democratic primary field to one active candidate in the southeastern Arizona district.
Severson’s departure followed the earlier withdrawal of Johnathan Buma, who announced that he was ending his campaign for the Democratic nomination in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District on Dec. 19.
In a statement to Gila Valley Central, Buma said his decision was not made “in retreat,” but after concluding that his efforts would be better directed outside electoral politics. He said he plans to focus on humanitarian and grassroots initiatives through his work with Project Lost & Found – Voices of Gratitude.
Buma, a former FBI agent, was arrested and charged in March 2025, according to federal court records cited by ABC News. Prosecutors allege Buma printed approximately 130 files from the FBI’s internal network, some of which were marked with warnings indicating the information was protected.
According to the Arizona Republic, Buma publicly criticized the FBI for political bias before leaving the agency and subsequently filed paperwork to run for Congress in May 2025.
The withdrawals by Severson and Buma follow several earlier Democratic exits from the race. Gila Valley Central previously reported that Aiden Swallow dropped out of the congressional contest to pursue a run for the Arizona Legislature. The outlet has also reported that Mo Goldman and Chris Donat withdrew earlier in the cycle.
With the departures of Severson and Buma, JoAnna Mendoza, who ran unsuccessfully for the Arizona Senate in 2020, now remains the only Democrat actively seeking the party’s nomination in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District.
Campaign finance filings indicate that Ciscomani has maintained a fundraising advantage as the race has developed. According to reporting by Arizona Public Media (AZPM), Ciscomani reported a larger cash-on-hand balance than Mendoza in recent Federal Election Commission filings, reflecting the advantages of incumbency.
AZPM noted that Mendoza outraised Ciscomani in the third quarter of 2025, with Mendoza’s campaign reporting roughly $669,000 raised from July through September compared with Ciscomani’s reported period haul of about $458,000, citing Federal Election Commission filings. However, Ciscomani maintained a larger overall campaign reserve due to prior fundraising and transfers from allied political committees.
Arizona’s 6th Congressional District includes Cochise, Graham, and Greenlee Counties, along with portions of eastern Pima County, and has drawn national attention due to its narrow margins. The Cook Political Report currently rates the district as a toss-up for the 2026 election.
In the 2024 general election, Ciscomani defeated Democrat Kirsten Engel by approximately 2.5 percentage points, winning by nearly 11,000 votes, roughly doubling his 2022 margin over Engel.
As of publication, no outlets have reported additional Democratic candidates entering the race following the withdrawals of Severson and Buma.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
