by Matthew Holloway | Nov 29, 2025 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona lawmakers are urging the State Board of Education to fix the state’s Structured English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement Course Framework at its December 1st meeting, according to a letter from Rep. Michele Peña (R-LD23).
A group of State Representatives and Senators cosigned the letter from Peña, warning that existing rules risk placing Arizona out of compliance with federal funding mandates and allow the insertion of politics and racial rhetoric into courses designed to prepare educators, in violation of state law.
“Parents expect English-language instruction to focus on English-language instruction,” Peña said in a statement. “Instead, they’re finding courses with ideological material that has nothing to do with helping students learn English. The Board can’t ignore federal requirements, and it shouldn’t look the other way while universities inject political content into SEI training. The framework needs to be corrected now, and delays only create further problems for students, teachers, and the state.”
Peña warned the board that the present rule set “is harming instructional quality and undermining classroom integrity statewide.”
As noted by Peña, A.R.S. § 15-756.01 requires that the Board of Education “shall adopt and approve research-based models of structured English immersion.” In the letter, Rep. Peña adds, “SEI is intended to be a model focused only on research-based English language acquisition. That is all.”
She continued:
“The insertion of DEI-aligned language, political ideology, or racialized theories is not only outside the scope of the statute, but it also actively undermines the purpose of SEI by introducing content that divides classrooms, distracts educators, and shifts instructional time away from what the law actually requires. Arizona’s students deserve better than to have their language instruction diluted by ideological philosophies and turned into a political debate…
… We expect the Board not to delay corrective action or hide behind process barriers that were never required when these controversial provisions were inserted. Our students, teachers, and districts deserve a framework grounded in objective, research-based instruction, not ideological experimentation.”
The legislators who cosigned the letter include State Representatives David Marshall (R-LD07), James Taylor (R-LD29), Leo Biasiucci(R-LD30), Lisa Fink (R-LD27), and House Majority Leader Michael Carbone (R-LD25), as well as Senators Hildy Angius (R-LD30) and Tim Dunn (R-LD29).
As previously reported by AZ Free News, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne issued a similar statement in October, calling upon the Board to strip Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) language from Arizona’s teaching standards.
Note: As of this report, the State Board’s public calendar shows the meeting scheduled for Dec. 1, 2025, as a meeting of the Accountability Technical Advisory Committee, while the regular State Board of Education meeting is scheduled for December 8th; this conflicts with the December 1st date provided in Rep. Peña’s statement.
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 | Nov 28, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
In a special meeting on November 17th, the Scottsdale City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Axon Enterprise, Inc. In a 4-3 vote, the council adopted controversial plans to expand the company’s headquarters in a compromise agreement that allows Axon to build 600 apartment units and 600 condos over two construction phases.
According to interim city communications and public affairs director Holly Peralta, the council also approved three related items on 4–3 votes: creating a new self-certification and third-party inspection program, repealing the 2024 Axon zoning ordinance, and authorizing conditional legal action tied to the ongoing TAAAZE lawsuit if Axon failed to sign the Memorandum of Understanding by Nov. 19th.
Following the vote, Axon released a public statement thanking Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky, Vice Mayor Adam Kwasman, and Councilmembers Solange Whitehead and Maryann McAllen, all of whom voted in favor of the measure.
“Thank you to Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky, Vice Mayor Adam Kwasman, and Councilors Solange Whitehead and Mary Ann McAllen for supporting a fair compromise for all parties regarding the new Axon global headquarters. And thank you to the thousands of Scottsdale residents who helped make our project better with their feedback.
We are very excited to move forward with our new headquarters. Our team will work harder than ever to deliver safe outcomes to public safety and communities alike.”
Former City Councilman and Chairman of TAAAZE, Bob Littlefield, released a statement on Tuesday condemning the decision. He wrote in part, “Mayor Borowsky and Councilmembers Kwasman, Whitehead, and McAllen – totally sold out to Axon at the expense of Scottsdale residents. They gave Axon everything they wanted, and more!”
Referring to the city’s vote pertaining to the ongoing TAAAZE lawsuit, Littlefield wrote, “There was an item on the last night’s agenda to have the city join the TAAAZE lawsuit to reverse the ‘Axon bill’ which nullified the right of referendum for Scottsdale residents. Every time this item was voted on in the past, it was defeated by the pro-Axon majority. Last night it passed, but with so many amendments, it will never take effect.”
He added, “…don’t’ let Borowsky, Kwasman, Whitehead and McAllen gaslight you into believing they voted to have the city join the TAAAZE lawsuit – they didn’t.”
In a statement released Thursday, Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas described the deal writing, “While the contract says 600 apartments and 600 condos, without a voluntary deed restriction from Axon, that split is not legally enforceable by the city. Axon can build 1,200 apartments.” She added that Axon “will be the first company in the history of the city of Scottsdale to self-certify that its building meets city code,” and will “provide no additional water to cover its use,” which appears to be affected by a repeal of Scottsdale City Zoning Ordinance No. 4658 in the MOU.
In a statement released that same day, Mayor Borowsky fired back at Littlefield, Dubauskas and TAAAZE, writing in part:
“The Taxpayers Against Awful Apartment Zoning Exemptions (“TAAAZE”) committee, led by former Councilman Bob Littlefield, ran the out-of-state, union-funded Axon referendum. Of the about 27,000 signatures gathered, a total of 25,000 Scottsdale voter signatures were paid for by a California labor union.”
She said that Councilmembers Dubauskas, Graham, and Littlefield voted against holding a referendum election in July and added, “Again, in October, I asked the City Council to hold an election at the next available date, which would have been March 2026. Again, those same Councilmembers refused to listen to reason and said, ‘no.’”
She continued, “…Accordingly, we were left with only two choices:
- File a lawsuit against the flawed Axon legislation, only to have Axon go back to the legislature to fix SB1543, neutering TAAAZE’s and the City’s legal claims and further nullifying the referendum election, leaving Axon free to build 2,000 apartments or more; or
- Strike a compromise to reduce the number of units and project density.”
The mayor effectively laid the blame for the present compromise on the three councilmembers, writing, “Delaying the election cost us our right to vote on the Axon project and resulted in the city being stuck with SB 1543.”
She concluded, “I promised the voters to oppose high-density apartments. In keeping with my promise, I negotiated a major reduction of density, down from 2,000 apartments to 600 apartments and 600 condominiums. Importantly, TAAAZE representatives agreed to resolve the entire dispute if Axon agreed to build 500 apartments and 1,000 condos. In the end, my negotiations with Axon resulted in a much lower overall density than TAAAZE’s last demand.”
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 | Nov 26, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Scottsdale Fire Department is now accepting unwrapped toys and gift cards at all SFD fire stations and headquarters. The collection of gifts for the annual toy drive will continue through Dec. 22nd.
Scottsdale Fire Chief Tom Shannon explained the decision to start the drive before Thanksgiving in a press release, stating, “Our partner agencies must meet the needs of families a little earlier this year, so we are opening our toy drive before Thanksgiving. These donations help make the holiday season a little brighter for many families. It is very much appreciated.”
In prior years, the drive has collected about 15,000 toys, serving over 1,000 families, according to City of Scottsdale posts on social media. The Scottsdale Fire Department more modestly estimates that roughly 10,000 gifts are collected each year, according to a department release.
Participating partner agencies include Vista del Camino, HonorHealth at Shea, Osborn and Thompson Peak, Family Promise, Arizona Helping Hands, the Arizona Burn Foundation, and Harvest Compassion Center.
This year, SFD is seeking donations for children ages 7-12 and 13-18; however, they add, “Gift cards are fantastic alternatives to selecting something specific.”
Members of the public wishing to donate to Scottsdale Fire can find their nearest location here.
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 | Nov 24, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Congressman Andy Biggs has called out Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs for “blatant hypocrisy” after she publicly pitched the benefits of the federal Working Families Tax Cut, a policy she previously denounced as a “betrayal.”
In a statement released Thursday, Biggs said Hobbs is “shamelessly” attempting to attach herself to a Republican-driven tax package that she vocally opposed earlier this year.
“After calling the Working Families Tax Cut a ‘betrayal,’ Katie Hobbs now shamelessly wants to take credit for the tax cuts passed by President Trump and Congressional Republicans,” Biggs said. The congressman provided links to her July comments to Fox10 in which the Governor stated:
“This bill is a betrayal of working families, children, and seniors in Arizona who will lose their healthcare, their ability to put food on the table, and good-paying jobs, all to give tax cuts to the people who are already billionaires while ballooning our national debt by $3.4 trillion.”
Biggs argued that despite Hobbs’ prior opposition, Republicans “successfully delivered tax relief to working-class Arizonans and seniors who are being hurt by the rising energy costs of Hobbs’ progressive, green energy agenda.”
On X, Biggs highlighted Hobbs’ recent promotion of her own “Middle Class Tax Cuts Package,” which includes bigger deductions, tax relief for seniors, and exemptions on taxes for tips, overtime, and new car loan interest.
Hobbs, who recently launched her 2026 reelection bid, has highlighted the tax cut in campaign messaging and controversially billed her events as “Arizona First” rallies, as noted by Capitol Media. Biggs asserted that the move reflects political weakness within her own party.
“Even her fellow Democrats are calling her ‘weak’ because they know the truth just like Arizonans do: Katie Hobbs has failed our state, and now she’s trying to cover it up by taking credit for Republican victories,” he said citing an op-ed from AZ Mirror.
The Working Families Tax Cut, a component of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” championed by President Donald Trump, Biggs, and other House Republicans, expanded credits for lower- and middle-income households and included relief provisions for seniors. Hobbs criticized the measure during negotiations, calling it fiscally irresponsible and siding with Democrats who argued it favored Republican priorities.
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 | Nov 22, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Greg Roeberg, a Scottsdale attorney, announced his intention to join the race for Arizona Attorney General on Thursday with an appearance on Steve Bannon’s War Room. Roeberg, who describes himself on his campaign website as “serving as President Trump’s campaign attorney and defending the integrity of our elections,” has defined himself as an America First candidate on a mission to provide President Trump with needed “backup.”
Roeberg’s Statement of Interest in the 2026 Primary Election was filed shortly before 1 PM on Thursday, according to the Arizona State Election system at Arizona.vote.
“President Trump needs backup, and Arizona needs an Attorney General who will enforce the law with zero apologies,” Roeberg said in his video announcement posted to X. “Safe streets, strong borders, and secure elections — those are the foundations that will give my kids’ generation a chance to build new industries, new opportunities, and a better Arizona. With your help, we will Make Arizona Great Again.”
In a campaign statement, Roeberg wrote that he “vows to bring an America-First agenda directly into the halls of justice by:
- Restoring law and order with aggressive prosecution of violent criminals and drug traffickers.
- Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with law enforcement as radical politicians try to tie their hands.
- Securing Arizona’s elections with uncompromising oversight, tougher penalties for fraud, and ironclad protections to ensure every legal vote counts — and only legal votes count.
- Putting Arizona families first by fighting for parental rights, shielding our kids from harm, and making Arizona the most secure, pro-business state in the country.
In a statement published to X, Roeberg wrote,
“For years, I’ve worked alongside President Trump and the America First movement, pouring my energy into strengthening our elections and safeguarding the integrity of our democratic system. I’ve always believed that if our elections aren’t secure, nothing else matters.
Right now, we are at a crossroads. And Arizona doesn’t need any more empty suits. It needs action. That’s why I’ve decided to run for Attorney General of our great state.”
Speaking with Bannon on War Room, Roeberg reflected on serving as “President Trump’s 2024 election attorney,” adding that he was “with Trump like [Bannon] before it was popular, back in 2016.”
Turning to incumbent Democrat Attorney General, he told the host, “Arizona’s current Attorney General, Kris Mayes, is an absolute disaster. She needs to be replaced. I’m the one to do it because I’m a fighter.”
He added, “People on both sides of the aisle are sick and tired of hearing about Arizona’s elections dragging on months on end, weeks, and weeks on end, and questionable results, and people on both sides of the issue want that finally resolved. Strong borders and safe streets. It’s pretty easy. We have to stand with President Trump, and the administration, and the work they’re doing. Kris Mayes has currently… thirty-one lawsuits against the administration, shutting down the progress that President Trump and the administration are trying to do.”
“She does so at the expense of the Arizona people. She has a limited number of resources, and she could be spending those resources going after the drugs, going after the border, going after the homeless, the fentanyl, you name it. But instead, she just wants to score points with Act Blue and Soros and folks like that back East. And that’s got to stop,” he continued.
Roeberg concluded his remarks on Mayes saying, “I’m sick and tired again of seeing our squishy go-along, get-along Republicans do nothing about it. I’m not a politician. This is my first race, and I’m getting in and we’re in it to win.”
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.
