by Matthew Holloway | Apr 6, 2026 | Education, News
By Staff Reporter |
The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) grew by two new members last week.
On Monday, Gov. Katie Hobbs appointed Michele Halyard, an oncologist specializing in breast cancer, and Steve Peru, formerly Coconino County’s manager.
“Dr. Michele Halyard is a leader in medical education who will provide expertise to the Board as the universities work to meet the state’s healthcare needs,” said Hobbs in an announcement. “Steve Peru is a longtime public servant with decades of experience who will bring his pragmatic leadership and focus on accountability to the Board. Our public university students deserve the best, and I’m confident Michele and Steve will help ensure the continued excellence of higher education in Arizona.”
Halyard’s past and present accomplishments included in Hobbs’ announcement referenced a fellowship with the American Society for Radiation Oncology, professorship of radiation oncology, vice deanship of the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, board membership with the Arizona Community Foundation, and membership with the Arizona Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee.
One thing not mentioned in Hobbs’ announcement was Halyard’s career-long DEI goals on reforming health care with health equity.
Halyard has spent her 40 years in medicine advocating for affirmative action and health equity in medicine, according to Mayo Clinic profiles on the doctor published in 2023 and 2024.
Halyard expressed her belief in the existence of structural racism in medicine, and its disparate impacts on patient suffering and mortality.
“I didn’t see a lot of people of color at the clinic either working or as patients, and I really thought what a shame that was because of the preeminence of healthcare that we deliver,” said Halyard. “People who, perhaps, feel shut out from the healthcare system, people who experience structural racism that prevents them from getting in for the best care, that really results in excess death, excess suffering among populations of people.”
It was under Halyard that Mayo Clinic initiated “antiracism efforts” by using affirmative action in recruiting.
Halyard’s husband is Phoenix City Councilman Kevin Robinson, a Democrat and former Phoenix Police Department assistant chief.
Peru’s historic dedication to DEI initiatives wasn’t mentioned in Hobbs’ press release, either.
Shortly after joining Coconino County as their manager, Peru took on a years-long effort by the county to recruit an individual for a DEI directorship position.
In the weeks following Trump’s inauguration last year, Peru posted a comment agreeing with another colleague’s LinkedIn post advocating for DEI in K-12 in the wake of the new administration’s policies.
Prior to joining Coconino County, Peru was the chief development and government relations officer at Coconino County Community College and former CEO and president of United Way of Northern Arizona.
Last September Hobbs appointed Jimmy McCain, the youngest son of John McCain, to ABOR. McCain’s appointment stirred controversy, not only for his conflict with Arizona legislative leaders and President Donald Trump, but with his role at a company that was a key sponsor of Hobbs’ inaugural committee.
Hobbs has also appointed Lee Stein, former assistant U.S. attorney and special assistant attorney general within the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
The governor’s two picks for student regents have backgrounds in gun control advocacy. Their contributions to ABOR include expanding time and resources for students’ mental health.
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by Matthew Holloway | Apr 6, 2026 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
A bill advancing through the Arizona Legislature would require schools to notify parents and staff within 24 hours of serious threats or incidents involving violence on campus.
House Bill 4109 was approved by the Arizona Senate Rules Committee last week and now heads to the full Senate for consideration. The measure previously passed the Arizona House of Representatives in early March by a 35–17 vote, with seven members abstaining and six Democrats joining Republicans in support.
Sponsored by Rep. Lydia Hernandez (D-LD24), the bill would require schools to notify parents and employees within 24 hours of “life-threatening violence, threats of life-threatening violence, or threats that involve a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.”
Schools would also be required to provide information about the nature of the incident and how administrators responded.
Under the legislation, law enforcement would be required to be notified immediately following serious threats or acts of violence. Schools would also be required to confiscate any deadly weapons and hold them until police arrive.
HB 4109 would further require school districts to submit annual reports detailing campus safety incidents, including lockdowns, shelter-in-place events, evacuations, weapon-related incidents, and referrals to law enforcement. Districts would also be required to provide a summary of their safety policies.
The bill mandates that school districts adopt a formal public safety policy outlining emergency procedures and designating the superintendent as the responsible authority for implementation.
Superintendents and school board members could face misdemeanor charges for failing to comply with the law’s requirements. Superintendents may be charged if they fail to notify parents, contact law enforcement, or follow established procedures after serious threats or violence. School board members could face charges if they fail to adopt a safety policy or retaliate against individuals who report violations.
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne told The Center Square that schools in the state face ongoing safety concerns, citing 500 recorded incidents in 2025 involving students bringing firearms onto campus.
“Schools that don’t yet have police are playing Russian roulette with the lives of the students and the teachers and the staff,” he said.
Horne said the number of police officers assigned to schools has increased from 190 in 2023 to 565 and encouraged schools to work with the Arizona Department of Education to expand campus security coverage.
Horne has repeatedly urged school leaders to allow the Arizona Department of Education (AZED) to “provide them with police officers.” He added, “We pay for the police officers. It doesn’t cost them anything.”
“We need to do everything we can to protect the safety of our students, teachers [and] staff,” Horne said. He added that reporting requirements would provide transparency about incidents involving weapons or threats on school campuses.
In a statement on March 26, Horne was critical of Democrat legislators who voted against the measure, stating, “It is reckless and irresponsible for these legislators to ignore the reality that school campuses are at risk and need every resource at their disposal to protect lives.”
“It is ironic that the bill is sponsored by Democrat Representative Lydia Hernandez,” he added. “She deserves credit for this effort. I am pleased the bill passed out of committee even with the opposition from members of her own party.”
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 | Apr 4, 2026 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
The U.S. added 178,000 jobs in March, with gains driven by the private sector, while federal employment declined and labor force participation edged slightly lower, according to the Joint Economic Committee.
The report shows job growth rebounded following a weaker February. Private employers added 186,000 jobs, while government employment declined by 8,000 positions.
In a statement posted to X, the JEC Republicans announced the findings, “Beating Expectations!”
The unemployment rate decreased slightly from 4.4 percent in February to 4.3 percent in March. The labor force participation rate declined by 0.1 percentage points to 61.9 percent.
The broader U-6 measure of unemployment, which includes underemployed and marginally attached workers, increased from 7.9 percent to 8.0 percent.
Revisions to prior months showed weaker job performance than initially reported in February. Job losses for that month were revised downward by 41,000, from a decline of 92,000 to a decline of 133,000 jobs. January’s figures were revised upward by 34,000, bringing total job gains for that month to 160,000.
CNN Senior Reporter Matt Egan told audiences Friday, “The job market bounced back in a big way in March. And that is good news. Really, blowing away expectations.”
Wage growth continued on a year-over-year basis. From March 2025 to March 2026, average nominal weekly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 3.52 percent, with hourly earnings rising by the same percentage.
For production and nonsupervisory employees, average weekly earnings increased by 3.69 percent, while hourly earnings rose by 3.38 percent over the same period.
Sector-level data showed gains concentrated in specific industries. From February to March, private education and health services added 91,000 jobs, while leisure and hospitality added 44,000.
Losses were recorded in federal government employment, which declined by 18,000 jobs, and in financial activities, which fell by 15,000.
On a year-over-year basis, private education and health services added 663,000 jobs, and leisure and hospitality added 176,000. Federal government employment declined by 330,000 over the same period, while trade, transportation, and utilities decreased by 154,000 jobs.
Job openings declined during the most recent reporting period. From January to February 2026, total nonfarm job openings decreased by 358,000 to 6.88 million. The job openings rate declined by 0.2 percentage points to 4.2 percent.
Sector data for job openings showed increases in other services, which added 77,000 openings, and professional and business services, which added 64,000. Declines were led by leisure and hospitality, down 213,000 openings, and private education and health services, down 78,000.
In a statement, White House spokesman Kush Desai said, “The March jobs report blew out expectations with strong construction job growth and a surge in manufacturing job creation as trillions of dollars in investments begin to materialize. America remains on a solid economic trajectory thanks to President Trump’s proven agenda of tax cuts, deregulation, tariffs, and energy dominance. Americans can rest assured that after the short-term disruptions of Operation Epic Fury are behind us, America’s economic resurgence is set to only accelerate.”
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 | Apr 3, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has signed a bipartisan emergency measure to repeal the state law recognizing César Chávez Day, following the legislature’s action on Monday.
House Bill 2072, sponsored by Rep. Lisa Fink (R-LD27), removes statutory recognition of the March 31 holiday honoring the late union leader following New York Times reporting on allegations that he sexually abused women and minors during his tenure.
The bill passed the Arizona House with a 48-8 vote and cleared the Arizona Senate with a 29-1 vote, with State Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales (D-LD20) casting the sole dissenting vote.
“Once these reports came to light, there was no excuse for leaving this honor in Arizona law,” Fink said. “The women and children Chavez harmed should not have to watch the state continue honoring his name. Repealing this law is the proper response. It respects the victims he left behind and removes a state honor that should not remain in place.”
The legislation advanced following recent reporting on allegations involving Chávez during his tenure as president of the United Farm Workers.
“Arizona law should not honor a man tied to sexual abuse against children and violence against women,” House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29) said in a statement. “The House acted today because victims deserve better, the truth cannot be ignored, and state honors carry meaning.”
Montenegro urged Hobbs to sign the bill, stressing bipartisan support in both chambers of the legislature.
Hobbs said in a statement on Wednesday that she is “deeply troubled by the recent revelations about César Chávez.”
“After learning the troubling news, I decided not to recognize César Chávez Day this year and have signed legislation to repeal the observance of March 31st as César Chávez Day. While I know signing this bill won’t erase the pain, my thoughts are with the victims and everyone affected. I’m working with community leaders to find meaningful ways to honor and celebrate our farmworker community and their continued contributions to the state of Arizona. “
Addressing the Arizona farmworkers Chávez once represented, Hobbs said, “I am incredibly grateful for our hardworking farmworkers. Their resilience is evident in the lettuce fields of Yuma and the orange-picking farms of Mesa. Arizona’s farmworkers are the backbone of our state’s economy. I remain committed to supporting them and ensuring their contributions are recognized with dignity and respect.”
A March 2026 report by The New York Times detailed allegations from multiple women who said Chávez engaged in sexual misconduct, including claims that he “used his power within the organization to exploit women and girls.”
House Republicans stated in a release that “Arizonans should not be forced to celebrate a figure whose legacy is now under serious question,” adding that the measure reflects “a responsibility to ensure state-recognized holidays align with values supported by the public.”
The emergency legislation, an amended version of HB 2072, repeals sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes that establish the holiday and includes an emergency clause that makes the repeal effective immediately upon the governor’s signature. The bill text specifies that it “repeals section 1-301, Arizona Revised Statutes,” which designates César Chávez Day as a state holiday.
In a March 30 letter to Governor Hobbs, Gonzales urged a veto of the measure, arguing the emergency clause is unconstitutional.
“House Bill 2072 is not an emergency, and it lacks the constitutionally required section that explains why it is necessary to preserve the public peace, health, or safety,” Gonzales wrote. She added that the bill “denies the people of Arizona their constitutionally protected right to direct democracy via referendum.”
Gonzales also called on state leaders to pursue recognition of farmworkers’ contributions through an alternative designation, writing that lawmakers should consider “renaming Dr. Cesar Estrada Chavez Day” rather than eliminating it entirely.
Despite those objections, the bill received the supermajority required for an emergency clause.
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 | Apr 2, 2026 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona households are carrying higher debt, seeing declining credit scores, and falling behind on payments at rates above the national average, according to a new analysis from the Common Sense Institute of Arizona (CSI).
The report, which examines credit data and financial trends, found that Arizona’s average credit score dropped by seven points in 2025, placing the state 30th nationally with an average score of 666.
The findings also show long-term growth in household debt. Since 2003, per capita debt in Arizona has increased by 129%, reaching approximately $74,000—one of the largest increases among U.S. states.
Across major categories, Arizona borrowers carry higher balances than the national average. Mortgage debt per capita is 22% higher, while auto loan balances are 7% higher and credit card debt is 8% higher, according to the report.
Missed payments are also more common in Arizona. The report found higher delinquency rates at multiple stages, including accounts 30, 60, and 90 days past due, as well as higher levels of derogatory marks on credit histories compared to national benchmarks.
The analysis also includes a measure of “Household Liquidity Resilience” that assesses households’ ability to withstand financial stress. By that measure, Arizona households are estimated to be 23% less prepared for financial disruptions than the national average. The report identifies the source of this unreadiness emerging from “generally higher than average debt, higher change of delinquency, and a lower cash cushion than the average U.S. household.”
Zach Milne, senior economist at CSI, said the data reflects ongoing financial strain tied to rising costs and borrowing conditions.
“Arizona households are facing residual financial pressure from post-pandemic inflation on top of higher borrowing costs, which continue to strain budgets,” Milne said. “Declining credit scores, rising delinquency rates, and above-average debt levels all point to broader affordability challenges across the state.”
He added, “As households absorb higher costs for housing and other essential expenses, many are becoming more vulnerable to financial shocks and less financially resilient.”
The report compares Arizona’s credit and debt trends to national data, highlighting differences in borrowing levels, repayment patterns, and financial stability indicators.
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.
