by Matthew Holloway | Apr 29, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized dozens of weapons and military-style components from a suspected weapons smuggler with three children in her vehicle at the Nogales, Arizona, Port of Entry, according to federal officials.
The seizure occurred when CBP officers conducting outbound enforcement operations referred a vehicle for secondary inspection before it exited the United States. During that inspection, officers discovered a large cache of weapons and firearm parts concealed inside the vehicle in a hidden compartment.
According to a CBP press release, the seizure included “a rocket-propelled grenade launcher tube, four rifles, an Avtomat Kalashnikova–or AK–pistol, 16 AK rifles, 24 rifle magazines, 16 rifle stocks, 20 pistol grips.”
“Under the powerful leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, our frontline CBP officers utilized an effective combination of inspection experience and technology to find these weapons and prevent them from falling into the hands of the cartels,” CBP’s Acting Deputy Commissioner Ron Vitiello said in a statement. “CBP prevented these dangerous weapons from wreaking havoc on the good people of Mexico.”
CBP officials said a 41-year-old U.S. citizen woman driving the vehicle was arrested and charged with weapons smuggling under 18 U.S.C. 554 – Smuggling goods from the United States. Three children who were also inside the vehicle at the time of the stop were released to a family member.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona Timothy Courchaine described the case in connection with Mexican drug cartels, stating, “President Trump designated criminal drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations for good reason, and this case is one of many that shows their violent intent to hang on to power. The United States Attorney’s Office is proud to work alongside the Department of Homeland Security to make sure we choke off the flow of weapons to violent actors in Mexico and bring their accomplices in the United States to justice.”
CBP conducts routine outbound inspections to identify and interdict the illegal export of firearms, ammunition, currency, and other contraband. According to the agency, such enforcement actions are aimed at disrupting transnational criminal organizations that rely on the illicit movement of weapons from the United States into Mexico.
The case remains under active investigation.
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 29, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Precinct committeemen in Arizona’s Legislative District 7 have selected three nominees to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former State Representative David Marshall, according to the Republican Party of Arizona.
The nominees are Lynn Dewitt, a Taylor Town Councilmember, former Arizona State Senator Sylvia Allen, and Tisha Carlisle, a Snowflake Realtor and founding president of the Northeast Arizona Republican Women. They were chosen by acclamation during a meeting of district precinct committeemen and will be submitted to the Navajo County Board of Supervisors for final consideration, the Arizona Republican Party said in a press release on Friday.
The vacancy was formally announced on April 15 in a letter from Marshall to Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29), and the Arizona Secretary of State notified the state party on April 20, triggering the statutory process for filling legislative vacancies.
Under ARS §41-1202, the political party of the departing legislator is responsible for nominating three qualified candidates from the same party and legislative district. Those nominees are then forwarded to the relevant county board of supervisors, which must appoint one of the three to serve the remainder of the term.
The nomination process must be completed within five business days of notification of the vacancy. The party coordinates with local legislative district leadership to organize the meeting of precinct committeemen and conduct the selection.
Following the vote, Sergio Arellano said the process was conducted in a “smooth and professional” manner and thanked local party officials and committeemen for their participation.
“Today, Navajo County Republicans showed what strong local leadership and grassroots engagement look like. I want to thank Chairwoman Lisa Green, the precinct committeemen, and everyone involved for conducting a smooth and professional process,” Arellano said. “Congratulations to Lynn Dewitt, Sylvia Allen, and Tisha Carlisle on being advanced to the Board of Supervisors. Navajo County continues to lead by example, and I’m proud of the work done here today.”
The Navajo County Board of Supervisors will now review the three nominees and appoint one to represent Legislative District 7 in the Arizona House of Representatives.
The appointee will serve for the remainder of the current legislative term.
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 28, 2026 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
U.S. Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ02) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District following an awards ceremony held in Prescott.
The event took place at the Phippen Museum, where students, families, and educators gathered to recognize outstanding artwork submitted by high school students from across the district.
“The Congressional Art Competition offers our talented high school artists the opportunity to showcase their skills, and it’s an honor to play a role in the process,” Crane said in a statement. “On behalf of my team, I am deeply grateful to the Phippen Museum, our partners in higher education, and our professional judges for collaborating on this great tradition. We also appreciate the teachers who encouraged their students to participate, as well as everyone who came out to celebrate this occasion.”
The annual Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide program sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives to encourage and recognize artistic talent among high school students.
Crane presented scholarship awards to selected student artists during the ceremony, from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Grand Canyon University, Northern Arizona University, Northern Pioneer College, and Yavapai College, honoring their work and participation in the competition.
Winslow High School student Lindsey Cox earned first place and was awarded a scholarship to Northern Arizona University for her piece “Albert Camus and His Cat.” Her painting will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, and she will be honored at an awards banquet in Washington, D.C.
Jazmin Hunt, a Mingus Union High School student, won second-place honors with her piece, “Cat Eye,” and was awarded a scholarship to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Sarah Meyer, a Prescott High School student, was awarded third place for her piece “Desert Nightlife,” along with a scholarship to Yavapai College.
Honorable mention went to Prescott High School student McKenzee Stapleton, who earned a scholarship to Grand Canyon University, and the People’s Choice Award, voted on by the public, went to Mingus Union High School student Isabel McKean.
The event was supported by staff and volunteers at the Phippen Museum, as well as local artists who assisted in reviewing submissions and selecting winning pieces.
The Congressional Art Competition is held each spring in congressional districts nationwide, with winning artwork typically displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year as part of a national exhibition.
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 27, 2026 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona’s job growth has fallen behind national trends over the past year, with the state recording a net loss of jobs and rising unemployment, according to a new report from Republicans on the Joint Economic Committee.
The February employment update for Arizona found the state added approximately 11,000 jobs month-over-month, but posted a net loss of about 300 jobs over the previous 12 months.
The report ranked Arizona 24th in the nation for job growth during that period.
Arizona’s unemployment rate rose to 4.6 percent, up from 4.2 percent one year earlier, while the state’s labor force participation rate declined to 61.7 percent, down 0.4 percentage points year-over-year.
Nationally, the labor market continued to expand, with U.S. payrolls increasing by roughly 178,000 jobs in March, while the national unemployment rate remained lower at approximately 4.3 percent.
The report indicates Arizona’s recent performance has lagged the national pace on several key labor metrics, including year-over-year job growth and unemployment trends.
At the same time, the data shows continued monthly job gains in Arizona, reflecting ongoing hiring activity despite weaker longer-term growth.
Other analyses have also pointed to slowing job growth in the state. A December 2025 update from the Common Sense Institute found Arizona’s job growth had moderated significantly compared to earlier post-pandemic years.
Separately, the Arizona Chamber Foundation reported that job growth in 2025 was minimal following revisions to earlier employment data.
Conversely, state officials have highlighted other economic indicators in recent months. Governor Katie Hobbs’ office cited a report ranking Arizona second nationally in overall economic performance, which includes measures such as population growth, domestic migration, and gross domestic product.
The Joint Economic Committee report focuses specifically on labor market conditions, including employment levels, unemployment, and workforce participation.
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 26, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Arizona House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 1041 with a bipartisan 41–11 vote on Wednesday, advancing legislation that would allow electronic monitoring in long-term care facilities.
According to a press release from AARP Arizona, the bill is intended to provide an additional option for families seeking to monitor the care of residents who may be unable to report abuse or neglect. The amended measure now returns to the Arizona Senate for approval.
SB 1041, if enacted, would permit residents or their representatives to install electronic monitoring devices, such as cameras, in long-term care settings under specified conditions.
The House vote follows recent media reports of an alleged abuse incident involving a long-term care worker and a resident with dementia
“This legislation gives families an additional option to help protect residents who may not be able to speak for themselves,” said Dana Marie Kennedy, state director of AARP Arizona, in the release.
Kennedy cited a recent incident involving the alleged abuse of a dementia patient, which, according to the release, “came to light only after the resident’s daughter placed a camera in her mother’s room and captured what occurred, leading to the worker’s arrest.”
According to AZ Family, Gamacy Gilles, 46, was arrested and accused of abusing a dementia patient at Grand Court Senior Living in Mesa on Sunday.
“That case highlights why SB 1041 matters,” Kennedy said, “Families should not have to depend on chance or learn after the fact that a loved one was harmed.”
Kennedy said the bill builds on several years of advocacy focused on improving safety and oversight in long-term care facilities. AARP Arizona has worked on related issues since 2017, according to the organization.
AARP Arizona also acknowledged the bill’s sponsor, Wendy Rogers (R-LD6), and its House sponsor, Quang Nguyen (R-LD1), and urged the Arizona Senate to approve the measure.
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.
