A man has been arrested in the viral assault of a Tesla driver near Flagstaff.
Police named the arrested individual as 33-year-old Robert Artherton of Flagstaff. According to a statement from the Flagstaff Police Department (FPD), Artherton was arrested via a criminal citation for disorderly conduct, assault, and aggressive driving in the “road rage incident that escalated into a violent encounter.”
The FPD statement also stated that conflicting accounts existed as to what led up to the assault and how the incident played out, with witnesses reporting “erratic driving behavior” from both Artherton and the victim, a 61-year-old woman who maintained anonymity in her remarks to the media.
Video evidence showed Artherton drove his Chevrolet Cavalier in front of the Tesla along Route 66, preventing the female driver from continuing forward. Artherton then exited his vehicle in order to approach the driver’s side of the Tesla and reportedly began punching the driver repeatedly. FPD confirmed both drivers sustained minor injuries from the altercation.
“All parties involved allege that the incident was triggered by driving behaviors, honking, and disorderly hand gestures,” stated FPD. “At the time of the investigation no additional details regarding the motives behind the incident were provided.”
The woman told AZ Family she felt she was attacked for her perceived political stance or, at the very minimum, the current perceived political statement of owning a Tesla.
“I didn’t buy my car for a political statement,” said the woman. “I bought my car because it is really fun to drive. My politics have nothing to do with that. I’m ashamed of our society and what they are doing.”
The incident occurred earlier this month. FPD did not confirm whether the assault was a case of apolitical road rage or due to the fact that the woman was driving a Tesla.
Many in the public sphere connected the assault with the ongoing vitriol and violence issued by those opposed to Tesla CEO Elon Musk over his heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration.
Congressman Abe Hamadeh condemned the incident and called for greater responses to the ongoing verbal and physical attacks.
“Unable to come to terms with their historic loss in November, & spurred on by the incendiary anti-Elon rhetoric of the leaders of their party, the radical left has resorted to violence,” said Hamadeh. “This needs to stop before more people are hurt.”
This 61-year-old woman was assaulted while driving Route 66 near Flagstaff, Arizona.
Her “crime?” Driving a Tesla.
Unable to come to terms with their historic loss in November, & spurred on by the incendiary anti-Elon rhetoric of the leaders of their party, the radical left has… pic.twitter.com/a6LBLa7Fkj
— Office of Congressman Abe Hamadeh (@RepAbeHamadeh) March 30, 2025
Congressman Eli Crane called the attack “shameful behavior.”
Last week, the FBI announced the creation of a dedicated task force to “crack down on violent Tesla attacks,” including fires set to Tesla vehicles and charging stations. The FBI categorized the attacks as “domestic terrorism.” The FBI is coordinating with the ATF to investigate criminal activity.
FBI Director Kash Patel promised a swift response from his agency.
“This is domestic terrorism,” said Patel. “Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi backed these characterizations earlier this month.
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The Arizona State Board of Education (ASBE) declined to approve the new handbook for the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Program.
ASBE discussed the proposed 2025-2026 ESA Handbook during its meeting on Monday. Though it had the opportunity to approve the handbook during the meeting, a majority of the board indicated a desire to abstain from voting on the handbook until their upcoming April meeting.
Arizona Department of Education (ADE) Superintendent Tom Horne motioned for ASBE to take a vote on the handbook, but no other board member seconded his motion.
The ESA executive director, John Ward, said the new handbook was more user friendly, with information clarified and organized, redundancies reduced, hyperlinked statutes and rules, a clarified list of spending limits on items associated with risks of abuse, and a new chapter on enrollments.
A point of concern for ASBE board members related to ESA Program approvals of expenditures, namely of the sort opposed by Attorney General Kris Mayes.
Mayes’ Government Accountability Unit launched an investigation into the ESA Program over its expense authorizations last July. Mayes accused the ESA Program of approving supplementary materials without documentation of a curriculum nexus, approving certain curriculum materials without curriculum documentation, and approving textbook expenses without documentation demonstrating a qualified school or eligible postsecondary institution requires it.
During Monday’s meeting, Ward clarified there were certain “common” educational items for which the ESA Program didn’t require curriculum in order to not burden families, such as pencils and paper. Ward said the attorney general’s letter prompted them to split the supplemental materials listings into two: those that will always require a curriculum nexus and those that are general educational items which, pending the ongoing court case’s outcome on the matter, may never require a curriculum nexus.
There were over 87,600 students reported within the ESA program as of Tuesday.
The ESA Program continues to be a source of conflict between statewide officials.
Governor Katie Hobbs targeted the ESA Program during her State of the State address in January. Hobbs’ criticisms prompted a rebuttal from Horne; he said the governor was ignorant to the administration of the program.
In his explanation of the new ESA Program Handbook earlier this month, Horne dismissed one major opposing claim: that the program needs to reimburse parents without question of the expenses.
Horne said the ADE’s oversight of expenditures successfully prevented abusive charges, such as a $5,000 Rolex watch and a $24,000 golf simulator.
“[These are] abuse of things that are not really for the educational benefit of the child. It’s obvious there has to be some limitations,” said Horne.
Unlike his predecessor, Horne has repeatedly stepped up to defend the ESA Program.
“Parents should have the choice to be sure their child is in a school that meets the needs of that child,” said Horne. “The ESAs are really not really a challenge to the public schools; they supplement them and make sure that all students are in an environment where needs are being met.”
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The Arizona Court of Appeals judge in the “alternate electors” case donated to Attorney General Mayes when she was campaigning on prosecuting President Donald Trump’s 2020 electors.
On Wednesday, the day after Attorney General Kris Mayes asked the court to reject the lower court’s ruling, the appeals court held oral arguments in the alternate electors case.
The appeals court judge on the case, Andrew Jacobs, was appointed by Governor Katie Hobbs in February 2023. Jacobs donated $500 to Mayes’ campaign for the office in 2022. At the time, Jacobs was an attorney with Snell and Wilmer.
Several days after Mayes promised publicly to investigate the 2020 electors, Jacobs submitted his first donation to her campaign.
“I would have immediately investigated the alternate electors as Attorney General,” said Mayes. “Arizona needs a #LawyerForthePeople.”
Another glaring example of Brnovich abdicating his duties. I would have immediately investigated the fake electors as Attorney General. There is no mystery about what happened here. The fake electors videotaped their crime for all to see. Arizona needs a #LawyerForThePeople. https://t.co/rH64dvM7BN
Jacobs submitted his second donation to Mayes’ campaign the day after an Arizona Republic article emerged highlighting the differences between her and then-opponent (now congressman) Abe Hamadeh.
Yes indeed. And I am looking forward to being your Attorney General as a #LawyerForThePeople — not Trump. Abe Hamadeh and Kris Mayes display stark differences in Arizona attorney general race https://t.co/gALqWJCtY1
A source that observed the emergency hearing described Jacobs as “hostile” to the electors. During oral arguments, the conflict of interest was raised, however, Jacbos still voted on an issue in the case, the decision to grant a stay.
Last month, Maricopa County Judge Sam Myers ruled the 2020 electors, 16 in total, provided sufficient evidence that Mayes’ case against them may be dismissable for violating Arizona’s Anti-SLAPP law.
Anti-SLAPP, or “strategic lawsuits against public participation,” imposes civil liability against any state actor that brings or maintains a legal action substantially motivated by a desire to deter, retaliation against, or prevent free speech and association.
Myers said the 2020 electors demonstrated their actions to comprise “at least in part some arguably lawful speech.” Myers cited Mayes’ remarks announcing the indictments as potential proof of a political motivation behind her prosecution.
Mayes disagreed with the ruling. The attorney general said the 2020 creation of an alternate elector slate didn’t constitute free speech and shouldn’t be afforded constitutional protections.
“It is not the lawful exercise of free speech to file forged slates of electors to deprive Arizona voters of their right to vote,” said Mayes.
In order to counter Myers’ ruling, Mayes had to prove in a brief due earlier this week that she wasn’t motivated by a desire to retaliate or deter the 2020 electors’ free speech rights.
The outcome of that motion to dismiss the case remains pending.
Myers did deny motions to dismiss Mayes’ case last week, however. The motions claimed Mayes lacked authority to bring the case to court and failed to allege crimes committed.
Last November, the first judge on the case, Bruce Cohen, recused himself after emails emerged in which he ordered his fellow judges to come to the defense of then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
The defendants in the case include former AZGOP Chair Dr. Kelli Ward, Dr. Michael Ward, former executive director of the AZGOP Greg Safsten, former Arizona State Senator Anthony Kern, former Senate Candidate Jim Lamon, former Cochise County Republican Committee chair Robert Montgomery, former Cochise County Republican Committee chair Samuel Moorhead, Arizona State Senator Jake Hoffman, Turning Point USA COO Tyler Bowyer, and attorneys John Eastman, Rudy Giuliani, Christina Bobb, as well as President Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Campaign Aide Boris Epshteyn, and director of Election Day operations Mike Roman.
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The three Democratic candidates for the recently vacated State Senate seat for District 9 answered a brief questionnaire on misconduct, antisemitism, housing, and elections.
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas Galvin submitted the questionnaire to the candidates and released their responses on Monday.
Below were the questions provided to the candidates:
1. In recent years, state legislators of both political parties have been accused, investigated, condemned, censured, or found guilty of the following acts while serving at the State Capitol: Sexually molesting a minor; Praising a white nationalist, Holocaust denier; Sexually harassing fellow legislators and staffers; Making threatening statements; Refusing to cooperate with an Ethics committee investigation over prior sex crime charges; Making a death threat against a city’s employee and misusing an elected position to prevent execution of a legal court order in a private custodial matter; Sexually harassing a lobbyist by sending explicit photos and text messages, and propositions for sexual encounters. The list above is not exhaustive. How can you assure the Board of Supervisors that, if appointed, you will not engage in disorderly behavior but will conduct yourself in a manner consistent with a proper code of ethics?
2. If you have served in elected office before, please detail any ethical or disciplinary actions related to your term in office. Please provide context on the events that led to those actions and what the outcome was regarding those proceedings.
3. Since the October 7th, 2023, Hamas attacks, there continues to be a dramatic increase in anti-Semitism, around the world and in Arizona. The disturbing rise of anti-Semitism can be found in all segments of society, on both ends of the political spectrum. These attacks are waged on the internet or are further acts of physical violence. Many Jews in Arizona are fearful, including college students who have been subject to abuse and vitriol. What will you do to combat and condemn anti Semitism in our community?
4. The housing crisis is an important issue in Arizona, and in LD 9. There have been recent attempts at the legislature to overhaul zoning laws. What reforms do you think the legislature can get passed to address the housing issue?
5. Maricopa County, like all 15 counties, is responsible for carrying out the administration of elections. In recent cycles, election volunteers were under considerable pressure because of state election laws that drag out ballot processing and tabulating for up to two weeks after election day. Reform is sorely needed. What reforms do you think are essential to speed up the tabulation of votes by election night?
Metcalfe lost the Maricopa County Superintendent’s race last year, and sits on the East Valley Institute of Technology District’s board. Metcalfe has earned endorsements from the pro-abortion organization Arizona List, gun control group Moms Demand Action, and Save Our Schools Arizona.
Sears lost last year’s race for Maricopa County Justice Court’s North Mesa Precinct judgeship, and previously lost a race for the Arizona Corporation Commission. In last year’s race, Sears campaigned on key progressive initiatives on abortion, LGBTQ+, climate change, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Sears served on the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board and presided over the East Valley NAACP. Sears is the assistant director of Arizona State University’s Faith Based Outreach and Community Partnerships. Sears also earned an Arizona List endorsement.
Winkle lost last year’s mayoral race for the city of Mesa. Previously, Winkle served briefly on the Mesa City Council; he was voted off the council in 2017 following a DUI — his second in a decade. Winkle is the part-time executive director of the Arizona Fair Housing Center and runs the search engine optimization company, Max Search Visibility Pro. Contrary to his questionnaire answers on anti-Semitism, Winkle advocates for a “Free Palestine.”
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Rep. Abe Hamadeh wants to include children in the Trump administration’s plan to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA).
Hamadeh partnered with former NFL player and Hall of Fame member Brett Favre to announce the new Congressional Fitness Challenge (CFC), a voluntary national initiative similar to the Presidential Fitness Test (PFT). The PFT was a program implemented from 1956 until its replacement with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program (PYFP) in 2013.
“Our message is simple: reviving physical excellence among America’s youth will build a stronger nation,” said Hamadeh and Favre in an opinion piece for Outkick. “The Congressional Fitness Challenge is bringing back that same competitive spirit – updated for a new era. Just like generations before us, today’s kids deserve the chance to test themselves, measure their progress, and strive for greatness. At the very least, they deserve to be as healthy as they can be.”
🚨NEW🚨
Our message is simple: reviving physical excellence among America’s youth will build a stronger nation.
That's why Congress Hamadeh has partnered with NFL legend @BrettFavre to introduce the Congressional Fitness Challenge. #MAHA
— Office of Congressman Abe Hamadeh (@RepAbeHamadeh) March 24, 2025
The CFC includes a one-mile run or walk, pull-ups or flexed arm hang, curl-ups or sit-ups, a shuttle run, and sit-and-reach — very similar to the PFT. The CFC also recognizes three achievement levels: gold (top 85th percentile), silver (top 75th percentile), and bronze (top 50th percentile).
Hamadeh and Favre asserted the CFC’s importance related to the inherent results of physical fitness: confidence, leadership, the drive to succeed, and an overall stronger and mentally healthier nation.
“The Congressional Fitness Challenge is an invitation – not just to kids, but to parents, teachers, coaches, and lawmakers – to invest in the next generation,” said the pair. “America has never backed down from a challenge. This is our chance to lead, participate, and build a healthier, stronger future.”
The PFT varied over the decades of its existence. In the final years of its existence, students could achieve the PFT’s Presidential Physical Fitness Award by scoring within the 85th percentile of their gender’s age range in five activities: curl-ups or partial curl-ups, shuttle runs, v-sit reach or sit and reach, one mile run, and pull-ups or right angle push-ups.
Unlike the PFT and its emphasis on specific fitness indicators, the PYFP focused on “comprehensive” measures of health.
Within the CFC, congressmen may use office budgets to promote and recognize the fitness achievements of children within their district.
Arizona’s childhood obesity rates have risen in recent decades.
According to the CDC, one in five U.S. minors are obese — about 15 million as of 2020. Obesity is more prevalent in Hispanic and Black children, and children in low-income families.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) State of Childhood Obesity reports approximately 19 percent of Arizona youths ages 10 to 17 having obesity. 13 percent of Arizona children ages 2-4 participating in WIC were obese. Similarly, 13 percent of Arizona high school students were categorized as obese.
RWJF pulls its data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the WIC Participant and Program Characteristics, the National Survey of Children’s Health, the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
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