Several days after the one-year anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, his memorial was once again vandalized.
Kirk was assassinated Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University. He was the founder and CEO of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), a conservative advocacy organization. Kirk was 31 years old at the time of his death. He left behind Erika, his wife of four years, and their two young children.
A bronze statue depicting Kirk’s likeness and a sign featuring a picture of Kirk were vandalized with red paint.
The paint was drawn in the pattern of an “X” over the statue’s face, a frowning face was drawn over the statue’s torso, and paint was spattered over the statue’s neck and hat in a similar representation to the gunshot wound that Kirk sustained in the assassination.
Similarly, the paint was drawn in the pattern of an “X” over the face and neck area in Kirk’s picture on the sign. The quote on the sign — “May Charlie be received into the merciful arms of Jesus, our loving Savior” — had the word “Jesus” covered in red paint.
TPUSA advised in a public post that it had camera footage of the incident and that its personnel were working with law enforcement to identify those responsible for the vandalization.
“[V]andalism like this is not funny, it’s diabolical,” stated TPUSA. “The incident happened in the middle of the night because evil never sleeps. Beyond spray painting on the neck and face, they made the intentional decision to cross out the name of Jesus on a nearby sign.”
We will restore the statue and replace the signs, but we are also reviewing the footage of the incident and are working with law enforcement to identify who did this and hold them accountable.
But vandalism like this is not funny, it’s diabolical. The incident happened in the… pic.twitter.com/LSUJn9vYv4
Erika responded that incidents like this latest vandalism have only strengthened her resolve to continue her husband’s work. Erika now serves as the CEO of TPUSA.
“They thought a bullet would silence my husband’s voice but it only made it louder. They think spray paint can obscure his legacy, but it will only spread it further. Every attempt to tear down what Charlie built makes us root deeper and work even harder,” said Erika. “And if you think crossing out the name of Jesus Christ will silence Christians, history has already proved you wrong. We know what it costs to stand firm for Christ and we will stand anyway. God will not be mocked. We’ll put His name right back where it belongs, clean up the mess, restore Charlie’s statue, and keep building. We will never give up and never surrender.”
Charlie once said we should be building two statues for every statue that they tear down. His instinct was always to build, not to destroy.
They thought a bullet would silence my husband’s voice but it only made it louder. They think spray paint can obscure his legacy, but it… https://t.co/nfMlpsSwKd
Another one of Kirk’s memorials was vandalized last year by Mesa resident Ryder Corral, who was dressed similarly to Tyler James Robinson, Kirk’s accused assassin.
Man vandalizes Charlie Kirk memorial outside Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix
Phoenix police identified the vandal as 19-year-old Ryder Corral. In the video, he’s wearing a shirt similar to the one worn by Charlie Kirk’s killer. pic.twitter.com/bF7BJWBRTP
Robinson faces seven criminal charges in connection with Kirk’s assassination; prosecutors announced they are seeking the death penalty in his case.
Robinson’s defense attorneys have cost the state of Utah approximately $1.6 million so far, according to reporting from the Salt Lake Tribune.
A trial date has yet to be set in Robinson’s case. The next court date in his case is scheduled for Oct. 23, 2026, during which discussions of proposed trial dates are anticipated to occur.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
The city of Phoenix has declared Farmworkers Day to replace Cesar Chavez Day.
The replacement holiday will occur on the same day, March 31.
As with many other states and municipalities across the nation, the city of Phoenix ceased honoring once-lauded late civil rights leader Cesar Chavez following recent sexual abuse allegations. The allegations emerged in March of this year in reporting by The New York Times, published nearly 33 years to the day of Chavez’s death in 1993 at 66 years old.
Chavez was born in Yuma and died in San Luis. He served in the U.S. Navy for two years prior to relocating to California where he joined the Community Service Organization and began his career as a labor advocate.
Multiple women alleged to The New York Times that Chavez had sexually abused them when they were children. Other women alleged that Chavez sexually assaulted them, including Dolores Huerta, the woman who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association alongside him.
Huerta alleged that she had been pressured to have sex with Chavez in 1960 and that Chavez raped her in 1966. Huerta later entered a relationship with Chavez’s brother and had four children by him.
Some within the movement that were close to Chavez have denied the allegations against him.
The city of Phoenix will now recognize Farmworkers Day since it occurs in proximity to April 6, the date in 1966 when the National Farm Workers Association reached a historic agreement with Schenley Industries, a major grape grower, to recognize the association as the sole collective bargaining agent for its workers.
In a press release announcing their decision, city of Phoenix leaders directly attributed The New York Times reporting to their decision to swap Cesar Chavez Day for Farmworkers Day.
“While Cesar Chavez was a well-known leader in the fight for labor rights, the movement belonged to so many other individuals who were leaders in their own right,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “We will recognize and honor their collective struggles, sacrifices, and successes on Farmworkers Day.”
Councilwoman Laura Pastor offered sentiments similar to the mayor’s, stating that labor union advocacy was greater than Chavez’s legacy.
“The fight for workers’ rights has always been deeply personal to me. The farmworker movement was built by generations of people who stood together for dignity and fair treatment,” said Pastor. “Permanently recognizing Farmworkers Day allows us to honor that legacy and center the workers whose courage and sacrifice made progress possible.”
Councilwoman Betty Guardado agreed.
“This day belongs to the workers. It belongs to their families. It belongs to everyone who has stood together and said that hard work deserves dignity, respect, and a fair shot,” said Guardado.
The city has also initiated other efforts to rename street signs, facilities, and public amenities bearing Chavez’s name.
Earlier this year, Gov. Katie Hobbs repealed the state law recognizing Cesar Chavez Day through a bipartisan emergency measure advanced by the state legislature. State Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales (D-LD20) was the sole dissenting vote against the measure.
Gonzales wrote a letter to Hobbs arguing that a veto was necessary because the measure was unconstitutional. Gonzales urged Hobbs to allow voters to decide on the fate of Cesar Chavez Day via referendum.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Approximately 150,000 voters across Maricopa County should have received notices to confirm their voter registration addresses.
The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office sent two batches of notices between late July and mid-August.
Nearly 142,200 notices were sent July 31 or August 1, and more than 7,400 were sent August 14 or 15.
These voters received notices because their address on file in the Access Voter Information Database differed from the address on file with the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD).
The state’s address-comparison process and AVID reportedly could use some improvement.
At present, Arizona law requires the secretary of state’s office to compare AVID records against the MVD’s driver license database, then have the county recorders issue notices of discrepancies to voters.
Recorder Justin Heap toldThe Center Square that he and other county recorders have petitioned Secretary of State Adrian Fontes about improving its address-comparison process and AVID.
Address discrepancies don’t result in registration limitations or cancellations. However, it could result in the delivery of mail ballots to incorrect addresses. Voters who received a notice that contained the correct information need not reply to the county.
“It simply advises the voter of the information provided to us so they can verify it and update their registration if necessary,” said Heap. “Their voter registration remains active, and any ballot requests — including Active Early Voting List ballots — will be fulfilled as normal.”
Voters have until the voter registration deadline to act, which is October 5. Maricopa County residents may register to vote at Register.Maricopa.Vote, and check or update their voter information at BeBallotReady.Vote.
Other deadlines and critical dates are fast approaching as well.
Military and overseas ballots will be mailed out on September 19. Following the voter registration deadline on October 5, ballots will be mailed and early voting will begin on October 7.
The last day to request a replacement ballot by mail is October 23, and the last day to mail back a ballot is October 27. Election Day is on November 3.
🗳️ IMPORTANT REMINDER!
October 5, 2026, is the last day to register for the November 3, 2026 General Election in Maricopa County!
— Maricopa County Recorder's Office (@RecordersOffice) September 11, 2026
The county is also looking for part-time and full-time election workers for the upcoming election. Interested residents may apply at GetInvolved.Maricopa.Vote. A full list of available opportunities are also available through Maricopa County Careers.
Last week, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved 254 vote centers for the election during their regular meeting. The board noted that the ballots were streamlined to one single page — one piece of paper with content on the front and back — rather than two pages as in past years.
As of the primary election in July, there were more than 2.5 million voters registered in Maricopa County; more than 901,500 registered as “other,” nearly 884,000 registered as Republicans, nearly 705,300 registered as Democrats, nearly 29,000 registered as No Labels, more than 18,200 registered as Libertarians, and nearly 3,000 registered as Green Party.
There were more than 4.3 million voters total in the state as of the primary election.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) made another oversight visit to an immigration detention facility this week.
Wednesday’s visit marked the 13th since Ansari took office. Ansari’s latest visit took place at the ICE Phoenix Field Office, which contains a temporary hold facility.
Ansari claimed that she was concerned about detainees experiencing medical neglect and prolonged stays in overcrowded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities.
One progressive outlet reported that the average length of detainment increased from eight to 10 hours up to 20 hours while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) strongly disputed that claim, maintaining that detainees are held for no longer than 12 hours.
Ansari rebutted the DHS claim, alluding to an outdated waiver issued last summer under former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem allowing holding facilities to expand the 12-hour limit to 72 hours. That waiver was removed in recent months around the time that the new DHS secretary, Markwayne Mullin, took office.
“Up until a couple of months ago, DHS from the highest levels had sent down a waiver to every single ICE facility across the United States to say that it’s okay if the time limit for someone being held somewhere, the capacity limits are broken, and that waiver no longer exists,” said Ansari.
I’m on my way to the Phoenix ICE Field Office to continue demanding transparency and accountability about what’s going on in these holding facilities, especially when it comes to how our friends and neighbors are being treated in federal custody. pic.twitter.com/ahTAAz6mUT
Ansari told a press gaggle outside the field office that she was barred from speaking to detainees. Ansari accused the detention centers of treating detainees “incredibly inhumanely,” conditions she says are exacerbated by alleged excessive detention times.
“We know that there is really no access to quality food. There are no access to showers for people here,” said Ansari in a post. “The conditions are not meant for people to be sleeping here. There are no beds.”
Critics say it only makes sense that there aren’t any beds in the facility since detainees stay for relatively short periods.
This morning, I conducted an unannounced oversight visit at the ICE Field Office in downtown Phoenix. This is often the first place people are taken before being transferred to a more long-term detention center like Eloy or Florence, where the conditions are horrific.
The secretary of state’s office is promoting a website newly launched this year aiming to debunk misinformation concerning Arizona elections.
Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who has earned a reputation for dispensing misinformation himself, launched the website, arizona.vote, earlier this year ahead of the primary election.
The secretary of state’s office also maintains social media accounts on X, Instagram, and Threads. On these three platforms, the office is posting election-related information aimed at “misinformation inoculation” as part of a new campaign.
Fontes told Capitol Media Services that some among the election systems skeptics and critics are acting based on bad intentions, and not out of genuine concern for election integrity.
“The problem is there are people out there who are motivated to sow distrust even if the little issue that might pop up is minor and easily explained,” said Fontes. “Their goal is to capitalize on mistrust. And our goal is to make sure the public is inoculated against the potential mistrust.”
Fontes’ representation of critical election-related issues has been contested and, in some cases, overruled in court.
Last month, the Maricopa County Superior Court separately ruled that Fontes’ proposed ballot language for Propositions 212 and 145 had violated the law. In both cases, the court found that Fontes’ writing would have misled voters on critical decisions impacting school choice.
The secretary of state stated that the new website offers more than just misinformation debunking, but the remainder of the content only offers links to external webpages on voter registration and verification, ballot tracking, and information on voting and election deadlines.
Since taking office, Fontes has worked to defeat narratives advanced by election skeptics and critics, mainly coming from the Republican Party.
Last month, President Donald Trump issued an address to the nation in which he announced the declassification of documents purportedly revealing “shocking vulnerabilities” opening up the nation’s election infrastructure to hacking and foreign interference. Trump also alleged that members of “the deep state” worked to suppress both public and elected official knowledge of election meddling.
These documents were released by the White House Government Transparency Task Force. In part, the document dump revealed intelligence community assessments that the interference from foreign adversaries had the potential to alter data to prevent voting, delay voting on election day, or force voters to use provisional ballots.
Fontes immediately countered with a statement defending the integrity of Arizona’s election system, and challenged the Trump administration to share what, if any, credible evidence of criminal activity or unlawful voting in Arizona it had found.
“Arizona has some of the strongest election laws in the nation,” said Fontes. “We verify voter eligibility, enforce voter identification requirements, maintain clean voter rolls, protect voters’ personal information, and conduct transparent, auditable elections in partnership with our county recorders.”
Fontes has also defended the practice of mail-in voting. A whistleblower recently alleged that USPS has begun work to implement Trump’s executive order limiting mail voting in spite of a preliminary federal injunction. Fontes filed a declaration in California’s case challenging Trump’s executive order, citing the prevalence of mail voting in the state. Approximately 80% of registered voters receive a mail ballot according to the secretary of state’s latest count.
Along with voicing his opposition to Republican-led election reforms in his official capacity, Fontes has also positioned himself within his reelection campaign as a defender of Arizona elections against skeptics and critics.
Fontes is defending his seat from his opponent, Republican lawmaker Alexander Kolodin, whose is responsible for legislation that is credited for vastly improving the election process this year.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
