Arizona State University (ASU) received $115 million to establish a new school of conservation with a globalist drive.
The millions from the Rob Walton Foundation, a sustainability nonprofit, launched the Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures on Monday within the newly renamed Rob Walton College of Global Futures.
The new school will focus on global conservation science and workforce development. Though its main operations will be out of Tempe, the school emphasizes hands-on, real-world experience within “hubs” in “conservation critical” locations including Hawai’i.
Its namesake, Rob Walton, is the eldest son of Walmart founder Sam Walton. He formerly chaired the company from 1992 to 2015 before retiring from the board last year and is heir to the Walmart fortune.
Walton said in a statement accompanying the announcement that globalist policies were necessary for conservation.
“Nature doesn’t recognize borders,” said Walton. “To protect ecosystems, we need international cooperation, innovative leadership, and a skilled workforce.”
Peter Schlosser, ASU vice president and vice provost of Global Futures, said the goal of the school is “transforming” conservation academia to yield globalist conservative outcomes.
Conservation International, a Virginia-based environmental nonprofit and one of the top beneficiaries of funding from Walton’s nonprofit, also assisted in the creation of the new school. Its chairman emeritus and founding CEO, Peter Seligmann, said globalism is the best approach for conservation.
“Solving the planet’s greatest conservation challenges requires the wisdom, innovation and leadership of people from all corners of the world,” said Seligmann.
Seligmann is a consistent donor for Democratic candidates. He sat on the the left-wing Council of Foreign Relations think tank, and served on former President Bill Clinton’s board of Enterprise for America.
The current board of directors includes Walton, GAP chairman Robert Fisher, former chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman Corporation Wes Bush, Hollywood actor Harrison Ford, Hollywood actresses Sabrina Elba and Shailene Woodley, Apple founder Jeff Bezos’ brother Mark Bezos, actress Heather Thompson’s daughter and Nest CEO Kristina Brittenham, former Columbia president Ivan Duque, Apple vice president and former President Barack Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson, fashion designer Stella McCartney, and Mars confectionary heiress Valerie Mars.
Past boards of directors included Walton as well as billionaire and Apple heiress Laurene Powell Jobs.
Walton has been heavily involved with ASU for several years. Walton co-chairs ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability and co-founded the Rob and Melani Walton Center for Planetary Health in 2022. The latter is a research facility housed at the Tempe campus.
The research facility focuses on sustainability research concerning food, water, and energy. It houses the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, the Global Institute of Sustainability, the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service (founded 2012), the College of Global Futures, the School of Sustainability, and the Institute of Human Origins.
The Rob Walton Foundation (RWF, also called the “Rob and Melani Walton Foundation”) uses its tens of millions each year to support large-scale conservation efforts, primarily in Africa. Supported projects include the African Parks, Conservation International, Blue Nature Alliance, and Legacy Landscapes Fund.
The new school named after Walton at ASU will be led by a chair, and include three professorships to supply research and education as well as full and partial scholarships through the Rob Walton Scholars Fund. On one section of the newly launched site on “expanding educational access,” the school indicates it will structure its admissions around diversity.
The page also includes an “indigenous cultures acknowledgment” recognizing prior inhabitation of the land by dozens of Native American tribes.
The school offers both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Three classes announced for the spring within the school cover an introduction to conservation taught by Sharon Hall (president’s professor in the School of Life Sciences), and two biocultural conservation field expeditions in California taught by Melissa Nelson (indigenous sustainability professor).
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Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro, alongside Senate President Warren Petersen and House Republicans, announced the filing of an amicus brief with the Arizona Supreme Court in the case Republican National Committee v. Fontes.
The brief urges the Court to require Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to adhere to Arizona’s Administrative Procedures Act (APA) when drafting the Elections Procedures Manual (EPM), a critical set of rules governing the state’s election process.
The APA mandates a transparent public notice and comment period before new rules take effect, ensuring accountability and alignment with Arizona’s election statutes.
The brief, filed in support of the Republican National Committee, the Republican Party of Arizona, LLC, and the Yavapai County Republican Party, argues that the EPM must comply with the APA’s procedural requirements, as neither the APA nor the authorizing statute (A.R.S. § 16-452) explicitly exempts it.
“The integrity of Arizona’s elections is absolutely vital. House Republicans are committed to the rule of law and to ensuring that Secretary Fontes stays within the limits of his authority,” said Speaker Montenegro. “We already convinced a judge to strike down unlawful provisions in the 2023 EPM in our own lawsuit. We fully support this case, which asks only that Secretary Fontes follow long-standing notice and comment requirements when drafting the manual. Arizonans deserve accountability and transparency from every public officer, especially when it comes to election rules.”
The brief emphasizes that Arizona’s comprehensive election laws, which cover voter registration, early ballots, polling places, and vote tabulation, limit the Secretary of State’s authority to draft an EPM.
The APA’s notice and comment process serves as a check, promoting transparency and preventing deviations from legislative intent.
The brief cites the Court of Appeals’ ruling in Republican National Committee v. Fontes, which affirmed that the EPM is subject to the APA’s requirements due to clear statutory language.
The filing highlights two key benefits of APA compliance. First, it reinforces constitutional and statutory limits on the Secretary’s authority, preventing overreach. Second, the public comment process allows for early identification of legal or practical flaws in the EPM drafts, potentially reducing litigation and supporting public confidence in Arizona’s elections.
The brief also notes issues with the 2023 EPM, where provisions added without public input led to legal challenges.
The ongoing litigation, Petersen v. Fontes, further highlights the importance of APA compliance, as it challenges the 2023 EPM’s deviation from state law. The amicus brief, submitted by Montenegro and Petersen in their official capacities, reflects the Arizona Legislature’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the integrity of the state’s electoral process.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A new Arizona Public Opinion Pulse (AZPOP) survey from Noble Predictive Insights (NPI) reveals that Arizona voters favor greater parental control over education and support restrictions on classroom discussions about race, gender, and sexuality.
However, the data reveals a striking trend: political affiliation, rather than parenting status, is the primary driver of these education policy preferences.
NPI conducted the survey from August 11-18, 2025, polling 948 registered Arizona voters with a margin of error of ±3.18%.
The survey found strong support for increased parental involvement in education, with 48% of voters believing parents should have more control over educational content, 30% saying current levels are appropriate, and 13% favoring less parental influence.
Parents with children under 18 (51%) and those with adult children (50%) show slightly higher support for increased control compared to non-parents (46%).
Political affiliation, however, reveals evident divides: 67% of Republicans advocate for more parental control, compared to just 30% of Democrats and 45% of Independents.
NPI Founder and CEO, Mike Noble, commented on these results, saying, “This data exposes a counterintuitive reality where partisan identity outweighs personal family circumstances in shaping education policy views.”
On the issue of limiting classroom discussions about race, gender, and sexuality, 50% of Arizona voters support restrictions, while 38% oppose them. Parents with children under 18 show stronger support (58%) compared to those with adult children (50%) or non-parents (45%), indicating a greater concern among parents with school-age children about exposure to sensitive topics in the classroom.
Political affiliation again proves to be the dominant factor. A striking 71% of Republicans favor restrictions compared to only 34% of Democrats. Independents are nearly split, with 43% supporting restrictions and 45% opposing them, reflecting broader ideological tensions.
The survey challenges the assumption that parenting status primarily shapes education policy views. Instead, partisan identity drives preferences, with Republicans prioritizing parental rights and limits on sensitive topics, viewing schools as potential sources of ideological influence.
Democrats, conversely, emphasize professional educator judgment and oppose restrictions they see as censorship. Independents remain divided, grappling with balancing parental authority and educational freedom.
“Arizona’s education debates have become a perfect storm of cultural anxiety and political division,” said Noble. “While parents naturally want influence over their children’s education, we’re seeing partisan identity increasingly drive policy preferences more than actual family experience.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona Republican and conservative leaders gathered at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sunday for the Charlie Kirk Memorial, describing a unified scene filled with worship music and a spirit of revival.
In a radio appearance with James T. Harris of the Conservative Circus on 550 KFYI, Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) set the scene, telling the host, “James, the energy and the atmosphere was incredible. You know, Charlie was this 31-year-old man. His life was taken so short. Yet, you see so many people coming in, and there’s a sense of revival there, right? I mean the whole service was perfectly executed by Turning Point, especially given the quick turn around. I mean my God, they filled State Farm Stadium plus Desert Financial Credit Union Arena or Desert Diamond Area, rather, just across the street. So, you have almost 100,000 or over 100,000 people celebrat[ing] the life of Charlie Kirk. And it wasn’t just a political rally, James. I mean there was a prayer, there was worship music. I mean…the energy was different than any other rally I’ve been to.”
"The energy changed, and the atmosphere was incredible… over 100,000 people celebrating the life of Charlie Kirk… There was prayer. There was worship music. The energy was different from any other rally I've been to."
In an interview with Piers Morgan on Monday, Acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media Kari Lake said the feeling at the event was, “Definitely unity.”
She explained, “We were there to remember a friend, a great patriot, a great American, a great Christian, and it was extraordinary. I mean, the whole event started with hours of worship music by the biggest, you know, performers in Christian music…Getting there… was… it was almost impossible. I mean, every road going in was filled with standstill traffic, and people were walking from miles away.”
Lake added, “This was a group of Americans who love this country, a patriotic group, many of whom were Christians, all of whom love Charlie Kirk for the strong message he shared, for the peaceful way that he spread the word of our Constitution and our freedoms. And even the politicians that were there were talking about that. We’ve got to start coming together as a country, and that doesn’t mean we give up what we believe in, but we can no longer tolerate the crime, the violence that is coming at us, and we’ve sat down and taken it for a long time. Now we’re standing up, and we refuse to take it.”
Last night, we remembered our friend Charlie Kirk, a great patriot, a true American, a devoted Christian, and an even better husband and father.
It was so unifying to be among a group of Americans who love this country and cherished Charlie Kirk and everything he stood for.
Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06) shared images to X from the event and wrote, “Charlie lived by prioritizing his faith — and he did so without hesitation while inspiring many. This allowed our youth the courage to lead with their faith and have a political position based on who you are as a person and what you believe in your heart. It’s a very important message. Today’s service is a reflection of who Charlie was — centered on his beliefs with strong conservative values.”
Charlie lived by prioritizing his faith — and he did so without hesitation while inspiring many.
This allowed our youth the courage to lead with their faith and have a political position based on who you are as a person and what you believe in your heart.
During the memorial, Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ02) shared a personal anecdote about his friendship with Kirk, writing, “Darkness will never be able to overcome light. There may be moments where it appears that all is lost. This story we live in will have many more dark moments, and I can promise you this, light will ultimately overcome it all.”
Darkness will never be able to overcome light. There may be moments where it appears that all is lost. This story we live in will have many more dark moments and I can promise you this, light will ultimately overcome it all.
He added, “I’m grateful to have been able to call Charlie a friend. He inspired me and so many others. He showed us that places like academia weren’t lost but void of light. He became that light and started a movement that will eclipse in his death what he built in life. Though we will miss our friend and true patriot. We will never forget him, and we will carry on the work that fueled him. To be bold, speak truth, and point others to Christ.”
With tens of thousands ready to remember, honor and celebrate the life of Charlie Kirk. Never seen anything like this. pic.twitter.com/DsYnCYWZnj
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen shared photos from the memorial, commenting, “With tens of thousands ready to remember, honor, and celebrate the life of Charlie Kirk. Never seen anything like this.”
State Senator T.J. Shope (R-LD16) shared them as well and wrote, “Truly amazing sights coming out of State Farm Stadium today! We’re watching at home like millions of others but am glad @votewarren and thousands of others are in the building to pay respects to the great @charliekirk11!”
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro announced that Arizona’s legislative leaders have filed amicus briefs in two companion cases before the U.S. Supreme Court: Little v. Hecox (Idaho) and West Virginia v. B.P.J. The cases, expected to be argued this fall, address whether states may preserve the integrity and safety of girls’ and women’s sports by limiting participation to biological females.
Petersen emphasized that the cases offer the Court an opportunity to uphold fairness and safety in female athletics. “These cases give the Court an opportunity to affirm what science and common sense already make clear: biological males hold inherent physical advantages that make women’s athletic competitions unfair and unsafe when they are allowed to participate,” he said.
Speaker Montenegro echoed these sentiments, highlighting Arizona’s legislative action. “Arizona passed the Save Women’s Sports Act to keep competition fair for girls,” he said. “It’s unacceptable that our state’s top lawyer refuses to defend that law. While Attorney General Mayes stands aside, House Republicans are doing the job she won’t—standing up for Arizona’s daughters and every female athlete who trains and competes. The Ninth Circuit sidelined our law; I’m confident the Supreme Court will correct course and affirm what parents and coaches know: girls’ sports are for girls.”
The Save Women’s Sports Act, signed into law in 2022, restricts participation in girls’ athletic events at public schools to biological females. After Attorney General Mayes declined to defend the statute, Republican leaders in the House and Senate intervened in federal court. While the Ninth Circuit recognized the state’s interests in competitive fairness, student safety, and equal athletic opportunities, it left the act enjoined as applied to two transgender, biologically male athletes.
Arizona’s briefs in the Idaho and West Virginia cases urge the Supreme Court to uphold state laws that maintain female-only sports to protect safety, fairness, and equal athletic opportunities. The filings assert that the federal injunction against Arizona’s law has already harmed girls, impacting placements, roster spots, and playing time. They also argue that courts should defer to elected legislatures—rather than unelected athletic bodies—when setting uniform participation standards, particularly in areas involving scientific and medical disputes.
“Girls deserve a level playing field,” Speaker Montenegro said. “House Republicans will continue to vigorously defend Arizona’s law and support states working to keep girls’ sports fair and safe.” The Supreme Court’s rulings in the Idaho and West Virginia cases will likely shape the future of Arizona’s law and similar legislation across the country.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego is postponing town hall meetings in Tucson and Yuma and canceling one in Nevada, citing security concerns and alleged threats to his life. Gallego announced the cancellation just days after the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk in Utah.
Gallego’s office told AZCentral that they have received threatening phone calls and that the senator’s social media accounts have received threatening posts and messages. The threats have been reported to the U.S. Capitol Police, according to Gallego’s team.
Gallego’s Press Secretary, Taylor Tasler, told KAWC in an emailed statement, “This was not a decision made lightly, and as Senator Gallego has said, we need to condemn all political violence. Unfortunately, out of an abundance of caution due to recent security threats.”
Gallego said in a statement, “I’m deeply grateful to everyone who helped plan these events and to the Arizonans who were ready to show up, but I do not want to put anyone’s safety at risk. I remain committed to maintaining freedom of speech in our democracy. Intimidation and violence cannot be allowed in our country.”
Several outlets reported that threats against Gallego ranged from posts to X warning him to “watch his back,” with another saying, “Better watch your six… just sayin.” One message from September 9th reported by AZCentral asked, “How’s your neck feeling? You starting to feel that itchy feeling that the hangman is slowly creeping up behind you?”
The outlet reported that other Democrats, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), also canceled public appearances, with two opting to move press conferences scheduled for outdoor venues into the Capitol.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters on September 11th that Congressional leaders are reviewing member security, according to Axios. “We have got to protect people running for public office, or nobody will,” Johnson said.
House Administration Committee ranking member Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) added, “Sadly, these kinds of things I think change peoples’ perspectives in the moment, so I’m sure people will be thinking about it.”
“People are scared to death in this building,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) told Politico Thursday. “I mean, not many of them will say it publicly, but they’re running to the speaker talking about security.”
