by Staff Reporter | Jan 28, 2026 | Home Page Top Story, News
By Staff Reporter |
The man arrested for a deadly shooting at a Phoenix gas station was released from a weapons charge five years ago.
This occurred under the watch of Attorney General Kris Mayes’ former division chief Vanessa Hickman when she was city attorney for the city of Peoria. Hickman worked nearly three years in Mayes’ office before her arrest last November by federal agents on felony charges of mail theft.
Hickman was accused of stealing and selling several pieces out of $40,000 worth of fine jewelry misdelivered to her in the mail.
Under Hickman in September 2020, city of Peoria prosecutors dismissed a charge against Deondre Stephen Franklin for carrying a deadly weapon while under 21 years old. Franklin, now 25, also faced a charge of underage drinking at the time in the Peoria Municipal Court.
Court records show the court allowed Franklin to undergo substance use evaluation and education rather than sentencing him to jail time. Like Franklin, court records revealed Hickman underwent an outpatient substance abuse program while working for Mayes. Hickman had a DUI charge in 2003.
Divorce records allege that on multiple occasions Hickman drove drunk and would pour hard liquor into her coffee in the mornings.
The weapons charge Franklin faced was a class three misdemeanor, which could have resulted in up to 30 days in jail, up to $500 in fines, and up to a year of probation.
Hickman stepped down following the 2022 election of Mayor Jason Beck. Hickman joined the city in 2018.
Mayes hired Hickman despite warnings from the city of Peoria about other allegations against Hickman relating to fraud, conversion, and breach of fiduciary duty. The city sued Hickman following her departure over a disputed severance payment.
It appears Hickman’s direction for prosecuting criminals in Peoria has now resulted in the loss of at least one innocent life.
Last Friday, Franklin shot 52-year-old Danny Lyn Kaster at a QuikTrip gas station. Franklin reportedly shot Kaster after Franklin attempted to cut ahead in a line for the restroom.
Phoenix police arrested Franklin on Sunday. He faces a second-degree murder charge and a bond of $1 million.
An update from one of Kaster’s friends, Jasen Szczepaniak, relayed what Kaster’s sister said in a Facebook post that Kaster was shot at least four times.
“[Franklin] is a 24-25yr old punk ass wannabe gangster that had a gun,” said Szczepaniak. “Danny said ‘line is back there’ gunman pulled out [a] gun [and] shot him in face, chest, leg as of now 4 shots but autopsy may show more. Deondre Franklin is his name[;] he shot & killed Danny over a bathroom being told to go to [the] back of a line. I’m so grateful he was in custody swiftly, I will make sure the courts/judges know how worthy your life was & will make sure he gets [the] maximum sentence. Doesn’t bring you back doesn’t help make any sense of this but I’m happy he was caught.”
Other friends noted that Kaster was a “dear friend” known for his acts of generosity and kindness.
Kaster’s loved ones recounted that his love for family extended to the animals in his life — especially including his dog, Max. Kaster’s sister reportedly plans to take care of his dog.
A GoFundMe for Kaster’s family is collecting funds to handle funeral expenses.
Although Franklin is in custody, the shooting remains under investigation. Those who may have more information about the shooting should call Silent Witness at (480) 948-6377.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 28, 2026 | Must Read, News
By Matthew Holloway |
State Rep. John Gillette (R-LD30) recently posted a series of messages alleging that some Arizona Democratic lawmakers accepted endorsements from the Communist Party and have not renounced them. His comments came as protests over federal immigration enforcement continued in Phoenix and across the state.
Gillette cited photos in the Arizona Republic, which depicted demonstrators carrying red banners emblazoned with the hammer and sickle, an internationally recognized symbol of communism, during an anti-immigration enforcement protest outside the State Capitol in Phoenix on January 23.
In his social media posts, Gillette asserted that several Democratic members of the Arizona Legislature had received endorsements from the Communist Party and noted that “none of the elected Dems renounced the Communist endorsement,” though his posts did not specify which lawmakers he referenced.
As previously reported by AZ Free News, Arizona Reps. Mariana Sandoval (D-LD23) and Lorena Austin (D-LD9) were both endorsed by the Arizona Working Families Party (WFP), which, according to its website, describes itself as “building our own party on top of the two-party system in the United States,” and “organiz[ing] outside the two parties.”
In July 2025, AZ Free News reported that the WFP also endorsed Democrat Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva during her candidacy in the special election as well as socialist New York City Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani.
Responding to a commenter who shared imagery of Communist Party founder Vladimir Lenin gleaned from a Working Families Party post, Gillette noted: “They took that down after the original posting. I can work with a Kennedy dem… sure they like big govt, taxes, welfare state, but they can be reasonable and dont [sic] hate America like these woke progressive Communists.”
Gillette’s remarks drew attention against a backdrop of Arizona’s ongoing political debates over immigration, federal enforcement, and state-federal relations. Responses from Arizona legislative Democrats to Gillette’s endorsement claims were not contained in his posts, and follow-up statements from affected lawmakers were not immediately available.
In recent weeks, multiple gatherings have taken place in Phoenix opposing ICE activity and federal immigration enforcement. Dozens of protesters gathered outside an ICE field office near 7th Avenue and Montecito calling for the agency to stay out of Arizona after federal immigration enforcement actions sparked nationwide pushback. Demonstrators marched toward downtown Phoenix as part of the event.
Earlier in January, activists in Phoenix held demonstrations outside an ICE office following the fatal shooting of Renée Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, joining similar demonstrations in other cities in Arizona.
On January 20th, roughly 200 protesters participated in a nationwide “Free America Walkout” demonstration at the Arizona State Capitol, marked by chants, poetry, and marches around the Capitol grounds. Organizers framed the protest as part of broader national actions coinciding with the anniversary of Trump’s second inauguration.
In the Phoenix area and at nearby university campuses, youth and students also participated in walkouts and demonstrations calling for limits on federal immigration enforcement and criticizing ICE, including protests featuring chants against the agency and President Trump.
The rallies in Phoenix reflect a broader pattern of protests and demonstrations nationwide this month, including protests involving activist groups identifying as socialist or communist, in response to federal immigration enforcement actions and fatal shootings involving ICE agents. National coverage from Fox News noted coordinated events in multiple U.S. cities, with activist groups staging protests in opposition to ICE operations and Trump administration policies.
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 Ethan Faverino | Jan 28, 2026 | Economy, Must Read, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona State Representative Chris Lopez (R-LD16) introduced House Bill 2826, which would exempt materials such as concrete, used in the improvement and maintenance of agricultural irrigation canals, from Arizona’s transaction privilege tax on prime contracting.
The “No Tax on Concrete” bill aims to reduce costs for farmers, strengthen water conservation efforts, support food affordability, and boost irrigation efficiency by conserving water resources critical to Arizona’s agricultural sector as the state faces ongoing water security challenges.
Specifically, HB 2826 would establish a targeted exemption under the prime contracting classification in ARS § 42-5075 for materials and supplies used to improve and maintain ditches, irrigation lines, and canals on agricultural lands.
Concrete-lined canals offer significant benefits over traditional unlined earthen canals. Unlined systems can lose 30%-50% or more of conveyed water volume to seepage into permeable soils.
By contrast, concrete lining reduces these losses dramatically, increases flow velocity, minimizes erosion and weed growth, and lowers long-term maintenance needs. Such projects can save thousands of acre-feet of water annually, providing a highly cost-effective approach to water conservation.
Projects funded by the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA) and awarded to irrigation districts—Buckeye Water Conservation & Drainage District, San Carlos Irrigation & Drainage District, and Roosevelt Irrigation District—are anticipated to conserve between 135,000 and 368,864 acre-feet over their lifetimes, at only an estimated cost of $2 to $3 per acre-foot.
“The House Republican Majority Plan is focused on affordability, and that starts with food on the table and the cost of water to produce that food,” stated Rep. Lopez. “Converting dirt canals to concrete-lined canals saves thousands of gallons of water, which reduces pumping costs, energy, and other expenses that go into the price of food. Eliminating the tax on concrete and other contracting costs to convert these canals to concrete lining not only helps to reduce the costs even further but also helps to conserve water at a time when water conservation has never been more critical for our state.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Jan 27, 2026 | Must Read, News
By Staff Reporter |
Rep. Adelita Grijalva praised the invasion of a church service by anti-ICE protesters.
The protesters targeted the Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, during a Sunday worship service after they learned one of the pastors, David Easterwood, was ICE’s acting field office director in Minnesota. Easterwood was not present for that service.
During the invasion of the church, Nekima Levy Armstrong claimed Christians couldn’t support immigration enforcement efforts. Armstrong’s activist group, Racial Justice Network, organized the protest.
“Someone who claims to worship God teaching people in this church about God is out there overseeing ICE agents,” said Armstrong.
Church leaders were witnessed on camera asking the protesters to leave, but the protesters refused.
Federal authorities arrested three of the activists for allegedly orchestrating the church invasion: Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly. Their charges alleged violations of the FACE Act.
The Freedom to Access Clinic Entrances Act of 1994 (FACE Act) criminalizes the intimidation or interference of those seeking to exercise their First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem dubbed the invasion the “Church Riots.”
“Religious freedom is the bedrock of the United States – there is no first amendment right to obstruct someone from practicing their religion,” said Noem.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the Trump administration won’t tolerate disruptions of Christians’ freedom to worship.
“Attacks against law enforcement and the intimidation of Christians are being met with the full force of federal law,” said Bondi.
Grijalva defended the church invasion. She told CNN that ICE agents deserved to be harassed. Grijalva claimed illegal immigrants undergoing deportation proceedings were being “kidnapped” and implied they had a right to be in this country.
“[T]his federal agent now knows what it’s like to have his daily life and privacy interrupted. This is a daily occurrence for our immigrant communities – being followed and kidnapped outside of schools, churches, and hospitals,” said Grijalva. “The difference is this agent got to go home at the end of the day, where many families have no idea where their loved ones are when they’ve been kidnaped off the streets.”
Grijalva also claimed ICE had deported U.S. citizens as well as veterans.
ICE has deported minors born in the U.S. to illegal immigrant parents.
DHS advised that they allow the parents to either be removed with their children, or have their children placed with another individual: this choice is left up to the parents. DHS under Trump has consistently maintained that policy.
Deportations of veterans occur in cases where those noncitizens have committed certain crimes (per the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act of 1996) or failed to follow through with the required citizenship proceedings.
Grijalva also praised the high school students who played hooky to protest deportations, characterizing the present immigration enforcement as an “overreach.”
Last month, the congresswoman claimed she was shoved and pepper sprayed by ICE agents at a protest without provocation. DHS responded with an accusation that Grijalva joined an anti-ICE mob attempting to obstruct an immigration raid. DHS later stated that two law enforcement officers were “seriously injured” by the mob that Grijalva joined.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 27, 2026 | Economy, Must Read, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona State Representative Chris Lopez (R-LD16) is leading legislation to establish a Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) program in Arizona, aiming to expand private investment, modernize infrastructure, and support economic growth in Pinal County and across the state.
The legislation, House Bill 2824, would authorize local governments to offer C-PACE financing for commercial and industrial properties. The market-driven tool allows property owners to access low-cost, long-term private capital for projects that improve energy efficiency, conserve water, enhance resiliency, and fund infrastructure upgrades.
According to HB 2824, the “C-PACE Program” in Arizona would be defined as “a special assessment program that provides commercial property assessed capital expenditure financing for eligible improvements” that local governments may establish through voluntary special assessment agreements with property owners.
Eligible projects under the proposed program include investments in energy systems, water and wastewater infrastructure, building retrofits, manufacturing facilities, agricultural processing, and logistics development, all sectors central to rapid economic growth.
“Pinal County is one of the fastest-growing regions in Arizona, and we need smart, market-driven tools to help our communities keep pace,” Lopez said. “C-PACE unlocks private capital for major commercial and industrial projects without raising taxes or creating new government debt.”
Unlike traditional public financing, which leans heavily on incurring public debt, C-PACE financing relies entirely on private investment. Participation in the program would allow property owners to repay the financing through a special assessment tied to the property, a structure which advocates say provides long-term certainty for lenders and developers while shielding taxpayers.
Similar Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) frameworks have already been authorized in other states, including North Carolina, Idaho, and Arkansas. Arizona would join over 40 states that have authorized C-PACE, according to the release from Lopez, “helping unlock billions of dollars in private investment nationwide.”
“As Pinal County continues to attract major employers and advanced manufacturing facilities, we must ensure our communities have the infrastructure to support that growth,” Rep. Lopez added. “This legislation gives cities and counties another tool to compete, attract investment, and build for the future.”
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 Ethan Faverino | Jan 27, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
State Representative Quang Nguyen (R-LD1) has introduced House Bill 2763, legislation designed to prevent the closure of Arizona’s public shooting ranges without thorough public review and legislative consideration.
The bill amends ARS § 17-621 to add a critical new requirement: No qualifying state-owned shooting range may be closed unless the Arizona Legislature adopts a joint resolution approving the closure.
This measure builds on the existing safeguards in the statute, which already mandate several steps before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission can close such a facility.
Under current law and the proposed amendments, closure of a state-owned shooting range located within or adjacent to a city with a population exceeding one million (such as those around Phoenix) would require all of the following:
1. A written recommendation from the Director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
2. A detailed report from the Commission explaining the basis for the recommendation.
3. Unanimous approval by the Commission following public hearings in the three counties with the highest population.
4. Review of the recommendation by the Joint Committee on capital review.
5. Adoption of a joint resolution by the Legislature approving the closure.
6. Approval of the closure by the Governor via executive order.
HB 2763 specifically inserts the legislative joint resolution step (as item 5 in the amended list) to ensure that decisions affecting statewide public assets receive full oversight from elected representatives.
Arizona is home to ten public shooting facilities owned by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, which serve as critical, state-managed venues for firearm safety training and recreational shooting.
“Public shooting ranges that belong to the people of Arizona should not be shut down by administrative fiat or behind closed doors,” emphasized Representative Nguyen. “If a statewide asset is going to be closed, that decision should be made in public, with full legislative approval.”
The legislation holds particular significance for the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix – the largest publicly operated shooting facility in the United States. Operated by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Ben Avery serves tens of thousands of Arizonans annually through law enforcement qualifications, firearm safety training, hunter education, and competitive shooting events.
The range predates much of the surrounding urban development and was established to promote safe and regulated shooting activities.
“Ben Avery was built to promote safety,” Nguyen stated. “If this range were ever closed, shooting wouldn’t stop. It would be pushed into unregulated desert areas, creating serious public safety risks and environmental damage. That outcome helps no one.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
