by Staff Reporter | Jan 7, 2026 | Home Page Top Story, News
By Staff Reporter |
The Department of War will be punishing Senator Mark Kelly for making seditious statements.
The department took administrative action against Kelly in the form of retirement grade determination proceedings, which included a reduction in Kelly’s retired pay.
An accompanying formal letter of censure from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth dismissed Kelly’s claims that he was merely reminding service members of their duty to not carry out orders that break the law.
“This pattern demonstrates that you [Kelly] were not providing abstract legal education about the duty to refuse patently illegal orders,” said Hegseth. “You were specifically counseling servicemembers to refuse particular operations that you have characterized as illegal.”
Kelly and five other members of Congress, all fellow Democrats, published a joint video statement telling servicemembers to refuse orders issued by President Donald Trump. The group didn’t elaborate on which orders they thought to be illegal or unconstitutional.
“We want to speak directly to members of the military and the intelligence community who take risks each day to keep Americans safe. We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now. Americans trust their military. But that trust is at risk,” stated Kelly and his coalition. “This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens. Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad but from right here at home. Our laws are clear: you can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders.”
In a public statement announcing the proceedings against Kelly, Hegseth said Kelly’s speech was “reckless and seditious,” and qualified for “military justice.”
Hegseth warned Kelly that his position as an elected official doesn’t put him beyond the reach of penalization.
“Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action,” said Hegseth.
In a lengthy response statement, Kelly vowed to fight the punishment.
“Pete Hegseth wants to send the message to every single retired servicemember that if they say something he or Donald Trump doesn’t like, they will come after them the same way. It’s outrageous and it is wrong. There is nothing more un-American than that,” said Kelly. “I will fight this with everything I’ve got — not for myself, but to send a message back that Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump don’t get to decide what Americans in this country get to say about their government.”
Congressman Abe Hamadeh said Kelly’s remarks were a form of blackmail — not just advice.
“By suggesting there ‘could’ be severe consequences for carrying out undefined ‘unlawful’ orders, the ‘Seditious Six’ are emotionally blackmailing our active-duty personnel,” said Hamadeh. “The reason Democrats refuse to name what they consider to be illegal orders by President Trump is that they want our military and intelligence community to question every order they receive from this administration. They want to make our active-duty personnel hesitate to execute the agenda voted for by the American people, paralyzing these men and women with the threat of future punishment.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Jan 7, 2026 | Must Read, News
By Staff Reporter |
Arizona will require all employers to have a “heat illness prevention plan.”
Last week, the 24-member Workplace Heat Safety Task Force issued its final recommendations containing the plan at the behest of Governor Katie Hobbs. These recommendations were the culmination of four meetings that took place over the summer and fall.
The proposed plan would require employers to adhere to additional regulations for provisions of water, shade, rest breaks, acclimatization, and trainings.
Employers would be required to provide ready access to free, potable drinking water under 60 degrees and signage encouraging employees to hydrate. Employers would need to ensure that water sources not plumbed or continuously supplied amount to one quart per employee per hour for the entire shift.
Employers would also be required to provide shade that is open to the air on at least three sides, or mechanically ventilated, and large enough for employees taking their breaks “to sit in a natural posture.” For breaks, employers must allow employees to take “preventative cool-down rest” whenever they “feel” they need it, as frequently and as long as they feel is necessary.
Additionally, employers must have an acclimatization plan that they develop that factors acclimated and unacclimated workers, the effects of clothing and personal protective equipment on adding to the heat burden of workers, risk factors that put workers at a higher risk of heat-related illness, and re-acclimatizing workers as necessary. Alternatively, employers may adopt an acclimatization plan that aligns with the acclimatization plan developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Employers must provide annual training to employees that covers employer responsibilities and employee rights, signs and risks of heat illness, and the importance and means of heat illness prevention.
The plan did include some exemptions: workplaces with incidental heat exposures where employees aren’t required to perform work activities in heat for over 15 minutes in any 60-minute period, emergency operations directly involved in the protection of life or property, and buildings and structures with cooling systems that keep the heat index below 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hobbs said the reforms are “commonsense” and would allow the economy to advance further.
Much of these proposed requirements align with the water, rest, shade, and written heat mitigation plan recommendations issued by inspectors operating under the Industrial Commission of Arizona’s (ICA) Heat Stress State Emphasis Program, launched back in July 2023.
That program led the governor to issue an executive order establishing the task force in May.
The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) Advisory Committee will review these recommendations in a public meeting on Feb. 4. Then, the ADOSH Advisory Committee will submit their version of the recommendations to the Industrial Committee for final consideration at a later date sometime this spring.
Once the recommendations are finalized, ADOSH will disseminate the requirements through their communication channels and online at some point prior to this upcoming summer.
ADOSH will also continue to publish annual data on heat-related claims, complaints, and citations to evaluate recommendation impacts.
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 7, 2026 | Must Read, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Two Democratic candidates have withdrawn from the 2026 race for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, leaving a single Democrat, JoAnna Mendoza, seeking to challenge Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani.
According to Gila Valley Central, Samantha Severson officially withdrew from the race on Dec. 30, reducing the Democratic primary field to one active candidate in the southeastern Arizona district.
Severson’s departure followed the earlier withdrawal of Johnathan Buma, who announced that he was ending his campaign for the Democratic nomination in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District on Dec. 19.
In a statement to Gila Valley Central, Buma said his decision was not made “in retreat,” but after concluding that his efforts would be better directed outside electoral politics. He said he plans to focus on humanitarian and grassroots initiatives through his work with Project Lost & Found – Voices of Gratitude.
Buma, a former FBI agent, was arrested and charged in March 2025, according to federal court records cited by ABC News. Prosecutors allege Buma printed approximately 130 files from the FBI’s internal network, some of which were marked with warnings indicating the information was protected.
According to the Arizona Republic, Buma publicly criticized the FBI for political bias before leaving the agency and subsequently filed paperwork to run for Congress in May 2025.
The withdrawals by Severson and Buma follow several earlier Democratic exits from the race. Gila Valley Central previously reported that Aiden Swallow dropped out of the congressional contest to pursue a run for the Arizona Legislature. The outlet has also reported that Mo Goldman and Chris Donat withdrew earlier in the cycle.
With the departures of Severson and Buma, JoAnna Mendoza, who ran unsuccessfully for the Arizona Senate in 2020, now remains the only Democrat actively seeking the party’s nomination in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District.
Campaign finance filings indicate that Ciscomani has maintained a fundraising advantage as the race has developed. According to reporting by Arizona Public Media (AZPM), Ciscomani reported a larger cash-on-hand balance than Mendoza in recent Federal Election Commission filings, reflecting the advantages of incumbency.
AZPM noted that Mendoza outraised Ciscomani in the third quarter of 2025, with Mendoza’s campaign reporting roughly $669,000 raised from July through September compared with Ciscomani’s reported period haul of about $458,000, citing Federal Election Commission filings. However, Ciscomani maintained a larger overall campaign reserve due to prior fundraising and transfers from allied political committees.
Arizona’s 6th Congressional District includes Cochise, Graham, and Greenlee Counties, along with portions of eastern Pima County, and has drawn national attention due to its narrow margins. The Cook Political Report currently rates the district as a toss-up for the 2026 election.
In the 2024 general election, Ciscomani defeated Democrat Kirsten Engel by approximately 2.5 percentage points, winning by nearly 11,000 votes, roughly doubling his 2022 margin over Engel.
As of publication, no outlets have reported additional Democratic candidates entering the race following the withdrawals of Severson and Buma.
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 | Jan 6, 2026 | Must Read, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona’s elected officials are sharply divided following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and their transfer to the United States to face federal criminal charges.
The dramatic action, announced by President Donald Trump, involved a precision military operation in Caracas and the extraction of Maduro to New York, where he is expected to appear in federal court on drug and narco-terrorism charges.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) condemned the raid in a statement posted to X, saying that while Maduro is a “brutal, illegitimate dictator” who deserves justice, the decision to overthrow a foreign ruler without broader planning undermines U.S. security and lacks a clear strategy for what comes next. Kelly said the operation doesn’t “make Americans any safer today than they were yesterday” and warned against repeating past foreign policy mistakes.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07) also criticized the operation in a statement posted to X, as “reckless, unconstitutional, and deeply destabilizing,” arguing that bypassing Congress for military action erodes democratic accountability and sets a dangerous precedent.
Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) argued that while Maduro’s regime “shattered Venezuela,” the U.S. Constitution requires congressional authorization for acts of war — a threshold he argued was not met.
Support for the raid among Arizona Republicans centered on holding Maduro accountable for years of alleged narcotic trafficking and violence.
Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) framed the action as a decisive strike against a “narco-terror regime” responsible for drug flows into the United States. He praised U.S. military personnel for executing the mission “with courage and precision” and said the operation sends a clear signal that the U.S. will confront threats in its hemisphere.
In a similar supporting statement, Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) wrote, “I support President Donald Trump’s decisive actions to hold Nicolás Maduro accountable, a brutal oppressor who has led a drug cartel masquerading as a government and terrorized his own people. Maduro is an illegitimate ruler who lost at the ballot box and now clings to power through violence, corruption, and the narcotics trade that has poisoned American communities. This is peace through strength in action, defending our own backyard and stopping threats before they reach our borders. Reports that Chinese officials met with Maduro just yesterday and were still on the ground during the operation only underscore how urgent and necessary strong American leadership is. Peace through strength!”
Gubernatorial candidate Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) characterized the raid as consistent with “America First” leadership and defended the legal grounding of the operation, noting that the indictments against Maduro formed the basis for a law-enforcement action with military support.
Sen. Warren Petersen (R-LD14) also praised the operation, highlighting Maduro’s status as an indicted narco-terrorist and emphasizing that Trump’s actions were necessary where previous administrations had failed.
He wrote, “Maduro murdered thousands, indicted twice on narco-terrorism charges, and has a $50M bounty on his head. Yet our classless Democrat Senators are sympathizing with him and crying over his arrest. Unreal. Prioritizing a brutal thug over justice and the Venezuelan people. The DOJ arrested him with assistance of the US Military. 100 percent constitutional under Article 2 powers. Biden said he would take care of Maduro but did not. Biden talked, Trump acted.”
Karrin Taylor Robson, also a Republican gubernatorial contender, thanked U.S. troops for the successful mission and described Trump’s action as protecting American communities from drug-related harm.
The split in Arizona reflects a broader national debate over executive authority, constitutional war powers, and U.S. foreign intervention, and, more broadly, familiar partisan divisions over President Donald Trump. Democrats argue the military action lacked legal authorization and risks long-term entanglement abroad, while Republicans applaud the decisive removal of a hostile regime accused of narcotics trafficking and oppression.
As Maduro’s legal proceedings unfold in U.S. federal court, the divergent Arizona reactions illustrate how foreign policy flashpoints continue to break sharply along partisan lines.
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 Jonathan Eberle | Jan 6, 2026 | Must Read, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
As Arizona lawmakers prepare to convene for the upcoming legislative session, Senator David Farnsworth (R-LD10), who chairs the Senate Appropriations & Transportation Committee, is outlining a policy agenda centered on infrastructure investment, government efficiency, and parental rights.
In a recent statement, Farnsworth said his focus for the session will be on practical policy solutions that address long-term growth while fostering cooperation among lawmakers. The agenda, he said, is designed to balance economic competitiveness with individual freedoms.
One major component of Farnsworth’s plan involves strengthening Arizona’s infrastructure and evaluating emerging transportation technologies. He has expressed interest in advanced air mobility and other innovations that could improve safety and expand access across the state, particularly as Arizona continues to experience rapid population and economic growth. Farnsworth argues that thoughtful planning and modernization are necessary to ensure the state remains competitive in a changing economy.
Another priority is reducing bureaucratic complexity within state government. Farnsworth said he plans to pursue measures aimed at streamlining regulations and simplifying processes for families, workers, and small businesses. Supporters of such efforts often argue that regulatory reform can lower costs and encourage entrepreneurship, while critics caution that deregulation must be carefully implemented to avoid unintended consequences.
Parental rights and individual liberties also feature prominently in Farnsworth’s agenda. He said he intends to advocate for policies that ensure families retain primary authority over decisions related to education, healthcare, and personal values, while emphasizing adherence to constitutional protections.
“Real change doesn’t occur through slogans or grand promises,” Farnsworth said in the release. “It happens when legislators collaborate.” He added that building consensus across the legislature will be essential to advancing policies that deliver lasting benefits for Arizonans.
The senator framed his goals as part of a broader effort to promote steady, incremental progress rather than sweeping reforms. The Arizona Legislature is scheduled to reconvene on January 12 for the opening of the 57th Legislature’s Second Regular Session. As debates begin in earnest, Farnsworth’s priorities are expected to play a role in shaping discussions on transportation funding, regulatory policy, and education-related issues during the months ahead.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jan 6, 2026 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
As the tech industry continues to boom, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects over 317,700 annual job openings in tech and computing fields through 2034, far outpacing other sectors.
Arizona, home to a growing tech scene, ranks 44th out of 50 states for pursuing a tech career, according to research by TryHackMe. The study highlights how tech graduates in Arizona earn 52.5% more than the average graduate but face higher costs and lower overall prospects compared to top-performing states like Alaska, Wyoming, and Utah.
The analysis evaluated states on key factors, including the average annual cost of a tech degree, the number of schools offering tech courses, median earnings for tech graduates four years after graduation, and how those earnings compare to the median for all graduates.
Arizona ranked 44th overall with a score of just 2.65 out of 10, highlighting notable challenges for tech career growth. Despite having 120 institutions that offer tech-related programs, the average annual tuition of $19,310 remains a significant financial barrier for many students.
Four years post-graduation, tech alumni in Arizona earn a median salary of $51,705—52.5% above the state average of $33,894 for all graduates. These earnings still trail behind many other states, where tech graduates see even greater returns on their investments.
The top 5 destinations for tech careers are:
- Alaska (Score: 7.31/10) – Average annual cost of tuition: $12,982; Schools: 9; Median tech earnings: $76,773 (146.1% more than the state average of $31,197).
- Wyoming (Score: 7.02/10) – Average annual cost of tuition: $10,537; Schools: 10; Median tech earnings: $60,313 (50.6% more than the state average of $40,050).
- Utah (Score: 6.89/10) – Average annual cost of tuition: $16,387; Schools: 63; Median tech earnings: $74,702 (152.1% more than the state average of $29,635).
- Kentucky (Score: 6.25/10) – Average annual cost of tuition: $14,657; Schools: 87; Median tech earnings: $49,798 (58.3% more than the state average of $31,450).
- Maryland (Score: 6.14/10) – Average annual cost of tuition: $16,875; Schools: 80; Median tech earnings: $66,943 (65.9% more than the state average of $40,342).
The top 5 worst destinations for tech careers are:
- Rhode Island (Score: 1.04/10) – Average annual cost of tuition: $26,628; Schools: 22; Median tech earnings: $67,325 (52.0% more than the state average of $44,287).
- New Hampshire (Score: 2.25/10) – Average annual cost of tuition: $20,505; Schools: 33; Median tech earnings: $71,109 (72.0% more than the state average of $41,336).
- Maine (Score: 2.28/10) – Average annual cost of tuition: $17,755; Schools: 37; Median tech earnings: $58,611 (44.1% more than the state average of $40,682).
- Pennsylvania (Score: 2.51/10) – Average annual cost of tuition: $20,603; Schools: 331; Median tech earnings: $56,834 (38.5% more than the state average of $41,024).
- Minnesota (Score: 2.55/10) – Average annual cost of tuition: $17,238; Schools: 108; Median tech earnings: $66,383 (56.5% more than the state average of $42,414).
“The prospects for tech graduates are among the best in any field, and it’s only set to grow stronger with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting that tech is likely to have a bigger job boom than most sectors,” said Ben Spring, Co-founder of TryHackMe. “This study highlights where in the US, tech graduates will see the best prospects compared to their fellow graduates, with states such as Maine and Rhode Island needing to invest more into tech courses and job markets to compete with the likes of Alaska and Wyoming.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
