The city of Phoenix has rezoned more than five acres to continue legalized camping for the homeless.
The city council unanimously approved the zoning amendment during its formal meeting on September 9. The space costs approximately $4.8 million a year to operate.
The city’s legalized camping area for the homeless is its safe outdoor space. The campground is operated by Keys to Change, a 24-hour operator, and Community Bridges Inc., which provides case management on site seven days a week.
The safe outdoor space provides a maximum of 200 camping spaces and can accommodate a maximum of 300 individuals.
The property is fenced in and provides shade for camping spaces; restrooms and showers; supportive services such as case management; on-site security 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and trash and recycling.
Homeless individuals camping within the safe outdoor space may not use drugs, consume alcohol, or start fires on the property.
Surrounding businesses may email Keys to Change to notify of any potential issues.
According to the Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS) Director Rachel Milne, the city employs five behavioral health technicians through Community Bridges and brings in outside partners like Circle the City, which provides medical and behavioral health services twice a week, to serve the safe outdoor space.
Milne reported that there are 56 shelters and transitional housing projects in the Phoenix area as of the 2026 Point in Time Count. The city owns three of those 56.
Councilwoman Anna Hernandez said that safe outdoors spaces were a vital housing option for Phoenix residents and a necessary response to reduced funding under the Trump administration.
“We are not perfect in how this space has been maintained. There are always improvements that can happen and need to happen,” said Hernandez. “Two things can be true at the same time, that we have done amazing work in this space, but also that there’s always a need to continue to improve that. So I do believe that we can hold these two things together, especially in a time where we are seeing our federal administration cut funding for housing and homeless services.”
Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington commended OHS staff for innovating on the safe outdoor spaces as a solution for homelessness.
“They have always heeded the opportunity to grow and learn from the residents’ concerns. I think this definitely shows this is a partnership between the residents and the Office of Homeless Solutions,” said Hodge Washington.
OHS reported that, on average, the homeless stay for 100 days at the campground. Margaret Adams, OHS special projects administrator, told KTAR that the safe outdoor space has served more than 2,500 homeless individuals since its opening in late 2023.
Based on the $4.8 million spent last year, that would mean that it costs the city around $5,700 on average to provide services to each homeless individual at the safe outdoor space.
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Arizona voters will decide in November whether to amend the state Constitution to require an Election Day ballot tabulation option at voting locations and government issued identification for every voter, including those voting by mail.
Proposition 144, referred to voters through House Concurrent Resolution 2001, also addresses citizenship requirements, foreign contributions, and the legal standard governing election laws.
Known as the Fast Accurate Secure Transparent Election Results Act (Fast Election Results Act), the proposal would apply to elections taking place on or after Jan. 1, 2028.
Under the final text, all voters would have the option on Election Day to have their ballots tabulated at their voting locations, with procedures prescribed by law. The provision states that its purpose is to prevent administrative delays and ensure timely, accurate results.
The Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AZFEC), which supports the measure, highlighted Maricopa County’s use of on-site early-ballot tabulation during the 2026 primary in an Aug. 13 commentary. The organization argued that making the option available statewide would reduce the backlog of early ballots requiring processing after Election Day and allow voters to see their ballots counted.
HOW DID PROP 144 GET ON THE BALLOT?
It took a last-minute fight at the Legislature to give Arizona voters the final say on the FAST Elections Act.
Prop 144 would put major election requirements into the Arizona Constitution, including government-issued voter ID, citizenship… pic.twitter.com/z7FeRfX4FG
In a discussion with AZFEC, Rep. Alex Kolodin (R-LD3) described GOP efforts to get the Proposition on the ballot, saying, “So what we hear from people, that they’re frustrated. They voted for Republicans to deliver things like common-sense election security, but then Republicans don’t give it to them. They just ask for money so that they can do it next time. And I was so sick and tired and embarrassed that we hadn’t done that. And so that’s why I put in all the effort that was required, and it was an enormous amount. But at the end of the day, we got it done.”
Maricopa County reported that 23,400 voters tabulated early ballots at vote centers on Election Day. County officials credited that option, along with improvements in removing ballots from envelopes and sending them to tabulation, with enabling the county to report 99% of results the following day.
Under the county’s 2026 procedures, voters bringing early ballots to vote centers on Election Day can check in, show identification, and use a tabulator programmed for early ballots. The county says ballots tabulated at vote centers are included in election-night results.
Proposition 144 would separately require valid government-issued proof of identity before casting a ballot in each election, whether voting in person or through another method. The amendment leaves implementation to law and does not specify a detailed process for presenting identification when voting by mail.
The official ballot language describes this provision as limiting acceptable identification documents to government-issued ID and extending the requirement to mail voters.
The measure would also reaffirm that only U.S. citizens may register and vote in Arizona elections and that elections must be decided solely by eligible citizen voters. It would prohibit foreign nationals from spending or contributing money or anything of value to influence an Arizona election and prohibit anyone from knowingly accepting such contributions.
Another provision would allow the people and Legislature to enact election laws, including those governing early and mail voting, when rationally connected to a legitimate state interest. Listed interests include election security, efficient administration, timely and accurate results, and public confidence.
The official ballot description says that provision would create a new standard for judicial review under the Arizona Constitution that could make election laws harder to challenge.
The Legislature would be required to appropriate money necessary to implement the measure. Its statement of intent also specifies that it does not change federal law governing the overseas military voting process.
A yes vote would approve the constitutional amendment. A no vote would retain the current constitutional provisions governing elections.
Another fraternity at the University of Arizona (U of A) is under suspension based on allegations of hazing.
The Sigma Tau Gamma chapter at U of A was suspended earlier this month for allegedly engaging in hazing behaviors during the fall 2025 semester.
The fraternity was charged with violating six parts of the university’s codes of conduct: endangering, threatening, or causing physical harm; violating other rules adopted by the board or university; violating rules or laws governing alcohol; engaging in off-campus conduct that presents a risk or danger to public health, safety, or security; engaging in, supporting, promoting, or sponsoring hazing; and committing any offense prohibited by state or federal law.
In a letter advising the fraternity of its suspension, U of A cited allegations that the chapter had “forced” new members to drink copious amounts of alcohol and eat live goldfish, and that active members had screamed at, degraded, and threatened new members.
As a condition of their suspension, the Sigma Tau Gamma chapter was prohibited from engaging in recruitment or new member-related activities. The suspension notice letter was dated a week prior to the deadline for recruitment registration.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, U of A punished three other fraternities in response to hazing allegations that were said to have occurred in the fall of 2025 and spring of 2026.
Kappa Alpha Order was accused of forcing new members to complete assigned chores, and of its active members screaming at new members. The university substantiated the allegations of hazing and failure to comply with campus police. The fraternity was fined more than $4,000 and placed on probation through May 2027.
Phi Delta Theta was accused of forcing new members to drink alcohol and steal. The university substantiated the hazing allegations. The fraternity was fined more than $4,000 and placed on probation through May 2027.
Sigma Phi Epsilon was accused of subjecting new members to sleep deprivation, forced alcohol consumption, kidnapping, and calisthenics.
The kidnapping and sleep deprivation allegation were found to be without merit following investigation. Chapter leadership responded that the calisthenics allegation was substantiated, and that forced alcohol consumption occurred for one new member but that the member responsible for that hazing incident was expelled and evicted.
The university fined Sigma Phi Epsilon nearly $4,000 and placed them on probation through May 2027.
Over the summer, Sigma Alpha Mu lost university recognition through May 2031 based on hazing allegations. The fraternity was accused of subjecting new members to burns and forced alcohol consumption; the hazing incidents reportedly resulted in bouts of illness and hospitalization.
The university last removed recognition for a fraternity in 2024, for Pi Kappa Phi.
In total, U of A has six fraternities listed as having loss of recognition status: Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Kappa Lambda, Alpha Sigma Phi, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Mu, and Theta Chi.
Alpha Epsilon Pi and Theta Chi’s statuses both expired in May 2025; the former fraternity appears to have continued activities without reinstatement based on social media posts, while the latter fraternity was formally reinstated this year.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Democratic state Rep. Lydia Hernandez (D-LD24) has accused DJ Quinlan, a political consultant identified in state filings as Attorney General Kris Mayes’ campaign treasurer, of contacting her personal cellphone to pressure her over her endorsement of Republican Warren Petersen for attorney general.
Hernandez described the contact in a statement on Facebook accompanied by screenshots of the exchange. She said Quinlan texted her to criticize her decision to support Petersen and characterized the contact as harassment.
“This morning, DJ Quinlan, a political consultant associated with Kris Mayes’ campaign, texted me directly on my personal cell phone to criticize me over my endorsement of Warren Petersen for Arizona Attorney General. There is a difference between political disagreement and crossing the line,” Hernandez wrote. “We are not friends. We are not colleagues. I have never worked with him.”
The screenshots display the contact name “DJ” and the initials “DQ.” Hernandez identified the sender as Quinlan. The first incoming message reads, “Wow, you endorse the guy who told dreamers to be prepared to be deported. Gross. Selfish politician.”
Hernandez’s replies read, “Who is this?” followed by, “A text to insult me? Please refrain from contacting me again.”
The next incoming message reads, “To shame you. But you have no shame.”
A second screenshot shows Hernandez responding with a personal criticism, part of which is redacted. The sender then replies, “Oh, you remembered that we have talked” and “Good for you.”
“Mayes campaign harassing one of my endorsers. Mayes should condemn this unacceptable behavior,” Petersen wrote in a post to X. “This is par for the course for Mayes and her unprofessional team. I will restore respect and professionalism to the office.”
Mayes campaign harassing one of my endorsers. Mayes should condemn this unacceptable behavior. This is par for the course for Mayes and her unprofessional team. I will restore respect and professionalism to the office. pic.twitter.com/PGIZGwBCkx
A campaign finance report for Kris Mayes for Arizona, covering the second quarter of 2025, lists “Quinlan, DJ” as treasurer. Petersen identified the person accused of sending the messages as Mayes’ treasurer in a second post to X.
In his follow-up, Petersen called on Mayes to remove the treasurer, writing, “Mayes should drop him and condemn his unprofessional behavior.”
Kris Mayes treasurer, who didn't notice that Mayes accepted an illegal contribution last quarter, sent harassing text messages to one of my endorsers yesterday. Mayes should drop him and condemn his unprofessional behavior. https://t.co/DEY6ZzhVdD
The accusation follows Hernandez’s endorsement of Petersen over Mayes. Hernandez represents Legislative District 24 and cited public safety and schools in explaining her support for the Republican Senate president.
In a statement to AZ Free News, Mayes Campaign Manager Delaney Corcoran wrote:
“Informing someone who represents Maryvale and Arizona’s Latino community that they have endorsed an extremist who has promised family separations and the mass deportation of 70,000 Dreamers is not a threat. Intimidation is what we’ve seen from Jake Hoffman, TPUSA and other Warren supporters: aggressively attacking and calling for retribution against the 50 Republicans who bravely endorsed Attorney General Kris Mayes. Those are two very different things.”
In the statement shared by Petersen, Hernandez again pointed to school safety and said Petersen had committed to working with state education officials, the Auditor General’s Office, and the Legislature on school oversight and accountability.
“My political endorsements are my decision,” Hernandez wrote. “You can disagree with me politically all you want, but respect my boundaries.”
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes reportedly hasn’t received updated felony reports from the federal government for about a year, but the Department of Justice (DOJ) says it has provided them.
Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap stated in a press release on Thursday that he learned the reports were available after contacting the DOJ. Heap said Fontes has refused to provide these reports for a year. As a result, county recorders are reportedly missing three quarterly reports containing up-to-date data on ineligible voters.
Heap said he was “disappointed” by Fontes’ decision to misrepresent the status of the reports.
“As the County Recorder for Arizona’s most populated county, I am disappointed that Secretary Fontes would gamble the trust of Arizona voters on a lie,” said Heap. “Arizona is missing at least three full quarters of felony data and voter ineligibility due to Secretary Fontes’ failure to follow the law.”
Heap also reported that the DOJ advised him that it had issued its second quarter federal felony report for 2026 to Fontes on Thursday.
“I am calling on Secretary Fontes to produce the missing reports immediately, so that Recorders can do their job and ensure integrity on our voter rolls,” said Heap.
Rather than focus on giving county recorders the data they need to locate those who need to be removed from the voter rolls, Fontes has focused his efforts on addressing the Trump administration’s recent initiative to purge voter rolls of unlawful voters.
This week, Fontes submitted a letter to the Arizona District Attorney’s Office addressing “troubling allegations” from a whistleblower that the Unlawful Voter Initiative, the federal government’s new initiative to identify and remove unlawful voters, was granting unauthorized access to voter registration information.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Citizenship and Immigration Services were cited as partners in the initiative. These agencies coordinate to cross-reference voter rolls with immigrant databases.
As the Attorney General of Arizona and the Arizona Secretary of State, we are charged with protecting the personal identifying information of Arizonans.
Today, we jointly sent the undersigned letter to U.S. Attorney Courchaine regarding troubling allegations that the federal… pic.twitter.com/Ar0OODb7N8
District Attorney Timothy Courchaine responded on Friday that the federal government was not violating privacy laws, citing the Supreme Court’s Friday decision in DHS v. League of Women Voters permitting DHS to request and receive citizenship status information.
“By prohibiting interference with the disclosure of information regarding citizenship status to DHS — ‘[n]otwithstanding any other provision of Federal, State, or local law’ — Congress necessarily authorized DHS to request and receive that information,” stated the ruling. “It is improbable that Congress intended to place officials in such a bind when it passed the [Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996].”
President Donald Trump issued an executive order last March directing DHS to grant every state and local official responsible for voter registration systems with free access to federal citizenship and immigration status verification systems.
U.S. Attorney Tim Courchaine's response to concerns raised by Attorney General Mayes and Secretary of State Fontes earlier this week about Arizona voter registration information. pic.twitter.com/nNNTH88IOa
DHS praised the ruling as supportive of a new safeguard for American elections.
“This decision is a victory for election integrity,” said DHS General Counsel James Percival. “It’s remarkable that we had to file an emergency petition in the Supreme Court just so we can use government data to stop noncitizens from voting illegally. American elections are for Americans. The Trump Administration and the Department of Homeland Security will use every tool at our disposal to secure our elections.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
In the wake of Chinese President Xi Jinping visit to the United States, Congressman Andy Biggs reiterated his concerns involving the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Biggs reminded constituents of his record in the U.S. House of Representatives, addressing national-security, economic, and strategic concerns involving China.
“The United States should always pursue diplomacy from a position that protects our sovereignty, national security, and the interests of the American people,” said Biggs in a press release. “President Xi’s visit is an important reminder that while we should seek productive relations wherever possible, Congress must remain clear-eyed about the actions and ambitions of the Chinese Communist Party.”
“For years, the CCP has sought to expand its influence abroad, gain access to sensitive American technology and research, dominate critical supply chains, and pressure Taiwan,” added Biggs. “I will always support policies designed to protect the United States from these vulnerabilities and strengthen America’s ability to compete with China on the world stage.”
Biggs recounted receiving a letter from Chinese government in 2019, requesting that he “not make any contact with officials of Taiwan.”
Biggs characterized the letter as “aggressive outreach,” that took place around the time of the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, when he attended a celebratory reception in the Phoenix area.
In response, Congressman Biggs penned a national op-ed, entitled “China wants to silence me. Instead, I’m speaking out.”
He wrote in part, “The People’s Republic of China is an authoritarian state that has been stealing our intellectual property and technology for years. In light of attempts by the Chinese government (abetted recently by the NBA) to stifle free speech within the United States, I was outraged when I received a letter from Chinese government officials requesting that I “not make any contact with officials of Taiwan.”
Over the years, Biggs has introduced, cosponsored, or supported numerous aggressive measures addressing threats and strategic challenges involving China and the CCP, including:
Stop CCP VISAs Act – Cosponsored legislation restricting certain student and exchange visas for nationals of the People’s Republic of China seeking to conduct research or pursue courses of study in the United States.
FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act Mining Engineering Amendment – Secured a bipartisan amendment addressing the substantial disparity between the American and Chinese mining engineering workforces and strengthening the pipeline of American mining engineers essential to critical mineral independence and national security.
Protecting Domestic Mining Act – Supported legislation aimed at accelerating the federal permitting process for domestic mining and mineral processing projects, strengthening American critical mineral supply chains and reducing dependence on foreign competitors.
Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act of 2025 – Supported House-passed legislation addressing the role of Chinese entities in the production and trafficking of illicit fentanyl and its precursor chemicals into the United States.
Legislation Supporting Taiwan – Supported congressional efforts strengthening America’s relationship with Taiwan and countering pressure from Beijing, including legislation concerning Taiwan’s participation in international organizations.
Stop China’s IP Theft Act – Repeatedly cosponsored legislation targeting specified members of the Chinese Communist Party in response to the theft of American intellectual property and technology.
Preventing Malign CCP Influence on Academic Institutions Act – Cosponsored legislation requiring greater transparency concerning relationships between American colleges and universities and entities affiliated with the Chinese government, Chinese Communist Party, and People’s Liberation Army.
No Taxpayer Funding for the Chinese Communist Party Act – Cosponsored legislation addressing U.S. taxpayer-funded research and federal funding that could benefit the Chinese Communist Party or entities connected to the People’s Republic of China.
No American Land for Communist China Act – Cosponsored legislation restricting certain Chinese Communist Party-linked individuals and entities from acquiring real estate adjacent to sensitive federal lands.
Resolution Addressing the Strategic Challenge from China – Introduced a congressional resolution warning about the long-term strategic challenge posed by the People’s Republic of China, including its military expansion, cyber activities, intellectual property theft, pressure on Taiwan, and efforts to expand its global influence.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
