The latest federal unemployment report reveals that unemployment fell in 17 states — but not Arizona.
The Joint Economic Committee’s (JEC) monthly State Employment Update reported that unemployment fell in 17 states and D.C., rose in nine states, and remained unchanged in 24 states.
Nationally, nonfarm payroll jobs, the unemployment rate, and the labor force participation rate all increased from August to September.
Arizona was one of the 24 states to experience an unchanged unemployment rate at 4.9%. In August, JEC reported that Arizona lost 5,500 net payroll jobs, compared to 300 last month.
The national unemployment rate is 4.2%.
Over the past 12 months, the state added nearly 19,000 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.5% from 4.4%.
Additionally, Arizona’s nonfarm payroll employment has increased in eight of the past 12 months. The state ranks 21st in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
The state also lost 2,800 private sector jobs in September, and 4,500 private sector jobs in August.
Last month, employment fell by nearly 7,600; over the past 12 months, employment has fallen by nearly 133,000.
The state’s labor force participation rate also fell, from 59.9% to 59.7% last month, marking a 10-year low for the state. In the past 12 months, the participation rate has fallen by 2.4%. With these rates, Arizona ranks 37th in the nation for labor force participation.
Arizona experienced a 10-year high for its labor force participation rate in November 2019, at 62.2%.
From August to September, the best performing sectors for employment were state and local government, an addition of 2,600 jobs, followed by other services, an addition of 600 jobs. The worst performing sectors were professional and business services, a loss of 1,600 jobs, and private education and health services, a loss of 1,300 jobs.
From September 2025 to September 2026, the best performing sectors for employment were private education and health services, an addition of 14,700 jobs, and professional and business services, an addition of 7,800 jobs. The worst performing sectors were leisure and hospitality, a loss of 8,800 jobs, and financial activities, a loss of 6,700 jobs.
Creeping and stagnant unemployment struggles have exacerbated worsening affordability issues, felt this year more than ever. Affordability is a key issue for both Republicans and Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections; both parties have blamed the other for the growing lack of affordability that has hit Arizona especially hard.
Data analysis over the summer reported that Arizona is among the worst affected by the affordability crisis. More Arizona households have reported carrying above-average debt, and falling behind on payments at rates above the national average.
Arizona sits in the bottom half of the nation for average credit score, 666, and experienced the 10th-fastest drop in average household credit score among all states in 2025.
Auto loan debt was reported at 7% higher, credit card debt is 8% higher, and mortgage debt is 22% higher than the national average.
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Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap announced Friday that his office restored 24 voters to active status after a court reviewed citizenship documentation during mediation. The move resolves a dispute with Attorney General Kris Mayes over the voters’ eligibility to vote in the Nov. 3 general election.
Heap’s office said in a press release that ballots had been issued to the affected voters on the Active Early Voting List, and Mayes had agreed to dismiss her complaint.
RECORDER HEAP: FOUR-WEEK DPOC DISPUTE RESOLVED AFTER CITIZENSHIP DOCUMENTATION PRESENTED TO COURT, AG DISMISSES COMPLAINT
Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap announced today the resolution of Attorney General Kris Mayes' lawsuit concerning 24 voters placed in pending… pic.twitter.com/UbruQ2f4Fh
— Maricopa County Recorder's Office (@RecordersOffice) October 24, 2026
According to the recorder’s office, the Attorney General’s Office presented citizenship documentation to the court during mediation. The court reviewed the records and issued a minute entry affirming their sufficiency, which Heap’s office said supplied the verification needed to restore the voters.
“This entire dispute could have been resolved weeks ago with the very verification ultimately presented to the Court,” Heap said. “Our position never changed. We needed legally sufficient documentation of citizenship, we received it, and we immediately restored the voters.”
Heap thanked Judge Christopher T. Whitten for resolving the matter and obtaining verification that the recorder said his office had sought from Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell’s office for four weeks.
Mayes also announced the resolution Friday, attributing the restoration of voting eligibility to her office’s legal action.
“It should not have taken litigation to make Justin Heap follow the law,” Mayes said.
The complaint, filed Oct. 21 by Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, originally identified 25 voters whose registrations remained designated “Not Eligible” after state and county investigators determined they were U.S. citizens.
At a hearing on Friday before the mediation, Heap’s attorney, James Rogers of America First Legal, said one of those voters had already supplied proof of citizenship and been restored, leaving 24 at issue. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Adele Ponce arranged settlement discussions that afternoon.
The dispute centered on the documentation required to restore the voters and whether Heap had authority to place their registrations in an ineligible category.
Heap said Arizona motor vehicle records identified the individuals as noncitizens and federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) records could not confirm their citizenship. His office referred the cases to prosecutors and placed the registrations in what he described as “Pending DPOC” status while requesting documentary proof of citizenship.
Heap maintained that his office needed legally sufficient verification before restoring full-ballot eligibility. He cited A.R.S. § 16-166, which identifies acceptable citizenship evidence and requires the recorder to indicate in a voter’s permanent file when satisfactory evidence has been submitted.
Mayes and Fontes argued in their complaint that Heap lacked affirmative evidence that the affected voters were noncitizens and had improperly restricted their voting eligibility.
According to the complaint, the individuals were among 207 registered voters referred for investigation. Investigators examined 60 who had previously cast ballots and determined that 52 were citizens and eight were noncitizens. The complaint said Heap had restored 27 of the 52 citizens to active status before the lawsuit was filed.
The plaintiffs sought restoration of the remaining voters’ previous registration status and delivery of early ballots to 17 participants in the Active Early Voting List and one military or overseas voter.
During Friday’s hearing, Assistant Attorney General Kara Karlson said her office was willing to provide citizenship information. She disputed Heap’s account of requests for the records and maintained that the voters should not have been placed in an ineligible status.
Mitchell had also challenged Heap’s handling of the registrations. She denied that her office had advised him to cancel the voters’ registrations and said state law did not authorize a suspended category under the circumstances.
“We are now in a place where there is no reason to question the citizenship of 52 voters. And there certainly is no confirmation that they are not citizens – quite the contrary – they are American citizens,” Mitchell wrote. “The law demands that they be allowed to vote.”
A.R.S. § 16-165(A)(10) requires a recorder to confirm that a registered voter is not a U.S. citizen before initiating its notice-and-cancellation process. The provision gives the voter 35 days to supply satisfactory citizenship evidence before cancellation and referral to prosecutors.
Heap’s Friday evening announcement said all 24 remaining voters had been restored following the court’s review.
“Our office fulfilled its duty to protect eligible voters while upholding Arizona law,” he said.
Republican attorney general nominee and Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen is highlighting endorsements from seven law enforcement organizations as he challenges Democratic incumbent Attorney General Kris Mayes.
In a press release, Petersen’s campaign listed endorsements from the Arizona Police Association, Arizona Fraternal Order of Police, Arizona State Troopers Association, Arizona Conference of Police & Sheriffs, Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Arizona, Maricopa County Colleges Police Officers Association, and Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association.
For the first time in AZ history, a challenger to the sitting AG has the overwhelming support from law enforcement. As your next attorney general I will fight crime, defend the laws and the Constitution and root out fraud, waste and corruption. pic.twitter.com/wDXRHpFDom
“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every single day to protect our families, neighborhoods, and communities, and they deserve an Attorney General who will always have their backs,” Petersen said. “I am deeply honored to have earned the trust and support of the men and women who know firsthand what it takes to keep Arizona safe.”
The campaign emphasized the endorsements of Arizona’s six largest police organizations and called Petersen the first challenger to a sitting Arizona attorney general to receive all six endorsements in the same election cycle.
The announcement follows endorsements made earlier in the election cycle from the Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs (AZCOPS) and the Maricopa County Colleges Police Officers Association.
AZCOPS Executive Director David Stone said at the time that the organization considered candidates’ records, commitment to public safety, and willingness to work with the leadership of its member organizations when determining endorsements.
The Arizona State Troopers Association’s endorsed Petersen in June. Association President Jeff Hawkins cited Petersen’s relationship with troopers and other law enforcement personnel during his legislative service.
“Throughout his time in the Arizona Legislature, Warren Petersen has always been a friend to the Troopers and to law enforcement around the state,” Hawkins said.
Petersen has also received endorsements from Republican attorneys general in other states, including Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, Utah Attorney General Derek Brown, Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey, and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.
“Their endorsement sends an unmistakable message: It is time to restore integrity to the Attorney General’s Office, take politics out of law enforcement, and put the safety of Arizonans first,” Petersen said.
The campaign also pointed to recent polling that placed Petersen and Mayes at 45% each among likely voters. Those results came from an Equis Research survey conducted Sept. 1–9 and released in an Oct. 6 memo.
The survey interviewed 1,214 registered Arizona voters through live telephone interviews and text-to-web responses. Equis reported a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points for the full sample. Its candidate results were reported for likely voters, whose sample size and margin of error were not separately identified in the memo. The interviews preceded the campaign’s October advertising and its latest announcement highlighting the endorsements.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it has opened a Business Recovery Center in Tusayan, Arizona, to provide in-person assistance to small businesses and nonprofit organizations seeking federal disaster loans following recent flash flooding at Grand Canyon National Park.
The center, located at Tusayan Town Hall at 845 Mustang Drive, will provide applicants with direct access to SBA representatives who can answer questions, explain eligibility requirements, and assist with the disaster loan application process.
Representatives will be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the center permanently closes on Friday, October, 30. Walk-ins are welcome, and applicants can also schedule an in-person appointment.
The opening follows the SBA’s October 13 disaster declaration, which made low-interest federal loans available to eligible businesses and private nonprofit organizations experiencing economic losses from flooding that occurred between August 29 and September 3.
The declaration covers five Arizona counties, including Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo, and Yavapai, along with Kane and San Juan Counties in Utah.
Through the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit organizations can apply for loans of up to $2 million to help cover operating expenses and other financial obligations resulting from the disaster.
Applicants may qualify for assistance even if their property did not sustain physical damage, provided they experienced qualifying economic losses directly related to the flooding.
Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ-02), whose district includes Grand Canyon National Park, welcomed the opening of the recovery center and encouraged affected organizations to take advantage of the additional assistance.
“I’m grateful to the U.S. Small Business Administration for putting personnel on the ground to assist small business owners,” stated Rep. Crane. “I encourage Arizonans impacted by this catastrophic disaster to meet with SBA representatives and explore their options.”
Crane also emphasized the ongoing challenges facing Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding communities, pointing to continued recovery efforts and congressional action involving the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025.
“The flash floods are the latest setback in a challenging stretch for Grand Canyon National Park and gateway communities,” added Crane. “My team and I remain committed to doing our part, and I’m hopeful these resources and recent movement on the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025 will deliver lasting results for Northern Arizona.”
The recovery center will remain open through October 30, but eligible businesses and nonprofit organizations have until July 13, 2027, to submit economic injury disaster loan applications.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) announced on Tuesday that he is personally offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men suspected in the reported sexual assault of his Democratic challenger, Bernadette Greene-Placentia.
The announcement said the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office investigation remains ongoing and no suspects have been identified.
Greene-Placentia, who is challenging Hamadeh in Arizona’s Eighth Congressional District, reported that two men attacked her while she was repairing campaign signs in Sun City in the early morning hours of Aug. 14.
“Nothing is more important to me than the safety and security of my constituents. As a former prosecutor who has fought for survivors of sexual assault, I am offering a reward for information leading to the capture and arrest of the two individuals responsible for this crime,” Hamadeh said.
PRESS RELEASE: Congressman Abe Hamadeh Offers $10,000 Reward for Information Leading to Arrest of Suspects in Reported Sexual Assault pic.twitter.com/7qrawEUvJb
“Sexual assault is a serious violent offense. Survivors deserve justice, and those who commit these acts must be held accountable,” he added.
Asked by AZ Free News about Hamadeh’s reward during Tuesday’s Phoenix press conference supporting Greene-Placentia, her campaign manager, Isaiah Lopez, said he hoped those responsible would be caught while questioning how the offer would help.
“I’m not sure how a public bounty supports that personally,” Lopez said. “But we appreciate the congressman’s attempts to support that.”
Greene-Placentia had been scheduled to attend the press conference but did not appear. Speaking on her behalf, Lopez said publicly sharing her experience and repeatedly revisiting it had been difficult.
“Today, she needs some privacy and we appreciate everyone’s understanding and compassion,” he said.
Bernadette Greene-Placentia, the Democratic candidate for Arizona's 8th Congressional District, had planned to appear Tuesday at an event hosted by U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari and the Democratic Women's Caucus condemning the sexual assault Greene-Placentia said she experienced… pic.twitter.com/E4nspzWKrP
Lopez said Greene-Placentia wanted other survivors to know they had support and remained committed to advocating for safer communities.
“Survivors deserve the space to heal at their own pace and the freedom to decide when and how they share their experiences,” he said.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ03) organized the event with Reps. Maxine Dexter of Oregon and Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico and representatives of organizations serving survivors of sexual violence.
Stansbury condemned public attempts to discredit Greene-Placentia’s account and said the gathering was intended to support survivors of sexual violence.
“And that is why we are here to stand with all women, all survivors, to say that your voice matters, your story matters. We see you. We know what you have been through,” Stansbury said.
She said shame, disbelief, and the potential consequences of speaking publicly can discourage survivors from sharing their experiences.
Stansbury also invoked survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, encouraging women to share their experiences and pursue public service.
“The Epstein survivors’ stories have toppled a prince. They’ve toppled British officials. They have the potential to topple a presidency here in the United States,” Stansbury said. “Tell your stories. Do not be afraid. And let this fuel your fire to serve.”
Stansbury also discussed potential changes to congressional disciplinary rules and cited Republican Rep. Max Miller of Ohio in calling for swifter action involving allegations of serious misconduct. Miller has denied domestic-abuse allegations made by his former wife.
Dana Martinez, director of domestic and sexual violence services at A New Leaf, discussed the organization’s support services and urged the public to recognize that people respond differently to trauma.
“Survivors should not have to prove that they are worthy of compassion before accessing support and services,” Martinez said.
She described services including emotional support, advocacy, support groups, and connections to resources, emphasizing that assistance is tailored to individual needs.
According to a police report, Greene-Placentia told investigators she was struck in the head while returning to her vehicle near 99th Avenue and Bell Road. She reported losing consciousness and being sexually assaulted by two men.
Hamadeh previously called for investigators to examine the allegations thoroughly, including seeking available camera footage from the area.
Greene-Placentia said that she initially hesitated to report the assault but decided speaking publicly could help other survivors. She said people had contacted her to share their experiences and offer support.
She also told the outlet that she did not know whether the reported attack was politically motivated and thought it could have been a crime of opportunity. She said she intended to continue her campaign.
Hamadeh’s announcement urged anyone with information to contact the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office at 602-876-TIPS (8477) or 602-876-1011. It specifies that information leading to the suspects’ arrest and conviction would qualify for the $10,000 reward.
Arizona Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ-01), chairman of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), introduced legislation aimed at overhauling the nation’s employment-based immigration system to prioritize highly skilled workers, strengthen economic growth, and reduce federal debt.
According to the JEC, the proposed reforms could save the federal government approximately $335 billion and increase U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) by at least $549 billion over the next decade.
The legislation would replace the existing H-1B visa program with a more selective system focused on addressing labor shortages in specific industries. It would also restructure employment-based immigration to prioritize applicants based on qualifications, education, experience, and economic contributions rather than application order.
Additional provisions would eliminate country-based visa caps, reduce family-sponsored immigration, redirect diversity lottery visas toward employment-based applicants, and replace the existing EB-5 investor visa program with a system modeled after the Trump Gold Card initiative.
Supporters argue the changes would improve labor market conditions for American workers while allowing businesses to recruit specialized foreign talent in industries experiencing workforce shortages.
The SMARTER Act: Ends mass migration, replaces H-1B visas with a measured, merit-based system that admits only the most valuable applicants; Improves labor market conditions for American workers by reducing excess imported labor; Supports economic growth, technological…
— Joint Economic Committee Republicans (@JECRepublicans) October 20, 2026
“Today in the United States, we have the same number of 18-year-olds as we did almost 20 years ago, while the older population is growing exponentially, creating a demographic shift that shrinks the workforce needed to sustain our long-term financial health,” said Schweikert.
“If we are serious about tackling our debt, growing our economy, and safeguarding our earned federal benefits, we must cultivate a workforce that continues to compete globally at the highest level, supports our domestic industries, and optimizes our nation’s financial viability,” he added.
The proposal follows a March 18 congressional hearing titled Keeping Our Promises: Labor Inflows, Maintaining Competitiveness, and Supporting an Aging Population, which examined the economic implications of immigration and an aging American workforce.
Alongside the legislation, the JEC released an October 19 issue brief titled Young, Talented, and Ready: Pivoting Toward a National Scheme of Points-Based Immigration, outlining how changes to immigration policy could address demographic challenges and improve the nation’s long-term fiscal outlook.
The report highlighted the growing imbalance between younger Americans entering the workforce and older Americans approaching retirement.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans under age 18 accounted for approximately 25% of the population in 2004, compared to 21.5% in 2024.
Meanwhile, the share of Americans aged 65 and older increased from 12.4% to 18% during the same period, highlighting the nation’s aging population and the challenges associated with a changing workforce.
The JEC argues that an aging population, combined with a shrinking share of younger workers, threatens economic productivity and places additional pressure on federal programs and government finances.
The report also points to the nation’s growing debt burden, which has exceeded $40 trillion, with the debt-to-GDP ratio surpassing 120%.
According to the committee, attracting highly skilled immigrants could help increase economic output, generate additional tax revenue, encourage entrepreneurship, and support technological innovation.
The JEC also warned that the United States faces increasing international competition for specialized workers, particularly from countries such as Canada, China, and the United Kingdom.
The report cited Canada’s 2023 Tech Talent Strategy, which attracted 10,000 applicants through a program targeting U.S. H-1B visa holders within 24 hours of opening.
Schweikert argued that reforming the immigration system would help the United States remain competitive while addressing domestic workforce shortages and protecting American workers.
“To address our workforce shortages and elevate American productivity while increasing workers’ value, it is imperative to reform policies to prioritize selective, high-skilled, employment-based visas over family-sponsored or diversity migration,” added Schweikert. “This is truly prioritizing America, as we strengthen our economic prosperity and national security by building the best workforce of the future while expanding opportunities for all Americans.”
The JEC estimates that the SMARTER Act could generate approximately $1.34 trillion in federal savings over 20 years, assuming immigration levels remain consistent with current annual totals.
The legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives but would need to pass both chambers of Congress before being signed into law.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
