by Matthew Holloway | Aug 15, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A coalition of Arizona businesses from across the state released a statement expressing strong support for a newly announced project by Energy Transfer LP. The project will bring an interstate natural gas pipeline into the state from West Texas, constructed, owned, and operated by Transwestern Pipeline Company. It will power Arizona Public Service (APS), Salt River Project (SRP), Tucson Electric Power (TEP), Unisource Energy Services, and other utilities that supply energy to Arizona’s homes and businesses.
The new 42-inch pipeline, kept pressurized by nine compression stations, will span 516 miles across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. It will carry 1.5 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas. It is expected to come online in 2029.
AZBigMedia reported that the project is expected to cost approximately $5.3 billion, including about $600 million of Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC)
“With this new natural gas pipeline, Arizona will be well positioned to have reliable baseload power to meet the growing demands of our economy,” said Arizona Corporation Commissioner Rachel Walden in a statement. “I’m pleased to see that the City of Mesa is participating in this project, serving as an example of Arizona’s ability to attract new commerce with affordable power while innovating in water conservation.”
In a post to X, Commissioner Nick Myers noted that this annoucement came alongside the recent accouncement that APS is rolling back its Biden-era zero-carbon goals. He said, “On the same day it was announced that APS is backing off their Green New Deal style policies, further proof that this commission has not been friendly to those policies, it was announced that Transwestern will be putting in another natural gas pipeline into Arizona. Energy dominance at its best!”
According to the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, “The project will help ensure that Arizona remains competitive with other high-growth states by providing the reliable, cost-effective energy necessary for economic development and job creation, particularly as energy demand is projected to soar.”
The Chamber added in a press release, “Natural gas is a cornerstone of Arizona’s energy system, generating 45% of the state’s electricity. It plays a critical role in supporting Arizona’s modern electricity grid, helping utilities meet peak demand during extreme summer weather and enabling the deployment of renewable energy resources like solar and wind year-round. Additionally, more than 1.4 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers count on the natural gas distribution system for their home comfort and business needs, including in sectors like semiconductors, EV batteries, and other advanced manufacturing.”
APS director of Resource Integration and Fuels Jill Freret told KJZZ, “This expansion for APS and for some of our peer utilities really allows us to bring in more natural gas to fuel existing facilities with growing demand and position us to have additional gas on our system out into the future.” Freret observed that the energy demand of APS is expected to increase by over 60% in the next 13 years.
The benefits of the project are not limited to the energy industry, however. Patrick Bray, Executive Vice President of Arizona Farm and Ranch Group, explained, “Access to natural gas supply is essential for our farmers and ranchers to power critical operations. This pipeline is a smart investment that will ensure the continued success and competitiveness of Arizona’s agriculture industry, allowing us to produce the food that sustains our communities and contributes significantly to our economy.”
In addition to dozens of Chambers of Commerce across the state, from Flagstaff to Sahuarita, industry organizations including the Arizona Cattle Feeders Association, Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association, Arizona Manufacturers Council, Arizona Multi-housing Association, Arizona Restaurant Association, Arizona Rock Product Association, Arizona Small Business Association, Arizona Trucking Association, and the United Dairymen of Arizona, all expressed support for the pipeline.
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 | Aug 15, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Scottsdale residents attending Monday’s City Council work study session will encounter a new layer of security at City Hall, the first council meeting since the summer recess.
The changes, implemented in July, require all visitors to pass through walk-through metal detectors or handheld screening devices, and have their bags checked at designated entry points. Signage directs guests to approved entrances and exits, where security personnel are stationed to assist and conduct screenings.
The security upgrades mirror measures rolled out earlier at Scottsdale’s One Civic Center, part of an effort city officials say is designed to enhance safety for employees, residents, and other visitors.
Under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 13-3102 A), weapons are prohibited inside City Hall. A secure lockbox is available at the entrance for the temporary storage of legal weapons.
City officials chose the summer for the rollout to coincide with a typically lighter meeting schedule, giving visitors and staff time to adjust before busier months ahead. Monday’s meeting will focus on WestWorld-related matters, but for those planning to attend, the city advises arriving early to allow extra time for the new security process.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Aug 14, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
In a letter to readers on Wednesday, Hank Stephenson, co-founder of the Arizona Agenda, dropped a bombshell that Gannett is reportedly buying out top reporters and columnists at the Arizona Republic.
The move follows Gannett’s decision to shutter its printing facilities in Arizona and the decision at News Media Corp that marked the end of five newspapers in outlying areas of Arizona.
Stephenson, a 15-year veteran journalist covering Arizona politics for the New York Times and Politico, wrote in part:
“The corporate morons at Gannett have offered another round of buyouts to their top talent at the Republic — and we’re losing some of the best reporters and columnists in Arizona.
“Among those that got bought out is “Agendie” winner and Arizona treasure Mary Jo Pitzl. Plus, we hear the list includes columnists Laurie Roberts, EJ Montini, Elvia Diaz, Phil Boas, among others.”
The story was posted to X by journalists Jen Fifield and Rachel Alexander. Fifield commented, “What will the Republic be without the great @maryjpitzl and its columnists. Thinking of all my journalism friends this week at the Republic and elsewhere. And our community.”
Alexander greeted the news with relish, writing, “The worst of the fake news local MSM in Arizona is finally no more! Granted, I agree that Mary Jo Pitzl wasn’t one of the worst, but Laurie Roberts and EJ Montini are two of the absolute worst fake news journos in our state.”
Garret Lewis, Host of The Afternoon Addiction on 550 KFYI, asked X at large, “Do you think USAID paid for any AZ Republic subscriptions?” alluding to reports that the agency paid for exorbitant subscriptions to various outlets, including Politico, as reported by Axios.
Lewis asked further, “Is it a coincidence that the USAID cash has dried up and now there is no more money for the AZ Republic? Hmmmm.”
On July 25th, Gannett Co., Inc., the parent company of the Arizona Republic, revealed that the historic broadsheet newspaper of Arizona would no longer be printed in the state, but rather would be printed at its Las Vegas facility and shipped into Arizona at the cost of 117 jobs and the closure of the paper’s massive Deer Valley Printing Facility in North Phoenix. At the time, Lark-Marie Antón, Gannett chief communications and brand officer, claimed in a statement that “The Arizona Republic will continue to provide readers with quality, local content that matters most to them,” and did not allude to any staffing changes at the newspaper.
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 | Aug 14, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Intel Corporation is under fire following its receipt of significant funding from the CHIPS and Science Act, followed by recent job cuts nationwide and hiring a new CEO with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
In November of 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce finalized $7.86 billion of taxpayer dollars to Intel under the CHIPS and Science Act to support semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging projects in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon.
This funding, part of a broader $100 billion investment plan by Intel, was intended to boost U.S. semiconductor production, create thousands of jobs, and enhance national security by reducing reliance on foreign supply chains.
In Arizona, the award was expected to support the construction of two new fabrication plants and the modernization of an existing facility at Intel’s Ocotillo campus in Chandler, creating 3,000 manufacturing jobs and over 6,000 construction jobs.
However, Intel’s announcement in August 2024 of a global workforce reduction of approximately 15,000 jobs, including 400 at its Chandler facility, has raised concerns about the alignment of these cuts with the CHIPS Act’s goal of fostering U.S. job growth.
The layoffs, part of a $10 billion cost-cutting plan prompted after a $1.6 billion net loss in Q2 2024, face criticism as Intel continues to benefit from taxpayer-funded incentives.
President Trump addressed these concerns about national job loss and a new CEO, saying, “The CEO of INTEL is highly CONFLICTED and must resign, immediately. There is no other solution to this problem. Thank you for your attention to this problem!”
This has gotten support from other GOP members across the country, with Senator Rick Scott following up, saying, “President Trump is right, Intel owes American taxpayers answers TODAY. Intel accepted tax dollars from the CHIPS Act, and instead of investing in America, they cut jobs in the U.S. and hired a CEO with a cozy relationship to the CCP. The CHIPS Act was intended to benefit America, not our adversaries. Intel should return every dime of this taxpayer funding IMMEDIATELY!”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Aug 13, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
In his first town hall upon returning to Arizona from his visit to Iowa, where he was booed mercilessly, Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego was hosted by the Apache Junction Public Library on Monday. During the townhall, he spoke with veterans following a tour of the Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center in Globe.
According to AZCentral, Gallego was met with natural questions on his presidential aspirations, typically indicated by Senators taking jaunts to Iowa and New Hampshire, to which the Phoenix Democrat offered a boilerplate answer: “We’ve got to focus on Arizona.”
When pressed by a reporter, Gallego replied, “There is no presidential priority at all. The only priority is to make sure I’m doing the best for the state. Sometimes that might mean going to get help from other states, but the most important thing is delivering for us here.”
However, when confronted with more difficult questions, Gallego seemed less willing to engage, as indicated in video footage from X commentator ‘Veterans of Arizona.’
In a statement to AZ Free News, ‘Veterans for Arizona’ described his contentious interaction with the Senator saying, “I wanted to ask [S]enator Gallego some questions on his policies. When Ruben started going off about him helping veterans through the [PACT] Act….I realized he wasn’t going to call on me[,] so I decided to tell him that we couldn’t trust him because he’s previously voted against fully funding the VA[.]”
He asked, “[W]hy did he vote against Sam Brown’s nomination[?] [A]nd why wouldn’t he debate Kari Lake[?]”
“I was rushing these questions because his staff circled me and escorted me out,” he explained. “If Ruben wanted to make amends with vets he could’ve said: ‘[W]ait, what are your questions[?]’ and addressed each concern[,] but Ruben’s never been one for confrontation.”
In the Arizona Republic’s reporting, Gallego is described as “seem[ing] to embrace,” the “live-wire quality,” of engaging with the public, however, the prompt removal of ‘Veterans for Arizona’ by the Senator’s staffers seems to belie that notion. The Senator didn’t engage with the concerned veteran, but instead blithely ignored his questions as the man was unceremoniously ousted from the Apache Junction Library’s Opal Room.
Perhaps, after the embarrassing showing in Iowa, Gallego is less inclined to address the more aggressive discourse of his constituents.
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 | Aug 13, 2025 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
A new report from the Common Sense Institute (CSI) revealed a crisis in Arizona’s district public school system, marked by declining enrollment, expanding infrastructure, and misallocated resources that fail to serve students effectively.
Despite a 5% drop in district school enrollment since 2019, Arizona’s public-school districts have continued to expand facilities, increase capital spending by 67% to $8.9 billion, and boost transportation costs by 11.3% to $561.2 million, even as eligible bus riders plummeted by 45%.
As Arizona’s population surged, districts expanded, constructing thousands of school buildings, hiring teachers, and extending bus routes to accommodate a growing student body.
Since peaking in 2008 with 931,000 students, district school enrollment has steadily declined, dropping to 859,519 students by 2024—a 5% decline since 2019 alone.
According to the report, this trend is accelerating, driven by demographic shifts and changing parental preferences.
Arizona’s school-aged population (ages 5–17) shrank for the first time in 2022, with a loss of 30,000 children by 2023.
Meanwhile, school choice has reshaped the educational landscape with 40% of incoming kindergarteners now opting for charter or private schools, which operate with leaner facilities and no formal transportation systems.
In the meantime, Arizona’s district schools have doubled down on expansion. Since 2019, districts added 499 new buildings, increasing gross square footage by 3% to 148.6 million square feet—78 million square feet more than needed, enough to accommodate 630,000 additional students.
The fastest-shrinking districts have increased capital spending the most, with 20% of districts (serving 73% of students) receiving 81% of capital funding.
Math proficiency in Arizona’s district schools fell 25% since 2019, and English proficiency dropped 5%, according to NAEP assessments.
Staffing has grown by 1.5% to 108,330 employees, with teacher salaries rising 24.1% to $65,113, yet class sizes remain stable at 17.7 students per teacher.
Administrative staffing has surged 6.7% since 2019, outpacing classroom staff growth, but these investments have not translated into academic gains.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
