by Matthew Holloway | Jan 6, 2026 | 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 | 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.
by Staff Reporter | Jan 5, 2026 | Education, News
By Staff Reporter |
Flagstaff and Coconino County officials plan to spend thousands to pay for a new annual gala by Northern Arizona University (NAU) celebrating diversity and Martin Luther King Jr.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors approved the expenditure of nearly $9,000 from its Community Initiative Funds for NAU’s first annual Martin Luther King Jr. Gala during their regular meeting earlier this month.
Coconino County funds will pay $4,000 for rental of the host venue, $1,325 for audio-visual services and related costs, $650 for an IT specialist to manage the audio-visual services, $2,610 for staffing charges for venue set up and tear down, and $124 for room rental tax and associated sales taxes.
The gala plans to prioritize diversity and inclusion throughout its guest list and unique opportunities provided to attendees. It will focus on “promoting Black/African American culture and traditions through educational, historical, and performing arts events.”
In addition to elected and appointed leaders with both the city of Flagstaff and Coconino County, gala attendees will consist of select leaders within Flagstaff and Coconino County’s commercial, industrial, and business sectors, and NAU students, staff, educators, and administrators.
At the gala, the organizers will recognize “local leaders who embody Dr. King’s legacy as a ‘drum major for peace.’”
Flagstaff City Council plans to vote on an expenditure of $1,000 from the present total of $11,200 within the Council Initiative Fund during their regular council meeting next week. That agenda item also left room for further consideration of “any other programs” the council may want to subsidize using the Council Initiative Fund, which maintains $25,000 annually.
The city council established that fund as part of its fiscal year 2020-2021 budget.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Gala will take place on Jan. 17, 2026 at NAU’s High Country Conference Center. NAU’s Center for Inclusive Excellence and Access planned the gala.
A similar event last year hosted by NAU’s Black Student Union, which partly inspired this year’s gala, featured Coral Evans as the keynote speaker: the former Flagstaff Mayor and Senator Mark Kelly’s current Northern Arizona director.
Evans is the sister of the Center for Inclusive Excellence and Access program director, Dr. Rev. Bernadine Lewis.
Lewis told the Arizona Daily Sun that the event is meant to bring communities together across the city and county.
“Our focus is on economic development, workplace development and just community wellbeing,” said Lewis. “That is everything the center stands for and it is also everything that Dr. King stood for, fought for and died for.”
Details of the event have not been available on NAU’s Events page or elsewhere that AZ Free News could discover. The Center for Inclusive Excellence and Access did not respond to our questions about the event as of this report.
NAU is also hosting another, separate event to celebrate MLK Jr.: MLK Day ‘26.
This MLK Jr. celebration marks one of the top expenditures Coconino County made with its Community Initiative Funds, and one of the lowest expenditures Flagstaff made with its Council Initiative Fund from this past year.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jan 5, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) remain steadfast in their core responsibility to defend American communities by apprehending and removing dangerous criminal offenders, even as political leaders intensify efforts to undermine these essential law enforcement operations.
In a recent action, DHS and ICE arrested Anel Billy Irigoyen Portillo, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico previously convicted in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona for importing fentanyl—a deadly narcotic that has ravaged families, fueled widespread addiction, and claimed countless lives across Arizona and the nation.
Portillo’s arrest is in line with the focus of DHS and ICE to target narcotics traffickers and other violent offenders who pose direct threats to public safety.
“While federal agents conduct lawful operations to protect public safety, newly elected Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva has chosen to publicly attack DHS and ICE, portraying enforcement actions as misconduct rather than acknowledging the clear and documented threat posed by violent criminal offenders,” said Representative John Gillette (R-LD30). “This rhetoric undermines law enforcement, encourages resistance to lawful authority, and erodes respect for the rule of law at a time when clarity and cooperation are essential.”
In a press release, Gillette called on officials in Pima County to prioritize full cooperation with DHS and ICE, rather than engaging in obstruction, delays, or politicalization of federal efforts. He urged the following actions to ensure the protection of Arizona communities:
- Complete cooperation between Pima County and federal law enforcement.
- Effective operational coordination with DHS and ICE.
- Termination of political attacks that disrupt lawful enforcement activities.
“DHS and ICE are doing the job the American people expect—removing violent criminals and drug traffickers from our communities,” Representative Gillette added. “Arizona does not need political grandstanding that shields offenders and targets law enforcement. The public wants dangerous individuals removed, and they want their elected officials supporting—not sabotaging—the mission. This issue is not ideological. It is about public safety, the rule of law, and standing with the men and women charged with protecting our communities and our country.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Jan 5, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Industrial Commission of Arizona announced the state’s minimum wage has increased to $15.15 per hour effective January 1, 2026, up from the current minimum wage of $14.70.
This $0.45 adjustment, mandated under A.R.S. § 23-363(B) and the Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act, reflects the rise in inflation from August 2024 to August 2025. The change highlights Arizona’s commitment to tying wage growth to economic realities, ensuring minimum-wage earners can better keep pace with living costs.
Certain exemptions apply under the Act, including employees of parents or siblings, casual babysitters in an employer’s home, workers for the State of Arizona or the U.S. government, and small businesses grossing less than $500,000 annually if exempt under federal law.
For tipped employees, employers may pay up to $3.00 below the minimum wage, provided they maintain records demonstrating that the employee’s combined wages and tips meet or exceed the minimum wage for all hours worked. This move aligns with a broader national trend where more than half of U.S. states now exceed the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, unchanged since July 24, 2009—the longest period without an update since its inception in 1938.
Over the past decade, 30 states and Washington, D.C., have raised their minimum wages above the federal level. This momentum, driven by labor advocates and shifts in economic policy, recognizes that $7.25 is insufficient for a basic standard of living in most areas.
In 2026 alone, 23 jurisdictions—including 22 states and Washington, D.C.—have implemented or announced increases, reflecting a growing consensus on wage equity.
Arizona’s new rate of $15.15 positions it among 18 states where the minimum wage now tops $15 per hour. Washington, D.C., leads the nation with a minimum wage of $17.95 per hour, followed by Washington State ($17.13), New York ($17), Connecticut ($16.94), California ($16.90), Hawaii ($16), and Rhode Island ($16).
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
