by Staff Reporter | May 22, 2026 | Must Read, News
By Staff Reporter |
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) described masturbating inside portable toilets and other sexually deviant behaviors involving restrooms as typical military behaviors.
Gallego made the claim in defense of Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner. Reddit posts made by Platner, a Marine veteran, described his habit of masturbating into portable toilets and appreciating the explicit graffiti to be found in restrooms.
Fox News first reported these online confessions issued by Platner on his now-deleted Reddit account, “P-Hustle.” These and other posts were retrieved from an archive of Platner’s Reddit account spanning over a decade maintained by the Maine Monitor.
“I still have to jerk off every time I sit in a portash*tter,” wrote Platner in a 2017 post. “That blue water smell conditioned me.”
In another post from 2021, Platner wrote praise for graffiti depicting penises.
Platner posted on Reddit from the ages of 24 to 37.
Gallego described as “relatable” Platner’s confessed practice of public masturbation and public discussions indicating appreciation for explicit sexual graffiti.
“Did Fox News talk to any grunt or deployed Marine before posting?” said Gallego. “If the goal is to make him more relatable to veterans than mission accomplished.”
Other military veterans in the Senate begged to differ with Gallego’s take on Platner.
Montana Sen. Tim Sheehy, a Navy SEAL and Republican, advised others to avoid using restrooms after Gallego.
“Mental note — don’t use the Senate men’s room after Ruben,” said Sheehy.
It was also on Reddit that Platner revealed he’d rubbed elbows with the late congressman Raúl Grijalva while working in Washington, D.C. sometime between 2011 and 2017.
“Raul used to drink in a bar I frequented/worked at right on the hill. Hell of a nice guy, we used to hang on the patio bullsh*tting about politics and whatnot while smoking a few cigarettes,” said Platner in a 2020 post. “I knew the guy six months, and one day someone walks past and greets him as ‘congressman.’ He’d never mentioned it. All around good people and a no sh*t public servant[.]”
Gallego has come to Platner’s defense before. Gallego endorsed Platner despite the latter wearing a Nazi military tattoo, pledging allegiance to socialism, identifying as Antifa, and disparaging white rural Americans. For close to 20 years, Platner had on his chest a tattoo of the Totenkopf, or “death’s head,” image used by Nazi troops.
It was that tattoo, critics say, that resulted in the Marine Corps refusing his reentry to active duty in 2009.
Just last month, Gallego was distancing himself from the sexual misconduct, assault, and rape allegations against former congressman and former California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell.
Gallego and Swalwell were best friends for a decade leading up to the allegations against the latter. When Swalwell ran for president in 2019, Gallego was his campaign chair.
Initially, Gallego had come to Swalwell’s defense.
“When you are in first place, is when they target you,” said Gallego. “Eric is a fighter and he will win the Governors race.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | May 22, 2026 | Must Read, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Jay Feely, a Republican candidate for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, is drawing scrutiny following recent comments defending Haitian immigrants amid ongoing national debates over immigration policy.
Feely, who has received an endorsement from President Donald Trump despite past criticism of Trump and reported connections to the Clinton family, faced backlash after accusing his primary opponent, former Arizona State Representative Joseph Chaplik, of racism.
The exchange stems from Chaplik’s criticism of Feely’s support for bringing large numbers of Haitian refugees into the United States.
In response to Chaplik’s concerns about mass Haitian immigration, Feely cited his personal experience helping two Haitian men he described as “family,” saying they came to the United States legally and pursued education and employment.
Chaplik rejected the accusations, saying his remarks were aimed at Feely’s broader immigration policy positions rather than the individuals themselves. He accused Feely of “playing the race card” and shared video clips he said showed Feely supporting amnesty measures and assistance for NGOs facilitating Haitian migration. Chaplik also pointed to Feely’s lack of response when asked about Temporary Protected Status extensions for Haitians.
The controversy escalated when Feely appeared on Arizona’s 12 News. During the interview, Feely addressed President Trump’s 2024 campaign remarks regarding reports of Haitian immigrants in Ohio eating pets. Feely recounted conversations with the two Haitian men he helped bring into the U.S., noting cultural practices in Haiti, “that when somebody has no food at all, they’re going to find whatever it is, whether it’s a dog, a cat.”
“I don’t want to be derogatory about people,” added Feely. “I think that’s where President Trump and I differ, is that I think you can articulate your values and your beliefs without being derogatory about others.”
When asked directly about reports of pets being eaten in Ohio, Feely responded, “I’m saying that the Haitian men that we brought here, and we talked about it, they said, ‘Yeah, I could see that happening.’ And if somebody who did that in Haiti comes here and sees a swan and says, “Oh, that might make a good meal!”
Chaplik responded sharply to the interview in a comment to The Gateway Pundit, criticizing Feely for disregarding constituents, insulting the President, and attacking candidates with a conservative legislative record. “That’s why the voters of our Congressional District, CD1, don’t trust him, and that’s why we are up 20 points.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | May 22, 2026 | News
By Matthew Hollloway |
Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ02) announced this week that language from his legislation aimed at restoring veterans’ Second Amendment rights has been incorporated into a bipartisan bill advancing through Congress.
According to a statement from Crane’s office, language from H.R. 496 was added to H.R. 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week and now heads to the Senate.
The legislation would prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from reporting veterans to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) solely because they receive assistance managing their VA benefits through a fiduciary program.
Crane’s provision incorporated into H.R. 1041 would restore Second Amendment rights to veterans previously reported to NICS solely due to fiduciary participation.
The measure would require a judicial determination that a veteran poses a danger to themselves or others before Second Amendment rights could be restricted through NICS reporting.
Crane said the addition of his bill language strengthens the legislation by addressing veterans already affected by the prior reporting policy.
“I’m pleased to see the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs add my language from H.R. 496 to the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act,” Crane said. “This addition strengthens the bill, ensuring the retroactive removal of veterans who were wrongly added to the FBI’s NICS list.”
House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) said the legislation is intended to protect veterans receiving financial assistance services from losing constitutional rights without court involvement.
“The men and women who have served and defended Constitutional rights for generations of Americans should not have to worry that they will be reported to NICS and lose their rights simply because they need help managing their books,” Bost said. “Veterans should never be treated like second-class citizens.”
Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), chairman of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, also supported the measure, stating that only courts—not agency officials—should determine whether constitutional rights are restricted.
The legislation follows policy changes announced earlier this year by the Department of Veterans Affairs. In February, the VA announced it would stop reporting veterans enrolled in the fiduciary program to NICS solely because they receive assistance managing benefits. The department stated it was also working with the FBI to remove prior VA-related NICS submissions connected only to fiduciary participation.
VA Secretary Doug Collins said at the time that veterans had been deprived of Second Amendment rights without sufficient due process protections.
Following House passage, Crane praised the legislation and urged Senate approval.
“If the federal government is willing to strip the God‑given, unalienable rights of those who served in uniform, there is no telling where they will draw the line. H.R. 1041 codifies the termination of this un‑American practice and prevents future administrations from unilaterally reversing this wise decision.”
He added, “I’m grateful to President Trump for protecting the rights of our nation’s heroes, and I appreciate Chairman Bost for adopting my language into his bill. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly pass these necessary reforms.”
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 Staff Reporter | May 21, 2026 | Education, News
By Staff Reporter |
A Maricopa County teacher’s aide allegedly impregnated by a middle school student received assistance in obtaining an abortion by the boy’s godmother, according to a police report.
The godmother or “nina” — identified as Adriana Eloisa Andazola — corresponded with the victim, a 15-year-old boy in the eighth grade, about his sexual encounters with his teacher’s aide, Jessenia “Nia” Rodriguez, 22, of Tolleson.
Rodriguez was a teacher’s aide at the boy’s school. Rodriguez supervised recess at the Avondale location of Sun Valley Academy, a charter school.
The police report alleged that Andazola knew about the illicit relationship between Rodriguez and her godson but didn’t report it to authorities. The report also disclosed that Rodriguez contacted Andazola to schedule an abortion.
“Nina promised to not tell anyone and [Rodriguez and Andazola] agreed to have Nina transport Nia to an abortion clinic,” stated the report. “Nina and [the victim] discussed blocking Nia and joked about having a level five klinger [sic].”
The child’s stepmother told police that Andazola “planned” for the boy to lie about going on a lunch date with her while they went to get an abortion. It was the stepmother who contacted school officials and police.
Sun Valley Academy’s principal, James Capriotti, told police that he observed a text message conversation between Rodriguez and the victim in which Rodriguez said she’d received and taken pills for an abortion and was “not feeling well.” Later in the report, police described text messages in which Rodriguez told the victim that she went to a Banner hospital due to adverse effects from abortion pills.
“I’ve been taking the abortion pills and inserting the ones I’m supposed to put inside me since Friday,” texted Rodriguez. “I inserted the last pills yesterday. The pharmacist did tell me that [I’m going to] get bad cramps and should bleed like if I’m on my period but it’s so much worse.”
Rodriguez allegedly targeted the child during one recess when asked for the victim’s phone number. The two began texting and video calling on Facetime. Rodriguez exposed herself to the boy on camera on multiple occasions.
This led to Rodriguez allegedly having sex with the victim on at least three separate occasions, twice at his home. After the first time, the victim told police that he went to a nearby pharmacy store and purchased a plan B pill for Rodriguez. The report didn’t disclose whether Rodriguez took that pill.
Two weeks after Rodriguez first molested the victim, Rodriguez claimed to be pregnant with his child. Records reflect Rodriguez texted pictures of three positive pregnancy tests to the victim.
The victim also alleged that Rodriguez threatened on more than one occasion to keep the baby.
Police confirmed that the investigation into the alleged pregnancy is ongoing.
Sun Valley Academy Avondale clarified in a press release that the molestation did not occur on campus. The campus principal, James Capriotti, advised that they reported the allegation about Rodriguez to the Avondale Police Department immediately upon receiving it.
Police were contacted at the end of March about the allegations against Rodriguez.
Rodriguez faces charges related to luring a minor for sexual exploitation, a class four felony, and four counts of sexual conduct with a minor.
Rodgriuez has at least one child of her own, per court documents: the student reported seeing Rodriguez’s child in one of their FaceTime calls.
During a police interview, Rodriguez said she wanted to create a family with the boy once he turned 18 years old, and admitted to knowing her actions were wrong.
A search of Arizona State Board of Education records does not yield any other incidents of sexual misconduct by staff or educators at Sun Valley Academy Avondale or other locations.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced last month that Rodriguez was indicted on six counts of sexual conduct with a minor, a class two felony, and one count of luring a minor for sexual exploitation, a class three felony. Rodriguez has a trial det set for late August.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | May 21, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap declined what his office described as a last-minute request from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to appear before the board regarding a proposed resolution on ballot drop box locations, a move that further escalates an ongoing dispute over election authority in Arizona’s largest county.
The Recorder’s Office said it was not consulted on the proposed drop box locations and only became aware of them after the board publicly posted its meeting agenda. It added that the board requested Heap’s appearance with less than an hour’s notice, without providing advance questions or topics, and characterized the request as “political theater” rather than a genuine attempt at cooperation. The office also argued that Heap did not have sufficient time to review the proposal for legal compliance, operational feasibility, or voter access concerns.
According to a statement, the recorder’s legal counsel previously provided the board with objections asserting that Arizona law places authority over ballot drop boxes with the recorder’s office rather than the Board of Supervisors. The office also cited ongoing litigation between the parties as a reason Heap declined to participate in what it described as an impromptu public examination concerning active legal disputes.
“The Recorder remains willing to meet in a properly noticed setting and resolve these issues professionally and cooperatively if the Board is willing to do the same,” the statement said.
The dispute follows months of legal conflict between Heap and the Board of Supervisors over control of election administration duties in Maricopa County.
Heap said, “The law is not optional. The Court has already ruled that the Board does not possess unlimited authority over election administration, yet the Board continues attempting to exercise powers Arizona law assigns to the Recorder.” He added, “Voters deserve lawful, professional election administration, not political gamesmanship and last-minute public ambushes.”
In April, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney ruled largely in Heap’s favor in a lawsuit challenging the board’s authority over election operations. Blaney determined the board exceeded its statutory authority by maintaining control over election-related personnel, systems, and functions that legally belong to the recorder’s office. The ruling affirmed greater authority for the recorder over early voting administration and rejected the board’s assertion of broad supervisory authority over election administration.
The Board of Supervisors subsequently voted to authorize 237 vote centers and drop box locations for the upcoming July primary election, according to a press release issued the same day. The Board also voted unanimously to transfer funds to create eight full-time IT positions in the County Recorder’s Office.
“I am willing to put in the hours to work with Recorder Heap to hammer out our differences for the benefit of our voters,” MCBOS Vice Chair Debbie Lesko said during the meeting. “That is why the Chair and I are calling on Recorder Heap to come to the table.”
Chair Kate Brophy McGee said in a statement, “Election systems work best when chain of command and procedures are clear. That clarity is what the Board is seeking in requesting face-to-face meetings with Recorder Heap, as well as in our appeal of the ruling in Heap v. Galvin, et al.” She added, “We are committed to ensuring the Recorder is able to carry out his statutory duties just as we are committed to carrying out ours on behalf of voters.”
In a post to X, Heap wrote, “The Board is having a full meltdown because I objected to a resolution unlawfully giving themselves control over ballot drop boxes and declined to appear for a surprise public interrogation on less than an hour’s notice. The Court has already ruled that the Board does not have unlimited authority over elections, yet it continues attempting to exercise powers Arizona law assigns to the Recorder. Voters deserve lawful election administration, not political stunts and last-minute public ambushes.”
The dispute centers on how election responsibilities are divided between the recorder and the Board of Supervisors, including authority over early voting operations, election infrastructure, and ballot drop boxes. The board maintains it has sought negotiated agreements governing election administration, while Heap and his office argue Arizona law assigns specific election duties directly to the elected recorder. Maricopa County Superior Court denied the board’s request for a stay pending appeal on May 13 and ordered restoration of the recorder’s authority under the earlier ruling.
The drop box resolution and Heap’s refusal to appear before the board mark the latest developments in the continuing dispute as Maricopa County prepares for upcoming election cycles.
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 | May 21, 2026 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors (MCBOS) approved a tentative $4.1 billion FY 2027 budget this week and scheduled a Truth in Taxation hearing over proposed increases in the county’s primary property tax levy and primary property tax rate.
In a May newsletter emailed to constituents, District 1 Supervisor Mark Stewart described the tentative budget as consistent with a focus “on keeping property taxes low,” despite the increases noted in the county’s Truth in Taxation Calculation.
According to Maricopa County, the tentative budget unanimously approved on May 18 reflects what county officials described as a fiscally conservative approach focused on maintaining services, preserving reserves, and reducing the overall property tax rate for a sixth consecutive year. County officials stated that the county’s tax levy remains $278.4 million below the maximum permitted under Arizona law.
In a press release announcing the tentative budget approval, Board Chair Kate Brophy McGee said county officials faced difficult fiscal decisions amid economic uncertainty.
“There’s no way to sugarcoat this: with an uncertain statewide economic outlook, it’s a tough year to budget,” Brophy McGee said. “To best serve our taxpayers, we had to say ‘no’ to most spending requests.”
Vice Chair Debbie Lesko said the county continues to prioritize limiting tax burdens on residents. “Keeping your taxes as low as possible has always been one of my top priorities,” Lesko said. “This year, we are once again voting to cut your property tax rate, showing that Maricopa County leads the way in fiscal responsibility.”
However, documents accompanying the tentative budget show, as in 2025, the county is proposing an increase in its primary property tax levy that requires a Truth in Taxation hearing under Arizona law.
According to Maricopa County’s FY 2027 Truth in Taxation calculation, the proposed primary property tax levy would increase from $719.1 million, the maximum amount that could be imposed without a Truth in Taxation hearing, to approximately $735.9 million. After excluding new construction, the proposed increase totals approximately $16.46 million, or 2.34%. The proposed primary tax rate would be 1.1463, compared to 1.1201, the maximum rate that could be imposed without triggering a Truth in Taxation hearing.
A home assessed at $100,000 would see the county’s primary property tax rise from $112.01 to $114.63, an increase of $2.62. The county’s Truth in Taxation calculation estimates the proposed levy exceeds the non-hearing threshold by approximately $16.46 million.
The Truth in Taxation analysis provided by the county states that the current primary property tax levy totals approximately $703.9 million and reflects assessed valuation and new construction calculations required under Arizona law.
County officials have emphasized that property valuations are determined separately from the Board’s tax-rate decisions and that Maricopa County receives only a portion of overall property tax collections. In prior Truth in Taxation notices, the county stated that it historically receives approximately 11 cents of every property tax dollar collected.
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a public Truth in Taxation hearing on June 22, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at the Board of Supervisors’ Auditorium before final adoption of the FY 2027 budget and tax levy.
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.
