by Corinne Murdock | Jan 11, 2024 | Education, News
By Corinne Murdock |
On Tuesday, the University of Arizona (UArizona) announced a $2.5 million settlement with the family of slain Professor Thomas Meixner.
Former UArizona graduate student Murad Dervish fatally shot Meixner in October 2022. In a copy of the settlement obtained by AZ Free News, UArizona also agreed to establish and fund an endowed professorship in the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences (HAS) in Mexiner’s name.
UArizona also agreed to provide continued mental health treatment to HAS faculty, staff, and students directly and immediately affected by the shooting, as well as a tuition and fee waiver to certain HAS students directly and immediately affected by the shooting. For the latter provision, the university will apply the tuition and fee waiver prospectively and retroactively to the semester in which the events preceding the shooting began.
The Meixner family filed a notice of a claim against UArizona last March shortly after the disbanding of an independent faculty committee investigating the shooting. They originally sought $9 million from the university.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Meixner’s wife, Kathleen, said that they’re focused on preventing similar tragedies in the future. She ended on a note of support for the university that her husband knew and loved.
“So often in the aftermath of school shootings, we learn all the ways that they could and should have been prevented. That is exactly what happened here,” said Kathleen. “My family and I will continue meeting with the University of Arizona President, its Police Chief, and multiple other members of the University administration to make certain it upholds its commitment to make our community safer. Together, we will Bear Down, and find our way forward with courage and love for the Wildcat community which Tom cherished.”
In their original claim, the Meixner family accused the university of “repeatedly ignoring the clear and present danger” that Dervish posed by “openly advertis[ing] his intent to murder.” The family’s notice offered a summary of Dervish’s actions and escalations in threats for nearly a year leading up to the shooting, as well as details of a previous order of protection against Dervish from a previous university that UArizona failed to catch.
Meixner’s family alleged that Dervish’s intentions were so well known that Meixner’s last words were: “I knew you were going to do this!” Dervish violated the terms of his expulsion and ban from campus, as well as a no contact order, prior to the shooting.
“Dr. Meixner’s murder was not a random act of violence. The university knew Dervish planned to kill him and allowed it,” said the family. “Dervish’s homicidal intentions, capacities and history, as well as his utter disregard for the university’s unenforced sanctions, were so patently obvious that the University’s multiple failures to protect Dr. Meixner constitute an outrage.”
As reported previously, Dervish had a lengthy history of violence and crime. His criminal background included three prison stints and several instances of attempted murder: a pizza man at Penn State University and his own mother. He had also assaulted his father previously.
In a video of his interrogation following the shooting, Dervish expressed satisfaction over Meixner’s death. His trial date was pushed back to this May pending a doctor’s report on Dervish’s sanity.
“Well, at least I fulfilled my mission,” said Dervish.
In a press release issued Tuesday, UArizona alluded to the terms of the settlement’s non-monetary commitments to support the well-being of those affected by the shooting, as well as their agreement to have the Meixner family assist in future planning and implementation of safety and security measures.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by Elizabeth Troutman | Jan 10, 2024 | News
By Elizabeth Troutman |
Female athletes will rally to “save women’s sports” from biological male athletes on Thursday.
Current and former NCAA female athletes, coaches, and parents will bring signs and chants outside the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, to ask the organization to stop discriminating against female athletes by allowing males to compete in women and girls’ sports.
“Female athletes work our entire lives to compete in sports, only to have the NCAA destroy our even playing field. This devalues female athletes and women in general,” said former NCAA swimming champion and Independent Women’s Forum ambassador Riley Gaines. “Sex-based categories are important for competitive sports just like age classifications and weight categories. We are asking very little of the NCAA. Maintain the fairness necessary for competition and safety.”
The theme of this year’s rally, sponsored by Our Bodies, Our Sports, is “We Won’t Back Down,” reflecting the group’s determination to compel the NCAA to revoke its Transgender Student-Athlete Participation Policy.
The policy allows transgender student-athlete participation for each sport to be determined by the national governing body of that sport. As a result, males who identify as females can participate in women’s sports if they suppress their testosterone for at least one year and achieve levels set by the governing bodies of their particular sport.
Hormone injections do not eliminate the male athletic advantage over females, according to a review of the scientific literature by the Independent Women’s Law Center and the Independent Women’s Forum. Without any male athletic advantage, the participation of males in women’s sports takes away opportunities for women to compete, IWF and IWLC say.
Gaines will be joined by fellow swimmers Paula Scanlan and Kaylee Alons, and volleyball player Macy Petty, to continue to call on NCAA President Charlie Baker to meet with them to hear how they were hurt by men in women’s sports.
“Shame on Charlie Baker for continuing to enforce this discriminatory policy,” said Jennifer C. Braceras, vice president for Legal Policy at Independent Women’s Form and founder of Independent Women’s Law Center. “The NCAA may not be bound by Title IX, but the schools that make up its membership are, and the NCAA has an obligation to help its member schools comply with equal opportunity mandates, not subvert them.”
The athletes, coaches, parents, and sponsor organizations will deliver a new demand letter and petition to the NCAA signed by thousands of female athletes from across the country after the rally.
This event is the fourth Our Bodies, Our Sports event. Previous events include the 2022 rally in Washington, D.C., to mark the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, the 2023 rally at the NCAA Convention in San Antonio, TX, and the 2023 rally at the USA Cycling National Championships in Knoxville, TN.
The Tennessee rally succeeded in pushing Union Cycliste Internationale to bar biological male athletes from competing in the women’s cycling division.
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
by Corinne Murdock | Jan 10, 2024 | News
By Corinne Murdock |
Arizona’s infamous instigator involved in the January 6 Capitol invasion, Ray Epps, was sentenced to a year-long probation and a $500 fine.
Epps appeared for sentencing virtually on Tuesday before Chief Judge James Boasberg. The judge expressed hope that the sentencing would allow Epps, a former Oath Keepers Arizona president, to move past the incident.
“[You were] vilified in a matter unique to January 6 defendants,” said Boasberg. “[You were] the only one who suffered for what you didn’t do.”
Contrary to allegations based on video evidence of Epps’ actions preceding and during the Capitol invasion, both Epps and the federal government have repeatedly denied that Epps has ever served as a federal employee, agent, or source.
“Mr. Epps […] was not before, during, or after [January 6, 2021] a confidential source or undercover agent working on behalf of the government, the FBI, or any law enforcement agency,” stated prosecutor Michael Gordon in a September plea hearing.
In a response to the government’s sentencing memo, issued on Sunday, Epps denied that he assisted in the breach of the capitol in any manner. Epps characterized himself as “stuck” in the crowd of protestors pushing against the fence line.
“[Epps] is the victim of a conspiracy theory, not the propagator of one,” stated the response.
Various video evidence of Epps shows him urging and directing protestors to breach the Capitol the day before and day of the invasion, as well as entering the Capitol grounds after the fence barrier was pushed over.
In one video, Epps said something in the ear of another protestor, Ryan Samsel; seconds later, Samsel led the charge to destroy the first set of Capitol barricades and breach the restricted grounds. The rioters then toppled a second set of barricades to further breach the restricted grounds. Epps followed behind the rioters in both breachings.
Samsel told the FBI that Epps told him to “relax” and that law enforcement was “doing their job.”
The government’s statement of offense, issued last September, documented Epps’ actions as well. That statement also revealed that Epps claimed in a text to a family member that he “orchestrated” the breaching.
Two days after the Capitol riot, Epps called the FBI tip line to turn himself in after seeing his face on a Most Wanted list. Several days after that, the Arizona Republic interviewed Epps; he told the outlet that he was advised by an attorney not to speak about the incident and that he “didn’t do anything wrong.”
Federal agents didn’t arrest Epps despite his admission to them and media outlets of his involvement: instead, they conducted a second interview with him that March. Several months later, in July, the FBI removed Epps from their Most Wanted list.
Prosecutors then waited over two years to charge Epps for his role in the Capitol invasion. He was charged with disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds (Title 18 U.S. Code Section 1752(a)(2)). Epps pleaded guilty.
Epps told reporters in the summer of 2022 that he avoided arrest because he reached out to the FBI so quickly.
As of this report, Epps’ name wasn’t included in the D.C. Attorney’s Office list of the over 1,100 Capitol breach cases. Over 750 others have been sentenced so far.
11 other breachers arrested in Arizona were included on the list:
- Nathan Entrekin, sentenced to 45 days in prison, three years of probation, 60 hours of community service, and $500 fine;
- Andrew Hatley, sentenced to three years of probation and a $500 fine;
- Joshua Knowles, not yet sentenced;
- James McGrew, sentenced to six years and six months in prison, three years of supervised release, and $7,000 in fines;
- Felicia Konold, not yet sentenced;
- Edward Vallejo, sentenced to three years in prison, three years of supervised release, and one year of house arrest;
- Micajah Jackson, sentenced to three years of probation and $1,500 in fines;
- Jacob Anthony Chansley, sentenced to three years and five months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $2,000 fine;
- Jacob Zerkle, not yet sentenced;
- Cory Konold, not yet sentenced; and
- Israel Mark Matson, not yet sentenced.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
by Elizabeth Troutman | Jan 10, 2024 | Economy, News
By Elizabeth Troutman |
Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., urged Congress to “take our nation’s fiscal health seriously” in response to the growing national debt.
Schweikert’s Daily Debt Monitor shows the federal government’s gross national debt increasing by $839 billion already this fiscal year, which began in October.
“That’s ~$8.65 billion per day, and just over $100,000 per second,” Schweikert tweeted.
“I implore my brothers and sisters in Congress to take our nation’s fiscal health seriously,” the congressman continued.
The national debt has increased by more than $360 million per hour, $6 million per minute, and $100,00 per second this fiscal year.
The total national debt as of Jan. 4 was more than $34 trillion, compared to around $31 trillion on Jan. 4, 2023. This includes both intragovernmental and publicly held debt. Between 2023 and 2024, there was an increase in debt of more than $7 billion per day and $300 million per hour.
The national debt hit the $34 trillion record this month. The Congressional Budget Office’s January 2020 projections didn’t expect gross federal debt to surpass $34 trillion until fiscal year 2029.
The Congressional Budget Office expects the debt to only get worse in coming years. An estimate shows America’s entitlement spending, mandatory spending, and net interest payments on the debt will exceed the government’s total revenue by the early 2030s.
In June, Republican lawmakers and the White House agreed to temporarily lift the nation’s debt limit, making an agreement that lasts until January 2025.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated in its 30-year outlook last June that publicly held debt will be equal to a record 181% of American economic activity by 2053.
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
by Elizabeth Troutman | Jan 10, 2024 | News
By Elizabeth Troutman |
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas “must be impeached immediately,” tweeted Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz.
Ciscomani said he met with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from Arizona to Texas, and they asked for policy changes to make it easier to minimize illegal crossings.
“Their top request is a policy change—consequences with the ability to detain & remove in order to deter,” Ciscomani said on Twitter. “But he’s[Mayorkas] not interested in giving them tools to tackle the crisis. His actions only worsen the situation.”
Ciscomani joined House Speaker Mike Johnson and more than 60 other House Republicans in a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas. The group met with CBP, attended a briefing with Texas Department of Public Safety, and joined a roundtable with local ranchers, business owners, and other local stakeholders, according to a news release.
Mayorkas told Bret Baier on Fox News that the Biden administration wants more money to process more illegal immigrants.
“Bret, the funds are needed to provide the Department of Homeland Security with more Border Patrol agents,” Mayorkas said. “The funds are needed to provide the Department of Homeland Security with more technology. The funds are needed to provide our department with more detention space to provide the Department of Justice with more immigration judges, so justice can be administered more swiftly.”
Border Patrol encountered 2.5 million migrants occurring in the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2023, topping the previous year’s record, according to the Migration Policy Institute.
The final month of the fiscal year saw 269,735 Border Patrol encounters at the Southwest border. This represents an 86% increase from encounters in June 2023.
“I believe in the American Dream that I’m living. But this [border crisis] is not it,” Ciscomani said at a press conference at the border. “With this crisis that Joe Biden and Alejandro Mayorkas created, nobody wins – except the cartels. They are the ones deciding who gets across and who doesn’t. They are the ones who are trafficking people and drugs. They are the ones terrorizing their own citizens, with no regard for human life.”
“The men and women we met with today, those fighting on the frontlines for our safety, are doing so with little to no support from this administration,” Ciscomani continued. “They are trying to enforce policies that are at best outdated or at worst, designed to fail.”
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
by Corinne Murdock | Jan 9, 2024 | Education, News
By Corinne Murdock |
Gov. Katie Hobbs is claiming that the state’s school choice program is rife with abuse and in need of serious reform.
In her State of the State address on Monday, Hobbs claimed the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program lacks accountability and transparency, alluding to media reports of questionable and controversial expenditures — some of which were debunked previously.
“We have seen a steady stream of news coverage around unacceptable and sometimes downright outrageous use of taxpayer money under this program, including water park admissions, ski passes, and luxury car driving lessons,” said Hobbs.
The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) issues quarterly reports on the ESA program; the latest was released several days prior to Christmas. These reports include the program award amount received by students, as well as the number of orders and reimbursements approved and rejected.
ADE also provides lists of allowable and disallowable expenses, both updated last March. The ADE debunked one of Hobbs’ claims of “outrageous” expenditures last summer. In a statement, ADE clarified that it rejects expenditures for water park admissions.
An ABC15 review of 2022-23 ESA program expenditures found that ADE issued nearly 80 approvals for driving lessons and over 100 approvals for ski passes. However, that report didn’t distinguish whether those expenditures were made in 2022 under former ADE Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Kathy Hoffman, or in 2023 under current SPI Tom Horne. The difference matters because, as Horne stated in November, similar “outlandish purchases” occurred under Hoffman, not him.
“Approvals like those came during the prior superintendent’s administration led by a friend of the leader of Save Our Schools, and one of my first acts in office was to put an end to it,” said Horne.
As reported by AZ Free News last January, Hoffman’s administration of the ESA program was described as neglectful and improper. In addition to severe understaffing and hundreds of thousands of unfulfilled expense requests, the Horne administration discovered questionable expense approvals such as espresso machines.
Hoffman’s administration of the ESA program has been something that Horne has pointed out repeatedly in refuting claims of improper ESA program expenditures.
“The frivolous ESA spending approvals occurred under the administration of the Governor’s friend, Kathy Hoffman,” said Horne in another statement last month.
As of Monday, over 73,200 students were in the ESA program.
Hobbs’ criticism of the ESA program comes days after she announced a plan to effectively dismantle the ESA program. Monday’s speech made mention of several aspects of this proposed plan: fingerprint background checks for private school educators, a new audit authority for the auditor general specific to monitoring ESA expenditures, and requirement of attendance at a public school for at least 100 days to qualify for the program.
The governor’s plan also aims to require private schools to accommodate Individualized Learning Plans and Section 504 Plans, prohibit private schools from increasing tuition costs at a rate higher than inflation, require private schools to meet certain education requirements, and require ADE to disclose which parental and student rights are waived upon entrance into the ESA program as well as graduation and chronic absenteeism rates.
At least one of Hobbs’ proposals addresses a practice already in place, according to Horne: accountability in the form of manual reviews of purchases over $500 and rejection of non-academic expenditures.
Horne explained in a statement that his staff reviews all expense requests, regardless of amount, leading to a rejection of over 12,000 purchase order requests and the suspension of nearly 2,200 accounts totaling $21 million due to public school enrollment.
“My job is to administer the ESA program in line with state law, and if changes are made, the Department of Education will follow them,” said Horne. “My office already reviews all expense requests regardless of amount, unlike the previous superintendent who approved many frivolous requests.”
That $500 threshold appears to be related to another false expenditure-related claim echoed by Hobbs from the activist group, Save Our Schools Arizona. The activist group implied in a viral post picked up by various media outlets that ADE approved an expenditure of over $500 for a Lego set.
“Contrary to a falsified document tweeted by Save Our Schools, no ESA parent has been reimbursed $500 to buy Legos,” said Horne. “To be clear, district, charter and ESA students are allowed to use Legos. The issue here is a pattern of lying. Save Our Schools admitted they fabricated a document to make it look like a parent made a $500 purchase when she did not. By doing so they have misled both the Governor and a prominent newspaper columnist, both of whom have retweeted this lie.”
Although the claim was debunked, Hobbs didn’t retract her viral accusation of ESA program mismanagement.
“Your taxpayer dollars are being used to buy $500 Lego sets because partisan politicians refuse to place limits on school vouchers,” said Hobbs.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
