Attorney General Kris Mayes reaffirmed her pledge to never prosecute abortionists, regardless of state law.
Mayes made the remarks during a press conference following the Arizona Supreme Court oral arguments in Planned Parenthood v. Mayes on Tuesday. The attorney general said that other issues were more important to her, like prosecuting drug dealers giving fentanyl to minors.
“No, we will not be doing abortion prosecutions in Arizona while I’m attorney general, ever,” said Mayes. “We have much more important issues to decide and work on in this state.”
Earlier this summer, Gov. Katie Hobbs issued an executive order that took away all prosecutorial power from the 15 county attorneys concerning abortion law, and gave it to Mayes. That move effectively nullified the possibility for prosecutions of abortionists.
Mayes opted to not dispute the court of appeals ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Mayes from last year, which determined that the 2022 law restricting abortions to 15 weeks’ gestation was to be implemented, and not the near-total abortion ban dating back to Arizona’s territorial days.
Instead, Mayes has backed efforts to expand abortion access in Arizona and other states.
On Wednesday, Mayes joined 10 other attorneys general to issue a statement of condemnation to the Texas Supreme Court. That court overturned an injunction on the state’s abortion ban awarded to a Texas woman seeking to abort her daughter.
Mayes claimed that the health and life of the Texas woman, Kate Cox, were at risk due to the Trisomy 18 diagnosis of her unborn child. Texas abortion law enables abortions in pregnancies that are considered life-threatening or presenting a risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function. Per Texas law, medical professionals determine which pregnancies qualify for that exception.
“No one should be forced to fight in court and leave their home state just to receive the health care they need,” read the statement. “As this case shows, abortion bans pose dangerous health and safety threats wherever they are enacted. Decisions about abortion care should be made between patients and their doctors, not politicians.”
I join my fellow attorneys general in condemning the Texas Supreme Court's decision to deny abortion access to Kate Cox, a pregnant woman whose health & life were at risk as a result of a lethal fetal diagnosis. She was forced to travel out of state to receive abortion care. pic.twitter.com/DltGxPuVAq
The Texas Supreme Court overturned the injunction because Cox’s doctor couldn’t declare that her pregnancy threatened Cox’s life or major bodily functions.
“A woman who meets the medical-necessity exception need not seek a court order to obtain an abortion. Under the law, it is a doctor who must decide that a woman is suffering from a life-threatening condition during a pregnancy, raising the necessity for an abortion to save her life or to prevent impairment of a major bodily function. The law leaves to physicians — not judges — both the discretion and the responsibility to exercise their reasonable medical judgment, given the unique facts and circumstances of each patient,” stated the court. “[Cox’s doctor] asked a court to pre-authorize the abortion yet she could not, or at least did not, attest to the court that Ms. Cox’s condition poses the risk the exception requires.”
In August, Mayes joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general to challenge Idaho’s ban on minors traveling to other states to obtain an abortion. In May, Mayes joined an amicus brief challenging a Texas ruling blocking federal approval of the controversial abortion drug mifepristone.
Since taking office, Mayes has encouraged major pharmacy chains to continue to offer mifepristone regardless of legal challenges.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
The president and CEO of Phoenix Children’s Hospital (PCH), Bob Meyer, was recently named among the top 100 most influential figures in health care.
The recognition from Modern Healthcare comes not long after widespread controversy over the hospital’s practice of “gender-affirming care,” a euphemism for medical and surgical procedures to transition genders. Modern Healthcare selected Meyer for not only accomplishing clinical, operational, and financial goals, but for accomplishing progressive ideals through implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
In a press release, Meyer credited his recognition to PCH’s creation of new programs and centers — among which is the controversial Gender Support Program.
“This is a reflection of the tireless commitment of our thousands of colleagues who have dedicated themselves to creating nationally recognized programs and centers of excellence that give our patients hope and healing,” said Meyer. “For more than 20 years, my primary focus has been to grow Phoenix Children’s into the Southwest’s premier pediatric health system, and we will continue to expand access to the top-ranked pediatric healthcare our children need and deserve.”
Meyer joined PCH in 2003. It was under Meyer that PCH established its Gender Support Program around 2015, one of the only comprehensive gender transition programs for minors in the state. The program spun off a support group for families whose children underwent gender transition procedures: the Gender Proud Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC).
Due to laws passed in recent years outlawing gender transition surgeries, PCH limits its gender transition offerings to hormonal and therapy treatments; PCH refers patients elsewhere for surgical procedures.
PCH’s Gender Support Program, previously the “Gender Management Program,” conducts consultations for families on gender transitioning, the use of puberty blockers, and the use of hormonal replacement drugs; readiness evaluations for puberty suppression and cross-sex hormonal replacement drug usage by mental health providers; a staff psychologist-led weekly support group, as well as other mental supports; community advocacy, from speaking engagements to advocate for gender transitioning to assisting patients with legal name and gender marker changes on identifying documents; and media appearances to further advocate for gender ideology.
The program is affiliated with Arizona Trans Youth and Parent Organization. PCH also offers minors access to “affirming” gender transition procedures through its Homeless Youth Outreach Program, which applies to minors who are not only homeless but those considered “at risk” for becoming homeless due to their gender dysphoria.
One of the resources offered by the program through PCH’s Emily Center Family Health Library is its now-deleted Gender Support Program Resource Guide. AZ Free News was able to access an archived version of the resource page.
Program resources included links to this American Psychological Association (APA) article on transgenderism, the now-defunct “genderbread” website, the now-defunct Australian-based “Trans 101” website on gender diversity, this APA fact sheet on non-binary gender identities, this Advocates for Youth page advocating for transgenderism in minors, this Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) pronoun guide.
The program also included video and website resources explaining the medical and surgical interventions for child gender transitions. PCH relied on resources from the Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of California at San Francisco’s Center of Excellence for Transgender Health resource to explain puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapies.
At the helm of the PCH program is its founder, Veenod Chulani. Their staff also includes pediatric endocrinologist Reeti Chawla, pediatric psychologist Joshua Kellison, and therapists Andrew Melina, Patrick Goodman, and Anne Marie Cardinal.
Last November, PCH hosted a session featuring Chulani and pediatrician Edith Allen to discuss PCH’s approach to treating gender dysphoria: “affirmative, culturally humble, trauma responsive, and strength-based.” PCH also focused on legislative and cultural efforts to resist gender transitions for minors.
Chulani has served as the medical director of quality of care and child safety for the Arizona chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics since 2016.
PCH projects that it will be the fourth-largest pediatric health care system nationally. PCH has just under 2,000 primary care providers and specialists covering just under 80 subspecialities. The hospital network opened a new campus in Glendale last month, preceded by an emergency center in Avondale over the summer.
The Gender Support Program is limited to PCH’s main campus.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
Last month, Treasurer Kimberly Yee shared that her office had “increased Israel bond holdings by $5 million.” The announcement from the Arizona Treasurer’s Office came about a month after Yee promised the increased commitment in the days following the horrific terrorist attack from Hamas in southern Israel on October 7.
Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee announced a $5 million investment in Israel bond holdings, which brings @AZTreasury Israel bond holdings to $20 million by December 1, 2023.
— Office of the Arizona State Treasurer (@AZTreasury) November 17, 2023
“As Arizona’s Treasurer, I remain committed to supporting the State of Israel not only through my words, but through my actions. This $5 million investment in Israel supports Israel’s economic recovery while providing our taxpayers reliable returns,” said Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee. “Israel has been a longtime friend and ally of Arizona and the United States. We must stand resolute with Israel.”
According to the Arizona Treasurer’s Office, “Israel bonds serve as an investment option for individuals, institutions and nations worldwide to support the economic growth and stability of the State of Israel. Investments in Israeli bonds offer both reliable financial returns and contribute to Israel’s economic and strategic well-being.”
“The State of Arizona’s support for Israel is remarkable, and it aligns with the immediate response to the war in Israel across many U.S. states during this crucial period for the Jewish state,” said Israel Bonds President and CEO Dani Naveh. “At a time when Israel is under attack, investments in Israel bonds represent the most powerful and direct way to stand with the State of Israel and its people. This message from the people of Arizona to the people of Israel is unmistakable: You are not alone.”
The second-term Republican Treasurer has been a staunch supporter of Israel throughout her time in public service, using her platform and her office to stand with the American ally to the full extent of her authority. During her first term, Yee led the efforts to become “the first state in the country to enforce Anti-BDS laws (Boycotts of Israel) by divesting $143 million from Unilever, the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s, in response to the company ending distribution of its products in parts of Israel.”
In 2022, Treasurer Yee also notified Morningstar Inc. that they were at risk of being placed on the Arizona Treasury’s prohibited investment list for violating Arizona law by actively boycotting the State of Israel. Yee said, “It is my duty to defend Arizona’s anti-BDS law and I will ensure that Arizona does not do business with companies that are attempting to undermine Israel’s economy.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona’s chief law enforcement officer has taken several, alleged Christmas grinches out of commission.
Late last week, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that her office “in partnership with the Arizona Retailers Association and with the help of law enforcement partners, seized thousands of cloned gift cards and other merchandise.” Mayes’ coalition also arrested eight people “as part of an alleged scheme to defraud retailers and consumers.”
Scammers are cloning gift cards, acting like the Grinch and taking your holiday gifts.
The law enforcement blitz and subsequent arrests come at a time where consumers would be more vulnerable to gift card and merchandise fraud during their frenzied holiday shopping.
In a statement to accompany her announcement, Mayes said, “The agents and investigators that make up the Organized Retail Theft Task Force in the Attorney General’s Office have demonstrated our commitment to protecting Arizonans from fraud by uncovering this complex gift card cloning scam. The successful seizure of thousands of cloned cards and the arrest of several individuals reflects my office’s unwavering dedication to stopping organized retail theft across Arizona.”
Mayes added her appreciation for the members of her coalition, saying, “I am grateful for the support the Arizona Retailer’s Association and our law enforcement partners provided to the Attorney General’s Office in this operation. Together, we will pursue and stop criminals engaged in these activities wherever they occur in our state.”
According to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, “gift card cloning happens when fraudsters take gift cards from stores, copy the magnetic strips, and return the copied gift cards to store shelves. When a consumer buys the card, the fraudster uses the copied magnetic strip to drain the funds leaving the consumer with a worthless card.”
Tips from Mayes’ office include the following:
Consumers can avoid being defrauded by double-checking to ensure that the number on the back of any gift card matches the number on the receipt. If the numbers do not match, that is a sign the card has been cloned.
Consumers should also look for signs of tampering, such as stickers placed over activation codes or damage to packaging or faint scratches on the card from being swiped through a card reader.
For extra precaution, consumers may consider purchasing gift cards stored behind the counter or near cash registers.
The Organized Retail Crime Task Force was established under the previous administration of Republican Mark Brnovich. In December 2021, Brnovich wrote an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal, warning would-be criminals of his office’s efforts to investigate and prosecute these offenses – especially in the wake of the lawlessness in Arizona’s neighboring state to the west. He wrote, “As Arizona’s attorney general, I have refused to capitulate to the lawless mob…We expect our efforts will deter such theft and hope our task force becomes a model for California and other states.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The Tucson Border Sector continues to attract a record number of illegal immigrants.
Late last week, John Modlin, the Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector, reported that there were 18,900 apprehensions in his sector in just one week.
Week in Review… 18,900 Apprehensions 145 Federal Criminal Cases 15 Rescues 10 Human Smuggling Events 6 Narcotics Events 2 Firearms Seized
Ali Bradley, a Network Correspondent for NewsNation, highlighted that this eyepopping number was an increase over the previous week’s record of 17,500 for the sector.
AZ: 18,900 apprehended by Border Patrol alone last week—Compare this to what @USBPChiefTCA reported last week of 17,500 which was a record high—The majority entering illegally through cuts in the wall in Lukeville which is where we have been reporting from for the last two… https://t.co/swm9aNBS96pic.twitter.com/Xc3JavvYyo
Bradley also reported that most of these aliens have been “entering illegally through cuts in the wall in Lukeville.” Lukeville has become the epicenter of the border crisis in recent months, with thousands of individuals pouring through openings in the border fence, which have largely been procured by smugglers on the Mexican side.
Another journalist, Bill Melugin from Fox News, shared CBP’s revelations that “an average of 5,000 illegal immigrants are being released into the US every day, and that there were 670,000 known gotaways recorded in FY’23” in addition to “150+ countries encountered since 10/1.”
NEW: In a private briefing yesterday, CBP told lawmakers an average of 5,000 illegal immigrants are being released into the US every day, and that there were 670,000 known gotaways recorded in FY’23, FOX has learned. 150+ countries encountered since 10/1. https://t.co/3ShHh99ndi
Arizona Legislators have long been outraged at the lack of action on the border, and the reactions to this fresh round of numbers were no different. House Majority Leader Leo Biasiucci wrote, “Enough is enough with this border shit show. It’s time Arizona grants arresting powers, & the authority to carry, to all 5000 Arizona National Guard @ the border. Take over border duties with local Sheriff’s. Arrest, load them up, and deport them immediately. 10th Amendment!!!”
Enough is enough with this border shit show. It’s time Arizona grants arresting powers, & the authority to carry, to all 5000 Arizona National Guard @ the border. Take over border duties with local Sheriff’s. Arrest, load them up, and deport them immediately. 10th Amendment!!! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/6WRCVnV19D
Representative Joseph Chaplik stated, “Democrats don’t care. Where are they in AZ calling for this to stop? Doing something in a week from now doesn’t help. Damage is done.”
Democrats don’t care. Where are they in AZ calling for this to stop? Doing something in a week from now doesn’t help. Damage is done. #azleg#arizona@GovernorHobbs
The skyrocketing apprehensions have created chaos and alarm bells throughout government at all jurisdictions, in large part, due to what law enforcement isn’t encountering. Thanks to CBP agents being pulled off the lines to help process overwhelming numbers of arrests, cartels and smugglers can run ‘gotaways’ and deadly drugs – including loads of fentanyl – through other, unmanned areas. In the past fiscal year, a record number of suspected terrorists were apprehended at the border (169), leading many to question how many other dangerous people are slipping through the cracks and into the interior of the homeland.
Officials also have seized a rising amount of drugs at the open border, which according to reports, may only be 5-10% of the total numbers being smuggled into the United States. The Tucson Sector is one of the nation’s most prolific drug smuggling corridors.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona’s top two legislative Republicans are standing for the Second Amendment.
Last week, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma joined a public comment letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on its newly proposed rule, Definition of “Engaged in the Business as a Dealer in Firearms.”
Petersen and Toma signed on to a letter, which was led by the States of Kansas, Iowa, and Montana – and co-signed by 22 attorneys general of other states. Those States were Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
In a statement to AZ Free News, Petersen explained the importance of his signature on this letter, saying, “This is a radical and dangerous proposed rule. You shouldn’t need to be licensed as a firearms dealer to sell a gun to family and friends. In the absence of our Arizona Attorney General defending our citizens’ constitutional rights, I believe it’s imperative state lawmakers push back against this bureaucratic infringement on lawful gun ownership.”
Toma also told AZ Free News, “I am thankful and appreciative for the opportunity to sign on to the letter. Arizona Attorney General Mayes has not expressed any interest in safeguarding Arizonans’ gun rights protected by the Second Amendment. So I felt that it was my duty as the Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives to speak up for all Arizonans against the Biden Administration’s unconstitutional proposed rule.”
According to the agency, the U.S. Attorney General “signed ATF’s notice of proposed rulemaking, which proposes to amend ATF’s regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), enacted on June 25, 2022.” Specifically, the proposed regulation would “incorporate the BSCA’s definition ‘predominantly earn a profit,’ creating a stand-alone definition of ‘terrorism,’ and amending the definitions of ‘principal objective of livelihood and profit’ and ‘engaged in the business’ to ensure each conforms with the BSCA’s statutory changes and can be relied on by the public.”
The Arizona legislators concurred with the arguments that the proposed rule “violates the Second Amendment, is arbitrary and capricious, and is bad public policy.” The signatories wrote in their comment letter that “this overreach is both shocking and unconstitutional. Although longstanding regulations of large commercial enterprises that sell firearms might be consistent with the Second Amendment, that is not what this proposed rule does. This proposed rule seeks to require a license of every individual who sells a firearm for anything the Bureau sees as a profit to include currency, exchange of another firearm, or a service.”
They added, “If the Bureau was serious about combatting violent crime, it would focus on enforcing the laws that are already on the books to hold violent criminals accountable for their actions. That would be the type of work that could save lives. Unfortunately, the Bureau has instead targeted innocent people who sell firearms. That is not only unlawful but wrong and the Bureau must change course.”
On March 14, President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order, directing members of his cabinet – the Attorney General, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to “submit a report to the President within 60 days…describing what actions their respective agencies have taken to implement the Act, data, and analysis regarding the use and early effects of the Act, and additional steps their respective agencies will take to maximize the benefits of the Act.” On May 14, President Biden announced “13 actions his cabinet has taken or will take to maximize the benefits of the legislation, including new steps to keep guns out of dangerous hands, ensure BSCA’s mental health funding helps those dealing with the grief and trauma resulting from gun violence, make our schools safer, and expand community violence interventions.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
