by Ethan Faverino | Apr 2, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chair Carine Werner (R-LD4) will hold the final Department of Child Safety (DCS) oversight hearing of the legislative session on Monday, April 6, at 9 a.m. The hearing caps a months-long investigation into systemic failures that left vulnerable Arizona children unprotected despite repeated contacts with the child welfare system.
The oversight effort, launched after several high-profile tragedies, exposed critical breakdowns in how DCS handles reports of abuse, coordinates with partners, and responds to warning signs.
Among the cases that drew urgent attention were Emily Pike, a 14-year-old who ran away from a group home and was later found dead, Rebekah Baptiste, a 10-year-old who died after multiple reports of abuse were filed but not addressed with sufficient urgency, and Zariah Dodd, a 16-year-old in DCS care who was reported missing and later found murdered in Phoenix.
In each instance, the children had prior involvement with the system, yet missed opportunities for timely intervention, poor information sharing, and delayed action contributed to fatal outcomes.
“This investigation made one thing painfully clear. People were raising red flags, but the system wasn’t connecting the dots or acting fast enough,” stated Senator Werner. “These children were not invisible. They were known. Reports were made. And still, the response fell short. That cannot happen again.”
Through a series of stakeholder meetings and hearings involving DCS officials, law enforcement, child welfare experts, and affected families, Senator Werner’s committee identified key gaps in coordination, documentation, reporting, and response times. That work has culminated in a targeted package of bipartisan reform bills designed to prevent similar failures.
- SB 1125 strengthens coordination between DCS and Arizona’s Indian tribes by requiring efforts to establish memoranda of understanding. These agreements focus on sharing best practices in intake, investigations, placement, case management, and service coordination; designating tribal liaisons; and providing tribes access to regulatory actions, licensing sanctions, and safety violations involving group homes where tribal children are placed.
- SB 1126 improves information sharing between schools and DCS investigators. In compliance with federal privacy laws, schools must, upon request, identify other schools that have sought a student’s records, note any withdrawals, and provide relevant information or records during active abuse or neglect investigations. The bill also prohibits schools from barring employees from speaking with DCS caseworkers.
- SB 1127 tightens mandatory reporting requirements, stipulating that individuals with a duty to report suspected abuse or neglect who have direct knowledge must report immediately to DCS and may not delegate responsibility to another person.
- SB 1174 enhances DCS’s centralized intake process by requiring hotline workers to compile and review a child’s full history—including prior hotline calls and investigations involving the child and siblings—so patterns of concern are immediately visible. Workers must also review recent non-report calls when assessing new allegations.
- SB 1175 mandates that DCS caseworkers photograph children during every contact in an abuse or neglect investigation and maintain those images in the case file. When developing safety plans, caseworkers must review photos to identify any decline in the child’s appearance or health.
- SB 1496 strengthens legal protections and representation for children in dependency cases, including provisions addressing the Department’s role as representative payee for benefits and efforts to identify more appropriate non-DCS individuals for that responsibility.
- SB 1631 ensures that children who are alleged victims of sexual abuse receive a forensic interview conducted by a trained professional immediately or within 72 hours of the report. The requirement includes specific definitions of sexual abuse and allows documented good cause exceptions for limited delays, such as the child receiving inpatient care or not being located.
Presentations at Monday’s hearing will feature insights from Casey Family Programs, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving child welfare and reducing unnecessary foster care placements; Collaborative Safety, which partners with agencies to enhance child protection practices and lower risks; and an update from the Arizona Department of Child Safety on policy changes implemented since the investigation began.
“The reforms we’re advancing are about making sure information is shared, warning signs are taken seriously, and experienced professionals step in immediately when a child is in danger,” added Senator Werner. “When a child’s life is on the line, there is no room for delays, confusion, or missed communication.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Apr 2, 2026 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona households are carrying higher debt, seeing declining credit scores, and falling behind on payments at rates above the national average, according to a new analysis from the Common Sense Institute of Arizona (CSI).
The report, which examines credit data and financial trends, found that Arizona’s average credit score dropped by seven points in 2025, placing the state 30th nationally with an average score of 666.
The findings also show long-term growth in household debt. Since 2003, per capita debt in Arizona has increased by 129%, reaching approximately $74,000—one of the largest increases among U.S. states.
Across major categories, Arizona borrowers carry higher balances than the national average. Mortgage debt per capita is 22% higher, while auto loan balances are 7% higher and credit card debt is 8% higher, according to the report.
Missed payments are also more common in Arizona. The report found higher delinquency rates at multiple stages, including accounts 30, 60, and 90 days past due, as well as higher levels of derogatory marks on credit histories compared to national benchmarks.
The analysis also includes a measure of “Household Liquidity Resilience” that assesses households’ ability to withstand financial stress. By that measure, Arizona households are estimated to be 23% less prepared for financial disruptions than the national average. The report identifies the source of this unreadiness emerging from “generally higher than average debt, higher change of delinquency, and a lower cash cushion than the average U.S. household.”
Zach Milne, senior economist at CSI, said the data reflects ongoing financial strain tied to rising costs and borrowing conditions.
“Arizona households are facing residual financial pressure from post-pandemic inflation on top of higher borrowing costs, which continue to strain budgets,” Milne said. “Declining credit scores, rising delinquency rates, and above-average debt levels all point to broader affordability challenges across the state.”
He added, “As households absorb higher costs for housing and other essential expenses, many are becoming more vulnerable to financial shocks and less financially resilient.”
The report compares Arizona’s credit and debt trends to national data, highlighting differences in borrowing levels, repayment patterns, and financial stability indicators.
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 | Apr 1, 2026 | Education, News
By Staff Reporter |
A Northern Arizona University (NAU) fraternity leader faces a felony for the hazing death of a pledge.
The Coconino County Attorney’s Office announced the indictment of Carter Thomas Eslick, 20, last Friday. Eslick was the “new member educator” (or, “pledge master”) for Theta Omega chapter of their fraternity, Delta Tau Delta (DTD), at NAU. Eslick faces a class four felony for hazing, which carries a prison term between one and nearly four years for a first offense.
In January, 18-year-old freshman Colin Daniel Martinez died from alcohol poisoning under the watch of NAU DTD leaders. Martinez was a pledge candidate attending an exclusive “Spring Rush ‘26” party at an off-campus DTD house. “Rush” refers to the recruitment process for sororities and fraternities. Martinez was one of four pledges to attend the party.
Eslick was arrested on suspicion of hazing following Martinez’s death along with two other executive DTD members: vice president Ryan Wiley Creech, 20, and treasurer Riley Michael Cass, 20. Neither Creech or Cass currently face charges.
“The loss of a young person is always a tragedy,” said Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker. “Our hearts are with Colin Martinez’s family, and we will diligently pursue this case toward a just resolution.”
Per court documents, the pledges were ordered to bring warm clothing, pillow cases, and phone chargers to the party. The pledges were transported to the party blindfolded using pillowcases over their heads. In order to complete their initiation, DTD ordered the pledges to drink the entirety of two handles of vodka together: that’s about a gallon of vodka, or around 80 shots.
Records reflect DTD members observed Martinez as unresponsive on an air mattress, but waited hours to contact police.
When police responded the morning after the party, they discovered Martinez had a blood alcohol content of .425 percent: over five times the legal limit. Paramedics arrived after, but Martinez died at the scene. The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office attributed Martinez’s death to alcohol poisoning.
DTD International issued a statement condemning the hazing incident. The organization placed the local chapter on indefinite suspension, then voted to close the chapter.
“Our position on hazing is clear: it is the antithesis of brotherhood and a violation of the values of Delta Tau Delta,” said DTD International.
Arizona lawmakers made it a felony crime to haze under Jack’s Law passed in 2022. In their statement, DTD International voiced support for the law.
State Sen. John Kavanaugh (R-LD3) sponsored Jack’s Law, named after Jack Culolias, a 19-year-old Arizona State University (ASU) freshman who died by drowning following an off-campus party with the ASU chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) in 2012.
ASU expelled SAE following Culolias’ death and another incident several months later involving the abandonment of an intoxicated underaged member, Aidan Mohr, at a hospital. Mohr had nearly five times the legal limit in his system.
In 2019, ASU allowed SAE to recharter following the petitions of SAE-Phoenix Alumni. SAE-Phoenix Alumni’s reintroduction to campus around August 2018 coincided with the opening of the Greek Leadership Village, an on-campus enclave dedicated to housing several dozen of the fraternities and sororities.
It didn’t take long for ASU SAE to be removed again. The chapter was suspended last October over another hazing incident concerning the nonconsensual recording and distribution of video featuring a nude female student in 2023.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Apr 1, 2026 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona House Majority Whip Julie Wiloughby (R-LD13) praised a recent Trump administration decision recognizing the significant impact of internal emissions on Arizona’s ability to meet federal air quality standards.
The ruling grants the Phoenix metropolitan area relief from stricter federal requirements, opening the door for potential long-term reforms to the state’s expensive summer gasoline blend mandated in Maricopa and Pinal Counties.
The decision, issued last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), found that the Phoenix-Mesa nonattainment area would have met the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) if not for emissions originating outside the United States. This finding, under Section 179B of the Clean Air Act, prevents reclassification to a more severe status. It acknowledges that a major share of emissions affecting Arizona is beyond the state’s control.
For months, Willoughby has collaborated with local and federal officials to pursue reforms addressing Arizona’s higher summer fuel costs. In January, she sent a letter to the EPA initiating discussions on permanent changes to lower costs for families while maintaining compliance with air quality standards.
“The main reason drivers in Maricopa and Pinal counties pay more for gas in the summer is that these areas are forced to use a special boutique blend made only for Arizona,” explained Willoughby. “It costs more to produce, limits supply, and leaves our state more vulnerable to price spikes. The question is whether this requirement is still doing anything meaningful to improve air quality. If it is not, then Arizona families are being forced to pay more for little to no benefit.”
Willoughby noted that industry operations are cleaner and national fuel standards have evolved since Arizona’s blend was last updated. “Industry is cleaner today than it was when Arizona’s blend was last updated, and fuel standards nationwide have changed significantly since then. There is a strong possibility that Arizona can move to a lower-cost fuel option without sacrificing air quality. If the evidence supports that conclusion, we should act immediately.”
To advance the issue, Willoughby introduced a package of five measures aimed at lowering fuel costs, evaluating compliant fuel options, and requiring the state to adopt a lower-cost fuel once federally approved.
“In order to change the blend, Arizona must submit a request to the EPA to revise our State Implementation Plan and show that we can still meet federal air quality standards with the new blend,” added Willoughby. “The modeling used to make that demonstration must take into account the fact that a major share of the emissions affecting our state comes from outside our borders and is beyond Arizona’s control. The Trump Administration’s recent decision recognizing international transport acknowledges this impact and gives Arizona more room to reevaluate whether our current fuel requirements are still justified. With the federal government signaling openness, this may be our best and only opportunity to get this done.”
In February, Willoughby requested that the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) model the impacts of switching from Arizona’s current boutique gasoline blend (Reid Vapor Pressure of 7.0 psi) to a more widely available, lower-cost blend with an RVP of 7.4 psi.
Preliminary modeling completed in March showed that the switch would increase the maximum ozone concentration in the Phoenix metropolitan area by between zero and 0.01 parts per billion.
“That is a negligible impact and more than enough reason to move this conversation forward,” continued Willoughby. “Just as important, Governor Hobbs’ administration already has these results. MAG provided the modeling to her Department of Environmental Quality, which means the Governor could begin acting on this now if she wanted to. She does not need to wait. She does not need more excuses. If Governor Hobbs is serious about lowering fuel costs, she should direct her agency to act immediately.”
In a follow-up letter to MAG Director of Environmental Planning, Matt Poppen, Willoughby highlighted the positive results from the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions (CAMx v7.32) and Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ v5.5) analyses. The CAMx results showed no changes in the 2023 design value attainment at any monitoring site, while CMAQ predicted a maximum impact of just 0.01 ppb at three sites.
Willoughby also requested additional modeling for a Federal Reformed Gasoline blend with an RVP of 7.8 psi, used in some other western states, and discussions on next steps for a State Implementation Plan revision.
“The modeling is favorable. The facts are lining up in Arizona’s favor. We should seize this opportunity and make the case for lasting gas affordability now,” concluded Willoughby.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Apr 1, 2026 | Economy, News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Goldwater Institute hosted a delegation of Missouri policymakers in Phoenix to discuss economic competitiveness, innovation, and pro-growth policy, according to a joint release.
The meeting focused on Arizona’s approach to building a competitive environment for emerging industries and long-term economic growth.
The discussion followed the Chamber’s recent launch of its AZ AI Leadership Initiative, which aims to strengthen Arizona’s position in emerging technologies and the broader digital economy.
Arizona has seen rapid expansion in AI and data center infrastructure, driven by growing demand for computing power and cloud services. Major investments from companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which is constructing advanced semiconductor fabrication facilities in Phoenix, along with large-scale data center developments by Google and Meta Platforms in Mesa, and Amazon Web Services in Goodyear, have helped position the state as an emerging hub for both semiconductor production and AI-related computing capacity.
Participants included legislative leaders, policy experts, and representatives from the Arizona Commerce Authority, who shared insights into the state’s policy framework and economic development strategies.
“Arizona’s growth didn’t happen by accident,” said Courtney Coolidge, executive vice president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “It reflects deliberate policy choices that prioritize certainty, competitiveness, and a regulatory environment where businesses can invest, innovate, and scale.”
Arizona lawmakers participating in the meeting included House Speaker Steve Montenegro (R-LD29), Majority Leader Michael Carbone (R-LD25), Rep. Jeff Weninger (R-LD13), Rep. Justin Wilmeth (R-LD2), chair of the House Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Committee, Senate President Pro Tempore T.J. Shope (R-LD16), and Senate Majority Whip Frank Carroll (R-LD28).
“Arizona has made a conscious decision to lead on innovation rather than wait for other states to set the pace,” Montenegro said. “That kind of alignment and forward-looking policy environment allows industries to grow and scale here.”
Lawmakers and policy leaders highlighted sectors including advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, aerospace, autonomous systems, and emerging technologies as areas where Arizona has seen sustained growth.
“Arizona’s success in attracting major investment is tied directly to our focus on advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, and supply chain strength,” Carbone said.
Weninger pointed to Arizona’s regulatory and tax structure as a factor in business investment.
“Companies are looking for certainty,” Weninger said. “Arizona’s predictable regulatory environment and competitive tax structure give businesses the confidence to invest and expand.”
Participants also discussed the role of infrastructure, water policy, and land use in supporting statewide growth. “We’ve been intentional about making sure economic development isn’t concentrated in one region,” Shope said.
Carroll said Arizona’s approach to economic development has positioned the state for continued expansion, particularly in emerging industries.
Wilmeth emphasized the importance of flexibility in regulating new technologies. “We’ve taken a thoughtful approach to emerging technologies by avoiding premature regulation,” he said.
Victor Riches, president and CEO of the Goldwater Institute, said policy certainty and deregulation remain key factors in supporting innovation.
“As emerging technologies continue to reshape industries, policy certainty and deregulation matter more than ever,” Riches said. “Arizona needs to ensure an environment where innovation can move forward.”
The Missouri delegation included state senators and policy advisors, including Sen. Travis Fitzwater, Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern, Sen. Karla May, Sen. Barbara Anne Washington, Sen. Jamie Burger, policy advisor to Gov. Mike Kehoe, Johnathan Shifflett, and representatives from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, Karen Buschmann, and Jared Hankinson.
The meeting explored how elements of Arizona’s economic policy framework could be adapted in other states and how interstate collaboration could support broader economic growth.
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 | Mar 31, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Arizona will be fighting the Trump administration over its deregulation of motor vehicle and engine emissions.
Attorney General Kris Mayes announced her decision to sue the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) alongside a coalition of states, counties, and cities over the agency’s decision last month to rescind the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding.
The 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding followed the Supreme Court ruling Massachusetts v. EPA in 2007 granting the EPA authorization to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding resulted in emissions regulations for new motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines.
Mayes and the EPA disagree as to whether the Supreme Court’s 2007 ruling and the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding were connected. Mayes maintains the decision directly gave the EPA regulatory authority, but the EPA maintains the decision merely recognized greenhouse gas emissions as air pollutants.
The EPA justified its decision based on its reading of the Clean Air Act (CAA), first established in 1965, and Supreme Court decisions overruling EPA regulations following the 2007 decision.
The EPA determined it lacked statutory authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions for motor vehicles, specifically citing Section 202(a) of the CAA. Additionally, the EPA determined that its regulations “have not and cannot have any material impact on global climate change concerns, rendering them futile.”
According to the EPA, the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding served as the legal prerequisite for the Biden administration’s push toward an electric vehicle mandate and the vehicle manufacturer industry shift toward start-stop features in cars.
As a result of the EPA’s new rule, engine and vehicle manufactures won’t be obligated to measure, control, or report greenhouse gas emissions for any highway engine and vehicle. Their action grandfathered in model years manufactured prior to the rule.
The EPA estimated the rescission amounted to “the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history,” and would save Americans over $1.3 trillion in vehicle costs. That amounts to an estimated $2,400 in savings for new cars and trucks.
The EPA issued a notice clarifying which regulations will be impacted by their new final rule. (A full regulatory impact analysis was made available here).
Mayes accused the Trump administration of rushing the rulemaking process and “blatantly disregarding the law and science.” Mayes blamed emissions for climate change, citing Arizona’s recent years of record summer heat and wildfires.
“On the day we file this lawsuit, much of Arizona is under an extreme heat warning due to an unprecedented early heatwave that has spiked temperatures over twenty degrees above normal,” said Mayes. “It is abundantly clear that greenhouse gas pollution has fueled climate change in our state and across the entire planet. The decision by the Trump administration to rescind the Endangerment Finding will only accelerate climate change. Putting the profits of the fossil fuel industry over the future of our planet is a failure of historic proportions and we will fight it with every tool we have.”
Mayes joined the lawsuit filed by the attorneys general for 22 states and D.C.: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Their lawsuit was also joined by the governor of Pennsylvania, eight cities across seven states, and four counties across three states.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
