by Staff Reporter | Oct 29, 2025 | Education, News
By Staff Reporter |
Northern Arizona University (NAU) is the latest in the state to drop its program with a Chinese university over national security concerns.
House committees on the Chinese Community Party and Education and the Workforce released a report last month flagging security concerns within NAU’s partnership with a Chinese municipal public university, Chongqing University of Post and Telecommunications (CQUPT).
The report outlined the main pathways by which China manipulates the American university system to benefit its military interests.
“What once came through Confucius Institutes now flows through new channels — less visible but no less strategic,” stated the report. “The Select Committee is now actively investigating these additional CCP activities — including the China Scholarship Counsel and student visa pathways — which, combined with joint institutes, illustrate a coordinated strategy by the CCP: leverage American institutions to train PRC talent, absorb U.S. research, and convert that knowledge into military and economic advantage. Joint institutes are just one vector — the problem is systemic.”
Rep. Eli Crane commended NAU for shutting down the program following the report’s publication.
“I applaud Northern Arizona University’s leadership in reviewing its international partnerships and ensuring that its programs align with national security initiatives,” said Crane in a press release on Monday. “NAU’s actions reflect a responsible approach to protecting students, faculty, and the integrity of U.S. research and education. We greatly appreciate their commitment to these shared values, as well as all they do for Northern Arizona.”
The CQUPT program was a 3+1 dual-degree program in Electrical Engineering.
Full withdrawal will occur within 90 days, per Crane’s press release.
NAU’s program was one of over 50 university partnerships the congressional committees deemed “high-risk” for their involvement with universities guided by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military and defense interests. The congressional committees disclose that the list is not all-inclusive and that more may exist.
The University of Arizona (U of A) had two programs included in the congressional report that were deemed high risk: one with the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) and the other with the Arizona College of Technology (ACT) at Hebei University of Technology (HUT).
The HIT program is one of three joint programs that American universities launched with one of China’s Seven Sons of National Defense (SSND) universities.
Only universities selected by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to advance China’s military and defense research qualify as SSND.
Although the report declared the HIT partnership to be active, U of A has stated it terminated its partnership in December 2023.
The committees also determined the University of Arizona’s Arizona College of Technology at Hebei University of Technology.
Last month, U of A faculty were advised that Chinese microcampuses would be closed following congressional advice on national security concerns with the partnerships.
U of A issued a notice on its Research and Partnerships page last December that SSND posed “atypical security risks and concerns about misuse of research for military purposes” due to their being controlled by CCP’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
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by Staff Reporter | Oct 29, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
The Phoenix Police Department (PPD) is considering multiple policy revisions on reduced uses of force.
In all, PPD will act on five policies impacting the usage of spit socks, handheld irritants (oleoresin capsicum and Mark-9 canister sprays, which are pepper sprays, and the MK-3 Repuls Spray, a chemical spray), Tasers, impact weapons (expandable batons), and less lethal launchers (PepperBall launchers, 40mm Launcher, 37mm Launcher).
PPD says its goals in modifying these reduced use of force policies are to ensure trained officers deploy these tools, and that officers modify their use of these tools when faced with certain medical aid considerations.
Spit socks won’t be applied to individuals actively vomiting, exhibiting signs of medical distress, or having had direct or indirect contact with pepper spray. Officers may only apply one spit sock at a time to an individual, and only when two or more officers are present.
The updated policy on handheld irritants also prohibits officers from using pepper spray within three feet, and recommends against deploying chemical spray directly into the eyes. It also requires the immediate handcuffing of the individual sprayed.
Police Assistants (PAs) may carry pepper spray, since they lack authorization to arrest or restrain individuals. PAs aren’t sworn police officers; they handle calls for service not requiring the presence of sworn police officers.
As for the updated policy on Tasers, officers may not use them on females known to be pregnant or visibly pregnant, the elderly, juveniles, handcuffed arrestees, and very thin individuals.
The policy would also set limits on ranges of deployment, and the preferred targets.
Similarly, PPD set forth targeting and distance guidelines for less lethal launchers. The various launchers also come with their own restrictions on which officers may use them based on training.
Impact weapons (batons) would be carried at officer discretion and carrying officers must be trained.
The deadline for public input and comments is Friday, Oct. 31.
Earlier this year, PPD implemented a new use of force policy which contained similar, controversial adjectives — “necessary” and “proportional” — as these proposed policies.
Law enforcement experts questioned the vagueness and ambiguity of the descriptors in policy meant to empower officers to action. The word “reasonable” was traditionally relied upon, which critics say was more than enough.
These developments are the latest progression of PPD’s “less-than-lethal” program, which rolled out in 2021 across two precincts. The initial tools used were the 40mm launcher and pepper ball systems.
By 2022, PPD rolled out the program to all city precincts, launched new deescalation training modules, and revised its use of force policy to include the additives of “necessary” and “proportional” to “reasonable,” as well as the duties to intervene and provide medical assistance.
Additionally, PPD launched a pilot program for use of force investigations and evaluations.
In 2023, PPD expanded the less-than-lethal program to include 400 new tools and additional training.
Even with these efforts to revert to alternative weapons and deterrents for use of force, some fatalities have occurred. In January, PPD shot hard plastic projectiles at a wanted felon, Turrell Clay, who was evading police on a roof and had been armed. Clay came down off the roof after being shot by the less-than-lethal projectiles several times; he later died at the hospital during surgery after complaining of chest pains.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 29, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) announced that the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California has entered a final judgment against Safeguard Metals LLC and its owner, Jeffrey Ikahn, for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme that preyed on elderly and retirement-aged investors across the country.
The ruling orders approximately $25.6 million in restitution to victims and an equal civil monetary penalty, totaling more than $51 million in sanctions. The decision follows a coordinated enforcement effort between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission(CFTC) and 30 state regulators, including Arizona.
According to court findings, Safeguard Metals and Ikahn operated a deceptive precious metals investment scheme between October 2017 and July 2021, soliciting roughly $68 million—primarily from retirement accounts—belonging to at least 450 individuals. The company promised secure investments in silver and other metals but instead misled investors with false information and inflated pricing on the metals sold.
Investigators found that the firm concealed material facts, manipulated sales tactics, and grossly overcharged customers for products that were worth far less than claimed. Much of the money lost came from seniors’ life savings and retirement accounts.
“The court’s final judgment in this matter provides meaningful restitution to investors harmed by this fraudulent action and it reinforces that the Arizona Corporation Commission will take decisive action to protect investors, especially those in vulnerable communities,” said ACC Chair Kevin Thompson. “I want to thank the CFTC and the state regulators for their dedication and hard work.”
Thompson added that the case serves as a reminder of the essential role state regulators play in detecting and halting investment fraud. “This outcome is an important reminder that state securities regulators play a critical role in fighting investment fraud in all forms,” he said.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also pursued a parallel enforcement action in 2022 against Safeguard Metals and Ikahn. Earlier this year, the court ordered the defendants to pay $25.6 million in disgorgement and an equal civil penalty, mirroring the CFTC and state regulators’ ruling. Any funds paid under one judgment will be credited toward the other to prevent duplication.
The sweeping case reflects cooperation among financial regulators from 30 states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Texas, as well as the CFTC’s national enforcement network.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Oct 28, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) led a bicameral coalition of lawmakers in submitting a formal comment letter to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in strong support of a petition by the America First Legal Foundation.
The petition calls for amending federal regulations and the National Mail Voter Registration Form to mandate documentary proof of U.S. citizenship (DPOC) for registering to vote in Federal Elections.
The current federal form relies exclusively on self-attestation, allowing applicants to check a box affirming citizenship under penalty of perjury, creating what lawmakers describe as an “honor system” with no meaningful safeguards against ineligible registrations.
The proposed reform would require verifiable proof of citizenship at the point of registration, aligning voter enrollment with common identification requirements.
“Requiring documentary proof of citizenship is a simple, common-sense reform,” wrote the lawmakers in the formal comment letter. “Just as Americans are asked to show identification for far less consequential activities—boarding an airplane, opening a bank account, or even attending certain events—it is entirely reasonable to require proof of citizenship to participate in our elections. This step would not burden eligible voters but would provide an essential check to ensure that only citizens are added to the voter rolls.”
The lawmakers cited recent incidents as evidence of systemic vulnerabilities:
- In Iowa, officials identified 277 noncitizens on voter rolls, with at least 35 confirmed to have cast ballots in the 2024 election.
- All 15 counties in Arizona are actively working to identify and remove noncitizens from voter rolls.
- In Texas, election integrity units have documented multiple cases of noncitizen voting and registration fraud, including a conviction in Starr County for illegal voting, prosecutions in Hidalgo County for falsifying applications with fictitious addresses, and instances in Tarrant County where noncitizens registered using the federal form without proof of citizenship.
Under the National Voter Registration Act (52 U.S.C. § 20508(a)(1)–(2)), the EAC has both the authority and duty to develop the National Mail Voter Registration Form and prescribe necessary regulations to protect the integrity of the electoral process and maintain accurate voter rolls.
“I’m proud to support this effort to strengthen our election system. In our constitutional republic, only American citizens should be able to vote, and requiring proof of citizenship at registration is a commonsense safeguard,” said Representative Crane. “Considering we already show ID to drive, fly, or open a bank account, this is not a novel concept. It’s simply a necessary step to ensure the integrity of our elections.”
Along with Senator Cruz and Representative Crane were cosigners:
Senators: Jim Banks (R-IN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ted Budd (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Bernie Moreno (R-OH).
Representatives: Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Pat Fallon (R-TX), Andy Harris (R-MD), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Mary Miller (R-IL), Barry Moore (R-AL), Riley Moore (R-WV), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), and Greg Steube (R-FL).
The lawmakers concluded with, “Requiring documentary proof of citizenship will strengthen the integrity of our elections, safeguard the voices of American citizens, and ensure that every lawful vote is protected from being diluted by unlawful ballots.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Oct 28, 2025 | Education, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is welcoming discussions between the University of Arizona (UA), Arizona State University (ASU), and the Trump administration on a new Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, a federal initiative promoting merit-based standards and accountability in universities.
Horne, who also serves on the Arizona Board of Regents, said the compact reflects his long-held belief that education policy should prioritize individual achievement over racial or identity-based criteria.
“Since I took on the Tucson Unified district in 2008 to end the racially divisive ‘Ethnic Studies’ program, I have been fighting against racial entitlements,” Horne said in a statement. “People should be judged on their character and merit, not the color of their skin. The Trump administration’s federal compact for universities shares that same goal, and I am pleased that universities, including the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, are in discussions with the President on enshrining those principles in their schools.”
Horne also disputed recent reports suggesting that the University of Arizona had declined to participate in the compact, pointing instead to a recent letter from UA President Suresh Garimella to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon. In the letter, Garimella expressed alignment with the administration’s goals of strengthening higher education through merit, excellence, and accountability.
“We share your vision of continuing to strengthen our higher education system for the betterment of the country — a vision rooted in a merit-based pursuit of excellence that directly or indirectly benefits all Americans,” Garimella wrote. He added that the university finds “much common ground with the ideas your administration is advancing” and welcomes collaboration with other institutions, higher education associations, and Congress “to advance and implement our principles in alignment with the national interest.”
Garimella’s Statement of Principles, included with the letter, outlines commitments to nondiscrimination, academic freedom, fiscal responsibility, and research integrity. It reaffirms that admissions and hiring decisions at UA will continue to be merit-based, and that diversity statements will not be used in employment processes. The document also emphasizes free speech protections, pledging to uphold the Chicago Principles on Freedom of Expression and to publish results from campus surveys on viewpoint diversity.
Under Garimella’s leadership, UA reports a 22% reduction in administrative spending, a tuition freeze for in-state students, and an expanded focus on aligning research priorities with national and economic security needs — reforms he described as consistent with the compact’s goals.
Horne said those steps demonstrate “a serious commitment to the kind of merit-driven, excellence-focused education system that Arizona taxpayers deserve.”
Both UA and ASU are expected to continue discussions with federal officials about implementing the compact in ways that preserve institutional autonomy while aligning with national standards for merit and accountability.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Oct 28, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
According to the newly released 2025 Retail Returns Landscape, U.S. retailers project that nearly $850 billion in merchandise will be returned this year, equivalent to 15.8% of total sales.
The figure, while substantial, reflects a slight decline from last year’s 16.9% return rate and $890 billion in total returns.
“Returns are no longer the end point of a transaction,” said NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen. “They provide an opportunity for retailers to create a positive experience for customers and can translate to brand loyalty. Retailers are constantly evolving and working to meet customer expectations, and they recognize the importance the returns process plays.”
While overall return rates remain steady, online sales continue to drive higher volumes, with an estimated 19.3% of e-commerce purchases expected to be returned in 2025.
Generational shifts are amplifying these trends, particularly among Gen Z shoppers (age 18-30) who averaged 7.7 online returns over the past 12 months, more than any age group.
Consumer demands for seamless returns are intensifying as 82% of shoppers now cite free returns as a major factor in their purchasing decisions, up from 76% last year. Additionally, 76% of shoppers are more likely to choose the return method offering instant refunds or exchanges.
However, a negative returns experience carries significant consequences: 71% of consumers report they are less likely to shop with a retailer again following a poor encounter, rising from 67% in 2024. Four out of five consumers say they are likely to share their bad experience with friends and family, potentially magnifying reputational damage.
Retailers are navigating these expectations while contending with escalating operational costs and external pressures. Surveyed merchants identified increasing online sales and reducing return rates as their top priorities in 2026.
Key drivers for charging return fees include:
- Processing costs (40%)
- Higher carrier shipping expense (40%)
- Economic uncertainty tied to tariffs (33%)
Return fraud remains another persistent challenge, accounting for 9% of all returns. Among retailers tracking fraud, 71% reported an increase in overstated return quantities, 65% noted “empty box” or “box of rocks” incidents, and 64% saw rises in decoy returns involving counterfeit items. To combat return fraud, 85% of retailers have begun to use AI to detect or prevent fraud from happening.
Notably, 45% of consumers—particularly when dissatisfied— believe that “bending the truth” is acceptable during a return.
David Sobie, co-founder and CEO of Happy Returns, said, “Return policies and their overall process have transformed into a strategic touchpoint for retailers, influencing how younger consumers shop from the outset. To stay competitive amid rising return rates and behaviors like bracketing, retailers must modernize their reverse logistics to enhance customer satisfaction, reduce fraud, and safeguard their operations in today’s high-pressure retail landscape.”
Looking into the holiday season, retailers anticipate 17% of holiday sales will be returned, consistent with prior years. To manage this surge, 49% plan to lean on third-party logistics partners, 43% will hire seasonal staff, and 37% intend to extend return windows.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
