Navajo County will keep former lawmaker David Marshall as its recorder despite a legal challenge from Attorney General Kris Mayes.
On Monday, the Maricopa County Superior Court cleared the former state representative for the 7th Legislative District of any wrongdoing in connection to his assuming the Navajo County recorder position.
Marshall stepped down from the legislature in mid-April to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Navajo County’s former recorder, Timothy Jordan.
Attorney General Kris Mayes had promptly asked the courts to remove Marshall from the recorder’s office for accepting the appointment within the time period he would have continued to serve his term had he not resigned, citing as justification the Arizona Constitution’s provision barring members of the legislature from holding any other offices or taking employment with state or local governments.
From Article IV, part two, section five of the Arizona Constitution: “No member of the legislature, during the term for which he shall have been elected or appointed shall be eligible to hold any other office or be otherwise employed by the state of Arizona or, any county or incorporated city or town thereof.”
Marshall accepted the appointment several days prior to resigning from the legislature, and his legislative term was scheduled to end January 2027.
Mayes told Marshall in a demand letter that the Arizona Constitution required lawmakers to wait out their legislative terms prior to holding any other offices or accepting any state or local government employment, regardless of a resignation, citing the finding of an attorney general advisory opinion issued in 1977.
Mayes demanded Marshall resign on threat of legal action in the Arizona Supreme Court.
“Because your term as an elected representative will not conclude until January 2027, you are not currently eligible to hold another public office or be otherwise employed by the state or ‘any county … thereof,’” stated Mayes.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge David McDowell disagreed with Mayes’ interpretation.
McDowell stated in a Monday ruling that only by taking the oath of office for county recorder as an active legislator would Marshall have run afoul of the Arizona Constitution. Marshall’s resignation from the legislature went into effect on April 17; Marshall didn’t take an oath of office to become county recorder until April 21.
Therefore, McDowell said Marshall was not a member of the legislature when he officially assumed the recordership.
McDowell’s finding was consistent with what Marshall’s private attorney, Linley Wilson, claimed in a response letter to Mayes, which cited Arizona Supreme Court precedent drawing a distinction between persons elected to the legislature and members of the legislature.
“The concern is straightforward: a sitting legislator should not be able to use his legislative power to create or enhance an office for his own benefit, trade votes for positions, or otherwise exploit his seat for personal gain,” stated Wilson. “It appears that no Arizona court has ever held that a legislator who resigned before assuming another appointed office was subject to ouster through a quo warranto action or any other legal proceeding. To our knowledge, every reported case in which ouster resulted involved a public officer who failed to resign or failed to cure a disqualification before assuming office.”
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The U.S. labor market continued to expand in June, but at a significantly slower pace than economists expected, as hiring cooled and fewer Americans participated in the workforce, according to the latest Monthly Employment Update released last week by the Joint Economic Committee.
The economy added 57,000 non-farm payroll jobs in June, including 49,000 private-sector jobs and 8,000 government positions. While the national employment rate edged down from 4.3% to 4.2%, the improvement coincided with a 0.3 percentage-point decline in the labor force participation rate to 61.5%, indicating fewer Americans were either working or actively seeking employment.
The broader U-6 unemployment rate, which includes underemployment workers and those marginally attached to the labor force, also declined from 8.1% to 7.9%.
The June report follows downward revisions to previous employment data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics revised May’s job growth downward by 43,000 jobs, reducing the month’s gain from 172,000 to 129,000 jobs. April’s final revision, meanwhile, increased payroll growth by 33,000 jobs to a total gain of 148,000.
Among industries, private education and health services led monthly hiring with 69,000 new jobs, followed by professional and business services, which added 36,000 positions. Leisure and hospitality posted the largest decline, shedding 61,000 jobs, while the information sector lost 9,000 positions.
Over the past year, private education and health services has remained the nation’s strongest-performing sector, adding 648,000 jobs, followed by leisure and hospitality with 114,000.
Federal government employment experienced the steepest annual decline, falling by 258,000 jobs, while financial activities lost 100,000 positions.
Despite slower hiring, wages continued to outpace inflation. Average weekly earnings for all private-sector employees increased 3.82% over the past year, while average hourly earnings rose 3.52%.
Production and nonsupervisory workers saw annual increases of 3.73% in weekly earnings and 3.42% in hourly earnings.
Job Openings Hold Steady Despite Cooling Labor Market
Separate data from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed labor demand remained relatively stable. Total job openings increased by 9,000 in May to 7.59 million nationwide, with the job openings rate holding steady at 4.6%
Leisure and hospitality recorded the largest increase in available positions, followed by trade, transportation, and utilities, while private education and health services posted the largest decline in openings.
State-level employment data reflected a mixed picture across the country. Unemployment rates declined in 20 states during May, increased in nine states, and remained unchanged in 22 states and the District of Columbia.
The District of Columbia recorded the nation’s highest unemployment rate at 6.1% while South Dakota posted the lowest at 2.1%
Payroll employment increased in 38 states and fell in 13 states during May. West Virginia recorded the nation’s largest percentage increase in payroll employment at 1.4% while Montana experienced the largest decline at 0.5%.
Arizona continued to rank among the nation’s stronger performing states for job growth despite signs of a slowing labor market.
The state added 2,000 net payroll jobs in May after adding 8,100 jobs in April. Over the past 12 months, Arizona has added 21,200 payroll jobs, tying for the 10th nationally in percentage growth of non-farm employment.
Arizona’s private sector added 22,900 jobs over the past year, ranking tied for ninth nationally in private-sector payroll growth.
Arizona’s unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.8% in May up from 4.7% the previous month and 4.3% one year earlier. Employment in the state declined by 16,293 during the month and has fallen by more than 66,000 over the past year.
The state’s labor force participation rate also weakened, falling from 61% to 60.7% in May, placing Arizona 37th nationally.
Nationally, labor force participation remained at 61.8% during May before declining to 61.5% in June.
Arizona’s strongest monthly employment gain came in construction, which added 1,300 jobs, and financial activities, which added 700 jobs. State and local government employment declined by 1,000 positions, while professional and business services lost 300 jobs.
Over the past year, Arizona’s private education and health services sector led all industries with 16,600 new jobs, followed by professional and business services with 8,100.
Financial activities experienced the largest annual decline, losing 4,000 jobs, while federal government employment fell by 3,200 positions.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) has introduced legislation directing the Department of Defense to provide Congress with a comprehensive review of emerging clinical research and service-related treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Supporters say the move could help expand future healthcare options for veterans and service members.
The Veterans and Service Members PTSD Emerging Treatment Review Act would require the Pentagon to assess emerging PTSD treatments and report its findings to Congress, providing lawmakers with updated information on investigational therapies and ongoing clinical research.
“Our service members and veterans deserve every opportunity to access the most effective treatments backed by rigorous scientific research,” stated Congressman Hamadeh. “Far too many Americans continue to struggle with treatment-resistant PTSD, contributing to suicide, substance abuse, and challenges transitioning back to civilian life. This legislation ensures Congress and the Department of Defense have the data needed to evaluate emerging research and make informed decisions that prioritize military readiness, force health, and veteran care.”
Our servicemembers & veterans deserve every proven, science-backed treatment to beat PTSD,
Congressman Hamadeh's 𝘝𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘗𝘛𝘚𝘋 𝘌𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘈𝘤𝘵 gives Congress & the Department of War the data…
— Office of Congressman Abe Hamadeh (@RepAbeHamadeh) July 1, 2026
The legislation has received support from researchers involved in Arizona based clinical trials studying emerging PTSD treatments.
Dr. Sue Sisley, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the Scottsdale Research Institute said, “We appreciate Congressman Hamadeh and his team for this groundbreaking victory. His staff visited our Sonoran Research Institute Lab and saw firsthand what these FDA clinical trials mean for Veterans & First Responders, and what it could mean for transitioning service members in the future. This clinical trial exemplifies the promise behind President Trump’s recent Executive Order, Right to Try, and FDA Expanded Access: helping our nation’s heroes find new hope when existing treatments have failed them.”
Arizona is home to what researchers describe as the world’s first FDA- and DEA- approved clinical trial evaluating psilocybin-containing mushrooms in a structured group therapy setting for veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD.
The study is examining whether the investigational treatment may benefit individuals with treatment-resistant PTSD who have not responded to existing therapies.
According to Hamadeh’s office, PTSD continues to affect thousands of veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, National Guard members, and first responders. While existing therapies have proven effective for many patients, treatment-resistant PTSD remains a significant challenge, affecting long-term health outcomes, family stability, and military readiness.
The legislation builds on bipartisan efforts in Congress after similar language was unanimously included in the House Armed Services Committee report accompanying this year’s National Defense Authorization Act.
It also aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order 14401 directing federal agencies to accelerate research and regulatory pathways for investigational treatments for serious mental illness.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The Arizona Chamber of Commerce announced Monica Coury, vice president of external affairs at Arizona Complete Health, as the new chair of its board of directors.
Coury officially assumed the role during a ceremonial “passing of the gavel” at the Chamber’s June 26th board meeting, succeeding Ted Geisler, president and CEO of Arizona Public Service (APS), who served as board chair for the past two years.
Monica has been a valued voice on our board, and we’re excited to have her leadership as we continue advancing policies that matter to Arizona employers.
As board chair, Coury will lead the Arizona Chamber of Commerce’s governing board and help guide its efforts to advance policies aimed at strengthening Arizona’s economy, improving the state’s business climate, and promoting long-term economic growth.
“It is an incredible honor to serve as chair of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry,” stated Coury in a press release announcing her new role. “I want to thank my fellow board members for the confidence they’ve placed in me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the Chamber’s outstanding team.”
“The Chamber has long been one of Arizona’s most effective and respected advocates on behalf of the state’s job creators,” Coury added, “and I look forward to building on that legacy as we continue working to make Arizona the best place in the nation to live, work, and do business.”
Coury has served on the Chamber’s board for several years, previously chairing its Public Affairs Committee before serving as chair-elect.
In her role at Arizona Complete Health, she oversees external affairs for one of the state’s largest health plans and has worked on issues related to healthcare access, workforce development, and economic competitiveness.
Arizona Chamber President and CEO Danny Seiden said Coury’s experience and leadership make her well suited to lead the organizations board.
“Monica is an exceptional leader whose collaborative approach, strategic vision, and deep commitment to Arizona make her the ideal person to lead our board,” said Seiden. “She understands that a strong economy depends on smart public policy, and she has consistently brought thoughtful leadership and sound judgment to the Chamber. I look forward to working closely with Monica as we continue advancing policies that help Arizona employers create jobs, invest, and grow.”
Seiden also recognized Geisler’s service as chairman, crediting him with helping lead the organization through a period marked by legislative successes and continued organizational growth.
“Ted has been an outstanding chairman, a trusted partner, and a friend,” Seiden added. “His steady leadership, business acumen, and unwavering commitment to Arizona’s economic future have helped position the Chamber for continued success. We are grateful for his service and look forward to his continued counsel and involvement on our board.”
Along with Coury, the Chamber also announced its new slate of board officers, including Jimmy Lindbolm of Willmeng Construction as chair-elect, Don Isaacson of Isaacson Law Firm as vice-chair of audit and finance, and Angela Creedon of Intel as vice-chair of manufacturing
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The planned opening of a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Arizona has been delayed.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE, and Attorney General Kris Mayes have entered an agreement to pause the conversion of a property in Surprise into an immigration detention center pending an environmental review.
Mayes sued to halt the property conversion in April, claiming DHS and ICE failed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
The agreement reached on Tuesday acknowledged the Trump administration’s duty to adhere to the former through an environmental analysis, but didn’t address the latter allegation pertaining to the federal government’s duty to arrange for “appropriate” places for immigration detention.
Mayes described the agreement as a “significant win” in a press release issued on Wednesday.
“Federal agencies must complete the environmental review process required by federal law before moving forward with these types of projects,” said Mayes.
This agreement is a significant win for the people of Surprise and for the rule of law. Federal agencies must complete the environmental review process required by federal law before moving forward with these types of projects.
— AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes (@AZAGMayes) July 1, 2026
Similar legal challenges alleging NEPA noncompliance have impacted other immigration detention facility projects in other states: Maryland, Michigan, and New Jersey. The Trump administration initially attempted to argue its conversion projects were exempt from the NEPA, but after losing to a challenge in Maryland the administration pivoted on its approach to the Michigan and New Jersey challenges to agree to environmental reviews.
Environmental reviews take typically months, if not years, to complete. However, the Trump administration has recently made a point of expediting environmental reviews in other politically pressing situations.
Last spring, the Department of the Interior announced it would accelerate the review process to be completed in under a month in order to meet the demands of President Donald Trump’s declaration of a National Energy Emergency.
No reports have emerged indicating that the Trump administration plans to undertake similar expediting measures to get the Surprise or other planned immigration detention facilities up and running.
There may not be much of a desire for an expedited turnaround given another recent development.
New leadership within the Trump administration has indicated plans to reverse course on the national buildout of additional detention facilities. ICE announced last month that it would be selling or passing along to other agencies seven of the 11 facilities it had initially purchased to convert into detention facilities. The Surprise facility wasn’t among the seven facilities identified for offloading.
Kristi Noem, former DHS secretary, had directed the facility purchases and guided the conversion plans. The new DHS secretary, Markwayne Mullin, said in a statement to The New York Times that ICE would be prioritizing plans that facilitated the expedited removal of illegal aliens, not prolonged “hous[ing of them] on American soil at the taxpayer’s expense.” Instead, DHS will maximize the use of existing detention space through state and county partners.
At present, ICE has four facilities in Arizona: the Central Arizona Florence Correctional Center in Florence, the Florence Service Processing Center in Florence, the Eloy Detention Center in Eloy, and the San Luis Regional Detention Center in San Luis.
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Stand for Health Freedom has endorsed U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs in Arizona’s governor race, adding another national organization to the growing list of groups and elected officials backing his campaign. The endorsement was announced Wednesday by the organization and the Biggs campaign.
Stand for Health Freedom, which describes itself as a grassroots organization representing nearly one million Americans, advocates for policies centered on medical freedom, informed consent, parental rights, religious liberty, privacy, and free speech. According to the organization, it endorsed Biggs based on his record supporting those issues.
@andybiggs4az has a proven track record of taking a stand for health freedom, we are proud to endorse his race for Governor! https://t.co/CqSumVeHSu
— Stand for Health Freedom (@standforhealth1) July 2, 2026
“We must protect the medical freedoms of Arizonans and ensure everyone can make the right health decisions for their families,” Biggs said in a statement.
“From my bipartisan work in passing Right to Try legislation in Congress to pushing back against outrageous and nonsensical COVID mandates, I’ve fought for the MAHA agenda throughout my time as a legislator. As Governor, I’ll make sure Arizona is the healthiest and freest state in the country so our citizens can thrive and prosper without government overreach into health decisions. I thank the Stand for Health Freedom coalition for their support and I look forward to getting their many Arizona members out to vote in 2026.”
The campaign said Biggs has made outreach to supporters of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement a key component of his gubernatorial campaign, including discussing MAHA priorities during the June Republican gubernatorial debate, television interviews, and meetings with health freedom advocates.
The endorsement comes as health freedom legislation and medical autonomy continue to be active issues in Arizona politics. Lawmakers introduced numerous bills addressing vaccines, medical interventions, parental rights, and informed consent during this year’s legislative session, reflecting the continued prominence of health policy debates that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biggs has built much of his congressional record around limiting federal involvement in health care decisions. In December 2025, he introduced the Putting Patients First Healthcare Freedom Act, a legislative package consolidating conservative health care proposals focused on expanding health savings accounts, increasing price transparency, strengthening health care sharing ministries, and other market-based reforms. Biggs also co-sponsored the Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act alongside Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), the companion of a Senate measure from Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI).
According to the campaign, the endorsement adds to support Biggs has already received from President Donald Trump, the late Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk, U.S. Reps. Eli Crane, Paul Gosar, and Abe Hamadeh, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Maricopa County Supervisors Debbie Lesko and Mark Stewart, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller, along with several conservative organizations and more than 40 current and former Arizona legislators.
