by Staff Reporter | May 23, 2026 | Education, News
By Staff Reporter |
An Arizona mother says the state’s universal school choice program ensured the successes of her nine children.
Andrea attested that the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program allowed her family to have choice in the education of their nine children after she and her husband lost their jobs.
“It was a hard time to be able to pay for homeschool; we would have had to put our kids in a public school, and it was really stressing us out,” said Andrea.
Andrea told America’s Women that the job her husband acquired following his job loss didn’t provide enough income to cover the costs of homeschooling. The prospect of forcing her children to enter “a one-size-fits-all system” worried her; Andrea said the ESA program allowed her to provide her children with unique opportunities and freedoms not available within public education.
“Homeschooling with ESA has opened doors beyond traditional education. Our children have the opportunity to learn through real-life experiences — hiking in nature, visiting museums, and engaging in hands-on learning that brings lessons to life,” said Andrea. “They can move at their own pace, receive one-on-one attention, and explore interests that will shape their future paths and careers.”
As of Monday, the ESA program reported surpassing 101,500 students. The program also reported the enrollment of 3,300 new students for the next school year.
The ESA program may undergo reforms from two propositions gathering signatures to make it onto the November ballot: the Protect Education Act and the Reform and Accountability Act. Each would need 256,000 signatures to make it onto the ballot.
The Protect Education Act would impose an income cap on enrollment in the ESA program, in addition to eliminating the rollover of funding. This proposition is backed by two big critics of school choice: the state’s main teachers union, Arizona Education Association, and the nonprofit Save Our Schools Arizona.
Under the reforms on this proposal, qualified schools and tutors would have to pay fees and register annually with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). Qualified schools must be accredited or administer state assessments, and the state would have greater oversight of nonpublic schools receiving ESA funds.
The Reform and Accountability Act would mandate the ADE to establish an online marketplace payments system starting July 2027. The proposed system would limit ESA purchases to approved vendors. This would eliminate the current system, in which parents rely on reimbursements and debit cards.
The program would need to issue quarterly reports to the attorney general detailing vendor payments, family disqualifications, and recovered funds. As part of that crackdown on misspending, this ballot measure would permanently disqualify parents from the program who intentionally misuse school choice funding.
Students not enrolled full-time at a qualified school would need to participate in an approved examination to gain entry to the ESA program. Then, the ADE would need to maintain lists of approved examinations and curricula.
The American Federation for Children has backed this proposition.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | May 23, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Earlier this week, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) introduced the Providing Resources and Oversight for Tactical Equipment to Communities and Troops Act, also known as the PROTECT Act. This bipartisan legislation is aimed at modernizing and improving the administration of the Department of War’s Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO).
The PROTECT ACT, commonly known as the 1033 program, seeks to enhance efficiency, oversight, and effectiveness of this longstanding federal program, which provides surplus Department of War property to state and local law enforcement agencies at minimal cost.
The equipment and resources — ranging from vehicles and special tactical gear to office supplies, computers, and medical items — support critical missions including active shooter response, disaster relief, counter drug operations, and border security.
“I introduced the PROTECT Act following conversations with Arizona stakeholders who were frustrated with the growing lack of coordination between state and federal partners,” stated Congressman Biggs. “This necessary update ensures greater oversight, clearer standards, and more effective state-federal coordination to carry out the program’s mission.”
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is responsible for disposing of excess and obsolete property from U.S. military units worldwide. Through the 1033 program, authorized by Congress in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991 and granted permanent authority in the 1997 NDAA, eligible law enforcement agencies can acquire this surplus property for bona fide law enforcement purposes, with a particular emphasis on counter drug and counter terrorism activities.
As of February 2025, approximately 6,300 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across 49 states and four U.S. territories participate in the program.
Participation requires each state to have a Governor-appointed State Coordinator responsible for oversight of the state’s participating agencies. States must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) with DLA’s LESO, and each approved agency must enter into a State Plan of Operation with the coordinator.
Once approved, law enforcement agencies can review available excess inventory online and submit requests through their State Coordinator. Agencies do not pay for the property itself but are responsible for shipping, storage, maintenance, and any costs associated with returning items when they are no longer needed. All property is also transferred “as-is.”
The PROTECT Act strengthens the role of the State Coordinator and responds to requests for greater consistency by implementing:
- Standardized state-federal consultation procedures
- Annual training requirement for coordinators
- Regular program reviews by the Defense Logistics Agency
- Transparent biennial reporting to Congress and the public
“I’m grateful for another opportunity to stand with our Arizona law enforcement community as these agencies protect our communities and respond to emergencies, natural disasters, and public safety threats,” said Biggs.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | May 23, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) is urging residents to contact their electric utility providers now as summer temperatures rise and higher electricity bills are expected to impact households across the state.
According to a press release, the ACC warned that triple-digit temperatures and increased air conditioning use typically drive significant month-to-month increases in electricity bills beginning in June and continuing through the summer months.
The commission said higher summer energy usage can create affordability challenges for households and businesses and encouraged customers concerned about paying utility bills to reach out to their electric providers before balances become unmanageable. Utilities may offer payment arrangements, budget billing programs, and financial assistance options to eligible customers.
“As we head into summer, I encourage ratepayers to explore ways to manage their energy use and to contact their electric utility if they need financial assistance,” Arizona Corporation Commission Chairman Nick Myers said. “The Commission’s responsibility is to ensure rates are just and reasonable, while ratepayers have the ability to control their monthly bills through their energy usage.”
Commissioner Lea Márquez Peterson urged customers to prepare early for summer utility costs and highlighted the commission’s seasonal protections against service disconnections.
“It’s important that our regulated utility customers prepare now for the heat of Arizona’s summer months by reaching out to their utility to learn about energy saving tips and programs that can help during financial hardships,” Márquez Peterson said. “Remember – the ACC has approved a disconnection moratorium from June 1 – October 15 to ensure customers are not disconnected for non-payment and can work out a payment plan.”
The ACC said weather remains the largest driver of summer electricity costs and advised consumers not to delay seeking assistance if they anticipate difficulty paying upcoming bills. The commission said early communication with utility providers can help customers access support programs and avoid financial hardship.
The commission also provided several energy-saving recommendations for Arizona residents during the summer months, including keeping blinds and curtains closed, using fans for personal cooling, limiting use of high-energy appliances during peak hours, regularly replacing HVAC filters, and investing in smart thermostats or energy-efficient appliances when possible.
According to the ACC, several utility providers and assistance organizations offer relief programs for qualifying customers. Those include Arizona Public Service’s Energy Support Program (ESP) and Crisis Bill Assistance (CBA) resources, Salt River Project assistance programs, Tucson Electric Power’s Power AZ program, UniSource Energy Services payment assistance, and programs administered through Wildfire and community action agencies.
APS is currently seeking a residential rate increase from the ACC of approximately 14.5%. Residents packed a recent hearing to oppose the proposal, while Administrative Law Judge Charles Hains began reviewing testimony and evidence that will inform a recommended rate decision for commissioners to consider.
In a statement to the outlet, APS defended the increase, stating that “… over the past five years, APS has experienced rapidly rising costs of equipment needed to deliver power to customers. One example is transformer costs which are, on average, 49–90% higher now than when our rates were last set.”
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 | May 22, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) described masturbating inside portable toilets and other sexually deviant behaviors involving restrooms as typical military behaviors.
Gallego made the claim in defense of Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner. Reddit posts made by Platner, a Marine veteran, described his habit of masturbating into portable toilets and appreciating the explicit graffiti to be found in restrooms.
Fox News first reported these online confessions issued by Platner on his now-deleted Reddit account, “P-Hustle.” These and other posts were retrieved from an archive of Platner’s Reddit account spanning over a decade maintained by the Maine Monitor.
“I still have to jerk off every time I sit in a portash*tter,” wrote Platner in a 2017 post. “That blue water smell conditioned me.”
In another post from 2021, Platner wrote praise for graffiti depicting penises.
Platner posted on Reddit from the ages of 24 to 37.
Gallego described as “relatable” Platner’s confessed practice of public masturbation and public discussions indicating appreciation for explicit sexual graffiti.
“Did Fox News talk to any grunt or deployed Marine before posting?” said Gallego. “If the goal is to make him more relatable to veterans than mission accomplished.”
Other military veterans in the Senate begged to differ with Gallego’s take on Platner.
Montana Sen. Tim Sheehy, a Navy SEAL and Republican, advised others to avoid using restrooms after Gallego.
“Mental note — don’t use the Senate men’s room after Ruben,” said Sheehy.
It was also on Reddit that Platner revealed he’d rubbed elbows with the late congressman Raúl Grijalva while working in Washington, D.C. sometime between 2011 and 2017.
“Raul used to drink in a bar I frequented/worked at right on the hill. Hell of a nice guy, we used to hang on the patio bullsh*tting about politics and whatnot while smoking a few cigarettes,” said Platner in a 2020 post. “I knew the guy six months, and one day someone walks past and greets him as ‘congressman.’ He’d never mentioned it. All around good people and a no sh*t public servant[.]”
Gallego has come to Platner’s defense before. Gallego endorsed Platner despite the latter wearing a Nazi military tattoo, pledging allegiance to socialism, identifying as Antifa, and disparaging white rural Americans. For close to 20 years, Platner had on his chest a tattoo of the Totenkopf, or “death’s head,” image used by Nazi troops.
It was that tattoo, critics say, that resulted in the Marine Corps refusing his reentry to active duty in 2009.
Just last month, Gallego was distancing himself from the sexual misconduct, assault, and rape allegations against former congressman and former California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell.
Gallego and Swalwell were best friends for a decade leading up to the allegations against the latter. When Swalwell ran for president in 2019, Gallego was his campaign chair.
Initially, Gallego had come to Swalwell’s defense.
“When you are in first place, is when they target you,” said Gallego. “Eric is a fighter and he will win the Governors race.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | May 22, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Jay Feely, a Republican candidate for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, is drawing scrutiny following recent comments defending Haitian immigrants amid ongoing national debates over immigration policy.
Feely, who has received an endorsement from President Donald Trump despite past criticism of Trump and reported connections to the Clinton family, faced backlash after accusing his primary opponent, former Arizona State Representative Joseph Chaplik, of racism.
The exchange stems from Chaplik’s criticism of Feely’s support for bringing large numbers of Haitian refugees into the United States.
In response to Chaplik’s concerns about mass Haitian immigration, Feely cited his personal experience helping two Haitian men he described as “family,” saying they came to the United States legally and pursued education and employment.
Chaplik rejected the accusations, saying his remarks were aimed at Feely’s broader immigration policy positions rather than the individuals themselves. He accused Feely of “playing the race card” and shared video clips he said showed Feely supporting amnesty measures and assistance for NGOs facilitating Haitian migration. Chaplik also pointed to Feely’s lack of response when asked about Temporary Protected Status extensions for Haitians.
The controversy escalated when Feely appeared on Arizona’s 12 News. During the interview, Feely addressed President Trump’s 2024 campaign remarks regarding reports of Haitian immigrants in Ohio eating pets. Feely recounted conversations with the two Haitian men he helped bring into the U.S., noting cultural practices in Haiti, “that when somebody has no food at all, they’re going to find whatever it is, whether it’s a dog, a cat.”
“I don’t want to be derogatory about people,” added Feely. “I think that’s where President Trump and I differ, is that I think you can articulate your values and your beliefs without being derogatory about others.”
When asked directly about reports of pets being eaten in Ohio, Feely responded, “I’m saying that the Haitian men that we brought here, and we talked about it, they said, ‘Yeah, I could see that happening.’ And if somebody who did that in Haiti comes here and sees a swan and says, “Oh, that might make a good meal!”
Chaplik responded sharply to the interview in a comment to The Gateway Pundit, criticizing Feely for disregarding constituents, insulting the President, and attacking candidates with a conservative legislative record. “That’s why the voters of our Congressional District, CD1, don’t trust him, and that’s why we are up 20 points.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | May 22, 2026 | News
By Matthew Hollloway |
Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ02) announced this week that language from his legislation aimed at restoring veterans’ Second Amendment rights has been incorporated into a bipartisan bill advancing through Congress.
According to a statement from Crane’s office, language from H.R. 496 was added to H.R. 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week and now heads to the Senate.
The legislation would prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from reporting veterans to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) solely because they receive assistance managing their VA benefits through a fiduciary program.
Crane’s provision incorporated into H.R. 1041 would restore Second Amendment rights to veterans previously reported to NICS solely due to fiduciary participation.
The measure would require a judicial determination that a veteran poses a danger to themselves or others before Second Amendment rights could be restricted through NICS reporting.
Crane said the addition of his bill language strengthens the legislation by addressing veterans already affected by the prior reporting policy.
“I’m pleased to see the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs add my language from H.R. 496 to the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act,” Crane said. “This addition strengthens the bill, ensuring the retroactive removal of veterans who were wrongly added to the FBI’s NICS list.”
House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) said the legislation is intended to protect veterans receiving financial assistance services from losing constitutional rights without court involvement.
“The men and women who have served and defended Constitutional rights for generations of Americans should not have to worry that they will be reported to NICS and lose their rights simply because they need help managing their books,” Bost said. “Veterans should never be treated like second-class citizens.”
Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), chairman of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, also supported the measure, stating that only courts—not agency officials—should determine whether constitutional rights are restricted.
The legislation follows policy changes announced earlier this year by the Department of Veterans Affairs. In February, the VA announced it would stop reporting veterans enrolled in the fiduciary program to NICS solely because they receive assistance managing benefits. The department stated it was also working with the FBI to remove prior VA-related NICS submissions connected only to fiduciary participation.
VA Secretary Doug Collins said at the time that veterans had been deprived of Second Amendment rights without sufficient due process protections.
Following House passage, Crane praised the legislation and urged Senate approval.
“If the federal government is willing to strip the God‑given, unalienable rights of those who served in uniform, there is no telling where they will draw the line. H.R. 1041 codifies the termination of this un‑American practice and prevents future administrations from unilaterally reversing this wise decision.”
He added, “I’m grateful to President Trump for protecting the rights of our nation’s heroes, and I appreciate Chairman Bost for adopting my language into his bill. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly pass these necessary reforms.”
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.
