by Matthew Holloway | Nov 16, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona’s House GOP members presented a unified front Wednesday as Congress ended the weeks-long federal government shutdown, criticizing Democrats for prioritizing politics over the disruptions it caused Arizonans. Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) delivered one of the sharpest rebukes, claiming Democrats triggered the shutdown by refusing to back a Continuing Resolution similar to extensions they supported under the Biden administration.
“Make no mistake about it; the Democrats’ disgusting shutdown was only about attacking President Trump. They didn’t care if Americans were collateral damage,” Hamadeh said.
He described spending Veterans Day with families and servicemembers in his district who faced suspended federal services, adding that many urged him to “hold the line” until a deal was reached.
Hamadeh described his team as “energized” as the government reopens, saying, “We know we have our work cut out for us as the nation recovers from the Democrats’ misguided shutdown. While my team has been staying on top of casework and legislation, the shutdown prevented us from having full access to the personnel and services taxpayers pay for. As a result, we are going to be working overtime to ensure that we minimize the damage the Democrats created. I encourage my constituents to reach out to my office for any assistance with federal agencies they might have.”
Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ02) echoed the criticism, describing the lapse in funding as “the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.” Crane said the shutdown strained food banks, caused travel delays, and left rural families unsure whether they could access key services.
“Last night, I once again voted to fund the federal government. The American people should never be used as leverage to advance a political agenda,” said Rep. Crane. “To those who dealt with missed paychecks, worked without pay, and lived with great uncertainty, your determination and resolve are admirable. To the amazing people of rural Arizona who stood by one another during this challenge, I’m grateful for your strength and dedication to each other.”
In a post to X he wrote, “The American people should never be used as leverage to advance a political agenda.”
Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06) faulted Democrats for rejecting what he called a “clean CR,” arguing that their last-minute demands forced the shutdown.
“Every single Democrat who voted against this clean CR voted for a government shutdown,” Ciscomani said in a statement. He told local reporters the standoff was driven by a “long wishlist of policy items” that Democratic leaders attempted to insert at the eleventh hour, “using our government as hostage to push their policy agenda through.”
Ciscomani visited with families in his district whose services were interrupted during the shutdown, including parents of disabled children and veterans dependent on federal support. He said he intends to monitor agency performance closely as operations resume.
The Tucson Republican soundly condemned Arizona Democrats in a post to X, “This shutdown was completely unnecessary and overdue to end. It’s disappointing to still see so many democrats, especially Arizonans, voting to remain shut down. “
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ05) issued his own statement praising the House’s vote to reopen the government, thanking conservatives who pressured leadership to reject Democratic terms and focus on fiscal restraint. Biggs applauded colleagues for what he called a “moment to permanently shrink the federal bureaucracy, restore constitutional limits, and return power to the states.”
The shutdown ended Wednesday after the House approved the Senate-passed funding package, and President Trump signed the bill into law, restoring government operations while avoiding the policy disputes that sank earlier versions. Democrats contend they rejected the previous CR because of Trump-aligned provisions and budget riders they argued would worsen long-term fiscal conditions.
Rep. Hamadeh framed the episode as senseless and revealing of Democrats’ priorities.
“The Democrats accomplished nothing with their senseless shutdown,” Hamadeh said, concluding, “except to show – without a doubt – that they do not put Americans first.”
As agencies reopen, GOP congressional offices across the state say they are preparing for an increase in casework as constituents attempt to navigate backlogged systems. Crane and Hamadeh both urged constituents to reach out as services begin returning to normal.
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 Ethan Faverino | Nov 16, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
U.S. Congressman Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08) urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to launch a federal investigation into allegations of bribery and prosecutorial misconduct tied to the Democrat Attorneys General Association (DAGA), the States United Democracy Center (SUDC), and multiple state attorneys general offices.
The congressman, a former prosecutor, highlighted the direct impact on his Arizona constituents—grandmothers, business leaders, veterans, seniors, and activists—who he says have been targeted for exercising their First Amendment rights in what appears to be politically motivated prosecutions.
Court filings in State of Arizona v. Kelli Ward et al. uncovered an apparent coordinated scheme where partisan nonprofits allegedly funneled payments to influence criminal cases.
Key allegations outlined in Hamadeh’s letter to AG Bondi include:
Suspicious Financial Timing: Arizona AG Kris Mayes received $200,000 from DAGA. She received $50,000 after hiring SUDC in May 2023, and $150,000 right after announcing indictments in April 2024, raising red flags of potential quid pro quo.
Unprecedented Control by Partisan Group: The Arizona AG’s office claims an attorney-client relationship with SUDC, effectively ceding prosecutorial authority to a politically aligned nonprofit, undermining independence and due process.
Opaque Organizational Ties: Tax records indicate that SUDC shares leadership, addresses, and bank accounts with the Progressive State Leadership Committee, a structure seemingly designed to mask money flow and coordination.
Hamadeh also pointed to SUDC co-founder Marc Elias’s prior sanctions by the Fifth Circuit for “redundant and misleading” conduct and lack of candor, including filing undisclosed duplicate motions, requiring him to complete court-ordered ethics training.
“My constituents, including veterans and seniors who make up a significant portion of AZ-08, deserve confidence that their taxpayer dollars ensure law enforcement decisions affecting their rights are made impartially, and are not going to partisan Democrat-affiliated organizations,” stated Congressman Hamadeh. “The apparently credible allegations rise to a level of seriousness that warrants an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.”
In his letter to AG Pam Bondi, Hamadeh demanded answers within 30 days on:
- The status of any DOJ probe into DAGA-SUDC arrangements.
- Similar financial ties in other states with politically charged cases.
- Protections for defendants’ due process rights.
- Review of tax filings, bank records, and communications.
- Timeline for investigation and public findings.
“The allegations outlined above, if substantiated, represent a fundamental corruption of prosecutorial independence and the rule of law,” concluded Hamadeh. “My constituents and all Americans deserve to know that criminal prosecutions are conducted based on evidence and law, not influenced by financial payments from partisan political organizations.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Nov 15, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
South Tucson Mayor Roxanna “Roxy” Valenzuela is in a relationship with former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.
De Blasio is still legally married. He and his wife, Chirlane McCray, separated in 2023 but did not divorce.
At the time that Valenzuela and de Blasio began seeing one another, the former mayor was still in another relationship with Nomiki Konst: a New York progressive activist and former Arizona candidate who formerly was a reporter with “The Young Turks” podcast, as the New York Post reported.
Although Konst hails from New York currently, she is originally from Tucson like Valenzuela. Konst ran for Congress in Arizona briefly in 2012, the same year she co-chaired former President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign.
De Blasio said he hoped Konst would still be his friend after learning of this affair.
“Nomiki and I had a lovely relationship for 10 months, I have deep respect for her and what she stands for, and I hope we can have a real friendship in the future,” said de Blasio.
Since unofficially splitting with his wife, de Blasio has enjoyed a string of affairs widely reported in the press.
In December 2023, de Blasio had an affair with a then-married woman, Kristy Stark, who at the time founded and led an early childhood behavioral company supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This month, Stark joined the University of Michigan faculty as a behavioral science professor.
Although Stark claimed to be going through a divorce at the time of her tryst with de Blasio, her then-husband denied knowledge of any divorce taking place and any infidelity by his then-wife.
Court records show divorce proceedings initiated in Michigan in January 2024, almost a month to the day after reports emerged of Stark and de Blasio’s affair.
De Blasio is also affiliated with the University of Michigan within the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy as a residence policymaker.
Already reports have emerged that de Blasio’s latest relationship with Valenzuela has taken a turn for the worse, per anonymous sources, who say the mayor wants to progress the relationship.
Valenzuela and de Blasio met during a June fundraising dinner in Arizona. The two were introduced by de Blasio’s then-girlfriend, Konst, per reports.
In recent weeks, Valenzuela was reported as residing in a motel purchased in 2023 for affordable housing by the organization where she works, Casa Maria Catholic Worker Community.
Although Valenzuela does have two children, she is not married. The father of one of her children, Billy Peard, told The Post that he and Valenzuela share parenting responsibilities. Per social media posts, the two were partners for around one of the two years of their daughter’s life.
Peard, a Tucson attorney, previously ran for the Arizona State House in 2020 as a Democratic candidate. Prior to that, Peard was a staff attorney for the ACLU, Community Legal Aid, and Georgia Legal Services.
Like Valenzuela, de Blasio has two children.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Nov 15, 2025 | Education, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Six Arizona campuses have been named Blue Ribbon Schools, a distinction announced Monday by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne and the Arizona Department of Education, recognizing standout academic achievement and sustained student growth.
The schools earning the honor this year include the Academy of Math and Science in Peoria, Chinle Elementary School in Chinle, Empire High School in Tucson, the Maricopa Institute of Technology in Phoenix, Saint John Bosco Catholic School in Phoenix, and Ward Traditional Academy in Tempe.
Horne said the recognition reflects the department’s emphasis on academic rigor and measurable results.
“My primary focus as superintendent is on academic excellence, and these schools can be justifiably proud of this accomplishment because it is based on academic success,” Horne said. “Students and educators should always work toward continuous improvement in academic achievement, and Blue Ribbon Schools demonstrate that when schools lead students into challenging themselves, they will excel academically.”
The Blue Ribbon Schools program, now administered at the state level, highlights campuses that show strong performance on state assessments or demonstrate significant progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups. Established in 1982, the program is open to both public and private K–12 schools nationwide.
Arizona’s newly recognized schools will join a long-running tradition of campuses that exemplify high standards, strong instruction, and a commitment to raising student outcomes across diverse communities.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Nov 15, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index declined 0.6 points in October to 98.2 points. Despite the small decline, it remains above its 52-year historical average of 98. In a positive sign, the Uncertainty index dropped 12 points to 88, marking the lowest level this year.
NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said, “Optimism among small businesses declined slightly in October as owners report lower sales and reduced profits. Additionally, many firms are still navigating a labor shortage and want to hire but are having difficulty doing so, with labor quality being the top issue for Main Street.”
Labor challenges persisted, with a seasonally adjusted 32% of owners reporting unfilled job openings, unchanged for the second straight month, and the lowest since December 2020.
Labor quality was cited by 27% of owners as their single most important problem, up 9 points from September and the highest since November 2021, when it reached 29%. It ranked 11 points above taxes, the second-largest concern. Of the 56% of owners hiring or trying to hire, 88% reported little to no qualified applicants.
Sales and profits declined, as a net negative 13% of owners reported higher nominal sales over the past three months, down 6 points. Positive profit trends fell 9 points to a net negative 25%—the largest contributor to the Index decline.
Among those with lower profits, 33% blamed weaker sales, 16% noted rising material costs, and 9% pointed to both labor costs and price changes.
Pricing pressures eased slightly, with the net percentage of owners raising average selling prices falling from 24% to 21%, though it is still above the historical monthly average of 13%.
30% of small businesses plan to raise prices in the next three months, just down 1 point. An unadjusted 31% reported higher prices, while just 12% reported lower prices.
Inventory gains dropped 3 points to a net negative of 6%. 10% reported stock increases while 15% reported reductions. Supply chain disruptions were cited as the biggest reason for inventory problems, with 60% of owners saying it affected them to some extent.
Capital investments saw 55% of owners reporting outlays in the past six months. Among them, 36% spent on new equipment, 22% on vehicles, and 14% on facility improvements or expansions. 23% plan outlays in the six months.
20% of small business owners expect better conditions, the lowest since April, but well above the historical average of 4%. Only 13% view it as a good time to expand. Business health assessments shifted, with 12% rating their business as excellent, 51% good, 33% fair, and 4% poor.
“A reduction in sales and profits has certainly taken a toll on small business owners’ optimism,” NFIB State Director Chad Heinrich said. “Despite these challenges and the ongoing labor shortage, our members are resilient, with many still trying to create good-paying jobs for Arizonans.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Nov 14, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Rep. Adelita Grijalva opted not to address accusations that Democrats blocked an immediate, full release of the Epstein files on Wednesday.
A reporter questioned Grijalva during the Congressional Hispanic Caucus press conference about the Democratic inaction on a resolution to release the files in full that day.
Grijalva opted not to answer and instead stepped back to allow Rep. Pete Aguilar to speak on her behalf. Aguilar insisted Republicans were trying to prevent the release of the files.
“I think it’s incredibly clear that Republicans will stop at nothing to avoid the disclosure of this information,” said Aguilar.
Upon Grijalva’s swearing in on Wednesday, hers was the final signature needed on a petition to force a House vote on their full release. However, House Democrats rejected an attempt at a full release that same day.
Rep. Tim Burchett, a Republican, moved for unanimous consent of a resolution (HR 4405) to release all of the Epstein files immediately. House Democrats objected.
“We Republicans are requesting this unanimous consent. Are Democrats objecting to this request?” asked Burchett.
“Chair reminds the gentleman from Tennessee that as indicated by Section 956 the House Rules and Manual: it is not a proper parliamentary inquiry to ask the chair to indicate which side of the aisle has failed under the speaker’s guidelines to clear a unanimous consent request,” responded the speaker pro tempore.
Burchett said this was a strategic move to control the narrative on the Epstein files: by not authorizing a release all at once, a narrative could be better crafted.
“This is all gamesmanship folks. It’s not about releasing the files. They had something on Trump, they would’ve released it five and half or four years [ago]. And they hate Trump more than anything in the world,” said Burchett. “So they can piecemeal the truth and the half-truths, both sides, of what really went down with Epstein.”
Grijalva declined to address this inaction by her colleagues; however, she had much to say about House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The freshman congresswoman claimed Johnson’s delay in swearing her in had little to do with the government shutdown and everything to do with him being “misogynistic” and her being “a woman of color.” Grijalva framed the government delay as a great effort to prevent her swearing in.
“If I were a Republican, I would not have waited this long. If I were a man, I would not have waited this long. We all know that the rules are always different for women of color and people of color and we have to fight against that,” said Grijalva. “People in our community know what it’s like to depend on a Grijalva.”
Grijalva pledged to advance legislation to ensure the swearing-in delay that she encountered wouldn’t occur in the future.
A vote on the full release of the Epstein files is anticipated to occur sometime next week.
On Wednesday, House Republican leadership did release an additional trove of the Epstein files. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released an additional 20,000 pages of documents.
As part of their publicization of the documents, Democrats redacted some of the material in the newly released trove.
Members of the media and public questioned the Democrats’ redactions, which included the hiding of a victim’s name in connection to an allegation against President Donald Trump.
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform responded to the sensationalized redaction that the mystery victim in question was Virginia Giuffre: a known advocate of Trump’s innocence in relation to Epstein.
“[T]his victim, Virginia Giuffre, publicly said that she never witnessed wrongdoing by President Trump,” stated the committee. “Democrats are trying to create a fake narrative to slander President Trump.”
Along with progress on the Epstein files, Congress also voted to end the government shutdown on Wednesday.
The shutdown lasted 43 days, the longest-running one in the nation’s history. Six House Democrats joined Republicans to vote for an end to the shutdown, 222 to 209. The Senate voted to end the shutdown on Monday.
President Donald Trump signed the spending bill into law on Wednesday night, officially ending the shutdown.
Arizona’s elected officials were divided along party lines across both chambers in their votes on ending the government shutdown. Democrats voted against it, Republicans voted for it.
The Democratic votes came from Reps. Henry Cuellar (Texas), Donald Davis (North Carolina), Jared Golden (Massachusetts), Adam Gray (California), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington), and Thomas Suozzi (New York).
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
