by Staff Reporter | Apr 10, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will no longer penalize Arizona and other states for foreign air pollution affecting state levels.
The EPA decision follows local and statewide efforts by Arizona’s elected and grassroots leaders in recent years to toss this regulation.
Among those engaging with the EPA was the Arizona Free Enterprise Club (AFEC). The grassroots organization’s president, Scot Mussi, commended the EPA decision.
“Due to this regulation from the Biden Administration, Arizona was being forced to adopt radical control measures, like banning gasoline-powered vehicles, which still would have left our state short of meeting the ozone standard,” said Mussi. “Yet again, the left’s environmental policies have proven to be disastrous and unworkable. For the good of our state and country, we must never repeat these mandates.”
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced on Monday it would rescind the Guidance on the Preparation of Clean Air Act Section (CAA) 179B Demonstrations for Nonattainment Areas Affected by International Transport of Emissions.
The EPA published a press release, also on Monday, detailing the changes to air pollution regulations. The rescinded guidance effectively penalized states for air pollution caused by other countries.
“This guidance made it unnecessarily difficult for states to demonstrate that foreign air pollution is harming Americans within their borders,” stated the EPA. “States should not be penalized for air pollution beyond their control, including pollution crossing international borders into the United States.”
In a statement, Zeldin said U.S. citizens shouldn’t be held responsible for other nations’ air pollution failures.
“Americans should not be harmed by other countries that do not have the same environmental standards we have in the United States,” said Zeldin. “Not only are we eliminating cumbersome red tape that placed an excessive burden on states to prove emissions were from an international source, but we are also helping states across our nation prosper while ensuring they continue to provide clean air for their residents.”
The EPA said it would work with state and local air agencies to secure regulatory relief under the rescinded guidance.
The guidance emerged in December 2020 during the last month of the first Trump administration. The guidance was intended to assist state, local, and tribal air agencies with developing a demonstration on how a nonattainment area would be able to attain or would have attained relevant National Ambient Air Quality Standard if not for other countries’ air pollution.
Last month, the EPA agreed to reconsider its determination that the Northern Wasatch Front in Utah failed to attain the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
This latest policy change aligns with the Trump administration’s designs for the EPA under Zeldin outlined in his Powering the Great American Comeback initiative. Zeldin declared in his announcement of the initiative that conservation was inherently a core principle of conservatism.
This initiative announced in February proposes five new pillars of guidance for the EPA’s work over the first 100 days and throughout the next four years, all centered around American independence and dominance: securing clean air, land, and water for all Americans; restoring American energy dominance; permitting reform, cooperative federalism, and cross-agency partnership; making the U.S. the artificial intelligence capital of the world; and protecting and bringing back American auto jobs.
In a joint press release issued on Monday, Maricopa County Chairman Thomas Galvin and Supervisor Debbie Lesko said they made the case in a meeting last month with the EPA of the difficulty for states to prove certain air pollution impacts. The stance from current county leadership marks a departure from past leadership, which advanced measures to meet EPA compliance on ozone standards.
“At that meeting, county leadership demonstrated how difficult it has been for states like Arizona to prove the impact of air pollution from international transport, and as a result, we risk more regulation,” said Galvin and Lesko. “As Administrator Zeldin said, today’s announcement is a step in the right direction for states looking to balance the need for clean air with the importance of economic development.”
Galvin and Lesko also thanked Senator Mark Kelly for providing assistance on the issue.
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by Jonathan Eberle | Apr 9, 2025 | Education, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A bill aimed at strengthening protections for students in Arizona schools has passed both chambers of the Legislature and been signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs.
SB 1437, sponsored by Senator Carine Werner (R-LD4), expands the list of mandatory reporters who must notify law enforcement of sexual misconduct involving school employees. The bill adds school district governing board members, charter school governing body members, substitute teachers, and school safety officers to the current list of individuals legally required to report such cases.
The legislation was introduced in response to several troubling incidents of alleged abuse that surfaced during Senator Werner’s tenure as a school board member. These cases raised concerns that gaps in the law allowed some individuals in positions of authority to avoid reporting suspected misconduct.
“It is imperative that we work together to protect children and take action against sexual predators who are abusing their trusted positions and flying under the radar in schools,” said Senator Werner. “Parents should be able to have confidence in knowing when they send their child to school, there are safeguards in place to prevent this abuse from happening.”
Werner emphasized that the bill sends a clear message to would-be offenders and those who might ignore or conceal misconduct: that silence is not an option and accountability is required.
Under Arizona’s current laws, certain professionals—including teachers and administrators—are required to report suspected child abuse. However, school board members, substitute teachers, and some other staff were not explicitly included in that group. SB 1437 addresses that omission.
The bill builds on broader national discussions around mandatory reporting and school safety, sparked by high-profile abuse cases in several states. In recent years, Arizona and other states have faced calls to bolster protections for students and tighten oversight of school employees.
While no major organized opposition to SB 1437 emerged, some observers have raised questions in similar cases nationally about the need for proper training to avoid overreporting or misinterpretation of complex situations. Nonetheless, support in Arizona’s legislature was widespread.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Apr 9, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
During remarks from the Trump administration’s Border Czar Tom Homan at a joint session of the Arizona legislature, House and Senate Democrats abruptly left the chamber carrying signs allegedly naming “legal residents and students who have been disappeared by Homan and ICE.”
The Democrat lawmakers then exited the House of Representatives to join news crews with between 10 and 20 demonstrators present to protest Homan’s speech.
In a press release from Arizona House Democrats, Senator Catherine Miranda (D-LD1) stated, “It’s disturbing that my colleagues are giving a platform to someone who has caused so much harm to our community.” She claimed, “Tom Homan isn’t just deporting people, he’s responsible for kidnappings, disappearances, and the deportation of individuals for reasons as unjust as having tattoos, protesting, or being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
In his remarks, Homan directly addressed the Democrat narrative saying, “I try not to curse much, if I offended anybody I don’t care. I don’t, because I get irritated when I started talking about the false narrative being pushed by the left.“ Speaking to the Democrat House Members and Senators directly he said, “Thank you for making my day. I love haters. They make my day every day.”
Referring to them later he said, “Under the Biden administration, half of the men and children? They were smuggled into this country. Taken out the hands of their families, giving them to a criminal cartel to be smuggled into this country. And we’re the bad guys?”
“All these people who just walked out, what did they do? Did they speak up about that? Did they speak up to the fact that 300,000 of these children can’t be found because they’re released to unvetted sponsors? The last administration had one goal: process quick, release quick, because there’s no overcrowding. We can say ‘the board is secure, nothing to see here,’” said Homan.
Homan told the joint session, “So at the end of historic immigration, where millions of people come across the border, 9 out of 10 of them will end up with an order of removal from a federal judge. That’s why there’s going to be massive deportation operations. You can’t demand due process and ignore the decision at the end of that due process, which is an order removal. The law requires it. That’s exactly what’s going to happen. There are gonna be consequences. And if we don’t do it, if we don’t do it, we send the whole world a message, enter United States illegally. It’s a crime.”
He later noted, “It’s not okay to be in this country illegally. And people hate on me for that. If you’re in the country illegally you should be looking over your shoulder. It’s not okay to enter this country illegally, it’s a crime.“
Homan observed, “We will not apologize for sending two plane loads of terrorists out of this country. I cannot believe any judge will order anybody bringing those two plane loads of terrorists back to this country. President Trump put America first. Of course we’re litigating that case. We just had a big win on that yesterday.”
“We’re going to keep having wins because President Trump’s put America first. He’s not going to apologize for removing terrorists from this country ever. And I will not rest until every member of TDA and MS -13s are eradicated from this country. Then I’ll take a day off. But until then, hate on me all you want,” concluded Homan. “I know I got a lot of haters in this room, but I don’t give a shit. We’re gonna get this job done with no apologies.”
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 Matthew Holloway | Apr 8, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A set of brand new polls from Kreate Strategies, released on last week, shows that Arizona Republicans favor Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) in the upcoming 2026 Gubernatorial Primary Election by approximately a 5-to-1 margin. In a potential General Election matchup, Biggs maintains a two-point advantage over incumbent Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs. Previous polling showed Biggs with a one-point advantage.
The polls, shared by Sean Noble, President of American Encore, queried 842 GOP likely voters for the Primary Election and 1,070 likely voters (39% Republican, 32% Democrat, 30% No Party Preference) for the General Election. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.
In a statement to AZ Free News, Noble wrote, “This poll is yet another indicator that Congressman Andy Biggs is the clear choice for Republicans to be their nominee against the failed policies of Governor Hobbs. It also shows that Biggs gives Republicans the best chance to defeat Governor Hobbs in November 2026.”
The polling revealed that Biggs holds a significant 54-point lead over fellow Republican contender Karrin Taylor Robson, 67% to 13%. He maintains a two-point lead over Hobbs 48% to 46% with 6% undecided. Conversely in the General Election polling Robson trails Hobbs 41% to 42% with 17% undecided.
Regarding favorability, the numbers around Biggs and Hobbs appear to have solidified along partisan lines with Hobbs showing 44% overall favorability and a 49% unfavorable view while Biggs holds a 49% favorability with only 33% of likely voters holding an unfavorable view. Robson’s favorability remains wide open but trending negative with 29% favorability, 44% unfavorable view, and 27% undecided.
Among Republicans specifically in the Primary race, Biggs holds an 86% favorability versus Robson who holds a 48% favorability.
In previous polling reported by AZ Free News in January and February, Congressman Biggs has consistently led the field in polls from Data Orbital, Kreate Strategies, and NicoPAC. He has seen the most movement in closing the gap with independent voters and increasing overall favorability.
Among Arizona voters top concerns are inflation, jobs, and costs with 27%, followed by immigration and border patrol with 21%, followed by quality of education and water policy with 9% and 8%, respectively. Among Republicans, immigration remains the top concern with 43% and 18% concerned with inflation, jobs, and cost of living.
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 Matthew Holloway | Apr 8, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Chief Patrol Agent (CPA) of the U.S. Border Patrol Tucson Sector Sean McGoffin posted to social media Thursday detailed the apprehension of a Phoenix couple in Benson, AZ.
According to McGoffin’s account, a Phoenix couple, allegedly on a trip to Bisbee, AZ were stopped by the Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol in Benson and were found to be transporting three illegal immigrants. Border Patrol working with the AZ DPS took the driver and his girlfriend into custody along with the three illegal immigrants.
In his post McGoffin wrote, “The driver claimed he and his girlfriend were picking up some belongings in Bisbee when the 3 illegal aliens from Mexico asked for a ride.” Reportedly this wasn’t the driver’s first brush with human smuggling however, as McGoffin added, “Apparently, he didn’t learn not to smuggle aliens when he was sent to prison in 2022 for the same crime.”
According to the release, both the driver and his girlfriend are now facing charges under 8 USC 1324 for smuggling illegal aliens and the three illegal aliens will face charges under 8 USC 1182 for Alien Inadmissibility as well as re-entry restrictions under section 212 of immigration law.
McGoffin noted that the incident is under investigation by the Tucson Sector Border Patrol working in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona under U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. According to USCBP statistics, the Border Patrol has arrested 4,323 Criminal Non-Citizens encountered from Fiscal year 2025 to February, 289 of whom had outstanding warrants or wants, out of a total of 193,164 encounters including both Title 8 Apprehensions and Title 42 Expulsions.
The arrests are just the latest in a series of apprehensions in southern Arizona as previously reported by AZ Free News, that have seen local and state authorities working in conjunction with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Later the same day, McGoffin shared video footage of agents assigned to the Willcox Border Patrol Station interdicting and arresting a human smuggler who was transporting four illegal immigrants into the U.S. including one in the trunk of the car. He wrote, “Luckily, agents where there to thwart the illegal operation potentially saving lives.”
The smuggler will also be charged under 8 USC 1324 and the illegal aliens he was transporting will likewise be charged under 8 USC 1182. 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.
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 Matthew Holloway | Apr 8, 2025 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
In October 2023, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), under the Biden-Harris Administration, imposed a staggering $37 million fine against Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Phoenix, the largest privately owned Christian University in the nation. The fine came without revealing any serious complaint against the school. In February 2024, the Goldwater Institute announced that it advanced a lawsuit to determine why such a massive fine was levied. Now, a hearing has been scheduled in the case for April 18th.
Acoording to the Goldwater Institute, the DOE claimed that GCU “violated federal disclosure rules regarding continuing education courses for PhD students.” GCU leaders deny this outright. Further, in a press release regarding the fine, the DOE declined to include any complaints from students or members of the public to support its regulatory action.
When a federal judge in the U.S. District Court hears arguments in Goldwater Institute v. U.S. Department of Education, Goldwater hopes to compel the federal agency to disclose the alleged violation(s), which it believes are particularly suspicious. According to Goldwater, a public statement from Biden’s Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona vowed to “shut down” GCU.
Adding doubt to the DOE’s allegations, as Goldwater notes, GCU reportedly hasn’t raised tuition in over 15 years. The manner in which the fine was announced was also suspect with Goldwater noting, “The Department also announced its unprecedented fine with a widely reported press release that was heavy on rhetoric and bereft of any serious complaints from students or the public. It also appears that the fine was assessed in conjunction with suspicious coordination among various federal agencies.”
According to Goldwater, efforts through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to determine the motivation behind the fine have gone unanswered, leading up to the complaint.
“The request seeks emails between key individuals of the Department and other federal agencies that discuss the Department’s fine against GCU. The records may help inform the public about this extraordinary fine, as well as coordination between various federal agencies in what appears to be the intentionally targeting of a successful university based on extraordinarily thin allegations. However, the Department has refused to produce the records requested and has failed to otherwise comply with the FOIA.”
As reported by AZ Free News in February 2024, Goldwater staff attorney Stacy Skankey explained, “With its motto of ‘private, Christian, affordable’ and its track record of graduating students into high-demand and high-paying jobs, GCU is a success story by any metric. And it stands apart from universities across the country that are facing declining enrollment, that are indoctrinating students with radical politics, and that are under attack for failing to defend the First Amendment.”
In an op-ed for the Washington Times in December, Jon Riches, Goldwater Institute Vice President for Litigation, wrote, “As the Trump administration prepares to tackle an ambitious education agenda, ending the shameful attack on GCU should be a top priority. This would not only correct the injustice done to GCU but also make clear the broader principle that higher education should be a domain of innovation and student achievement — not a fiefdom for ideological conformity and bureaucratic rule.”
The initial action was brought by the Goldwater Institute during the Biden Administration and saw little to no response from former Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. Though confirmed by neither party, the hearing had initially been delay and could be reflective of the whirlwind of changes at the DOE under Trump Administration.
The upcoming hearing could present a departure from the DOE’s previous position on the GCU fine, or at minimum provide transparency that was lacking under the previous administration.
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.
