New Report Shows Grand Canyon Ranks As 9th Busiest National Park For Summer RV Visits

New Report Shows Grand Canyon Ranks As 9th Busiest National Park For Summer RV Visits

By Ethan Faverino |

As Summer RV travel peaks across the United States, new research highlights stark differences in crowding at America’s national parks. Arizona’s iconic Grand Canyon National Park stands as a major draw for RV enthusiasts, ranking ninth busiest overall despite a cooling trend in 2025.

According to data from Blue Capital Holdings, RV campers flocked to Glacier National Park in Montana more than any other over the past five years, logging more than 429,000 summer visits (June-August) from 2021 to 2025. Yosemite National Park in California followed closely in second place.

Top 5 Most Popular National Parks for Summer RV Camping (2021-2025):

  • Glacier National Park, Montana – 429,693 visits
  • Yosemite National Park, California – 423,672 visits
  • Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Tennessee – 333,739 visits
  • Olympic National Park, Washington – 280,272 visits
  • Acadia National Park, Maine – 158,105 visits

“Summer shows just how concentrated RV travel has become around a small number of national parks,” stated Blue Capital Holdings CEO Rich Turasky. “Glacier and Yosemite are in a league of their own, and together they logged more than 850,000 summer RV visits over the past five years. What is interesting is that popularity does not always mean momentum. Glacier still ranks first overall, but its numbers slipped in 2025, while Yosemite surged by 43%. Rocky Mountain also climbed 23%, and Kings Canyon rose 42%, so there are still parks seeing very strong summer demand.”

Grand Canyon National Park in northwestern Arizona recorded 124,968 summer RV visits over the five-year period, securing ninth place nationally. The park saw 26,075 visits in 2024 before declining roughly 20% to 20,854 in 2025, reflecting broader patterns where many headline destinations experienced softening demand amid concerns over heat, crowding, and access.

Arizona’s crown jewel continues to captivate travelers seeking its world-renowned vistas, dramatic landscapes, and unique Southwest character. While not topping the list, the Grand Canyon remains a bucket-list staple for the RV campers drawn to Arizona’s natural wonders.

According to the National Park Service, Grand Canyon’s North Rim reopened as of May 15, 2026, following impacts from the Dragon Bravo Fire. All paved roadways within the park have reopened, restoring access to many iconic viewpoints such as Point Imperial, Cape Royal, Roosevelt Point, and Angels Window.

The North Rim Campground is expected to reopen in June 2026 for tent and RV camping, however there will be no water or RV hookups available — campers must bring all their own portable water.

Stage 2 fire restrictions also remain in effect throughout the 2026 season due to limited water resources, prohibiting wood and charcoal fires.

Several trails remain closed due to fire impacts, including Bright Angel Point, Widforss, Transept, Uncle Jim Trail, and sections of the Ken Patrick Trail. No overnight lodging is available on the North Rim inside the park this season, though options exist outside the park boundaries.

At the other end of the list, several parks recorded dramatically lower traffic, providing quieter alternatives for summer travel.

Top 5 Least Popular National Parks for Summer RV Camping (2021-2025):

  • Badlands National Park, South Dakota – 1,845 visits
  • Death Valley National Park, California – 4,245 visits
  • Big Bend National Park, Texas – 4,979 visits
  • Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas – 5,531 visits
  • Canyonlands National Park, Utah – 6,138 visits

“At the same time, some of the biggest names lost ground. Great Smoky Mountains fell 19%, Grand Canyon was down 20%, and Yellowstone dropped 31% year on year,” added Turasky. “That suggests RV travelers are not just following the most famous names blindly, but are being influenced by heat, crowding, access, costs and the overall experience once they arrive. The least-visited summer parks also tell their own story. Places like Death Valley and Big Bend are spectacular, but summer can be a difficult time to visit them in an RV. For travelers willing to plan carefully, though, the lower numbers can mean a much quieter national park experience.”

Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

DOJ Defends Arizona’s Proof-Of-Citizenship Voting Requirements At Supreme Court

DOJ Defends Arizona’s Proof-Of-Citizenship Voting Requirements At Supreme Court

By Staff Reporter |

This week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) asked the Supreme Court to uphold Arizona’s proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting.

The DOJ filed a brief in Republican National Committee, et al. v. Mi Familia Vota, et al. (case Nos. 25-1017, 25-1019, and 25-1022). 

The case will determine whether the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) prohibits states from: removing noncitizens from voter rolls within 90 days of an election, requiring individuals to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections using the state registration form, and denying individuals the ability to vote by mail if they don’t provide documentary proof of citizenship. 

These questions emerged from House Bills 2243 and 2492; both passed in 2022. Together, these bills require the secretary of state and county recorders to regularly review voter rolls, mandate registrants using the state registration form provide proof of citizenship, and prohibit vote by mail for federal-only voters.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the NVRA does preempt that legislation, impacting any similar citizenship proof measures taken by other states concerning their voting laws.

The federal court ruled the provisions in the Arizona laws amounted to unlawful voter suppression and were therefore unconstitutional. The court determined that voters must be allowed to vote federal ballots at least, even when they fail to provide proof of citizenship. 

The respondents in the present litigation — Mi Familia Vota, Voto Latino, Arizona Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander for Equity Coalition, Democratic National Committee, and the Arizona Democratic Party — want to preempt Arizona and other states from imposing proof-of-citizenship limitations on voting.

Jesus Osete, principal deputy assistant attorney general for civil rights, said in the DOJ announcement that the NVRA doesn’t prohibit states from removing noncitizens from voter rolls. 

In its filing, the DOJ argued the lower court’s ruling conflicted with the NVRA since it would effectively render state forms into mere replicas of the federal form. States would lack the flexibility afforded by the NVRA, said the DOJ.

The DOJ filing argued that proof-of-citizenship requirements were harmonious with NVRA requirements to increase the number of eligible citizens registered to vote and ensure the maintenance of accurate and current voter rolls.

“When noncitizens with no right to shape American government vote in American elections, the ballot box no longer speaks for the People, because its tally no longer reflects their voice,” argued the DOJ. 

Senate President Warren Petersen (R-LD14) said he was “thrilled” by the Trump administration’s intervention. 

“Only U.S. citizens should vote in our elections,” said Petersen. “Excited for SCOTUS to take up this important case.” 

The Supreme Court has already overruled the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on one of the issues in 2024. The Supreme Court allowed Arizona to enforce its proof-of-citizenship requirement for state voter registration forms, but refused to allow enforcement of the requirement for those registering with federal forms.

That follows the precedent set in 2013, when the Supreme Court ruled that the NVRA prohibited Arizona from requiring proof of citizenship of those voters registering to vote with the federal voter registration form.

AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.

AZGOP Chairman Visits ‘The Zone’ With Radio Host, Blasts Phoenix Leadership Over Homeless Crisis

AZGOP Chairman Visits ‘The Zone’ With Radio Host, Blasts Phoenix Leadership Over Homeless Crisis

By Matthew Holloway |

Arizona Republican Party Chairman Sergio Arellano joined 550 KFYI’s Conservative Circus host James T. Harris during a visit to downtown Phoenix’s homeless encampment area known as “The Zone,” where he highlighted faith-based outreach efforts and criticized local leadership over homelessness and public safety conditions.

In a video posted by the Arizona Republican Party, Arellano appeared alongside Harris in the downtown Phoenix area known as “The Zone,” which for years drew public attention over homelessness, drug activity, and crime concerns. The Arizona Republican Party said Harris and members of a faith-based group that “receives NO taxpayer dollars” were serving homeless residents in the area.

The party’s post also characterized The Zone as “where the Democrats in charge keep their homeless community drugged and dangerous.”

“Good morning, I’m Sergio Arellano, and I am here today with the conservative radio talk show host James T. Harris,” Arellano began in the video. “We’re in this place called The Zone in a blue area of what is Phoenix.”

Arellano linked conditions in the area to Democratic governance and urged voter participation ahead of the upcoming 2026 elections.

“We cannot allow what is happening here to happen to the rest of the state in Democrat-controlled communities,” Arellano said. “This is what you get. You get lack of response, lack of resources.”

Arellano also praised the faith-based nonprofit operating in the area and alleged that Phoenix officials under Mayor Kate Gallego had moved to restrict its activities. “People that are making a difference here — this non-profit — are getting kicked out by the liberal city and mayor,” Arellano said.

“That’s why it is very important that you get involved in November. You talk with your neighbors, you register people to vote, and have them turn out this election.”

The chairman warned that Arizona could face worsening homelessness conditions without political change.

“Because if not, you’re going to get amplified times 10,” Arellano said. “Skid Row, exactly like Los Angeles, is coming here to Arizona. We need to stop that. Register to vote. Get up. Make a difference.”

Harris has regularly participated in Sunday outreach efforts in downtown Phoenix with The Bridge for Community Services, a non-profit where he serves as Corporate Vice President and Executive Director, and has previously described the work as a Christian ministry serving homeless residents in the area.

The Zone, located near downtown Phoenix, became nationally known in recent years as one of the city’s largest homeless encampments. The area was the subject of litigation and enforcement disputes involving the City of Phoenix, nearby businesses, and residents, as previously reported by AZ Free News. In 2023, a court ordered Phoenix to clear portions of the encampment following allegations involving crime, sanitation problems, and unsafe conditions.

According to an April 30 report by 12News, after three years, hundreds of homeless people are living in the area again, with outreach teams counting more than 300 living there at the time.

The Arizona Republican Party’s post did not identify the nonprofit involved in the outreach effort, though Harris has previously documented recurring faith-based outreach activities in the area through social media posts.

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.

Arizona Senate Sends Anti-Squatter Legislation To The Governor’s Desk

Arizona Senate Sends Anti-Squatter Legislation To The Governor’s Desk

By Ethan Faverino |

Senate Republicans have advanced legislation aimed at strengthening private property rights and streamlining the removal of unlawful occupants from homes and residential properties.

Senate Bill 1426, sponsored by Senator Wendy Rogers (R-LD7), passed the legislature on May 26, 2026, and is now headed to the Governor’s desk.

The legislation strengthens Arizona’s forcible entry and detainer statutes by creating a clearer, faster process for property owners to reclaim their homes from squatters. SB 1426 defines specific conditions under which a person is considered an unauthorized occupant — including individuals who are not current or former tenants, immediate family members, or parties to any verbal or written agreements to occupy the property. It also established criteria for situations involving forcible entry into residential homes not open to the public.

Key provisions of the bill include:

  • Allowing courts to issue a writ of restitution immediately upon judgement in qualifying cases involving unauthorized occupants.
  • Directing the Arizona Supreme Court to adopt rules for the expeditious resolution of these claims.
  • Preserving all existing protections and remedies under the Arizona’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

“Private property rights are not a suggestion; they are a cornerstone of our freedoms,” stated Senator Rogers. “If someone breaks into your home, moves into your property, and refuses to leave, the law should stand with the homeowner, not the unlawful occupant. That’s just common sense.”

Rogers emphasized that the bill resulted from extensive collaboration with stakeholders, lawmakers, and law enforcement. “This bill has been years in the making,” added Rogers. “The overwhelming support we’ve received, including from members of law enforcement who deal with these situations firsthand, shows just how badly these reforms are needed. Arizonans shouldn’t have to spend months fighting to reclaim property they already own. SB 1426 cuts through the red tape, closes loopholes that have been exploited for too long, and puts homeowners back where they belong—in control of their property. I’m proud to see this legislation finally reach the governor’s desk and hopeful she will sign it into law so Arizona families can receive the protections they deserve.”

The bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes sections 12-1171 and 12-1173. Among other updates, it expands the definition of forcible detainer to include unauthorized persons who refuse to leave a residential property after reasonable request from the owner or authorized agent, provided multiple safeguards are met.

Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.

Rep. Ansari Demands ICE Be Abolished In First State Of The District Address

Rep. Ansari Demands ICE Be Abolished In First State Of The District Address

By Staff Reporter |

Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) again demanded that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) be abolished in her first State of the District address on Wednesday.

The address — which was not livestreamed or posted to any of Ansari’s social media accounts — was largely an indictment of President Donald Trump and his administration. 

“We are living through the most corrupt and the most authoritarian administration in American history, led by a lunatic with no regard for human life,” said Ansari. 

Ansari advocated for the immediate abolition of ICE. She claimed the agency was a murderous, chaotic, cruel entity lacking accountability. 

“It is absolutely clear that we must do everything in our power to stop and abolish ICE as quickly as possible,” said Ansari. “Immigration enforcement [is not] locking up tens of thousands of people into what can only be described as concentration camps run by private prison companies designed to profit off of human suffering.” 

The congresswoman has made similar calls for immigration enforcement abolition throughout her freshman tenure. At the Munich Security Conference in February, Ansari advocated for abolishing all immigration enforcement in addition to implementing a wealth tax and subsidizing healthcare, homeownership, and childcare.

During her State of the District, Ansari also announced her endorsement of a ballot proposal to gut universal school choice in Arizona, the Protect Education Act. Present for this recommendation were the state’s largest teacher’s union, the Arizona Education Association (AEA), and the activist group Save Our Schools Arizona.

Featured speakers at Ansari’s first State of the District were Reyna Montoya, founder and CEO of Aliento Arizona; Mike Renaud, president and CEO of Valle Del Sol; Marisol Garcia, president of the AEA; Karyleni Alburquerque, Ansari’s former ambassador for the 3rd congressional district; Dr. Matthew Whitaker, executive director of the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center; and Jake Hylton, executive director of Lookout Publications.

Andrew Simek, Ansari’s field representative and community manager, claimed in a LinkedIn post that Ansari has attended over 300 community events, hosted over a dozen town halls, logged over 1,000 volunteer hours, and engaged with over 77,000 constituents. 

On that last point — it was unclear whether that total for constituents included any illegal aliens facing detainment or deportation, since Ansari has claimed this class as part of her “historically underserved and underrepresented” constituency. 

Ansari disclosed during her address that she prioritized community outreach to these underserved and underrepresented populations, specifically calling out the Afghan refugees, Iranian students, and Sudanese and Asian communities.

The congresswoman also advocated for government-run pharmacies, taxation on excess profits by oil companies, expansion of government-run housing, expansion of government-subsidized rent, government subsidies for house down payments, double wages for overtime, and universal healthcare. 

Ansari also laid claim to securing over $17 million in federal funding for community projects, or Community Project Funding:

  • $2.1 million for the city of Phoenix Fire Wildland Urban Interface; 
  • $2 million for the Arizona State University Center for Heat Resilient Communities; 
  • $2 million for the Arizona State University CHIPS and Domestic Manufacturing Research Initiative; 
  • $2 million for the city of Phoenix’s Real Time Crime Center; 
  • $2 million for the town of Guadalupe’s Biehn Colony Park Reconstruction; 
  • $1.1 million for the city of Tolleson Wastewater Digester No. 4 Project; 
  • $1 million for the city of Tolleson Multi-Modal Path Lighting Project; 
  • $1 million for the Arouet Foundation’s 2026 Reentry Prosperity Model; 
  • $1 million for the Valley Metro Community Safety Project; 
  • $850,000 for the city of Glendale Transportation Improvements;
  • $830,000 for the city of Phoenix Central Arizona Shelter Services’ Single Adult Shelter Renovations;
  • $800,000 for the city of Phoenix Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fires Mitigation;
  • $580,000 for Axiom Community of Recovery’s Transition to Recovery and Reentry Program; and
  • $250,000 for Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Improvements

Ansari introduced 32 bills and cosponsored over 450 bills. None of her bills have advanced beyond introduction. Two bills propose to overhaul and defund ICE.

AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.

PCC Approves $5.9M Gift While Confirming Elimination Of Sustainability Director Position

PCC Approves $5.9M Gift While Confirming Elimination Of Sustainability Director Position

By Matthew Holloway |

Pima Community College (PCC) approved a restricted $5.9 million workforce-development gift agreement with Beale Infrastructure Group while later confirming that its Sustainability Director position will be eliminated as part of an organizational realignment.

According to PCC Governing Board records, trustees approved a Restricted Gift Agreement with Beale Infrastructure Group, LLC during the board’s May 13 meeting by a 4–0 vote, with board member Kristen Randall abstaining. The Board’s approved-items agenda lists the agreement but does not include its value or terms.

Beale Infrastructure is the project developer for the proposed “Project Blue” data center complex under construction on 290 acres outside of Tucson near the Pima County Fairgrounds.

The company is also pursuing construction of the “Luckett Road Data Center,” a 600-acre data center development in Marana, where it became embroiled in a legal battle with the town over two rejected referendums related to the project, according to AZPM News.

Board Chair Theresa Riel Taylor introduced the item as a five-year restricted gift agreement beginning June 1, 2026, with the possibility of extension and additional funding.

Amanda Evans, PCC Assistant Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Strategic Partnerships, described the agreement as “a significant philanthropic investment in Pima Community College.”

During the presentation, Evans confirmed the Beale donation totals $5,912,992 and is structured as a restricted workforce-development gift.

“The funds are specifically designed for areas of need for Pima to support student access and success,” Evans told the board.

According to Evans, the funding will support expansion in information technology and cybersecurity, including three full-time faculty positions, along with scholarships for several workforce programs.

“Those areas include supporting expansion in IT and cybersecurity by funding three full-time faculty members,” Evans said, adding that scholarships will support “Pima Fast Track Electrical, our building and construction technology programs, IT and cyber programs, and our computer aided drafting… and welding as well.”

Evans said the gift also provides support for transportation, housing, and childcare assistance, along with funding for veterans services, high-school transition programs, and career-placement efforts.

“The gift also provides additional funds to help remove barriers for students — things like transportation, housing and childcare,” Evans said.

Evans told trustees the agreement carries a five-year term beginning June 1 and includes the possibility of additional future funding. “The initial term does begin on June 1st. It does go for five years, with a subsequent gift of approximately $6.8 million,” Evans said. “That could be something that Beale Infrastructure chooses to enter into an agreement with us.”

The board agenda identified the item only as a “Restricted Gift Agreement” and did not publicly list the donation amount or program details in its approved-items summary.

Calling for a vote to approve the agreement, Taylor addressed the public controversy surrounding Project Blue:

“I just want to acknowledge that I understand the environment of controversy in which this happens in terms of the data center development and… and what Beale is involved with. But, you know, tonight we’re facing a choice between a philosophical statement about data centers and a tangible investment in our students. And so I want to be clear that whether this board accepts this gift or rejects it, the development of that data center project continues. It has absolutely nothing to do with the development of that project.

“All that voting ‘no’ tonight does will… Voting no tonight wouldn’t stop a single brick from being laid, or a single drop of water from being used in that data center project. It only stops those resources from reaching our classrooms. And I don’t think I can, in good conscience, tell our students, who have now faced nearly two decades of disinvestment from the state and now millions in federal disinvestment over the last year, that we turned away millions of dollars for their success to make a symbolic gesture that will have zero impact on the project in question. So it’s definitely something I’ll be voting in favor of tonight. And I think it’s something that fits within the core of our mission and our purpose to help students achieve their educational outcomes.”

Board member Kristen Randall praised PCC’s sustainability efforts during her trustee report. Randall highlighted the college’s Climate Community Day and cited sustainability programming as an area of growth.

“Climate and sustainability aren’t just subjects,” Randall said while discussing the event. “They are lenses for seeing the world.”

Later in the meeting, Randall abstained from the vote on the Beale gift while the remaining trustees voted in favor of the agreement.

PCC Provides Confirmation: Sustainability Director Position Eliminated

AZ Free News contacted PCC administration, the Office of Sustainability, and Governing Board members to seek clarification on the future of the sustainability office, whether staffing or budget changes have been approved, and whether any connection exists between those decisions and the Beale gift agreement.

Justin Kree, Director of Media Relations for Pima Community College, responded on the college’s behalf. Kree confirmed PCC approved the agreement May 13 and said the $5.9 million gift will support workforce-development programs in IT, cybersecurity, electrical training, and skilled trades, with the Pima Foundation serving as fiscal agent.

Kree also addressed questions regarding the future of PCC’s sustainability programs, the Sustainability Director position, and the Climate Action and Sustainability Plan.

AZFN: Has PCC eliminated or otherwise dissolved the Office of Sustainability/Director position? Has PCC eliminated or reduced the sustainability program budget for FY2027? If so, please provide details regarding funding levels and changes.

PCC: The College remains fully committed to sustainability, climate action, and environmental responsibility. As part of an organizational realignment, the College decided to eliminate the Sustainability Director position, effective June 30, 2026. Sustainability remains an institutional priority reflected in the College’s strategic principles, and Climate Action and Sustainability courses, faculty-led initiatives, and operational efforts, including energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, remain ongoing. The College’s sustainability initiatives and academic offerings continue to receive institutional support.

Students continue to have access to Climate Action & Sustainability (CAS) courses focused on environmental challenges, sustainable futures, and practical solutions. CAS course offerings and student enrollment are, in fact, growing. Summer and Fall 2026 offerings include CAS 110: Food, People and the Planet and CAS 120: Systems, Logic & Sustainability. Enrollment in this area has doubled over the past year, with the program serving more than 340 enrolled students during the most recent academic year.

AZFN: Has PCC formally concluded or discontinued implementation of its Climate Action and Sustainability Plan, or is the June 2026 conclusion part of a previously scheduled planning cycle?

PCC: The College’s Climate Action and Sustainability Plan (CASP) will reach the end of its planned cycle in June 2026. The conclusion of this plan is part of its established timeline and does not represent a discontinuation of the College’s sustainability efforts. PCC is currently developing the next CASP to guide sustainability initiatives in the upcoming academic year. Sustainability remains an institutional priority and is reflected in the strategic principles approved by the Governing Board in May 2026.

PCC remains committed to the goals established in the CASP, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding climate and sustainability education, pursuing sustainability certification, and advancing long-term climate action planning. In 2026, the College will reaffirm its commitment to the Second Nature Presidents’ Climate Commitment, further demonstrating PCC’s continued focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship. 

AZFN: Does PCC’s proposed FY2027 budget or pending bond proposal contain sustainability-related capital, infrastructure, or operational funding? If so, please identify those allocations.

PCC: Yes. Both the proposed FY2027 budget and the pending bond proposal include funding that supports PCC’s broader sustainability efforts through personnel, facilities, infrastructure, and operational investments.

While sustainability-related funding is not always identified as separate, standalone line items, sustainability practices and goals are integrated throughout the College’s planning and operations. This includes support for personnel, facility improvements, infrastructure modernization, energy efficiency considerations, curriculum integration, and capital projects designed to improve long-term environmental performance and resource stewardship across the College.

In addition, bond-funded facilities projects are being planned and evaluated with sustainability principles in mind, including opportunities for efficient building systems, modernization, and responsible campus development.

Later in the meeting, faculty and students urged PCC leadership to reconsider reported changes involving the college’s sustainability programs, including reports that the Office of Sustainability could be dissolved or substantially restructured.

Katie Brown, a faculty member who said she has taught at PCC for more than 25 years and now teaches climate action and sustainability courses, told the board she learned the Office of Sustainability faced elimination.

“I was astounded and dismayed… to hear that the Office of Sustainability is planned to be eliminated, along with much of that program,” Brown said. “That is horrifying to me.”

Brown praised PCC’s Climate Action and Sustainability Plan and said the college had developed a national reputation for climate and sustainability programming. “The Climate Action Sustainability plan that you have is amazing,” Brown said. “It is an example to many other places.”

Brown also read a statement from Dr. Crystal McKenna, whom she identified as a faculty member and the Department Chair in Climate Action and Sustainability at PCC.

“I’m here today to respectfully request a pause and reconsideration of the decision to dissolve the Office of Sustainability,” Brown read from McKenna’s statement.

McKenna’s statement argued that the office played a central role in implementing the college’s sustainability initiatives and coordinating environmental planning. “The Office of Sustainability has been the structure that made that work possible,” the statement said.

McKenna further argued that dissolving the office would raise concerns about institutional consistency and credibility. “This request is not simply about a single office,” Brown read. “It is about institutional alignment, accountability, and our credibility as a college.”

Student speaker Mary Jane Blanton, who said she is enrolled in climate and sustainability coursework, also urged the board to preserve the program. “The sustainability department has changed that for me,” Blanton told trustees, describing herself as previously disengaged and “nihilistic” before taking climate coursework at PCC.

PCC’s public sustainability webpage currently states that the Office of Sustainability oversees implementation of the college’s Climate Action and Sustainability Plan. The college’s published Climate Action and Sustainability Plan states the current planning cycle was already scheduled to conclude in June 2026, following a previously approved extension.

At the time of publication, AZ Free News received no direct responses from the Governing Board Members.

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.