by Staff Reporter | Mar 22, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Arizona lawmakers revealed during a committee hearing that Maricopa County’s former recorder, Stephen Richer, is being investigated for obstruction.
The investigation into Richer was disclosed during last week’s House Federalism, Military Affairs, & Elections Committee meeting. The committee discussed an investigation by the office of State Rep. John Gillette (R-LD30), chair of the committee, into Arizona’s voter registrations. The findings of that investigation were packaged as part of a criminal referral to the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
As part of his layout of the criminal referral packet, Gillette touched on an action by Richer in which the former recorder, while president of the Arizona Association of County Recorders (AACR) in 2023, advised other county recorders to not comply with a records request from Arizona lawmakers concerning the 2022 election.
“Stephen Richer telling recorders not to comply with the legislative public records request. That is not a glitch. That’s on purpose,” said Gillette.
State Rep. Rachel Keshel (R-LD17), vice chair of the committee, asked Gillette whether Richer reaching out to all of the county recorders qualified as obstruction. Keshel characterized Richer’s recent public engagements as a “CYA campaign.”
“Is there something there that he broke the law by telling other recorders to basically obstruct on that point? Is anything being looked into on that front?” asked Keshel.
Gillette disclosed that he discussed Richer’s actions with former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and “her assistant,” and that Richer was being investigated for that communication with other recorders.
“There appears to be some obstruction or intent to obstruct other recorders from doing their job because they have an association, he was president of the association at the time, but he was instructing other elected officials that are not of Maricopa County how to comply or not comply in this case with a lawful public records request from the House,” said Gillette. “That is being looked at, and thus we’ve had a subpoena issued since.”
Richer commented on a video posted of the exchange with an “lol” in an X post, which he later deleted.
Earlier this month, federal investigators seized election-related records from Maricopa County as part of an investigation into the 2020 presidential election.
In response to that investigation, Richer wrote in a Dispatch op-ed defending the official outcome of the 2020 election. Richer characterized Arizona Republicans as being “maniacally obsessed [with] theories of a stolen election” and questioning the necessity of continuing scrutiny over Arizona elections.
“The years of investigations, tests, reviews, and audits are also worth revisiting because any future allegations would have to account for why all the previous probes didn’t uncover any material fraud or error,” wrote Richer. “I would politely suggest that the reason is because no such fraud or error exists. The voters of Arizona chose Joe Biden more than five and a half years ago. It’s time to move on.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Mar 22, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
A federal judge ordered Kari Lake to undo her work to dismantle the federally funded international broadcast network, Voice of America (VOA).
President Donald Trump initially announced Lake’s appointment to serve as director of VOA shortly after his election in 2024. Lake was instead installed as special advisor to U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent agency which oversees VOA.
Trump later expanded Lake’s authority and control over USAGM and VOA by appointing her to serve as acting CEO of the USAGM last summer.
At the time of Lake’s takeover, VOA provided news and cultural programming in nearly 50 languages online, over airwaves, and through broadcasting.
Under an executive order from Trump to downsize and cut government waste with VOA and elsewhere, Lake embarked on a mission to size down the bureaucracy within USAGM and VOA.
Lake cut all but about 70 VOA employees. Over 1,000 of the 1,100 VOA employees were placed on administrative leave or fired; over 500 contractor roles at USAGM were eliminated.
District of Columbia District Court Judge Royce Lamberth ruled last week that Lake needed to bring those employees back by Monday, March 23, and to resume the scope of operations that were occurring prior to Lake’s takeover of the broadcasting network.
In response to the ruling, Lake reposted commentary by Andrew Kloster — general counsel for the Office of Personnel Management from January to December 2025 — which called Lamberth’s decision “wild overstepping” and “bad statutory analysis of federal employment law.”
The last social media activity from VOA occurred last March, when the cuts took place. Remaining VOA employees told media outlets that their work has been greatly limited under Lake’s administration, with some saying they’re left to do no work at all.
Tuesday’s ruling didn’t seem to deter the Trump administration from continuing their arrangements to bring VOA and USAGM to heel.
On Wednesday, USAGM named a new deputy director to the VOA: Newsmax news director Christopher Wallace, per an email obtained by The New York Times.
Lake led USAGM until last November amid a legal challenge of her eligibility to serve as director.
Last summer Lake testified to the House that USAGM had institutional flaws of incompetency, corruption, and bias which allegedly threatened America’s national security and standing in the world. Lake said VOA was also troubled with similar alleged problems.
Earlier this month Lamberth declared in a separate ruling that Lake was ineligible to take over USAGM leadership, and therefore her actions while in that position were illegitimate and voided.
Trump has nominated Sarah Rogers to take Lake’s place, pending Senate approval. Rogers is secretary of state for public diplomacy within the State Department.
A spokesperson for the White House, Anna Kelly, said the Trump administration would fight the ruling.
“President Trump was elected to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse across the administration, including at the Voice of America — and efforts to improve efficiency at USAGM have been a tremendous success. This will not be the final say on the matter,” said Kelly.
On Thursday the Trump administration asked the judge to push back its March 23 deadline to reinstate the fired VOA employees, citing their intention to appeal.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Mar 22, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Arizona Senate approved a package of border security legislation that would direct $40 million toward detention reimbursements, supplemental fencing, and expanded use of aerial surveillance technology.
The bills passed were SB 1156, SB 1157, and SB 1457, and they now move to the House for further consideration.
SB 1156, sponsored by Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-LD7), would appropriate $20 million to reimburse cities, towns, and counties for costs associated with short-term detention holds for individuals unlawfully present in the United States.
“For years, Arizona has been dealing with the consequences of a border crisis created by the Biden administration,” Rogers said in a statement. “Now that President Trump has restored order and delivered the most secure border in modern history, we need to make sure our state is doing its part to support that progress. This funding helps local law enforcement manage detention responsibilities and ensures we are not backsliding.”
SB 1157 would provide $20 million to support the construction of supplemental fencing and barriers in high-crossing areas along Arizona’s southern border, according to the Senate Republican Caucus. It was also sponsored by Rogers.
“We know strong physical barriers work because we have seen it firsthand,” Rogers said. “President Trump proved that when you take border security seriously, crossings drop. Arizona is reinforcing that progress by investing in the areas where crossings have historically been the highest.”
SB 1457, sponsored by Sen. David Farnsworth (R-LD10), would expand the use of the state’s Advanced Air Mobility Fund to include border security operations, allowing for the purchase of aerial technology and the development of infrastructure to support surveillance and response efforts, with priority given to border counties.
“Maintaining a secure border takes more than policy, it takes the right tools in the field,” Farnsworth said. “This legislation supports law enforcement with advanced technology so they can respond in real time and keep Arizona communities safe.”
According to the caucus, the measures are intended to support local law enforcement, strengthen infrastructure at high-traffic crossings, and expand the tools available for border security operations.
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 | Mar 21, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona legislative Republicans criticized Gov. Katie Hobbs after she stepped away from budget negotiations, raising concerns about her proposed plan involving the state’s Public Land Trust Fund, according to a joint statement released by GOP leadership.
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro said in a statement that Hobbs “chose to walk away from budget negotiations despite a path forward being within reach.”
At issue is the governor’s proposal to increase distributions from Arizona’s Public Land Trust Fund, which supports K-12 education and is protected under the Arizona Constitution. According to the statement, legislative budget analysts estimate the proposal would reduce the fund from approximately $9.7 billion to $4.7 billion over the next 20 years.
The Republican leaders explained that the proposal calls for a 10.9 percent annual distribution over 20 years, compared to a previous structure of 6.9 percent over 10 years. They also raised concerns about the assumptions underlying the plan, including projected long-term investment returns.
“At the center of this dispute is her proposal to dramatically increase withdrawals from Arizona’s Public Land Trust, a voter-protected fund designed to support K-12 education for generations. This is not a solution. It is a long-term raid on a critical resource,” Petersen and Montenegro said.
“The Governor wants to drain a voter-protected education fund, pile on $1.5 billion in new debt, and rely on numbers that simply don’t add up,” they added. “We have shown the Governor’s Office a balanced budget with tax conformity. We’ve put forward a responsible plan that cuts taxes for working families and funds schools without gimmicks. She walked away from the table because her math doesn’t work. Arizonans deserve better than headlines and blame-shifting.”
The joint statement also criticized the broader budget framework, alleging it includes approximately $1.5 billion in new debt, higher taxes and fees, and revenue projections they described as unrealistic.
Republican leadership stated they had presented an alternative budget proposal that they described as balanced and including tax conformity, though details of that proposal were not included in the release.
The lawmakers said they intend to continue working on a budget plan in the coming weeks.
Hobbs’ office has not yet publicly responded to the statement as of publication, but in a post to X following its release, she wrote, “As Governor, and the sister of public school teachers—I know how important strong public schools are for Arizona families. I’m proud to keep fighting for our students, educators, and classrooms, because a great public education is key to expanding opportunity and the Arizona Promise.”
Petersen and Montenegro concluded their statement saying, “While the Governor plays political theater, Arizona families are dealing with real consequences. This impacts your cost of living, your paycheck, your kids’ classrooms, and whether Arizona remains affordable for the families who live here. A temper tantrum won’t balance the budget, and it is not leadership to rely on voters to pass the funding we need after the fact. We’re ready to get this done. The question is whether she is.”
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 | Mar 21, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Arizona is proving to be a key bridge between deadly drug traffickers and Americans.
Out of the nearly five million fentanyl pills and powder seized in its most recent enforcement action by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), about three million came from Arizona.
The DEA disclosed this discovery within its action, the second phase of Operation Fentanyl Free America, in an exclusive report to ABC15. The second phase occurred from early January to early February.
The 4.7 million fentanyl pills and 3,000 pounds of fentanyl powder amounted to over 57 million deadly doses of fentanyl. The DEA also seized 147,800 pounds of cocaine, 21,000 pounds of meth, over 26 million meth pills, 1,200 pounds of heroin, 65,000 pounds of illicit marijuana, and over 1,500 firearms.
Arizona consistently leads in fentanyl pill seizures, per the DEA. Special Agent in Charge Apolonio Ruiz said Arizona’s border remains very accessible to cartels and their drug traffickers.
“The Sinaloa Cartel, they have tentacles not only on the south side but pushed over here on the north side. They bring cell members here to develop and start shops in these areas and start pushing the drugs into different areas of Arizona,” said Ruiz.
The DEA plans to roll out more phases of Operation Fentanyl Free America, and agents will target other illicit drugs in addition to fentanyl — heroin, meth, and cocaine — as well as the money and equipment used in the criminal enterprise.
In the fall of 2024, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized the largest singular fentanyl seizure in CBP history: approximately four million fentanyl pills.
The seizure weighed over 1,000 pounds.
Last January, three men from Arizona were arrested in Wisconsin over the largest fentanyl seizure in that state’s history. Over 40 pounds of fentanyl disguised as prescription medication were taken. The drugs were estimated to be worth nearly $6 million.
Two of the three men, Dylan and Trevor Hock, were convicted. Dylan received 10 years of prison and 10 years of extended supervision. Trevor also received 10 years in prison. The third man, Jose Gamez, is awaiting trial.
Drug traffickers don’t just use Arizona as a front door to bring in fentanyl and other illicit drugs to the rest of the country.
Fentanyl emerged rapidly during the pandemic as the top drug epidemic in Arizona, then the nation. Fentanyl overtook meth as the deadliest drug in the state. Fentanyl deaths increased by nearly 5,000 percent since 2015.
At present, an average of over three people die every day in Maricopa County due to fentanyl. Similarly, over five people die from opioid overdoses throughout the state, most due to fentanyl.
Last year, there were over 4,900 verified non-fatal opioid overdose events. There were over 2,000 deaths.
The totals for 2025 marked an increase from 2024. Non-fatal opioid overdose events were about 4,000, and there were just under 1,700 opioid deaths.
So far in 2026, there have been over 600 verified non-fatal opioid overdose events and 30 confirmed opioid deaths.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Mar 21, 2026 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Arizona Senate Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Senator Carine Werner (R-LD4), convened a special oversight hearing earlier this week.
The hearing examined ongoing concerns within Arizona’s Medicaid program, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), particularly why vulnerable patients—especially those seeking addiction and behavioral health treatment—are being turned away from care despite apparent facility capacity.
The session builds on months of prior testimony from families, treatment providers, and whistleblowers highlighting systemic barriers. Key issues included reimbursement failures that prevent providers serving patients through the American Indian Health Program (AIHP) from scheduling new care, network adequacy shortfalls, audit findings, and deficiencies in monitoring providers and safeguarding public funds.
“Arizona’s Medicaid program serves some of the most vulnerable people in our state, including individuals battling addiction and families seeking lifesaving treatment,” stated Senator Werner. “When patients are being turned away from care, or providers cannot get paid for services already delivered, that is a serious breakdown in the system. These issues did not happen overnight. They developed over many years, and it is the Legislature’s responsibility to conduct oversight, ask tough questions, and ensure the program is working the way taxpayers and patients expect it to.”
In response to findings from her investigation, Senator Werner has introduced a package of reform bills now under consideration in the Arizona House. These measures aim to enhance accountability, protect patients, combat fraud, and improve access to behavioral health services, with particular focus on the AIHP serving Arizona’s Native American communities.
The package of reform bills includes:
- SB 1114: Appropriates $1 million from the state general fund in FY 2026–2027 to the State Treasurer for distribution to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to support investigations and prosecutions of behavioral health patient brokering schemes, where vulnerable individuals are illegally trafficked between facilities for profit rather than receiving appropriate care.
- SB 1116: Requires that any denial of behavioral health treatment under the AIHP—based on medical necessity—be reviewed and approved by a qualified clinician with at least two years of relevant experience in similar services before a claim can be rejected.
- SB 1122: Limits excessive 100% prepayment reviews for behavioral health services under the AIHP, prohibiting such requirements beginning January 1, 2027, unless a provider is noncompliant with or disengaged from a corrective action plan, to reduce delays in patient care.
- SB 1173: Strengthens safety standards for behavioral health facilities by mandating, beginning January 1, 2027, that owners, operators, applicants, and licensees of specified facilities be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and hold valid fingerprint clearance cards.
- SB 1233: Provides facilities with a 72-hour cure period to correct minor administrative deficiencies—those not impacting patient physical or psychological well-being—before state agencies can take disciplinary or enforcement action.
- SB 1611: Reforms AIHP administration by requiring AHCCCS, beginning October 1, 2027, to contract with a qualified administrative services organization for functions like program integrity, care management, provider support, quality improvement, data analytics, and claims payment. The bill preserves the fee-for-service option for eligible American Indian members, mandates tribal consultation, includes tribal observers in procurement, establishes an Office of Tribal Relations, and requires quarterly consultations to ensure quality care.
- SB 1814: Establishes the bipartisan Substance Use Disorder Treatment Standards and Oversight Study Committee, comprising legislative members, state officials, clinicians, physicians, and advocates. The committee will assess treatment availability, identify gaps in evidence-based care, review regulatory loopholes enabling fraud or substandard programs, recommend minimum clinical standards, safety requirements, and funding models, and submit a report with proposed changes by December 31, 2027.
“These reforms are about making sure the system works for the people it was designed to serve,” added Werner. “Taxpayers deserve accountability, providers deserve a system that functions properly, and most importantly, patients in crisis deserve timely access to treatment.”
The hearing featured invited testimony from AHCCCS leadership to address outstanding questions from prior sessions and to advance solutions.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
