News - AZ FREE NEWS

Ducey Vetoes Sex Ed Bill, Issues Executive Order Instead

Apr 21, 2021

By B. Hamilton | On Tuesday, conservatives lamented Governor Doug Ducey’s decision to veto legislation that would have strengthen parental input in the Sex Education curriculum offered to their children. They also questioned why the governor would...

Representative Gosar Says Media Lied About His Involvement In America First Caucus

Apr 21, 2021

By Corinne Murdock | Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ-04) claims that the media fabricated his involvement in an “America First Caucus.” A document purportedly linked to the proposed caucus was released over the weekend, causing controversy over...

Ducey Deploys Arizona National Guard To Border, State To Provide $25 Million In Initial Funding

Apr 20, 2021

On Tuesday, in response to the crisis on the U.S. Mexico border, Governor Doug Ducey announced he is deploying the Arizona National Guard to the border and issued a Declaration of Emergency as part of the state's effort to support local law...

Mesnard And Ugenti-Rita Push Back Against Claims That Election Integrity Bills Equal Suppression

Apr 20, 2021

By B. Hamilton | An exasperated Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita was joined by Sen. JD Mesnard on Monday at a press conference held in anticipation of votes in the Arizona House on their election integrity legislation. Mesnard and Ugenti-Rita fielded...

Ducey Bans Government Entities From Asking About Vaccine Status But Businesses, Schools, Health Providers Can

Apr 20, 2021

By Terri Jo Neff | An effort by the Arizona Legislature to craft permanent legislation to prevent a person from being denied access to businesses, government facilities, and even their child’s school unless they showed proof of being vaccination...

Ducey Rescinds Mask Mandate For K-12 Schools

Apr 20, 2021

By B. Hamilton | Parents of Arizona’s K-12 students are praising and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman is slamming Governor Doug Ducey for rescinding orders that direct K-12 schools to require masks. The Governor’s Office noted...

Audit Looks At Challenges For Arizona Veterans’ Homes During Pandemic And Expected Changes To Veteran Population

Apr 19, 2021

By Terri Jo Neff | The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services has reported 16 resident deaths among its two State Veterans’ Homes as of March 14 and has corrective deficiencies which led federal regulators to cite both homes, according to a...

Arizona Legislature Approves Teacher Lunches During School Events – But Only If They Meet School Nutrition Guidelines

Apr 19, 2021

By Corinne Murdock | The Arizona legislature has voted to allow schools to feed teachers during school events - but only if they use Arizona Department of Education (ADE) nutritional guidelines. That means that teacher meals will be constrained to...

Arizona Teachers Round Up for Lessons on Advancing Critical Race Theory Again

Apr 18, 2021

By Corinne Murdock | 2021 marks the seventh year of The Equity Event, an annual speaker series for teachers hosted by the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA). This event serves as a touchstone for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)...

Arizona Joins Coalition Calling On Congress To Fund Systems To Expunge Criminal Records

Apr 18, 2021

PHOENIX -- Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich is spearheading a coalition of 22 attorneys general from mostly blue states calling on Congress to provide federal funds for state systems and technology upgrades needed to expunge criminal justice...

Maricopa College District’s Academic Freedom Pledge And Payout Settles Professor’s Claims

Apr 17, 2021

By Terri Jo Neff | The Maricopa County Community College District’s (MCCCD) decision last month to approve a $155,000 settlement to a Scottsdale Community College professor ensures the district, the college, and staff members will not be sued for...

New Reporting Requirements For Use-of-Force Incidents Approved By Legislature

Apr 17, 2021

PHOENIX – The state Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved HB 2168, legislation which requires law enforcement agencies in Arizona to collect data on use-of-force incidents involving officers and to report it annually to the Arizona Criminal...