Not all kinds of heat are equal: apparently, Arizona’s first “Chief Heat Officer” has been avoiding any heat from the media.
It was discovered by ABC15 reporter Nicole Grigg that inaugural Chief Heat Officer Eugene Livar, appointed in April, has repeatedly avoided interviews with the media and instead opted to answer the questions on his own time, without direct media scrutiny or feedback, through his vlog, “What’s Hot with Heat.”
Per Arizona Department of Health Services’ (ADHS) media relations, they will direct reporters to sift through Livar’s vlogs to receive answers to their questions, should he have addressed them.
Media Relations Director Niala Charles told Grigg in an email this week that Livar’s vlog satisfactorily accomplishes the duty of keeping the public informed, citing the vlog’s “77,000 subscribers” and “high click rate,” which Charles described as “impressive.”
Arizona’s population sits at over 7.1 million souls.
Arizona hired its first 'Chief Heat Officer' and is now doing bi-weekly video blogs about the heat.
I have requested interviews with him, but he's not available. Instead, I can submit my questions, and they may put a response in his 'Whats Hot with Heat!' series. pic.twitter.com/PLGJHseuYB
Prior to becoming the state’s first chief heat officer, Livar had worked in various roles for ADHS for over a decade. In his last role as ADHS assistant director, Livar had a salary of over $148,000.
This latest job title was concocted through Governor Katie Hobbs’ Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan, which he helped develop. Livar’s job also includes executing those aspects of the plan. Hobbs’ plan heavily focuses on addressing homelessness, namely heat respite resources and housing for them, and establishing more clean energy.
A big push for Hobbs’ plan, and a goal of her administration, is to convince the federal government to declare heat as an emergency in order to unlock more federal funding.
Livar’s team has issued two vlogs, the first appearing last month. Both vlogs repeated similar advice on watching out for heat-related illnesses and staying hydrated, and avoiding heat-induced car breakdowns by performing regular maintenance.
The third vlog is scheduled for release next Wednesday.
The first vlog, eight minutes, focused on an overview of his office’s duties and the resources the state and local government offer for heat relief.
“Be sure you stay cool, stay hydrated, stay informed, and be sun-wise,” said Livar in one vlog. “We know if we lean on each other, we can make it through each heat season and come out better every year.”
The second vlog issued earlier this month, four minutes, had Livar recommending municipalities adopt more public advisories on the heat, and expanding offerings of cooling and hydrating stations.
The ADHS heat-focused vlogs are promised to be posted on a bimonthly basis. Rather than relying on closed captioning, ADHS opted to bring in a sign language interpreter for the vlogs.
In addition to vlogging, Livar has been blogging about heat-related topics. Most recently, Livar wrote up general advice on proper hydration, signs of dehydration, and resources for sourcing local cooling and hydration centers.
Other blogs by Livar address various other, non-heat-related health topics, like HIV testing and regulation of marijuana kitchens.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Arizona elected officials responded to Sunday’s historic announcement from President Joseph R. Biden that he would not be seeking reelection in the November General Election.
On Sunday, President Biden capped weeks of rampant criticism and speculation about the future of his candidacy for the highest office in the United States of America, announcing he would not be continuing his campaign just months before voters head to the polls to select their next Commander in Chief.
In a letter released on “X,” Biden wrote, “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Less than an hour later, Biden endorsed his Vice President to carry the mantle for his party’s nomination in its upcoming convention, saying, “Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats – it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”
My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best… pic.twitter.com/x8DnvuImJV
Governor Katie Hobbs said, “President Biden is the embodiment of a public servant. Throughout his career, he has led with integrity, selflessness, and unparalleled empathy. His decision today is a clear reflection of these qualities and his commitment to putting the American people first.”
President Biden is the embodiment of a public servant. Throughout his career, he has led with integrity, selflessness, and unparalleled empathy. His decision today is a clear reflection of these qualities and his commitment to putting the American people first.
Attorney General Kris Mayes added, “I want to think President Joe Biden for his dedicated service to our nation. From guiding us out of the pandemic, to revitalizing our economy and supporting freedom and democracy at home and abroad. I stand ready to help move America forward and am honored to support Vice President Kamala Harris as our Presidential nominee.”
I want to thank President @JoeBiden for his dedicated service to our nation. From guiding us out of the pandemic, to revitalizing our economy and for supporting freedom and democracy at home and abroad. 1/3
Arizona Speaker of the House Ben Toma posted, “An historic moment in several ways. The Democrat machine and their allies in the media push out their standard bearer. Biden in turn endorses a much more radical progressive at a time when Americans are rejecting such policies. All against the backdrop of President Trump and a united Republican/conservative coalition whose aims include a secure border, less government interference, and a stronger natural defense.”
An historic moment in several ways. The Democrat machine and their allies in the media push out their standard bearer. Biden in turn endorses a much more radical progressive at a time when Americans are rejecting such policies. All against the backdrop of President Trump and a…
Former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich told AZ Free News that, “It’s no surprise that the democrats worried about Joe Biden’s re-election chances. The surprising part is that his announcement didn’t come sooner. Regardless of who they nominate now, how do they explain the border crisis and high prices the Democrats created? But as far as predictions, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Mark Kelly as part of the ticket.”
Brnovich and Harris served together as state attorneys general before the California prosecutor was elevated to her federal office on the Biden presidential ticket in 2020. In April 2021, Brnovich sent a letter to Harris, inviting her to the southern border. He told Harris that this tour would “provide firsthand insight into what Arizonans, law enforcement officials, and migrants are experiencing.”
A little more than a month after this initial communication, Brnovich wrote to President Biden about Harris ignoring his invitation, requesting “that she be replaced as [his] ‘border czar.’” He said, “We are now nearly 50 days into her appointment, and Vice President Harris has shown little interest in observing what is happening along the border and has failed to articulate any plan to deal with the devastating effects of this crisis. Instead, she has traveled to other states for unrelated and less-pressing matters. Mr. President, this is a slap in the face to Arizonans who helped elect you both to the highest offices in the land.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
One Arizona mom is hoping to make a difference over the next two years for her family in the state legislature.
Carine Werner is currently running to represent Arizona Legislative District 4 in the state senate. She notes on her website that her history as an immigrant, who arrived in the United States when she was eleven years old, has given her a great appreciation for this nation and helps drive her spirit to give back to the community around her through public service.
On March 29, Werner posted to her “X” account that she “turned in more than 3x the amount of signatures needed to get on the ballot for State Senate in LD-4.”
I’m excited to announce that just this week I turned in more than 3x the amount of signatures needed to get on the ballot for State Senate in LD-4
I am incredibly grateful for every one of you who helped get us on the ballot – thank you all! ❤️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/LCswfQ8aJF
“Mom” is the first descriptor on Werner’s biography, which speaks volumes to onlookers about “who” and “what” is inspiring her to serve. Carine has three children, all with her husband of almost 30 years. She reflects on the motivation for her campaign for the state legislature, saying, “We face a flailing economy with out-of-control prices, a broken border, rising crime, homelessness, and challenges within our education system. As a result of these issues, we worry that our children and grandchildren won’t have the chance to enjoy the same opportunities and lifestyle that we have.”
Werner now serves on the Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board. She lists her goals for this position as “improving the quality of education offered to Scottsdale students and ensuring their safety on all SUSD campuses.”
On her biography for SUSD, Werner reveals that “highlights of her [business] career include facilitating more than $100 million of commercial and residential loans, hiring, developing, and training more than 150 lenders, and creating the most six-figure income earners in her organization.”
Though Werner is already involved in public service, she sees an opportunity in the state legislature to secure a better future for her children. On her website, Werner writes that she is running for state senator “because our school boards are only one front in the battle for our children’s future, and we need fighters in the state legislature who will fight for their future too. Those of us who call this area home are truly fortunate because we’ve worked hard for the life we’ve built here. But we aren’t immune to the problems happening in the world that are beginning to hit close to home.”
The District 4 candidate has three priorities on her website to give voters a taste of what she would pursue if given the chance to represent them at the state legislature. The first is education, where Carine promises to help “increase teacher pay and reduce wasteful spending [and] empower parents.” She states, “Parents are the experts in their children’s lives, education, and health. They’re the ones who should drive children’s education inside and outside of the classroom. In the State Senate, Carine will ensure transparency in classrooms so parents are informed and involved in their child’s education.”
In her second priority for the state legislature, Werner highlights “safe and secure communities,” vowing to “empower and fund law enforcement, secure the border [and] address homelessness with compassion and accountability.” Giving her thoughts on the border, she writes, “We’ve all seen far too many Arizonans die of drug overdoses as a result of the crisis at our border. In the State Senate, Carine will work with local, state, federal, and law enforcement officials on solutions to secure our border, stop the rise in crime, and stop the flow of drugs coming into Arizona.”
Finally, Werner includes “economic growth and opportunities” for her priorities. Under this umbrella, she commits to “champion low-tax, business friendly environment, generate job growth, and improve cost of living.” Werner says that she “will promote legislation to advance economic growth and opportunities for prosperity through low taxes and legislation that will benefit Arizonans and Arizona businesses, while standing firmly against legislation that attempts to increase the burden on families and businesses.”
Werner was recently endorsed by the Maricopa County Colleges Police Officers Association. In announcing the support, Werner said, “It is critical that we fund police and stand alongside the men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe. At the Capitol, I will champion funding for law enforcement and more investment in a secure border. Together we can keep our communities and neighborhoods safe!”
Proud to stand with law enforcement and grateful for the endorsement from Maricopa County Colleges Police Officers Association – Mccpoa.
It is critical that we fund police and stand alongside the men and women who risk their lives to keep us safe. At the Capitol, I will… pic.twitter.com/BLFz6kddYh
Legislative District 4 is one of the most competitive in the state. According to the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, it has a 3.4% vote spread over the past nine statewide elections within its boundaries, with Republicans winning five of those contests.
The Scottsdale mother is running in the Republican primary against Kenneth R. Bowers, Jr. The winner on July 30 will face off against incumbent Democrat state senator Christine Marsh for the right to represent Arizona Legislative District 4.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
Arizonans will likely soon be faced with the proposition of enshrining abortion into their state’s constitution.
Last week, Arizonans for Abortion Access dropped off 823,685 signatures with the Secretary of State, putting their measure one step closer to qualifying for the ballot in the November General Election.
The group stated, “Today, we made history submitting 823,685 signatures toward an amendment enshrining the right to access abortion in the Arizona Constitution. That number represents one out of every five Arizona voters, more than double the number of signatures required. When passed by voters in November, the Arizona Abortion Access Act will enshrine a right to abortion in the constitution and prevent the state from passing laws that restrict access to abortion before fetal viability or after that point to protect the health and life of the patient.”
Today, we made history submitting 823,685 signatures toward an amendment enshrining the right to access abortion in the Arizona Constitution. That number represents one out of every five Arizona voters, more than double the number of signatures required. pic.twitter.com/ECnFAv4bSg
— Arizona for Abortion Access (@azforaccess) July 3, 2024
Arizona for Abortion Access shared on its “X” account that “signatures were gathered by more than 7,000 volunteers across all 15 Arizona counties in support of the amendment. On trailheads, in coffee shops, book stores and public events, signature-gatherers were overwhelmed by support in all demographic groups.”
Signatures were gathered by more than 7,000 volunteers across all 15 Arizona counties in support of the amendment. On trailheads, in coffee shops, book stores & public events, signature-gatherers were overwhelmed by support in all demographic groups. pic.twitter.com/uwgoK0p6CM
— Arizona for Abortion Access (@azforaccess) July 3, 2024
Arizona for Abortion Access had until July 3, 2024, to gather 383,923 valid signatures to refer this initiative to the November 2024 ballot. If the signatures survive any legal challenges that might arise in the coming weeks, the initiative would amend the state’s constitution to install abortion as a right in Arizona if voters approve of the measure.
Last year, one of Arizona’s top pro-life leaders, Cathi Herrod from the Center for Arizona Policy, came out in fierce opposition to these efforts, alerting her followers that this measure “would tear down virtually all pro-life precautions and make it nearly impossible to regulate abortion.” Herrod also explained how, if passed, the constitutional amendment would likely allow abortion at all stages of life in the womb, stating, “The broad exemption of ‘mental health’ of the mother after viability is widely understood, even in the courts, to mean virtually anything the abortion provider wants it to mean, including stress or anxiety. Even barbaric partial-birth abortion is legal under this exemption.”
Arizona for Abortion Access lists endorsements from the ACLU of Arizona, Affirm Sexual and Reproductive Health, Healthcare Rising Arizona, Arizona List, NARAL Arizona, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, on its website.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Arizona Senator Jake Hoffman (R-LD15) has raised a potent legal challenge to the politically driven prosecution that he and 17 other prominent Republican alternate electors have faced at the hands of Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes whom he referred to as “zealously partisan.” Hoffman released a scorching statement to accompany a legal motion to dismiss the case on July 2, along with his official mugshot taken after his indictment “in response to Kris Mayes political persecution campaign against the 2020 Republican electors.”
Hoffman wrote,
“In war, only leaders are targeted for assassination.
This is a political war.
You can persecute us.
You can attack us.
But you will never silence us.
Truth will always prevail.
NEVER SURRENDER.
Before an investigation had even been conducted and with no evidence, Kris Mayes declared that she believed electors such as myself were guilty of a crime, that it was her job to get Biden re-elected, and that she would control the timing of the indictment.
Let me be unequivocal, I am innocent of any crime, I will vigorously defend myself, and I look forward to the day when I am vindicated of this naked political persecution by the judicial process.”
Hoffman’s attorney Tim La Sota filed the motion citing Arizona state law that allows for rapid dismissal of cases under special circumstances to protect citizens from legal action for exercising a constitutional right known as “SLAPP” or “strategic lawsuit against public participation,” according to the Arizona Republic.
La Sota called the charges against Hoffman “politics by other means,” describing it as, “an effort by an overtly partisan elected attorney general to shame and punish her political opponents and critics for exercising their constitutional rights.”
In the motion, La Sota added, “The attorney general’s novel, overzealous, and retaliatory prosecution is also tied to Sen. Hoffman’s Republican colleagues’ efforts to conduct oversight of her office.”
Hoffman’s attorney pointed to multiple examples of extra-judicial speech from Mayes and her Chief Deputy Dan Barr for prejudicial statements posted to social media, such as a July 2022 post in which Mayes wrote she “would have immediately investigated the fake electors” stating they “videotaped their crime for all to see.” He also pointed to an August 2022 post from Barr who wrote, the alternate GOP electors were “criminals” claiming they “should be prosecuted as such,” according to AZCentral.
La Sota wrote in the motion, “Attorney General Mayes’ and Chief Deputy Attorney General Barr’s extrajudicial statements demonstrate a strong animus against those who questioned the 2020 election and particularly the alternate electors, including Senator Hoffman, and a desire to prosecute them before any investigation had taken place.”
In an email to the outlet Tuesday, he explained that Mayes’ and her surrogates had effectively branded his client and his co-defendants as criminals before any investigation into their actions began. “It was more than a mere pledge to investigate whether or not they committed a crime, which would have been ethical.”
Executive Director of Save Arizona and Chairwoman of Strong Communities Action Merissa Hamilton reposted Hoffman’s post to X supportively writing, “Future generations will look back on this dark time in our nation’s history and remember those that stood in the gap to save our freedom! Please keep @JakeHoffmanAZ and his family in your prayers! They have backbones of steel! Every day wake up and ask yourself what you can do to save Arizona today! Then go forth like your freedom and life depends on it!”
