by Matthew Holloway | May 11, 2026 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
Grand Canyon University’s student ensemble choir Critical Mass will perform later this month at a national celebration in Washington, D.C. tied to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
The choir was invited by the White House to participate in “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving,” scheduled for May 17 on the National Mall. The event is part of the broader America250 initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
According to Grand Canyon University News, 14 members of Critical Mass remained on campus after the conclusion of the spring semester to continue rehearsals before departing for Washington on May 15.
“This is probably the biggest stage for Critical Mass,” Grand Canyon University Chair of Music Dr. Juan de Dios Hernandez told GCU News. “This event reflects who we are, a jubilee for prayer and praise.”
The May 17 event coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Continental Congress’ 1776 proclamation calling for a national day of fasting and prayer. Organizers described the gathering as an event intended to “reaffirm the country’s biblical foundation through moving messages, personal testimonies and worship music.”
“This really centers around what we do,” he added. “We do a lot of things, but the primary thing we do is share the Christian faith in whatever context we are.”
Critical Mass serves as one of the university’s primary musical ambassadors and performs more than 100 times during the academic year, according to the university. The ensemble recently performed during 13 commencement ceremonies held at Global Credit Union Arena.
University President Brian Mueller publicly recognized the group’s invitation during a recent commencement ceremony.
The Washington event is expected to feature addresses from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, and Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota, according to GCU News.
Other scheduled performers include Christian artist Chris Tomlin, singer Laura Osnes, Liberty University Praise, the Hillsdale College Choir, and the United States Navy Band.
The appearance marks another public role for GCU in events surrounding the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial observances. Earlier this year, the university hosted the Arizona America250 Commission’s traveling museum exhibit commemorating the anniversary.
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 | Dec 17, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
House Republicans, led by Arizona Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-08), unveiled legislation Friday proposing the creation of a permanent national memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring Americans killed by individuals unlawfully present in the United States.
The proposal would establish a permanent memorial dedicated to victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants, a category House Republicans say has been overlooked in national remembrance efforts.
At a Friday press event, Hamadeh said the bill “authorizes a permanent national memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring U.S. citizens and lawful residents whose lives are taken by individuals unlawfully present in the United States.” He added, “But in many ways, it also shames the politicians who allowed this situation to happen.”
In a later post to X, he wrote in part, “Humbled and grateful to lead this effort to establish a memorial in honor of the victims of Biden’s border crisis. Thank you to the incredible Angel Parents for sharing their experiences, my congressional colleagues for joining this effort, and the @TABSReport American Border Story for fighting alongside us.”
According to Fox News, the legislation is being led by Republican lawmakers who say the memorial would serve as both a place of remembrance and a public acknowledgment of the consequences of federal immigration policy failures. The proposal calls for a federally designated site that would memorialize victims while remaining nonpartisan in its presentation.
Newsmax reported that eight co-sponsors, all Republicans, joined Hamadeh, that The American Border Story (TABS) would raise funds for the monument from private sources, and that Aagel families would select a design and an architect.
Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) attended the event alongside Hamadeh and highlighted the disparity between the Biden and Trump administrations’ responses to enforcing immigration law. “They ended the Remain in Mexico policy, restarted catch and release,” he told reporters.
TABS Executive Director Nicole Kiprilov told Fox News, “I’d like to thank President Trump for leading an historic administration that has put these victims and families at the center of our immigration agenda.”
“Secretary Kristi Noem, border czar Tom Homan and the entirety of the Trump administration has been working night and day tirelessly to ensure that our border is secure and that these tragedies that the Biden administration allowed to happen will never happen again,” she added.
The proposal comes amid ongoing debates in Congress over border security, immigration enforcement, and the humanitarian and public safety impacts of illegal immigration. Republicans have repeatedly cited crime victimization as part of the broader argument for stronger border controls and immigration reforms.
Democrats have previously criticized similar proposals, arguing that crime rates among immigrants do not justify singling out a specific category of offenders. The Fox News report notes that the legislation is expected to face opposition as it moves through the legislative process.
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 Ethan Faverino | Sep 2, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) is taking action to combat crime and restore safety, both in the nation’s capital and in his home state of Arizona.
Biggs introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at reinforcing President Trump’s efforts to curb lawlessness in Washington, D.C., while reaffirming his commitment to making Arizona the safest state in the nation.
His first legislation, the Make D.C. Safe Again Act, amends the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to extend the emergency period during which the President can assume control over the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) from 30 days to 180 days.
This extension provides President Trump and federal authorities the necessary time to stabilize the nation’s capital, addressing the violent crime and public disorder without restrictive time constraints.
The second legislation, the Keep Offenders Off Our Streets Act, targets the practice of cashless bail in D.C., prohibiting judges from releasing criminals without requiring a secured bail bond.
By ensuring that offenders are held accountable, this bill enhances prosecutors’ ability to uphold the rule of law and maintain community safety.
“When our nation’s capital faces lawlessness, violent crime, and breakdowns in public order, the federal government has a responsibility and a constitutional duty to act decisively,” said Congressman Biggs.
“The District of Columbia is the seat of our federal government, the home of our institutions, and a symbol of American strength,” he added. “Weak leadership at the local level too often leaves D.C. vulnerable to the chaos of the radical Left. President Trump has shown time and time again his commitment to restoring law and order in D.C. and across the country. My legislation ensures that President Trump has the necessary time and authority to quell the chaos that has reigned in woke D.C.”
These legislations are cosponsored by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), and Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD).
In a recent interview with James T. Harris, Congressman Biggs was asked, “If you were the governor of the great state of Arizona, would you invite President Trump and federal troops in to help with crime in the state?”
“We are going to make this state the safest in the union,” Biggs answered. “We are not going to need the feds, because we are going to enforce the law here. People are going to be held accountable for crime, particularly violent crimes, sex assault, and trafficking of children—we’re going to hold them accountable. If we can’t get the job done and there’s an emergency situation, then maybe that happens. I believe under my administration, the prosecutors are going to prosecute. The police officers are going to be given the resources and support they need to make the arrests, and we are going to bring Arizona back to be the safest state in the country.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Staff Reporter | Jun 4, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
Evidence of voter fraud has been discovered in Arizona and seven other states, allegedly.
The secretary of state of Ohio, Frank LaRose, announced Tuesday he had discovered and submitted evidence of voter fraud in Arizona as well as Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
The alleged voter fraud consisted of noncitizen voter registration and double votes. LaRose discovered the alleged voter fraud during reviews of the Ohio Voter Registration Database by their Public Integrity Division.
The reviews yielded evidence indicating 11 individuals voted in the seven states and Washington, D.C.
LaRose passed along the findings to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, along with the attorneys general of the other affected states and Washington, D.C.
“We must send a clear message that election fraud won’t be tolerated,” said LaRose. “Through the investigations of our Public Integrity Division’s Election Integrity Unit, we are rooting out lawbreakers so we can bring accountability and justice.”
In a press release, LaRose reminded voters that every single vote counted.
“Critics of Ohio’s election integrity efforts may try to minimize the significance of these referrals, as though some small amount of election crime is acceptable,” stated LaRose in a letter to Ohio Attorney General Yost. “Even one illegal vote can spoil the outcome of an election for the citizenry at large, whether it be a school levy, majority control of a legislative chamber, or even a statewide election contest.”
During her campaign for attorney general, Mayes dismissed claims of widespread voter fraud occurring in Arizona.
“Know what has been debunked repeatedly? Any indication of widespread, systemic voter fraud,” posted Mayes on X during her campaign run in 2022. “Many of us find the continuation of lies about that ‘truly appalling.’”
Mayes was declared the winner of the 2022 attorney general race, despite questions remaining of over 9,000 uncounted provisional ballots and their potential effect on her slim margin of victory over now-Congressman Abe Hamadeh. Mayes’ already-slim lead of over 500 votes dropped to under 300 after uncounted votes were discovered in Pinal County during a recount.
As of this report, Mayes hasn’t indicated whether she will act on the referral to her office for investigation or prosecution.
Mayes’ focus on election-related prosecution has largely concerned securing criminal convictions for President Donald Trump’s 2020 electors — a group she refers to as the “fake electors.” All of Mayes’ efforts to coordinate a plan of prosecution (with the help of a Washington, D.C. advocacy organization) and secure the indictments were for naught.
Late last month, the Maricopa County Superior Court ruled that Mayes must redo her entire case against the electors, citing her failure to instruct the grand jury on applicable provisions of the Electoral Count Act of 1887.
More recently, Mayes unsuccessfully attempted to prevent Cochise County from carrying out its plans for a new jail district election. The election was deemed necessary in court due to the 2023 election on the issue being invalid — nearly 11,000 eligible voters were left without ballots. Mayes pushed in court to have the county abide by the results of the flawed 2023 election.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by AZ Free Enterprise Club | Dec 3, 2022 | Opinion
By the Arizona Free Enterprise Club |
Not every outcome of November’s frustrating and poorly run election was a disaster. While Maricopa County certainly dropped the ball, and we await the results of any lawsuits and investigations, voters passed some important initiative reforms.
One of those came from Proposition 129, which earned 55 percent of the vote. This measure amends the Arizona Constitution to limit ballot initiatives to a single subject. It also requires the subject to be included in the title of the measure.
The passing of Prop 129 is critical because for years, out-of-state special interest groups have made it a habit to shove multiple provisions on many different subjects into their ballot initiatives. That would often lead to confusion for voters who didn’t always understand what exactly they were voting for or against. And it would put voters in the difficult position to vote on the entirety of an initiative even though they may support some parts of it and oppose others. Now, with the single subject rule, ballot initiatives will have the same requirement for bills to pass the state legislature. And voters will gain some much-needed clarity when they cast their vote.
But Prop 129 wasn’t the only important initiative reform to pass in this November’s election…
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