Arizona State News
Breaking news, politics, and in-depth stories from across the Grand Canyon State.
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Governor Hobbs Vetoes Six GOP Bills, Calls Library Ban 'Shameful'
Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed six Republican bills this week, including measures that would have barred public school libraries from funding professional associations, required school superintendent contracts to be posted online, and mandated adoption education alongside discussions of contraception and STIs in schools.
Arizona Lawmakers Debate Religious Instruction Bill Allowing Students to Leave Campus
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen is pushing forward Senate Bill 1741, which would require public schools to allow students, with parental consent, to leave campus for voluntary religious instruction for up to five hours per week. The bill passed the Senate in February and now awaits a final House vote before going to Governor Katie Hobbs.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Vetoes Superintendent Salary Transparency Bill, Citing School Choice Concerns
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed a Republican-sponsored bill that would have required school districts to post contracts for superintendents and other administrators, citing concerns about school choice transparency.
Arizona Governor Veto Bill Requiring Adoption Information in Contraception and STI Services
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed House Bill 2040 on April 7, 2026, which would have required public educational institutions to provide mandatory information about adoption when students seek contraception or STI testing services.
Arizona Superintendent Saves Failing Charter School Amid Charter Board Criticism
Arizona State Schools Superintendent Tom Horne intervened to save Primavera Online Charter School from shutdown by recategorizing it from traditional to alternative school status, allowing it to present new records and avoid revocation by the State Charter Board after three consecutive D letter grades.
Arizona Public Universities Using Required American Civics Courses to Push DEI Content
Goldwater Institute report finds Arizona public universities using required general education and honors courses to teach DEI content instead of American history and civics, with the Board of Regents failing to enforce state law.
Arizona Governor Releases Energy Plan Amid Legislative Pushback on State Land Use
Governor Katie Hobbs released an energy plan with 31 recommendations from a task force that addresses data center growth and rising utility bills, but House Republicans say the plan prioritizes solar development over housing needs.
Arizona Senate President Refers AG Mayes and Secretary of State Fontes to Federal Investigation Over Election Records
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen has formally referred Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to the U.S. Department of Justice, accusing both officials of obstruction of justice and witness tampering over their handling of voter records from a federal grand jury investigation into the 2020 election.
Arizona Governor Signs Bill to Repeal César Chávez Day After Abuse Allegations
Governor Katie Hobbs signed HB2072 to repeal Arizona's César Chávez Day following a New York Times investigative report detailing allegations of sexual abuse against the labor activist. The bill passed the legislature 48-8 in a bipartisan measure.
Arizona Senate Republicans File Complaint Against Pima County Over Anti-ICE Resolution
Arizona Senate Republicans have filed an SB 1487 complaint against Pima County over its anti-ICE resolution, which bars immigration enforcement operations from using county property. The complaint gives Attorney General Kris Mayes 30 days to determine if the county violated state law.
Arizona Senate President Refers Attorney General and Secretary of State to DOJ Over Election Investigation
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen has referred Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to the Department of Justice for obstruction of justice and witness tampering, alleging they interfered with a federal grand jury investigation into the state's 2020 election by warning county officials not to comply with federal subpoenas and suggesting voter data disclosure could be illegal.
Attorney General Mayes Challenges Multiple Arizona Corporation Commission Decisions in Growing Political Battle
Attorney General Kris Mayes is challenging multiple Arizona Corporation Commission decisions including utility rate hikes for Robson Ranch retirement community and repeal of renewable energy standards, sparking a political battle with commission leadership over consumer protection and regulatory authority.
Georgia Attorney General Joins 25-State Coalition Supporting Arizona Voter Citizenship Law in Supreme Court Case
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr joins 25-state coalition supporting Arizona's voter citizenship law in Supreme Court case after Ninth Circuit panel blocked enforcement.
Arizona Prosecution of Kalshi Prediction Market Advances After Judge Denies Injunction Bid
Federal judge denies Kalshi's preliminary injunction request, allowing Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes' criminal prosecution to move forward with 20 charges, while federal challenge from CFTC and DOJ looms.
Arizona Lawmakers Push Ballot Measure To Freeze Municipal Rate Hikes For Four Years
Arizona lawmakers are considering a ballot measure that would freeze municipal rate hikes on sales taxes, fees and utility rates for four years, in response to rising costs across the state including a 25% water rate increase in Gilbert.
Arizona Legislature Moves to Protect Mobile Home Tenants from Utility Overcharges
Arizona lawmakers are introducing eight bills to protect mobile home residents from utility overcharges, park management conflicts, and housing abandonment issues. The Arizona Association of Manufactured Home Owners is pushing for legislation that would cap administrative fees and prevent park owners from passing excessive utility costs to tenants.
Arizona Lawmakers Debate Bill to Limit Mexican Gray Wolf Restoration
Arizona Republican lawmakers are considering SB 1280, which would bar the state Game and Fish Department from transporting Mexican gray wolf puppies into Arizona. The bill comes as the species population grows to 268 wolves but faces debate over genetic diversity and human safety.
Arizona Attorney General Challenges Massive Utility Rate Hikes in Robson Ranch Retirement Community
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes challenges Arizona Corporation Commission's decision to nearly double water and sewer rates for Robson Ranch retirement community, arguing the rate increases violate the state constitution's mandate to protect captive customers from monopoly utility exploitation.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Proposes 77% Water Cut for Arizona As Colorado River Crisis Deepens
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is set to announce federal water cuts for Arizona as Colorado River negotiations collapse amid record-low snowpack. The proposed 77 percent cut would hit the Central Arizona Project hardest.
Federal Judge Allows Arizona Criminal Case Against Online Prediction Market Kalshi
Federal judge in Phoenix refuses to block Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes from pursuing criminal case against online prediction market Kalshi, which allows users to bet on political and social events including elections.