AGP Executive Report

Voter Fight in Education: Protect Education turned in 420,000+ signatures for the “Protect Education Act,” aiming to tighten Arizona’s ESA voucher program with income caps, limits on spending, and added state oversight—expect legal challenges from voucher backers. School Politics: State Superintendent Tom Horne denounced a controversial attack ad targeting Treasurer Kimberly Yee, calling it racially prejudiced and saying campaign rules bar coordination with the out-of-state group behind it. Wildfire Tragedy: Glendale firefighter Nick Hutcherson was returned to Arizona after dying fighting a Utah-Colorado wildfire. Public Health: The CDC warns an unusually early West Nile season could mean a worse year, with Maricopa County among the hardest hit. Local Crime Case: A California man, Derrick Callella, pleaded guilty in the Nancy Guthrie case to sending fake ransom messages; sentencing is set for Sept. 10. Sports (AZ angle): Cardinals TE Trey McBride praised rookie QB Carson Beck as a potential long-term answer.

Dangerous Heat: A prolonged heat dome is set to push record-breaking temperatures across the U.S. through the July 4 weekend, with fire danger rising in parts of Arizona and the Southwest. Nancy Guthrie Update: The FBI says some Nancy Guthrie ransom notes may still be legitimate, even as other messages were treated as extortion attempts—keeping the Tucson-area mystery active. Local Politics: Scottsdale candidates are flooding intersections with political signs, but state law limits what the city can do about the “padhandling” problem. July 4 in Chandler: Chandler’s free “All-American Bash” includes a 15-minute fireworks show, plus strict rules: no alcohol or marijuana, and only permitted fireworks. Wildland Firefighters: A survey of federal wildland firefighters finds low morale, staffing worries, and health concerns as fire season ramps up. Education Budget: Tempe Elementary District is nearing approval of a nearly $112M operating budget for 2026-27 after earlier spending cuts. Medicaid & Planned Parenthood: Medicaid coverage for non-abortion care at Planned Parenthood is set to resume as a GOP ban expires. Public Safety: Arizona police are stepping up DUI enforcement for the July 4 weekend.

Immigration Detention Plan: ICE will pause its plan to convert a Surprise warehouse into an immigrant detention facility while an environmental review is completed, a move Arizona AG Kris Mayes says could delay the project by at least nine months. Heat & Construction: A new Arizona State University estimate cited by a south Phoenix advocate warns data-center waste heat could push nearby neighborhoods up to 4 degrees hotter—at a time when outdoor work is already dangerous. Public Safety & Fireworks: With Independence Day approaching, Arizona’s rules on consumer fireworks are front and center, including tight allowed dates/times and bans on launching or exploding devices. Nancy Guthrie Case: The FBI says ransom notes tied to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance include some that appear not credible, while others may be legitimate, as the investigation continues. Local Consumer Watch: Scottsdale pool contractor Sun State Pools lost its license after dozens of complaints, leaving some homeowners with unfinished projects. Sports: Giants third baseman Matt Chapman was placed on the IL with an abdominal strain ahead of a matchup with the D-backs.

School Safety Funding: Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne is moving more than $50 million in carryover money to keep school resource officers and mental health professionals in place, with 560+ schools slated for officers and 500+ for mental health staff next year. Local Education Politics: Scottsdale Unified’s board voted to raise Superintendent Scott Menzel’s pay from $225,000 to $245,000 and extend his contract to 2029, even as the district faces enrollment declines and school closures. Wildfire Risk: Fire restrictions are tightening across Arizona as dry conditions and red-flag warnings persist, with officials urging residents to avoid sparks during peak fire season. Public Health for Pets: A Tucson nonprofit says it’s nearly at 1,000 spay-and-neuter procedures, helping ease shelter overcrowding by covering surgery costs for pet owners. Major Legal Update: The FBI says all ransom notes tied to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance were fake, a major blow to one theory in the Tucson-area case that remains active. Food Price Probe: The DOJ is proposing a settlement with major egg producers, including an Arizona company, involving payments and donations after alleged price-fixing.

Supreme Court & Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Trump’s push to end birthright citizenship, ruling children born in the U.S. to parents here unlawfully or temporarily are still citizens under the 14th Amendment—setting up major ripple effects for immigration policy nationwide. Arizona Elections: The next Supreme Court term will take up whether Arizona can require proof of citizenship to vote, a fight that could reshape voter registration rules in the state. Sports & Title IX: The Court also upheld state bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports, with Arizona Republicans calling it a win for “fair competition” and girls’ athletics. Education: In East Valley, a judge ruled EVIT can’t control how districts use satellite-program funds already generated for students taught on district campuses, though EVIT keeps authority over program content and quality. Wildfire Risk: Fire officials warned construction crews in Scottsdale to use extreme caution with hot work as brush fires and major blazes continue across Arizona. Egg Prices: DOJ and states reached settlements over alleged egg price-fixing, including Arizona-linked defendants, with millions in eggs and cash tied to the case.

Wildfire Watch: Arizona fire officials are tightening restrictions again as hot, dry conditions and active incidents strain crews. Starting Tuesday, June 30 at 8 a.m., Stage 2 fire restrictions kick in on State Trust lands in Coconino, Gila, Maricopa and Pinal, with Stage 2 also staying in place in Apache, La Paz, Navajo and Yuma; campfires, target shooting and fireworks are banned, and equipment rules get stricter. Public Safety & Tragedy: Three firefighters were killed fighting a major blaze near the Colorado-Utah line; officials identified Nick Hutcherson of Glendale, Arizona, plus two others. Local Crime Update: Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says the latest Nancy Guthrie ransom note is a hoax, urging the public to ignore crypto demands while the FBI keeps investigating her disappearance. Energy & Permitting: A new DOI memo could raise permitting risk for solar and wind projects on federal and private lands, putting billions in investment uncertainty. Elections: The Supreme Court ruled states can count late-arriving mailed ballots if they’re postmarked by Election Day. Business/Tech: Uber and Waymo have ended their Phoenix robotaxi partnership, with Uber seeking a new partner.

U.S. Supreme Court & Arizona Elections: The court agreed to hear whether Arizona must require proof of citizenship for all elections, a major test for voting rules that could reshape how ballots are handled statewide. Campaign & Courts: Arizona’s Supreme Court upheld the state’s anti-“dark money” disclosure law, keeping pressure on wealthy donors who try to stay anonymous. School Safety Funding: Arizona’s Superintendent Tom Horne says $53M will fund armed officers and mental health workers at schools starting FY27, with the first 560 schools that request support getting positions. Wildfire Tragedy: Three wildland firefighters were killed in the Knowles Fire on the Colorado-Utah border, including an Arizona firefighter, as crews reported shelter deployment during rapidly escalating flames. Phoenix Tech: Uber and Waymo ended their Phoenix robotaxi partnership, with Waymo vehicles moved back into its own app while Uber prepares a new autonomous deal. Local Life: Downtown Tucson’s “The Downtown Experience” will extend museum and partner hours on summer Fridays to draw families downtown after sunset.

Election Integrity Fight: Michigan AG Dana Nessel and a coalition of states won a federal court victory blocking President Trump’s executive order aimed at federalizing election rules, including limits tied to federal lists and mail voting. Local Education: A judge pressed East Valley Institute of Technology and nine school districts over competing interpretations of Arizona law that could reshape EVIT oversight and transportation for thousands of CTE students. Wildfire Tragedy: Three firefighters died and two were burned battling fast-moving blazes on the Colorado-Utah border as heat and wind worsened conditions across the Southwest. Arizona Courts & Voting: Separate legal battles continue over election administration rules, with courts weighing challenges that could affect how close electioneering is allowed near polling sites. Public Safety Power Shutoffs: APS restored power after wildfire risk prompted public safety shutoffs around Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon area. Tech & Politics: A new wave of AI spending is reshaping U.S. campaigns, while voters increasingly link AI to higher electricity bills and job fears. Nancy Guthrie Case: TMZ founder Harvey Levin says the FBI told the outlet to “stand down” after he offered one bitcoin for a lead tied to the missing Arizona woman’s disappearance.

PFAS Health Alert: “Forever chemicals” have been found in Arizona drinking water systems from Prescott to Nogales, with detections reported in supplies used by nearly 2 million residents and cleanup efforts likely to stretch for decades. Wildfire Tragedy: Three firefighters were killed and two injured while battling fast-moving Knowles and Gore wildfires near the Colorado-Utah border, where crews faced a deadly “burnover” in hot, windy conditions. Power Restored: APS said it fully restored power after a Public Safety Power Shutoff around Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, with crews checking lines and equipment before reconnecting service. Local Fire Update: The Sycamore Fire near Globe held at about 37% containment as weather worsened, while the Spring Fire near Flagstaff saw evacuation orders downgraded. Human Remains Found: Remains were discovered near Picture Rocks; the Arizona State Museum is handling the archaeological investigation. Sports (Arizona angle): The Rays swept the Diamondbacks 5-1; Yandy Díaz left with a strained left shoulder and is considered day-to-day.

Wildfires & public safety: Three firefighters died and two were hurt while battling blazes on the Colorado-Utah border as hot, dry, windy conditions keep fueling fast-moving fires across the West, including Utah’s Cottonwood Fire that has damaged a ski resort and forced closures. Arizona schools: A shuttered Tempe campus is set to reopen July 22 as a Kyrene lifeline after a hidden water pipe flooded parts of another school, adding to the district’s recent emergency relocations. Elections & security: Arizona’s top election official says states don’t expect the federal government to reliably share election threat info in the 2026 midterms, raising concerns about “cracks” in coverage. Sports (local angle): The Suns’ Koa Peat enters the NBA with something to prove after a late first-round slide, while the Diamondbacks host the Rays on Sunday with Merrill Kelly vs. Drew Rasmussen. Community & culture: A Gilbert French bakery is drawing long morning lines for Chef Will Porter’s pastries, and Phoenix Theatre Company is staging “Dear Evan Hansen” through Aug. 2.

Wildfire Watch: A new Spring Valley Fire near Kendrick Mountain prompted a “GO” evacuation order for people in and around the area northwest of Flagstaff, as windy, dry conditions keep fire danger high across northern Arizona. Public Health: Yavapai County health officials are investigating a suspected pneumonic plague case and have started contact tracing, urging anyone with sudden fever, chest pain, or trouble breathing to seek care fast. Power & Safety: APS shut off power to about 8,000 customers near the Grand Canyon area to reduce wildfire risk, as the Butte Fire burned rapidly south of the park. Local Life: A Mesa City Council hopeful forum focused on core services like public safety, roads, trash, and water, with candidates also trading views on issues like data centers and spending. Arizona Community Win: A mother and son graduated together from Goodwill’s Excel Center, Arizona’s no-cost adult high school. Sports: Utah beat Arizona 83-76 behind Parker Van Dyke’s career-high 23 points. World Cup: Iran captain Mehdi Taremi blasted FIFA over “unfair” treatment, including visa and logistics problems, after a 1-1 draw with Egypt.

Border & Faith: More than 100 Catholic bishops, nuns, priests and parishioners marched from Nogales, Arizona into Sonora, Mexico, urging the U.S. to treat migrants with dignity as heat “actually deadly” conditions push people deeper into the desert. Elections & Courts: A judge blocked Trump’s effort to control mail-in voting through the U.S. Postal Service, arguing no federal law allows that kind of federal takeover of state election mechanics. Wildfire & Heat Safety: Extreme fire weather and hot, humid conditions are driving restrictions across the West, with Arizona facing heightened risk and possible power cutoffs to protect crews and communities. Arizona Sports: ASU beat Utah 98-87, while Weber State topped Northern Arizona 86-71 and Arizona’s college hoops scene stayed busy heading into the weekend. Local Tech & Scams: Tempe seniors learned how AI-driven scams work after a bail-bonds “caller” tricked a resident into sending money before the fraud was discovered.

Heat Relief in Arizona: SRP is boosting funding for AllThrive365, a nonprofit that repairs and replaces broken air conditioners for free—after stories like Susan Terrel’s, who survived nearly three years without one. Wildfire Tech in the Valley’s Watershed: SRP, NAU and Growvera are installing 112 sensors in the Tonto National Forest to track vegetation and soil dryness in real time, helping predict fire spread and protect power lines and communities. Fire Weather & Power Shutoffs: Northern Arizona emergency teams are preparing for a difficult weekend with high winds, low humidity and dry fuels, including possible APS public safety power shutoffs. State Budget Win for Veterans: Arizona’s 100% service-related disabled veterans’ property tax exemption is now permanently protected in the state budget, though some Cochise County errors won’t be fixed for 2026 taxes. Arizona Election Battles: Lawsuits keep piling up over Arizona ballot measures and election rules, including challenges tied to polling-place practices. Arizona Business Fraud Crackdown: The Arizona Corporation Commission is tightening rules to stop LLC application fraud after reports of homeowners getting mail for businesses they never created.

MLB Draft Overhaul: Owners are pushing rules that would limit high school players’ ability to sign and would raise the draft age for amateurs starting in 2028, a shift that could reshape careers and college recruiting. Arizona Baseball: The Diamondbacks activated Max Kepler after an 80-game suspension, and the team is set to keep him in the lineup as it continues its season. Nancy Guthrie Case: A former FBI agent says investigators may be close to identifying the “porch guy” captured on Guthrie’s home security footage, renewing questions about why the FBI took months to act. Medicaid Oversight: AHCCCS is rolling out a new analytics tool to improve claims accuracy and strengthen program integrity. Housing Costs: A new study says government regulations add more than $131,000 to the price of a typical new home, fueling the affordability fight. Wildfire/Heat Watch: Red flag and extreme heat concerns are driving fire restrictions and warnings across parts of the West, including Arizona.

Water Crisis: Lake Powell is entering summer at its emptiest level ever, with federal projections warning it could hit “minimum power pool” next spring—raising the risk of Glen Canyon Dam power cuts and, in worst case scenarios, a “dead pool” that could disrupt the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Legal Fight: Two Arizona pastors and a PAC are suing to block a GOP-backed ballot referral that would bar trans girls from playing sports and using bathrooms matching their gender identity. Elections & Courts: A Maricopa County judge reinstated an order requiring Recorder Justin Heap and the Board of Supervisors to use an independent mediator to resolve their ongoing election dispute. Public Safety: Phoenix Police released a video briefing on an officer-involved shooting on Pinnacle Peak Road that left a man dead; the case is under criminal investigation. Food Assistance: A Tucson roundtable focused on how federal restrictions have left about 450,000 Arizona families without food assistance. Border Work: About 400 Marines are reinforcing the border wall in the Tucson sector with new wire and brackets. Business/Trade: A new Canadian consulate opened in Phoenix to boost U.S.-Canada trade and economic ties.

Food Assistance Crisis: Arizona is seeing the steepest drop in SNAP/food stamp benefits nationwide after Trump-era cuts, with about half as many recipients and more than 457,000 Arizonans losing aid. Local Politics: Republicans squared off in Arizona’s CD1 debate as the seat becomes a high-stakes battleground after David Schweikert vacates for governor. Public Safety & Courts: A court monitor says Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office reforms are still falling short, citing a “disturbing pattern” of policy and court-order violations tied to a long-running racial profiling case. Science & Weather: ASU researchers are pitching “weather jiu-jitsu,” using targeted atmospheric tweaks and simulations to potentially steer hurricanes away from cities. Health Care Fraud: Arizona’s AG Mayes announced 42 new Medicaid fraud indictments, adding to a growing statewide crackdown. Business & Jobs: Beam Global plans to relocate manufacturing to Yuma, Arizona, aiming to cut production costs. Wildlife Concerns: A Chandler gender reveal sparked backlash after birds were dyed blue, raising animal safety worries.