NEW: State 48’s Friday Report Just Launched
We’re launching something new— a Friday newsletter that actually keeps you informed.
Every week, The Friday Report from State 48 News will bring you:
1. The Weekly Wrap-Up
Miss a story? We’ve got you. Get the most important Arizona headlines from the week—summed up, stripped down, and easy to digest.
2. Unfiltered Extras
Behind-the-scenes moments, political snark, and sharp takes we didn’t post anywhere else. The kind of stuff the establishment would rather you not see.
3. Community Highlights
Spotlighting local leaders, grassroots wins, and real people making a difference across the Grand Canyon State.
No spin. No corporate agenda. Just Arizona—raw and real.
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🚨Nearly 600 Educators in Two Years Were Disciplined in Arizona. Patrick Mannion says he has reviewed more than a decade’s worth of disciplinary data from the Arizona State Board of Education. You can find a link to this troubling report here.
🚨There’s still no consensus on Prop 123—and no clear plan to get anything to Governor Hobbs.
This week, State 48 News published several exclusive quotes from key players: Senate President Warren Petersen, Freedom Caucus Chair Jake Hoffman, Rep. Joseph Chaplik, Rep. Matt Gress, and Rep. John Gillette.
We may have the most comprehensive reporting on the issue—and frankly, that’s not saying much, given the lack of movement at the Capitol.
Catch up on both of our reports here and here:
🚨Liberal Civil War? Watchdog Group Calls Out Chaos in Tolleson Union High School District.
Interesting twist: the new watchdog group is calling for the resignation of Superintendent Jeremy Calles and the entire Tolleson Union High School District board—with one exception: board member and freshman Rep. Luna-Najera.
That’s notable, considering State 48 News previously reported Luna-Najera was deemed to be partially responsible for a settlement issued over alleged harassment. The same board she’s still sitting on.
Read the report here.
🚨The Explosive Kolodin Report. State 48 News has obtained an exclusive first look at a press release from the Arizona House of Representatives, where Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R-LD3) alleges Gov. Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes “outsourced” state power to a far-left activist group tied to progressive funders.
Read the report here and watch the full interview!
Kolodin also spoke to Radio Host Garret Lewis, Afternoon Addiction
Or in this case, what we’re writing… and we hope you will read!
Christy Kelly also contributes to The Arizona Globe, where her recent articles include:
• AG Mayes Botches Alternate Elector Case: Is This the End?
• Petersen Launches AG Campaign with Major Kickoff Event
• Will Heap and the Board of Supervisors End Up in Court?
• Do CD7 Republicans Stand a Chance?
• Exclusive: Kelly Sits Down with SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler
Arizona Democrats are in full meltdown mode. New party chair Robert Branscomb clashed with top Dems like Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego right out of the gate—firing staff, accusing them of racism - kinda, and suspending the vice chair. In return, Kelly, Hobbs, and others called for Branscomb to resign, saying they’ve lost confidence.
Now the party’s short on staff, fundraising drama is brewing, and national Dems like James Carville are telling them to “shut up” or start a new party. Just months into his role, Branscomb’s leadership is already a statewide spectacle—and a 2026 liability.
Kelly wrote about this for the Globe, with a new article coming out today. But let’s face it: this is a continuing story and a valuable opportunity for the Republicans if they don’t squander it.
Source: James Carville, Politicon.com
UPDATE ON CHANDLER MAYOR SERVING IN GROSS VIOLATION OF TERM LIMITS:
❌Rather than enforce the rules, Chandler seeks to change them.
📣 This week without public comment less than 24 hours notice to the public —the Council sought to call for a special election to amend the Charter.
‼️ According to the Chandler City Charter, elected officials are limited to two consecutive four-year terms in office—whether as a councilmember, mayor, or a combination of both. Yet, as it stands today, Mayor Kevin Hartke is serving his fourth consecutive term, bypassing the city’s clear term limit provision.
Hartke served two full terms on the City Council from 2008 to 2018 before being elected mayor in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. That adds up to 16 consecutive years in office—double what the charter allows.
The charter states:
No person shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms in office, in any combination of the offices of Mayor and Councilmember… A four-year period must elapse before a person who has served two such terms may serve again.
Despite this, Hartke continued to serve—and before a formal complaint was lodged, he was actively exploring another run in 2026.
This raises serious questions about enforcement of the city’s charter, the integrity of local governance, and how a clear two-term limit has been allowed to stretch into a fourth term without official challenge—until now.
Councilman Matt Orlando seeks to run for mayor in violation of the charter. Will he be allowed to run? Will Mayor Hartke be allowed to finish his term?
This is a developing story.
State 48 News was the first to many of these stories. Imagine what we could do with staff and a larger budget. We appreciate your support. Comment, Like, Share or Subscribe