Patients, advocates describe ‘pure chaos’ in state response to AHCCCS fraud
The state’s failure to adequately anticipate the impact of widespread suspensions among behavioral health providers has put members of an already susceptible population at further risk of relapse, abuse, homelessness and even death as operators shut down.
Investors, cannabis corporations acquire more social equity licenses as deadline to open dispensaries looms
As Arizona’s remaining social equity license holders scramble to open marijuana dispensaries before a looming October deadline, private investors and major cannabis corporations have continued to wrest control away from the individuals the program was designed to benefit.
Tucson City Council approves marijuana dispensary opening tied to social equity license
The Tucson City Council approved a special exception to open a marijuana dispensary despite warnings from community advocates that the social equity license tied to the business was obtained through what they called “exploitative” business practices.
Sovereign citizens use “paper terrorism” to intimidate, harass Sedona public officials
Growth in the sovereign citizen movement in Sedona has led to bogus legal filings designed to intimidate and harass public officials, requests by court officials to increase building security and escalated tensions between the movement’s adherents and local police. City officials have publicly downplayed the movement’s growth, but their internal communications reveal an awareness of—and…
Experts warn of radicalization pipeline as Sedona wellness communities, anti-government groups share space
Sedona’s iconic sandstone towers and mythic status as an anchor point of spiritual energy has drawn a global audience of wellness practitioners. But mixed within event schedules filled with drum circles and full moon ceremonies are trainings that weave together anti-government ideologies and improbable conspiracy theories, creating what experts are calling a pathway to radicalization.
‘Sovereign citizen’ filings flood Pima County, parallel national resurgence of controversial movement
Adherents of the sovereign citizen ideology have garnered a reputation for conflict with government officials and members of the public—conflicts that, in some cases, have turned violent. More commonly, they engage in so-called paper terrorism tactics, threatening and harassing people by inundating them with lawsuits and liens.
God-given rights: The nationwide spread of the ‘constitutional sheriff’
The Constitutional Sheriff and Peace Officers Association has for years railed against gun control laws, COVID public health mandates and alleged election fraud, ultimately presenting the sheriff as the ultimate arbiter of law. The group, which experts have labeled anti-democratic and anti-government, has also spread its ideology across the nation, seeking to become more mainstream…
‘Constitutional Sheriffs’ ideology expands to county government
In an expansion of its ideology that pushes a supreme authority for county sheriffs, the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association is encouraging a nascent movement of so-called “constitutional counties.” The movement builds off of Second Amendment sanctuary counties in an attempt to shift power away from the state and federal government and into the…
California nonprofit linked to constitutional sheriff group
The Gorilla Learning Institute uses its tax-exempt status as a nonprofit to help fund other groups’ activities, including the Friends of CSPOA, a California chapter of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association. The institute is led by Sacramento County Board Supervisors member Sue Frost, who says its name references the gorilla as a peaceful,…
VIDEO: In The Sheriff We Trust
A national group of sheriffs that claims its authority supersedes that of the state and federal government has spread its ideology to dozens of states in recent years, in part by gaining state accreditation for its taxpayer-funded law enforcement training. Some states and localities are pushing back, including in Texas, Washington and Nevada.
Rule change opens new path for ‘constitutional sheriff’ group to train Arizona law enforcement
A rule change by Arizona’s top law enforcement-certifying agency removes a safeguard against ‘extremist’ training for peace officers by allowing sheriffs and police chiefs more autonomy in determining what qualifies as mandatory continuing education credit.
Report: Child care woes cost Arizona economy $1.8 billion a year
Arizona parents representing various geographic areas, income levels, and racial and ethnic backgrounds reported changing jobs, turning down jobs, decreasing their hours, forgoing promotions or leaving the workforce entirely as a result of inconsistent or unaffordable care.
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.