Jim Small

Rural Arizona becomes new front for immigration activism with detention center vigil Dozens gather at Eloy detention center vigil as immigration activism expands into rural Arizona communities

“This is not happening somewhere else. This is happening in our backyards, in our country, in our communities, to our people.”

Striking from new Quinnipiac poll:

*Voters prefer path to legalization over deportations for most undocs by 59-34. Among independents it's 61-33

*Majority says Trump on immigration is making America less safe

Again, there's broad rejection of the whole project, not just ICE tactics (see below)

House committee advances $5 million rental assistance program with bipartisan backing Arizona rental assistance bill gains bipartisan support after 85,000 Maricopa County evictions, advancing from committee

For the past three years, evictions in metro Phoenix have exceeded 80,000, but the state still doesn’t have any kind of formal rental assistance program.

That might change this year.

story via @glorihuh.bsky.social

Are any of these properties zoned for concentration camps?

Mark Kelly argues Pentagon demotion threat violates his First Amendment rights | Arizona Mirror Judge expects to rule by Feb. 11 on Mark Kelly lawsuit challenging Pentagon attempt to demote his military rank over speech

“This isn’t happening in isolation. Since taking office, this administration has repeatedly gone after First Amendment rights of many Americans. That’s not how we do things here in the United States.”

This cannot be something a civilian law enforcement agent is allowed to wear in the US — and an agency that has a culture that tolerates this cannot be saved.

Lawmakers prepare for Colorado River water fight with unanimous vote boosting legal fund Arizona House unanimously votes to add $1 million to Colorado River lawsuit fund as Feb. 14 deadline approaches

“Arizona will not give up the fight for our water. We will not surrender, and we will not be bullied. We will continue to fight for our Colorado River water.”

story via @caitlinsievers.bsky.social

Trump escalates authoritarian agenda with unconstitutional call to nationalize elections | Arizona Mirror Trump calls for Congress to nationalize elections administration, undermining the constitutional structure empowering states

“The Republicans should say, ‘We want to take over.’ We should take over the voting... The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting,” Trump said

Arizona has lost more top election officials than any western state since 2020 Report shows all 15 Arizona counties experienced election official turnover since 2020 amid threats and fraud claims

Threats, harassment and pressure to break election law drove turnover in all 15 counties

story via @jerodmacevoy.com

Trump administration loses bid to strip legal status from 350,000 Haitian immigrants | Arizona Mirror Federal judge blocks Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status for 350,000 Haitians one day before expiration

The judge cited the Trump administration's "hostility to nonwhite immigrants" in blocking Noem’s decision to revoke temporary protected status

Noem announces body cameras for federal agents after Minneapolis shooting deaths | Arizona Mirror WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday that body cameras would be given to federal immigration agents across the country, starting in Minneapolis, where two U.S. citizen...

Noem did not specifically say agents would be required to wear the cameras

'We won't put up with ICE': Thousands march against Trump's violent deportation campaign Thousands joined a protest at the Arizona Capitol against ICE after Minneapolis killings as Trump immigration approval plummets

“It’s not making us feel safe,” one protester said. “The color of our skin isn’t safe.”

story via @glorihuh.bsky.social

Elon Musk publicly slandering that cave diver as a "pedo guy" after he begged Jeffrey Epstein for island party invites is just incredible

So QAnon spent years spreading conspiracy theories that the government was run by a cabal of elite pedophiles and it turns out they supported the actual cabal of elite pedophiles to get into power and destroy democracy.

Colorado River governors express cautious optimism after 'historic' DC meeting Colorado River governors express cautious optimism after historic DC meeting as Feb. 14 deadline to reach water deal approaches

The seven states have two weeks to reach deal or face litigation over federal proposals

story via @caitlinsievers.bsky.social

Of all the things that will never happen, this will never happen the most

Not the obituary I was hoping to read today

The Minnesota Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, the Minnesota Reformer, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Sahan Journal, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association today released the following statement: “We strongly condemn the arrest of journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon, as well as any attempt to intimidate members of the press. The First Amendment recognizes the press as holding a distinct and protected role in our democracy. In America, we do not arrest journalists for doing their jobs. The Minnesota journalism community stands united in defense of press freedom and the essential role reporting plays in holding power to account.”

The Minnesota Star Tribune, @mprnews.org @minnesotareformer.com , @spokesmanrecorder.bsky.social, @sahanjournal.bsky.social, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association today released the following statement:

This is so unhinged

Colorado River states meet Friday in DC with federal deadline looming, litigation threat growing Six Colorado River Basin governors meeting Friday in DC as Arizona demands Upper Basin share water cut burden

Lower Basin states argue they've done the "heavy lifting" for the past decade while Upper Basin states refuse mandatory cuts, despite full reservoirs

story via @caitlinsievers.bsky.social

Don't trust your eyes: Trump's government knows who the real terrorists are Trump administration calls murdered Minneapolis nurse 'domestic terrorist' despite video contradicting claims

OPINION | Why was Alex Pretti murdered by masked federal agents after being pepper sprayed, restrained and beaten? We must not trust the lies of our eyes and ears.

GOP bill would let police seize big rigs owned by companies hiring undocumented drivers Arizona Republicans advance bill making it felony for undocumented immigrants to drive trucks despite federal authority concerns

“The law is clear: We do not have immigration authority. This bill requires immigration authority.”

story via @glorihuh.bsky.social

In Memory of Bob Grossfeld He made people feel heard—and helped others be heard.

The Arizona media and political comms world has lost a true pro and class act. Rest in peace Bob Grossfeld.

bobgrossfeld.com

They locked the doors because the high school students outside were "too loud."

I swear, if they had whistles, the Senate might have called in the National Guard. Living with such cowardice must be exhausting.

Student protesters shut down Arizona Senate with anti-ICE demonstration at Capitol | Arizona Mirror Phoenix high school students walked out and marched to Arizona Capitol to protest ICE, briefly locking down Senate

“I'm here today to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves to be the voice for the people who can't speak for themselves.”

story via @caitlinsievers.bsky.social

It's amazing how this radical "step too far" is how every law enforcement officer in the country operated for our entire history.

**Violating 96 court orders**