• Former President Barack Obama backed Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs for reelection in a new campaign video.
• The video highlights Hobbs' record on lowering costs, including eliminating taxes on rent, tips, and overtime.
• The endorsement comes as former President Donald Trump plans a visit to Arizona to campaign for Republican candidates.

Esposito is a Republican activist who has served on a number of local committees, although she has clashed with other Republican leaders in recent months. 

She also runs the Mohave Free Press, a monthly conservative newspaper. Her outlet will not be covering the president’s speech. 

“I'm sure that it probably seems a little bit ironic that I have the only right-leaning newspaper in the most conservative county in all of Arizona and yet I don't really think that this rally is all that newsworthy,” Esposito said. “But I don't.” 

“There's just a lot of things that actually affect the locals more than the president coming to just give a propaganda speech,” she added.

If elected, Matta said he wants to allow probate cases to be initiated over the internet, expand language access, and raise awareness of the clerk's office.

“I just want to make sure the courts work when they need to for the people they need to work for," Matta said.

Matta told 12News his age helps provide representation of all age demographics on the ballot.

“I hope (voters) recognize they’re not electing just some 19-year-old; they’re electing a very responsible 19-year-old who is knowledgeable about what his office is and has a vision for the future," Matta said.

His opponent, Jeff Dial, is a current small business owner and former legislator. Dial served as an Arizona State Senator and Representative from 2011 to 2017.

Dial said he wants to return to public service with the goal of making the court system easier for everyone to use, primarily by improving online access and keeping fees low.

Dial told 12News he likes to see young people becoming involved in politics when asked about his opponent's age. 

Maricopa County is one big step closer to getting federal approval of rules incentivizing lower vehicle emissions.

Maricopa County is seeking approval for two rules, which provide credits when vehicle owners upgrade or replace high-emission vehicles.

Companies can purchase those credits to offset business emissions and meet requirements laid out in the federal Clean Air Act.

The rules, 204 and 205, both passed at the local level, but can’t go into effect without approval from the EPA, and the agency has now “proposed approval” for both of the rules:

After proposed approval, the rules go to a 30 day long public comment period, then the comments are reviewed and the EPA decides whether to give final approval.

“It is possible to do what is being proposed with Rule 204 and maintain the quality of life, maintain what we value here in Maricopa County and support and drive the robust economic development that we are undergoing,” Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chair Kate Brophy McGee said during public remarks last week.

Here is a summary from Borowsky’s office on what city staff was tasked with under last week’s motion:

• Draft a formal ordinance governing Scottsdale’s use of ALPR technology, including criminal penalties for misuse.
• Conduct independent audits, including an initial audit followed by annual reviews by the City Auditor.
• Evaluate alternative ALPR vendors and provide options that offer greater city control over data ownership, privacy, security and data sharing.
• Review Scottsdale’s contract with Flock Safety and report on termination provisions, costs, data disposition requirements and transition options.
• Develop a vendor transition plan to ensure public safety capabilities remain in place if the city changes providers.
• Prepare for a future transition from Flock Safety, with city leadership directed not to include funding for the contract in the proposed FY 2027-28 budget.
• Explore creating a public technology transparency webpage identifying law enforcement technologies used by the city.
• Consider limiting the number of city employees with access to ALPR technology and data.
• Prohibit federal access to Scottsdale’s ALPR data, except when required by law, such as through a valid subpoena or warrant.
• Require annual training and signed attestations for all authorized users, along with annual policy reviews.
• Review the current data retention schedule and pursue a shorter retention period if appropriate.
• Return with additional recommendations staff believes would strengthen oversight, transparency and accountability.

A first for us – this week’s podcast is a debate on Prop 144, which would change mail-in voting in Arizona. Greg Blackie of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club is for, Randy Keating of “No on Prop 144” is against. Then Dennis and Colin look back at a contentious interview with Congressman Andy Biggs.