Penalties for Online Exploitation Increased

A bill targeting adults who use the internet to sexually extort teenagers cleared the Arizona House this week, moving the state one step closer to harsher punishments for a crime that lawmakers say is becoming increasingly common among young people.

House Bill 2666, sponsored by State Representative Pamela Carter (R-AZ), passed with bipartisan support and now heads to the Arizona Senate for consideration.

The legislation addresses a specific and growing threat... READ MORE

Governor Katie Hobbs: We broke ground on the new Northland Pioneer College Kayenta Center that will expand access to higher education in rural Arizona. Backed by a $9M grant from @azcommerce and partnership with @TownshipKayenta, this partnership is creating stronger education and career pathways for Tribal and rural communities.

AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes: For decades, the CDC's childhood immunization schedule has been grounded in rigorous scientific evidence and has saved millions of lives. I will not stand by while Arizona's children are put at risk.

AZ Treasurer Kimberly Yee: It was an honor to present St. Mary's High School basketball star Cameron Williams with his McDonald's All-American jersey before watching him and his team win their playoff game in the Arizona Open State Championship tournament.

State Representative Rachel Keshel: Representative Michele Pena has been an amazing representative for legislative district 23! In an election year that is likely going to be tough for Republicans , it is CRITICAL that Michele run alone. For the sake of our state and in order to hold onto the majority in the AZ legislature, people MUST put their egos aside and do what’s best for AZ and the country.

State Representative Cheryl Caswell: .Put your support behind a proven grassroots candidate TODAY Candidate for Arizona State House Legislative District #19 Cheryl Caswell. Petition signatures are secured for the Primary Ballot, 2026 Midterm Primary Ballots mailed June 24th! Help the Caswell campaign reach the voters in our 250th year celebration and Make A Plan To Vote! Thank You for your attention to this matter!

State Representative Joseph Chaplik: Endorsement Alert I am proud to have the Honorable Barry Goldwater Jr.'s endorsement for my campaign for Congress. Barry understands that AZ needs quality Representation in D.C. now more than ever. Thank you Barry for showing great support over the years.

State Representative John Gillette: HCM 2001 and 2002 supporting terrorist designation for CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood, All The AZ House Dems voted NO! They continue to support radical islam

State Representative Walt Blackman: VOTED YES ON ESA Fund ESA. Defend parental rights. Put families first. HB2500 & HB2228 I will always stand for school choice and LD7 parents. #SchoolChoice #LD7

State Representative Quang Nguyen: HB2762 requires the manufacturer, seller, or retailer of a food product that is derived from cultivated cells to place a disclaimer on the food product's packaging.

State Representative Pamela Carter: UNANIMOUS VOTE! HB 2666 just passed the Arizona House with FULL bipartisan support. Adults who sexually extort teens online: Class 2 felony. Consecutive sentencing. No probation. No shortcuts. Now headed to the Senate. Protecting Arizona's kids is not negotiable.

Maricopa County Supervisor Mark Stewart: Thank you to Sheriff @JerrySheridan24 and the incredible @MCSOAZ team for taking my staff and me on a tour of the 4th Avenue Jail. We appreciate the opportunity to see firsthand the work being done to keep our communities safe and support the dedicated men and women serving Maricopa County.

Arizona House Passes Stricter Sentences for Adults Exploiting Teens— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon—

Former ICE Instructor Calls ICE Out 'Broken' ICE Training During Hearing— By Cactus Politics' Joseph Quesada— A former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lawyer who served as an instructor for new deportation agents testified on Feb. 23, stating that the agency has scaled back its training, leaving the program for recruits “deficient, defective, and broken.”

Arizona Lawmakers Vote to Shift How State References Middle East Land— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— The Arizona House of Representatives passed two resolutions on Monday that take a firm stance on one of the most debated pieces of land in the world -- the Middle East -- and on what the state should call it.

FedEx Sues Trump Administration Seeking Tariff Repayment— By Cactus Politics' Joseph Quesada— On Feb. 23, Federal Express (FedEx) sued the Trump administration, seeking a “full refund” of all tariffs it paid the government, which President Donald Trump imposed through the recently overturned International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in 2025.

Trump Heads Into the State of the Union Facing Economic Criticism— By Cactus Politics' Joseph Quesada— President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver the 2026 State of the Union address on Feb. 24 at 9 PM ET. According to the Associated Press, President Trump will use the platform to promote the Trump administration’s immigration operations, his efforts to preserve his sweeping tariffs despite being struck down by the Supreme Court, his reduction of the federal government, and the administration’s ability to conduct swift military operations globally, including Iran and Venezuela.

Judge Blocks Release of Report on Trump Classified Documents— By Cactus Politics' Joseph Quesada— A U.S. federal judge permanently barred the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) from unveiling special counsel Jack Smith’s final report into President Donald Trump’s alleged handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate after leaving his first term.

Katie Hobbs Vetoes Bill Requiring Hospitals to Ask About Immigration Status— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) vetoed Senate Bill 1051 last week, which would have required hospitals across the state to ask patients about their immigration status during the admission process.

Bipartisan Support Pushes Arizona's Anti-Deed Fraud Legislation— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— House Bill 2080 advanced through the House Government Committee this week, earning unanimous bipartisan support. The bill, which is sponsored by State Representative Selina Bliss (R-AZ), is designed to shield Arizona homeowners from deed and title fraud.

Court Rules Against Trump Tariffs, Trump Raises New Ones— By Cactus Politics' Ericka Pinon— The Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump's trade policy on Friday, February 20, 2026, ruling 6-3 that his sweeping tariffs were illegal.

State Department Announces Foreign Relations of the United States Publication Digitization— By Cactus Politics' Joseph Quesada— The Department of State (DoS) announced this week the release of Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Volume V, Microfiche Supplement, American Republics, in a new digitized format.

The Snakebite is written by Grayson Bakich and Javier Manjarres