Arizona
Hobbs announces plan to reform Arizona school voucher program
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Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, on Tuesday introduced a plan to rein in Arizona’s expanded school voucher program, but the proposal is likely to receive a cold reception in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Since the Empowerment Scholarship Account program was expanded by Republican lawmakers and former Gov. Doug Ducey in 2022 — making all Arizona students eligible for vouchers — the cost of the program has surpassed expectation. Hobbs’ office estimated in July that vouchers could cost the state nearly $1 billion this fiscal year.
Democrats have argued the state can’t afford the ballooning cost of the program as Arizona faces a $400 million budget deficit.
Hobbs tried, but failed, to scale back universal expansion of vouchers in 2023. Now, many of Hobbs’ proposals aim to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately.
That includes requiring the Arizona Department of Education to manually approve all voucher purchases exceeding $500, and giving the Auditor General more oversight of private school spending.
“The ESA program lacks accountability and transparency,” Hobbs said in a press release. “With this plan, we can keep students safe, protect taxpayer dollars, and give parents and students the information they need to make an informed choice about their education.
Following reports that some Arizona private schools raised tuition by thousands of dollars following the expansion, Hobbs also wants to ban private schools that receive voucher money from increasing tuition at a rate higher than inflation.
The plan would also require that a student attended a public school for at least 100 days before they are eligible to receive voucher money.
Republican lawmakers have ardently opposed Democratic efforts to restrict the voucher since the 2022 expansion.
Ben Toma at the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s 2023 awards ceremony
“My colleagues and I support your right to school choice and will defend it,” House Speaker Ben Toma (R-Peoria) told parents at a committee hearing in November. “And don’t be discouraged by the detractors … follow the rules, ignore the noise.”
But at least one of Hobbs’ proposals is already in place, said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.
Horne, a Republican, said the Department of Education already reviews all expenditures “regardless of amount.”
“In 2023, we rejected several thousand ESA applications for lack of adequate documentation and suspended almost 2,200 accounts totaling $21 million because the student was enrolled in a public school,” Horne said in a statement. “We’ve also rejected more than 12,000 ESA purchase order requests.”
Hobbs also proposed several changes to the voucher system to impose accountability measures on private schools that mirror existing rules for public schools.
That includes requiring teachers at private schools that receive voucher dollars to pass a fingerprint background check and meet minimum education standards, and requiring the Department of Education to publish graduation and absenteeism rates for those schools.
Hobbs’ plan would also require all private schools to provide services to ESA students with disabilities in line with those students’ individualized learning or Section 504 plans.
More stories from KJZZ
Arizona
Former Arizona State OL Max Iheanachor Talks transition to NFL
TEMPE — Former Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor took part in the school’s Pro Day on Friday in anticipation for the NFL Draft – which is being held from April 23-25.
The three-year Sun Devil spoke with media after the day concluded – discussing what the next month will entail for him, his journey into becoming a standout NFL prospect, and much more.
To watch the full media availability, view below.
Iheanachor Reveals Upcoming NFL Visits
The general consensus over the last week or two has been that Iheanachor would be more of a second round pick compared to the previous first-round notion, although revelations on Friday may refute that belief.
The talented right tackle revealed that he is set to have top-30 visits with the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Baltimore Ravens – among other franchises – in the month leading into the draft.
Those aren’t the only potential destinations for the rapidly rising prospect, as Iheanachor has previously been linked with the San Fransisco 49ers and Detroit Lions as well. There appears to be a common theme amongst interested parties – as all of the franchises either have an aging tackle that carries an uncertain future, or has an open vacancy at right tackle at this moment.
The New England Patriots have an interest in Iheanachor that is a poorly kept secret in their own right – this was on full display when head coach Mike Vrabel worked extensively with the former JUCO player, even after group drills were finished. The Patriots own the number 31 pick in the first round.
Iheanachor’s Journey Nothing Short of Incredible
Iheanachor didn’t begin playing football until 2021, when he began his career playing at the junior college level. He eventually committed to play for Arizona State ahead of Kenny Dillingham’s first season in 2023. There were certainly questions surrounding his viability in making a transition from a lower level into the power four, but that was short-lived.
The raw prospect grew considerably as the season went on, eventually seeing real playing time later in the season. He returned in 2024 as a definitive starter and was obviously one of the most improved players on the entire roster on a year-to-year basis. He then returned in 2025 and was the best player/prospect on the entire offensive line, with figures such as taking part in 484 pass protection snaps without ceding a sack confirming the elite nature of his season.
Arizona
Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers live updates. Arizona DH back in the lineup
LOS ANGELES — After tests on his sore elbow revealed no structural damage, Pavin Smith took batting practice and was declared ready to return to the Diamondbacks’ lineup.
Smith, who was a late scratch on Opening Day, was a late addition on Day 2. He will bat fifth and serve as the designated hitter, sending Tim Tawa to the bench.
Smith is a relatively important member of the Diamondbacks lineup as a potential impact hitter against right-handed pitching. Last year, he hit .265/.361/.456 with eight homers against righties in 226 at-bats.
Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (7-3, 3.39)* vs. Dodgers RHP Emmet Sheehan (6-3, 2.82)*.
At Dodger Stadium: Nelson opened last season in the bullpen but moved into the rotation full time after RHP Corbin Burnes went down with elbow surgery. He was impressive from that point on, putting up a 3.38 ERA across 20 starts from June 1 onward. … Nelson faced the Dodgers three times (two starts) last season, giving up four runs in 13 innings with one walk and 12 strikeouts. … Nelson has solid career numbers against most Dodgers hitters, including 3B Max Muncy, who is 0 for 8 with three walks and five strikeouts. … Sheehan, 26, a sixth-round pick out of Boston College in 2021, returned from Tommy John surgery last year and performed well, logging a 2.82 ERA in 73 1/3 innings. He also logged important innings for the Dodgers out of the bullpen in the postseason. … Sheehan has never faced the Diamondbacks. … Last season, he averaged 95.6 mph with his four-seam fastball. He also threw a slider and change-up with the occasional curveball.
Coming up
Saturday, March 28: At Los Angeles, 6:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (9-9, 5.02)* vs. Dodgers RHP Tyler Glasnow (4-3, 3.19)*.
Sunday, March 29: Off.
Monday, March 30: At Chase Field, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (3-8, 4.52)* vs. Tigers RHP Justin Verlander (4-11, 3.85)*.
Tuesday, March 31: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (13-9, 5.25)* vs. Tigers RHP Casey Mize (14-6, 3.87)*.
* — stats from 2025.
(This story will be updated. Check back soon.)
Arizona
Make-A-Wish Arizona creates sea turtle adventure for San Tan Valley boy
Boats, beaches, and buckets of fun! Just the way you’d expect a boy to spend his Florida vacation!
But there was something else 11-year-old Miles Boyd got to do last year when he and his family traveled to Florida. It was a sea turtle adventure that truly became the trip of a lifetime.
“I had never been to the ocean before,” explained Miles. “So see that just wowed me. It was amazing!”
Miles and his family also got to see baby sea turtles on the beach at night.
“The ocean is so mysterious,” says Miles. “It’s such a big place, and the fact that these turtles can move but are so tiny and when they go in the ocean, they get to hundreds of pounds.”
In so many ways, the trip to Palm Beach County, Florida, was a dream vacation for Miles and his family, but it only came after what was a living nightmare.
“I couldn’t imagine losing him,” says Miles’ mom, Natasha.
It was the harsh reality that Natasha had to face after learning her son Miles had a cancerous brain tumor.
“The world just stopped,” Natasha says about the moment she found out the devastating news. “I just sat on the floor and cried.”
Even Miles admits he was scared.
“I’m just a kid, you know what I mean?” he says. “It’s a lot to handle all at once.”
After three brain surgeries, countless hours of therapy and rehab, and having to take a chemo medication twice daily, Miles proved to the world he is a true survivor!
And his trip to Florida, through Make-A-Wish Arizona, proved to be the medication he never knew he needed.
Miles explains that the trip motivated him to keep going.
“It showed me that I made it to this car, and I can keep going,” he says. “I started at the lowest of lows, and now, I’m on a beach – it just gave me confidence and motivated me that I could keep going.”
Last year alone, Make-A-Wish Arizona granted 476 wishes; they’ve also fulfilled more than 8,500 since being founded in 1980.
Across the Globe, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 650,000 wishes since 1980
Miles and Nick Ciletti will co-host Make-A-Wish Arizona’s Wish Ball on Saturday! To learn more about Make-A-Wish Arizona, click here.
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