Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
@azcir.org
Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting. Statewide, nonprofit investigative journalism. Support us: http://azcir.org/donate/ Subscribe: http://bit.ly/AZCIR-Subscribe
Last week, AZCIR reporter @allymarkovich.bsky.social joined @kjzz.org to discuss her reporting from Ukraine — and how drone technology tested there is reshaping surveillance and enforcement along the U.S.–Mexico border.
Listen to the full interview here: www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
Listen to the full interview here: www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
This Arizona reporter found that drones used in Ukraine are now monitoring U.S.-Mexico border
Alexandra Markovich was born in Ukraine — the country is still entangled in a hard-fought war against Russia, one of the world’s premier military powers. But, she never imagined there would be much ov...
www.kjzz.org
January 14, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Last week, AZCIR reporter @allymarkovich.bsky.social joined @kjzz.org to discuss her reporting from Ukraine — and how drone technology tested there is reshaping surveillance and enforcement along the U.S.–Mexico border.
Listen to the full interview here: www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
Listen to the full interview here: www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
There are still several slots available for this essential training. It's free to attend, and increasingly important in today's reporting landscape. DM if want to hear more, registration link below (deadline 1/15), for training on 1/26.
We're thrilled to co-host the first 2025 IWMF Newsroom Safety Across America Initiative in Phoenix next month. The safety and security training is free for all freelance and staff reporters. Sign up here: t.co/FUwdg4oRm0 (registration deadline is 1/15/26).
January 14, 2026 at 12:12 AM
There are still several slots available for this essential training. It's free to attend, and increasingly important in today's reporting landscape. DM if want to hear more, registration link below (deadline 1/15), for training on 1/26.
Reposted by Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
We traveled to the Ukraine-Slovakia border with @azcir.org's @allymarkovich.bsky.social to document how the Ukrainian border guard uses surveillance drones to ensure no one is exiting the country to avoid the draft.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=srcK...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=srcK...
Ukraine’s ‘battle-tested’ drones are accelerating militarization along the U.S.-Mexico
YouTube video by 100 Days in Appalachia
www.youtube.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM
We traveled to the Ukraine-Slovakia border with @azcir.org's @allymarkovich.bsky.social to document how the Ukrainian border guard uses surveillance drones to ensure no one is exiting the country to avoid the draft.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=srcK...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=srcK...
ICYMI: Prop. 139 won majority support in every Arizona district, enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution. Instead of adjusting course, GOP lawmakers pushed new abortion restrictions, reporter @adriana-navarro.bsky.social found—with more coming this session: azcir.org?p=35084
Despite broad support for abortion access in their Arizona districts, GOP lawmakers push new restrictions
Voters in 2024 passed Proposition 139, a constitutional amendment guaranteeing Arizonans the right to abortion, with nearly 62% support statewide. An AZCIR analysis shows Republican lawmakers responde...
azcir.org
January 13, 2026 at 5:47 PM
ICYMI: Prop. 139 won majority support in every Arizona district, enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution. Instead of adjusting course, GOP lawmakers pushed new abortion restrictions, reporter @adriana-navarro.bsky.social found—with more coming this session: azcir.org?p=35084
Reposted by Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
Here it is! My first story with @azcir.org. When I saw AZ lawmakers had introduced laws that would restrict abortion access, I wondered if their actions reflected how their districts voted for Prop. 139. I found it didn't: Each LD voted in favor of the right to abortion care.
Despite broad support for abortion access in their Arizona districts, GOP lawmakers push new restrictions
Voters in 2024 passed Proposition 139, a constitutional amendment guaranteeing Arizonans the right to abortion, with nearly 62% support statewide. An AZCIR analysis shows Republican lawmakers responde...
azcir.org
January 12, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Here it is! My first story with @azcir.org. When I saw AZ lawmakers had introduced laws that would restrict abortion access, I wondered if their actions reflected how their districts voted for Prop. 139. I found it didn't: Each LD voted in favor of the right to abortion care.
NEW: Prop. 139 won majority support in every Arizona district, enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution. Instead of adjusting course, GOP lawmakers pushed new abortion restrictions, reporter Adriana Navarro found—with more coming this session: azcir.org?p=35084
Despite broad support for abortion access in their Arizona districts, GOP lawmakers push new restrictions
Voters in 2024 passed Proposition 139, a constitutional amendment guaranteeing Arizonans the right to abortion, with nearly 62% support statewide. An AZCIR analysis shows Republican lawmakers responde...
azcir.org
January 12, 2026 at 2:55 PM
NEW: Prop. 139 won majority support in every Arizona district, enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution. Instead of adjusting course, GOP lawmakers pushed new abortion restrictions, reporter Adriana Navarro found—with more coming this session: azcir.org?p=35084
3 years after AZ voters approved in-state tuition for undocumented students through Prop 308, it’s unclear how many have actually benefited. The state had no centralized system to oversee the law's rollout or ensure consistent implementation, AZCIR found.
Read our latest: azcir.org/news/2026/01...
Read our latest: azcir.org/news/2026/01...
Arizona voters approved in-state tuition for undocumented students. The state left implementation to chance
After Arizona voters approved a 2022 ballot initiative granting in-state tuition to undocumented students, the state put no centralized system in place to track participation or ensure consistent impl...
azcir.org
January 7, 2026 at 3:11 PM
3 years after AZ voters approved in-state tuition for undocumented students through Prop 308, it’s unclear how many have actually benefited. The state had no centralized system to oversee the law's rollout or ensure consistent implementation, AZCIR found.
Read our latest: azcir.org/news/2026/01...
Read our latest: azcir.org/news/2026/01...
It's the last day of our Newsmatch campaign, and we need your help to trigger matching funds by raising another $2,500. Will you help us get there? All donations are double-matched, and new monthly recurring gifts are double-matched at their 12-month value!
azcir.fundjournalism.org/newsmatch-20...
azcir.fundjournalism.org/newsmatch-20...
December 31, 2025 at 8:50 PM
It's the last day of our Newsmatch campaign, and we need your help to trigger matching funds by raising another $2,500. Will you help us get there? All donations are double-matched, and new monthly recurring gifts are double-matched at their 12-month value!
azcir.fundjournalism.org/newsmatch-20...
azcir.fundjournalism.org/newsmatch-20...
We're thrilled to co-host the first 2025 IWMF Newsroom Safety Across America Initiative in Phoenix next month. The safety and security training is free for all freelance and staff reporters. Sign up here: t.co/FUwdg4oRm0 (registration deadline is 1/15/26).
December 22, 2025 at 11:50 PM
We're thrilled to co-host the first 2025 IWMF Newsroom Safety Across America Initiative in Phoenix next month. The safety and security training is free for all freelance and staff reporters. Sign up here: t.co/FUwdg4oRm0 (registration deadline is 1/15/26).
VIDEO: In Ukraine, drones have become essential for warfare and border surveillance. Now, those tools and tactics are being deployed along the U.S.-Mexico border. AZCIR traveled to Ukraine to document how “battle-tested” drones are reshaping American border enforcement.
azcir.org/news/2025/12...
azcir.org/news/2025/12...
From Ukraine’s Battlefield to America’s Borderlands
In Ukraine's war with Russia, drones have become essential tools for both warfare and border surveillance. Now, those tools and tactics from Ukraine are being deployed along the U.S.-Mexico border.
azcir.org
December 18, 2025 at 10:45 PM
VIDEO: In Ukraine, drones have become essential for warfare and border surveillance. Now, those tools and tactics are being deployed along the U.S.-Mexico border. AZCIR traveled to Ukraine to document how “battle-tested” drones are reshaping American border enforcement.
azcir.org/news/2025/12...
azcir.org/news/2025/12...
ICYMI: Ukraine has become an epicenter of drone warfare and a global proving ground for defense companies. Tech “battle-tested” in Ukraine is now showing up here, accelerating militarization along the U.S border with Mexico while outpacing oversight.
Our latest, w/video:
azcir.org/news/2025/12...
Our latest, w/video:
azcir.org/news/2025/12...
Ukraine's 'battle-tested' drones are accelerating militarization along the U.S.-Mexico border - Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
As U.S. law enforcement agencies adopt drone systems “battle-tested” in Ukraine, experts question whether existing safeguards are sufficient to govern increasing levels of surveillance on U.S. soil. T...
azcir.org
December 17, 2025 at 10:11 PM
ICYMI: Ukraine has become an epicenter of drone warfare and a global proving ground for defense companies. Tech “battle-tested” in Ukraine is now showing up here, accelerating militarization along the U.S border with Mexico while outpacing oversight.
Our latest, w/video:
azcir.org/news/2025/12...
Our latest, w/video:
azcir.org/news/2025/12...
Drones “battle-tested” in Ukraine are now being piloted at the U.S.-Mexico border, where the boundaries between local police and military operations are becoming increasingly blurred.
Reported from Ukraine by AZCIR in collaboration w/ @appalachia100.bsky.social. Supported by IWMF.
Reported from Ukraine by AZCIR in collaboration w/ @appalachia100.bsky.social. Supported by IWMF.
Ukraine's 'battle-tested' drones are accelerating militarization along the U.S.-Mexico border - Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
As U.S. law enforcement agencies adopt drone systems “battle-tested” in Ukraine, experts question whether existing safeguards are sufficient to govern increasing levels of surveillance on U.S. soil. T...
azcir.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Drones “battle-tested” in Ukraine are now being piloted at the U.S.-Mexico border, where the boundaries between local police and military operations are becoming increasingly blurred.
Reported from Ukraine by AZCIR in collaboration w/ @appalachia100.bsky.social. Supported by IWMF.
Reported from Ukraine by AZCIR in collaboration w/ @appalachia100.bsky.social. Supported by IWMF.
It’s #GivingNewsDay! If you’ve read, shared or relied on AZCIR’s reporting this year, today’s the day to support it. Help us reach our $5,000 goal! Every donation — big or small — is matched 2X. azcir.fundjournalism.org/newsmatch-20...
December 2, 2025 at 4:15 PM
It’s #GivingNewsDay! If you’ve read, shared or relied on AZCIR’s reporting this year, today’s the day to support it. Help us reach our $5,000 goal! Every donation — big or small — is matched 2X. azcir.fundjournalism.org/newsmatch-20...
ICYMI: After neighboring states restricted groundwater pumping nearly two decades ago, investors and industrial farms poured millions into Arizona’s Hualapai Valley. Now, more than 99% of cropland there is tied to out-of-state owners — and the water table is dropping fast.
azcir.org/news/2025/11...
azcir.org/news/2025/11...
Arizona's Hualapai Valley now a 'de facto transfer basin' for out-of-state interests
Since 2014, an influx of out-of-state interests have drilled nearly 200 agricultural wells in Mohave County’s Hualapai Valley groundwater basin, straining the aquifer and putting residential water sup...
azcir.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:18 PM
ICYMI: After neighboring states restricted groundwater pumping nearly two decades ago, investors and industrial farms poured millions into Arizona’s Hualapai Valley. Now, more than 99% of cropland there is tied to out-of-state owners — and the water table is dropping fast.
azcir.org/news/2025/11...
azcir.org/news/2025/11...
NEW: When CA and NV tightened groundwater rules, investors didn’t stop drilling — they just moved into AZ. Now, more than 99% of cropland in one rural basin is owned or controlled by out-of-state interests. @azcir.org's latest, via @clomahqu.bsky.social & Brendon Derr:
azcir.org/news/2025/11...
azcir.org/news/2025/11...
Arizona's Hualapai Valley now a 'de facto transfer basin' for out-of-state interests
Since 2014, an influx of out-of-state interests have drilled nearly 200 agricultural wells in Mohave County’s Hualapai Valley groundwater basin, straining the aquifer and putting residential water sup...
azcir.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:31 PM
NEW: When CA and NV tightened groundwater rules, investors didn’t stop drilling — they just moved into AZ. Now, more than 99% of cropland in one rural basin is owned or controlled by out-of-state interests. @azcir.org's latest, via @clomahqu.bsky.social & Brendon Derr:
azcir.org/news/2025/11...
azcir.org/news/2025/11...
Democracy can’t survive without high-quality, independent journalism.
From today through 12/31, all donations made to our nonprofit newsroom are double-matched by local and national donors #NewsMatch.
Democracy needs news. News needs you.
bit.ly/47jUt0c
From today through 12/31, all donations made to our nonprofit newsroom are double-matched by local and national donors #NewsMatch.
Democracy needs news. News needs you.
bit.ly/47jUt0c
November 3, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Democracy can’t survive without high-quality, independent journalism.
From today through 12/31, all donations made to our nonprofit newsroom are double-matched by local and national donors #NewsMatch.
Democracy needs news. News needs you.
bit.ly/47jUt0c
From today through 12/31, all donations made to our nonprofit newsroom are double-matched by local and national donors #NewsMatch.
Democracy needs news. News needs you.
bit.ly/47jUt0c
ICYMI: Ten colleges in Arizona are losing millions of dollars after federal cuts hit grants to minority-serving institutions. Without the additional funds, schools are reducing services that helped raise GPAs and made students feel at home, AZCIR’s @molboha.bsky.social found: bit.ly/4o1dPNF
Arizona colleges face ‘devastating impact’ after Trump slashes grant funds to minority-serving institutions
Ten community colleges and universities in Arizona will lose at least $13.8 million after President Donald Trump's administration cut discretionary funding to minority-serving institutions.
bit.ly
October 21, 2025 at 8:38 PM
ICYMI: Ten colleges in Arizona are losing millions of dollars after federal cuts hit grants to minority-serving institutions. Without the additional funds, schools are reducing services that helped raise GPAs and made students feel at home, AZCIR’s @molboha.bsky.social found: bit.ly/4o1dPNF
When the Trump administration recently cut certain grants to minority-serving institutions, millions of dollars earmarked for student support at 10 Arizona schools disappeared—forcing some to end student support programs and reduce staff, via AZCIR’s @molboha.bsky.social azcir.org/news/2025/10...
Arizona colleges face ‘devastating impact’ after Trump slashes grant funds to minority-serving institutions
Ten community colleges and universities in Arizona will lose at least $13.8 million after President Donald Trump's administration cut discretionary funding to minority-serving institutions.
azcir.org
October 20, 2025 at 5:12 PM
When the Trump administration recently cut certain grants to minority-serving institutions, millions of dollars earmarked for student support at 10 Arizona schools disappeared—forcing some to end student support programs and reduce staff, via AZCIR’s @molboha.bsky.social azcir.org/news/2025/10...
ICYMI: More than half of AZ’s community health center funding comes from Medicaid. But a new federal law could slash $34 billion in Medicaid dollars over the next decade — leaving more than 300,000 Arizonans without coverage. Via @jasminedemers.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
Arizona’s community health centers were built on Medicaid. Now they face uncertainty
Arizona’s safety net of community health centers, which serve 870,00 patients, face an uncertain future as billions in federal Medicaid cuts loom.
azcir.org
September 26, 2025 at 5:11 PM
ICYMI: More than half of AZ’s community health center funding comes from Medicaid. But a new federal law could slash $34 billion in Medicaid dollars over the next decade — leaving more than 300,000 Arizonans without coverage. Via @jasminedemers.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
NEW: More than half of AZ’s community health center funds come from Medicaid. A new federal law could slash $34 billion in Medicaid dollars over the next decade—leaving more than 300,000 Arizonans without coverage, via @jasminedemers.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
Arizona’s community health centers were built on Medicaid. Now they face uncertainty
Arizona’s safety net of community health centers, which serve 870,00 patients, face an uncertain future as billions in federal Medicaid cuts loom.
azcir.org
September 25, 2025 at 1:36 PM
NEW: More than half of AZ’s community health center funds come from Medicaid. A new federal law could slash $34 billion in Medicaid dollars over the next decade—leaving more than 300,000 Arizonans without coverage, via @jasminedemers.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
Thanks to @kjzz.org for having @azcir.org's @molboha.bsky.social on to discuss her recent reporting about ICE policies at Arizona's largest universities. Listen in:
www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
This reporter looked at Arizona universities' policies about ICE on campus — and how they varied
Back in January, the Trump administration revoked an Obama era memorandum preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement from conducting enforcement actions in certain areas, such as schools, hospital...
www.kjzz.org
September 17, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Thanks to @kjzz.org for having @azcir.org's @molboha.bsky.social on to discuss her recent reporting about ICE policies at Arizona's largest universities. Listen in:
www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
ICYMI: What happens if ICE shows up on campus? At some of Arizona’s biggest universities—including ASU and UA—there’s no clear public policy, @azcir.org’s @molboha.bsky.social found:
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
Amid student fear and uncertainty, Arizona colleges split on clear policies for ICE on campus
Arizona’s 20 higher education institutions with the largest in-person enrollments are split on providing clear policies for what to do if ICE shows up on campus.
azcir.org
September 9, 2025 at 4:15 PM
ICYMI: What happens if ICE shows up on campus? At some of Arizona’s biggest universities—including ASU and UA—there’s no clear public policy, @azcir.org’s @molboha.bsky.social found:
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
NEW: What would your university do if ICE agents showed up? In Arizona, the answer isn’t always clear. Experts say schools should have explicit protocols, but @azcir.org's @molboha.bsky.social found some of the state’s largest universities don’t.
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
Amid student fear and uncertainty, Arizona colleges split on clear policies for ICE on campus
Arizona’s 20 higher education institutions with the largest in-person enrollments are split on providing clear policies for what to do if ICE shows up on campus.
azcir.org
September 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
NEW: What would your university do if ICE agents showed up? In Arizona, the answer isn’t always clear. Experts say schools should have explicit protocols, but @azcir.org's @molboha.bsky.social found some of the state’s largest universities don’t.
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
azcir.org/news/2025/09...
FACT BRIEF: Is there a secure process to track Arizona’s mail-in ballots?
Yes. Every mail-in ballot in Arizona carries a unique barcode tied to a voter, which prevents duplication and allows secure tracking. Read more, via @tallulahanne.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/08...
Yes. Every mail-in ballot in Arizona carries a unique barcode tied to a voter, which prevents duplication and allows secure tracking. Read more, via @tallulahanne.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/08...
FACT BRIEF: Is there a secure process to track Arizona’s mail-in ballots?
Yes. Every mail-in ballot in Arizona carries a unique barcode tied to a voter, which prevents duplication and allows secure tracking. State law requires counties that offer mail-in voting to provide a...
azcir.org
August 21, 2025 at 8:12 PM
FACT BRIEF: Is there a secure process to track Arizona’s mail-in ballots?
Yes. Every mail-in ballot in Arizona carries a unique barcode tied to a voter, which prevents duplication and allows secure tracking. Read more, via @tallulahanne.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/08...
Yes. Every mail-in ballot in Arizona carries a unique barcode tied to a voter, which prevents duplication and allows secure tracking. Read more, via @tallulahanne.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/08...
FACT BRIEF: Have ICE arrests in Arizona more than doubled since January 2025? Read our latest fact brief, via an @azcir.org partnership w/ @gigafactproject.bsky.social, via Tallulah Anne & @allymarkovich.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/08...
azcir.org/news/2025/08...
FACT BRIEF: Have ICE arrests surged in Arizona since Trump took office?
Yes. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests in Arizona were up 72% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, according to an AZCIR analysis of immigration enforcement...
azcir.org
August 15, 2025 at 4:51 PM
FACT BRIEF: Have ICE arrests in Arizona more than doubled since January 2025? Read our latest fact brief, via an @azcir.org partnership w/ @gigafactproject.bsky.social, via Tallulah Anne & @allymarkovich.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/08...
azcir.org/news/2025/08...