Brandon Quester
@bquester.bsky.social
Founder, Executive Director and Editor at Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting (@azcir.orgl) Statewide, nonprofit investigative journalism: http://azcir.org/donate/. Signal: bquester.45
Out-of-state investors and farms have poured millions into deep industrial wells and water-intensive nut orchards, betting on Arizona’s unregulated aquifers to keep profits flowing. Today, more than 99% of cropland in the Hualapai Valley basin is owned or controlled by foreign interests.
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 3:35 PM
Out-of-state investors and farms have poured millions into deep industrial wells and water-intensive nut orchards, betting on Arizona’s unregulated aquifers to keep profits flowing. Today, more than 99% of cropland in the Hualapai Valley basin is owned or controlled by foreign interests.
There’s never been a more critical time to support independent journalism. This is especially true for a newsroom like @azcir.org. The accountability reporting we produce matters—to our state and to our democracy. All donations to our newsroom are now double-matched through 12/31, #NewsMatch👇
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 4:23 PM
There’s never been a more critical time to support independent journalism. This is especially true for a newsroom like @azcir.org. The accountability reporting we produce matters—to our state and to our democracy. All donations to our newsroom are now double-matched through 12/31, #NewsMatch👇
Reposted by Brandon Quester
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
Reposted by Brandon Quester
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...
Medicaid cuts could mean reduced hours, layoffs, or even clinic closures — especially in rural areas where access to care is already limited. The ripple effects could destabilize the entire system, from emergency rooms to rural hospitals, @azcir.org's latest, via @jasminedemers.bsky.social
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 6:45 PM
Medicaid cuts could mean reduced hours, layoffs, or even clinic closures — especially in rural areas where access to care is already limited. The ripple effects could destabilize the entire system, from emergency rooms to rural hospitals, @azcir.org's latest, via @jasminedemers.bsky.social
Reposted by Brandon Quester
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...
At some of Arizona's biggest universities—including ASU & UA—there's no clear public policy for students or faculty to respond if ICE shows up on campus. @azcir.org's latest, via @molboha.bsky.social
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 3:43 PM
At some of Arizona's biggest universities—including ASU & UA—there's no clear public policy for students or faculty to respond if ICE shows up on campus. @azcir.org's latest, via @molboha.bsky.social
Want to keep updated on @azcir.org's latest investigations, including the reporters who make this work possible? Follow our team, share your tips!
Stay in the know by following our investigative reporters! You'll be the first to know about our latest investigations, and we'll share behind-the-scenes detail of how we do what we do. See you soon!
go.bsky.app/8rPRBBR
go.bsky.app/8rPRBBR
August 8, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Want to keep updated on @azcir.org's latest investigations, including the reporters who make this work possible? Follow our team, share your tips!
Reposted by Brandon Quester
ICYMI: A tribal water settlement reintroduced in Congress this year could help repair decades of exclusion from major water allocations for Hopi, Navajo and San Juan Southern Paiute communities. Our latest, via @clomahqu.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/07...
azcir.org/news/2025/07...
Tribal water settlement aims to repair generations of exclusion
The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act would repair decades of legal disputes and devote $5 billion to delivering Colorado River water to tribes in northeastern Arizona.
azcir.org
July 23, 2025 at 3:58 PM
ICYMI: A tribal water settlement reintroduced in Congress this year could help repair decades of exclusion from major water allocations for Hopi, Navajo and San Juan Southern Paiute communities. Our latest, via @clomahqu.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/07...
azcir.org/news/2025/07...
Take some time to read through @clomahqu.bsky.social's latest two stories for @azcir.org. It's an important, nuanced look at a critical water settlement for three tribal communities in northeastern Arizona
After decades of drought, contamination & legal battles, Hopi, Navajo & San Juan Southern Paiute tribes are closer to securing long-promised water rights. A $5B federal settlement could deliver Colorado River water after generations of exclusion, via @clomahqu.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/07...
azcir.org/news/2025/07...
Tribal water settlement aims to repair generations of exclusion
The Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act would repair decades of legal disputes and devote $5 billion to delivering Colorado River water to tribes in northeastern Arizona.
azcir.org
July 22, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Take some time to read through @clomahqu.bsky.social's latest two stories for @azcir.org. It's an important, nuanced look at a critical water settlement for three tribal communities in northeastern Arizona
Thrilled to welcome three new investigative reporters to our @azcir.org team, @molboha.bsky.social, @allymarkovich.bsky.social & @adriana-navarro.bsky.social. Give them a follow—and share your story ideas and tips!
📣 Exciting news from @azcir.org — we’re welcoming three new investigative reporters:
– @molboha.bsky.social: higher education
– @allymarkovich.bsky.social: criminal justice
– @adriana-navarro.bsky.social: gender, politics & policy
Give them a follow!
– @molboha.bsky.social: higher education
– @allymarkovich.bsky.social: criminal justice
– @adriana-navarro.bsky.social: gender, politics & policy
Give them a follow!
July 15, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Thrilled to welcome three new investigative reporters to our @azcir.org team, @molboha.bsky.social, @allymarkovich.bsky.social & @adriana-navarro.bsky.social. Give them a follow—and share your story ideas and tips!
Reposted by Brandon Quester
ICYMI: Arizona’s Medicaid agency says its efforts to unravel the $2.5 billion fraud scheme could take many years. Even then, it’s likely that most of the stolen taxpayer money won’t be recovered.
Arizona has recovered 5% of taxpayer dollars lost in $2.5 billion Medicaid fraud scheme
The state has so far indicted more than 100 individuals and recouped $125 million. But despite state and federal efforts, it’s likely that most of the stolen taxpayer money won’t be recovered, officia...
azcir.org
May 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM
ICYMI: Arizona’s Medicaid agency says its efforts to unravel the $2.5 billion fraud scheme could take many years. Even then, it’s likely that most of the stolen taxpayer money won’t be recovered.
Reposted by Brandon Quester
Two years after Arizona officials uncovered a $2.5 billion Medicaid fraud scheme that targeted Native Americans seeking treatment for addictions, the state has recouped just a fraction of the taxpayer funds lost to fraud.
With @propublica.org.
With @propublica.org.
Arizona has recovered 5% of taxpayer dollars lost in $2.5 billion Medicaid fraud scheme
The state has so far indicted more than 100 individuals and recouped $125 million. But despite state and federal efforts, it’s likely that most of the stolen taxpayer money won’t be recovered, officia...
azcir.org
May 6, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Two years after Arizona officials uncovered a $2.5 billion Medicaid fraud scheme that targeted Native Americans seeking treatment for addictions, the state has recouped just a fraction of the taxpayer funds lost to fraud.
With @propublica.org.
With @propublica.org.
Reposted by Brandon Quester
Our investigation with @propublica.org found that Arizona’s response to a massive Medicaid fraud scheme left patients without access to the drug and alcohol treatment they needed. This week, the director of the state’s Medicaid agency resigned.
Director of Arizona Medicaid agency resigns following fraud scheme response
Under Carmen Heredia’s leadership, the agency withheld payment to more than 300 businesses as it investigated fraud allegations. The state’s swift response left patients homeless, AZCIR and ProPublica...
azcir.org
May 2, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Our investigation with @propublica.org found that Arizona’s response to a massive Medicaid fraud scheme left patients without access to the drug and alcohol treatment they needed. This week, the director of the state’s Medicaid agency resigned.
Reposted by Brandon Quester
In January, AZCIR and @propublica.org reported on how former Arizona Medicaid officials had failed for years to stem a $2 billion fraud scheme targeting Native Americans, despite repeated warnings. A new law aims to add oversight. azcir.org/news/2025/04...
New law increases oversight of Arizona sober living homes
The legislation follows an AZCIR and ProPublica investigation on a $2 billion Medicaid fraud scheme that targeted Native Americans seeking drug and alcohol treatment.
azcir.org
April 22, 2025 at 2:30 PM
In January, AZCIR and @propublica.org reported on how former Arizona Medicaid officials had failed for years to stem a $2 billion fraud scheme targeting Native Americans, despite repeated warnings. A new law aims to add oversight. azcir.org/news/2025/04...
🚨JOB ALERT🚨 We have an ambitious vision for growth as Arizona's only nonprofit newsroom dedicated to statewide investigative journalism, and we're looking for a development associate to help shape our newsroom's future. DM for questions, details below
Want to help shape the future of investigative reporting in Arizona? Come join our growing team—we're seeking a development associate to help lead AZCIR’s fundraising efforts at a critical time of growth for the newsroom.
azcir.org/news/2025/03...
azcir.org/news/2025/03...
JOB: AZCIR Development Associate
AZCIR, a statewide nonprofit (501c3) newsroom based in Phoenix, seeks an energetic and motivated individual to help lead AZCIR’s fundraising efforts at a critical time of growth for the newsroom.
azcir.org
March 12, 2025 at 12:00 AM
🚨JOB ALERT🚨 We have an ambitious vision for growth as Arizona's only nonprofit newsroom dedicated to statewide investigative journalism, and we're looking for a development associate to help shape our newsroom's future. DM for questions, details below
The waitlist counts, quietly added to the DES website after weeks of inquiries from @azcir.org's @mpolletta.bsky.social, quantify for the first time the impact of state lawmakers’ failure to fill a massive budget shortfall left by expiring federal pandemic funds last year.
NEW: More than 2,000 Arizona children have been waitlisted for state child care assistance, according to the Department of Economic Security, and that number is likely to climb as the agency reviews pending applications, w/ @mpolletta.bsky.social
azcir.org/news/2025/02...
azcir.org/news/2025/02...
Arizona child care assistance waitlist returns for thousands
More than 2,000 Arizona children have been waitlisted for state child care assistance, according to the Department of Economic Security, and that number is likely to climb as the agency reviews pendin...
azcir.org
February 17, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The waitlist counts, quietly added to the DES website after weeks of inquiries from @azcir.org's @mpolletta.bsky.social, quantify for the first time the impact of state lawmakers’ failure to fill a massive budget shortfall left by expiring federal pandemic funds last year.
Reposted by Brandon Quester
ICYMI: Many of the deaths in sober living homes reviewed by @azcir.org & @propublica.org happened as officials—in at least five instances across Republican and Democratic administrations—failed to act on evidence that rampant fraud was imperiling Native Americans.
azcir.org/news/2025/01...
azcir.org/news/2025/01...
Dozens died in sober living homes as Arizona fumbled fraud response
Arizona officials acknowledged that a fraud scheme targeting Indigenous people with addictions cost taxpayers $2.5 billion, but haven't accounted publicly for the deaths tied to the scheme.
azcir.org
January 28, 2025 at 4:35 PM
ICYMI: Many of the deaths in sober living homes reviewed by @azcir.org & @propublica.org happened as officials—in at least five instances across Republican and Democratic administrations—failed to act on evidence that rampant fraud was imperiling Native Americans.
azcir.org/news/2025/01...
azcir.org/news/2025/01...
This line. From a sober living home operator, to the father of Jeffrey Hustito, who died there on Dec. 27, 2022:
“Since they have an alcohol problem, we let them drink a little bit to calm down.”
“Since they have an alcohol problem, we let them drink a little bit to calm down.”
Arizona’s Medicaid agency acknowledged that a fraud scheme targeting Indigenous people with addictions cost taxpayers at least $2.5 billion. But the state hasn’t accounted publicly for the number of deaths caused by the crisis. W/ @propublica.org we found at least 40
azcir.org/news/2025/01...
azcir.org/news/2025/01...
Dozens died in sober living homes as Arizona fumbled fraud response
Arizona officials acknowledged that a fraud scheme targeting Indigenous people with addictions cost taxpayers $2.5 billion, but haven't accounted publicly for the deaths tied to the scheme.
azcir.org
January 27, 2025 at 7:57 PM
This line. From a sober living home operator, to the father of Jeffrey Hustito, who died there on Dec. 27, 2022:
“Since they have an alcohol problem, we let them drink a little bit to calm down.”
“Since they have an alcohol problem, we let them drink a little bit to calm down.”
Our latest: Arizona’s Medicaid agency acknowledged that a fraud scheme targeting Indigenous people with addictions cost taxpayers as much as $2.5 billion. But the state hasn’t accounted publicly for the number of deaths caused by the crisis.
NEW: At least 40 Native American residents of sober living homes and treatment facilities in the Phoenix area died as AZ officials fumbled their response to Medicaid fraud targeting Indigenous people.
By me and @maryhudetz.bsky.social for @azcir.org / @propublica.org
azcir.org/news/2025/01...
By me and @maryhudetz.bsky.social for @azcir.org / @propublica.org
azcir.org/news/2025/01...
Dozens died in sober living homes as Arizona fumbled fraud response
Arizona officials acknowledged that a fraud scheme targeting Indigenous people with addictions cost taxpayers $2.5 billion, but haven't accounted publicly for the deaths tied to the scheme.
azcir.org
January 27, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Our latest: Arizona’s Medicaid agency acknowledged that a fraud scheme targeting Indigenous people with addictions cost taxpayers as much as $2.5 billion. But the state hasn’t accounted publicly for the number of deaths caused by the crisis.
It's not too often that we get to announce two new hires over the course of one week! I hope you'll welcome @jasminedemers.bsky.social to our growing team @azcir.org. Giver her a follow and send her your tips! Your support makes these positions possible—thank you!
We're beyond excited to welcome @jasminedemers.bsky.social to our growing team of investigative reporters. A Tucson native, she'll help our newsroom expand statewide reporting on health. Give her a follow and send her your tips! Read more below:
mailchi.mp/azcir.org/az...
mailchi.mp/azcir.org/az...
January 23, 2025 at 8:48 PM
It's not too often that we get to announce two new hires over the course of one week! I hope you'll welcome @jasminedemers.bsky.social to our growing team @azcir.org. Giver her a follow and send her your tips! Your support makes these positions possible—thank you!
We're excited to have @clomahqu.bsky.social join our growing team of investigative reporters. Give him a follow and share your tips!
We're thrilled to welcome @clomahqu.bsky.social to our team of investigative reporters. Give him a follow and send him your tips! Read more about him below
mailchi.mp/azcir.org/az...
mailchi.mp/azcir.org/az...
January 16, 2025 at 6:07 PM
We're excited to have @clomahqu.bsky.social join our growing team of investigative reporters. Give him a follow and share your tips!
Come work with our team. We're a growing newsroom with an ambitious vision to hold powerful people and institutions accountable. Got questions, let me know.
Want to work with a growing team of investigative reporters covering Arizona? We've got two openings for experienced reporters to cover higher education and criminal justice, thanks to a partnership through Report for America. Applications are due in a few weeks! See the thread below to apply:
January 15, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Come work with our team. We're a growing newsroom with an ambitious vision to hold powerful people and institutions accountable. Got questions, let me know.
Reposted by Brandon Quester
There's still time to TRIPLE your impact by donating to AZCIR before midnight: all monthly, yearly and one-time gifts are double-matched by local and national donors.
Help AZCIR continue holding powerful people and institutions accountable!
azcir.org/ways-to-give
Help AZCIR continue holding powerful people and institutions accountable!
azcir.org/ways-to-give
WAYS TO GIVE | Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
Support quality journalism by joining us today!
azcir.org
December 31, 2024 at 11:20 PM
There's still time to TRIPLE your impact by donating to AZCIR before midnight: all monthly, yearly and one-time gifts are double-matched by local and national donors.
Help AZCIR continue holding powerful people and institutions accountable!
azcir.org/ways-to-give
Help AZCIR continue holding powerful people and institutions accountable!
azcir.org/ways-to-give