Arizona Morning Briefing, 9-16: Charter School Money Probe, No Labels Party, Air Force Gets A Tucson Golf Course, and More

The Attorney General’s office confirmed yesterday it’s actively investigating the Educational Freedom Fund, the Political Action Committee chaired by American Leadership Academy founder Glenn Way. Charter One LLC supplied nearly $200,000 to the PAC, which then made direct contributions to 25 Republican legislative candidates in 2022 and 2024. The PAC disputes that it intentionally violated campaign-finance law and blames its former treasurer for any improper handling. The AG hasn’t accused the recipients themselves of any wrongdoing.

•CARTWRIGHT CANCELS LUNCH–Meanwhile, in non-charter-school education land, the Cartwright School District’s board is down one member, and two others have been boycotting meetings, preventing a quorum. This has held up a $1 million milk contract, a St. Mary’s Food Bank contract, teacher stipends, school-safety items and other business. Nearly 60 business items have stacked up and students are now reportedly getting sack lunches instead of hot meals. Board President Lydia Hernandez accuses the absent members of “playing politics”; member Denise Garcia says she and Jennifer Romero are withholding attendance because they haven’t received requested documents and information. Meanwhile, no milk for little Jimmy and Helena.

•TAKE ME TO MESALAND–Mesa’s “theme-park district” is actually happening. The Legacy Park/Gateway Crossing package represents roughly $3 billion in projected private investment, and the development agreement provides for reimbursement for developers for qualifying public infrastructure from tax revenue generated by the project. Again, Arizona Globe is begging for a return of Rawhide, Big Surf, and Bill Johnson’s Big Apple. A roller coaster and ferris wheel would be nice. Maybe also a restaurant called Dillon Brooks’ Flagrant One. Don’t mess this up, Mesaland.

•CLEAN THE WATER, BUILD A GOLF COURSE–Tucson City Manager Tim Thomure told the council that the city’s long-term groundwater supply is in “significant danger” from contamination originating around Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Twenty-four wells are out of service and eight more are emergency-only. The city is considering a framework with the Air Force and veterans nonprofit Warbird National to accelerate cleanup — with cleaned groundwater helping supply a proposed 18-hole golf course, aviation exhibits and veterans/STEM complex. Arizona, and Tucson in particular, may be in a water crisis, but at least the cleanup comes with a bespoke golf facility. Logic!

•THE PARTY THAT MUST NOT BE NAMED–Democratic Congressional candidate Amish Shah, doing battle with former Cardinals kicker Jay Feely, announced an endorsement from the “Independent Party of Arizona.” His campaign confirms he means the legally recognized No Labels Party. A court blocked its attempt to rename itself the Arizona Independent Party. No Labels chairman and former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson says he sees nothing misleading about using the desired name anyway and intends to continue the appeal after the midterms. Who are we to judge, or label?

•SURPRISE HAS SUMMONED THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY–After years of residents repeatedly naming Cheesecake Factory as their most-wanted restaurant in city retail surveys, the chain says it will finally open at Village at Prasada in late 2027. The 2026 city survey again put it at No. 1 among desired restaurants. More than 4,100 people answered the survey. Surprise Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic called it a “sweet win.”