Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis discovered that someone fraudulently registered her to vote in New York as a Republican using an address at Trump Tower, raising concerns about voter registration security and identity verification. Willis, whose prosecution of President Donald Trump and 18 co-defendants collapsed after her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade resulted in her disqualification, called the incident upsetting and a serious matter. The New York City Board of Elections notified Willis of the fraudulent registration and confirmed that no votes had been cast using it. Election officials explained that anyone attempting to vote would have been required to provide identification or documentation establishing residency. Willis expressed concern that the registration could interfere with her voting eligibility in Georgia and is working with a New York prosecutor on a potential criminal investigation. The incident exposes vulnerabilities in voter registration procedures and underscores the importance of citizenship, identity, and residency verification to prevent fraudulent registrations and protect election integrity.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/hilarious-fulton-county-da-fani-willis-says-someone

Somali-born Muslim Assistant Superintendent Abdullahi Ahmed is pushing to change Portland Public Schools’ proposed animal policy in Maine to accommodate Islamic religious beliefs concerning dogs. During an October 14 policy committee meeting, Ahmed explained that Islamic traditions consider dog saliva ritually impure and expressed opposition to allowing dogs as classroom pets or requiring students and staff to interact with them. The proposed policy currently requires administrative approval before animals are brought into schools, certification for service animals, and restraints for domestic animals. Ahmed’s objections have sparked backlash over efforts to incorporate Islamic religious practices into public school policies affecting students and employees regardless of their own beliefs. Ahmed delivered his remarks while seated in front of an Iraqi flag, and his comments prompted angry reactions on social media, including demands that he return to his country of origin.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/somali-born-superintendent-sparks-uproar-as-he-reveals

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized the Department of Homeland Security to temporarily use the U.S. military’s Active Denial System, a vehicle-mounted directed-energy weapon known as the “heat ray,” for potential operations along the southern border. The seven-month authorization, beginning in September, provides DHS with one unit while prohibiting military personnel from operating it and placing responsibility for its deployment and procedures entirely with DHS. The non-lethal system emits an invisible beam of 95-gigahertz millimeter-wave energy capable of reaching targets more than half a mile away, rapidly heating the outermost layer of skin and creating an intense sensation that causes people to move away. The effects stop when exposure ends, and military testing has documented an injury rate of approximately 0.1%. The technology was previously considered for border enforcement in 2018 but rejected over concerns about its treatment of civilians. Customs and Border Protection is evaluating the system as part of efforts to strengthen border security, deter illegal crossings, and provide alternatives to lethal force. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin emphasized that deterrence remains a priority and that the administration intends to use available technologies to prevent illegal entry while favoring less-lethal options whenever possible.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/pentagon-approves-use-military-heat-ray-border-invisible

Fountain Hills Councilperson Kalivianakis sparked a contentious October 20, 2026, Town Council meeting over a proposed ordinance addressing Sharia law after Councilman Skillicorn and two other councilmembers placed the issue on the agenda. Kalivianakis contacted the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), whose representatives attended the meeting, including an attorney who threatened legal action against the town. The discussion featured accusations of religious discrimination, emotional testimony, and opposition to restricting Sharia law despite concerns about its incompatibility with American constitutional principles. Strict Islamist interpretations of Sharia law include restrictions on free speech, unequal treatment of women, punishment for homosexuality, religious persecution, and severe penalties for blasphemy. Kalivianakis, who is transgender, faced accusations of hypocrisy for inviting opposition to the ordinance despite the treatment of women and LGBTQ individuals under strict Sharia-based legal systems. Liberal activists, Muslim representatives, and an LGBTQ-affirming Christian pastor opposed the proposal, while supporters maintained that religious laws conflicting with constitutional freedoms should never be permitted to govern American communities. The meeting also included allegations that Islamist organizations and progressive politicians conceal their intentions to advance political and religious agendas.

https://fountainhillsalternative.com/

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) faces renewed allegations of immigration fraud, identity misrepresentation, and marrying her biological brother following the publication of a 1997 marriage certificate identifying Leila Nur Said Elmi’s father as Nur Said Elmi, a name shared by Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, whom Omar married in 2009 and divorced in 2017. Family photographs, deleted social media posts, marriage records, and statements identifying Leila as Omar’s sister have fueled allegations that Ahmed is also her brother and that Omar entered the United States in 1995 using a false identity to obtain asylum and citizenship. A recent federal court filing reportedly identifies her as “Ilhan Nur Said Elmi, a/k/a Ilhan Abdullahi Omar,” while U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro publicly asserted that Ilhan Nur Said Elmi is her real name. Federal investigators are reportedly examining immigration documents, financial records, family relationships, and possible identity fraud, with allegations that Omar’s Washington, D.C., residence was searched, relatives were subpoenaed, and DNA evidence was obtained. Omar responded “Not to my knowledge” when asked whether she married her brother and has repeatedly denied the allegations, insisting her name is Ilhan Abdullahi Omar. President Donald Trump accused her of using a fraudulent identity, marrying her brother, and potentially committing immigration fraud, demanding her resignation from Congress and suggesting she could face criminal prosecution, imprisonment, or deportation.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/why-trump-is-so-brilliant-ilhan-nur-said

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/video-ilhan-nur-said-elmi-aka-ilhan-omar

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/ilhan-omars-plea-ignorance-regarding-marriage-brother-implodes

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/ilhan-omars-handlers-rush-her-away-press-as

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/10/flashback-bombshell-photographs-reported-tgp-2019-provide-additional

"America, we must take a long hard look at vote by mail systems. Left wing political action committees and labor unions for postal employees are now openly representing that they have control over millions of your ballots. These organizations have a clear political agenda; they endorse, work for, and support every extremist left wing candidate on the ballot; and they have a political axe to grind. This system should be illegal in the United States as it is in most of the world."

https://x.com/BlehmLawAZ/status/2114209222712017247?s=20

A study of 1,208 respondents found moderate to strong correlations between support for professional medical societies’ gender-affirming care recommendations, left-wing authoritarianism, and willingness to justify political violence against wealthy, powerful, and conservative targets, even after controlling for political affiliation and ideology. The research used a Left-Wing Authoritarianism Scale developed by Costello and colleagues in 2022 and refined in 2023, supported by approximately 20 studies across nine publications. The scale measures three dimensions: anti-hierarchical aggression, including support for violence against wealthy or powerful individuals; top-down censorship, including government suppression of conservative speech and media; and anti-conventionalism, including hostility toward traditional Western values. The scale also correlates with political intolerance, dogmatism, antisemitism, support for restrictive COVID policies, and intimidation of political opponents. Objections questioning the existence of left-wing authoritarianism, the scale’s validity, and whether it merely measures liberal political beliefs fail to account for its extensive validation and demonstrated predictive power independent of party affiliation. Alternative authoritarianism measures based on child-rearing preferences have their own methodological weaknesses and inconsistent relationships with political ideology. The researchers concluded that left-wing authoritarianism, rather than ordinary liberalism or Democratic Party affiliation, was associated with greater willingness to justify political violence, while conventional non-authoritarian liberals did not demonstrate the same association.

https://unsafescience.substack.com/p/leftwing-authoritarianism-its-measurement

The Arizona Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Robbins v. State that criminal defendants cannot withdraw a mistrial request after a trial court grants it, allowing prosecutors to retry Jie Robbins and Zachary Robbins on money laundering and other charges involving trafficking in stolen property. During their trial, prosecutors played a police interview recording referencing financial records involving millions of dollars in products, despite a prior ruling excluding those records from evidence. Both defendants requested a mistrial and permanent dismissal of the charges, arguing that the improperly introduced evidence prevented a fair trial. After the trial court granted the mistrial but refused to dismiss the charges, the defendants attempted to withdraw their requests and argued that a retrial would violate constitutional protections against double jeopardy. The Supreme Court rejected their arguments, ruling that defendants must withdraw or condition a mistrial request before the court grants it. The Court also clarified that a mistrial may be necessary when jurors cannot reach a fair and impartial verdict or when a trial error would require reversal on appeal. Justice James P. Beene authored the unanimous opinion, which vacated the court of appeals’ decision and returned the case to the trial court for further proceedings.

View Video Explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWkNIJREMis

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that Robert Celifie, a Los Angeles resident, was sentenced to natural life in prison for orchestrating the January 3, 2022, murder of Ilya “Mike the Barber” Shimonov, who operated a mobile barbershop from a converted school bus. Shimonov was shot multiple times after completing a haircut appointment outside a Scottsdale hotel, and his cellphone was stolen. Investigators tracked the phone from Scottsdale to Las Vegas and Los Angeles, eventually connecting it to Celifie’s vehicle. Detectives determined that Celifie supplied Chaze Cable with the vehicle, murder weapon, money, photographs of Shimonov, the victim’s location and schedule, instructions to steal his phone, and directions following the killing. The investigation involved 48 search warrants across five states, extensive surveillance footage, terabytes of digital evidence, and cooperation among multiple law enforcement agencies. Cable was convicted in 2025 of conspiracy, premeditated first-degree murder, and first-degree burglary and sentenced to natural life in prison. Celifie was convicted of the same offenses on August 25, 2026, and received the same sentence. Mitchell credited Scottsdale detectives and prosecutor Richard Dusterhoft for bringing Celifie to justice, while Scottsdale Police Chief Joe LeDuc praised the investigators’ persistence and expressed hope that the outcome would bring peace to Shimonov’s family.

https://maricopacountyattorney.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/1341

The U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) opened investigations into three California school districts—North Monterey County Unified, Palo Alto Unified, and San Francisco Unified—for allegedly violating federal parental rights laws by requiring students to disclose sensitive personal and family information without parental knowledge or consent. The districts reportedly incorporated “Wheel of Power/Privilege” and “Mapping My Identities” activities into mandatory Ethnic Studies curricula, requiring students to identify their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, mental and physical health conditions, family financial circumstances, and immigration status before evaluating their perceived level of privilege. Parents also alleged that districts refused or restricted access to curriculum materials requested for review. The investigations will determine whether these practices violate the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), which establishes parental rights concerning sensitive student surveys and access to instructional materials. SPPO Director Frank Miller criticized schools for collecting private information without involving parents and emphasized that students should not be pressured into disclosing intimate details. The Department previously issued parental rights guidance in March 2025 and August 2026, followed by an October 5, 2026, joint letter with the Department of Justice addressing compliance concerns. Violations of PPRA can result in federal enforcement actions and potential loss of federal funding.

https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-opens-three-investigations-california-districts-coercing-students-answer-wheel-of-privilege-survey

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) opened a Business Recovery Center in Tusayan, Arizona, to assist small businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by flash flooding at Grand Canyon National Park between August 29 and September 3, 2026. Located at Tusayan Town Hall, 845 Mustang Drive, the center provides in-person assistance with federal disaster loan applications, eligibility requirements, and available financial assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the center closes October 30, with walk-ins and appointments accepted. Following the SBA’s October 13 disaster declaration, eligible businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit organizations in Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo, and Yavapai Counties in Arizona, along with Kane and San Juan Counties in Utah, can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million. Assistance is available for qualifying economic losses even when businesses sustained no physical property damage. Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) welcomed the recovery center, encouraged affected organizations to seek assistance, and highlighted ongoing recovery efforts and the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025. The deadline to submit economic injury disaster loan applications is July 13, 2027.

https://azfreenews.com/2026/10/sba-opens-tusayan-recovery-center-for-businesses-hit-by-grand-canyon-flooding/

Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) announced a personal $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men accused of sexually assaulting his Democratic congressional opponent, Bernadette Greene-Placentia. Greene-Placentia reported that she was attacked on August 14, 2026, while repairing campaign signs in Sun City near 99th Avenue and Bell Road. According to her police report, she was struck in the head, lost consciousness, and was sexually assaulted by two men. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office investigation remains ongoing, with no suspects identified. Hamadeh, a former prosecutor, emphasized his commitment to public safety and accountability for sexual violence. Greene-Placentia’s campaign manager, Isaiah Lopez, questioned whether the reward would help investigators but expressed appreciation for Hamadeh’s support. Greene-Placentia did not attend a Phoenix press conference organized by Democratic Reps. Yassamin Ansari, Maxine Dexter, and Melanie Stansbury, with Lopez explaining that she needed privacy while recovering. Speakers condemned efforts to discredit sexual assault survivors and discussed available support services. Greene-Placentia previously acknowledged that she did not know whether the reported attack was politically motivated and believed it could have been a crime of opportunity. She intends to continue her congressional campaign. Hamadeh encouraged anyone with information to contact the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office at 602-876-TIPS (8477) or 602-876-1011.

https://azfreenews.com/2026/10/hamadeh-offers-10k-reward-in-reported-sexual-assault-of-democratic-opponent-greene-placentia/

Glendale small-business owner Mario Ayala has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the seizure of cash, electronics, and business records from Ayala’s Mini Market during a February raid conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The raid was part of a coordinated operation targeting 19 small businesses across the Phoenix area on suspicion of structuring, which involves dividing financial transactions to evade federal reporting requirements. Agents seized an undisclosed amount of cash, five phones, three computers, checks, receipts, and other business documents under sealed search warrants. Represented by the Institute for Justice (IJ), Ayala alleges that federal authorities never explained what crimes he supposedly committed or provided an opportunity to challenge the seizures. The lawsuit argues that retaining his property for more than 18 months violates the Fourth Amendment, the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act’s notification requirements, and federal restrictions on seizures involving structuring allegations. IJ is seeking the return of Ayala’s property and disclosure of the search warrants and supporting affidavits. Ayala says the seizure has financially harmed his family and threatened the business he built. IJ estimates that Arizona generated at least $729 million in state and federal forfeiture revenue between 2000 and 2023, with half of currency forfeitures from 2019 through 2023 involving amounts below $1,271. The organization gave Arizona a D- rating for its civil forfeiture laws.

https://azfreenews.com/2026/10/glendale-business-owner-sues-federal-government-for-seizing-cash-property-without-explanation/

Arizona Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ01), chairman of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), introduced the SMARTER Act on October 19, 2026, proposing a major overhaul of the nation’s employment-based immigration system to prioritize highly skilled workers, address labor shortages, strengthen economic growth, and reduce federal debt. The legislation would replace the H-1B visa program with a points-based system evaluating applicants based on education, professional experience, specialized skills, and potential economic contributions rather than application order. Additional reforms would eliminate country-based visa caps, reduce family-sponsored immigration, redirect diversity lottery visas toward employment-based applicants, and replace the EB-5 investor visa program with a system modeled after the Trump Gold Card initiative. According to JEC projections, the reforms could increase U.S. GDP by at least $549 billion and reduce federal expenditures by approximately $335 billion over 10 years, with potential savings reaching $1.34 trillion over 20 years. Schweikert emphasized that America's aging population and declining proportion of younger workers threaten economic productivity, federal benefit programs, and long-term fiscal stability. Census figures show that Americans under 18 declined from 25% of the population in 2004 to 21.5% in 2024, while those aged 65 and older increased from 12.4% to 18%. The proposal seeks to attract specialized foreign talent, increase tax revenues, support American industries, and strengthen international competitiveness. The SMARTER Act must pass both chambers of Congress and receive presidential approval before becoming law.

https://azfreenews.com/2026/10/schweikert-proposes-merit-based-immigration-system-to-strengthen-u-s-economy/

Arizona voters who have not received their requested mail-in ballots are being encouraged to vote early in person rather than risk missing the November 3, 2026, election. Reports of missing ballots have surfaced in Maricopa County, where approximately 1.9 million early ballots were mailed beginning October 7. The county has more than 2.5 million registered voters, accounting for over half of Arizona’s 4.3 million voters. The deadline to request a replacement ballot was October 23, and election officials recommend mailing completed ballots by October 27 to ensure timely delivery. Arizona Republican Party Chairman Sergio Arellano reported receiving numerous complaints about missing ballots and urged affected voters to visit an early voting location, where election officials can address outstanding ballots, verify identification, and allow eligible voters to cast their votes. Arizona voters must provide acceptable identification, which can include one valid photo ID, two qualifying non-photo documents, or an approved combination of photo and non-photo identification. Acceptable documents include Arizona driver licenses, government-issued identification, tribal identification, utility bills, bank statements, vehicle registrations, and official election mail, depending on the identification category. Voters can locate early voting sites through their county election offices and should bring identification that satisfies Arizona’s voting requirements.

https://azfreenews.com/2026/10/arizona-voters-missing-mail-in-ballots-encouraged-to-vote-in-person-instead/

The Goldwater Institute is criticizing Phoenix’s revived photo radar program, arguing that its financial structure creates incentives to generate traffic citations while directing some fine revenue toward Arizona’s publicly funded election system. Phoenix began issuing citations March 25, 2026, after nine cameras recorded more than 70,000 speeding events during a 30-day warning period. The city’s 17-camera program, approved in October 2024 under its Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan, is operated by Verra Mobility, which receives $3,000 per camera monthly plus $20 for each paid citation. The fixed payments total $612,000 annually before additional ticket-related compensation. Goldwater Senior Attorney Scott Day Freeman questioned whether the cameras have measurably reduced traffic fatalities and raised concerns about motorists’ ability to challenge citations. Arizona law also imposes a 10% surcharge on covered fines to support the Citizens Clean Elections Fund and an additional 1% surcharge for campaign finance disclosure administration and enforcement. Goldwater supports Proposition 319, which would generally prohibit government-operated photo enforcement systems unless covered by qualifying contracts signed by December 31, 2026. Existing programs would require local voter approval to continue operating. If voters reject a program, it must shut down within 90 days; approval would authorize operation for 10 years before another vote is required. Phoenix’s cameras would not automatically shut down if Proposition 319 passes.

https://azfreenews.com/2026/10/goldwater-institute-questions-phoenix-photo-radar-revenue-as-voters-consider-prop-319/

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney ruled that the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) must face final judgment for unlawfully implementing assured water supply rules that restricted residential development in the Phoenix area. The Home Builders Association of Central Arizona (HBACA), represented by the Goldwater Institute, challenged regulations adopted under Governor Katie Hobbs that expanded the requirement for developers to demonstrate a 100-year assured water supply. Previously, developers had to establish sufficient water availability for their individual projects, but ADWR expanded the requirement to account for unmet water demand throughout the surrounding management area, effectively preventing certain new housing developments. In April 2026, Blaney ruled that ADWR exceeded its statutory authority by imposing requirements beyond those established by the Legislature without following the required rulemaking process. Although ADWR subsequently requested that the regulations remain in effect, Blaney rejected that request, finding no sufficient justification for allowing the unlawful rules to continue. The ruling returns the assured water supply requirements to their previous framework. HBACA has requested that the court formally invalidate the challenged rules, prohibit their enforcement, and grant any additional appropriate relief. Separately, the Hobbs administration awarded outside legal representation for the case to Coppersmith Brockelman PLC, a law firm with reported ties to the governor, under a contract initially estimated at up to $600,000. The administration previously awarded the same firm another groundwater-related legal contract estimated at $120,000 annually.

https://azfreenews.com/2026/10/court-orders-arizona-to-revert-to-pre-hobbs-water-rules-for-housing-development/

Fountain Hills Unified School District (FHUSD) issued a 10-day unpaid suspension to art teacher Marisa Colon after determining that her classroom remarks about Charlie Kirk’s September 10, 2025, assassination violated district policies governing controversial issues and professional conduct. During a September 11 classroom discussion, Colon told students, “If you live by the sword, you die by the sword,” which a student interpreted as expressing support for Kirk’s death. Colon acknowledged making the statement but denied condoning the assassination, explaining that she intended to highlight what she considered irony involving Kirk’s support for gun rights. Following student interviews, parental complaints, and consultation with legal counsel, the district concluded that her remarks were inappropriate and unprofessional. Colon received an unpaid suspension covering September 23 through October 15, 2025, and was warned that further misconduct could result in dismissal. Records obtained through a public records request by Fountain Hills Councilman Allen Skillicorn also revealed two previous disciplinary incidents: a September 2023 warning for using an expletive when referring to a student and an April 2024 reprimand for encouraging students to throw objects during a classroom art activity. The district stated that the suspension represented the maximum discipline permitted under the applicable circumstances by Arizona law. Following the incident, FHUSD implemented additional curriculum oversight, required principal approval to ensure compliance with instructional boundaries, and established mandatory annual staff training on appropriate classroom discussions and professional conduct.

https://azfreenews.com/2026/10/fountain-hills-art-teacher-received-10-day-unpaid-suspension-over-charlie-kirk-remarks-records-show/

Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking to prevent certification of Alaska’s U.S. Senate election results under certain circumstances involving two candidates with nearly identical names. The lawsuit, filed October 23, 2026, asks a federal judge to delay certification if incumbent Republican Sen. Daniel S. Sullivan loses and votes cast for independent candidate Daniel J. Sullivan would have changed the outcome had they gone to the incumbent. Some Republicans allege that the independent candidate, a retired schoolteacher, entered the race to confuse voters and benefit Democratic candidate Mary Peltola. Alaska election official Carol Beecher previously determined that the independent candidate had not filed in good faith, but state courts ordered his inclusion on the ballot. He denies the allegations. Blanche emphasized that the administration is not attempting to overturn the election or determine Alaska’s next senator, but wants courts to have an opportunity to examine whether voter confusion produced an unlawful result. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Democratic candidate Mary Peltola criticized the lawsuit, with Murkowski arguing that Alaska had already addressed potential confusion by clearly distinguishing the candidates on the ballot. Blanche maintained that any post-election determination should be handled through Alaska’s courts and election procedures rather than imposed by the federal government.

https://archive.ph/yjUy9

The growing influence of religious and political ideologies in publicly funded education raises concerns about taxpayers being forced to support instruction that conflicts with their beliefs. Oklahoma’s efforts to establish Catholic and Jewish charter schools have faced legal challenges, while Florida’s school-choice program has raised concerns about taxpayer funding for Islamic schools allegedly connected to Muslim Brotherhood-linked networks. Public schools have also increasingly incorporated climate change, racial identity, social justice, and anti-capitalist perspectives into classroom instruction. New Jersey requires climate change education across multiple subjects, while Berkeley elementary schools teach concepts involving colonization, decolonization, white supremacy, and systems of oppression. Philadelphia’s curriculum teaches that American economic foundations are rooted in exploitation and that capitalism perpetuates inequality. Climate change instruction has become increasingly ideological, despite scientific disagreement over the severity of climate threats, including a declaration signed by more than 1,600 scientists and professionals rejecting the existence of a climate emergency. Taxpayers should not be compelled to finance religious or political instruction that contradicts their values. Nearly 200 years after Horace Mann promoted government-controlled education as a solution to crime and social problems, public schooling has failed to deliver those promised improvements while consuming approximately $1 trillion annually. Government-operated schools and teachers’ unions should be eliminated, allowing parents to homeschool their children or independently select and finance private schools that align with their values.

https://larrysand.substack.com/p/thoughts-on-school-based-ideology