Jen and Friends - A Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jen Barber - West Valley Families
A casual podcast showcasing what's hot in the west Valley... Goodyear, Buckeye and Litchfield Park in Arizona. Long-time resident, parent, volunteer, and former council member Jen Barber combines her passion for community with her background in broadcasting. Kick back, relax and hear from the positive leaders, neighbors, and parents in the community - the movers and shakers shaping our future.
Flock Safety has become the public face of America's growing debate over automated license plate readers. But according to an engineer who has spent more than a decade building roadside camera systems, the national conversation is focused on only one piece of a much larger surveillance network.
“I don’t want to live in a world in which your every move is monitored and you have no idea where the data is going or what’s going on.”
Jen's Two Centsis the first news outlet to receive advance access to the white paper of an industry veteran writing under the pseudonym Edward Telleed, as well as the first exclusive interview about the report.
Read the Report here.
Watch the interview here.
The White Paper | The Wild West of Roadside Cameras: An Insider’s View of Uninformed Consent and Public Surveillance
Download the report for free here.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Arizona cattle rancher Casey Murph joins me for a wide-ranging interview examining a growing battle over land, wildlife habitat, and the future of rural Arizona. Murph argues that policies accelerating renewable energy development could reshape generations of ranching and change how open land is used across the state.
“I really hate to make this political because I don’t really think this has to be political. I think most Arizonans are really against evicting ranchers and wildlife over solar.”
We discuss New World screwworm, grazing allotments, foreign beef, Arizona land policy, and whether prime ranch and wildlife habitat should be converted for large-scale solar projects.
Mr. Murph says this isn’t ranchers vs. solar. It’s about the future of land and wildlife several generations of his family have worked to protect.
Watch the Video
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
A Republican primary battle is taking shape in Arizona Legislative District 27.
Former State Representative and Senator Anthony Kern is challenging incumbent Senator Kevin Payne for the Republican nomination in a district that includes portions of Peoria, Glendale, and northwest Phoenix.
In this exclusive interview, Kern sits down with Jen's Two Cents to discuss his recovery from a devastating 2024 car crash, his faith, his political journey, and his relationship with Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
While this was my first time meeting Kern, I found him remarkably open about both his personal life and his political beliefs.
This is Part 1 of a three-part interview.
In Part 2, Kern discusses January 6, his role as one of Arizona's 11 alternate electors, the legal battles that followed, and why he believes the fight was worth it.
As always, Jen's Two Cents does not endorse candidates. The goal is to give voters the opportunity to hear directly from those seeking public office. Sen. Kevin Payne is welcome to respond and join the Jen & Friends podcast, as well.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Small Towns to Big Cities: Women Challenge America's Surveillance Systems
From suburban moms to retired professionals, women across the political spectrum are questioning how rapidly surveillance cameras and vehicle-tracking systems have expanded into their communities.
Read the Report
In this report, we hear from concerned women across Arizona, including voices from Chandler, Flagstaff, Sedona, and Sierra Vista. We also hear from women and mothers in Paonia, Colorado.
In the United States, a range of AI-enabled surveillance technologies are used across industries and agencies, and this report is not intended to single out any one manufacturer or company over another.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
The Women Questioning America’s Expanding Surveillance State
From the serene farming community of Paonia, Colorado to the rapidly growing city of Chandler, Arizona women are showing up at public meetings with increasingly urgent questions about surveillance technology spreading through American communities.
Women, mothers, and longtime residents are taking the mic to question AI-powered license plate reader systems positioned near schools, parks, neighborhoods, and major roadways... asking how these systems were approved with little public awareness.
In Chandler, nearly 40 speakers addressed city leaders over concerns tied to license plate readers and long-term storage of vehicle location data.
In Paonia, a town of fewer than 1,500 residents on Colorado’s Western Slope, trustees and residents debated what kind of future they want for their community as surveillance technology reaches even rural America.
Listen to the growing national debate over privacy, transparency, AI-driven policing technology, and the expanding digital footprint of ordinary Americans.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
FOIA Restrictions on ALPR Records: Republicans Clash Over Transparency in Arizona
What happens when the government builds a growing surveillance network — and then moves to prevent the public from seeing how it’s being used?
That question is now at the center of an escalating political battle inside Arizona’s Republican-controlled Legislature, where lawmakers are divided over public access to Automated License Plate Reader records and what protections should exist before government surveillance becomes normalized.
In this episode of Jen & Friends, investigative journalist Jen Barber traces how Arizona became ground zero in the national fight over ALPR transparency, public records, and Fourth Amendment protections.
As national media outlets begin reporting on states like Arizona and Connecticut restricting FOIA access to license plate reader records, Barber walks viewers through the origins of the controversy — including the records requests, audit logs, legislative language, and political maneuvering that sparked the debate.
The episode examines two competing Arizona bills that have exposed a growing divide among Republicans.
One proposal would largely formalize how ALPR systems already operate across much of Arizona today, including broad agency discretion, extensive data sharing, and limited public access to records.
The other would impose some of the strongest surveillance guardrails in the country, including warrant requirements, rapid deletion timelines for non-matches, restrictions on tracking tied to First Amendment activity, and greater accountability surrounding government surveillance systems.
At the center of the fight is a larger question now emerging nationwide: Should the public have the right to know what surveillance data the government stores about them — or should that information remain hidden from public scrutiny?
This report takes viewers inside Arizona’s rapidly expanding ALPR networks, the growing use of Flock Safety technology, and the mounting concerns over transparency, data retention, interstate sharing, and constitutional protections in the digital age.
Watch
Read the Report
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From Arizona to New York, the miniaturization of surveillance cameras could transform everyday spaces into increasingly invisible networks of automated monitoring.
Scarsdale, New York never installed its proposed Flock Safety license plate reader network.
But the village is fighting to keep the camera locations secret anyway.
At the center of the dispute is Josh Frankel, a 25-year Scarsdale resident who has spent months pushing for transparency surrounding the Village’s abandoned Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) project. What started as a local debate over surveillance cameras has quietly evolved into something much bigger: a test of how far governments can go in shielding surveillance plans from public view — even when the technology never leaves the drawing board.
Read the Report: www.jens2cents.com/p/tiny-cameras-bigger-questions
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly raising urgent questions about child safety, digital privacy, and the future of the workforce.
How are these issues affecting Arizona and the nation?
In this exclusive interview, I sit down with AI and digital privacy advocate Julie Barrett to discuss what these changes could mean for families, children, and society.
Read the Report
Watch the Interview
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Goodyear Police Department Sgt. Mayra Reeson, the department’s Public Information Officer, sat down for a one-on-one discussion about community engagement, evolving technology, and GYPD’s new Virtual Block Watch Program.
Goodyear Virtual Block Watch Link
Sgt. Reeson joined Goodyear PD in January 2025 and brings 18 years of law enforcement experience, including time with Phoenix Police Department. She is a graduate of the Arizona Law Enforcement Police Academy (2008).
After moving from California to Arizona, Reeson became deeply involved in her community—as a mom running a Girl Scout troop and building local connections. That sense of community ultimately drew her to Goodyear.
“It just gave me that opportunity to come back to more of what my community is. This is where I shop. Entertainment. So much is growing here in Goodyear. So this is more like my community again.”
Like many in law enforcement, Sgt. Reeson says policing wasn’t a childhood dream—but once she found it, she knew it was where she belonged.
“I stumbled upon this career… Once I was here, I was like wow—this is really what I was meant to do. I can’t imagine doing something else.”
A self-described social person, Sgt. Reeson transitioned from computers and IT into law enforcement as her children grew older, drawn to the fulfillment of serving the community.
“We spend so much time away from our families… and being able to serve the community—it’s just more fulfilling.”
Now working in media relations, Sgt. Reeson says her focus is ensuring accurate, timely information reaches residents about safety and community concerns.
What Is the Virtual Block Watch Program?
GYPD’s Virtual Block Watch expands traditional neighborhood watch concepts using today’s technology. With doorbell cameras, floodlight cameras, and home security systems now common, the program allows residents to voluntarily register their cameras with the police department.
Importantly, Sgt. Reeson emphasizes:
- Police do not have access to residents’ cameras
- Officers cannot log in, view live feeds, or browse footage
Instead, residents register:
- That they have a camera
- The general location of their home
- The direction the camera points
When a crime occurs, officers or investigators can check the database and see if registered cameras are nearby.
“We’ll reach out to the homeowners and ask them to review their camera, give them a time frame, and see if they believe they captured any footage that would be helpful.”
If residents believe their footage is relevant, they receive a secure upload link to voluntarily submit it. The footage remains within Goodyear PD and is not shared externally.
Why It Matters
Sgt. Reeson says the program helps:
- Solve crimes faster
- Extend limited manpower
- Free up officers’ time
- Deter criminal activity
- Provide closure and resolution for victims
“If we’re not getting ahead of technology, then we’re behind it. Using these tools helps us further investigations and lets our manpower go farther.”
At the same time, GYPD is continuing to grow in-person Neighborhood Block Watch programs, which Sgt. Reeson says remain vital.
“Nobody knows your neighborhood better than you.”
The department is always lookin
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
In a move that is already reshaping the political landscape of Legislative District 4, Paradise Valley Unified School District Governing Board Member Sandra Christensen formally announces her candidacy for the Arizona House of Representatives — and she sits down for her first exclusive interview with Jen’s Two Cents.
Read the Report
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
❓ Are license plate readers compatible with the freedoms our Founding Fathers fought for?
🎙️ This week, I sit down with Surprise, Arizona Councilmember Johnny Melton to break down the city’s audit of its Flock Safety ALPR system, what it uncovered, and what it means for privacy rights, public safety, and government accountability in Arizona.
➡️ As an independent journalist, these are the conversations that drive my work — talking directly with the people making decisions about surveillance technology and how it affects our daily lives.
🔍 If you’re following the rise of ALPR cameras, AI policing tools, or the debate over privacy vs. safety, this conversation is a must-watch.
🎧 Watch now: My full interview with Councilmember Johnny Melton.
📽️ Check out all my conversations with local changemakers: https://www.youtube.com/@jenandfriends
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Scottsdale City Councilmember Barry Graham granted Jen’s Two Cents an exclusive interview to discuss the city’s 2026 Legislative Agenda — a document I located in last week’s council Consent Agenda.
Councilmember Graham played a key role in proposing an amendment, and in our conversation he breaks down why it mattered, what changed, and what residents should know moving forward.
“The Legislative Agenda is not supposed to be controversial,” Councilmember Barry Graham said as he opened his council meeting November 17, 2025 remarks.
He recommended keeping the phrase “Promote the responsible and transparent use of technology” while removing the specific references to license plate readers, photo radar, and AI.
In our one-on-one interview, Councilmember Barry Graham calls for a policy debate on emerging technologies.
In this exclusive interview, we also hear Graham’s thoughts on Scottsdale's latest agreement with Axon.
Read the Report: https://westvalleyfamilies.substack.com/p/councilmember-barry-graham
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
After leading an in-depth audit of Surprise, Arizona’s Flock Safety license plate reader network, Councilmember Johnny V. Melton sits down with Jen’s Two Cents to reveal what he discovered. From data practices to AI concerns, he walks through the findings and what residents should know.
Enjoy this latest episode of “Jen & Friends” with host Jen Barber.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Read the Report
Jen’s Two Cents makes no claims or determinations regarding any of these statements. This exclusive interview is being presented solely to inform the public of viewpoints expressed by candidates and elected officials during the 2026 Goodyear mayoral race.
Mayor Pizzillo remains welcome to provide a written statement or appear on the Jen’s Two Cents podcast at any time.
All statements contained herein are presented as reported and have not been independently verified.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
In this exclusive, former Councilmember - now mayoral candidate - Bill Stipp says Goodyear residents deserve a public conversation about the city’s rollout of AI-driven surveillance cameras.
Read the Report
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
On March 4, 2025, Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo spoke with me following the launch of the Buckeye Union High School District Education Foundation — a new nonprofit dedicated to supporting students through enhanced Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities. Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC), which partners with 15 public school districts and 2 charter districts, offers innovative CTE programs that allow students to gain real-world skills through elective courses at their home campuses.
Here is our full interview from that day.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
What happens when a citizen pushes back against government secrecy? In this exclusive interview, we talk with the man who refused to accept “denied” for an answer — and won. His fight to access the surveillance records tied to his own license plate location reveals just how much the government knows about your movements… and what it takes to get that information.
I thank Josh Frankel for his insight and willingness to share his story!
Read the Report: https://westvalleyfamilies.substack.com/p/surveillance-showdown
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Read the Report: Who's Protecting the Taxpayers?
In the news lately, several Arizona school districts have faced controversy over superintendents being terminated early or released from their contracts long before they expire.
Many walk away with hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars, leaving governing boards under fire as they navigate some of the most difficult decisions in public education.
To better understand the scope of the problem — and possible solutions — I sat down with Christopher Thomas of the Goldwater Institute for this exclusive interview.
🔔 Subscribe for more in-depth reporting and interviews on Arizona schools, policy, and government accountability.
TIME CODES
00:08 School Board Governance & Superintendent Contracts
00:19 Maricopa County Superintendent Shelli Boggs Statement
00:33 Thomas - Why school boards need to think about "end" at the beginning
2:32 Contracts with Big Payouts
4:45 Board members consulted to stay out of the day-to-day business of school administration
9:08 Transparency in creating superintendent contracts
11:55 Consequences to taking the low-cost approach to superintendent searches
12:50 Sandra Christensen | Paradise Valley Schools
13:20 Thomas - Affordability to be considered but also want to know what the superintendent search is going to do for the board
17:45 Allegations & Board Decisions
18:35 Superintendent searches & deadlines for hiring
24:15 Goldwater Superintendent Pay Database
27:41 FOIA records requests difficulties
31:10 Governing boards may not know of admin's transparency
31:50 Are superintendents overpaid?
34:34 Proficiency scores matched to superintendent pay
35:16 Difference between districts and proficiency
36:56 School bonds
38:37 Goldwater legislation for 2026
39:29 Wrap
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Sandy Boyce of LiveFreeAZ.com breaks down how residents in Sedona successfully pushed to have Flock Safety surveillance cameras removed — and what it takes to do the same in your own city. From uncovering contracts to pressing city councils for transparency, Boyce explains the exact steps communities can use to challenge automated license plate readers and reclaim control over local surveillance policies.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
I sat down with Surprise Vice Mayor Jack Hastings to discuss current events, and our conversation turned to competition in education and the future of school choice in Arizona. Hastings, who was first elected to the Surprise City Council in 2020 and re-elected in 2022, has served as Vice Mayor since January 2025. A longtime Surprise resident, Assistant Principal in the Dysart Unified School District, and Arizona State University graduate, Hastings also shares his personal perspective as both an educator and civic leader.
This episode also features insight on school boards from Pam Kirby, Founder and Board President of the Arizona Coalition of School Board Members.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Josh Frankel, a 25-year resident of Scarsdale, New York, has been raising awareness about Flock Safety cameras and spoke with me about how the technology is spreading nationwide.
Read the Report
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Cut, Slash, or Eliminate? Surprise to Reconsider Its Business License MandateSurprise City Council will weigh cutting its $168 business license fee Tuesday — Vice Mayor Jack Hastings says it’s about competition and investment.
Read the Report
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In this exclusive Jen and Friends interview, Parental Rights Advocate Anna Van Hoek joins us to talk about the sharp decline in public school enrollment across Arizona — and what it means for families, funding, and the future of education in our state.
The schools expert lays out exactly why 92,000 students — and their tax dollars — are now choosing education outside Arizona’s public school system.
We also dive into what parents can do this school year to make sure their children have the best possible outcomes, regardless of where they learn.
Read this Report.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Not Just a Seat—A Statement: School Board Member Challenges Superintendent’s Role at the Dais
Does seating the superintendent at the dais blur the separation of roles — and make it harder for the public to catch side comments, facial expressions, & subtle cues revealing how decisions are made?
Read the Report here.
At the July 8th Higley Unified School District governing board meeting, tensions rose when Board Member Anna Van Hoek publicly objected to the superintendent sitting alongside board members on the dais. Van Hoek called it inappropriate for an employee who reports to the board to present as an equal—and says she wasn’t consulted on the change. According to her, the decision came from the superintendent and was approved solely by the board president, without input from the full board. Grab your earbuds for our latest Jen & Friends Podcast featuring a conversation with parental rights advocate Anna Van Hoek.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Every school year, parents are buried in a blizzard of consent forms—medical releases, media waivers, technology agreements—most of which go unread in the rush to get kids back in class. Buried in the fine print is a decades-old policy that allowed schools to quietly hand over students' personal information to outside vendors—unless parents knew to opt out. But a new Arizona law changes that, requiring schools to get explicit permission first. It’s a small default switch with massive implications for child privacy. Despite overwhelming public support, the only opposition came from liberal lawmakers.
In this investigation, we explain the policy shift and speak exclusively with Christopher Thomas of the Goldwater Institute, the policy expert who led the charge to put parents—and not vendors—back in control.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
🎙️ New Episode of “Jen & Friends” — Now Streaming!
This week on Jen & Friends, we shine the spotlight on a conservative voice making waves in Arizona’s public education system: Anna Van Hoek, a Higley Unified School District Governing Board Member.
In this candid conversation, Van Hoek opens up about why she got involved in public service, the realities of being a minority voice on her school board, and why she believes 2026 is a critical year for parents and community members to step up and run.
She doesn’t hold back — from questioning rising administrative costs and SEL spending to sounding the alarm over teacher shortages, state testing mandates, and an ever-growing backlog of educator misconduct cases.
Van Hoek also voices her concern over book review processes, parental consent, and what she sees as the erosion of trust between parents and public schools.
💬 “Every decision we make as a board should come down to one thing: Does this improve student achievement? Politics shouldn’t have a seat at the table.” — Anna Van Hoek
If you're a parent, educator, or taxpayer wanting a deeper understanding of what’s happening in Arizona schools — from transparency fights to funding debates, book battles to boardroom frustrations — this episode is for you.
jenandfriends #wvf
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
State 48 News breaks down Arizona’s ESA drama just one day after furious parents walked out of a State Board meeting — and with a potential challenger already being recruited to take on Superintendent Tom Horne in 2026.
Time Codes:
00:00 Intro
:07 Stacey discusses what happened during the April 28, 2025 ADE meeting
:59 Stacey explains what happened during ADE public comment
2:12 The ADE meeting
3:28 Stacey describes the speaker process
5:26 ADE public comment rules
6:21 Stacey talks about when ESA parents started to notice change in ESA caps rules
7:02 Challenger in the race for State Superintendent
8:19 Stacey’s 3 hopes for ESA in Arizona
9:37 Arizona State Superintendent Tom Horne on his committment to ESA and school choice
10:40 Stacey responds to “disconnect” between Horne and ESA families
12:20 Timeline for new candidate to announce
12:45 Barber asks about educator discipline
17:24 Stacey’s advice for young parents looking to put children into school
19:26 School Choice website to check out
20:13 Wrap
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Axon. Waymo. Arizona's deficit. Rep. Joseph Chaplik (R-LD3) talks with "Jen & Friends" for State 48 News about the big issues and hints what might be next for his political career.
READ THE STORY
VIDEO TIME CODES
:00 Intro
:26 About State 48 News
:42 Chaplik’s support of independent journalism
1:10 About Chaplik & how he got into politics
2:36 Chaplik’s start in Arizona
3:04 Getting involved in politics in 2020
3:53 Chaplik’s philosophy and the conservative scorecards
4:51 Politics & business
5:26 “A lot of business needs to be done” - Leadership
7:07 Politics & disagreements
7:56 Attempt to change the Arizona constitution
8:02 Doesn’t think state should be involved in Axon deal
8:53 Local control
9:45 How the Axon zoning deal ended up at the state level
10:13 Scottsdale referendum signatures
11:18 How Chaplik got involved in zoning legislation
12:05 March 3rd and Fox Business News
12:30 Axon’s Josh Isner on Fox Business News
13:22 Chaplik’s reaction
13:59 Chaplik’s team starts working on a statement
14:05 Chaplik discusses what happened when Axon’s Rick Smith approaches him at Capitol
14:29 Threats made
14:50 Chaplik’s call to security
15:19 Chaplik’s reaction to watching Axon statements on Fox Business News
16:01 Chaplik’s response on March 4th - Fox Business News
16:49 How Chaplik’s conversation ended with Rick Smith on March 3rd
18:11 Axon in Scottsdale 5 years ago
18:27 Scottsdale election
19:06 Changing the constitution is the “wrong thing to do”
19:27 Petersen response on the legislation
19:49 HB 2925
20:05 How to put language on another bill - “striker” bill
20:38 Changing zoning is “bad for everybody”
21:15 Sen. Carroll’s striker bill - Wednesday 8:30am
22:42 Divided Republicans
25:12 What might be good for one district might not be good for another district
26:23 “Scottsdale Problem”
26:43 Rogue city councils & development
27:22 90% of voters don’t want more large projects in Scottsdale
28:53 Consequences of Axon leaving
30:00 Axon plan for development
31:13 No guarantee Axon is sticking around
32:38 15-minute city
34:34 Is there a place for Axon in Scottsdale
36:28 What happens with the zoning legislation?
38:51 Conduct of guests in the Capitol
40:34 Waymo
42:42 DOGE
43:10 How to cut State Income Tax
44:15 Cutting waste
45:05 Missed opportunity to build a new state capitol
46:26 Arizona deficit
47:44 Executive branch has explaining to do
48:35 What’s next for Arizona?
48:45 Andy Biggs
49:29 Chaplik’s future
50:16 Wish for more people to get involved in politics
51:27 Business & leadership
51:55 Arizona and money management
53:01 Good years and bad years
53:48 Chaplik and the pandemic
58:12 Angry people and death threats
58:40 Wrap
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Photo radar. It’s one of the hot topics in the #azleg and who gets to decide its fate is on razor’s edge. The state? Cities? Or citizens? Our State 48 News’ Senior Investigative Journalist Jen Barber has been digging into red-light cameras, license plate readers, and AI-driven mass surveillance for more than a year. In this episode of “Jen and Friends” for State 48 News, Barber talks with a variety of state lawmakers, and shares the pros and cons of traffic photo enforcement from the ongoing discussions at the capitol.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
Exclusive State 48 News Recording: Superintendent Jeremy Calles Responds to Allegations on District Travel Policies
Suspended Tolleson Superintendent Jeremy Calles sat down with State 48 News for an exclusive, on-the-record audio interview addressing district travel policies and a report from the Goldwater Institute alleging over $75,000 was spent on multi-day retreats at luxury resorts in Sedona and Tucson. The report, brought forward by Chris Thomas, former Arizona School Boards Association attorney and now Goldwater's director of legal strategy for education policy, claimed improper spending and insufficient meeting records from the retreats.
Calles, disputing the allegations, stated in this morning’s West Valley View that both he and the district have been transparent, cooperating with state statute throughout Goldwater’s investigation—a process he says has been conducted twice this year. He attributed the report to spite from a former attorney, asserting that the district followed the state-mandated 50-mile travel rule for retreats and intentionally selected the four-star venues in Tucson and Sedona to host recorded, agenda-driven discussions for the upcoming school year.
The Goldwater Institute criticized the expenses, particularly $22,000 in catering at the JW Marriott Starr Pass, and argued such meetings could have been held locally for less. Calles defended the district’s practices, emphasizing their compliance with legal requirements and reiterating their commitment to transparency.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
On December 10, 2024, the Tolleson Union High School District held an executive session to review a report prepared by Calderon Law Offices, P.L.C. The report evaluates Superintendent Jeremy Calles' conduct and interactions with both District members and community constituents.
While the governing board met in executive session, Superintendent Calles spoke exclusively with Jennifer Barber of State 48 News, addressing the report's findings and discussing the defamation lawsuit he has filed.
Just minutes after our interview concluded, Calles would be on his way home—a turn of events that likely came as a surprise, given that he mentioned during the interview that he had not been properly notified about a personnel action.
🚨 In a 3-2 vote, Tolleson Union High School District placed Superintendent Jeremy Calles on paid leave. Calles will be fulfilling his duties by working from home.
✅ Voting In Favor:
Board President Dr. Kino Flores
Board Member Dr. Elda Luna-Najera
Board Member Mr. Freddie Villalon
🛑 Voting Against:
Board Vice President Mr. Steven Chapman
Board Member Mr. Devin Del Palacio
Jeremy Calles, a West Valley native, shares his perspective in an exclusive interview with State 48 News' Jennifer Barber. Also present was Joseph Ortiz, the Tolleson Union High School District Director of PR and Marketing. Both individuals provided consent for the recording.
West Valley Families captured an hour-long conversation with Superintendent Calles, and we plan to release the full interview soon. For now, here’s the segment where he addresses the report and shares his thoughts in the moments leading up to his departure from the district building.
Please follow State 48 News for updates.
State48News #wvf #AZschools #schoolchoice #tuhsd
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
On this episode of "Jen & Friends", an exclusive interview with Surprise, Arizona's Councilmember-Elect Johnny Melton.
The long-time conservative advocate agreed to talk with West Valley Families about the newly formed Conservative Agenda for Arizona group - a group generating a lot of criticism and speculation regarding its motive.
While Melton's comments on my early release of this interview on X gained a great deal of backlash, I offer you the opportunity to hear our full discussion.
From Arizona schools to building a vibrant West Valley, I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I have.
Thank you for listening. And from West Valley Families to YOU family... Happy Thanksgiving.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
We kick off our 3rd season of Jen & Friends with an exclusive interview with Nathan Madden.
Madden is a governing school board member in the Buckeye Union High School District, and a candidate in LD25’s race for state representative.
He talks with us about the formula creating success in West Valley education. And he shares a platform idea that has us re-thinking the way we view leadership in local police departments.
🔗 Watch Here: https://youtu.be/XN3WWeUK8_E
We hope this podcast gets you thinking about the topics most important to residents and taxpayers as much as it has for us!
jenandfriends #wvf #NathanMadden #westvalleyfamilies #LD25 #BUHSDpride #youpaidforit #news2jb #azleg #schoolchoice #ESA
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
He's the sports guy everyone knows and loves in Prescott, Arizona. On this episode of Jen & Friends, we have a spirited conversation with KYCA Radio Sports Director John Rust.
From his dream interview to his beef with guacamole, we get more insight about John's interests and hobby-turned-side hustle as an author.
We also discuss the state of youth sports. Why are kids leaving the game? How can parents support their student-athletes?
Also find out John's favorite historical places to visit... and the historical figured he would have loved to interview.
We turn the interviewer into the interviewee. And we hope you enjoy this podcast as much as we have. Thanks, John, for your time... and the laughs! -Jen
jenandfriends #news2jb #podcast #johnrust
Watch the Podcast: https://youtu.be/5sObxNrVPXE
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
In this exclusive interview with Sgt. Tyler of the Goodyear Police Department, we tackle TWO big issues.
-
Teen Mental Health
Sgt. Tyler is part of an ad hoc committee looking for solutions to prevent teen suicide. -
School Resource Officers
Sgt. Tyler discusses Goodyear's SRO program and his hopes for the future of the program.
We've so enjoyed this conversation. Please send us your ideas for future episodes to jen@news2jb.com.
jenandfriends #news2jb
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
A second west Valley student was denied the honor of be called "valedictorian" at a local high school graduation. West Valley Families first broke news of this trend in Arizona. Our reporting has led to one top-achieving student to get the recognition he deserves, while a student in another district wrangles to create change for future classes.
Citizen journalist Jen Barber has exclusive interviews with Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne and Board President Trey Terry of the Agua Fria Union High School District. Dr. Steve Bebee of the Buckeye Union High School District was unable to speak on camera, but did send a statement and explainer about his district's graduation ranking policy.
This report also includes a follow up interview with Caden Lipsky, whom we heard from just a few days before his graduation.
It's an honor to be able to hear from these excelling students in the west Valley.
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Great conversation with the Board President of the Agua Fria Union HSD. Trey Terry and Jen Barber talk about the District’s long-standing policy on ranking students by GPA… a decision its district made - due to a possible cheating scandal and unrelated to equitable outcomes, he says. The current ranking policy was established well before Arizona School Boards Association started recommending sorting students into percentages.
The Valedictorian at Canyon View High School, Caden Lipsky, weighs in, too. Trey and Jen discuss merit-based ranking and what other districts do to determine Valedictorian status.
The investigation continues. Later this week, we examine the ranking policy in the Buckeye Union High School District. It’s an update you won’t want to miss as it appears it was updated after a family raised concerns over last year’s ranking system - which may have awarded students who took home periods over those who took a full class load.
Please send news tips to Jen@news2jb.com.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
West Valley Families' Jen Barber has an exclusive interview with AZ Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne about the hotline established to report CRT in the classroom.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
The West Valley's Caden Lipsky is a graduating senior with a 5.24 GPA. Number one in his class. But the aspiring astronaut won't be named "Valedictorian" due to school district guidelines now becoming more popular in schools nationwide.
While schools like to brag on #1 athletes, they diminish the values of hard work in the classroom by lumping top students into categories of Top 1%, Top 5%, and Top 10%. No longer are Valedictorians and Salutatorians honored in a growing number of school districts.
Inspired by astronaut Senator Mark Kelly, Caden worked tirelessly during his parents' divorce and the pandemic to earn the #1 spot. Being ripped of Valedictorian status is a disappointment... but he's taking it in stride and hopes to change the policy for those graduating after him.
MORE: https://open.substack.com/pub/westvalleyfamilies/p/the-caden-lipsky-story
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View: https://youtu.be/z8hdPyZN70A
P.S. Special thanks to Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne for taking 20 minutes to speak with me on a variety of topics affecting public schools. I will be breaking education news throughout the weekend.
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Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
On our first podcast of 2023, Jen and Friends is sure to get you thinking.
We talk with my good friend, Ginger. Pour a glass of wine and join us as we laugh, think, and talk about Goodyear's growing needs.
Please send news tips to jen@news2jb.com.
On this second episode of Jen & Friends, good friend Brenda Bernardi joins me for a trip down memory lane.
We take a look at how Goodyear, Arizona won the All-America City Award and how the recession impacted plans for a City Center.
In our next episode, Brenda will talk with us about how the "Ziz" came to be at the Goodyear Ballpark.
Thanks for listening!
Goodyear, Arizona and the entire west Valley are growing quickly. Why are people moving here?
In this very first episode of Jen & Friends, I mic up my hair stylist who opened her salon just before the pandemic started. Not much later, she became a new mom.
Hear Leeann Garcia's thoughts on this booming area, how she's created a positive vibe in her salon, and motherhood...
Business Links:
West Valley Families - A Resource Guide
Cotton Salon and Spa
Send your ideas for future topics and guests to Jen @ jen@news2jb.com.