The Jeff Oravits Show Podcast

Arizona cities are backing away from Flock license plate cameras as privacy and misuse concerns grow — and state lawmakers may step in with new rules. Plus, a bizarre tied election in Gila Bend comes down to a game of chance,  and we look at the major changes Arizona voters could face if Prop 144 passes.
Also on the show: another disturbing secret-filming case in Tempe, Meta agrees to a massive $17 billion settlement over teen social media addiction, and Arizona schools debate a new $1,700 federal school-choice tax credit.

Olivia Oravits joins Jeff as co-host after touring NAU on Move-In Day! They dive into a major shakeup for Arizona’s November ballot as Prop. 212 fails to qualify while Prop. 144 survives a Supreme Court challenge. Plus, a managed fire at Camp Navajo, privacy concerns over Flock license-plate cameras, Eloy becoming the first police department in the nation to use AI “virtual investigators,” and growing concerns over interest rates and the bond market.
Then things get a little crazier: former NBA player Royce White declares for the 2027 WNBA Draft to challenge transgender eligibility rules, Arizona ERs report a spike in e-bike and e-scooter injuries, and a new survey confirms what anyone driving Arizona highways already suspects — speeding has become routine.

Jenny Clark, founder and CEO of Love Your School, joins Jeff to break down the court fight that knocked Proposition 212 off Arizona’s November ballot. We discuss the signature-gathering process, allegations of deceptive petition tactics, the Goldwater Institute’s legal challenge, tens of thousands of duplicate and invalid signatures, and the court rulings that ultimately sank the measure. Plus, with the ballot-printing deadline looming, Jenny explains what comes next for Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program, the Legislature, and opponents of ESA.

Arizona Senator Mark Finchem joins Jeff to break down the good and bad of the latest state budget and look ahead to the November election. What’s at stake for control of the Arizona Legislature and the Governor’s Office? Plus, Finchem delivers a simple message to voters — if you don’t vote, you can’t complain — and discusses the push for a Digital Bill of Rights and protecting individual freedoms in an increasingly digital world.

Could a coin toss really decide an election? We kick off today's show with the unusual Gila Bend Town Council race that came down to pure chance. We also discuss whether homeschool students should be allowed to participate in public school athletics, examine proposals involving city council salaries, and look at a former Prescott nonprofit director's 60-year prison sentence after embezzling more than $826,000. Plus, we cover legislation aimed at protecting the confidentiality of religious confessions, review Republican ballot measures drawing opposition from Coconino County Democrats, and wrap up with a look at local volunteers building and maintaining mountain bike trails during FBO Trail Day.

On today's show, Angela Oravits joins the conversation on the growing drug crisis, lessons from Vancouver, and whether Arizona is heading down the same path as officials debate transitional housing, homelessness, and addiction policies. We also break down the latest fight over Colorado River water cuts and what they could mean for Arizona.
Olivia Oravits discusses the rise of AI cheating in education, ASU's expanding camera surveillance, new workplace heat protections, and other Arizona headlines.
Owen Oravits checks in with an update on the A-10 Warthog and shares what it was like firing a fully automatic machine gun at Gunfighter Canyon. Plus, the latest on Arizona's new lieutenant governor race, Andy Biggs' running mate, and a look at how rapidly technology is changing the way we live, work, and learn.

Mark Haughwout joins Jeff to talk about a black bear wandering into his neighborhood and why feeding wildlife puts both people and animals at risk. Plus, Election Day is tomorrow with a reminder to get out and vote, Arizona's monsoon rains bring welcome relief and lift many fire restrictions, the debate over voter ID expands from restaurants to business filings, the FDA reverses course on a reported lettuce contamination after a false positive, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fuels more 2028 presidential speculation, a youth baseball parents' brawl raises questions about sportsmanship, and Flagstaff prepares for higher downtown parking rates beginning August 1.

Arizona could soon become home to four more TSMC semiconductor fabrication plants, further cementing the state's role as America's chip manufacturing hub. We discuss what that means for Arizona's economy, jobs, housing, and national security. We also break down the latest Attorney General polling, new warnings for lawyers relying on artificial intelligence in the courtroom, a guy juggling across America, and wrap up with a look at Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film The Odyssey, which is receiving rave early reviews ahead of its nationwide release.

Coconino County Sheriff Bret Axlund returns to the show with on update on modern day train robberies happening in rural AZ. He also shares info on battling scams, especially those perpetrated on seniors, drug and human trafficking and an upcoming law enforcement summit in Flagstaff. 

Larry Behrens is an energy expert and the Communications Director for Power The Future. Larry gives an update on the Iran conflict and what it all means to your wallet when it comes to gas prices. He also brings some amazing news when it comes to oil production in the US, why OPEC’s power is declining, the status of Venezuela and the upcoming winter energy outlook