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Submissions for the Congressional Art Competition are Due TODAY!
Submissions for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition, An Artistic Discovery, are due TODAY for high school students residing in Arizona’s First Congressional District!
Find 2025 official rules, regulations, and student release form on my website, along with the winners from previous years. A reminder that students and high school art teachers will need to complete TWO copies of the 2025 student release forms:
1. one to turn in upon submission, and
2. the other attached to the back of their artwork.
Artwork submissions will be collected TODAY, April 21, at the Scottsdale Artists’ School at 3720 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is the only time available for students to submit their artwork. If students or teachers have any questions, please contact Chris Wiley of my District Office staff at (480) 946-2411.
A Couple Weeks Left to be 'Real ID' Compliant!
If you are a current Arizona resident, visit AZ MVD Now to gather your documents and make an appointment for your Travel ID. Still needing an Arizona ID or license? Visit an MVD office or Authorized Third Party driver license location with the required documents.
The Arizona Travel ID is the credential that complies with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005. It is available as both a driver license and identification card. There is a gold star embedded in the card to show that the cardholder has provided added proof of identification to ensure the license or ID meets strict federal requirements. For more information on the REAL ID Act, please visit the Department of Homeland Security website.
Rules for international travel are unchanged, and a valid passport or equivalent will be required to travel outside the United States.
Recognizing Some Amazing Citizens of AZ-01
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At Stearns Bank in Scottsdale, profits come second to people and purpose. Woman-owned Stearns Bank is focused on serving Arizona customers and communities. As employee owners, Stearns Bank staff tenaciously pursues excellence in their drive for economic empowerment for all. Inspired by the belief that our world is filled with opportunity, staff works tirelessly to nurture inclusive growth by helping others achieve their greatest ambitions. Thanks to the team at Stearns Bank for having my staff last week!
April Marks Financial Literacy Month
In recognition of Financial Literacy Month this April, The Congressional Award and Intuit are offering a free Personal Finance and Entrepreneurship Program designed to equip young individuals with essential financial skills. This comprehensive online curriculum covers topics such as credit building, budgeting, saving, investing, taxes, and entrepreneurship. The interactive modules provide practical knowledge applicable to real-life financial scenarios and can contribute toward participants' Personal Development goals in The Congressional Award program. If you have any interest in applying for the Intuit Hour of Finance Challenge, view official rules here.
Secure Your Spot for the 2025 Service Academies Conference
Each year, I have the privilege of nominating a limited number of students for scholarships to attend a military service academy. The U.S. Service Academies are among the most highly respected educational programs in the nation. To be admitted to an academy, applicants must meet stringent academic, physical and medical requirements specified by public law. As a cadet/midshipman at the academy, students will be provided a fully funded four-year college education. The honor of attending an academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve for a minimum of five years upon graduation.
High school students interested in meeting with service academy liaisons and learning more about the 2025 academy application process, for Arizona’s First Congressional District, are encouraged to attend the academy liaison forum on May 10th at Veritas Preparatory Academy. RSVP HERE!
For additional questions regarding the application process please refer to our academy resource guide and FAQ link below, or contact Chelsea Lett, Service Academy Coordinator, in my District Office at (480) 946-2411.
What I'm Reading & Why It Matters
A Barron's article sheds light on how exactly pro-Russian entities create convincing counterfeit news websites to disseminate disinformation about Ukraine. These fake sites closely mimic legitimate media outlets, publishing false stories that align with Kremlin narratives. For example, the "Doppelganger" campaign has targeted countries like Germany, France, and the United States by cloning reputable news sites such as Der Spiegel, Le Parisien, Fox News, and The Washington Post. To undermine support for Ukraine, Russia uses these misleading websites to push propaganda--the inefficacy of sanctions against Russia, portraying Ukrainian refugees as burdensome to Europe, and for those that feel confident in fact-checking sites externally, platforms like "War on Fakes" take it a step further. This example is just one instance of a fact-checking site being identified as a strategy to manipulate Russian propaganda into seemingly reputable news. The overreaching goal of the identified disinformation campaigns are to manipulate public perception and obscure Russia's role in the conflict.
In February, Linda Roan fell victim to a phone scam; however, this particular experience was not necessarily unique. A Wall Street Journal article outlines a truly horrifying experience; after receiving a call from an unknown number stating to have her daughter and requesting money in return, Roan ended up transferring $1,000 to an account in Mexico two separate times. The perpetrator did not actually have Roan's daughter. They utilized AI to create what they knew Roan would interpret to be her daughter's scream. Convincing Roan that they were holding her youngest for ransom; the scammers were able to get thousands of dollars wired to their account in Mexico by the end of the call. Phone scams such as this one have been successful due to the use of AI to imitate loved ones being held hostage.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) analyzed 2024 fraud reports. They found that while the number of fraud reports did not increase largely from 2023 to 2024, the amount of money lost increased by over $2 billion. The biggest scam losses happened by bank transfer or payment. Investment scams led to some of the larger amounts of money lost. People fell victim to scams more often when contacted through social media first. Job scams and fake employment agency losses have increased dramatically over the last four years. Younger people (ages 20-29) lost money more often than older adults. |