Fourth Estate 48
@fourthestate48.bsky.social
🔍 Investigating Arizona, one public record at a time.
📜 Dedicated to truth, transparency, and accountability.
https://fourthestate48.substack.com/
📜 Dedicated to truth, transparency, and accountability.
https://fourthestate48.substack.com/
Arizona lawmakers were paid for 166 days this session — but some only showed up for 60.
They still got full per diem, mileage, and their $24K salary. One lawmaker with lower attendance brought in $78K total.
They still got full per diem, mileage, and their $24K salary. One lawmaker with lower attendance brought in $78K total.
Legislators Cash In: Big Pay for Minimal Work
Some Arizona House members earned over $75K — with perfect pay, but far from perfect attendance.
fourthestate48.substack.com
July 24, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Arizona lawmakers were paid for 166 days this session — but some only showed up for 60.
They still got full per diem, mileage, and their $24K salary. One lawmaker with lower attendance brought in $78K total.
They still got full per diem, mileage, and their $24K salary. One lawmaker with lower attendance brought in $78K total.
This story is now free for everyone. Thank you to all of our new subscribers — both paid and free. If you want to join them, do so at the link!
NEW: Gov. Hobbs’ office denies involvement in the secret cannabis license reversal — but texts, contracts, and campaign donations tell a different story.
The deal was signed Feb. 14 — just 12 days after Trulieve’s lobbyist thanked Hobbs’ chief of staff.
Read the investigation:
The deal was signed Feb. 14 — just 12 days after Trulieve’s lobbyist thanked Hobbs’ chief of staff.
Read the investigation:
Contracts, Cannabis, and Cronies
Taxpayers are footing the legal bill while key records stay sealed — and insiders profit.
fourthestate48.substack.com
July 21, 2025 at 3:27 PM
This story is now free for everyone. Thank you to all of our new subscribers — both paid and free. If you want to join them, do so at the link!
NEW: Gov. Hobbs’ office denies involvement in the secret cannabis license reversal — but texts, contracts, and campaign donations tell a different story.
The deal was signed Feb. 14 — just 12 days after Trulieve’s lobbyist thanked Hobbs’ chief of staff.
Read the investigation:
The deal was signed Feb. 14 — just 12 days after Trulieve’s lobbyist thanked Hobbs’ chief of staff.
Read the investigation:
Contracts, Cannabis, and Cronies
Taxpayers are footing the legal bill while key records stay sealed — and insiders profit.
fourthestate48.substack.com
July 17, 2025 at 4:45 PM
NEW: Gov. Hobbs’ office denies involvement in the secret cannabis license reversal — but texts, contracts, and campaign donations tell a different story.
The deal was signed Feb. 14 — just 12 days after Trulieve’s lobbyist thanked Hobbs’ chief of staff.
Read the investigation:
The deal was signed Feb. 14 — just 12 days after Trulieve’s lobbyist thanked Hobbs’ chief of staff.
Read the investigation:
Fourth Estate 48 just cracked the Top 60 on Substack — ranked #54 among rising newsletters.
Built on public records, persistence, and one too many redacted PDFs.
Subscribe to keep us growing at fourthestate48.substack.com
Built on public records, persistence, and one too many redacted PDFs.
Subscribe to keep us growing at fourthestate48.substack.com
July 15, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Fourth Estate 48 just cracked the Top 60 on Substack — ranked #54 among rising newsletters.
Built on public records, persistence, and one too many redacted PDFs.
Subscribe to keep us growing at fourthestate48.substack.com
Built on public records, persistence, and one too many redacted PDFs.
Subscribe to keep us growing at fourthestate48.substack.com
One billboard. Eight years. Countless takedowns.
The Grand Avenue Billboard Project has dragged Trump through every stage of protest art — and it's still going strong.
Swipe through every chaotic, glorious version from 2017 to now.
The Grand Avenue Billboard Project has dragged Trump through every stage of protest art — and it's still going strong.
Swipe through every chaotic, glorious version from 2017 to now.
Eight Years of the Grand Ave Billboard Project
Take a look at many of the iterations that have graced the desert sky.
fourthestate48.substack.com
July 12, 2025 at 1:11 AM
One billboard. Eight years. Countless takedowns.
The Grand Avenue Billboard Project has dragged Trump through every stage of protest art — and it's still going strong.
Swipe through every chaotic, glorious version from 2017 to now.
The Grand Avenue Billboard Project has dragged Trump through every stage of protest art — and it's still going strong.
Swipe through every chaotic, glorious version from 2017 to now.
If you save every dollar from a universal ESA starting in kindergarten, your child could graduate high school with $90,000 to over $110k — all taxpayer-funded and eligible for college expenses.
That’s how much Arizona’s ESA program can accumulate over 13 years with minimal use.
That’s how much Arizona’s ESA program can accumulate over 13 years with minimal use.
More Than $49 Million in Inactive ESA Accounts as Total Unspent Funds Soar to $444 Million
23 inactive accounts have around or more than $100,000.
fourthestate48.substack.com
July 11, 2025 at 3:35 AM
If you save every dollar from a universal ESA starting in kindergarten, your child could graduate high school with $90,000 to over $110k — all taxpayer-funded and eligible for college expenses.
That’s how much Arizona’s ESA program can accumulate over 13 years with minimal use.
That’s how much Arizona’s ESA program can accumulate over 13 years with minimal use.
The Arizona Senate just advanced a Chase Field deal that could divert up to $1.2B in public taxes over 30 years — with no binding requirement the Dbacks pay their $250M share. The team gets flexibility, taxpayers get the bill. Our breakdown: fourthestate48.substack.com/p/amended-ch...
Amended Chase Field Deal Still Favors Team, Raises Long-Term Taxpayer Burden
We’re covering this story for taxpayer transparency.
fourthestate48.substack.com
June 20, 2025 at 5:49 PM
The Arizona Senate just advanced a Chase Field deal that could divert up to $1.2B in public taxes over 30 years — with no binding requirement the Dbacks pay their $250M share. The team gets flexibility, taxpayers get the bill. Our breakdown: fourthestate48.substack.com/p/amended-ch...
990 days. That’s how long it took Arizona’s prison agency to release records showing they blacklisted a reporter — and coordinated with a prison labor contractor to spin the story.
This is what stonewalling the press looks like. fourthestate48.substack.com/p/behind-the...
This is what stonewalling the press looks like. fourthestate48.substack.com/p/behind-the...
Behind the Barbed Wire
ADCRR's Stonewalling of the Press Revealed in Long-Delayed Records
fourthestate48.substack.com
June 16, 2025 at 11:19 PM
990 days. That’s how long it took Arizona’s prison agency to release records showing they blacklisted a reporter — and coordinated with a prison labor contractor to spin the story.
This is what stonewalling the press looks like. fourthestate48.substack.com/p/behind-the...
This is what stonewalling the press looks like. fourthestate48.substack.com/p/behind-the...
On May 19, an Avelo Airlines flight from Mesa to Guatemala City marked the first known international deportation flight since the airline signed a federal contract with DHS. No terminal. No public notice.
From Mesa to Guatemala... and back
Avelo Airlines' first international charter operation since its partnership with ICE and DHS.
fourthestate48.substack.com
May 22, 2025 at 5:02 PM
On May 19, an Avelo Airlines flight from Mesa to Guatemala City marked the first known international deportation flight since the airline signed a federal contract with DHS. No terminal. No public notice.
Today, for the first time, the Governor’s Office, Phoenix, Maricopa County & the Diamondbacks are all meeting about the Chase Field plan.
We dug through 7 years of financial records and found routine maintenance, but not a $500 million emergency.
fourthestate48.substack.com/p/chase-fiel...
We dug through 7 years of financial records and found routine maintenance, but not a $500 million emergency.
fourthestate48.substack.com/p/chase-fiel...
Chase Field's $500 Million Gamble
What the Records Don’t Show — and Why Arizonans Should Care
fourthestate48.substack.com
May 1, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Today, for the first time, the Governor’s Office, Phoenix, Maricopa County & the Diamondbacks are all meeting about the Chase Field plan.
We dug through 7 years of financial records and found routine maintenance, but not a $500 million emergency.
fourthestate48.substack.com/p/chase-fiel...
We dug through 7 years of financial records and found routine maintenance, but not a $500 million emergency.
fourthestate48.substack.com/p/chase-fiel...
Cannabis giant Trulieve paid a lobbyist to get the governor’s office to essentially give them a dual dispensary license worth up to $10 mil after multiple courts rejected them. The lobbyist also gave the governor’s campaign $5,000 before the meeting. fourthestate48.substack.com/p/power-pot-...
April 25, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Cannabis giant Trulieve paid a lobbyist to get the governor’s office to essentially give them a dual dispensary license worth up to $10 mil after multiple courts rejected them. The lobbyist also gave the governor’s campaign $5,000 before the meeting. fourthestate48.substack.com/p/power-pot-...
Ahead of former AZ Cardinals Kicker Jay Feely’s likely confessional announcement today, we wrote this about him. fourthestate48.substack.com/p/jay-feely-...
Jay Feely Once Preached Purpose Over Politics. Now He’s (likely) in the Game
Looking into his voting history and likely candidacy.
fourthestate48.substack.com
April 22, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Ahead of former AZ Cardinals Kicker Jay Feely’s likely confessional announcement today, we wrote this about him. fourthestate48.substack.com/p/jay-feely-...
Maricopa County has paid nearly $70M in settlements since 2010. Wrongful deaths. False arrests. A fictional gang.
All of it funded by your tax dollars — and it doesn’t include legal fees.
fourthestate48.substack.com/p/nearly-70-...
All of it funded by your tax dollars — and it doesn’t include legal fees.
fourthestate48.substack.com/p/nearly-70-...
Nearly $70 Million in settlements; you paid the tab
Digging into Maricopa County's lawsuit settlements since 2010.
fourthestate48.substack.com
March 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Maricopa County has paid nearly $70M in settlements since 2010. Wrongful deaths. False arrests. A fictional gang.
All of it funded by your tax dollars — and it doesn’t include legal fees.
fourthestate48.substack.com/p/nearly-70-...
All of it funded by your tax dollars — and it doesn’t include legal fees.
fourthestate48.substack.com/p/nearly-70-...
Subscribers of Fourth Estate 48 learned yesterday that Supervisor Steve Gallardo could be a name to look out for as a replacement to Adrian Fontes as SOS if he runs for Congress. Subscribe now so you can keep getting info first in your inboxes. fourthestate48.substack.com/p/fontes-eye...
March 21, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Subscribers of Fourth Estate 48 learned yesterday that Supervisor Steve Gallardo could be a name to look out for as a replacement to Adrian Fontes as SOS if he runs for Congress. Subscribe now so you can keep getting info first in your inboxes. fourthestate48.substack.com/p/fontes-eye...
How much do Arizona House staffers make? We got those records here: fourthestate48.substack.com/p/arizona-ho...
Arizona House Salaries: A Look at 2025 Compensation
Here is who is earning the most money from taxpayers in the Arizona House.
fourthestate48.substack.com
February 12, 2025 at 10:55 PM
How much do Arizona House staffers make? We got those records here: fourthestate48.substack.com/p/arizona-ho...
Reposted by Fourth Estate 48
"Former White House senior adviser Jared Kushner was reportedly behind his father-in-law US President Donald Trump’s plan, announced yesterday, for the US to take over Gaza and clear it of Palestinians."
www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...
www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...
February 6, 2025 at 12:09 AM
"Former White House senior adviser Jared Kushner was reportedly behind his father-in-law US President Donald Trump’s plan, announced yesterday, for the US to take over Gaza and clear it of Palestinians."
www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...
www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...
We anticipated the Arizona Supreme Court appointment today, so subscribers read this story before the breaking news: open.substack.com/pub/fourthes...
Who will Hobbs pick for the Supreme Court?
Taking a look at the recommendations each of the final five candidates received.
open.substack.com
January 29, 2025 at 4:03 PM
We anticipated the Arizona Supreme Court appointment today, so subscribers read this story before the breaking news: open.substack.com/pub/fourthes...
Reposted by Fourth Estate 48
Are you paying ATTENTION, yet? 👇
Well, are you?!
Well, are you?!
January 27, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Are you paying ATTENTION, yet? 👇
Well, are you?!
Well, are you?!
Reposted by Fourth Estate 48
Usually teach Lord of the Flies at the end of the year but decided to move it up to February because, yeah, I dunno, felt like a good time to explore fascism and masculinity as brutality.
January 24, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Usually teach Lord of the Flies at the end of the year but decided to move it up to February because, yeah, I dunno, felt like a good time to explore fascism and masculinity as brutality.
Reposted by Fourth Estate 48
I hear the emdash is considered a ChatGPT signature and like...what? I know waaaaay too many good writers with an emdash addiction for that to be any kind of tell.
January 22, 2025 at 10:58 AM
I hear the emdash is considered a ChatGPT signature and like...what? I know waaaaay too many good writers with an emdash addiction for that to be any kind of tell.
The Arizona Board of Regents voted to approve ASU Football coach Kenny Dillingham's contract five years with a significant pay increase. It moves him from one of the lowest paid coaches in the Big 12 to one of the highest.
fourthestate48.substack.com/p/abor-set-t...
fourthestate48.substack.com/p/abor-set-t...
ABOR set to approve Kenny Dillingham contract extension
We got ahold of the extension details for ASU football coach Kenny Dillingham.
fourthestate48.substack.com
January 17, 2025 at 6:48 PM
The Arizona Board of Regents voted to approve ASU Football coach Kenny Dillingham's contract five years with a significant pay increase. It moves him from one of the lowest paid coaches in the Big 12 to one of the highest.
fourthestate48.substack.com/p/abor-set-t...
fourthestate48.substack.com/p/abor-set-t...
Reposted by Fourth Estate 48
This piece does not mention that Musk has funneled billions to his foundation, securing tax breaks, but Musk’s foundation has not donated the legal minimum to actual charitable causes
www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-ma...
www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-ma...
December 25, 2024 at 9:09 PM
This piece does not mention that Musk has funneled billions to his foundation, securing tax breaks, but Musk’s foundation has not donated the legal minimum to actual charitable causes
www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-ma...
www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-ma...
It's been a rather slow year for us, but that doesn't excuse Gov. Katie Hobbs' office from not fulfilling a single records request we sent in 2024. We believe in transparency at Fourth Estate 48 so this is the email our managing editor sent to the governor's office and senior staff:
December 20, 2024 at 4:38 PM
It's been a rather slow year for us, but that doesn't excuse Gov. Katie Hobbs' office from not fulfilling a single records request we sent in 2024. We believe in transparency at Fourth Estate 48 so this is the email our managing editor sent to the governor's office and senior staff:
She says this like she isn't getting paid $15,000/month by the AZ Senate GOP at the expense of taxpayers. Background: fourthestate48.substack.com/p/arizona-se...
December 19, 2024 at 9:15 PM
She says this like she isn't getting paid $15,000/month by the AZ Senate GOP at the expense of taxpayers. Background: fourthestate48.substack.com/p/arizona-se...
Reposted by Fourth Estate 48
1. Disney conspired with government officials to STEAL OVER $100 MILLION IN WAGES from Disneyland workers
After 5+ years, the scheme has finally fallen apart and the workers will be paid what they are owed
Follow this thread for details
🧵
After 5+ years, the scheme has finally fallen apart and the workers will be paid what they are owed
Follow this thread for details
🧵
How Disney conspired with government officials to steal over $100 million from theme park workers
Working at the "Happiest Place on Earth" can be a nightmare.
popular.info
December 18, 2024 at 4:21 PM
1. Disney conspired with government officials to STEAL OVER $100 MILLION IN WAGES from Disneyland workers
After 5+ years, the scheme has finally fallen apart and the workers will be paid what they are owed
Follow this thread for details
🧵
After 5+ years, the scheme has finally fallen apart and the workers will be paid what they are owed
Follow this thread for details
🧵