Grand Canyon Times

Kayla Van Soest, the Tucson Market Manager of Children's Entrepreneur's Market (C.E.M.), joins the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the organization. Founded in Utah, CEM helps organize markets in sixteen states, including Arizona, where children can sell their products and learn about entrepreneurship.

CEM operates in various locations, including farmers markets, movie nights, and concerts, partnering with events that attract significant foot traffic to provide kids with greater exposure and sales opportunities. The program allows kids aged 5 to 17 to showcase their entrepreneurial skills and creativity by selling a diverse range of products, from beverages and snacks to handmade accessories, dog treats, and even flowers.

U.S. Congressional candidate Blake Masters (R-AZ-8) joined the Grand Canyon Times podcast to discuss his race. Masters is one of four candidates currently running in the Republican primary to represent the 8th Congressional District.

The district is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko (R), who announced last year that she will be retiring at the end of the current term.

Following is a summary of this episode:

• Trump Endorsement: Masters discussed his endorsement by former President Donald Trump in his 2022 Senate race. He said President Trump endorsed him because Masters was "strong on the border."
• Border Security: Masters advocated for stringent border security, criticizing what he said are the Biden Adminstration's "open border" policies. He said he supports finishing the border wall, empowering border patrol, and deporting millions of illegal immigrants, saying that border security is the most crucial issue in his campaign and for the country.
• Economic Policies and Big Tech Regulation: Masters said we had economic growth and low inflation under President Trump, attributing it to the former president's pro-business policies. Masters also said there is a need to regulate Big Tech companies to prevent them from manipulating elections and infringing on free speech, drawing from his experience in the tech industry.
• Chinese Ownership of U.S. Farmland: Masters said that Chinese ownership of Arizona farmland should not be allowed.

Masters ran for U.S. Senate in 2022, losing to incumbent U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D) by a vote of 51.4% to 46.5%. Kelly reportedly outspent Masters by $66 million in that race.

After growing up and attending high school in Tucson, Masters graduated from Stanford University and received his J.D. from Stanford Law School. He then co-founded legal research startup Judicata.

He is co-author of the bestselling business book, "Zero to One: Notes on a Startup" with Peter Thiel, and served as president of the Thiel Foundation. Masters married his wife, Catherine, in 2012 and they have three sons.

Matt Roeske, founder of Cultivate Elevate, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the power of Electroculture which, he said, is, "the ancient practice of increasing yields utilizing certain materials to harvest the earth's atmospheric energy." Learn more: https://cultivateelevate.com/blog/electroculture-gardening-techniques-for-beginners-elevate-your-garden/?ref=lngodh4rpm

• Introduction of Electroculture: Roeske discussed the concept of electroculture, a method of enhancing plant growth by harnessing atmospheric energy. This practice dates back to 1835 and involves creating antennas from materials like wood and copper to stimulate plant development without the need for harmful pesticides or chemicals.

• Historical Context and Decline: Roeske discussed the historical recognition of ether (aether) as a vital energy source for growth and its subsequent dismissal with the rise of modern scientific theories. He said shift led to a disconnection from natural energy sources and an increased reliance on industrial and chemical methods in agriculture.

• Benefits of Electroculture: Roeske shared personal experiences and testimonials from others who have observed significant improvements in plant size, health, and yield through electroculture. This includes larger fruits and vegetables, increased pollinator activity, and a reduction in pests without the use of chemicals.

• Impact on Biodiversity and Environment: Roeske said electroculture not only benefits plant growth but also contributes to a healthier ecosystem by attracting more wildlife and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

• Potential for Revitalizing Agriculture: Roeske said that electroculture offers a sustainable alternative to conventional farming methods, potentially addressing food shortages and environmental degradation.

Kyle Reyes is the president of Law Enforcement Today, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss border security and his recent trip to the Arizona-Mexico border.

Following is a summary of this episode:

Border Security and Immigration Legislation: Reyes discussed the current state of border security and immigration legislation, noting the inefficacy of proposed solutions and said enforcing borders is important to maintaining national integrity. He references his own experiences and observations from visiting the border, pointing out the inadequacies of current policies and the need for more robust measures.

Impact of Border Crisis on Local Communities: Reyes discussed the financial and social impact of the border crisis on local communities, highlighting the strain on resources and the increase in crime. Reyes mentions specific regions, like Texas and Arizona, where local authorities are struggling to manage the consequences of open borders and the influx of illegal immigrants.

Media Influence: Reyes discussed the role of bias in the mainstream media in shaping public perception and policy and the influence of big tech and funding sources on narrative control.

Future Projects and Initiatives: Reyes outlined his upcoming projects aimed at supporting law enforcement and raising awareness about the border crisis. These include a campaign to show the nationwide impact of border issues, initiatives to support law enforcement officers, and continued efforts to provide an alternative narrative to mainstream media coverage on law and order topics.

Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers (LAW), appeared on the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss a new poll conducted for his organization, which found that only 18% of Arizona voters say that the American Dream is "still attainable."

Founded in 2022 by Cortes, LAW conducts research and develops proposals on public policies impacting American workers and the economy.

Cortes is a political advisor and commentator. He previously traded global currencies and interest rates for 25 years for large international hedge funds. He has been an on-air broadcaster for CNBC, Fox News, and CNN.

• Why Cortes is Endorsing Donald Trump: Cortes, founder of the American League of Workers and former advisor to Donald Trump's 2016 and 2020 campaigns, discusses his brief support for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's presidential bid. He said he is now endorsing Trump, citing Trump's landslide victory in the Iowa caucus.

• Internal GOP Dynamics: Cortes talks about the internal dynamics within the Republican Party, saying there is the need for unity and addition rather than division.

• Midterm Elections: Cortes said he is disappointed in the 2022 midterm election results and said he believed the America First movement was ready to move on from Trump, but later realized that wasn't the case.

• Border Security and Economic Concerns: The podcast touches on border security and its economic implications. Cortes criticized President Biden's border policies, linking them to the decline in real wages and economic challenges for blue-collar workers. He said Texas for has taken independent action on border security and said there is a need for states like Texas to protect their citizens in the face of federal inaction.

Jenny Clark, a member of the Arizona Board of Education, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the state's Empowerment Scholarship (ESA) Program and the governor's recently proposed regulations of the program.

Clark is also the founder of the "Love Your School" organization and a partner at First Day PR.

Following is a summary of this episode:

• Gov. Katie Hobbs' (D-Ariz.) Proposed Regulations: Hobbs last week proposed new regulations for the ESA program, including a requirement that ESA families spend 100 days in public school before using the scholarship.

• Clark's Response to Hobbs' Proposal: Clark criticized the proposal, saying the there already is high scrutiny of ESA transactions and the transparency of the program compared to public schools.

• Misconceptions Addressed: Clark refuted claims about misuse of ESA funds, explaining the stringent accountability measures in place. She also clarified the legal status of ESAs as scholarships for students, not direct funding to schools.

• Impact of ESA on Families: Clark shared personal experiences and other stories highlighting the positive impact of ESAs, especially for children with special needs or those in unsuitable traditional educational settings.

• Financial Aspects of ESA: Discussed the budget and expenditure of the ESA program, emphasizing its small percentage of Arizona's education budget and the cost-effectiveness compared to public school funding.

• Love Your School Organization: Clark's organization offers free support to families in Arizona and West Virginia, helping them navigate school choice options, including ESAs, homeschooling, and special education evaluations.

• Future of Education Advocacy: Clark discussed educating families about school choice and advocating for the protection of ESAs and other educational options.

Arizona-based Chris Buskirk is the publisher of American Greatness. He has founded, built, and successfully sold multiple finance businesses including in insurance, reinsurance, specialty lending, and tax-credit financing. For over 15 years he has been a successful investor in growth stages companies across the financial services space as well as in real estate, digital marketing, consumer brands, and media.

In this interview, Chris discusses why the United States of America is the best nation on the planet, and how to champion the middle class and the traditional family unit in the midst of the all the noise.

For more Arizona news visit www.GrandCanyonTimes.com.

Matt Beienburg, the director of education policy at the Phoenix-based Goldwater Institute, appeared on the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the Biden Administration's $37.7 million fine on Grand Canyon University (GCU), the largest Christian university in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) said the fine was imposed because GCU allegedly "lied" to students about the cost of the university's doctoral programs.

GCU President Brian Mueller called the fine "ridiculous" and said the university will appeal.

Beienburg said the Biden Administration's "mission to destroy institutions that do not subscribe to the prevailing orthodoxy at government-run schools," and the Goldwater Institute has requested government records to see if any collusion happened in the targeting of GCU.

If the agency refuses to release the records, said Beienburg, the Goldwater Institute will sue to compel disclosure.

Following is a summary of this episode:

• Fine Imposed on GCU: The U.S. Department of Education under the Biden administration imposed a $37.7 million fine on GCU, a large private Christian university in the country. This fine, unprecedented in its size, was levied for allegedly misrepresenting tuition rates and program details to students.

• Comparison with Other Universities: Beienburg discussed how the fine imposed on GCU starkly contrasts with penalties given to other universities for more serious offenses, such as failing to report crimes related to sexual assault. For example, Michigan State and Penn State were fined significantly less for their infractions.

• Allegations of Misrepresentation: The DOE accused GCU of not adequately disclosing the total costs of its programs, particularly for doctoral students. The department claimed that GCU did not clearly communicate the potential additional costs for extra credits related to dissertation work.

• GCU's Response and Background: Beienburg said GCU has maintained its tuition rates for the past 15 years, focusing on providing affordable education. The university has a large online presence and has been successful in keeping operational costs low. Beienburg said that GCU's conservative Christian identity and its non-traditional approach to higher education might be factors in why it was targeted.

• Broader Context and Implications: Beienburg discussed the broader issues in higher education, such as rising tuition costs nationwide and the increasing student loan debt. It questions the Department of Education's motives and highlights the potential political implications behind the fine, suggesting a possible bias against GCU's educational model and ideological stance.

The Goldwater Institute is a public policy think tank located in Phoenix. Established in 1988, it is named after former U.S. Senator and 1964 presidential candidate Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.). The institute focuses on a range of public policy issues, including education, constitutional law, regulation, and free-market principles. It advocates for limited government, individual rights, and economic freedom.

The Goldwater Institute is known for its involvement in policy formulation and litigation, particularly in the areas of school choice, healthcare, and government transparency. It has played a significant role in promoting and drafting model legislation in various states, aiming to influence public policy at both the state and national levels.

Katlie Ratlief, executive director of the Common Sense Institute Arizona (CSI-AZ) and Glenn Farley, CSI's director of policy and research, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast to discuss the recently-released 2023 edition of Arizona's Free Enterprise Report: https://commonsenseinstituteaz.org/2023-free-enterprise-report/

This report includes the "Free Enterprise Competitive Index," which measures Arizona's alignment with CSI-AZ's policy areas on topics including: Education, Energy, Healthcare, Housing, Infrastructure, Public Safety, State Budget and Finances, and Taxes and Fees.

Following is a summary of this episode:

• Arizona's Economic Health: Farley highlighted Arizona's economic growth over the past decade, leading to a healthier state budget. However, he notes the mixed outlook due to slowing national economy and depleted state cash reserves.

• Fiscal Discipline and Economic Growth: Farley credited fiscal discipline and economic growth for Arizona's transition from a deficit to a surplus under former Governor Doug Ducey's (R) administration.

• 2023 Free Enterprise Report: Ratlief discussed the report, which assesses Arizona's economy across various policy areas. The report serves as a roadmap for policymakers and community leaders.

• Education System: Ratlief and Farley said the state's education system faces challenges, particularly in high school graduation rates and learning loss due to the pandemic. However, they see policies like school choice and investment in education as positive steps.

• Public Safety and Housing: Arizona ranks poorly in public safety and housing. The fentanyl crisis, homelessness, and border issues are major concerns. Housing affordability is at its worst, driven by rapid price appreciation and interest rate increases.

• Healthcare System: The state's healthcare system faces challenges, including a shortage of healthcare providers and a low rate of private insurance participation.

• Infrastructure: Arizona has made significant investments in infrastructure, which is seen as a positive development, especially with the state's population growth.

CSI-AZ is a affiliated with CSI Colorado, which was founded in 2010 as the Commonse Sense Policy Roundtable. CSI-AZ's mission is to examine and in inform Arizona citizens about the fiscal impacts of policies, initiatives, and proposed laws in the state.

Phoenix-area resident Ryan Hartwig, who gained national attention for "hidden camera" footage about Facebook, joined the Grand Canyon Times Podcast.In 2020, Hartwig released hidden camera footage from his work as a "content moderator" for Facebook while working at the Phoenix offices Cognizant.

That footage, released through Project Veritas, featured conversations with co-workers and "documents showing Facebook's policies and patterns of bias," said Hartwig.Hartwig also co-authored the 2021 book, "Behind the Mask of Facebook: A Whistleblower's Shocking Story of Big Tech Bias and Censorship."

He recently starred in the movie "Police State," by filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza, in which Hartwig is interviewed about censorship by tech companies.