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There are now over 130,000 ALPR cameras in the United States, the vast majority of which are from controversial company Flock. Both the camera capabilities and the rapid increase in number of cameras have become a hot-button issue, with the recorded number of cameras increasing by more than 30,000 in less than two months.In one big Sun Belt state, it's been less than three months since residents figured out they're being watched, and the situation is only getting worse.Technology used to monitor, police, and conduct federal investigations has been at the tip of the spear in the debate surrounding personal freedoms, and citizens have quickly soured on the idea that the Big Brother-style security system is welcome in the state.'82% of those polled are concerned that the cameras could be misused.'At the beginning of June, reports spread of how traffic cones and barrels were being used along different roadways by Customs and Border Protection to read license plates in order to catch illegal aliens.The conversation quickly accelerated, revealing that not only were automated license plate recognition cameras being used to fight immigration violations, but they were being used nationwide on Americans.Now, new data shows that voters in Arizona have expressed "genuine tension" over the cameras, telling pollsters they oppose their use despite believing they can help solve crimes.The numbers are actually quite staggering: 63% of Arizonans polled oppose the camera use entirely, while 51% believe they help police.NextGen Polling shows the biggest discrepancy among registered voters is opinions on misuse and audits. 82% of those polled are concerned that the cameras could be misused, while another 82% said they support independent audits on surveillance companies. RELATED: What the Flock? Knoxville mayor explains the dark truth about Flock cameras: ‘Not your grandma's license plate readers’ Jean-François FORT/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images As Blaze News previously reported, CBP has had access to at least 1,600 of Flock's license plate readers across 22 states at one time. The agency has also been using the technology in its investigations dating back to at least 2017.At the same time, Flock is used by more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States.Voters in Arizona oppose the use by local police (Net -32.7) while a majority, 52%, oppose the cameras being shared with ICE.Democrats are more likely to oppose the camera use, 73% compared to Republicans at 54%. Meanwhile, 80% of Democrat voters oppose sharing the camera capabilities with ICE; 59% of Republicans actually support it.RELATED: Flock off, Axon on Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images In addition to license plate reading, companies like SignalTrace have developed methods to upgrade Flock cameras to capture any "unique signals" emitted from devices in the car.This includes cell phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, earbuds, and Wi-Fi signals.Each unique identifier can be attached to the license plate number, and therefore the owner, to essentially create an entire electronic surveillance profile on the driver.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Ken Paxton has made it clear which side of the women's sports debate he's on by showing up at a WNBA game with an XX-XY shirt.The issue of transgender-identifying athletes in women's sports flared up after Indiana Fever star player Sophie Cunningham made a statement opposing biological males competing against women.'Instead of criticizing her, how about we admire something of great courage, which is what she has accomplished as a young woman.'Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican who's running for the U.S. Senate, showed his support for Cunningham during the Fever's game against the Dallas Wings in Texas on Thursday. The Wings won, 91-85.He attended with his daughter, and they both wore XX-XY shirts, a brand dedicated to opposing biological males from competing in women's sports."We in Texas, we are promoting no boys in girls' sports because it's completely unfair," said Paxton to OutKick outside of the stadium.He was asked what message he wants to give all Texans about supporting Cunningham's crusade."I think instead of criticizing her, how about we admire something of great courage, which is what she has accomplished as a young woman," he added. "Standing up is very difficult. Very few people are willing to do it, and I have a lot of admiration, I know a lot of Texans have a lot of admiration for what she has accomplished at such a young age."Jennifer Sey, the founder and CEO of XX-XY athletics, thanked Paxton for his support on social media.Various supporters of the XX-XY cause have said that they were told to cover up their shirts with the brand at games by WNBA officials. In one case, a co-owner of a team berated and cursed at two teens wearing the shirts during a game.Paxton added that his office was looking at these incidents."Look, we’re looking at it," he said. "We want to make sure that they are treated fairly."RELATED: Black WNBA player blames 'white privilege' after ejection for hitting Sophie Cunningham When the Fever played in Toronto, the Canadian crowd booed Cunningham relentlessly. She responded by hitting every three-pointer she attempted, and the Fever beat the Toronto team. Afterwards she graciously complimented the fans for their passion.Paxton is in a close race against Democrat James Talarico for one of two U.S. Senate seats in Texas.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Earlier this month, Kamala Harris made an appearance on Stacey Abrams' podcast “Assembly Required,” where they discussed the Democratic Party’s future, redistricting in the South, voter ID debates, and opposing what they framed as Trump’s authoritarian agenda.In their conversation about citizenship and who counts as a “legitimate” American, Harris deployed a predictable Nazi analogy.“Part of the pain of this moment, Stacey, is these so-called leaders who are pushing this kind of narrative about who is a legitimate American citizen among American citizens. This blood-and-soil narrative that’s being pushed at the highest levels of our government to suggest that, you know, once again to hearken back to times when it was explicit that there was a hierarchy among Americans and who was superior and who was inferior — all citizens,” the failed 2024 nominee said.“That’s what’s happening right now,” she added.“I follow politics quite a bit, and I've not heard anyone talking about blood-and-soil Americans,” says BlazeTV host Pat Gray. “I have heard the guy that used to be her boss talk about the blood of liberty,” adds co-host Jeffy, referring to Joe Biden’s dismissal of Thomas Jefferson’s line about the tree of liberty being watered with the blood of patriots as “a bunch of crap.”Pat believes Harris must “babble about something” because “she’s getting no love from Democrats right now.”“I don't know why, with such, you know, insightful thoughts like that,” laughs Jeffy.To hear more of the panel’s commentary and see Harris’ clip, watch the episode above.Want more from Pat Gray?To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

A former Florida teacher — convicted of sexual misconduct with a high school student — now faces a lawsuit claiming her "heinous sex acts" left the teen with "permanent psychological injuries," including a loss of faith in God.Brooke Anderson, a 28-year-old former teacher, previously pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, two counts of transmission of harmful materials to a minor, one count of lewd or lascivious conduct with a student, and one count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, according to WTSP-TV.'The messages began as general conversation, but eventually were of a very graphic, sexual nature,' the complaint says.Anderson was sentenced to 30 months in state prison, followed by 24 months of community service and 10 years of probation.Two months into her prison sentence, Anderson was named in a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of the victim.WTSP reported that the lawsuit filed by Leighton Panoff Law on Aug. 11 seeks $100,000 from Anderson in damages for emotional distress and sexual battery.The complaint states that the former student "was subjected to sexual battery, raped, traumatized, and caused to suffer mental pain and suffering, psychological injuries, and the loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life."The New York Post reported, "The suit alleges that Anderson’s 'heinous sex acts' left the young teen with 'permanent psychological injuries,' including a loss in his faith in God."The plaintiff is also seeking $50,000 from the Hillsborough County School Board, alleging negligence.The complaint cites the case of another former Riverview High School teacher, David Coffey, who was sentenced to 15 years in state prison on July 28 for sexually abusing a student at the same campus, WTSP reported. "The warning signs were particularly foreseeable because, less than one year earlier, another teacher at the same high school had been arrested and terminated for strikingly similar misconduct involving a student," the lawsuit reads.The lawsuit alleges that the former student met with Anderson, then a biology teacher at Riverview High School, at lunchtime during the 2022-2023 school year, exchanged personal phone numbers in the 2023-2024 school year, and then they began messaging each other. "The messages began as general conversation, but eventually were of a very graphic, sexual nature. A portion of these messages occurred ... during school hours," the suit claims. The Tampa Free Press reported that Anderson sent the student "sexually provocative photographs" in April 2025 and "sexually assaulted him inside her classroom the following month."The complaint says the victim, referred to as R.B. in the lawsuit, was one year below Florida's legal age of consent at the time of the illicit sexual relationship, the Tampa Free Press reported.RELATED: Cops bust former special-ed teacher in truck with teen; she's accused of engaging in sexual activity with boy up to 20 times Five Buck Photos/iStock/Getty Images PlusBlaze News previously reported that Anderson admitted to three sexual encounters with the teen during a phone call with the minor, according to the affidavit.The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said in a statement released in May 2025, "The most recent incident occurred the morning of May 16, inside Anderson’s classroom before the start of the school day."Police arrested Anderson the next day. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister stated in May 2025, "This teacher betrayed the trust of a student, a school, and an entire community.""What should have been a safe, supportive environment for learning was exploited for abuse," Chronister continued. "Her actions are criminal, calculated, and deeply disturbing." This investigation is ongoing, according to police.Anderson was terminated in May 2025. She had been an employee of the Hillsborough County Public Schools district since November 2021.When asked for comment by the Daily Mail, the Hillsborough County School Board declined to discuss the lawsuit, citing "pending litigation."WTSP reported that the hearing for the civil lawsuit is scheduled for May 2, 2027.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!