The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast

Arizona’s Congressman Paul Gosar suggested in a Vice News interview that the violent, white supremacist rally in Charlottesville was planned by “an Obama sympathizer,” and said that George Soros, a liberal activist, turned Jews over to the Nazis. The dominoes are falling in Congressional District 9 after Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton announced his campaign to run for Congress. Arizona schools are upset by the letter grades issued by the Arizona Department of Education and the Board of Education. And the Department of Water Resources delayed a large home development project in Casa Grande because of a Pinal County’s lack of groundwater supply. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, the governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, Phoenix city hall reporter Jessica Boehm @jboehm_NEWS, education reporter Ricardo Cano @Ricardo_Cano1. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona’s 2018 Senate race just got interesting with U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema joining the run, finally ending months of speculation. She will run against Sen. Jeff Flake and several others, including Deedra Abboud. The Department of Child Safety also faces a class action lawsuit, which was filed 2 years ago, and says that the Arizona Foster Care System is failing children. The state of Arizona has removed about 5,500 kids within the last reporting period and many wonder how long until effective changes are made. Vice President Mike Pence also visited Phoenix this week and met with Gov. Doug Ducey over Arnold Palmers and chips to discuss Republican’s tax reform plans. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, state and government reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, and congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sen. John McCain does not support the Graham-Cassidy health care bill, another failed Republican attempt to repeal and replace “Obamacare.” President Donald Trump lashed out in a series of tweets over the weekend and said, “Without McCain, we’d already have the heath care.” After many months, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says that Russia tried to hack Arizona’s voter registration during the 2016 election. But officials are unsure if the new information was a hack previously reported or if it’s a new attack. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, legislative reporter Alia Rau @aliarau, national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki and legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner. This episode was edited by Johanna Huckeba @jojo_huck and Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Build the Wall.” Three words energized a campaign. But could it be done? What would it cost? What would it accomplish? Our search for answers became this, a landmark new report, “The Wall” with special guest Nicole Carroll, top editor of The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Find "The Wall: Reporting on the Border" on Apple Podcasts at http://apple.co/2f00BmW or wherever you find podcasts. Find the entire project at https://www.usatoday.com/border-wall/. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, vice president and top editor Nicole Carroll @nicole_carroll, national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki, congressional reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen, legislative and government reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Representatives from 22 states gathered at the Arizona Capitol for the convening of America's first national convention of states in more than 150 years. Meanwhile, the Arizona Attorney General's Office is suing the Arizona Board of Regents for "dramatically and unconstitutionally" increasing the price of in-state tuition at the state's three universities. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, legislative reporter Alia Rau @aliarau, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, and national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki. This episode was edited by Johanna Huckeba @jojo_huck and Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's official: Voters will decide whether Arizona moves forward with or rejects a massive expansion of the state's school-voucher program. DACA protects about 28,000 Arizonans – how will its end change their lives? Plus, a rundown of the long list of things Arizona's representatives in Congress have to do this session. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki and congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Johanna Huckeba @jojo_huck and Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After being pardoned by President Donald Trump, what are the chances former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio will get back into politics? Could a bill pass that would ban covering your face during a protest? Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, legislative reporter Alia Rau @aliarau, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, and national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki. This episode was edited by Johanna Huckeba @jojo_huck. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump took shots at Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake, Arizona Republicans who have repeatedly crossed him, without mentioning their names at his Tuesday rally. Meanwhile, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and controversial former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio were absent. In other news, the group seeking to refer the state's new school-voucher expansion law to the ballot cleared an important hurdle, and two Democrats heat up their race for governor. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki and congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Johanna Huckeba @jojo_huck. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The team watches for Rep. Kyrsten Sinema to announce a likely run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Jeff Flake. U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., calls President Trump a 'racist' and a 'coward' after his comments on Charlottesville. Investigations into reports of child neglect have dropped, even though calls to Arizona's child-abuse hotline hold steady. Save Our Schools Arizona slams the vetting process for a school-voucher referendum. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, investigative reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, and congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Hannah Gaber @HannahSGS. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sen. Jeff Flake is the author of a new book, a defense of Goldwater- and Reagan-style conservatism and a critique of his own Republican Party in the era of President Donald Trump. Gov. Doug Ducey plays a strong role in Sen. John McCain's healthcare vote. U.S. Rep. Martha McSally helps craft a bipartisan plan for the nation's insurance system. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki, and congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Kaila White @kailawhite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

- Sen. John McCain returned to Washington a week after disclosing his brain cancer diagnosis to speak on the Senate floor about "Obamacare" repeal legislation. - About 1,400 conservatives from across the country gathered in Denver for a conference best-known for producing ready-to-introduce “model” legislation crafted with input from corporate America. - The Arizona attorney general cleared a former House Speaker after an investigation into allegations he misused state resources. - Mesa City Councilman Ryan Winkle pleaded guilty to one count of extreme DUI for which his BAC level nearly three times the legal limit. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen, and Mesa and Gilbert reporter Jessica Boehm @jboehm_NEWS. This episode was edited by Hannah Gaber @HannahSGS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The group behind an effort to repeal Arizona's school-voucher expansion is hiring paid circulators as part of a final push to qualify for the ballot; U.S. Rep. McSally spends big to stay in office; Sen. John McCain's unresolved health scare; former Arizona House Speaker David Gowan will not be prosecuted by the Arizona Attorney General. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, investigative reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen, and national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki. This episode was edited by Hannah Gaber @HannahSGS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sen. Jeff Flake, under intense pressure to oppose the Senate Republican health-care bill, said he actually supports the more conservative "Consumer Freedom Option" proposed by Sen. Ted Cruz. Meanwhile, a group opposed to a major private school voucher expansion bill signed by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey says it is on track to collect enough signatures to place the law on hold. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki, and congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Jojo Huckeba @Jojo_Huck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan said she is rejecting the Trump administration's request for extensive voter information. Arizona’s Republican members of Congress have rarely voted against Trump in the first six months of the year. The director of Arizona's child-welfare system asked families to "expand their horizons" and "do more," leaving some foster parents perplexed and enraged. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, and congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Jojo Huckeba @Jojo_Huck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A database built by The Arizona Republic shows that 22 percent of 46,000 public school teachers in Arizona during the 2016-17 term were either not qualified to teach or had less than two years of classroom experience. Education reporter Ricardo Cano discusses his findings with The Republic's political team. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, education reporter Ricardo Cano @Ricardo_Cano1, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Kaila White @kailawhite, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A secret tape predicts trouble for Republican lawmakers, cash from indicted figures divides state officials, and a new survey says children in Arizona rank near the bottom in well-being, nationally. Meanwhile, Gov. Doug Ducey makes moves to protect Arizona's relationship with its top trading partner, Mexico. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, and congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Hannah Gaber @HannahSGS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State Sen. Steve Farley is jumping into the race for governor, hoping to unseat Republican Gov. Doug Ducey. A service at the Arizona Secretary of State's Office intended to make it easier for local candidates to get their names on the ballot has missed its intended launch date — and shut off access for legislative and statewide hopefuls. As for Washington, D.C., Ducey will be at the White House this week to meet with President Trump to talk infrastructure spending. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, and congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen. This episode was edited by Hannah Gaber @HannahSGS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A corruption case snares lobbyist Jim Norton, who is at the center of Arizona power politics. Two Arizona Republican lawmakers hire private attorneys (using taxpayers' money along the way.) U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake wants a new authorization of the use of military force, or AUMF. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, and governor’s Office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett. This episode was edited by Hannah Gaber @HannahSGS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office's investigates Phoenix Councilman Michael Nowakowski. Sen. John McCain blasts President Donald Trump – again. Gov. Doug Ducey signs a final 27 bills into law and vetoes six, including industrial hemp production. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki, Phoenix City Hall reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen @ronaldjhansen, and governor’s Office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett. This episode was edited by Hannah Gaber @HannahSGS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl, congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen, Governor’s Office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, national political reporter Dan Nowicki and politics editor Michael Squires look back at the legislative session and all it did – and didn’t – accomplish, as well as the Arizona’s delegation’s headaches from having to deal with the Trump administration. Find more coverage at politics.azcentral.com. This episode was edited by Kaila White @kailawhite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the end of the legislative session approaches, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl, congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen, Governor’s Office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and politics editor Michael Squires talk about the finalized Arizona state budget, as well as the strangest bills and highlights from this legislative session. Find more coverage at politics.azcentral.com. This episode was edited by Kaila White @kailawhite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Phoenix City Hall reporter Dustin Gardiner, Arizona State Capitol reporter Mary Jo Pitzl, congressional delegation reporter Ron Hansen, Governor’s Office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and politics editor Michael Squires talk about the Arizona state budget, raises for teachers, welfare, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton's possible run for a higher office, and more. Find more coverage at politics.azcentral.com. This episode was edited by Kaila White @kailawhite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com's politics editor Michael Squires hosts an informal and informational chat with his team of reporters about politics in Arizona and beyond in this weekly podcast. Follow Michael on Twitter at @mgsquires. This episode was edited by Kaila White @kailawhite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices