The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast

How will the new Supreme Court pick affect monumental rulings like Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion throughout the nation? What did Arizona politicians have to say about President Donald Trump's choice? And what's that about the Arizona Cardinal's president weighing in on the Supreme Court pick? The politics team answers these questions and more in this episode of The Gaggle. Follow the team on Twitter: National/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, and courts reporter Michael Kiefer @MichaelBKiefer. This episode was edited by Sierra Juarez @sierraraejuarez. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First lady Melania Trump visited Arizona last week. Reporters break down why Trump came and what we saw inside a detention center for immigrants. And an inside look into the bribery case involving well-known Arizona lobbyist Jim Norton. Lastly reporters discuss how Arizona communities, along with other cities throughout the nation, are suing opioid manufacturers. How could the suit affect people who need the pain medications? All this and more in this week’s episode of The Gaggle. Follow the team on Twitter: National/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, business and legislative reporter Ryan Randazzo @utilityreporter, reporter Dennis Wagner @azrover and reporter Richard Ruelas @ruelaswritings. This episode was edited by Sierra Juarez @sierraraejuarez. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Education is a hot-button topic in Arizona. What does RedForEd's Noah Karvelis have to say leading up to the November education ballot initiative? And what are the changes he's seen in the teacher strike movement over the past several months? He answers all that and more in this episode of The Gaggle. Follow the team on Twitter: National/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, staff reporter Richard Ruelas @ruelaswritings, staff reporter Ricardo Cano @RicardoCano1, and local politics and issues reporter Alia Rau @AliaRau. This episode was edited by Sierra Juarez @sierraraejuarez. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The politics team talks about immigrant children being separated from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's campaign announcement. Follow the team on Twitter: Interim national/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, staff reporter Richard Ruelas @ruelaswritings, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, and and higher education reporter Rachel Leingang @rachelleingang. This episode was edited by Sierra Juarez @sierraraejuarez. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Arizona Republic's politics team discusses how potential immigration reform will impact DACA and refugees, how what happened with Theranos may be reflective of a larger Arizona issue, and fraudulent signatures in a Senate race. Follow the team on Twitter: National/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, immigration reporter Daniel González @azdangonzalez and higher education reporter Rachel Leingang @rachelleingang. This episode was edited by Sierra Juarez @sierraraejuarez. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Black, a prominent criminal defense attorney, speaks about an Arizona coruption trial involving the Ex-Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce, his wife Sherry Pierce, Jim Norton, a lobbyist, and George Johnson, water company owner. The #RedForEd movement impacts who is running for state legislature this year. And how much are university officials in Arizona making? Follow the team on Twitter: Business reporter Ryan Randazzo @utilityreporter, higher education reporter Rachel Leingang @rachelleingang and legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Garcia, who seeks the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, joins The Gaggle in a first-ever, guest episode to discuss his campaign and education in Arizona. Follow the team on Twitter: Interim national/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, education reporter Ricardo Cano @Ricardo_Cano1, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen and guest David Garcia @dg4az. 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 Public Service is backing a ballot initiative from state utility regulators that would significantly boost the requirements for renewable energy. Will Arizona see a special session over gun control after yet another school shooting in Texas? And Rep. Paul Gosar still rents a Prescott apartment in Arizona's 4th Congressional District, but lives primarily in Flagstaff. Follow the team on Twitter: Interim national/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, and business reporter Ryan Randazzo @utilityreporter. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russian Facebook ads played up a murder-suicide of two Arizona teens during the 2016 election. Organizers of the migrant caravan that traveled through Mexico to the U.S. border say they are planning another caravan next year despite backlash from Trump and his administration. And zoning battles over medical-marijuana dispensaries in Phoenix have raised fraud allegations. Follow the team on Twitter: Interim national/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, immigration reporter Daniel González @azdangonzalez, Phoenix City Hall reporter Jessica Boehm @jboehm_NEWS. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Arizona's legislature approved a plan for 20 percent pay raises for teachers by 2020, the leaders of the #RedForEd movement feel like they got cheated on their demands. Now they're working to collect 150,000 signatures by July 5 to get the Invest in Education Act initiative on the November ballot. And Sen. John McCain's funeral arrangements have been made. Follow the team on Twitter: Interim national/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, education reporter Ricardo Cano @Ricardo_Cano1, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner. 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 #RedForEd teacher walkout moves into its fifth day as teachers continue to protest low pay. Budget bills have dropped at the state Capitol, but what's buried in them? And how did Democrat Hiral Tipirneni pull off such a close race in deep-red Congressional District 8 and what does her 5-point loss mean for Republicans heading into midterms? Follow the team on Twitter: Interim national/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, education reporter Ricardo Cano @Ricardo_Cano1, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, and interim governor's office reporter Richard Ruelas @ruelaswritings. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teachers are still talking about a walkout even after Gov. Doug Ducey proposed increasing their pay 20 percent by 2020. Arizona has a new abortion reporting requirement. With an election in the 8th Congressional District next week, the race between Democrat Hiral Tipirneni and Republican Debbie Lesko is heating up. And sober homes that provide people a place to live while recovering from substance abuse will have increased oversight from the state of Arizona. Follow the team on Twitter: Interim national/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, education reporter Ricardo Cano @Ricardo_Cano1, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, and health care reporter Ken Alltucker @kalltucker. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a recording obtained by The Arizona Republic, Center for Arizona Policy President Cathi Herrod has an unscripted conference call with Christian school leaders about Arizona's school voucher program. Herrod shares her real thoughts on the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, a controversial program that allows certain students to use public money to pay for private and religious schools. Follow the team on Twitter: The governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett and investigative and data reporter Rob O'Dell @robodellaz. This episode was edited by digital producer Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Music: bensound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A citizenship question on the 2020 census was reinstated by the Trump administration and could hurt Arizona more than other states. Morale is down inside a 'D'-ranked school in Arizona, correlating with teacher's frustrations over funding and pay. Will DACA students, undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children, continue to receive in-state tuition? Follow the team on Twitter: The governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, Mesa and Gilbert watchdog reporter Lily Altavena @lilyalta, higher education reporter Rachel Leingang @rachelleingang, diversity and inequality reporter Maria Polletta @mpolletta. This episode was edited by digital producer Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Doug Ducey's office releases records about self-driving cars in Arizona weeks after an autonomous Uber SUV hit and killed a pedestrian. Ducey pushed Proposition 123 in 2016 to fund schools, tapping into the state's land trust fund, but a judge rules that his ballot initiative was illegal. And a new sexual harassment investigation of 'sexually explicit communications' is underway at the state Capitol. Follow the team on Twitter: The governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, business and legislative reporter Ryan Randazzo @utilityreporter, and legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner. 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 could see stricter gun laws with support from Gov. Doug Ducey after he said he would ask lawmakers to adopt a law that would take guns away from people who are violent or mentally ill. Students nationwide protested gun-violence in the March for Our Lives and teachers wore red for the #RedForEd campaign to protest low pay. Follow the team on Twitter: Child welfare and state government reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner and investigative reporter Craig Harris @charrisazrep. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Attorney General's Office wants answers on construction contracts with Scottsdale Unified School District. Arizona motorists could soon pay more for vehicle registration as state lawmakers search for money to repair crumbling roads and bridges. And dozens of Arizona charters schools are at risk of closing due to financial struggles. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, Scottsdale watchdog reporeter Yihyun Jeong @yihyun_jeong, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, data reporter Agnel Philip @agnel88_philip. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Voters advance Republican Debbie Lesko and Democrat Hiral Tipirneni in the race to replace Trent Franks in Congressional District 8. The University of Arizona's basketball program is under fire after the FBI intercepted phone conversations where coach Sean Miller talked about paying a star player $100,000 to join the Wildcats. And the House of Representatives won't release additional records from its sexual harassment investigations. Follow the team on Twitter: The governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, higher-education reporter Anne Ryman @anneryman, and legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Days before launching his congressional campaign, former state Senator Steve Montenegro and a state Senate staffer exchanged flirty messages, including a topless photo. Arizona could soon join a national compact to ban taxpayer-funded professional sports facilities. And Gov. Doug Ducey said he's axed 676 regulations since taking office. Follow the team on Twitter: The governor’s office and state politics reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, business and legislative reporter Ryan Randazzo @utilityreporter, and Phoenix City Hall reporter Jessica Boehm @jboehm_NEWS. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women seeking abortions in Arizona might have to explain to doctors why they want to end their pregnancy under a new bill. Steve Montenegro immigrated to the U.S. with his family through a special work-related provision that's not always available to migrants. Don Shooter left a "dossier" after he was expelled from the House with claims that he was privately investigated and the Governor's office plotted to remove him from office. 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, and business and legislative reporter Ryan Randazzo @utilityreporter. 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 House of Representatives voted to immediately expel Rep. Don Shooter in a historic vote after an investigation found he sexually harassed women for many years. Gov Doug Ducey wants the state Department of Revenue to hire 25 tax collectors after the state lost $83 million in audit revenue. Rep. Paul Gosar continues to feud with Latino Democrats after his call to arrest "dreamers" — undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children by their families — who attended Trump's State of the Union as lawmakers' guests. 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, and business and legislative reporter Ryan Randazzo @utilityreporter. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamescita Peshlakai, a Navajo lawmaker, leads efforts to establish Native American Day in Arizona. Republican candidates in the race for the 8th Congressional District seat battled over their loyalty to President Donald Trump. Gov. Doug Ducey calls for a special session over opioids and heads to a Koch brothers’ retreat in Palm Springs. 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, and diversity, demographics and inequality reporter Maria Polletta @mpolletta. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Doug Ducey wants to deregulate blow dry bars and Arizona cosmetologists are offended. Taxpayers are spending about a million dollars more for public relations workers under Gov. Doug Ducey, who said he planned to cut back government spending. Non-English speakers who buy auto or home insurance in Arizona could be bound to a contract that they cannot read. 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, investigative reporter Craig Harris @charrisazrep, and business and legislative reporter Ryan Randazzo @utilityreporter. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. Rep. Martha McSally officially enters Arizona's senate race. Gov. Doug Ducey releases his budget with spending increases for school funding. Sen. Sean Bowie introduces a bill to ban conversion therapy and another bill would ban bump stocks in Arizona. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki, diversity, demographics and inequality reporter Maria Polletta @mpolletta, and business and legislative reporter Ryan Randazzo @utilityreporter. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio announces his campaign to run for U.S. Senate. Gov. Doug Ducey makes six promises in the final State of the State speech during his first term. Rep. Don Shooter apologizes for making inappropriate comments on the House floor, breaking his silence that he sexually harassed multiple women. 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 and national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Republic's politics team looks back on the year's most impacting stories that they worked on this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Republic's politics team talks Jeff Flake's controversial endorsement check, the state's child welfare agency and how the Republican tax plan will impact Arizonans. This episode was edited by Johanna Huckeba @jojo_huck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva approved a $48,000 settlement to a woman who accused him of being drunk and creating a hostile work environment. Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake could be key votes for or against the Republican tax plan. State Sen. Kimberly Yee, R-Phoenix, announces her bid to run for Arizona treasurer next year, replacing Treasurer Jeff DeWitt. And Mesa Mayor John Giles faces backlash from his conservative constituents after calling President Donald Trump an idiot and encouraging Sen. Jeff Flake to run for president. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, and Mesa and Gilbert reporter Lily Altavena @lilyalta. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a memorable and historic year for Arizona’s delegation and Washington, D.C., correspondent for USA Today Eliza Collins provides some perspective from Capitol Hill. Democrats say the election of Donald Trump has increased their base, but Arizona’s voter registration numbers show otherwise. And the State Court of Appeals has reversed a decision to sever a mother’s rights to her children saying the case was not sufficiently rooted in evidence. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, congressional reporter for USA Today @elizacollins1, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, and government and child welfare reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A flood of sexual harassment allegations continues to run out of Arizona’s State Capitol. At least seven women have publicly accused Rep. Don Shooter of sex harassment, including Mi-Ai Parrish, publisher and president of The Arizona Republic. Arizona’s Foster Care Review Boards, volunteer groups that decide the fate of children in the foster care system, are overwhelmingly white and do not represent the communities they serve in race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Congressman Tom O’Halleran’s office is located outside of his district and his opponents are not happy. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen and diversity and demographics reporter Maria Polletta @@mpolletta. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, said in a tweet on Monday that Rep. Don Shooter, R-Yuma, is one of Arizona’s male lawmakers that she was sexually harassed by. Congresswoman Martha McSally enters Arizona’s 2018 Senate race. Greg Stanton has still not resigned from his post as mayor, impacting the fate of big voting decisions in Phoenix. Gov. Doug Ducey asked state agencies to remove whether a candidate has been convicted of a crime or not from their job applications in the hopes of eliminating employer prejudice and recidivism. 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 and Phoenix city hall reporter Jessica Boehm @jboehm_NEWS. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bisbee backs off its plastic bag ban. KidsCare, a program that ensures children and low-income families, has run out of funding without a renewal from Congress. And potential candidates like U.S. Reps. Martha McSally and Paul Gosar continue to eye Sen. Jeff Flake's open Senate seat. Follow the team on Twitter: Host and politics editor Michael Squires @mgsquires, state and government reporter Mary Jo Pitzl @maryjpitzl, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner 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

Arizona's 2018 Senate race takes a dramatic turn after Sen. Jeff Flake announced Tuesday that he will not seek re-election in 2018. Former state lawmaker Kelli Ward and President Trump react to Flake's announcement. State Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita says she was sexually harassed by male colleagues in Arizona's Legislature and faces retaliation after reporting her experience. 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 and national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki. This episode was edited by Hayley Sanchez @heyyhayhayley. Find more at politics.azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Doug Ducey awards his inner circle hefty pay increases while giving Arizona teachers less than a 1 percent raise. Steve Bannon visits Scottsdale and gives his full support to Kelli Ward in Arizona’s 2018 Senate race against Sen. Jeff Flake. President Donald Trump has yet to give Ward his endorsement and Flake disregards polls. A family feud erupts between Rep. Paul Gosar and his brother, David Gosar, after Paul made claims in a Vice News interview that the liberal activist George Soros helped the Nazis. And Arizona Secretary of State Michele Reagan says the Department of Homeland Security cannot confirm if Arizona voters were hacked by Russia in the 2016 election. 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, investigative reporter Craig Harris @charrisazrep and national political reporter Dan Nowicki @dannowicki. 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 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