The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast

In March, in-person schools shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sudden transition was difficult for teachers, students and parents alike. In recent weeks, the debate on when and how to reopen schools for in-person curriculum has made headlines across the country. The pressure to reopen this fall was amplified by President Donald Trump earlier this month. Arizona schools Superintendent Kathy Hoffman is leading in the effort to reopen schools along side Gov. Doug Ducey. In an exclusive, one-on-one interview with hosts of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, Hoffman breaks down the new steps the state is making towards getting students back into classrooms. Hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen discuss with her how they plan to keep teachers safe and the changes students will see in classrooms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's it like to be a migrant or correctional officer in an immigrant detention facility located in a global hotspot during a pandemic? At the Eloy Detention Center in southern Arizona, correctional officers and immigrants' rights advocates and lawyers are decrying dangerous conditions they say have exacerbated the outbreak of COVID-19 at the facility. The Arizona Republic reported July 9 that 128 staff members at the center tested positive for COVID-19. The 128 members make up nearly 41% of the workforce at Eloy. In June, a correctional officer at the facility died from potential COVID-19 complications. The center is run by CoreCivic, a for-profit private prison company based in Nashville. It is under contract from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. In this week's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, host Ronald J. Hansen speaks with immigration reporter Daniel Gonzalez. Hansen and Gonzalez break down the lengthy list of allegations against CoreCivic and ICE, how the company and agency have responded, and how the 2020 election plays into immigration decisions made by the federal government that might affect detention centers like these. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 1: You're not welcome here In the early 2000s, Arizona’s rapid population growth and investor speculation fueled a homebuilding binge in the state. Contractors took advantage of a lax employment-verification system and hired undocumented workers at a cut rate, often from Mexico, in droves. At its peak, Arizona proportionately had the second-largest undocumented population of any state in the country, behind only Nevada. About one in 12 residents was undocumented. Consumers and businesses liked the low-cost labor. But not everyone liked the changing demographics of their neighborhoods. State legislators tried to address the issue, but critics called the attempts piecemeal. Congress failed multiple times at passing immigration reform. An economic recession, a dramatic citizen’s arrest and a tragic death exacerbated tensions. To hear all five episodes, subscribe to Rediscovering: SB 1070 in your podcast app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona is a battleground state in national elections and could sway the outcome of the 2020 presidential race. But how did we get here? How did the state go from reliably red to purple, with the possibility to shift blue in 2020, in just a decade? To understand, go back to 2010 when Arizona surprised the nation by passing Senate Bill 1070, a sweeping and highly controversial immigration law, otherwise known as the "show me your papers" law. That's what The Gaggle's sister podcast will explore in season two of Rediscovering. The five-part series will examine what led to the bill, what its proponents sought to do, how the community and nation reacted and how its effects linger still today. Gaggle hosts Yvonne Wingett-Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen host this season of Rediscovering. They spoke with more than two dozen people including the architect of the bill, Russell Pearce. As well as former Governor Jan Brewer, Arizona's senior senator Kyrsten Sinema and young Latino and immigrant activists who were forever shaped by the legislation. Listen to the trailer to Rediscovering: SB1070 now. All five episodes drop on Wednesday, July 15. Don't miss a single one. Subscribe to our series on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher Radio, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., is expected to face off against retired NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, a Democrat, in November. In the midst of a fraught race, one which will determine who controls the Senate, McSally published a memoir, "Dare to Fly: Simple Lessons in Never Giving Up." The book is an up-close look at the Senator. It sheds light on her childhood, her early years in the Air Force, her military career and her political career. In this week's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, McSally joins hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen to discuss her book. She also weighs in on reports of Russia placing bounties on U.S. troops, the COVID-19 pandemic, health care, gun control and her return to the campaign trail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this year, "The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast," launched a miniseries profiling each congressional district in Arizona. In this week's episode, we're taking a look at the West Valley's Congressional District 8. It's home to popular spots in the state like State Farm Stadium, where the Arizona Cardinals play, as well as the popular concert venue Gila River Arena. It includes Glendale, Peoria, and Surprise. It also has large retirement communities in towns like Sun City and Sun City West. Republican Debbie Lekso represents the district in Congress. She took the seat in a special election in 2018. Lekso joined hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen to talk about the political issues most important to her community, including social security and veteran benifit. You'll also hear from voters directly on which issues are most likely to drive them to the polls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes has brought police practices and accountability to the forefront of American discourse. In cities across the nation, protesters have taken to the streets, demanding justice and change. Phoenix is no different. This week The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, is examining two solutions proposed to address police brutality, profiling and other practices being scrutinized as unjust. These include civilian oversight and "defunding the police." Related: Every 5 days, an Arizona officer shoots someone, a Republic analysis finds In June, the Phoenix City Council approved spending $3 million of its $1.3 billion budget for a new Office of Accountability and Transparency that will focus on police oversight. Hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen explore the function of the new office with reporters Jessica Boehm and Uriel Garcia. Plus, an explanation on what "defunding the police" means and how likely the proposal is to pass muster among Phoenix constituents and city council members. Read more: Phoenix police will stop using strangleholds on people, chief says Police officers are rarely prosecuted or convicted in Arizona. Here are some of the hurdles Phoenix protesters demand more police oversight from City Council Sheriff: Hispanic, black drivers more likely to be held longer in traffic stops than white drivers Phoenix approves budget with fully-funded police civilian oversight office Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, The Gaggle will discuss the status of police oversight in Phoenix. Reporters Jessica Boehm and Uriel Garcia will talk about the call to “defund the police.” They’ll explain what it all means and the likelihood of these proposals coming to fruition. But before that, you should understand the backstory about police shootings in Phoenix. Last July, the Arizona Republic released an in-depth investigation on this very subject. The findings provide perspective for the current unrest across the nation. So today, The Gaggle is re-airing this old episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a pivotal point in Republican Gov. Doug Ducey’s leadership in Arizona. Amid conflicting signals from the White House, governors across the country have played an outsized role in managing the health and economic crises. In addition to the pandemic, many governors are being questioned about their responses to police brutality in wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Ducey is no exception. Some questioned whether his implementation of a statewide curfew was in response to looting at Scottsdale Fashion Square, an upscale shopping center. Ducey also received criticism for issuing the curfew without speaking to Democratic mayors, including Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. It’s been a historic run of problems for the state and the nation. It’s unclear how much these recent moments will define Ducey’s legacy governor. How does Ducey’s leadership fare in contrast? And how will his handling of the pandemic shape his legacy as the 23rd governor of Arizona? In this week's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen are joined by political reporter Maria Polletta. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona mayors who broke with Republican Gov. Doug Ducey's approach to the coronavirus said the governor has made no direct contact since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Flagstaff and Tucson mayors Coral Evans and Regina Romero told The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast they had communication with the Ducey administration early on in the pandemic through morning conference calls with Ben Blink, the governor's policy adviser for local governments. However, the calls have since ceased. Evans and Romero were the first in the state to issue proclamations in mid-March, closing certain businesses and public gathering spaces. Gov. Ducey issued a statewide stay-at-home March 30. In the May 27 interviews, Evans and Romero said their proactive approaches were in response to information from scientists and public health officials. They also spoke about the plight of their residents and what further action will be needed to revive their cities' economies and public health. Mayor Evans expressed displeasure with the governor, who has said he wants Arizona to take unified approach in combating COVID-19. "It seems to me that if we want to speak as one voice, then everybody would have the opportunity to be part of the conversation," Evans told national political reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen. "It makes no sense to me that the mayors that care so passionately about their communities never had a conversation with the governor the entire time this has been going on." In this episode you'll hear Evans and Romero's thoughts on: Why they issued proclamations shutting down their cities before Gov. Ducey's stay-at-home order. The state response to COVID-19. Partisan politics imbued in coronavirus discourse. The distribution of federal relief funding and what it will be used for Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On May 25, George Floyd was killed while in the custody of four Minneapolis police officers. The officers' actions leading to his death violated the policies of the Minneapolis Police Department. Floyd’s death became a catalyst for protests across the country, including protests in Phoenix. Local protesters decried Floyd's death, as well as the death of 28-year-old Dion Johnson. Authorities allege Johnson struggled with an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper before the shooting. However, there is no footage of Johnson's death, and the trooper who shot him was not equipped with a camera. After three nights of unrest, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency. He also declared a weekly curfew, which will expire on the morning of Monday, June 8. More than 200 protesters were arrested Sunday night for violating the curfew. In issuing the curfew, Ducey said his administration had received requests from local leaders. However, the mayors of Phoenix and Tucson — Arizona's largest cities — said they were not notified of the curfew by Ducey's administration. Annie DeGraw, a spokeswoman for Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, said they had not spoken or heard from the governor on this topic or any other topic for months. In today's bonus episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen talk to photojournalist Rob Schumacher about what he's witnessing while covering the protests. Our podcast also talks to city of Phoenix reporter Jessica Boehm about the breakdown in communication between Ducey's administration and local mayors amid the protests and COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this year, "The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast," launched a miniseries profiling each congressional district in Arizona. In this week's episode, we're taking a look at the east Valley's Congressional District 5. The district includes Gilbert and Queen Creek, as well as eastern Mesa and parts of Chandler. Representing the dyed-in-the-wool conservative district is Republican Andy Biggs. Biggs has made headlines recently for voting against COVID-19 stimulus package, citing his concern about the impact of the packages on the national debt. Biggs joined hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen to talk about the political issues most important to his community, many of which have changed during the pandemic. You'll also hear from voters in his district directly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Navajo Nation, located in parts of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, is one of the hardest hit places in the state from COVID-19 cases and is now leading the country in per-capita infection rates. Most recent numbers show 2,344 persons per 100,000 on the Navajo Nation were infected by the new coronavirus. In second was New York with 1,806 cases per 100,000. Since early March the Navajo Nation has enacting some of the strictest policies in the state, including nightly and weekend-long curfews. The response started when Navajo Nation President Jonathon Nez declared a state of emergency and days later closed the nation to visitors after three confirmed cases were reported. More than half of the Navajo Nation's cases involve residents in Arizona counties. In this week's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen are joined by breaking news reporter Chelsea Curtis to break down the Navajo Nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since his first press briefing March 2 to extending the statewide stay-at-home order April 29, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has filled a momentous, and at times controversial, timeline of actions regarding the new coronavirus. His incremental progressions have evoked bold responses from constituents, business owners and political leaders on both sides of the aisle; and his administration's decisions to cut off data from university researchers modeling state-specific COVID-19 case projections has led to national scrutiny and a swift reversal. Dissent from all angles has rendered impossible a scenario in which the governor can take action without accounting for political consequence. This week on The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, national political reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen parse the messy web of politics that has affected Gov. Ducey's decision making. Joining the hosts are Arizona Repubilc reporters Maria Polletta and Ryan Randazzo. In this episode, you'll hear: Who's advising Ducey and what political calculations he has to make Possible reasons why the Ducey administration has sidelined university experts studying COVID-19 The implications of Ducey's actions on other Arizona GOP contenders Audio in this episode was collected from Channel 3, Channel 15, The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, Thomas Hawthorne and David Wallace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the Arizona Legislature adjourned March 23 as a precautionary health measure to combat the new coronavirus, the session's abrupt end killed dozens of bills that had progressed in the state chambers, leaving them with no path to the governor's office. Lawmakers' original plan to reconvene April 13 was scrapped after Gov. Doug Ducey implemented a stay-at-home order March 30 that is currently in effect until May 15. Now, bills pertaining to education, suicide prevention, criminal justice reform, short term rentals, taxation, and even road kill face uncertain futures. This week on the Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, national political reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen break down the prominent bills from this session with Arizona Republic reporters Andrew Oxford, Maria Polletta and Lily Altavena. Oxford, Polletta and Altavena explain what the bills would've done and how likely they were to pass. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump's Arizona visit on Tuesday is his first since the Feb. 19 rally at the Veteran's Memorial Coliseum. This time he's visiting a Honeywell facility, which turned to producing N95 respirator masks at the end of March. The visit comes at an interesting time. The 2020 campaign season has halted its usual door-to-door tactics in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, pivoting to digital outreach instead. Trump's stop in Arizona marks a potential return to in-person campaigning. In this bonus episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen interview Ronna McDaniel, Chair of the Republican National Committee. She outlined how the RNC plans to support Republican candidates in Arizona during this unprecedented time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After an extended spring break, Republican Gov. Doug Ducey closed schools for the rest of the school year on March 30, citing the risk of COVID-19. Now families have set up virtual classrooms in their living rooms or at the dining room table. Many were left scrambling to keep their kids learning. In this week's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen are joined by education reporter Lily Altavena. Together, they break down how schools pivoted to distance learning, as well as the potential long-term impacts of this shift. You'll also hear directly from Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The coronavirus pandemic is changing the 2020 Election season. In any other presidential election year, you'd see people knocking on doors, holding rallies, headlining high-dollar fundraisers and gathering signatures for ballot measures. This spring, candidates have had to change their strategies for reaching potential voters. Some have found more success with it than others. In this week's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen break down how the campaign season has essentially halted during the pandemic. They dig into the presidential race, senate race, ballot measures and more. In this episode you'll hear: Republican Sen. Martha McSally Samantha Zager, the Regional Communications Director for Trump Victory Roopali Desai, an election lawyer in Arizona Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is it like for those in positions of power to respond to a health crisis? Will Humble was the director of the Arizona Department of Health Services from 2009 to 2015. He served in that role for both Democratic and Republican governors. In doing so, he oversaw the state's response to H1N1 and Ebola. Humble said the most important thing is for the public to hear a "symphony of voices" during a health crisis. This includes hearing from government officials, doctors and nurses. But does he feel as though that's happening today? How does he rate Arizona's response to COVID-19? Find out in today's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, with hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The outbreak of COVID-10 has already hit Arizona's economy, leaving lawmakers, economists and residents to wonder how bad this could get and how much longer the downturn will last. Two weeks ago, Arizona's unemployment insurance website crashed after it was overloaded by 30,000 people filing for unemployment for the first time. This was eight times the amount of people who had filed the previous week. In a two-week time span, more Arizonans applied for unemployment than during an entire year of the great recession. While local industries such as construction, grocery stores and some trucking companies have seen minimal impact, industries foundational to Arizona like tourism and recreation, which typically flourish in the spring, are struggling. In this week's episode of The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, business and economy reporters Russ Wiles and Ryan Randazzo share some of the key factors economists are studying to better understand when Arizona might recover and how badly it could suffer. Follow Russ Wiles on Twitter: @azmoneynews Follow Ryan Randazzo on Twitter: @utilityreporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last month, "The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast" launched a miniseries profiling each Congressional district in Arizona. In this week's episode, we're taking a look at southwestern Arizona’s Congressional District 3. It’s home to border towns like Nogales and Yuma, as well as the University of Arizona in Tucson. The majority of it's population lives in the greater Tucson area. Representing this district is Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz. He’s been in Congress since 2002, making him the dean of the state’s congressional delegation. Grijalva joined hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen to talking about the political issues most important to his community, including immigration and the rising cost of living. You'll also hear from voters directly on which ssues are most likely to drive them to the polls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The way government officials respond to COVID-19, from Washington down to City Hall, will impact our state for years to come. There is a wrenching debate between those who are most focused on the public health aspects of the pandemic and those who are trying to balance that with concerns of profound economic damage, as well as weighing civil liberties. In Arizona, those competing concerns have been on public display for more than a week as Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has openly urged Republican Gov. Doug Ducey to more aggressively respond to the threat of coronavirus. Similar battles have played out in the Phoenix City Council and the state Legislature. In this week's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcasts, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen are joined by state government and politics reporters Maria Polletta and Andrew Oxford. The reporters discuss how Ducey, the state legislature and our congressional delegation are reacting to the pandemic and what that means for Arizonans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The results are in: former Vice President Joe Biden has overwhelmingly beaten Sen. Bernie Sanders in Arizona's primary. The results are not a surprise, given Arizona voters’ preference for more moderate candidates over far-left ones. Considering its recent battleground status, moderate Democrats like Sen. Kyrsten Sinema tend to perform best in Arizona, as they're able to capture the votes Democrats, Independents and moderate Republicans turned off by President Donald Trump’s style and policies. Despite the outcome, Sanders' progressive politics have found a strong foothold in Arizona, particularly among young voters and people of color. As Arizona’s population of young people and people of color continues to rapidly grow, the issues that helped fuel Sanders’ rise here and nationally will be paramount in future elections. For these voters, issues of equity and climate change, plus the rising cost of college and health care, remain top of mind. In this episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcasts, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen discuss Sanders' lasting impact on Democrats in Arizona – and how his progressive ideals will have traction long after he exits the race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every decade, the U.S. government counts the number of people in the country. That census count helps determine the amount of money each state receives from the federal government. It also determines how many people each state sends to the House of Representatives. An inaccurate count means that Arizona could miss out on hundreds of millions of dollars over the decade for public entities like our schools, roads and health care resources. This can be particularly damaging to a state with rapidly growing population and needs. Several government-sponsored campaigns have been created to encourage participation in the census. This includes Gov. Doug Ducey's Arizona Complete Count Committee. In this episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen talk to Alec Thomson, the executive director of the Arizona Complete Count Committee, about the importance of the census and how you can participate in a safe way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the 2020 elections around the corner, Democrats are hoping to keep the momentum from their 2018 wins going strong enough to defeat President Donald Trump in 2020 and win back the White House. But the Democratic presidential candidates continue to fight amongst themselves over how far left they want to take the party. While Democrats have yet to unite behind a single nominee, the GOP is building momentum by invoking Trump's name for all Republican candidates on the 2020 ballot. This week The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, digs into the Democratic strategy for winning Arizona in 2020. Last week on The Gaggle: How Republicans plan to win Arizona in 2020 If the Democrats are successful Arizona in 2020, it will establish a new template for how to win swing states in the future. If they lose, questions will linger over whether the right methods were deployed and the best nominee was selected. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick recently began treatment for alcohol dependence. Her decision to do so came after the Representative, who presides over Congressional District 2 in southern Arizona, took a fall in a Washington-area subway. She was left with staples in her head, cracked ribs and a fractured spine. In a statement, she said: “I am finally seeking this help after struggling to do so in the past, and I am ready to admit that I, like countless other Americans, suffer from this disease. Hard work and determination — which have brought me success in life — have not been enough to win this battle. Other than being a wife, mother, and grandmother, the most important job in the world to me is representing my fellow Arizonans. I know I must get better in order to do my best in each of these roles.” Rep. Kirkpatrick sat down with Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen to discuss how she's doing and what's in store for her political future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The day before President Trump landed at Phoenix Sky Harbor, volunteers for the Republican party trained at the Trump Victory Leadership Initiative. The initiative is part of the Republican strategy to keep the White House and win down ballot elections. In this week's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen pull back the curtain on the Republic Party's plans as the 2020 presidential election heats up. You'll hear Rick Gorka, the communications director of the Republican National Committee, explain the value of campaign volunteers and how they plan to get out the vote. You'll also hear from Trump voters at the Feb. 19 rally, talking about the top issues they care about. This episode is part one in a series on how the two largest political parties are activating voters. Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcast to catch next week's episode on the Democrat's plan for rallying new voters. In this episode you'll hear: How the Republican party plans turn Democratic voters Republican. How round the clock volunteers are more effective to in 2020. How Trump resonates with voters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As our population continues to grow, our state's political landscape continues to change. Once a reliably red state, Arizona has become increasingly purple. It's now a key battleground state in the 2020 election. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen, hosts of "The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast," we wanted to see how the purple trend is playing out in person. To find out, they're traveling to each of Arizona's nine congressional districts, where they'll talk to your elected representatives and neighbors about the issues that matter most to them. These episodes will come out every few weeks until the election. This mini-series starts in Arizona's seventh congressional district. Located in downtown Phoenix and stretching all the way to Tolleson and Glendale, it's a young, typically blue district. This election cycle, it will be a crucial district for Democrats, who are relying on high voter turnout in the area to offset the gains Republicans will make elsewhere. The district is home to Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who you'll hear from in today's episode. You'll also hear from voters, including potential first-time voters, on what issues are most likely to drive them to the polls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The years-long legal battle over whether Arizona can ban people from delivering ballots from others in bulk remains in flux and as contentious as ever. On Jan. 27, the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals knocked down the state's "ballot harvesting" law, saying it violated the Voting Rights Act and disproportionately affects Native American, Hispanic, and African American voters. But days after lifting the ban, the court temporarily reinstated it, allowing Arizona officials a chance to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich reminded people on Twitter that the state's ban on collecting ballots from others remains in place, at least for now. In this week's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen break down the future of ballot harvesting in the state, and how it could impact the 2020 election cycle. Joining them on the episode are reporters Mary Jo Pitzl and Andrew Oxford, who explain the history and current state of the issue. In this episode you'll hear: Why ballot harvesting is so contentious. What some misconceptions of ballot harvesting there are. Who is most affected by a ballot-collection service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week the Maricopa Association of Governments sent teams of volunteers across the Valley to count the number of homeless people residing in the state. Arizona Republic reporters followed these volunteers and spoke to the homeless individuals about what led to their homelessness and what the experience is like. This week on The Gaggle, national political reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen interview Jessica Boehm, city of Phoenix reporter, and Catherine Reagor, real-estate reporter. The four discuss the conditions that led to today's rising homelessness and how the state is responding. Plus, stick around for the end of this episode. We have a bonus interview with former New York City Mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg. He makes his case for why Arizona should vote for him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Senators sit for hours on end listening to the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, Arizona Republic reporters are reading cues from Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a Democrat, and Sen. Martha McSally, a Republican, for insight into how they may ultimately vote. The senators and their colleagues are weighing two articles of impeachment against Trump. He is charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, stemming from leveraging the presidency to convince Ukrainian officials to investigate his political rivals. This week on The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, national political reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen dive into the senator's trial votes — and discuss the political implications that could help shape their votes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Invest in Education Initiative Act is making a comeback and could be on your 2020 ballot this fall. The proposal looks similar to the 2018 initiative. It would increase taxes for high-income earners, including single filers earning more than $250,000 or married filers earning more than $500,000. But the previous iteration was struck down by the Arizona Supreme Court in 2018 due to its lack of clarity. And the proposal is at odds with Gov. Doug Ducey's plan for education funding. In this week's episode of The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen break down the proposed initiative, including its history. Joining them on the episode is education reporter Lily Altavena, who weighs in on whether Arizona voters are likely to stomach a new tax. In this episode you'll hear: How this new ballot measure differs from the one in 2018 What Ducey's plans are for education funding How we could see teacher salaries grow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Days after delivering his State of the State speech this week, Gov. Doug Ducey elaborated on his priorities, and fielded questions on some of Arizona's other top issues in an exclusive interview with The Gaggle podcast. Hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen asked Ducey about his plans for gun safety reform, water policy, marijuana legalization and why he's involved himself on reshaping the mission of the Department of Corrections. The interview follow Ducey's sixth and longest State of the State address on Monday. The speech, named "The Arizona Way," touched on topics like economic growth and education funding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona adults unable to protect themselves from abuse or exploitation because of a physical or mental impairment are falling through the cracks of the state system designed to protect them. This week on The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen get an advance interview with healthcare reporter Stephanie Innes about her reporting on the flawed system serving vulnerable adults. This includes myriad agencies, such as Arizona's Adult Protective Services, Arizona Department of Health Services and more. The episode takes you behind the scenes into a state task force meeting to hear heartbreaking testimony from victims and their families, and how local leaders are hoping to improve conditions. The state task force convened after a woman with severe disabilities was raped and gave birth at Hacienda HealthCare in December 2018. Staff at the facility was unaware the woman was pregnant until she went into labor, according to 911 calls. -- For suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, Adult Protective Services operates a hotline: (877) SOS-ADULT or (877) 767-2385 or TDD: (877) 815-8390. The hotline does not run 24/7, however. The hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and state holidays. To file online reports with Adult Protective Services at any time, use this link: azdes.gov/reportadultabuse. To file online complaints about facilities that are licensed through the Arizona Department of Health Services, go here: app3.azdhs.gov/PROD-AZHSComplaint-UI. The main phone number for the Arizona Department of Health Services is (602) 364-2536. The Arizona Center for Disability Law is a non-profit public interest law firm that provides a variety of legal services to people with disabilities. Its toll-free number is 1-800-927-2260. The center has an online intake form and self-advocacy guides at azdisabilitylaw.org/getting-help/. The Area Agency on Aging operates a 24-hour senior helpline for Phoenix residents at (602) 264-HELP or (602) 264-4357, which can help seniors navigate local resources and answer questions about transportation, housing, long-term care, home-delivered meals and home care. The San Francisco-based Institute on Aging maintains a 24/7 toll-free crisis "Friendship Line" for older adults and adults with disabilities. The number is (800) 971-0016. Trained volunteers specialize in offering a caring ear and having a friendly conversation with depressed adults. The Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (800) 782-6400 or (602) 279-7270 (TTD/TTY). The national domestic violence hotline: (800) 799-7233 or (800) 787-3224 (TTY). The national sexual assault hotline: (800) 656-HOPE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The annual State of the State address is an opportunity for Gov. Doug Ducey to lay out his agenda for 2020, unveil new policy proposals and reflect on the controversies and successes of 2019. This week on The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen talk to State Legislature reporter Andrew Oxford and state government and politics reporter Maria Polletta about what to expect from Ducey in this year's address. In this episode you'll hear about: Ducey's plans for education, infrastructure and occupational licensing How the State Legislature might respond during session How 2020's election season will affect the Legislative session Related reading: What Gov. Ducey's 2019 budget proposal adds in Arizona education spending From 2019: Ducey's budget seeks to widen I-17 north of Phoenix, address weekend backups Here's what you need to know about Arizona's new law for out-of-state work licenses Gov. Doug Ducey asks Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich to investigate Hacienda HealthCare From Opinions: Can Arizona fix its water problems? Here's what (and who) will answer that Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The American Psychological Association's "Stress in America 2019" survey found that 62% of Americans say they're stressed by the current political climate. And 62% say that the future of the country is a significant source of stress. Dr. Lynn Bufka is the executive director of practice, research and policy at the American Psychological Association. She joins hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen on this week's episode of The Gaggle, a political podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. In this episode, you'll hear: About the uptick in stress related to politics and how the APA is measuring it How stress affects our overall well-being What strategies or resources exist for people who are feeling particularly burdened by politics How our hosts are gearing up for the next election cycle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from The Gaggle! We're taking a week off to spend time with family and friends. But we wanted to say thank you for giving us your time and attention this year. We'll join you again in 2020 and we're already gearing up for the election-related news to come. Happy holidays, all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From legalizing recreational marijuana to the presidential election of 2020, there is a lot for Arizonans to watch out for in the coming year. This week on the Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen sit down with state government reporter Andrew Oxford to go over the six biggest stories they'll be following next year. In this episode, you'll hear about: Arizona's significance in the presidential election Voter access during the primary election State House and Senate races Legalizing recreational marijuana in Arizona How changing demographics could reshape Arizona's political climate Related reading: Maricopa County will nearly quadruple polling places for presidential primary as compared to 2016 Lawsuit challenges Arizona's deadline for mail ballots Arizona county recorders falling short on web security, expert says Where Sen. Martha McSally and her Democratic challenger Mark Kelly stand on DACA Here's what you need to know about marijuana in Arizona Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Groundwater levels in many parts of rural Arizona are plummeting. That's because outside investors are buying land, drilling large wells and pumping out water for industrial farms. The investors are drawn to Arizona for its lack of regulation, but nearby residents are enduring the consequences. While investors have the money to drill wells that are four times as deep, nearby families cannot complete. Instead, their wells are going dry. In this week's Gaggle, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen sit down with environmental reporter Ian James and data reporter Rob O'Dell to discuss how lawmakers are managing Arizona's next water crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Arizona’s national prominence rises going into the 2020 election cycle, there will be concerns about voter security and allegations of voter fraud in the state. In 2016, Arizona's voter-registration system was targeted in at least two hacking attempts connected to Russia. There are no instances we know of somebody changing someone else’s vote in Arizona, and prosecutions related to voter fraud are highly rare. This week's episode of The Gaggle podcast breaks down all you need to know about Arizona election security going into next year's election cycle. We talk with Andrew Oxford, a government reporter, who's been investigating voter security. In this episode you'll hear: Should you be worried about your vote? What are the weaknesses in Arizona's election system? What changes could government make to secure your vote? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since the Great Recession ended in June 2009, the economy has continued to expand. This summer, the United States broke its record for the longest economic expansion. But now people are worried: How long will it last? Is the economy about to burst? National political reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen sit down with business reporter Russ Wiles to discuss the nation's economy, how Arizona's faring, and what role the economy will play in the 2020 election cycle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two political action committees, The Committee to Defend the President and GreatAmerica PAC, are heading up a voter drive to identify and register 142,000 potential voters in Arizona. The PACs are using data mining to find and target nonvoters who they think could be swayed to register to vote – and to vote for Trump. Trump narrowly won Arizona by just over 90,000 votes. They hope their efforts will keep Arizona red in 2020. This week on The Gaggle Podcast hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald Hansen talk with Ted Harvey, the chairman of The Committee to Defend the President. Listen to hear his plans to keep Trump in the White House. In this episode you'll hear: How the PACs are targeting the potential voters Why they are focusing on Arizona How successful the voter drives are Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three women and six children were killed in an ambush in a small town about a three-hour drive from the Arizona border on Nov. 4. The families had dual U.S. and Mexican citizenship and lived in a small town in Mexico. The horrific event captured the nation's attention, including President Donald Trump. "This is the time for Mexico, with the help of the United States, to wage WAR on the drug cartels and wipe them off the face of the earth," Trump wrote on twitter. This week's episode of The Gaggle podcast breaks down how the killing of the family could impact U.S.-Mexico relations, including travel and politics. Hosts Yvonne Wingett-Sanchez and Ronald Hansen talk with immigration reporter Daniel Gonzalez. In this episode you'll hear: The history of the families in Mexico, who were members of a fundamentalist Mormon sect How violence in Mexico could impact Arizona How the massacre could impact the 2020 elections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prosecutors say Paul Petersen, in his private-sector career as a Mesa adoption attorney, illegally arranged for pregnant women from the Marshall Islands to fly to the U.S. to deliver their babies. They allege Petersen fraudulently registered the women for the state's Medicaid system and then arranged the adoptions of their children for up to $40,000. Hear everything you need to know about this scandal in this week's episode of The Gaggle, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Regina Romero is the front runner and likely winner in the Tucson mayoral race. She made headlines over the summer for winning the Democratic primary. If she wins, she would become the first Latina mayor of Arizona's second largest city. No other Hispanic person has held this office since the late 1800s when Arizona was still a territory. This week on The Gaggle podcast we talk to Arizona Daily Star political reporter Joe Ferguson to break down what a Romero win would mean for Tucson. The future Tucson mayor could greatly impact the U.S. Senate race considering that both candidates are from the area. In this episode you'll hear: Who is running for Tucson mayor What the Tucson electorate looks like A breakdown of how the mayoral race reflects on Arizona political trends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Allister Adel was named the first female Maricopa County attorney on Oct. 3, replacing Bill Montgomery, who was appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court in September. Last week, she announced her transition team and outlined how she plans to move forward in her new appointment. Adel sat down with Ronald Hansen, host of The Gaggle podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, for a one-on-one interview. She outlined what changes she has planned for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and how she hopes to regain the trust of the community while the office faces ethics complaints. Listen to the 13-minute interview below to hear more. In this episode you'll hear: A short biography of Adel's career Adel's response to the ethic complaints against prosecutor Juan Martinez Our experts' thoughts about the 2020 election for the office of Maricopa County attorney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hoping to capture the attention of Arizona voters, presidential candidate Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., met with local education leaders during a round table at Tempe High School last week. He also sat down with Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, the host of The Gaggle podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, for a one-on-one interview. During the interview, Bennet explained why his message should resonate with Arizona voters. He also discussed his concerns over the impeachment inquiry. Listen to the 11-minute interview below to hear more from the candidate. In this episode you'll hear: Bennet's plan to address the immigration issues in the country His thoughts on how to help middle-class citizens in America Thoughts from our experts on why Bennet is remaining in the race Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Navajo Generating Station closing is a case study for what will be repeated dozens of times across the west: The coal industry has been declining for decades and many plants won't survive. From President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s to current President Donald Trump, saving coal has been a large talking point for politicians. However, because it's cheaper to meet electricity demand with other forms of renewable energy, many coal plants are finding it hard to stay open. This week's episode of The Gaggle podcast looks at the impact NGS's closing has on the plant workers and local communities. We hear from Ryan Randazzo, a business reporter, who breaks down what is in store for the future. In this episode you'll hear: What economic harm will be caused by the Navajo Generating Station's closure Who tried to save it Whether there are any benefits to closing it Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, you'll hear O'Rourke's discuss:His plans to win Arizona as a progressive Democrat How to make meaningful healthcare changesThe impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump The country's standing with ally nations Whether his gun proposal makes it less likely to get something done Border security and illegal immigration The economy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can the Democratic governor of Montana win over supporters of President Donald Trump? That's what Gov. Steve Bullock is betting on. The 2020 presidential candidate is polling too low to make it on stage for any of the Democratic debates so far, but he hasn't dropped out of the race. In this week's episode of The Gaggle, a politics podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, Bullock told national political reporter Ronald J. Hansen that he's the only candidate in the Democratic field who can win in red states. Bullock said his ability to speak to conservative voters is what sets him apart from his opponents. Listen to this 15-minute interview to hear more about Bullock's policy priorities and strategy for beating President Donald Trump in the 2020 general election, should he win the primary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices