The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast

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

When Vice President Mike Pence came to Phoenix this week, high-dollar donors weren't the only ones to hear from him. In this week's bonus episode of The Gaggle, a politics podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, Pence spoke to host Yvonne Wingett Sanchez for an exclusive one-on-one interview. Pence talked to us about Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., and why he supports her election in 2020. Listen to this six minute interview to hear Pence's response to the impeachment inquiry and what is in the future for the Trump-Pence team. In this episode you'll hear: Why he supports McSally's 2020 campaignA response from Pence about the Ukraine controversy A breakdown of the interview and what it means for the 2020 senate race Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A member-by-member breakdown of where Arizona's leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives stand and the political implications for each. National political reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ron Hansen talk about:Sen. Kyrsten SinemaSen. Martha McSally Rep. Debbie LeskoRep. David Schweikert Rep. Paul GosarRep. Raul Grijalva Rep. Greg StantonRep. Ann Kirkpatrick Rep. Tom O'HalleranRep. Ruben GallegoRep. Andy Biggs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in a 4-3 decision this month to allow the owners of Brush & Nib Studio to refuse to make custom wedding invitations for gay and lesbian couples. In 2016, the owners sued the City of Phoenix over its anti-discrimination ordinance. The ruling seems like it only affects one business, but it could have broad impacts across Arizona and maybe even rise to the U.S. Supreme Court. This week, The Gaggle podcast will break down how this state Supreme Court decision could impact same-sex couples and other minority groups. In this episode, we hear from Jessica Boehm, a Phoenix city hall reporter, and Shaun McKinnon, who previously reported on legal rights for the LGBT community. In the episode you'll hear: How the case about wedding invitations for same-sex couples got to the Arizona Supreme Court What next steps the city might take How the LGBT community reacted to the legal decision Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By now, you've likely seen headlines about vaping and how it's caused illness in hundreds of people across the U.S. and even a handful of confirmed deaths. How popular is vaping in Arizona? Is vaping causing lung illnesses or deaths in metro Phoenix? How might the concern over vaping affect the state's medical-marijuana industry, which is one of the largest in the country? In this week's episode of The Gaggle, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts and political reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ron Hansen talk with health care reporter Stephanie Innes and marijuana reporter Ryan Randazzo about the rise of vaping in Arizona. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Montgomery is the newest Arizona Supreme Court justice appointed by Gov. Doug Ducey. The Arizona Supreme Court decides thousands of cases that affect your everyday lives, from education funding to abortion policies. (To hear more about it, listen to The Gaggle podcast's May 15 episode about the Arizona Supreme Court and Ducey’s previous appointments.) This week, The Gaggle podcast will break down what you need to know about Montgomery's controversial prosecutorial record, his conservative politics and how he might approach the job of jurist on the state's highest court. Hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald Hansen talk with Arizona Republic reporters Lauren Castle and Robert Anglen about this new appointment and how it might affect life in Arizona. In the episode you'll hear: What's at stake for Montgomery with this ethics complaintHow his appointment will shape the future of the state Supreme CourtHow his childhood shaped his political ideology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The legalization of marijuana in Arizona could be up for a vote once again in 2020. A group backing the movement released the language for a ballot measure in August for the first time. After a failed 2016 effort at legalization, Arizonans have been expecting the state's licensed medical-marijuana dispensaries to propose another measure. In a previous episode of The Gaggle, the hosts looked at why Arizona is likely to legalize recreational marijuana and which political figures are changing their messaging on marijuana. This week, The Gaggle podcasthosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald Hansen talk with Arizona Republic reporter Ryan Randazzo to break down what you need to know from the 16-page proposal. In this episode you'll hear: What would people be able to purchase under this initiative? How much revenue would recreational marijuana bring to the state? What is the likelihood this ballot measure will pass? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said he has few regrets and wants to serve the public as Sheriff again in an interview with The Gaggle podcast hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ron Hansen. Arpaio, who is 87, served as Maricopa County sheriff from 1993 to 2016. He lost his 2016 race to Democratic challenger Paul Penzone. His tenure was marked by controversy, filled with investigations into his policing and jailing practices that brought many costly lawsuits. Referring to his 2020 bid to become Maricopa County sheriff, Arpaio said he's "in it to win it." In the 30-minute sit-down interview, Arpaio said he wants to fight drug trafficking and illegal immigration and "put those tents back up." He said "good things" he did (as sheriff) were "erased by a certain sheriff," referring to current Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone. For all that and more, listen to this week's bonus episode of The Gaggle podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona has about 55,000 certified, working teachers. Every year, about 40 teachers are disciplined by the Arizona State Board of Education or surrender their teaching certificate after allegations of sexual misconduct. The Arizona Republic and KJZZ 91.5 FM, the Phoenix public radio station, together reviewed more than 180 allegations of teacher sexual misconduct from the past four years investigated by the Arizona Department of Education. The cases encompassed a range of offenses, raising questions about oversight and children's safety. You can read Lily's portion of the investigation at positionoftrust.azcentral.com or listen to Mariana's audio stories at positionoftrust.kjzz.org. You can report suspected child abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment to the Arizona Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-SOS-CHILD or dcs.az.gov/report-child-abuse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been a year since Arizona Sen. John McCain died of glioblastoma. The six-term Republican senator is seen as one of the greats by his supporters, who mourn the loss of his bipartisan leadership. In today's increasingly divided political climate, his calls for unity continue to resonate. And his legacy dominates political conversation. Now his supporters want to preserve and grow McCain's bipartisan legacy. One way they're doing that is through the McCain Institute, an organization at Arizona State University, which trains leaders from both parties in McCain's leadership style. In this week's episode, The Gaggle hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald Hansen talk to two people who were close with McCain, Rick Davis and Jon Seaton, about the senator's lasting legacy. The two worked as political advisers to the senator in his presidential campaigns and are close to the McCain family. In this episode you'll hear: Why McCain is still a looming character in American politics.A behind the scenes look at moments in McCain's presidential campaign A look into the future of McCain's legacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hacienda HealthCare has been under international scrutiny since the January after an incapacitated patient was raped and gave birth. Another patient was found with maggots near a surgical wound. It sparked outrage over conditions at Hacienda, as well as fear over what might be happening at other care facilities across Arizona. Many of us are still wondering about the fallout. Arizona officials and Hacienda claim they have taken appropriate action and things are better. Parents of patients at Hacienda say it’s a nice facility that they like. But a new investigation by The Arizona Republic reveals information about its condition and what it may mean for patients and the public more broadly. The Gaggle's hosts Yvonne Wingett-Sanchez and Ronald Hansen talk with Republic's reporters Robert Anglen and Stephanie Innes to break down part of their subscriber exclusive investigation and what it tells us about Arizona care facilities. How to get help in a care facility: If you are concerned about the well-being of a loved one in a care facility, you can contact the following organizations:Arizona Regulatory Board of Physician Assistants: 480-551-2700The Arizona board of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers: 602-364-2374Arizona Department of Health Services: 602-542-1025Adult Protective Services Hotline: 1-877-767-2385You can also contact the #HeretoHelpAZ Call for Action team at The Republicat 602-444-2255. Another resource available to search disciplinary actions against care facilities is AZ Care Check from the Arizona Department of Health Services. To follow more of Robert and Stephanie's reporting make sure to follow them on Twitter @robertanglen and @stephanieinnes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Kelly is running for the U.S. Senate and is expected to the Democratic nominee to challenge Republican Sen. Martha McSally. Kelly is a retired astronaut, former combat pilot and the husband of former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. She represented the Tucson area in Congress for five years. The nation came to know Kelly in 2011, after a shooting in Tucson that left 6 dead and 13 injured, including his wife. Kelly launched his U.S. Senate race in February and has garnered national attention. But Arizonans may have questions about how he would represent the state. Does he support keeping the Affordable Care Act? What are his thoughts on the Green New Deal? Why should voters chose him over McSally? Mark Kelly joins the hosts of The Gaggle to answer that and more. In this episode you'll hear: How Mark Kelly plans to use the senate seat to impact ArizonaA 19-minute interview with Mark KellyA breakdown of the interview and what it means for 2020 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona will play a key role in the 2020 election, and Democrats across the country are hoping to turn the state blue. But how are they going to accomplish that in a historically red state? Tom Perez, the Democratic National Committee chairman, recently visited Phoenix. Gaggle hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ron Hansen talked with him about the party's plans and priorities. Spoiler alert: it's all about health care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Props 105 and 106 could greatly limit services and transportation in Phoenix, but so far, they've gotten little attention. Phoenix voters will see the two propositions on their ballots in August. What are they? Prop 105 would halt all light-rail expansions in Phoenix. Prop 106 would cap Phoenix government spending until the city pays down its pension debt — potentially limiting city services. The Gaggle's hosts Yvonne Wingett-Sanchez and Ronald Hansen talk with The Arizona Republic's reporter Jessica Boehm to break down how these two ballot initiatives could affect the future of Phoenix and the Valley. In this episode you'll hear: How light-rail expansion and pension budget funding affect you.Who is behind these propositions.Why Phoenix is having an August election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaggle podcast hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen interview former Phoenix Mayor and now Democratic Congressional Rep. Greg Stanton about what he learned touring the Customs and Border Patrol facility in Clint, Texas, and how he'd apply those lessons to a potential Phoenix facility. Plus, hear from one of the reporters following migrant facilities in Arizona, Jeanette Hinkle, about the first-of-its-kind, non-governmental housing facility for migrants opening in a shuttered Phoenix school building. Episode article link here. Related reading: -- Reports of misconduct and sexual assault of migrant kids surface at Yuma border facility -- Phoenix approves migrant shelter for asylum-seekers at closed school Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona's 10 largest wildfires have all happened in the last 17 years. Most recently the Woodbury Fire, which started June 8 in the Superstition Wilderness, became the state's fifth largest fire. It has burned nearly 124,000 acres and by Tuesday it was 90 percent contained. But that's part of a newer firefighting strategy. Firefighters have let it continue to burn because they are using it to their advantage. To find out why listen to this week's episode. The Gaggle host Yvonne Wingett-Sanchez talks with The Arizona Republic reporters Bree Burkitt and Shaun McKinnon on the history of wildfires in Arizona and how they have changed over the years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2018, police shootings hit record levels in Phoenix. Reporters with The Arizona Republic investigated the state's police shootings for 19 months and found that the deadly trend extends across Arizona. There were 117 police shootings statewide — a 75% increase from the previous year. After compiling data from all 15 counties in Arizona, reporters Uriel J. Garcia and Bree Burkitt identified some key factors: guns, aggressive behavior, mental illness, training, and police culture. This week's episode of The Gaggle podcast breaks down what you need to know from Garcia and Burkitt's investigation. To read the report mentioned in this episode visit policeshootings.azcentral.com Follow Yvonne Wingett Sanchez on Twitter @yvonnewingett Follow Ronald J. Hansen on Twitter @ronaldjhansen Follow Bree Burkett on Twitter @breeburkitt Follow Uriel J Garcia on Twitter @ujohnnyg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices