The Jeff Oravits Show Podcast

Angela and I give an update from Eagle Plains, Yukon. We've got a broken leaf spring but thanks to some very helpful Canadian friends, we've got it fixed and will limp out today. Also got a flat tire yesterday as we try and exit the Dempster Highway in the Arctic Circle. Plus Angela and I give updates on fire risks, the state budget, Attorney General Mayes recent setback and win for Trump plus Olivia shares some travel stories as well. 

Speaker Pro-Tem of the Arizona House of Representatives Neal Carter breaks down the recently passed budget and discusses the differences between the house version, the senate version and what Governor Hobbs may do with the budget. He also talks about his bill, an antisemitism bill, that got vetoed by the governor.    Angela and I also share our travel stories including our “dip” in the Arctic Ocean, some travel difficulties and the challenges of the rough and wild Dempster Highway through the Arctic. 

I catch up with Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ Gubernatorial candidate) about the recent LA riots, Hobbs reaction, the federal budget and his run for governor. 

I catch up with Senate President Warren Petersen and he gives a budget update, comments on Hobbs CCCP flip flop and shares an upcoming event in Flagstaff. 

Angela and I do the show from Chena Hot Springs, northeast of Fairbanks Alaska with updates on AZ Governor Hobbs China flip flop and bills vetoed. Angela shares a snake story and I share a story from a bush pilot making his way through Alaska.  

My family joins me as we do our first show from the road just outside Fairbanks Alaska sharing details of our 17 days on the road. I also give some news updates including whats happening with local, state and federal budgets. New shows all week including an update from Senate President Warren Petersen. Email and comments or questions, talkwithjeff@icloud.com 

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen talks about the bills he's most happy with so far, frustration over bills Hobbs has vetoed, “farms to housing”, the AZ ICE Act, 2026 ballot initiatives and the states budget. 

Flagstaff City Councilmember Lori Matthews gives an update on city construction projects, housing issues, the regional plan and the 2026 election.    As discussed, AZ petition link https://apps.azsos.gov/apps/election/eps/op/

Senator Wendy Rogers joins me in the studio to share some wins with several of her bills being signed by the governor. She also shares the frustration over Hobbs vetoing several of her pro Second Amendment bills. Plus an update on the states budget. 

Bob Thorpe shares his families personal connection to the Menendez brother's trial. Olivia talks about Arizona's safest and not safest cities. + Skiing in June in AZ. And being famous for being famous.  

Angela joins me for the first two hours frustrated at triple fee increases proposed to get into “your national forest”. Land pirates rob and pillage in America, Congress continues its drunken spending ways, Hobbs vetoes 36 more bills but signs my “engineering standards” bill (thanks Senator Wendy Rogers). Olivia joins me in the third hour with comments including the benefits of trade schools and Cormac shares the veto process in Ireland. We end with an issue over uranium transport and new inflation numbers show eggs are a little less expensive. 

My son Owen and my father-in-law joins me after his trip to South Africa to share his insights on the impacts of the US economy on other nations, refugees, poverty and hunting big game in Africa. 

Angela joins me for this hour as we celebrate our daughter graduating NAU. But do you need a college degree and are companies pushing for this like they have in past? Angela shares some insight and I've got the numbers. 

Bruce Sidlinger updates us on random law enforcement, the last chance with Trump, why Europe is lost and DEI gone way wrong. 

Olivia joins me and Bob Thorpe with her take on several stories including animals lost, stuck and rescued, a Japanese man rescued twice and Meat Loaf!

Representative Joseph Chaplik compares Arizona to other states as we enter 100 days in the legislative session and points out the massive amount of bills, lobbyist influences over the legislature and a medical bill he voted against that he says lowers requirements for foreign medical professionals practicing in the state. 

Coconino County Supervisor Tammy Ontiveros shares concerns about people losing insurance throughout Arizona due to wild fire risk. What's going on and what can residents of the state do?

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Former Flagstaff Mayor Jerry Nabours shares some presidential history, talks about past Flagstaff politics and the state of it today and, as a retried attorney, shares his disgust of a judge violating immigration law.    Angela joins me in hour two with sentencing for a corrupt former member of congress, vacation trends, some stupid criminal stuff and I share a boating gone airborne story out of Lake Havasu. 

Chief Todd Miller of the Highlands Fire District and Alfredo Villa, a firefighter & paramedic join me to discuss Wildfire Preparedness Day coming up on April 26th, 9:00 AM at Station 23 in Mountainaire.

Business owner Dave Ledbetter (NimarcosPizza.com) shares his insights as to the changes going on in the restaurant business with new trends including pizza drive thru's. His son Jesse shares details on kids and tech, smart phones in schools and more. 

Supervisor Nikki Check talks about a proposed bond for the expansion of Embry-Riddle, the county's planning efforts (zoning ordinance update, rural services master plan, verde valley master transportation plan ), a bit about the budgeting process and more. 

Eric Boatner of All State Agency out of Flagstaff shares info on insurance increases due to wildfires, cost to rebuild, fire safety, facts on auto insurance I didn't know and a lot more. He actually made talking insurance very interesting. 

Evan Womble, Managing Director at High Caliber Construction and Glenn Leest of WT Wealth Management give an update on the housing market, impacts of tariffs, cost to build, trends in building and more with a Northern Arizona angle.

Stating off with some flight training tales with Bob Thorpe and a pop in with Mark Haughwout. Dave Ledbetter stops by with his son Jessie who shares a Gen-Z perspective on technology impacts on youth. Bob and I hit on drones and Olivia talks AI and intellectual property rights. + Why Andy Biggs is the real deal in the AZ governors race. 

Bruce Sidlinger returns to the show and shares several examples of moral decay in western civilization. How do you fix a country without traditional morals? Plus Bruce asks if non-citizens should get constitutional due-process. Finally, what is an astronaut? 

Senator Wendy Rogers returns to the show and starts off with an update on the “Stolen Valor” bill. Rogers also discusses her continued push to ban photo radar in Arizona, protecting America's tech from China's theft, raising small claims limits and making small business life easier. 

I start off with an AZ news wrap. Next up Angela joins me and we hit on a requirement to actually work to get tax payer funded freebies! We also touch on an Arizona push to go back to hand counting ballots. Olivia returns with several stories including a professor that wants the “legislature” to upgrade everyones HVAC system.

Starting off with Bruce Sidlinger's experience in China (1:00) and endgame plan on the tariffs. An Arizona news (44:00) wrap-up. Joe Galli (65:00) from the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce shares astounding details of AZ Governor Hobbs mismanagement of state funds & a local perspective on impacts of tariffs. 

Angela and I start off with the protests that erupted around the US this past weekend…hands off our “FREE STUFF”! SCOTUS sides with Trump on DEI cuts. Arizonan arrested in India for social media stunt. A bill in AZ to require hotels to disclose if they're housing homeless. Camp Verde Mayor Dee Jenkins joins me for an update on housing, RV parks, water, fire risks and more. 

Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett gives an update and talks housing issues, budgets and more. 

Coconino County Sheriff Bret Axlund shares details of the recent Flagstaff sex trafficking operation that nabbed dozens including allegations of the trafficking of minors. We also talk about patrolling our forests to prevent fires and a violent crime increase in the county and more. 

Congressman Eli Crane talks activist judges, DOGE & tariffs.

A busy show with updates on 2 congressional races in Arizona, Angela shares a possible case of Tesla road rage in Flagstaff, Michael Infanzon with AZ Citizens Defense League gives us the good and bad of this sessions 46 Second Amendment Bills and Olivia shares a comment on tips and Trumps plan to cut down a tree from the 1800's and the crazy reaction!

Glenn Leest joins me with a discussion on deporting illegal alien criminals to El Salvador where they are incarcerating them. Glenn and I also discuss the latest tariffs from President Trump, this time imported autos at 25% and what impact that may have. Glenn and I also touch quickly on tax time rapidly approaching. 

Senate President Warren Petersen talks about the mismanagement of the states budget by Governor Katie Hobbs. He also shares details on his meetings with the head of the EPA Lee Zeldin and US AG Pam Bondi. 

0:00 Angela and I start off with more tax increase attempts by AZ cities to make up for supposed “budget shortfalls” and I share why your city should not belong to the Arizona League of Towns and Cities. I also give you some insights on how your city/town often works against your best interests.  39:00 After many years, AZ performs first execution.  43:30 Our solution (at least a possible option) to create more affordable housing options. Yes it includes races, homesteading, moving and utilizing run down old homes throughout America.  71:30 Should all AZ races be partisan?  87:00 A listener suggests an “eye for an eye” when it comes to the death penalty.  97:00 A bill to define “Trump Derangement Syndrome”. + Now it's “transitory tariff” inflation hurting the economy according to the Fed.

0:00 Judge rules…job for life in government?  5:00 Williams Mayor Don Dent talks small towns, housing issues, vacation rentals and historic Rt. 66. 36:45 SpaceX to the rescue!  42:45 Bill proposal to build housing on church property  48:20 Aidan Johnston with Gun Owners of America shares disturbing anti 2nd Amendment activity from the NIH and some good and bad news.  68:00 Musk haters burning stuff down in Vegas and AZ Supreme Court using AI avatars 81:44 A day late…Cormac from Ireland shares what a traditional St. Patricks Day meal consists of

0:00 AOC, the “new DEM leader”…told you so, years ago! 8:40 INTERVIEW with Larry Behrens: GREEN EV cheerleader Senator Mark Kelly trades Tesla for Tahoe. 44:00 Check your change, Angela just scored BIG time! 55:00 INTERVIEW with Representative Neal Carter. Governor Hobbs financial mismanagement reaches a new level.  70:00 Prediction, some government agencies may make life unpleasant intentionally. Popular AZ location limits access.  86:30 Olivia shares an email concern over trading government land in AZ, a take on the new Snow White, a pay increase at the AZ Legislature and more. 

Banning cell phones in schools, trying to get egg costs down, affordable housing, transparency in government and more with Senator Shawnna Bolick. 

Angela joins me in the search for corned beef, vacation rentals are only a small part of the problem, AZ AG embarrasses Arizona, is the bull market in government over???, calm down about the weather and ruining secret spots. 

Representative Leo Biasiucci talks with me about making our kids school lunches healthy, limiting grocery taxes and reforming the food stamp program. 

I start off with Congressman Andy Biggs with a DC and Arizona update. An interview and update from Flagstaff Councilwoman Lori Matthews on housing. Senator Shawnna Bolick talks about a bill limiting cell phone use in AZ classrooms. 

A really busy show with Congressman Eli Crane giving a big DC update. Representative David Marshall gives a legislative update including allowing law enforcement to shoot down cartel drones. Kelly Broaddus gives a real estate update and Dave Bianco of Rt. 66 Coin and Collectibles talks impacts of inflation due to tariffs. 

Senator WendyRogers gives a legislative update on a snowy Northern Arizona day including her “Defend the Guard” bill. 

Bob Thorpe joins me to share President Trump canceling 24 government leases in AZ totaling over $15,000,000 per year (minimum). Bipartisan censure of Rep. Green for being a 2 year old during Trump's speech. Olivia shares a car rental nightmare and her inaccurate weather forecast. 

Angela and I talk about Trumps address to Congress and Arizona Congresswoman Ansari embarrassing our state with her walkout. We break down AZ property ownership or lack thereof and how to fix the land shortage in America's 6th largest state. Superintendent of Public Instruction for Arizona Tom Horne joins me to discuss dismantling the Dept. of Education, teacher pay and ESA's. 

Superintendent of Public Instruction for Arizona Tom Horne joins me to discuss dismantling the Dept. of Education, teacher pay and ESA's. 

Mark Haughwout joins me with a preview of Trumps address to congress. Billions more being invested into AZ, Zelensky reverses course and work from home government ban. 

Angela driving the Mini Cooper in the snow, bankrupting America on a Friday, stupidly hanging the flag upside down, tariffs, “Gulf of America”, push to remove “revenge porn”, nowhere “really sucks” in AZ*, a shout out to the folks at The Bullpen in Camp Verde, some real estate talk, Zelensky gets smacked down at the White House, DEI in AZ and more!

I talk with Representative Joseph Chaplik (3:00) about his cash bill. Angela talks “golden visas” (24:00) and the budget. Michael Infanzon talks (55:00) pro-2nd Amendment legislation in AZ. 

I catch up with Representative Walt Blackman to talk about Arizona's state budget and a large amount of money that's been misspent. We also get into his bill to help encourage those seeking an abortion to not get one and instead offer help during the pregnancy and post pregnancy with job opportunities and other assistance.    Olivia joins me to share an upcoming theater production, romance scams, Apple investing half a trillion and water bottle thefts.