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The state's Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes is focused on the Republicans who tried to help sidestep Arizona's certified election results. A Maricopa County Superior Court judge recently ordered Mayes to take her evidence back to the grand jury to inform them of a key legal argument made by the electors. This ruling may — or may not — undercut Mayes' case enough to reconsider a matter she has framed as protecting democracy itself. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by former Democratic Attorney General Terry Goddard, and later, Republic reporter Stacey Barchenger. Goddard breaks down how rare it is for a case to go back to the grand jury for matters of defense, rather than elements of the alleged crimes, and other insights into the law. Stacey then joins The Gaggle to discuss this specific case and what it means for Mayes' political future. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guests: Terry Goddard, Stacey Barchenger. Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Currently, Republicans have only a seven-seat advantage over Democrats, and that is likely to shrink by two seats after this year's special elections to fill vacancies. Republicans are standing strong behind Trump, but Democrats are eagerly using this to their advantage. But will that work in Arizona and its two swing districts, Congressional District 1 and Congressional District 6? This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Nathan Gonzales of Inside Elections. He is the editor of the non-partisan elections analysis website Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guest: Nathan Gonzales, editor of Inside Elections Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
At the 100-day mark of Trump's second term, his approval ratings are the lowest for any newly elected president in over 50 years and economic warning signs are pointing toward a recession. This should be a clear sign that Democrats will be successful in the 2026 election as they try to flip the House, but infighting might be getting in their way. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Dave Wasserman. He's the senior editor and elections analyst for the non-partisan Cook Political Report. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guest: Dave Wasserman, senior editor & election analyst at Cook Political Report Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
National economic uncertainty is impacting Arizona lawmakers and their budget deadline. But this year, there may be good reason to push to the last minute. Fluctuating tariff policies and Congress' want for billions in savings has made it unclear how much money Arizona can spend quite yet. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl take a look at Arizona's economic forecast and what it might mean for state spending in the year ahead. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Arizona's purple-state status has made residents accustomed to arguing at the state Capitol. But this time, the feud is between Trump-supporting Republicans and themselves. A bill that would criminalize false claims of military service has Rep. Walt Blackman (R-Snowflake) and fellow veteran Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff) in a heated personal drama is playing out in the Capitol. A claim of purposeful blocking, the owner of a Trump merchandise story and a near fight on the House floor are all happening over a stolen valor bill. This week on The Gaggle, legislative reporter Ray Stern joins hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl to shine a light on the dramatic environment the bill is moving in and what it tells us about how certain laws get made. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guest: Ray Stern Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Probably more notably than any other Arizona politician, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is opposed to President Donald Trump. Currently, she involved in 11 lawsuits challenging the administration and she is still pursuing the fake electors case from the 2020 election overturn efforts. Mayes has her work cut out for her, but the 2026 election looms large already, and she will have to face voters with her record as a counterbalance to the current administration. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl join Attorney General Kris Mayes in her office to discuss some of the high-profile battles she's fighting and what other items are on her to-do list. In the second half of the episode, Ron and Mary Jo explore the platform Mayes has embraced, if that's connecting with Arizonans and how it's impacting her approach to reelection in 2026. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guest: Attorney General Kris Mayes Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For some politicians, like Arizona Superintendent Tom Horne, Trump's attacks on DEI, transgender students and dismantling the Department of Education come as good news. It follows rhetoric that he's been pushing for years. But for others, like Attorney General Kris Mayes, a lawsuit is in order. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by two of the paper's education reporters. (1:13) - They break down how Arizona's education system is being impacted by the Trump administration, how divided Arizona politicians are on national decisions and what is being done at the local level regarding DEI reduction. (19:15) Mary Jo and Ron use their expertise to explore where repercussions to following — or not following — the president's ideas stand. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guest: Helen Rummel, the Arizona Republic's higher education reporter, and Madeleine Parrish, the Arizona Republic's K-12 education reporter. Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been trying to revamp Chase Field for years now. So far, that journey has left them without the proper funds to renovate the 27-year-old stadium. A new amendment to House Bill 2704 proposes a 50-50 split between Phoenix and Maricopa County to provide as much as $500 million a year from the sales taxes collected at the stadium – a change that prompted the county to oppose the bill. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Bret McCormick. He's a beat writer for the Sports Business Journal covering fan experiences, ticketing and sports facilities. (1:53) Bret talks with Ron and Mary Jo about the reality of the Diamondbacks ballpark situation and how Arizona compares to other states in similar positions. (19:20) Then, Ron and Mary Jo break down the bipartisan support — and bipartisan opposition — the bill is finding in the Legislature. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guest: Bret McCormick, beat writer for the Sports Business Journal covering fan experiences, ticketing and sports facilities. Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Raúl Grijalva, the dean of Arizona's congressional delegation who spent more than 40 years in public service, succumbed to lung cancer last week. He was 77. His loss is felt by his family, friends, colleagues and constituents. But the search for his replacement has already began. Gov. Katie Hobbs has set a date for the special election to fill his empty spot in Congress and notable names like Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Adelita Grijalva, his daughter, and politician in her own right, have expressed interest in representing District 7. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by national politics reporter Laura Gersony. Together they retrace Grijalva's career and discuss what comes next in Congressional District 7. Later in the episode, Ron and Mary Jo break down the reality of what could transpire when his seat is filled and more about Ron's experiences interviewing Grijalva over the years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Scottsdale residents voted in a new mayor and new City Council in the 2024 election. Almost immediately, the new faces at City Hall started kicking up dust in a city that calls itself “The West's Most Western town.” Eliminating DEI measures against residents' wishes, a controversy over a parking garage, an ethics complaint about the new mayor and more have Scottsdale City Council feeling more like reality television than C-SPAN. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by city watchdog reporter Taylor Seely. She covers Phoenix in addition to Scottsdale and has been reporting on the antics of Scottsdale's City Council. Taylor joins The Gaggle to give an update on what is going on in Scottsdale and how the drama is resonating with those in charge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Congress is looking to make room for trillions in tax cuts that are titled to corporations and the wealthy. Now, America's health-care program for the disabled, pregnant women and low-income earners is up for possible large federal funding cuts. More than 70 million Americans rely on Medicaid, with 2 million of them living in Arizona. The magnitude of the potential cuts, and the consequences for the people who rely on Medicaid, are on the minds of state lawmakers. They say the state needs to build its upcoming budget around the likelihood of cuts and tighten its belt. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are examining what cuts in Medicaid funding would mean for Arizona. First, a health care reporter at The Republic, Stephanie Innes, discusses how many people will be impacted by this decision. Later, Kohler shines a light on the politics of the situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Every year, we ask some of our regular radio friends to share Lenten reading recommendations to help give you ideas as you put together your own plan for Lent. Here are some of their ideas: Andrew Petiprin: –Prayer by Hans Urs Von Balthasar–The Portal of the Mystery of Hope by Charles Peguy–Sword of Honour by Evelyn Waugh Amy Welborn: –The daily readings from the Mass–The Habit of Being by Flannery O’Connor–Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales Danielle Bean: –No Greater Love – Edward Sri–The Power of Silence – Cardinal Robert Sarah–The Practice of the Presence of God – Br. Lawrence Amy Alznauer: The Complete Stories by Flannery O’Connor, specifically these short stories:-Temple of the Holy Ghost-A Good Man is Hard to Find-The Enduring Chill-Parker’s Back Ken Craycraft: –Let the Great World Spin by Callum McCann–Mariette in Ecstasy by Ron Hansen–The Five Wounds by Kirstin Valdez Quade Matt Swaim: –The Sign of the Cross by St. Francis de Sales–Selected Poems and Prose by Gerard Manley Hopkins–Humble Strength by Dr. Kevin Vost What are you reading for Lent this year? We’d love to hear from you!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Trump and his self-created Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, after the internet meme, is attempting to rein in the amount of national spending and the size of the federal government. About 32,000 of the 3 million federal employees are Arizonans, and the number of layoffs and buyouts offered by the Trump administration remains unclear. Most agencies that The Arizona Republic has reached out to for information about layoffs or buyouts have not responded. Slashing federal jobs will impact not only people who have been fired or offered a buyout, but also tourists to the Grand Canyon, Arizonans reliant on Social Security and Hotshots preparing for wildfire season. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by The Republic's national politics reporter Stephanie Murray. Murray covers the White House and has been closely following how Arizonans will be impacted by Trump's federal job cuts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steve Montenegro is not new to the Capitol — he served eight years in the Legislature before an unsuccessful run for Congress in 2018. In 2022, he returned to state politics when he was elected to represent Legislative District 29 along with fellow Republican Austin Smith. At the end of last year, Republicans elected Montenegro as the new speaker of the House of Representatives for the next session. A native of El Salvador, Montenegro is the first Latino to lead the 60-member House. He won the seat after serving just two years, which sets him up for a chance to serve as speaker for three consecutive terms — a rarity in the fast-moving world of legislative term limits and politics. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl sit down with Montenegro at the beginning of his term as speaker. Together they discuss how his immigration background influences him, unifying the Republican party in Arizona, and his approach for working with Hobbs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Maricopa County is the economic driver of Arizona and at least politically, largely shapes the state's identity. During the 2024 election, the county went through a political overhaul. There are a lot of new faces dealing with a lot of familiar issues. Illegal immigration, sports venues and a jail tax are all on the county's list to tackle in the months to come. But how will new blood approach old business? This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by county politics reporter Sasha Hupka. Together, they break down the big changes at the state's biggest county. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Donald Trump's "Day 1" has come and gone and so far, he has kept most of his promises. The president signed an abundance of executive orders in the hours following his inauguration, some directly impacting Arizonans, with more to come in the first few days of his new administration. But is this the beginning of a MAGA marathon or an early sprint before the chance of a changing tide in the 2026 midterm elections? This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by national politics reporters Stephanie Murray and Laura Gersony. Together they go through what Trump's second time in office may mean for Arizonans and the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President-elect Donald Trump is gearing up for his inauguration on Jan. 20 and the start of the new administration holds significance for Arizona. Trump has promised to start mass deportations on "day one" and to quickly tighten border protections. As for now, the border seems calm. But "day one" is coming soon. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by southern Arizona reporter Sarah Lapidus. She has been at the border with The Republic's immigration reporter Rafael Romero Ruiz, talking with people who call the borderlands home. This week, The Republic is launching a newsletter to keep you up to date on changing immigration developments and border policies. Subscribe to the American Border newsletter here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
t's been four years since the riot at the U.S. Capitol shook the country. It was the first time in history there wasn't a peaceful transfer of power as the electoral votes were finalized. This week's presidential certification was notably without the violence and chaos that defined January 6, 2021. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl take a look back at 2021 and how the aftermath of the Capitol attack is still playing out today. In this episode, you'll hear interviews from 2021 with Senator Ruben Gallego and Maricopa County Supervisor Debbie Lesko, who were representatives at the time and in the Capitol building that day. They share their firsthand account with The Gaggle. Then, an interview with reporter Richard Ruelas from 2022 as the investigation into the attack was beginning and Arizona names were coming to light. Listen to the full interviews from 2021 here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2025 isn't an election year, but that doesn't mean that Arizona politics will be boring. Newly elected Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego is preparing his move to Washington DC. Heading to the National's capitol as well, are seemingly diametrically opposed members of Congress that Arizonans voted in for the first time this year. Democrat Yassamin Ansari and Republican Abe Hamadeh are among a new batch of freshman in Congress. Meanwhile, Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs didn't flip the Legislature like she wanted and is actually facing an even more conservative group of state lawmakers. In the background, she is also preparing her run for re-election in 2026. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Republic politics reporters to give a sense of what they're looking at for the year ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Arizona had yet another noteworthy year in politics. All eyes were on the swing state for the 2024 general election. With a Senate race involving Democrat Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake, as well as how voters would respond to constitutionalizing reproductive rights following the repeal of a 19th-century abortion law, Arizona stayed in the national spotlight. But that wasn't everything that happened. From using taxpayer's money on Norwegian pop stars to indicting President Trump's formal personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl go through five moments that defined 2024 for Arizona politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trump is targeting Mexico and Canada for his tariffs, as well, and that could directly impact Arizona as a border state as well as those who make their living off the international supply chain. But will they help or hurt Arizonans? This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by two guests to discuss what impact Trump's proposed tariffs on Mexico will have on Arizonans. Economist at the University of Arizona George Hammond and Arizona Republic reporter Laura Gersony join the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With former President Donald Trump's re-election win this November, his aggressive plans — positive to some, negative to others — on the border and immigration seemingly won him the nomination. He promised mass deportations on day one of his White House return, saying he would declare a national emergency to make it happen. Trump's proposal would impact a quarter-million people in Arizona, according to the Pew Research Center. But how possible are Trump's plans? Logistical and legal questions have already been raised about how he'll succeed in enacting mass deportations, from both adversaries and members of his own party. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Jennie Murray, the CEO and president of the National Immigration Forum. It's an immigration advocacy non-profit based in Washington D.C. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Arizona and other key swing states all went red in 2024, helping Donald Trump secure the U.S. presidency. This year, he won Arizona by a bigger margin than the 2016 election. Weeks after the election, how Trump gained more votes is now being analyzed. With Trump heading back to Washington in January, this data might shed light on what might happen to the governor's seat in 2026, when Gov. Katie Hobbs' seat is open again. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Stephanie Murray to break down the data of the 2024 election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On Tuesday heading into Wednesday, the presidential race was less than 1 percentage point apart, and once again, Arizona is the closest state in the country, for the time being. Republicans also wiped out the narrow Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate, but in Arizona, Democrat Ruben Gallego appeared to be headed to victory. Fox News has already called the presidential race for Donald Trump. In Arizona, Democrats fared quite well, at least in the unofficial results released Tuesday night. They could win key races in the Legislature and pick up two congressional seats. With more ballots to be counted and a mandatory hand count audit on Saturday still to come, most of Arizona's political future is still up in the air. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by political reporters at The Republic to break down what went down on election night 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The future of control of the state house depends on eight competitive districts on your ballot this November. Driven by redistricting, lots of donation money, and Gov. Katie Hobbs' long-stated intention to flip the Legislature blue, Arizona's political future is again toeing the line. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Republic reporter Ray Stern to discuss observations about the complexion of the contests and how they are playing out in select districts across the state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Along with everything else that's on the ballot this election year, so is the U.S. House of Representatives. All nine seats of Arizona's congressional delegation are before voters, but in reality, only two are expected to have any suspense. Congressional district 1 features a showdown between Republican Congressman David Schweikert and Democratic Dr. Amish Shah. Congressional District 6 is a rematch between Republican Juan Ciscomani and former state Sen. Kirsten Engel. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Ron Hansen is joined by one of the Republic's national politics reporters Laura Gersony to talk through who the competitors are for these districts and how they define themselves. Later, Kyle Kondik joins The Gaggle. He is the managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. He clues us in on how the results of Arizona's election will have a seismic impact on who holds power in Congress for the next two years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Arizona being called for Joe Biden early on election night 2020 became the start of a movement: the state was officially a swing state. Trump speaks to the state's conservative roots. But continuous election denialism and disinterest in John McCain-style conservatism has some Arizonan Republicans questioning their support. When President Biden dropped out of the race this July and Harris took over as the Democratic nominee, polls showed a more competitive race in Arizona. Her stance on abortion and border security aligns with a newer set of voters coming to the polls. But independent voters are now one of the largest demographics for Arizona politics. So how are the two presidential candidates vying for Arizona's vote? This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Republic reporter Stephanie Murray to discuss the state of play in the presidential race in Arizona. Later in the episode, Inside Politics' deputy editor Jacob Rubashkin joins the hosts to analyze what Arizona's role is in the national picture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This November, voters have the choice between Democratic nominee Ruben Gallego and Republican nominee Kari Lake. Neither are new to politics or campaigning, but both are new to the Senate race. Lake is bringing her national recognition from former President Donald Trump to the table, while Gallego could consolidate his party's support. But neither can call themselves a centrist, so what are less partisan diehards to do? This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl break down where the race stands now and offer some insight into each candidate. Later in the episode, Cook Political Report editor Jessica Taylor joins the hosts to analyze how this race fits into the national picture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The general election is less than seven weeks away on Nov. 5, and the presidential race is gaining the most attention. However, for Arizonans, there are some really important races down your ballot that you don't want to skip over. In Maricopa County in particular, there are four races worth your attention: county recorder, sheriff, board of supervisors, and superintendent. In this episode of The Gaggle, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl sit down with the Republic's county watchdog reporter, and co-host of The Gaggle's Election Dissection series, Sasha Hupka. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For the first time in 10 years, Mesa has to choose a new mayor. Politically, Mesa is a study in contrasts. The current mayor, Republican John Giles, is known for his relatively moderate views and willingness to cross party lines, as he has again in the presidential election this year. But it's also the political base of U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, a MAGA conservative. Mayoral candidates Scott Smith and Mark Freeman will be on the ballot for voters in November in a runoff election after what started as a five-way race. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by reporter Maritza Dominguez, who covers Mesa and other East Valley cities. They compare the two candidates, get a sense of where Mesa is headed politically and hear about what current Mayor Giles thinks of his two possible replacements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Slow job growth could be one reason why markets worldwide took a nosedive on Monday. At the beginning of August, the U.S. jobs report showed sluggish growth in July. However, the stock market has been stabilizing. And for those of us in Arizona, things are looking up. At least a little. Inflation is cooling - though that doesn't mean prices are going down, except for gas prices. Those have dropped almost 40 cents. For more than a year wages have outpaced inflation. So why do Arizonans, and most Americans, still feel a pinch in their pocketbooks? Groceries, housing, childcare, health care, everything feels so much more expensive. Why doesn't the good news feel like it's good? In this episode of The Gaggle, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl sat down with Jared Bernstein, the chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, on Friday, August 2, to discuss the state of the U.S. economy, how it's affecting Arizonans, what special challenges are state is facing, and what the Biden Administration is trying to do about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Voters across Arizona headed to the polls Tuesday to cast their vote in the 2024 primary election. A low voter turnout resulted in few complications on primary election day. There were no noteworthy technology glitches or long lines deferring voters from participating. But that doesn't mean that everything will be smooth sailing on the big day in November. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by reporters from the Republic's politics team to dissect who the big winners were, how election day went, and what that could mean for November. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On Saturday, former President Donald Trump was shot at during his campaign stop in Butler, Pennsylvania. Three people were injured including the presidential nominee, who suffered an injury to his ear as a bullet skimmed the side of his head. One man died while shielding his family from the gunshots. The assassination attempt is still under investigation, but the gunman has been identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, the Republican National Convention starts today in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Along with his newly announced running mate J.D. Vance, the Senator from Ohio, delegates voted today that Trump will lead the GOP on the 2024 Presidential ballot. On this bonus episode of The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by political consultants from both sides of the aisle to examine the potential political fallout from the shooting at Trump's rally, and how it could affect the November general election. Joining the show are Constantin Querard, a GOP political consultant and the founder and president of Grassroots Partners, a consulting and public affairs firm, and Alfredo Gutierrez, former state senator and a longtime force in Arizona Democratic politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On June 13, the U.S. Department of Justice released a long-anticipated report on its investigation into the city of Phoenix and its Police Department. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division laid out the results of the 126-page report after a nearly three-year investigation. Thus far, the reaction from the majority of Phoenix City Council has been fairly muted. Police union officials categorically denied those allegations. In this episode of The Gaggle, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl sit down with The Republic's criminal justice reporter Miguel Torres and Phoenix reporter Taylor Seely to dig further into the report and what the political reaction has been so far. Read the full story on the DOJ report on The Arizona Republic at azcentral.com. Episode transcript can be found here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The 2024 presidential race, Arizona's congressional races and potentially several abortion-related measures command a lot of attention this election year. But there's another set of really important races that are also on the ballot: the Legislature. Republicans have two-seat majorities in both the Arizona House and Senate. That means if Democrats could make a net gain of even one seat in either chamber, Arizona would have a divided government that mirrors the house and senate in washington. And if they pick up control in both chambers, well, that would be the first time since the 1960s, so we can only wonder what that might be like in this long-red state. In this episode of The Gaggle, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl sit down with The Republic's Ray Stern to discuss where Democrats have to win if they really intend to flip control of the Legislature and who is trying to do it. But first, in several key districts, we have to get through some competitive primary races. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Republicans have always had the numerical advantage in Arizona. A little more than a third of the state is registered with the GOP. But Republicans have slowly yet steadily lost ground to Democrats in this state. Why is that? It's more than just changing demographics. In this episode of The Gaggle, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl sit down with Samara Klar, a political science professor at the University of Arizona to tease apart Arizona voter's preferences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ron Hansen has written award-winning novels that have been turned into Hollywood hits. As an ordained deacon, he crafts equally compelling homilies. This week on “Preach,” Deacon Ron Hansen, a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Washington and a prolific author, preaches for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year B. His homily reflects on the physical reality of the Ascension and the promise it holds for us. In the conversation after the homily, Ron and host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., talk about using homilies as a tool for building empathy, which Ron does by crafting vivid images that allow listeners to imagine themselves in the scene. They discuss the challenge of “writing for the ear” while preaching and using real-world examples that connect to deeper theological insights. Ron also makes his case for a short homily. Read Ron's homily Read the Scripture readings for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year B Get daily Scripture reflections and support “Preach” by becoming a digital subscriber to America Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On Tuesday, April 9, the Arizona state Supreme Court ruled to uphold near total-ban on abortions dating back to 1864. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the exact parameters for Arizona went into question. Just months before, then-Governor Republican Doug Ducey signed a law that limited abortions to the first 15 weeks of pregnancy. In 1973, when Roe v. Wade went into effect nationally, Arizona had an abortion law dating back to its territorial days. So the question became: which ruling would be the law of the land in Arizona? At the time, the state Court of Appeals overruled and instated the 15-week law. This week, the Arizona Supreme Court reversed this decision, allowing the 19th century law to take affect. Today on The Gaggle, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl dissect Arizona's new, but ancient, abortion law and how it will impact the state politically and legally. First, state politics reporter Stacey Barchenger joins the podcast to break down why the justices allowed at 160-year law to stand and who will benefit politically from the decision. Later, University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias joins The Gaggle to investigate the legal fallout from the court's decision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
U.S. Rep. Debbie Lesko has had enough of Washington, D.C. Lesko has represented the northwest Valley for six years after winning a special election to fill the spot for Trent Franks, who stepped down after allegations of sexual harassment involving his female staffers. Lesko has been a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, voting against his impeachment and voting in Congress to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. But when former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was being pushed out of office in a Republican-led coup, Lesko decided that she was done with Capitol Hill. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Ron Hansen is joined by Laura Gersony to dive into the crowded Congressional District 8 race to replace her. The Republic's two national politics reporters dissect the approach and positions of the candidates eyeing the open seat and discuss who has a chance of winning the primary in August. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The clock is ticking for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to make a decision on running again for her seat. The collapse of her bipartisan border security bill unceremoniously ended her hopes of adding a deal on perhaps the most difficult issue in congressional politics to her legislative scorecard. Since quitting the Democratic Party in December 2022, Sinema's fundraising has plummeted and she is about 20 percentage points behind her challengers in most of the polling on the race. Democratic frontrunner, Ruben Gallego, and Republican front runner, Kari Lake, both have outraised Sinema, I-Ariz., of late. Sinema ended 2023 with her worst fundraising quarter in three years — and she spent more than she brought in. All of which begs the question, does Sinema have a path to reelection, and what does that mean for the race if she's stepping out of politics? In this episode of The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Jessica Taylor of the Cook Political Report to look at how the Arizona senate race is stacking up and if there are any hints that Sinema might run for re-election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The U.S. has newly-released an $118 billion national security bill. It includes approximately $20 billion for border provisions, including $650 million for the border wall and funding for asylum judges, expanded detention capacity and other programs. In a interview with CBS' Face the Nation, Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema says that the deal will address a multitude of issues including the record surge of migrants. But Republicans in both the Senate and the House are stirring against the proposal, with House Speaker Mike Johnson saying it's "dead on arrival." In this episode of The Gaggle, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl sit down with The Republic's immigration and border reporter, Rafael Carranza to hash out what is in the bill and whether or not it's truly "dead on arrival." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gov. Katie Hobbs officially started the new legislative session this week with her second State of the State address. She focused on areas where she's hopeful for bipartisanship: housing, the border and the state's water supply. This year, Republican lawmakers mostly listened in silence. One senator, Anthony Kern, once again turned his back on Hobbs, literally, as he had in 2023. Despite the turbulence and at a time when the state is facing a budget shortfall, this year's speech had moments suggesting potential bipartisan cooperation. Kern's protest was the only one of its kind this year, which was also an improvement over last year. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by the Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Democratic political strategist Tony Cani and Kirk Adams, former chief of staff to previous Gov. Doug Ducey. Together they break down Hobbs' Jan. 8 State of the State address to explore whether her strategic roadmap to bipartisanship is achievable and her goals for 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's the beginning of a big year in Arizona politics. Next week, Gov. Katie Hobbs will give her second "state of the state" address, reviewing her first year in office and her goals for the year ahead. This could set the tone for state politics in 2024. Nationally, Arizona is expected to hold the political spotlight as one of a handful of swing states on the electoral map. President Joe Biden's narrowest victory in 2020 came in Arizona. Democrats are looking to ride the blue wave and Republicans are looking to win back a state they had carried for years. Arizona's U.S. Senate race could offer a rare three-way contest for the seat held by independent incumbent Kyrsten Sinema. That race already includes Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego and Republican headliner Kari Lake. And the state could play a key role in the battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives, with two seats currently held by the GOP on Democrats' radar. Both chambers in the state Legislature are narrowly divided, and Arizona voters likely will weigh a ballot measure to determine whether to enshrine abortion rights in the state's constitution. While you're writing down your New Year's resolutions, we're writing down a long to-do list. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by other Republic reporters to give listeners a peek at our list. You'll hear from state politics reporter Stacey Barchenger, investigative reporter Robert Anglen and Maricopa County reporter Sasha Hupka, among others. Together, they discuss what they're keeping an eye on for 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Another year in Arizona politics has come and nearly gone. What might be remarkable elsewhere is almost par for the course in the Grand Canyon State. The year started with Arizona's first Democratic governor in more than a decade being sworn in on the ninth floor of the executive tower just before a legislative session with Republican majorities in both houses. Gov. Katie Hobbs went on to veto more bills than any other governor in state history. Election denialism remained a theme. Kari Lake made statements and legal challenges over the year insisting the 2022 election for governor had been corrupted. More than 1,400 text messages between Cyber Ninjas' CEO Doug Logan and others were revealed by Republic reporters using a simple software trick, uncovering more information about the "audit" of Maricopa County ballots in the 2020 presidential election. Free speech battles raged on over college campuses, and a community near Scottsdale lost, then found, access to water. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by other Republic reporters, many of them Gaggle regulars, to break down the year 2023 in politics. You'll hear from state politics reporter Stacey Barchenger, investigative reporter Robert Anglen, Maricopa County reporter Sasha Hupka and national politics reporter Ryan Randazzo. Note: This episode was recorded before the death of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. While O'Connor is not discussed in this episode, The Gaggle has multiple exclusive interviews on her life. Listen wherever you get podcasts or by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The ranch girl from Duncan, Arizona who grew up to be the first woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, passed away on December 1st, 2023. On December 18th, she entered the highest court in the land one last time. Thousands of Americans came to pay their respects. Today we hear from her younger brother, Alan Day, about what it was like growing up with the ranch girl who would be come a Supreme Court justice. National politics reporter and Gaggle host Ron Hansen connected with Alan Day remotely in the spring of 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sen. Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe, spent years as a computer systems analyst before turning to a career in politics. Finding a lack of support and finances for her children's education inspired her to change paths. She now holds a leadership position in the Arizona Senate. Epstein is no stranger to the Arizona Legislature: Although this is her first Senate term, she served three terms in the House of Representatives. She represents a district that increasingly has trended Democratic, covering Ahwatukee Foothills, much of southern Tempe and parts of Chandler. In the 30-member Senate, Epstein leads a caucus of 14 Democrats. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, Epstein joins hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl to discuss the state's budget and political balance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has been laid to rest on December 19, 2023. In this special mini series we to bring you the interviews of those who knew her conducted by our host Ron Hansen, as well as former host and Republic reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez. We begin with O'Connor's biographer Evan Thomas. He is a historian and journalist, and penned "First: Sandra Day O'Connor." Speaking from his home in Washington D.C., Thomas shared his reflections on O'Connor with Ron Hansen and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez – both of whom you'll hear in this interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Republican Warren Petersen leads an Arizona state Senate that has been aggressive in pursuing its policy goals and, in many cases, defying Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. A third-generation resident of Gilbert, Arizona, Petersen was first elected to the Legislature in 2012 and has served in both the House, where he was the majority leader, and now in the Senate. As Senate president, Petersen along with his Republican counterparts in the House, brokered a state budget deal with Gov. Hobbs, as well as a compromise agreement on a regional transportation plan that gave everyone some claim to victory. In this episode of The Gaggle, a politics podcast by the Arizona Republic, Senator Petersen sits down with hosts Mary Jo Pitzl and Ron Hansen to discuss working in the rare state of divided government in Arizona and what lies ahead in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sandra Day O'Connor, the Arizona ranch girl who was a fixture in Arizona's statehouse and judiciary before becoming the first woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, died Friday December 1, 2023 of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness. She was 93. In this bonus episode of The Gaggle, Ron Hansen shares her life story and her impact on Arizona and US politics. He is joined by former justice of the Arizona Supreme Court Ruth McGregor, her brother Alan Day, her biographer Evan Thomas, and more. The Gaggle looks back on the life and legacy of first woman Supreme Court justice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The podcast team at the Arizona Republic is busy working on season 4 of our investigative show "Rediscovering." In season 1, Richard Ruelas uncovers more to the mystery of murdered journalist Don Bolles. In season 2, Ron Hansen and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez broke down how legendary racist law SB1070 came to be and its impact on Arizona. Last season, Rafael Carranza told the tale of José Antonio, a Mexican teenager who lost his life at the hands of a US border agent who shot through the border fence into Mexico. Coming soon is season 4: Roots of Radicalism hosted by The Gaggle's Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl. We'll bring you back to Arizona's beginnings and explore how extremism has become intertwined with the state's politics. This week, in lieu of a new episode, is Ron's interview with the host and reporters of season 3 that aired last year. They discussed how Rafael spent a decade covering the shooting and what was learned in talking to attorneys, the boy's family, and other experts during season 3. If you're not already, please subscribe to Rediscovering, an Arizona Republic and azcentral.com investigative podcast, wherever you listen and stay tuned for season 4. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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