Stay ConnectedHelping you keep up with what matters in Arizona’s political news. Each week we interview politicians, public figures or journalists to break down one local issue and how it affects your life in Arizona.
Coming to you every Wednesday morning, The Gaggle is hosted by The Arizona Republic’s national political reporters Ron Hansen and Stephanie Murray, and is produced by Amanda Luberto.
Three women and six children were killed in an ambush in a small town about a three-hour drive fromthe Arizona border on Nov. 4. The families had dual U.S. and Mexican citizenshipand lived ina 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:
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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.
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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:
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Allister Adel was named the first female Maricopa County attorneyon 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:
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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:
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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:
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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