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.
We are taking some time off for the holiday this week and we hope you are too! We'll be back next week, but for now, enjoy a break. Thanks for listening to us all year!
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This is normally a time when Canadians take a break from the cold and spend their time — and money — here in the desert for some sunshine. But this year, we have plenty of sunshine but a lack of Canadians.
The friendly neighbors to the north are feeling insulted and economically punished by President Donald Trump. He implemented and raised tariffs on Canadian goods and has stated that he would like to see it become the 51st state in the union.
This week on The Gaggle, we are joined by two experts to discuss the impact a lack of Canadian visitors is having on Arizona.
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Guest: Michael Salerno, Miles Zimbaluk
Host: Ron Hansen
Producer: Amanda Luberto
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In just a few short weeks, Arizona lawmakers will return to the Capitol to work through another year's budget, consider any legislative needs and take up oversight of Gov. Katie Hobbs' administration as they see appropriate.
But lawmakers are working with a tighter purse than usual, and the looming midterm election will have a lot of influence over the decisions made and the laws that get passed.
This week on The Gaggle, we're joined by The Republic's state politics reporter Ray Stern.
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Guest: Ray Stern
Host: Ron Hansen
Producer: Amanda Luberto
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Artificial intelligence is making its way into everything in American life: the stock market, journalism, medicine and more.
Now major universities like Arizona State are buying into the future of AI by combining it with their offered education.
This week on The Gaggle, we explore the role AI has at ASU, the future of AI in universities and how the concerns are being met.
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Guest: Helen Rummel
Host: Ron Hansen
Producer: Amanda Luberto
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We are off this week to enjoy the holiday and we hope you are too. Have a safe and lovely holiday, Gaggle listeners.
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Since Charlie Kirk's death, Turning Point USA and its supporters have completed the tour he began, recently making the final stop at the University of California, Berkeley, which resulted in protests and arrests.
In some ways, the chaotic setting underscored the early turbulence for Turning Point after Kirk's death. The organization, so strongly connected to his persona, faces not only grief but pressure to reboot itself.
But the unifying power of Kirk feels missing. So, what is the future of Turning Point in the conservative ecosystem?
This week on The Gaggle, we are joined by a Republic reporter who has been covering Turning Point since Kirk's death and was in Berkeley for the last stop of that college tour.
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Guest: Stephanie Murray
Host: Ron Hansen
Producer: Amanda Luberto
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Adelita Grijalva is best known for not getting to start her job in an unprecedented act by Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. After a seven-week delay, the Speaker has set a time to formally swear in Rep.-elect Grijalva for Nov 12.
She holds the key to potentially forcing a vote in the House of Representatives to release files on an investigation into Donald Trump and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
But she is also looking forward to getting to work for her constituents.
This week on The Gaggle, we are joined by Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva to discuss the delay in her swearing-in, the longest government shutdown in history and what she wants to accomplish on Capitol Hill.
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Guest: Adelita Grijalva
Host: Ron Hansen
Producer: Amanda Luberto
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As of Nov. 3, President Donald Trump has the lowest approval rating of his second term at 37%.
This is usually a good sign for the party out of power, but disapproval in Trump isn't the whole picture. The Democratic Party is having a hard time translating criticism into support.
Through July, Republicans have gained 9 times as many new registered voters than Democrats since the November 2024 election.
This week on The Gaggle, we're joined by Democratic strategist and CNN commentator, Maria Cardona, to look at how her party is faring one year before the midterm elections.
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Guest: Maria Cardona
Host: Ron Hansen
Producer: Amanda Luberto
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In August 2023, authorities reported 82,000 migrants crossed through the Darién Gap, the jungles that separate Panama and Columbia, on their way to the United States.
In August 2025, there were seven.
In that corridor these days, more migrants are heading southward, away from the U.S. border.
This unprecedented event of reverse migration is in direct response to the Trump administration's push for border and immigration crackdowns.
This week on The Gaggle, we are joined by two reporters who recently traveled to Mexico and Panama to document these voyages.
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Guest: Daniel Gonzalez, Omar Ornelas
Host: Ron Hansen
Producer: Amanda Luberto
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It's been about a year since Sen. Ruben Gallego made history becoming the first Latino elected to the U.S. Senate from Arizona.
He is mostly known for lighting into President Donald Trump, Republican leadership and even his former opponent Kari Lake.
This week, we sit down with the senator to discuss some of what has transpired since he was elected to the Senate, what he thinks Democrats need to do next and what comes after the Trump era ends.
Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com
Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804
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Guest: Senator Ruben Gallego
Host: Ron Hansen
Producer: Amanda Luberto
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