The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast

Chances are there's a home in your neighborhood that's available for short-term rental through Airbnb or VRBO.  The practice has become more common since a state law passed in 2016 expanded protections for short-term rentals. Now, some are saying short-term rentals are causing an affordable-housing shortage in their area, and others complain rentals have increased noise, trash and disturbance. And...

As the 2020 campaign cycle kicks off, Arizonans can expect to hear President Donald Trump attack the late Sen. John McCain. But this puts Sen. Martha McSally in a precarious situation. Find out why in this week's episode as hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen chat with political editor Dan Nowicki.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It may have taken 18 months, but Kate Gallego won the special election to become Phoenix's mayor.  Gallego defeated former council colleague Daniel Valenzuela. Afer her swearing in on March 21, she'll serve out the rest of former Mayor Greg Stanton's term.  Why did the election take so long? And what's next for Gallego as she assumes her new role? This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The...

Since becoming Arizona State University’s president in 2002, Michael Crow has influenced the state’s development and policy and has made national headlines along the way.  The Arizona Republic’s higher-education reporter Rachel Leingang recently spent 26 hours with Crow for a profile of him and his impact. Political reporters Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ron Hansen talk with her about Crow and his p...

Arizona is in the spotlight after controversial vaccine bills by Republican Rep. Nancy Barto were advanced by the state House Health and Human Services Committee this month, despite warnings from health officials.  Arizona Republic and azcentral.com healthcare reporter Stephanie Innes breaks down the headlines.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arizona gets almost 40 percent of its water from the Colorado River, which draws its water from Lake Mead, the biggest reservoir in the country. Right now, that reservoir is about 40 percent full and approaching its first shortage ever. What happens if there's a water shortage? Who and what will be affected and is there anything to be done? On this week's episode of The Gaggle podcast, hosts Yvonn...

In the end, Phoenix will either have its first Latino or the first mother with a small child as mayor. This week, host Yvonne Wingett Sanchez talks with reporter Jessica Boehm about key issues in the race and differences between the two Democratic candidates. Reach Yvonne on Twitter at @yvonnewingett and Jessica at @jboehm_NEWS.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen chat with videographer David Wallace about their trip to Washington, D.C., last week to catch up with Arizona's newly sworn-in Congressional delegation. Listen along as they give you a behind-the-scenes look at how our U.S. Senators and Representatives from Arizona are mingling (or not) with each other and leaders from other states. Watch David Wal...

Is there a crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border? Politicians keep saying so. In light of a historic government shutdown, hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ron Hansen find out what it's like on the ground with Rafael Carranza, a border reporter at The Arizona Republic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Publicly-funded stadiums and arenas are costly. Why does the burden fall on taxpayers? The Gaggle breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever hit a traffic jam coming back from up north on the I-17? Well the Governor's latest budget may have a solution. Reporter Maria Polletta joins host Yvonne Wingett Sanchez to talk about the parts of the budget most up for debate, including education funding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Doug Ducey gave the State of the State address on Monday. With a new state superintendent of public instruction, more Democrats in the Arizona House of Representatives, and a projected $900 million surplus entering this Legislative session, what might he do with education in Arizona? Have a question or comment? You can reach host Ron Hansen at twitter.com/ronaldjhansen. This episode was produ...

Why does a new Arizona law make doctors ask women why they want an abortion? Host Ronald J. Hansen and azcentral reporter Dustin Gardiner chat about that, plus other new Arizona laws that impact your vehicle registration fees, medical bills and a myriad of other things. Have a question or comment? You can reach host Ron Hansen at twitter.com/ronaldjhansen or state politics reporter Dustin Gardiner...

Will Arizona’s power in D.C. diminish as Sen. Jon Kyl leaves and Sen.-elect Kyrsten Sinema steps up for her first term? Hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen discuss what to watch for in Congress and speak with Republic reporters about Gov. Doug Ducey’s second term, the Arizona Legislature’s 2019 agenda, and the ongoing charter-school controversy. Have a question or comment? You can re...

The leaders of Arizona’s Democratic and Republican parties tell us their thoughts on what happened in the 2018 midterm elections and how they plan to pave the way for victory in the future. Felecia Rotellini, chairwoman of the Arizona Democratic Party, and Jonathan Lines, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, give key insight into what might happen in 2019 and beyond. Have a question or commen...

Are you curious what the state legislature is up to next? Do you have a question for a particular reporter or producer at The Arizona Republic? Take part in The Gaggle's Q&A! Call us at 602-444-4946 and leave us a voicemail. Record a video of your question and direct message it to @yvonnewingett , @ronaldjhansen or @azcpolitics. Send a voice-memo to tseely@arizonarepublic.com or tea.price@azcentra...

Political consultant Ronnie Lopez talks about his close friend, former Congressman Ed Pastor. Pastor, who served Arizona in Washington for 23 years, died Nov. 27 after suffering a heart attack. He was 75. We look back on his legacy. Have a question or comment? You can reach host Yvonne Wingett Sanchez at twitter.com/yvonnewingett and political reporter Ron Hansen at twitter.com/ronaldjhansen. This...

The advent of early balloting has put pressure on politicians to win votes sooner. In their pursuit of victory, campaigns are digging deeper into sophisticated data to target you. Here's how to join in The Gaggle's Q&A episode: 1) Call us at 602-444-4946 and leave your question on a voicemail. 2) Record a video of your question and direct message it to @yvonnewingett , @ronaldjhansen or @azcpoliti...

From Sacha Baron Cohen punking former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to Steve Ferrara's legendary ad paid for by "AFBIC," 2018 was a year to remember in Arizona politics. Note: Some of the content in this episode may not be suitable for children. Have a question or comment? You can reach host Yvonne Wingett Sanchez at twitter.com/yvonnewingett and political reporter Ron Hansen at twitter.com/r...

Her triumph is the first for Democrats in an Arizona U.S. Senate race in 30 years, as well as the first for a woman in Arizona. How did she do it? We dive into how U.S. Sen.-elect Kyrsten Sinema rose above Republican candidate Martha McSally and her own Democratic party and analyze how her winning strategy will affect campaigns across the country leading into 2020. Have a question or comment? You...

We take you alongside reporters and inside the newsroom on Election Day. Hear a phone interview with Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes, a gaggle with Gov. Doug Ducey outside his polling place, scenes from the Arizona Democratic Party’s roaring election night party and more. Have a question or comment? You can reach host Yvonne Wingett Sanchez at twitter.com/yvonnewingett and political reporte...

Host Yvonne Wingett Sanchez has covered Gov. Doug Ducey for years. Now he sits one-on-one with her to chat about the 2018 midterms, #RedforEd, March for Our Lives, replacing McCain, immigration and more. Note: This interview was recorded Oct. 15, 2018. Have a question or comment? You can reach Yvonne at twitter.com/yvonnewingett and Gov. Doug Ducey at twitter.com/dougducey. This episode was produc...

From a presidential shoutout for Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom O' Halleran to whispers that Kelli Ward might endorse Republican Senate candidate Martha McSally (gasp!), President Donald Trump’s Arizona visit was rife with political strategy. We break down the key takeaways. Have a question or comment? You can reach host Yvonne Wingett Sanchez at twitter.com/yvonnewingett and political reporter Ron Hans...

Democrats in Arizona campaign on health care like it’s nobody’s business, leaving Republicans to play defense. Polls show that health care is a top concern for Arizona voters, but when did this become such a big issue, and why? Have a question or comment? You can reach host Yvonne Wingett Sanchez at twitter.com/yvonnewingett, political reporter Ron Hansen at twitter.com/ronaldjhansen and healthcar...

Republican Martha McSally and Democrat Kyrsten Sinema are in a tight race for Sen. Jeff Flake's seat. Why, then, are they so quiet before Arizona's midterm elections? Help us improve by taking our 10-question survey to let us know what you think about the show: bit.ly/GaggleSurvey. Have a question or comment? You can reach host Yvonne Wingett Sanchez at twitter.com/yvonnewingett. This episode was...