The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast

Ballot propositions are direct democracy in action. This year, Arizonans will cast their vote on a wide range of issues from education to clean energy to taxes. Grab your pencils. Here's what voters should know on Props 305, 127 and 126. 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...

Kwailan Barsotti is a mom, small-business owner and independent voter who lives in the suburbs of Anthem, Ariz. She’s exactly the kind of person politicians are targeting during Arizona’s midterm elections, where suburban women could sway the vote. Yet Kwailan feels like no lawmakers or politicians are really listening to or representing her. That’s why her story is worth listening to. Help us imp...

We're back! Help us improve by taking our 10-question survey to let us know what you think about the show: bit.ly/GaggleSurvey. Election spending for some 2018 midterm candidates and races in Arizona is hitting record highs. Arizona Republic reporters explain how and why Citizens United, super PACs, independent donors and more are working to influence your vote. To hear more about election spendin...

The Arizona Republic is improving its politics podcast. Give us your feedback: https://bit.ly/GaggleSurvey Join us Wednesday, September 19th and every Wednesday after that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a strange election day in Arizona. The nation’s eyes are on the state after U.S. Sen. John McCain’s death Saturday. Both of our Senate seats are open. And for the first time in a long time, it looks like Democrats might stand a chance in the races for one of those Senate seats and maybe even for governor. We take you inside two election parties where you can hear from winners Martha McSally...

After a 13-month battle with brain cancer, U.S. Sen. John McCain died Saturday, Aug. 25, at home in Arizona. He was 81. Hear some of the most powerful quotes from McCain himself, heartfelt memories from his closest friends, reactions from world leaders including President Donald Trump and President Barack Obama, and insights from our political reporters on McCain’s life, legacy and what happens ne...

Senator John McCain will end medical treatment for the brain cancer he was diagnosed with over a year ago, according to statements released by his family. The six-term senator has continued Senate duties as much as he could from his family home in northern Arizona. Reporters talk about the impact McCain's had on Arizona and what will happen if the Senate seat becomes vacant. Follow the team on Twi...

In this special episode, the team sat down with Tom Steyer, a California billionaire who is spending part of his fortune in Arizona's elections. Steyer's political organization has contributed a large amount of funds to support Arizona's clean energy ballot initiative. The Gaggle comes to you every Monday. But next week, check your feed for the new episode on Wednesday instead. You'll hear the tea...

Arizona's primary is Aug. 28. Federal and state officials are working to ensure the security of voter information in light of Russian hacking in 2016. How secure are these systems? What should you do when mailing in your ballot? And what should you bring to the polls on election day? Keep an eye out for a special episode of The Gaggle posting later this week. The team sat down with a California bi...

Federal authorities face the daunting job of trying to ensure the 2018 midterms are not influenced by foreign entities. Social media platforms are cracking down on bot and spam accounts. How can you tell if an account isn't genuine? The Gaggle will now come to you every Monday. Look out for new episodes each week in your podcast feed. Learn more with The Republic's coverage: Fake Twitter accounts...

Arizona is seeing economic growth, but financial prosperity is not being equally felt across the state. How can economic sentiments among voters affect the 2018 elections? Also, the team takes you into the rooms where Republican Senate and governor candidates each faced off in front of The Arizona Republic editorial board. The Gaggle will now come to you every Monday. Look out for new episodes eac...

Independent voters are on the verge of making up the largest electoral block in Arizona. Here's what that means for the upcoming elections. Follow the team on Twitter: National/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, political reporter Richard Ruelas @ruelaswritings, and diversity and inequality reporter Maria Polletta @mpollet...

Chair of the Democratic Party Felecia Rotellini and former chair of the Republican Party Robert Graham share their thoughts on the midterms. They talk about everything from the “Trump affect” to how their parties are campaigning. And they spill some interesting tea. Follow the team on Twitter: National political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, reporter Richard Ruelas @ruelaswriting...

How will the new Supreme Court pick affect monumental rulings like Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion throughout the nation? What did Arizona politicians have to say about President Donald Trump's choice? And what's that about the Arizona Cardinal's president weighing in on the Supreme Court pick? The politics team answers these questions and more in this episode of The Gaggle. Follow the team...

First lady Melania Trump visited Arizona last week. Reporters break down why Trump came and what we saw inside a detention center for immigrants. And an inside look into the bribery case involving well-known Arizona lobbyist Jim Norton. Lastly reporters discuss how Arizona communities, along with other cities throughout the nation, are suing opioid manufacturers. How could the suit affect people w...

Education is a hot-button topic in Arizona. What does RedForEd's Noah Karvelis have to say leading up to the November education ballot initiative? And what are the changes he's seen in the teacher strike movement over the past several months? He answers all that and more in this episode of The Gaggle. Follow the team on Twitter: National/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, st...

The politics team talks about immigrant children being separated from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's campaign announcement. Follow the team on Twitter: Interim national/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, staff reporter Richard Ruelas @ruelaswritings, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen, and and higher education reporter...

The Arizona Republic's politics team discusses how potential immigration reform will impact DACA and refugees, how what happened with Theranos may be reflective of a larger Arizona issue, and fraudulent signatures in a Senate race. Follow the team on Twitter: National/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, legislative reporter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner, immigration reporte...

Mike Black, a prominent criminal defense attorney, speaks about an Arizona coruption trial involving the Ex-Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce, his wife Sherry Pierce, Jim Norton, a lobbyist, and George Johnson, water company owner. The #RedForEd movement impacts who is running for state legislature this year. And how much are university officials in Arizona making? Follow the team on Twitter: B...

David Garcia, who seeks the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, joins The Gaggle in a first-ever, guest episode to discuss his campaign and education in Arizona. Follow the team on Twitter: Interim national/political reporter Yvonne Wingett Sanchez @yvonnewingett, education reporter Ricardo Cano @Ricardo_Cano1, congressional reporter Ron J. Hansen @ronaldjhansen and guest David Garcia @dg4az. Thi...

Arizona Public Service is backing a ballot initiative from state utility regulators that would significantly boost the requirements for renewable energy. Will Arizona see a special session over gun control after yet another school shooting in Texas? And Rep. Paul Gosar still rents a Prescott apartment in Arizona's 4th Congressional District, but lives primarily in Flagstaff. Follow the team on Twi...

Russian Facebook ads played up a murder-suicide of two Arizona teens during the 2016 election. Organizers of the migrant caravan that traveled through Mexico to the U.S. border say they are planning another caravan next year despite backlash from Trump and his administration. And zoning battles over medical-marijuana dispensaries in Phoenix have raised fraud allegations. Follow the team on Twitter...

After Arizona's legislature approved a plan for 20 percent pay raises for teachers by 2020, the leaders of the #RedForEd movement feel like they got cheated on their demands. Now they're working to collect 150,000 signatures by July 5 to get the Invest in Education Act initiative on the November ballot. And Sen. John McCain's funeral arrangements have been made. Follow the team on Twitter: Interim...

Arizona's #RedForEd teacher walkout moves into its fifth day as teachers continue to protest low pay. Budget bills have dropped at the state Capitol, but what's buried in them? And how did Democrat Hiral Tipirneni pull off such a close race in deep-red Congressional District 8 and what does her 5-point loss mean for Republicans heading into midterms? Follow the team on Twitter: Interim national/po...

Teachers are still talking about a walkout even after Gov. Doug Ducey proposed increasing their pay 20 percent by 2020. Arizona has a new abortion reporting requirement. With an election in the 8th Congressional District next week, the race between Democrat Hiral Tipirneni and Republican Debbie Lesko is heating up. And sober homes that provide people a place to live while recovering from substance...