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. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Maria Cardona Host: Ron Hansen Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Daniel Gonzalez, Omar Ornelas Host: Ron Hansen Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Senator Ruben Gallego Host: Ron Hansen Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In less than a year, Arizonans will have a chance to decide who to send to Washington for the final two years of President Donald Trump's second administration. David Schweikert stepping away from CD1 makes his open seat a hot competition for Republicans to keep and Democrats to flip. In CD6, candidates are already lined up to take the district for the Dems away from Rep. Juan Ciscomani. This week, we talk with a House races expert about how the races are shaping up so far, what each party has to do to win and what it would mean for the political atmosphere. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Erin Covey Host: Ron Hansen Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Most Arizonans see the end of summer as a reprieve. But for some, it's a sign of survival. Since 2020, at least 270 people in Maricopa County have died at home when their cooling systems failed or were shut off completely. The Arizona Republic dug into the records of these quiet casualties of extreme heat. Read that report here. This week on The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, we ask an expert what can be done to fix this and what policies could be put into place. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: David Konisky Host: Ron Hansen Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A key hang up causing the government shutdown involves a pandemic-era provision for Americans impacting health insurance and medical bills. Currently, about 300,000 Arizonans earn too much to receive Medicaid help, but don't have affordable insurance options through work. This group has qualified for subsidies that cut their insurance costs from the Affordable Care Act insurers since 2021. This relief stops at the end of the year unless Congress moves to extend it, and if aid ends, Arizonans face premium hikes that could jump by nearly $500 per month. This week on The Gaggle, we talk with Will Humble, former state health director. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Will Humble Host: Ron Hansen Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On September 23, Congressional District 7 elected Democrat Adelita Grijalva to Congress and the narrow Republican majority in the United States House of Representatives is about to be slightly thinner. Adelita's win serves as no surprise in Arizona, but it still matters on the national scale. With her win, the GOP edge over Democrats will effectively shrink to two votes separating any measure from passing the House. Her role could become crucial in Congress' anticipated votes over the Jeffery Epstein files, government funding and more. This week on The Gaggle, we talk with a Republic reporter covering the race and Norman Ornstein of The American Enterprise Institute. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Laura Gersony, Norman Ornstein Host: Ron Hansen Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A vigil was held at Arizona State University for Charlie Kirk, conservative influencer and founder of Turning Point USA, after his assassination on September 10th. His career was kickstarted and his identity as a fierce debater was solidified on the ASU campus, and his message resonated with many young people. Charlie Kirk is not the only news personality connecting with a younger generation. According to research by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center, nearly 40% of adults under 30 get their news from content creators. This week on The Gaggle, we hear from Gen Z about what Charlie Kirk meant to them, the legacy he's leaving behind and research on where young people turn to for their news. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Katerina Matsa Host: Ron Hansen Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's nine months into 2025 and there may have been some Arizona politics stories you bookmarked for later but haven't just yet read them. There's a lot to keep up with, and The Gaggle gets that. This week on The Gaggle, we run through the top stories in Arizona politics so far this year and discuss their long-term impact on Arizona. Plus, a farewell to Mary Jo Pitzl, an icon of Arizona news! Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Mary Jo Pitzl, Ron Hansen Host, producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Arizona has been a reliable and long-standing national leader in job growth. But so far this year, the state has taken a big step backwards. Through the first seven months, Arizona has ranked 46th in bringing in new jobs. Despite the steep drop, it doesn't indicate yet that the state is spiraling toward a recession. But it does surprise economic experts and signal a bit of a slowdown. This week on The Gaggle, we're joined by The Republic's business reporter to analyze his annual jobs report and what it means for Arizona's economy. Read the article here Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Russ Wiles Hosts: Mary Jo Pitzl, Ron Hansen Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
There’s a conservative wave washing over some local governments in the Valley’s suburbs. Some point to Donald Trump’s aggressive efforts to erase DEI policies in city businesses. Others contend it’s a natural swing of the pendulum to correct governing bodies that they say have leaned too far left. This week on The Gaggle, we are joined by an associate professor of public policy at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Together we discuss why this phenomenon is happening and what the consequences of knowing the political allegiances of local councils are. Read the article here Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Justin de Benedictis-Kessner Hosts: Mary Jo Pitzl, Ron Hansen Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's been three years since the 2022 gubernatorial debate went from a discussion to a debacle and the Arizona Republic just received the public records. The reports show behind-the-scenes deliberations involving ASU President Michael Crow and some of his top aides over how to handle known election denier Kari Lake. Since reporting has come out, ASU, Kari Lake and even Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen have commented on the complicated situation and on what comes next. And it raises complex journalistic questions, too. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, a Republic reporter joins us to discuss her story about the 2022 debate and what happens now that it's been exposed. Then, an attorney who advocates for free expression on college campuses, talks about whether ethical and even legal lines were crossed, and where journalists, politicos and the public all go from here. Read Stacey Barchenger's article here Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Stacey Barchenger, Robert Corn-Revere Hosts: Mary Jo Pitzl, Ron Hansen Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anxieties you might assume are from a liberal law professor against President Donald Trump and his administration are coming from an unexpected source: Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick. Appointed by Republican Governor Doug Ducey and a described "rockstar of the right" Bolick is no lefty, but he can't help but worry about the way the President is disregarding court decisions. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we are joined by an Arizona Republic reporter who spoke candidly with Bolick about why he sees the current moment as so perilous and how people on both sides of the aisle have responded to his call-out. Read Taylor Seely's article here Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Taylor Seely Hosts: Mary Jo Pitzl, Ron Hansen Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rep. Yassamin Ansari has spent her freshman year in Congress making national headlines. She made national headlines for her travel to El Salvador where she tried, unsuccessfully, to meet with a man who was deported to that country as part of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation effort. At the same time, she’s thinking about her political party – from who will run for president in 2028 to who is signing up new voters. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we are joined by Rep. Ansari to break down her first year in Congress and her attempts to work across the aisle. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Hosts: Mary Jo Pitzl, Ron Hansen Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Alfredo Gutierrez, a nationally known migrants-rights activist and prominent politician, has died. At 79 years old, he succumbed to esophageal cancer on Tuesday, July 29. Through his long service in the state, Gutierrez exhibited an activist's DNA despite his role inside the government. He sought social justice with his dual passions of civil rights and educational access, especially for immigrants. This week on a special episode of The Gaggle, an Arizona political podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Mary Jo Pitzl takes you through the notable life of Alfredo Gutierrez. Rather than us talking about Gutierrez, you'll hear from the man himself along with former state House minority leader Art Hamilton, former Phoenix mayor Terry Goddard, former state Senate President Pete Rios and notable friends. Read Alfredo Gutierrez's obituary. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Hosts: Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Arizona Democrats have held the spotlight this month with two very different votes. One elected legacy politician Adelita Grijalva for the party's representation in the CD 7 race to fill her late father's seat in Congress. The other was to oust their state party chair, Robert Branscomb II. Arizona Democrats are riddled with political infighting after losing the presidential election in 2024, and soon the party will need to come together for midterm campaigns, including the re-election of Gov. Katie Hobbs. This week on The Gaggle, we joined by Stacy Pearson, a Democratic political strategist and co-founder of Lumen Strategies. Pearson joins the show to give a status update on the party, what these two votes indicate for the future and what she thinks the Democrats need in order to get it together. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Stacy Pearson, political strategist Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
While the rest of the U.S. Senate will go on its annual break in August, Arizona freshman Ruben Gallego is heading to Des Moines to meet with middle America to potentially gauge his chances in what is expected to be a crowded field of Democratic contenders. 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 Des Moines Register politics reporter Brianne Pfannensteil. She joins the podcast to talk through what this trip means, if stopping at the Iowa State Fair is still a strong indicator of who is interested in the White House spot and how voters outside of Arizona view the senator. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Brianne Pfannensteil Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law in a Fourth of July ceremony, making tax cuts he passed during his first term permanent. It offsets those revenue losses to the government with steep cuts to services like the Medicaid program, requiring states to be responsible for funding food stamp programs and delivering tax cuts to the wealthiest taxpayers. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, our hosts are joined by Republic reporter Stephanie Murray. Together they discuss the key points out of the Big Beautiful Bill, how Arizona politicians showed up and how the new law will impact Arizonans daily. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok Guest: Stephanie Murray Hosts: Ron Hansen, Mary Jo Pitzl Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When Hobbs was elected in 2022, she pledged to bring sanity over chaos. But the Democratic governor has tried to navigate working opposite a Republican-controlled Legislature over the last three years. This year's session was no exception. Hobbs vetoed 174 bills this year, a new single-year record that surpasses her 143 vetoes in 2023. But her vetoes aren't the full story, even if they are record-breaking. She also signed 265 bills into law this year. This week on The Gaggle, a weekly politics podcast, host Mary Jo Pitzl and guest host Stacey Barchenger are joined by Gov. Hobbs in-studio for a sit-down interview. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on X, Instagram and Tik Tok. Guests: Governor Katie Hobbs Host: Mary Jo Pitzl, Stacey Barchenger Producer: Amanda Luberto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On July 4th, 1776, 56 men signed a document declaring the newly formed 13 colonies as one United States of America. By this charter, they formed a new country, one free from Britain's rule. The Declaration of Independence showcased the rights and beliefs of the new country. It was a written record of what America would stand for, and it was signed by the nation's founding fathers. Today, to honor the country's sovereignty, the gaggle presents a reading of the Declaration of independence. Here to read the country founding document are reporters and staff of the Arizona Republic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices