>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

ANOTHER FIGHT TO GET ELECTION EQUIPMENT WAS IN COURT.

A JUDGE CONSIDERED THE SENATE SUBPOENAS FOR ACCESS AND CONTEND THEY HAVE NO POWER BECAUSE WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR IS AGAINST THE LAW.

A DECISION BY THE COURT IS EXPECT THE SOON.

>> AIRING TODAY REPORTED THE LOWEST NUMBER OF NEW COVID CASES IN MONTH, 939 NEW CASES ON THE DAY.

IT'S THE FIRST DAILY COUNT UNDER 1,000 SINCE LATE NOVEMBER.

IT RANKS 15TH HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY BUT ARIZONA'S DEATH RATE IS STILL A CONCERN.

121 NEW COVID-RELATED FATALITIES, PUTTING THE SEVEN DAY AVERAGE AT SECOND HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY.

>> PFIZER IS LOOKING TO SEE IF A THIRD DOSE WOULD TAKE CARE OF VARIANTS AND ADMINISTERED SIX MONTHS AFTER THE SECOND DOSE.

THE VACCINES IN USE RIGHT NOW SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE THEM.

>> YOU HEAR ALMOST EVERY DAY OF A NEW VARIANT BECAUSE WE ARE LOOKING FOR THEM.

THE PREDOMINANT THE ONE THAT RACED THE MOST ALARMS THE UK VARIANT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO ALL THE VACCINES THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET OR COMING ON THE MARKET IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> ON CAPITOL HILL CONGRESS IS CLOSING IN ON PRESIDENT BIDEN'S $1.9 TRILLION STIMULUS PLAN.

REPUBLICANS OPPOSE THE SIZE ASK SCOPE AND DEMOCRATS SAY IT'S THE RIGHT MOVE AT RIGHT TIME.

>> THE BOTTOM LINE IS SIMPLE, WE ARE STILL IN A HISTORIC CRISIS OF HEALTH OF THE ECONOMY.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE KNOW WE ARE IN A HISTORIC CRISIS.

AND THE SENATE WILL SOON TAKES ACTION ON OUR PLAN TO SOLVE THIS CRISIS.

A PLAN WITH OVERWHELMING PUBLIC SUPPORT.

OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES WILL HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEY WILL WORK WITH US TO APPROVE THE LEGISLATION OR OBSTRUCT IT TO THE BITTER END.

>> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TAX RECORDS ARE IN THE HANDS OF PROSECUTORS IN NEW YORK.

THE SUPREME COURT DENIED HIS LAST DITCH EFFORTS TO KEEP THE RECORDS PRIVATE.

THEY WILL BE KEPT FROM THE PUBLIC FOR NOW DUE TO GRAND JURY SECRECY RULES.

>>> CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS CONTINUE TODAY WITH THE ACTING U.S. CAPITOL POLICE CHIEF SAYING HER DEPARTMENT WAS PREPARED FOR THEERALO JANUARY 6 BUT NOT THE RIOT THAT FOLLOWED.

>> IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS EITHER IGNORANT OF OR IGNORED CRITICAL INTELLIGENCE THAT INDICATED AN ATTACK OF THE MAGNITUDE THAT WE EXPERIENCED ON JANUARY 6 WOULD OCCUR.

THE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT IGNORANT OF INTELLIGENCE INDICATING AN ATTACK OF THE SIZE AND SCALE WE ENCOUNTERED ON THE 6TH.

THERE WAS NO SUCH INTELLIGENCE.

>> THE ACTING CHIEF ADDED OVER 10,000 PRO-TRUMP RIOTERS CAME ON TO CAPITOL GROUNDS WITH MORE THAN 800 BREACHING THE BUILDING.

>>> A NEW REPORT RELEASED SHOWS OPOID DEATHS ARE INCREASING AND FENTANYL IS THE REASON.

WILL HUMBLE, A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU.

WE TALKED TO YOU IN THE PAST YEAR ABOUT COVID, BUT THE OPOID IS INCREASING.

>> THE LAND MARK ACT THAT WE HAD THE THREE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACT LAST MONTH WE PUT TOGETHER A REPORT TO DIG INTO THE DATA TO FIGURE OUT DID IT WORK?

WHAT IMPACTS HAS IT HAD?

WHERE HAVE WE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND WHERE ARE THE SHORT COMINGS?

GEE WOO MEMBERS THAT ARE ACCOMPLISH -- WE HAVE MEMBERS THAT ARE ACCOMPLISHED IN EPIDEMIOLOGY AND STATISTICSES AND WE HAVE IT ON THE WEBSITE.

WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT SINCE 2018 IN JANUARY THERE HAVE BEEN A SLIGHT MODERATION IN THE INCREASE IN DEATHS FROM PRESCRIBED OPOIDS.

WE SEE A CONTINUING SKY ROCKET IN DEATHS FROM FENTANYL, MOSTLY ILLICIT, BLACK MARKET.

THERE ARE PRESCRIBED PRODUCTS FOR IT BUT THE DEATH, COMING FROM STREET FENTANYL.

AND FOR THAT REASON WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANY REDUCTION AT ALL.

IN FACT IT CONTINUES TO INCREASE.

1,300 DEATHS PER YEAR, ABOUT FOUR A DAY.

NOT ALL OF IT, BUT THE BIG, BIG, BIG CHUNK OF IT FENTANYL.

>> THIS IS ALL ALMOST ALWAYS STREET DRUGS.

WHAT IS FENTANYL USED FOR?

>> FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE, YOU KNOW, AN ADDICTION TO THE OPOID DRUG, MAYBE IT STARTED WITH PRESCRIPTION AND CAN'T GET THE MEDICATIONS ANY MORE.

THEY HAVE THE CRAVING FOR THE OPIOID AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IS PEOPLE TRANSITION FROM THE LEGAL PRESCRIBED OPIOIDS INTO HEROIN AND NOW INTO FENTANYL.

WHEN YOU TAKE THE STREET FENTANYL IT SATISFIES THE CRAVING YOU HAVE.

WHAT WE WANT IS FOR PEOPLE TO GET INTO TREATMENT AND TRANSITION SAFELY USING METHADONE OR OTHER MEDICATIONS TO GET RID OF, TO TRANSATION OFF THEIR DEPENDENCE.

THE STREET FENTANYL IS NOT A GOOD WAY TO GO AND IT'S SUPER POWERFUL.

IT IS 50 TIMES MORE POTENT THAN HEROIN.

THERE IS SO LITTLE ROOM FOR ERROR, AUTOSO EASY TO MAKE A MI -- IT'S SO EASY TO MAKE A MISTAKE AND OVER DOSE.

>> WE HAD THE ACT A FEW YEARS AGO AND A COUPLE OF BILLS IN THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW.

TALK TO US ABOUT THOSE AND IF THESE ARE GOOD THINGS FOR THIS CRISIS.

>> YEAH, REALLY GOOD.

LET'S START WITH SENATE BILL 1250, THE OVER DOSE PREVENTION PROGRAM BILL.

THIS IS A BILL WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET PASSED THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE FOR FIVE YEARS.

IT'S EVIDENCE-BASED MEANING IT IS BASED IN SCIENCE.

IT WORKS.

MANY COUNTRIES AND STATES HAVE USED THIS APPROACH TO HELP WITH THIS OPIOID CRISIS, ESPECIALLY WITH INJECTION DRUGS AM PART OF IT WHERE SOCIAL WORKERS FORM A RELATIONSHIP AND COLLECTS OF NEEDLES AS WELL.

IT AUTHORIZES THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO APPROVE THESE KIND OF PROGRAMS.

IT REALLY WORKS.

EVERY YEAR WE GET IT THROUGH ONE CHAMBER AND THEN IT DIES IN THE OTHER CHAMBER.

I'M JUST TELLING YOU, TED, THE WORDS THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS BEEN KILLING THIS BILL YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

FOR THE LIFE OF ME I DON'T GET IT BECAUSE IT WORKS.

AND BY THE WAY, WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS PASSED SINCE BEFORE THE 2018 OPIOID EPIDEMIC ACT AND THEY INTENTIONALLY LEFT IT OUT OF THE ACT, THEY BEING THE PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE EVEN THOUGH IT WORKSES.

>> ARE THE SYRINGES THE PROBLEM HERE?

INCLUDING THEM IN THE ACT?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK -- I DON'T KNOW.

I JUST DON'T KNOW.

WE GOT IT THROUGH THE SENATE NOW.

IT PASSED 27-2 OUT OF THE SENATE.

IT'S BEEN ASSIGNED OVER TO THE HOUSE.

BUT HERE'S THE PROBLEM IT PASSED TWO WEEKS AGO AND IT'S STILL SITTING AT THE SPEAKER'S DESK WAITING TO GET ASSIGNED ASK THIS IS HAPPENING EVERY YEAR.

IT DOESN'T GET ASSIGNED TO THE COMMITTEE IN THE OTHER CHAMBER BECAUSE THERE WAS A CALL FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

WE ARE ALL HOPING THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS.

>> TALK ABOUT THE OTHER BILL.

THESE ARE FENTANYL STRIPS HERE?

>> YES.

1486 PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY YESTERDAY.

THAT WILL BE GOING TO THE HOUSE.

IT WOULD MAKE IT LEGAL TO HAVE FENTANYL TEST STRIPS.

RIGHT NOW THE TEST STRIPS ARE CONSIDERED DRUG PARFER NAILIA.

YOU CAN'T BUY THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSIDERED ILLEGAL.

ONE OF THE WAYS TO COMBAT THE EPIDEMIC IS HAVE A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO TEST THE PILL.

THEY SAY THIS ISOXY CO DON'T I WANT TO KNOW IF IT REALLY IS.

IS IT REALLY FENTANYL?

YOU CAN TEST IT.

BECAUSE IT IS SO MUCH MORE POSTENT YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT OR ELSE YOU AREUTING YOURSELF AT RISK -- PUTTING YOURSELF AT RISK FOR OVER DOSE.

I'M OPTIMISTIC THIS BILL WILL GET THROUGH IN THE HOUSE.

THE OTHER BILL I'M HOPEFUL BUT NOT OPTIMISTIC.

>> THE LAST BILL THE SPONSOR LOST A SON TO OPIOIDS TO FENTANYL.

>> REALLY COMPELLING SPEECH ON THE FLOOR THIS WEEK.

>> WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT GOES.

WILL HUMBLE, ARIZONA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION.

THE OPIOID CRISIS GOES ON.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE TO EXPLAIN IT TO US.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> TAKE CARE AM THANKS.

>> UP NEXT: WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE PUSH TO GET CHILDREN BACK IN ARIZONA CLASSROOMS.

>> THE PUSH AND PULL BETWEEN PARENT, TEACHERS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS REGARDING A RETURN TO-IN PERSON LEARNING.

WE SPOKE ABOUT WHEN TO EXPECT ALL ARIZONA STUDENTS TO GET BACK IN THEIR CLASSROOMS.

CHRIS, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHERE DO WE STAND RIGHT NOW AS FAR AS GETTING ARIZONA SCHOOL KIDS BACK IN CLASSROOMS?

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TED.

AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO, A COUPLE OF DISTRICTS VOTE TO GO BACK TO SOME IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION.

I THINK THEY WILL PROBABLY BE THE TREND FOR A LOT OF DISTRICTS HERE AS WE MOVE INTO THE SPRING SEMESTER.

GRANTED THAT -- OR IN THE LATE SPRING SEMESTER, I SHOULD SAY.

GRANTED WE DON'T HAVE A RESURGENCE IN SORT OF COVID-RELATED ILLNESS.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE FOCUSED A LOT ON MITIGATION.

WE HAVE SAID ALL ALONG THE NUMBER ONE THING WE NEED TO DO TO GET KIDS BACK IN CLASS IS MAKE SURE THAT SCHOOLS HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THEIR STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE SAFE.

WITH THE SPREAD COMING DOWN THAT'S PART OF IT.

THE OTHER PART IS THE VACCINATION ROLL OUT AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE APPROPRIATE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE FOR STAFF TO FEEL THEY ARE APPROPRIATELY PROTECTED.

THINGS LIKE MASK WEARING, MITIGATION.

DISTANCING IS THE BIGGEST ONE.

HAY ARE NOT DESIGNED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE STUDENT BODY WITH DISTANCING IN PLACE.

THERE HAS TO BE CREATIVE PLANNING AROUND THAT.

>> I WOULD SAY, AGAIN, IT SOUNDS LIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN PHYSICAL HEALTH AND FOR THE STUDENTS MENTAL HEALTH.

THEY NEED TO GET BACK INTO A CLASSROOM AND GET THE SOCIALIZATION GOING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S THE THING THAT HAS BEEN THE MISCONACCEPTS OUT THERE THAT SCHOOLS DON'T WANT TO GO BACK AND THAT'S THE FURTHEST FROM THE TRUTH WE CAN SAY.

SCHOOLS WANT TO GO BACK BUT THEY HAVE PEOPLE THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR AS WELL.

STAFF AND STUDENTS.

AND AS THINGS ARE FIRMED UP ON THE SPREAD FRONT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE MORE DECISIONS ABOUT GOING BACK.

IT WAS NEVER ABOUT WANTING TO STAY OUT BECAUSE WE WANT TO STAY OUT.

IT WAS ABOUT MAKING SURE WE WERE DOING OUR PART TO CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF COVID.

>> ONCE STUDENTS DO GO BACK OR EVEN IF THEY DON'T, I GUESS, TEST SUGGEST ON THE HORIZON.

IT'S VERY CONFUSING AS TO WHAT TEST IS BEING CONDUCTED, WHEN IT START, WHEN IT STOPS.

WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THIS?

>> MOST PARENTS WILL BE FAMILIAR WITH THE AZ MERIT TEST, OUR TEST GIVEN IN APRIL.

AND UNFORTUNATELY FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE THE USDOE, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, EXCUSE MEED MONDAY THEY WILL NOT GRANT WAIVERS FOR TESTING THIS YEAR AS THEY DID LAST YEAR.

THAT MEANS THAT AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW STUDENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO TAKE THE AZ MERIT HERE IN APRIL.

THAT'S GOING TO CREATE LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES FOR SCHOOLS.

GETTING ALL THE STUDENTS IN AND SPACING THEM OUT APPROPRIATELY TO TAKE THE TEST.

WHETHER ON PAPER OR COMPUTER.

THEY WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO COME TO A SITE TO DO THAT.

WE DON'T HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE SET UP TO HAVE A SECURE TEST WITH REMOTE ACCESS.

AND SO THAT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE.

I KNOW THAT OUR ORGANIZATION ADVOCATED TO TO THE DO THE TEST THIS YEAR JUST BECAUSE WE WANT TO FOCUS ON MAKING SURE STUDENTS GET BACK TO SCHOOL AND, YOU KNOW, ARE MORE COMFORTABLE IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND MOVE ONLOOKING TOWARDS NEXT YEAR AND PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THE CASE.

WE'LL HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT AS APRIL CLOSES IN.

>> THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO USE THE AZ MERIT TEST TO LOOK BACK AND COMPARE AND CONTRAST AND SEE HOW MUCH LEARNING HAS BEEN LOST BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THAT MAKE SENSE TO STPU.

>> YES AND NO.

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE GOVERNOR SIGNING THE A-F LETTER MORATORIUM.

AND WE AGREE THAT THERE IS VALUE IN TRYING TO QUANTIFY WHERE STUDENTS ARE AT.

WE SORT OF OBJECT TO THE TERM LEARNING LOSS JUST BECAUSE THAT IMPLIES LEARNING HAS NOT BEEN TAKING PLACE THIS WHOLE TIME WHICH WE KNOW IT HAS.

BUT ALSO, YOU KNOW, THE DATA IS GOING TO BE SUSPECT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A TREND FROM LAST YEAR.

IT WOULD BE TWO YEARS AGO.

WE DIDN'T DO IT LAST YEAR.

AND THE TESTING EXPERIENCE IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT.

WE JUST -- WE THINK THERE ARE PROBABLY BETTER ASSESS'MS THAN AZ MERIT FOR FIGURING OUT WHERE WE HAVE TO MAKE UP GROUND.

AS WE DISCUSSED, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISN'T GOING TO ENTERTAIN THOSE.

WE'LL BE STUCK WITH AZ MERAND IT DO THE BEST WE CAN AS WE ALWAYS DO.

>> AS FAR AS LEGISLATURE IS CONCERNED THE VOUCHER EXPANSION BILL IN THE HO US NOW AFTER ALL SORTS OF DRAMA IN THE SENATE.

THE SPONSOR WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE IT TO MAKE SURE IT IS FOCUSED AND TARGETED TO LOW INCOME STUDENTS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO THAT NOW.

YOUR GENERAL THOUGHTS ON VOUCHER EXPANSION IN ARIZONA.

>> ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO PRIVATE AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

WE DON'T SUPPORT THE BILL AND PROGRAM IN GENERAL BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY IS TO FUND DISTRICT SCHOOLS.

THAT BEING SAID, YOU KNOW, THE BILL IS PURPORTED TO BE FOCUSED ON LOW INCOME STUDENTS BUT THE REALITY IS WITH THE CRITERIA IN THERE, WE'LL BE COVERING ABOUT 70% OF THE STUDENTSING IN THE STATE WOULD BE ELIGE EUBLG FOR AN ESA UNDER THE BILL.

IT USES THE LANGUAGE OF SOCIO ECONOMIC STATUS AND POVERTY TO SORT OF SELL THE IDEA, BUT IN REALITY IT'S A BROAD-BASED EXPANSION.

>> IF A STRICT INCOME CAP WOULD INCLUDED WOULD THAT CHANGE YOUR POSITION?

>> NO, TED, I DON'T THINK SO.

IT WOULD BE AN IMPROVEMENT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE DISTRICT PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND WE THINK THAT THE AMOUNT OF -- THE USE OF A VOUCHER TO SORT OF HELP STUDENTS WHO ARE IN POVERTY PRE-SUPPOSES THEY HAVE THE ABILITIES TO MAKE THE CHOICE THEY WANT TO MAKE OR THEY WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENT CHOICE.

WE SEE A LOT OF STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND PARENTS VALUE THEIR SCHOOL AND WANT TO SEE THEM IMPROVED.

THEY DON'T WANT TO LEAVE.

I THINK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY IS, IT'S THE STUDENT.

THAT'S TPWHOT IN DOUBT.

WE THINK THE STATE BEST FULFILL IT RESPONSIBILITY TO STUDENTS TO MAKE SURE EVERY STUDENT HAS ACCESS TO A HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> THANK YOU.

GOOD CONVERSATION.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, TED.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> AN ARIZONA COMPANY HAS FDA APPROVAL ON A COVID KILLING MASK.

I'LL SHOW YOU WHERE THEY ARE BEING DELIVERED FIRST ON ARIZONA PBS.

>> ARIZONA'S COURT SYSTEM IS WORKING TO IMPROVEN ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE WITH COVID-RELATED LEGAL ISSUES.

WE TALK ABOUT THE KIND OF HELP OUT THERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US HERE ON ARIZONA HORIZONS.

LEGAL HELP COVID-RELATED LEGAL HELP.

WHAT IS OUT THERE?

>> WE KNOW AN OVERWHELMING PERCENTAGE OF CERTAIN CASES, DEBT COLLECTION AND ARE DISADVANTAGED, 80% CASES.

THE THE CONDITION CREATED IN 2017 CREATED A WEBSITE AND PROVIDES INFORMATION ACCESS TO INFORMATION.

>> FORMS THERE?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU CAN FIND A COMPREHENSIVE SELF-HELP SECTION ORGANIZED BY TOPIC AND VIDEO TUTORIALS AND ORGANIZED BY SUBJECT MATTER.

THERE IS CONTACT INFORMATION FOR EACH COURT IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA AND ACCESS TO COURT CALENDARS AND FINDING WHAT YOU NEED VIA A LIVE CHAT FEATURE AND VIDEOS TO LOOK AT AND YOU CAN TALK TO A LIVE PERSON TO HELP YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT INFORMATIONS YOU ARE FINDING.

>> TO YOU, THERE IS A LEGAL HOT LINE NOW AVAILABLE.

THIS IS FREE LEGAL HELP ON COVID ISSUES?

>> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

IT SURE IS.

AS CHIEF POINTS OUT A WEBSITE WITH RESOURCES AND BACK WHEN COVID HIT AND WE STARTED TO THINK ABOUT THE STATE WITH MANY PARTNERS INCLUDING THE COURT, GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, OTHER LEGAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND WE GOT TOGETHER AND THOUGHT HOW CAN WE HELP PEOPLE THAT HAVE LEGAL NEEDS DURING THE PANDEMIC?

AFTER SOME THOUGHT IN MARCH AND APRIL, BY THE END OF MAY WE HAD A HOT LINE SET UP.

ESSENTIALLY WHAT IT IS FREE ASSISTANCE.

IT STARTS WHEN YOU CALL IN AND YOU GET SOME, YOU HAVE A LEGAL OPERATOR WITH LEGAL INFORMATION.

IN SOME CASES THAT MAY BE ENOUGH.

THE SELF-HELP INFORMATION.

AND THE WEBSITE CHIEF TALKED ABOUT WILL BE ONE OF THE RESOURCES OUR OPERATORS LOOK TO TO GUIDE PEOPLE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.

IN THE EVENT IT ISN'T ENOUGH WE HAVE FREE 30 MINUTE SESSIONS WITH LAWYERS THAT HAVE VOLUNTEERED, OVER 200 LEGAL PROFESSIONALS HAVE VOLUNTEERED AND OUR PARTNER BAR ORGANIZATIONS AND LEGAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.

FOR ABOUT NOT QUITE 30% OF THOSE CALLS IT GETS REFERRED TO AN INDIVIDUAL ATTORNEY FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION HOW TO HELP THE CLIENT WITH WHATEVER ISSUE THEY ARE HAVING ZOO IT SOUPBTDS LIKE A-- HAVING.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT SERVICE.

COVID-RELATED LEGAL ISSUES ONLY, CORRECT?

>> IT DOES.

AND REALLY, JUST TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, ABOUT A THIRD OF THOSE ARE HOUSING RELATED.

EVICTION, LANDLORD-TENANT ISSUES AND FINANCIAL AND CONSUMER AND EMPLOYMENT ISSUES.

THERE IS FAMILY LAW, PUBLIC BENEFIT, SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS.

THE BULK SO FAR OF THOSE HAVE BEEN THE TOP THREE I MENTIONED.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE REFERRALS THE LAWYERS, ABOUT HALF OF THOSE DEAL WITH HOUSING MATTERS.

>> AND CHIEF JUSTICE, THE EVICTION RESOURCES ARE PLENTIFUL THERE ON AZ COURT HELP AS WELL.

I KNOW AN FAQ, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

ANY INDICATION WHAT GETS THE MOST TRAFFIC ON THE WEBSITE?

>> WE HAVE LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT EVICTIONS AND HOUSING ISSUES.

AND THE USE OF THE WEBSITE IS SUBSTANTIAL AND DOUBLED FROM 2019 TO 2020.

PEOPLE ARE FINDING IT AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT.

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THAT.

>> LAST QUESTION, WITH ALL THE PEOPLE USING THIS SERVICE, IT'S COVID RELATED OBVIOUSLY, BUT ONCE THE PANDEMIC EASES AND THINGS MOVE FORWARD ARE YOU LEARNING THINGS AND ARE THINGS THAT COULD APPLY TO A POST-PANDEMIC ATMOSPHERE?

>> NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

IF THERE IS ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT THIS PANDEMIC WE HAVE LEARNED NEW WAYS TO DO BUSINESS.

WE STARTED DOING VIRTUAL HEARINGS AND DISCOVERED PEOPLE WERE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO ATTEND THE HEARINGS IF THEY COULD DO THAT ON-LINE.

IENT DO THINK WE'LL EVER GO BACK.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

JOEL QUICKLY, THIS HOT LINE, LEGAL HOT LINE.

TODAYS AND THURSDAYS FOR THREE HOURS EACH DAY?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

TODAY, THURSDAYS, 12:00 TO 3:00.

>> ALL RIGHT.

VERY GOOD.

GREAT INFORMATION.

THE STATE BAR OF ARIZONA ON FREE LEGAL HELP ON COVID-RELATED LEGAL ISSUES.

THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> IN THE NEXT HALF-HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS: ON CRONKITE NEWS AN ANTI-TRUMP BILL BOARD ON DISPLAY IN PHOENIX HAS A NEW LOOK.

AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, HOW DOUBT AND FEAR CAN LEAD TO FEELING LIKE A FRAUD.

♪ >> TURMOIL OVER ICE DETAINEES GETTING THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE.

WHY A LOCAL ACTIVIST GROUP IS DEMANDING SOMETHING BE DONE TO FIX THE PROSYSTEM.

>>> AN ANTI-TRUMP BILL BOARD HAS A NEW LOOK.

>>> AND LATER THIS HALF-HOUR, HOW IMPOSTOR SYNDROME CAN AFFECT US.