>> COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON ON "ARIZONA HORIZON" THIS WEEK'S JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE LOOKS AT GOVERNOR DUCEY'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO RE-OPEN SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES.

ON "CRONKITE NEWS" - HOW MOST STATES CONTINUE TO SHORT CHANGE PROGRAMS DESIGNATED TO PREVENT KIDS FROM USING TOBACCO.

AND ON "BREAK IT DOWN" - THE DISCRIMINATION ASIAN-AMERICANS HAVE FACED OVER THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M RICK DEBRUHL IN TONIGHT FOR TED SIMONS.

GOVERNOR DOUG DUCEY ANNOUNCED TODAY LIFTING OF SOME COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND MASK REQUIREMENTS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE FOR BUSINESSES, BUT OCCUPANCY LIMITS WILL EXPIRE AT PLACES LIKE GYMS THEATERS, RESTAURANTS AND OTHER BUSINESSES.

SPRING TRAINING AND MAJOR LEAGUE SPORTS WILL BE ABLE TO OPERATE AFTER SUBMITTING A PLAN TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

ARIZONA REPORTED 22,076, NEW COVID 19 CASES TODAY AND 84 DEATHS.

THE STATE DID REACH A POSITIVE MILESTONE, WITH 2 MILLION COVID-19 VACCINES ADMINISTERED IN THE STATE AS OF FRIDAY.

ARIZONA'S NATIONAL GUARD ADJUTANT GENERAL ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION TODAY.

MAJOR GENERAL MICHAEL MCGUIRE'S LAST DAY WILL BE APRIL 10TH.

MCGUIRE WAS GOING TO RETIRE LAST YEAR BUT STAYED ON BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

ARIZONA'S TWO U.S.

SENATORS WERE SPLIT ON A VOTE TODAY TO ALLOW DEBATE ON RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE TO 15 DOLLARS AN HOUR.

SENATOR KYRSTEN SINEMA JOINED REPUBLICANS AND SEVEN OTHER DEMOCRATS TO BLOCK DEBATE ON THE MINIMUM WAGE, WHILE SENATOR MARK KELLY VOTED TO ALLOW THE DEBATE.

THE VOTE WAS NEEDED TO OVERRIDE A SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN'S DECISION THAT THE MINIMUM WAGE HIKE COULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN A STIMULUS PACKAGE.

THE VOTE KILLS A LAST DITCH ATTEMPT TO INCLUDE THE WAGE HIKE.

>> TIME NOW FOR THE JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE, AND WE START WITH TODAY'S BIG HEADLINE, GOVERNOR DUCEY SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO RE-OPEN SCHOOLS AND LIFT SOME COVID RESTRICTIONS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT IT WITH JEREMY DUDA FROM THE "ARIZONA MIRROR" AND MARIA POLLETTA FROM THE "ARIZONA REPUBLIC" ( TECH ISSUES) >> MARIE, IN TALKING WITH PEOPLE, EVERYONE IS GETTING MORE RELAXED.

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE RECEIVED WELL, IN TERMS OF IS IT TIME, OR WILL PEOPLE DIG IN THEIR HEELS AND SAY IT'S TOO EARLY.

>> I THINK IN TERMS OF THE RELAXATION ON RESTRICTIONS, YOU HAVE LAWMAKERS REACTING FAVORABLY TO THE NEWS, THIS COMES AS, IT'S NOT SPECIFIC TO ARIZONA, NATIONWIDE, AND WORLDWIDE.

PUBLIC EXPERTS SAYING YES, WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS, BUT CAUTIONING AGAINST, YOU KNOW, ABRUPTLY REVERSING COURSE BEFORE THERE'S BROADER AVAILABILITY, WE COULD BE SETTING UP FOR WHAT IS A SURGE.

IT COULD BE AVOIDABLE.

THERE COULD BE CRITICISM TO THAT END.

WE HAVE FOLKS ON THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE WHO ARE HAPPY FOR BUSINESSES TO OPEN BACK UP.

>> JEREMY, THIS IS ON THE GOVERNOR'S SIDE.

THERE WAS A BILL THAT PASSED THE HOUSE ALLOWING BUSINESSES TO IGNORE OR - SHALL WE SAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO ENFORCE CITY MASK MANDATES.

DO YOU THINK THERE'LL BE MORE COMING FROM THE LEGISLATURE AS WELL.

>> FIRST WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THAT.

WE SEE A LOT OF LEGISLATION SCALING BACK THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS AND RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE TO DO WITH THE PANDEMIC, THIS BILL, WITH THE BUSINESSES AND FACE MASK MANDATES.

NOT REQUIRING TO ENFORCE, BASICALLY MEANING BUSINESSES NOT ABIDING BY THE REQUIREMENTS.

SOMETHING THAT IS CENTRING IS THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER, HE DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO CHANGE THE MANN SAYS, AND YOU WONDER IF HE'LL BE OPEN IN THIS IDEA THAT WOULD BARR THE MANDATES.

>> HIGHS GOAL ALL ALONG WAS SAYING IT WASN'T A STATE THING TO DO, BUT A CITY THING TO DO.

CAN SEE GO ON WITH THAT.

CAN THE CITY GO ALONG WITH IT.

>> SURE, LOOSENING OF THE RESTRICTIONS, HE TOOK A DIG AT LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES, SAY THAT HE WOULD CONTINUE TO NOT ALLOW THEM TO TAKE OVERLY EXTREME MEASURES.

I THINK BY MOVING IT TO CITIES, AND THIS COUNTRY GOVERNMENTS, THAT'S ALLOWED THE GOVERNOR TO CONTINUE ON WITH THIS PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITY MANTRA, BASICALLY SAYING THAT AS LONG AS WE HAVE PEOPLE USING MASKS, BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THEMSELVES, NOT DOING ANYTHING TOO STUPID.

NOT CRAMMING INTO BARS AND SO FORTH, CONSIDERING SOCIAL DISTANCE, WE ARE ON OUR WAY OUT OF THE PAID, THAT REQUIRES ARIZONANS TO DO THOSE THINGS.

>> WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES.

>> IT WAS INTERESTING.

I WAS LOOKING AT A HEADLINE ONE YEAR AGO TODAY ON MARCH 5TH.

AND THE HEADLINE SAID THIRD CORONAVIRUS CASE FOUND IN ARIZONA.

WHERE HAVE WE COME FROM THAT POINT IN TERMS OF THE TOTAL NUMBERS, 1600 DEAD.

AND MANY CASES.

LET'S MOVE ON TO OTHER TOPICS, WE HAVE THE SAGA OF THE MARICOPA COUNTY BALLOTS THAT NOBODY SEEMS TO WANT LIGHT NOW.

WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THAT.

FOR MONTHS NOW.

I THINK IT WAS IN DECEMBER THAT THE SENATE REPUBLICAN ISSUED SUBPOENAS, BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO DO AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT EVEN THOUGH MULTIPLE AUDITS HAVE BEEN DONE THAT FOUND GOOD ACCURACY AND POSITIVE RESULTS FOR MARICOPA COUNTY'S ADMINISTRATION OF THE ELECTION, AND THEY HAVE BEEN IN COURT BACK AND FORTH.

THE COUNTY SAYS WE CAN'T GIVE IT OVER UNLESS A JUDGE DESTRUCTS US TO, ORDERS US TO, THE SECRET BALLOT.

THE SENATOR SAID GIVE IT OVER IF WE HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE.

WE HAVE THE JUDGE SIDING WITH THE SENATE.

THEM SAYING HERE WE GO, AND THE SENATE SAYING WAIT, WE DON'T HAVE A PLACE FOR THOSE.

WE THOUGHT WE'D GO TO THE COUNTY, WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, HOWEVER MANY BALLOTS SITTING AROUND WAITING FOR A HOME AS THE SENATE FIGURES OUT WHAT IT'S TRYING TO DO.

THE COUNTY IS NOT KEEPING TO THIS IDEA OF USING THEIR FACILITIES, THEY HAVE OTHER THINGS TO ADMINISTER IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WILL DRAG OUT OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, OR WILL WE GET A RESOLUTION WITH THE SAGA OF THE BALLOTS THAT TEND TO MOVE AROUND.

>> HARD TO SAY, I'D SAY IT MAY DRAG ON, THE SENATE HAD 2.5 MONTHS TO PREPARE FOR THIS, AND IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE DONE MUCH PREPARATION AT ALL.

GIVEN THEY SAY THEY EXPECTED TO SUSPECT THE BALLOT FOR THE MACHINERY AND ALL THAT ON THE COUNTY'S PREMISES, THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE SUBPOENA REQUIRING THAT.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THE COUNTY IS JUMPING AT A CHANCE TO ROLL OFF THE RED CARPET AFTER 2.5 MONTHS OF LEGAL FIGHTS.

THE SENATOR DOESN'T HAVE AN AUDITOR CHOSEN.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2.5 MONTHS, AT ONE POINT THEY CHOSE AN AUDITOR AND HAD TO BACK AWAY.

IT DIMINISHED THE CREDIBILITY OF THE AUDITORS, THEY STILL DON'T HAVE ANYONE, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S THAT MEN COMPANIES OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT WOULD BE QUALIFIED.

THEY STILL HAVE NOT SELECTED ONE.

IF THEY'D BEEN READY TO TAKE DELIVERY OFT TRUCKLOADS OF BALLOTS WHICH JACK TOOK A PICTURE OF AND SAID "HERE IS THE BALLOTS, WHERE DO YOU WANT THEM", IF THEY HAD A PLACE FOR THEM, A WAREHOUSE, THEY WON'T BE MOVING FORWARD.

THEY HAVEN'T CHOSEN THE PEOPLE.

>> SO PEAKING OF BALLOTS, THE ARIZONA BALLOTS.

AND ARIZONA BALLOT LAWS WERE AT THE SUPREME COURT, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT.

>> THIS IS ABOUT TWO MATTERS.

THE MAIN WHICH HAS MOST OF THE ATTENTION, THE PRACTICE KNOWN AS BALLOT HARVESTING.

FOLKS GET THE EARLY BALLOTS IN THE MAIL.

AND ACT DYNAMIC, SOME GROUPS WILL GO PEOPLE'S DOORS WHO HAVE NOT TURNED IN THE BALLOT SAYING "HEY, I CAN TAKE YOUR BALLOTS AND HELP YOU FILL THEM OUT", THEY'LL TAKE THEM.

THAT HAS BEEN BANNED IN 2016.

DEMOCRATS CONTEND IT WAS DONE WITH RACIAL AMIN OFT.

WITH VIOLENCE, THE FOLKS THAT TURN OVER THE BALLOTS ARE MINORITY VOTERS, IT'S BEEN DEFENDED IN COURT SAYING IT'S AN ELECTION INTEGRITY MEASURE, THEY WANT TO ENSURE CHAIN OF CUSTODY, AND VOTER INTIMIDATION.

IT WILL BE UP TO THE SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE THIS.

>> IN HEAR AG THE ARGUMENTS COMING FORWARD.

IT DIDN'T SOUND LIKE THE JUSTICES WERE GOING TO SIDE AGAINST ARIZONA LAW, CORRECT.

THEY SOUND LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO LIMIT THINGS.

>> RIGHT.

THEY DID SINGLE IN THEIR QUESTIONING SEVERAL OF THE JUSTICES DID, THAT THEY WERE NOT, AS YOU SAID, NECESSARILY HOSTILE TO HOW ARIZONA HAS DONE THINGS, YOU DID HAVE JUST SOTOMEYER QUESTIONING SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS.

SAYING HOW IS THIS FAIR IF YOU HAVE RURAL OR INDIGENOUS VOTERS WHO THE POST OFFICE IS NOT AROUND THE CORNER FOR THEM.

HOW IS YOUR ARGUMENT THAT BECAUSE ARIZONA HAS AN EXTENSIVE EARLY VOTING SYSTEM NONE OF THIS WILL AFFECT THE VOTERS, ASIDE FROM THAT.

THE JUDGES WERE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ARGUMENTS.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS, AND THE IMPLICATIONS IT HAS FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

>> DO YOU THINK IT WILL EMBOLDEN.

LET'S SAY THE SUPREME COURT UPHOLD THE ARIZONA LAW.

DO YOU THINK WE'LL FACE OR SEE MORE LAWS COMING OUT DEALING WITH THESE RESTRICTIONS.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE NEEDS A SIGNAL TO MOVE FORWARD.

WE HAVE MORE LAWS MOVING FORWARD.

WITH A FACT TO RESTRICT VOTING RIGHTS.

THAN I HAVE SEEN IN ONE SESSION.

I THINK WE'LL SEE - PEOPLE WILL BE PUSHING THE LAWS.

THEY CAN PROVIDE CONTOURS FOR HOW FAR PEOPLE WILL GO WITH FUTURE LAWS.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I AGREE.

I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS NEEDED IN ARIZONA, IN TERMS OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

ELECTION RELATED BILLS THAT WERE FILED.

SEVERAL OF WHICH WERE MOVING, THAT APPEARED TO STALL.

AND BROUGHT BACK AND GIVEN NEW LIFE.

INDEPENDENT OF WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE FEDERAL SUPREME COURT OR WHAT HAPPENS IN OTHER STATES, ARIZONA HAS ALREADY BEEN MOVING IN THIS DIRECTION TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO VOTE.

AND IS DOING SO - WE'LL SEE SOME OF THOSE MAKE IT THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> THANKS A LOT.

MARIE FROM THE "ARIZONA REPUBLIC", AND JEREMY FROM "ARIZONA MIRROR", THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND INSIGHT.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK A LOOK BACK AT TWO VALLEY LIVES LOST RECENTLY AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO ARIZONA >> I THINK HE WAS A TERRIFIC FATHER SOMETIMES, I THINK THAT HE WAS A LOVING HUSBAND SOMETIMES, I THINK HE WAS LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE, EXCEPT THIS ENORMOUS TALENT.

>> EARLIER THIS WEEK, RICH HAZELWOOD, THE OWNER OF THE CELEBRITY THEATRE, PASSED AWAY.

THE CELEBRITY THEATRE IN PHOENIX IS AN ICON, KNOWN FOR IT'S ROTATING STAGE.

IT'S HOSTED EVERYONE FROM SAMMY DAVIS JUNIOR TO BRUCE SPRINGSTEIN.

PRODUCER SHANA FISCHER SHOWS US HOW HAZELWOOD TURNED HIS CHILDHOOD DREAM INTO A REALITY WE CAN ALL ENJOY.

>> Reporter: AS A LITTLE BAY, RICH HAZEL WOOD KNEW HE'D OWN THE CELEBRITY THEATRE ONE DAY.

>> MY PAPER ROUTE WAS CROSS THE STREET.

I WOULD RIDE MY BIKE HERE GOING TO THE PAPER ROUTE WHEN THEY BUILT IT.

WE WOULD STOP.

WE USED TO WATCH THEM BRING IN THE CRANES TO BUILD IT.

>> SOME 40 YEARS LATER.

HIS WISH HAS COME THROUGH.

HAZEL WOOD BOUGHT THE THEATRE IN 2002.

AND SPENT MORE THAN A MILLION RESTORING IT.

>> I'M NOT A MUSICAL PERSON.

I DID THE POSITIVE PARTS AND FIXED UP THINGS I COULD DO TO MAKE IT LOOK GOOD.

IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU SEE THE INCREDIBLE CHANGE THE PLACE WENT THROUGH, WE GET A LITTLE NICER, CLEANER, A LIT BITTER.

THEY DRIVE ME, I AM NOT MUSICAL AT ALL.

ONE THING THIS HAS NOT CHANGING ABOUT THE THEATRE, THE INTIMATE SETTING.

IT CAN HOLD 2,650, AND THERE ISN'T A BAD SEAT IN THE HOUSE.

>>.

EXPERIENCE YOU GET FROM COMING TO A CONCERT IS THAT YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ACT, A SOLD-OUT ACT.

YOU ARE A PART OF IT.

YOU ARE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.

IN THE ACT.

YOU CAN SELL THE ACT BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.

ENTHUSIASM BUILDS, IT'S AN INCREDIBLE FEELING, EVERYONE IS ON THEIR FEET AND SINGING OR DANCING OR SCREAMING.

IT'S AN INCREDIBLE FEELING.

ADDING TO THE UNIQUENESS OF THE THEATRE IS A 360 DEGREE STAGE, PUTTING THE ACT IN FRONT OF FANS.

BECAUSE OF ITS SMALL SIZE AND THE ROUND STAGE, IT CAN BE HARD TO BOOK MUSICAL ACTS.

SO HAZEL WOOD AND HIS TEAM WORKED HARD TO GET THE THEATRE DESIGNATED AN HISTORIC LANDMARK.

>> A LOT OF ACTS WILL NOT PLAY AROUND THEATRE.

THE FACT THAT WE HAVE HISTORICAL DESIGNATION, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

IT TURNS THE ACTS ON.

WHEN THEY COME IN AND KNOW ALL OF THESE THINGS AND WE TRY TO RELY THAT TO THEM.

THEY START TO FEEL A LITTLE MORE IMPORTANT.

THAT'S A BIG PLUS PLAYING THERE.

>> IT'S NOT JUST THE BUILDING ITSELF THAT HAS HISTORY, STEP INTO THE LOUNGE AND ALL AROUND IT THE MEMORABILIA, A SIGNED STEVIE WOOD T-SHIRT.

DOZENS OF AUTOGRAPHED GUITARS.

>> IF WE OWN SOMETHING, SOMETIMES WE TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.

THAT'S THE FUN PART FOR OWNING THIS PLACE, KNOWING THAT THEY MEET LAST NIGHT OTHER NIGHT BEFORE WE HAD AN INCREDIBLE ACT ON THE STAGE AND WE OWN IT.

THAT IS EXCITING FOR ME.

>> WHERE IS THE SHOW.

>> HAZEL WOOD IS 74 YEARS OLD.

IN A STATEMENT THE FAMILY SAYS HIS DAUGHTER WILL LEAD THE CELEBRITY THEATRE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF LOCAL CONCERT PROMOTER DANNY ZELISKO, AND ANOTHER VALLEY NEWSMAKER PASSED AWAY THIS WEEK, AND THIS ONE HITS CLOSE TO HOME.

YESTERDAY, WE GOT NEWS THAT KAET-TV'S VERY FIRST GM PASSED, BOB ELLIS PASSED AWAY.

BOB ELLIS WAS BORN IN CLEVELAND OHIO AND FIRST CAME TO ARIZONA TO VISIT A SISTER AFTER HIS MILITARY SERVICE IN 1947.

HE ATTENDED WHAT WAS THEN ARIZONA STATE COLLEGE AND ENDED UP WORKING AT THE RADIO STATION KOY, WHERE HE MET HIS FUTURE WIFE, FRANKIE JO.

HE HELPED START KAET TV IN 1961 AND BECAME IT'S FIRST GENERAL MANAGER, SERVING UNTIL 1989.

IN A 2008 INTERVIEW, ELLIS TALKED ABOUT NAMING THE STATION.

>> WE DID NOT WANT KAET.

WE WANTED KASU.

AND THAT WAS NOT AVAILABLE BECAUSE THAT WAS AN FM STATION IN ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY.

SO WE SETTLED FOR AET, WHICH STANDS FOR ARIZONA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION.

NO ONE REALISES THAT NOW.

IT'S A HARD CALL KAET, BUT WE STILL STUCK WITH IT.

>> AFTER HIS RETIREMENT FROM KAET, ELLIS ACCEPTED A PART-TIME ASSIGNMENT TO WORK IN THE ASU RELATIONS OFFICE AND EVENTUALLY TOOK CHARGE OF ORGANIZING UNIVERSITY RETIREES.

ELLIS WAS 93 YEARS OLD.

>> HI, WELCOME TO ARIZONA PBS STUDIOS, I HOPE YOU APPRECIATE "ARIZONA HORIZON" TONIGHT.

THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM, "ARIZONA HORIZON" IN PARTICULAR IS SO IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

BECAUSE IT IS ARIZONA'S ONLY PROGRAMME DEVOTED TO ARIZONA ISSUES SUCH AS THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE, AND NATIONAL ISSUES THAT AFFECT ALL ARIZONIANS.

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO BE HERE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO GIVE US A CALL DURING THIS TIME RIGHT NOW.

DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES, ISN'T IT REASSURING THAT SHOWS CAN TACKLED ISSUES IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US.

WITH TED SIMONS AS AN AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST.

HE'LL BE THERE TO ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS, AND MAKE SURE THE INTERVIEW, EVEN THOUGH THEY INCLUDE THE HARD QUESTIONS IS CONDUCTED WITH CIVILITY AND RESPECT.

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PROGRAMME CONTINUES TO HAVE A PLACE ON AUSTRALIA PBS.

THIS IS MAKING FOR SUPPORT.

WHEN YOU MAKE THE CALL, WE'D LOVE TO SEND YOU A COFFEE MUG WITH OUR SAYING, THAT'S NOT THE ONLY THING THAT YOU GET WHEN YOU SUPPORT "ARIZONA HORIZON", YOU GET THE FEELING, MAKING SURE THAT QUALITY JOURNALISM CONTINUES TO HAVE A HOME ON AZPBS BECAUSE REMEMBER THE PROGRAMS COUNT ON YOU, THANKS.