>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS - ON "ARIZONA HORIZON", THIS WEEK'S JOURNALISTS' ROUNDTABLE LOOKS AT THE LATEST IN THE ELECTION AUDIT FIGHT BETWEEN THE STATE SENATE AND MARICOPA COUNTY.

ON "CRONKITE NEWS", WHAT WILDLIFE OFFICIALS WANT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO DO TO PROTECT BIODIVERSITY IN THE BORDERLANDS.

AND ON "BREAK IT DOWN", THE STRESS OF CONSTANT ZOOM MEETINGS.

THAT'S ALL COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR ON ARIZONA PBS.

[ THEME ] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON".

I'M TED SIMONS.

ARIZONA'S NUMBER OF NEW COVID CASES JUMPED TODAY.

THE STATE RECORDED MORE THAN 1300 NEW CASES, BUT HALF OF THOSE CASES ARE FROM BACKFILLING AND UPDATING NUMBERS FROM GRAHAM, GILA AND NAVAJO COUNTIES, WHICH MEANS THE ACTUAL NEW-CASE COUNT FOR THE STATE IS HOLDING STEADY.

ARIZONA'S VACCINATION NUMBERS CONTINUE TO CLIMB: 20 PERCENT OF ADULTS IN THE STATE ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED, WITH 33 PERCENT RECEIVING AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

AND THE STATE TODAY ANNOUNCED A VACCINATION SITE IN FLAGSTAFF WILL OPEN APRIL 19TH.

IT'LL BE OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AT NAU'S UNIVERSITY UNION FIELDHOUSE.

PFIZER SAYS THAT ITS VACCINE SHOULD NOW BE ALLOWED FOR CHILDREN AGED 12 TO 15.

PFIZER TODAY ASKED THE FDA FOR AN EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION TO EXPAND THE VACCINE TO YOUNGER ADOLESCENTS.

PFIZER SAYS ITS CLINICAL TRIALS SHOW 100 PERCENT EFFICACY FOR CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 12.

PFIZER'S REQUEST COMES ON THE SAME DAY AS THE RELEASE OF A NEW STUDY THAT SHOWS THAT COVID SYMPTOMS ARE MORE SEVERE IN BOYS AND CHILDREN WITH EXISTING CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

THE STUDY FOUND THAT 58 PERCENT OF YOUNG COVID PATIENTS REQUIRING A VENTILATOR WERE MALE, AND THAT 84 PERCENT OF ALL YOUNGER PATIENTS HAD ONE OR MORE CHRONIC CONDITIONS BEFORE GETTING SICK.

THE STUDY DID NOT FIND A STATISTICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN SEVERE DISEASE AND RACE AND ETHNICITY.

AT THE DEREK CHAUVIN MURDER TRIAL OF GEORGE FLOYD, A FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST TESTIFIED TODAY THAT POLICE RESTRAINT AND COMPRESSION WERE THE ONLY REASONS THAT FLOYD'S HEART AND BREATHING STOPPED.

>> DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION THROUGH REASONABLE DEGREE OF MEDICAL CERTAINTY, IF MR FLOYD WOULD HAVE DIED THAT NIGHT HAD HE NOT BEEN SUBJECT TO THE SUB DUAL AND RESTRAINT OF THE POLICE.

>> THERE'S NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT HE WOULD HAVE DIED THAT NIGHT.

EXCEPT FOR THE INTERACTIONS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> THE SAME WITNESS TESTIFIED THAT THIS WAS NOT THE KIND OF DEATH THAT SHE SEES WITH HEART ATTACKS OR DRUG OVERDOSES.

AND ENGLAND AND ANGLOPHILES AROUND THE WORLD ARE MOURNING THE DEATH OF PRINCE PHILIP.

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND HUSBAND OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II, DIED TODAY JUST TWO MONTHS BEFORE HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING THAT PHILIP DIED PEACEFULLY THIS MORNING AT WINDSOR CASTLE.

PHILIP MARRIED ELIZABETH IN 1947, AND ESSENTIALLY WAS KNOWN FOR BEING THE HUSBAND OF THE QUEEN, ACCOMPANYING HER ON ROYAL VISITS AND STANDING IN FOR HER AT CEREMONIAL EVENTS.

PHILIP RETIRED FROM HIS ROYAL DUTIES IN IN 2017.

REACTION TO PRINCE PHILIP'S DEATH TODAY IN WINDSOR.

>> I THINK IT HITS HOME HOW FRAIL THE QUEEN IS AS WELL.

BECAUSE, OBVIOUSLY, OF HER AGE, AND I THINK IT'S JUST A BIT MORE REAL THAT AT SOME POINT SOON WE MIGHT LOSE OUR QUEEN.

AND THAT IS REALLY UPSETTING.

SHE'S SUCH THE HEART OF OUR COUNTRY.

THE KING, PRINCE PHILIP DIED HASN'T HE.

>> YES.

>> YES, AND WE'VE COME TO LAY OUR FLOWERS.

>> YES.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY CALLED PRINCE PHILIP, QUOTE, "A HECK OF A GUY," ADDING, QUOTE, "99 YEARS, HE NEVER SLOWED DOWN.

I ADMIRE THE DEVIL OUT OF HIM."

TIME NOW FOR THE JOURNALISTS ROUNDTABLE, THE FUSSING AND FIGHTING BETWEEN THE STATE SENATE AND MARICOPA COUNTY OVER THE SENATE'S AUDIT OF COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS CONTINUES.

FOR THAT AND MORE, WE WELCOME MARIA POLLETTA OF THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC, AND BOB CHRISTIE FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.

.

>> MARIE, BOB, GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

>> OUR FIRST ROUNDTABLE ON THE NEW SET.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU THROUGH.

THE STATE SENATE.

MARICOPA SENATE.

ANOTHER AUDIT.

FROM BACK IN NOVEMBER, A FORENSIC AWED.

>> IN MARICOPA COUNTY.

>> WHERE DO WE STAND.

EVERY DAY THERE'S SOMETHING NEW.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY, WE ARE AT A POINT WHERE THE SENATE SELECTED THE COMPANY THAT WILL PERFORM THE AUDIT.

THAT HAS NOT BEEN WITHOUT CONTROVERSY BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE PAST TWEAKS AND PUBLICATIONS FROM LEADERSHIP THERE, BASICALLY SUPPORTING THE STOP AND KILL CAMPAIGN, AND QUESTIONING THE LEGITIMACY OF THE ELECTION.

THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS THERE.

THE SCOPE OF WORK ALSO DOESN'T REALLY SAY WHETHER ANYONE WILL BE ABLE TO OBSERVE, YOU KNOW, THE COUNTING IN PERSON.

THERE'S QUESTIONS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

THEY ARE TRYING TO DO 2 MILLION OF CROSS BALLOTS AND 155 MILLION.

AND TALKING TO EXPERTS IN THESE TYPES OF AUDITS, WONDER EGG IF THIS IS POSSIBLE TO DO IN THE TIME FRAME AND AT THE COST THAT THEY WANT TO.

>> AND DEMOCRATIC LAWYERS ARE WARNING THOSE FOLKS RUNNING THIS ELECTION AUDIT THAT YOU BETTER KEEP YOUR PS AND QS, IF YOU GO DOOR TO DOOR - THEY ARE GOING GO DOOR TO DOOR FOR VOTERS.

>> BECAUSE THEY SAY THIS THEY MAY INVESTIGATE INDIVIDUAL VOTERS.

GO OUT AND ASK THEM IF THEY VOTED.

AND WARNING LETTER, DEMAND LETTER TO THE SENATE AND THE GROUP THAT WILL SEE THE AUDIT TELLING THEM IF YOU DO THINGS LIKE THAT YOU ARE VIOLATING THE THINGS LIKE THE KU KLUX KLAN ACT.

FEDERAL VOTING LAWS OF THE STATE AND CONSTITUTION SAYING YOU CAN'T INTIMIDATE VOTERS, IT WAS A POINTED ALERT SAY YOU BETTER BE CAREFUL.

YOU'LL MAKE FEDERAL CLAIMS AGAINST YOU, WE HAVE A DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATION.

IT IS A BIG DEAL.

AND THE JOE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WILL LOOK AT THIS, AND THE JUST DEPARTMENT.

>> YOU WOULD THINK, AND EARLIER MARICOPA COUNTY TOLD THE CYBER NINJA, AND THE SENATE.

THIS IS NOT A SENATE EFFORT.

>> THAT'S THE FEELING ALL ALONG, THE COUNTRY PERFORMS TO AUDITS.

MULTIPLE BIPARTISAN HAND COUNSEL, IT'S NOT 100% IN SOME CASE, ACCURACY.

THE COUNTY'S POSITION IS WE HAVE DONE OUR DUE DILIGENCE, HANDED OVER THE BALLOTS AFTER OUR PROTRACTED COURT FIGHT, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN, AND WE CAN'T BE INVOLVED.

OUTSIDE OUTDOORS SAID THAT'S PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA GIVEN QUESTIONS THAT THE DOUBTERS MAY HAVE, MARICOPA COUNTY TO TURN IT OVER TO THE SENATE.

>> AS FAR AS THE SENATE WE HERE WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO HIDE.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM - MAYBE THERE IS SOMETHING.

IT NEVER STOPS.

>> NO, IF NEVER STOPS.

FROM THE COUNTRY'S PERSPECTIVE.

THEY READ THE LAW, SAID THEY CAN'T TURN OVER THE BALLOTS.

THEY GOT IN A COURT FIGHT.

THE JUDGE SAID YOU DO HAVE TO GIVE THEM TH BALLOTS.

THEY DON'T WANT TO PLAY.

THEY HAVE NO REASON TO HELP THE SENATE.

AND THE LETTER SAYS WE DON'T THING YOU CAN LEGALLY RECOUNT.

YOU MAY THING YOU CAN.

THE WAY WE READ THE LAW, IT'S ILLEGAL TO DO A RECOUNT, WE ARE NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE.

THAT THROWS A WRENCH INTO THE RECOUNT.

THE COUNTY THAT HANDLES 2.1 MILLION STAFF AND THE EXPERIENCE TO DO THE RECOUNT.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'LL FIND A NUMBER TO DO THAT.

THERE WAS TALK ABOUT VOLUNTEERS.

THAT SEEMS LIKELY.

WHAT VOLUNTEERS, HOW DO YOU GET BIPARTISAN - ALL THE RECOUNTS ARE DOWN WITH PAN AIMS, DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN TWO OF EACH OR AT LEAST ONE LOOKING AT EACH BALLOT.

TO SEE A BUNCH OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY SECONDS TO HELP WITH THE AUDIT SKEPTICAL.

>> THE LAST QUESTION ON THIS ONE WHERE DO WE GO, WHAT IS NEXT.

IT'S TRYING TO MAKE THE LOGISTICS HAPPEN.

BOB MADE GOOD POINT ABOUT SOME.

CHALLENGES THERE ARE FACING IN TERMS OF MANPOWER COMBINED WITH A SMALL BUDGET AT THIS POINT.

IT'S FIGURING HOW TO PULL THIS OFF.

WE TALKED IN PAST WEEKS, THE SENATE EXPECTED TO USE THE COUNTY ASSIST ASSETS TO HOLD.

AND THEY SAID ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THEY ARE FACING A LOT OF OPPOSITION IN TERMS OF INDIVIDUAL PIECES TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> BOB, ANTI-ABORTION BILL.

ONE VOTED DOWN, THIS ONE DEALING WITH GENETIC ABNORMALITIES, TALK TO US ABOUT THIS.

>> THIS IS THE YEAR'S BIGGEST BILL.

EVERY YEAR WE HAVE ONE BILL THAT IS A HEADLINER FOR THE CENTER OF ARIZONA POLICY.

CONCERN, AN ABORTION GROUP.

THEIR BUILD THIS YEAR WOULD BAN ABORTIONS FOR GENETIC REASONS, THE MAILING OF MEDICATION TO ABORTION PATIENTS.

WHICH IS NOT ALLOWED IN KEPA ARRIZABALAGA, UNTIL THE PANDEMIC, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAID YOU HAVE TO ALLOW THAT, AND IT HAS A BUNCH OF OTHER PROVISIONS.

THIS HAD PROBLEMS, WHEN ONE OF THE LAWMAKERS SAID HE HAD CONCERNS WITH IT, A HOUSE REPUBLICAN SAID SHE WOULD NOT VOTE FOR IT.

THEY CHANGED FOR SOME PROVISIONS.

THERE WAS NO BRAIN OR THE FOETUS NO BAY WAS GOING TO SURVIVE BIRTH.

WHEN IT GOT BACK TO THE SENATE.

ONE SENATOR SAID "I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS, THE LANGUAGE IS BAD, I HAVE CONCERNS THAT DOCTORS COULD BE PUNISHED.

PUT IN PRISON FOR USING THEIR BEST MEDICAL JUDGMENT.

I AND I CAN'T VOTE FOR IT.

IS WENT DOWN TWO DAYS AGO.

AND WHATEVER A STARK DEBATE.

A YOU PRIVATE THIS DID NOT MAKE IT.

>> IT'S A DRAMATIC VOTE, AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF SILENCE HE'S THE ONE THAT RAISED CONCERNS, AND WORKED WITH SPONSORS SO ADDRESS CONCERNS THAT IT DID NOT GET TO A POINT WHERE HE COULD SUPPORT IT.

HE HAD REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE CRIMINALISATION ELEMENT.

AND ESSENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, IN THAT - IN THE HOUSE AMENDED VERSIONS, IT ALLOWED FOR THAT EXCEPTION FOR SEVERE FOETAL ABNORMALITIES, BUT IF SOMEONE WERE TO BE PROSECUTED.

IT WOULD BE UP TO A JURY TO DETERMINE WHETHER A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL USED HIS JUDGMENT THERE.

HE FELT LIKE THAT'S KIND OF A REACH TO HOW PEOPLE MAKE THEIR DECISIONS.

BEYOND THAT, THAT WAS THE CENTRE PIECE OF THE BILL.

THERE WERE SEVERAL PROVISIONS THAT WOULD HAVE CONFERRED PERSONHOOD RIGHTS TO FOETUSES AT ANY STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT.

RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES, IT HAD RESTRICTIONS ON RESEARCH THAT COULD BE DONE IN TERMS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND FORBID THEM FROM PERFORMING ABORTIONS, UNLESS THERE WAS A CRISIS THAT THREATENED THE SAFETY OF THE MOTHER.

THERE WERE SEVERAL ELEMENTS IN THERE THAT CAUSED THE SENATOR TO GIVE HIM PAUSE.

>> QUICKLY, DID IT COME BARK, I KNOW, NO BILLS ARE DEAD UNTIL THEY ARE DEAD.

DID THIS COME BACK.

>> ABSOLUTELY CAN COME BACK, AND IT WAS ADDS THAT IT IS DOING TO COME BACK, THERE'S A GROUP PULLING OUT ALL STOPS PRESSURING THE SENATOR THIS WEEKEND.

THIS IS NOT DEAD.

I DON'T DOUBT THEY'LL FIGURE OUT A WAY TO TAKE CARE OF THE SENATOR'S CONCERNS, THIS IS THEIR BIG ABORTION BILL.

THEY WANT IT.

>> WE'LL GOES IT OUT HERE.

THE GOVERNOR ALL OVER FOX NEWS.

EVERY DAY IT SEEMS HE'S ON THERE TALKING ABOUT THE BORDER - CALLING IT A CRISIS, AN EMERGENCY, HE IS PREPARED TO SEND THE NATIONAL GUARD.

I WOULD THING IF ITS A CRISIS AND EMERGENCY THE GUARD WOULD BE THERE BY NOW.

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

>> OF COURSE THERE'S A SURGE OF ARRIVALS OF MIGRANTS AT THE BORDER, INCLUDING UNACCOMPANIED MIGRANTS.

SOME STARTED TO PICK UP LAST YEAR, IT SEEMS THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS NOT ENTIRELY PREPARED FOR THE IMPACTS AFTER THE PRESIDENT ROLL THE BACK SOME OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S MORE RESTRICTIVE IMMIGRATION POLICIES, SO THE REPUBLICANS, INCLUDING GOVERNOR DUCEY, AND MARK WHO HAS BEEN ON FOX FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS SEIZED ON THAT AS A WAY TO POINT THE ADMINISTRATION AS OUT OF THE TOUCH, NOT CONCERNED WITH BORDER AND NATIONAL SECURITY, AND USING THAT TO, I GUESS IT'S APPEAL TO THE BASE, IN A STATE LIKE ARIZONA OR TEXAS.

THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN AT THE BORDER, THEY'VE SAID THAT KAMALA HARRIS IS THE WORST TO OVERSEE IT, AND SETS HIMSELF AS SOMEONE SEASONED AND PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS NOT.

>> HE'S PUTTING HIMSELF IN THAT POSITION, HE HAS POLITICAL AMBITION, AND THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL BARNABY HAS POLITICAL AMBITIONS.

IS THAT NOT WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE?

>> THIS IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING AT ITS BEST.

THE GOVERNOR IS ARE WALKING AWAY FROM THE INTERVIEWS SAY SOMETHING I HAVE VOTES FROM THAT ONE.

THE GOVERNOR SADDLED UP TO MIKE PENCE, SAYING HE'LL JOIN THE GROUP AS AN ADVISOR, THEY ARE ATTACHED AT THE HIP.

MIKE PENCE HAS PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATIONS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THING THE GOVERNOR DOES.

THEY THINK THIS IS A GOOD ISSUE FOR THE BASE, AND IT IS.

IT DOES - YOU KNOW, EVEN WITH MODERATES, THEY SEE THE PROBLEMS AT THE BORDER.

THEY SEE LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE COMING ACROSS AND THEY ARE TROUBLED BY IT.

OF COURSE, THIS IS GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SILENT APPLICATIONS UNDER THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S RULE THAT SAYS WE DON'T TAKE THE APPLICATIONS ANY MORE, AND NOW THE PRESIDENT IS SAYING WE'LL ENFORCE THE COUNTER PRESIDENT LAW SAYING YOU CAN APPLY FOR ASYLUM AND STAY HERE.

THAT'S WHERE YOU GET THE UNACCOMPANIED MINORS, THE VAST MAJORITY ARE TURNED BACK.

NOT EVERYWHERE, BUT THERE ARE ENOUGH THAT IT'S A REAL POLITICAL ISSUE FOR THE PRESIDENT.

AND A GOOD POLITICAL ISSUE FOR THE REPUBLICAN.

>> THANK YOU, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE ON THE NEW SET DEBUT FOR THE JOURNALISTS ROUNDTABLE.

COMING UP - A CONVERSATION WITH UNIVERSITY OF THE ARIZONA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH ADIA BARNES.

>> THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA'S WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM CAME WITHIN ONE GAME OF WINNING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP LAST WEEK.

IT'S THE BEST SHOWING EVER FOR THE SCHOOL'S WOMEN'S TEAM AND IT'S MADE HEAD COACH ADIA BARNES A BASKETBALL SENSATION.

WE SPOKE WITH COACH BARNES EARLIER TODAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, IT'S A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU.

HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO TICK ALL THIS IN?

>> NO, I HAVEN'T HAD A SECOND.

I'VE BEEN BACK AT - MY VOICE IS JUST COMING BACK, SAYING "GO, GO, GO", THE WHOLE TIME.

>> THE INTERESTING THING IS YOU GUYS DIDN'T WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

OR TAKE HOME THE TROPHY, BUT YOU ARE STILL CELEBRATED AND THE TEAM CELEBRATED.

>> IT'S FUNNY, MY HEART WAS BEATING.

IT WAS SAD, WE DIDN'T WIN, WE GOT SO CLOSE, WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN.

WE LAND AT THE AIRPORT.

AND THE FIRST THING I SEE IS THE FIRE TRUCK.

THEY WERE FIRING US WITH WATER.

THERE WAS TONNES EVER POLICE, AND THOUSAND OF PEOPLE RODE FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE SCHOOL.

AND I THOUGHT FOR SURE.

>> TAS GREAT.

IMAGINE NEXT YEAR WHEN YOU WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

YOU WERE QUITE THE PLAYER IN YOUR DAY.

COLLEGE AND PRO.

COMPARE COACHING WITH PLAYING IN TERMS OF STAMINA, EMOTION, ENERGY, THE WHOLE NINE YARDS.

>> IT'S A LOT EASIER TO PLAY AND COACH.

COACHING IS A LOT HARDER.

YOU CAN'T CONTROL ON THE COURT.

THE PLAYERS DON'T DO IT.

IT'S A LOT MORE STRESSFUL, YOU CAN'T GO OUT THERE AND DO IT YOURSELF.

>> IN TERMS OF YOUR CAREER PATH, DID YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A COACH.

>> NO, I NEVER SAW MYSELF AS A COACH.

WHEN I WAS PLAYING, I WAS OFFERED A JOB "DO YOU WANT TO COACH?

", I WAS NO THANKS, I WAS IN ISRAEL.

HAVING FUN, HAVING FUN, WORKING HARD.

I DIDN'T WANT TO WORK HARD.

THEN I THOUGHT WHAT DO I WANT TO DO, I LOVE BASKETBALL.

I DECIDED TO TRY COACH OF COURSE, AND I WAS ADDICTED AND HOOKED.

>> A DONE DILL.

AND A LOT OF SUCCESS AS WELL HERE, BEING A MOM.

AND BEING A COACH, DO YOU SEE THAT AS AN IMPORTANT SYMBOL FOR WOMEN - FOR WOMEN'S SPORTS.

>> IT'S AN IMPORTANT SYMBOL.

I DIDN'T REALISE HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS, BECAUSE YOU ARE IN IT.

IT'S WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> WHEN I DIDN'T REALISE HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS, UNTIL MY FIFTH YEAR, WE ARE GOOD.

WE HAD WOMEN ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY HARKING QUESTIONS, IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS, I UNDERSTOOD I NEED TO BE A VOICE.

IT'S LIKE A LOSS THAT IS GOING ON.

THAT MOMS ASK ABOUT.

I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS ACCEPTABLE.

I COACH WOMEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL.

AND WE HAVE KIDS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A VOICE FOR SURE.

>> AND WE ARE HEARING VOICES IN THE BACKGROUND.

I BELIEVE YOU GAVE BIRTH IN SEPTEMBER.

AND YOUR BABY DAUGHTER MADE AN BURNS AT HALF-TIME AT THE CHAMPIONSHIPS, IS THAT RIGHT.

>> SHE'S BEEN EVERYWHERE, MADE AN APPEARANCE EVER.

AND THIS YEAR WITH COVID.

HE HAS BEEN ON SO MANY ZOOM CALLS, IT'S HIS CUE TO COME IN AND DISRUPT ME.

THAT'S REAL, THAT'S REALITY.

WOMEN WEAR SO MANY HATS.

I WAS THE ONLY COACH IN A TOP PROGRAMME TO, LIKE, HAVE AN INFANT.

>> ANOTHER POINT OF PRIDE I AM SURE, YOU AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA COACH FIRST PAIR OF BLACK HEAD COACHES IN THE WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR, IS THAT TRUE.

>> YES.

I NEVER KNEW THAT STUFF UNTIL I AM IN IT I FOUND OUT.

FIRST TIME EVER AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALES, FORMER WNBA, AND A WOMAN WITH A NEW BABY, I WAS WOW, I DIDN'T KNOW.

I HAD A LOT.

>> DO YOU SEE THE ROAD WHERE YOU ARE NOW, HOW MUCH IN THE WAY OF CHALLENGE, DO YOU LOOK BACK NOW AND SEE THEM IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> YES, I DIDN'T ANTICIPATE HAVING A BABY AT THE END OF THE SEASON.

WHEN YOU ARE A COACH, YOU WERE IN CONTROL.

THIS ONE WAS NOT PLANNED.

I WAS 43, THERE WAS A BIG CHANCE.

IT NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD GET PREGNANT.

YOU DEAL WITH IT.

THERE'S CHALLENGES, EVERYTHING?

POPULAR.

I HAD THE MISCARRIAGE THE YEAR BEFORE IN PUBLIC, THAT'S HARD.

I THINK IT'S CHALLENGING.

AND THINK THE OTHER CHALLENGE IS - I WAS ON MY OWN EVERY NIGHT.

YOU ARE ON THE ROAD IN A HOTEL.

I HAD A SIX MONTH OLD EVERY COUPLE OF HOURS, IT'S A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT.

THAT'S NOT STUFF PEOPLE KNOW I GO THROUGH.

I WAS VOICING THAT.

I POSTED I WAS GOING FROM FOUR TILL SIX IN THE MORNING.

PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME MEN ARE THE HEAD COACHES AND THE WIFE'S STAY HOME WITH THE KIDS.

IT'S A REALITY.

EVERYTHING IS HARD.

>> YOU MENTIONED PUBLIC ASPECT.

I HAVE TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE WE ARE NO.1 HAND SIGNALS, WITH THE WRONG FINGER, IT WAS CAUGHT ON TELEVISION.

WHAT DID YOU BAKE OF ALL THAT, AND YOU DIDN'T APOLOGISE, PEOPLE ARE SAYING YOU SHOULD APOLOGISE, WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS.

>> I FELT INITIALLY, I'M A PROFESSIONAL, I'M A PROFESSIONAL PERSON AND WORKED HARD FOR THE SITUATION.

I WAS EMBARRASSED IT WAS CAUGHT.

NOT THAT I DID IT.

THAT IT WAS CAUGHT ON THE CAMERAS, I WANTED TO TELL THEM THAT.

BUT THEN I SAID I'M NOT DOING TO APOLOGISE FOR ME PUMPING UP MY TEAM, SAYING FORGET EVERYWHERE THAT DOESN'T BELIEVE US, LOOK AT US, WE ARE GOING TO THE FIGHT.

I DIDN'T CARE.

I FELT IF A MOM DIDN'T WANT TO SEND MY KID TO ME.

I SAID NO, I'M A MOM, I WOULD LOVE FOR MY DAUGHTER TO BE COACHED BY SOMEONE LIKE ME, BECAUSE I CARE, I'M PASSIONATE.

NEVER BELITTLING.

>> I'D SAY FORGET EVERYWHERE, LET'S GO.

I CAN'T THING I OWED AN APOLOGY.

MEN DOP THINGS LIKE THAT ALL THE TIME, IT'S NEVER A QUESTION.

>> LAST QUESTION, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL YOUR SUCCESS, WHAT IS NEXT.

>> I THINK TRYING TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP.

THERE ARE THE ARTICLES THAT COME OUT.

>> SHE WOULD HAVE SOMETHING TANGIBLE TO LOOK FORWARD TO WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP.

AND DON SAID I WAS UPSET.

AND HE'LL GIVE ME A PIECE OF IT.

SO I'M GOING TO DO IT IN SOUTH CAROLINA, I'M GOING TO STICK A PIECE OF DON'S NET AND HAVE SOMETHING TANGIBLE TO MAKE ME - MOTIVATE ME, AND TO LOOK AT.

AND I'M INSPIRED DODD THAT.

I WILL PASS TO IT TO SOMEONE ELSE.

WE HAD A TASTE OF SUCCESS.

I WANT TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP.

HOW CAN I DO THAT HERE.

OUR ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT, BUTTING IN RESOURCES, WE LOST IT A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO.

TRYING TO GET RESOURCES AND BUILDING A CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON A CRAZY SUCCESSFUL SEASON.

THE WHOLE STATE IS ROOTING FOR YOU.

THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW, I'M TED SIMONS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

[ ]