[♪ THEME MUSIC ♪] >>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ARIZONA PBS, FLOYD.

WE'LL HEAR FROM A LOCAL CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST.

THE STATE BUDGET'S PROPOSED FLAT-INCOME TAX RATE, AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, THE POLITICIZATION OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

IT'S ALL COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF ARIZONA PBS.

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

OPEN HEARINGS ON THE BUDGET BEGAN TODAY IN THE STATE HOUSE AND SENATE.

A $13 BILLION SPENDING PLAN INCLUDES A FLAT TAX WHICH I WOULD I -- EQUATE TO A TAX CUT.

ALSO OF NOTE, A MEASURE PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE TODAY GIVES ATTORNEY GENERAL MARK BRNOVICH SOUL AUTHORITY IN ALL STATE ELECTION LAWS, BUT ONLY UNTIL AFTER THE NEXT ELECTION, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE THE END OF KATIE HOBBS'S TERM.

ANOTHER PROVISION THAT ALSO MADE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE PROHIBITS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FROM GIVING LEGAL ADVISE TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

AND THE TECH COMPANY IN CHARGE OF RUNNING RECOUNTS IS OUT.

THE CONTRACT RAN OUT ON MAY 14TH WHEN THE REVIEW WAS SUPPOSED TO END.

A SCOTTSDALE BASED IT COMPANY WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE EXPERIENCE HAS TAKEN OVER THE HAND RECOUNT.

AND THE CDC REPORTEDS THE U.S. HIT THE 50% MARK FOR FULLY VACCINATED ADULT AMERICANS.

THE WHITE HOUSE IS EMPHASIZING THE NEED FOR VACCINATIONS ESPECIALLY WITH THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND COMING UP.

>> IF YOU ARE VACCINATED, YOU ARE PROTECTED AND YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR MEMORIAL DAY.

IF YOU ARE NOT VACCINATED YOU REMAIN AT RISK, AND STILL NEED TO MASK AND TAKE PRECAUTIONS, AND IF YOU ARE NOT VACCINATED I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET VACCINATED >> A NEW POLL FINDS THAT FEWER AMERICANS ARE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

THE SURVEY FINDS THE SOCIAL DISTANCING IS DOWN 12% FROM TWO WEEKS AGO.

THE POLL ALSO FOUND THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T TRUST OTHERS TO BE HONEST ABOUT THEIR VACCINATION STATUS.

>>> THOSE PLANNING TO VISIT FAMILY AND FRIENDS WILL FIND GAS PRICES UP 50% FROM LAST YEAR.

THE GLOBAL PRICE OF OIL IS UP SIGNIFICANTLY OVER LAST YEAR, AND 37 MILLION AMERICANS ARE EXPECTED TO TRAVEL OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

>>> AND HUNDREDS OF PREHISTORIC FOSSILS HAVE BEEN UNCOVERED IN THIS CALIFORNIA.

ONE WAS A MASTODON FROM ABOUT 10 MILLION YEARS AGO.

THE TUSKS OF ONE OF THE ANIMALS TOOK OVER 30 HOURS TO UNCOVER.

>> IT'S VERY EXCITING WITH HIGH IMPORTANCE TO SCIENCE.

AND THE DISCOVERIES CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

>> THE SITE IS IN A PROTECTED WATERSHED IN THE SIERRA NEVADA FOOT FILLS.

TODAY MARKS ONE YEAR OF THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD.

EARLIER TODAY WE SPOKE WITH JACOB RAIFORD.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS SPECIAL DAY?

>> MY THOUGHTS, IT'S REALLY BEEN AN EYE OPENING EXPERIENCE FOR AMERICA, YOU KNOW?

THESE ARE ISSUES WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR GENERATIONS, AND IT TOOK THE UNFORTUNATELY DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD AND OTHERS TO MAKE THIS DINNER TABLE CONVERSATION IN ORDER FOR PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE THESE ARE REAL SYSTEMIC ISSUES THAT WE'RE FACING.

>> WHAT HAS CHANGED OVER THE PAST YEAR, AND WHAT HASN'T CHANGED?

>> WELL, PEOPLE ARE FINDING THAT THIS IS AN URGENT ISSUE, AND WE'RE FINALLY HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW WE CAN USE THIS CONVERSATIONS TO OUR BENEFIT, AND THERE ARE VARIOUS WAYS IN WHICH WE ARE FINDING WAYS TO FIND PROGRESS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO ARE ALIVE WHEN WE FIRST STARTED HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS.

IT'S UNFORTUNATELY THE ISSUE OF POLICE BRUTALITY STILL EXISTS.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE WORKING AS A NATION TO CURB THESE ISSUES BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT HAS NOT CHANGED.

>> DID THE CONVICTION OF DEREK CHAUVIN, DID THAT CHANGE THE DYNAMIC?

>> IT DID SHOW THAT THROUGH THE POWER OF THE COMMUNITY, THAT WE CAN PUSH FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT WE'RE LOOKING ANOTHER ONE SPECIFIC ISSUE, AS OPPOSED TO ADDRESSING THE POLICE BRUTALITY AND THE IMPACT TO COMMUNITIES.

>> THE OVERSIGHT COMMUNITY, WE HAVE FUNDING FOR THAT, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT, AND WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE COMMUNITY DO?

>> TO SEE IT HAPPEN, AND THE FASHION IN WHICH IT DID, THIS YEAR, OF COURSE, THAT IS A POSITIVE AND PROGRESSIVE STEP FORWARD.

RECOGNIZING THINGS LIKE RECOGNIZING THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PART OF THIS THAT ARE NOT CONNECTED TO POLICE CULTURE, YOU KNOW, THAT GOES WITH ADVISING FROM THE STANDPOINT OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND THAT DO NOT EVENT OR ADVISE OTHER DEPARTMENTS, SHOWS THAT YOU CANNOT INTERSECT AND HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND WHAT NOT.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE PUSHING THAT THE UNITS THAT WOULD BE PUSHED ARE NOT CONNECTED TO POLICE CULTURE AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, SO .

.

.

>> SO WHAT IS NEXT?

>> WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE.

LIKE GEORGE FLOYD'S FAMILY SAID TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM UP.

WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THESE ISSUES ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE ISSUES, BECAUSE OUT DOES EFFECTIVING BREATHING PEOPLE.

>> THE IMPACT OF ALL OF THIS ON YOU PERSONALLY?

>> I'M A BLACK MAN IN AMERICA, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT PERSONALLY EFFECTS ME.

THIS DOES HIT HOME.

THE CONVERSATION SURROUNDING GEORGE FLOYD AND POLICE BRUTALITY.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT PEOPLE EFFECTED BY THIS, THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST GOING TO CIRCLE K, JUST PEOPLE OPERATING NORMALLY IN SOCIETY, AND FALL VICTIM TO THESE ISSUES.

SO I SEE SOMEONE WHO LOOKS LIKE ME WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THESE ISSUES, SO YOU FEEL COMPELLED TO STEP UP AND ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.

>> AND YOU ARE A DIFFERENT MAN THAN YOU WERE A YEAR AGO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS CONVERSATION HAS BECOME -- A FAMILY TABLE DISCUSSION, SO WE HAVE ALL GROWN, AND ALL WE CAN DO IS CONTINUE TO GROW.

>> JACOB RAIFORD OF THE WE RISING PROJECT THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> UP NEXT, RICK STEVES JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT TRAVEL-TRENDS IN A COVID-VACCINATED WORLD.

>>> PBS TRAVEL EXPERT RICK STEVES HAS HAD AN INTERESTING YEAR.

THE PANDEMIC PUT HIS TRAVELS ON HOLD BUT WE SPOKE WITH HIM ABOUT HIS TRAVEL AND PLANS TO GET BACK OUT AND EXPERIENCE THE WORLD.

RICK STEVES, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WE SEE YOU, WE THINK OF TRAVEL.

TRAVEL TRENDSER FOR THIS SUMMER?

>> WELL, THE TRAVEL TENDS ARE GO GET YOUR SHOT.

RIGHT NOW THINGS ARE KICKING INTO GEAR, AND IF THINGS CONTINUE THE WAY THEY ARE, WE'LL BE FREE TO ENJOY THE WORLD AGAIN.

WE ARE CHOMPING AT THE BIT TO GET BACK TO TOURING.

>> IS EUROPE STARTING TO OPEN UP FOR VACCINATED TRAVELERS?

AND IF SO WHAT AREAS ARE MORE AMENABLE, AND WHAT AREAS ARE MORE CAUTIOUS.

>> WELL, I HAVE TOLD MY STAFF I DON'T CARE WHAT IS OPEN, EUROPE IS NOT OPEN TO ME UNTIL IT'S AIL OPEN, SO THERE WILL BE A FEWING MONTHS OF THIS INTERIM TIME, BUT I'M JUST BEING PATIENT.

I DON'T WANT TO GO TO EUROPE AND SIT IN A BUBBLE SO I DON'T GET SOMEBODY'S GERMS.

I GO TO EUROPE TO HAVE MY CHEEKS KISSED ANDSTROLL DOWN THE SIDEWALK.

TRAVEL IS PEOPLE.

WE'RE FINALLY OPENING THE FLOOD GATES ON ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO JOIN OUR TOURS.

BUT I DON'T WANT THE DISAPPOINTMENT AND FRUSTRATIONS OF HAVING TO CANCEL, OR DANCING AROUND CLOSED BORDERS.

AND ONCE WE GET TO THAT POINT WHERE ENOUGH OF US HAVE GOT OUR SHOTS, THEN WE'LL HAVE NORMAL-STYLE TRAVEL AGAIN.

>> FOR THOSE WHO AREN'T RICK STEVES, AND SIMPLY CAN'T WAIT, DO YOU HAVE TRAVELING TIPS FOR THOSE WHO -- THEY ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

IF YOU ARE NOT FULLY VACCINATED, YOU ARE IN A WHOLE DIFFERENT BOLT HERE.

BUT FOR THOSE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED DO YOU HAVE ADVISE?

>> WHEN I WAS A KID I HAD TO HAVE THIS CERTIFICATION OF VACCINATIONS BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO KNOW I HAD MY SHOTS.

SO WE HAVE TO PROVE WE ARE VACCINATED, AND COUNTRIES WON'T CARE ABOUT OUR HEALTH, THEY ARE CARING ABOUT PROTECTING THEIR CITIZENS FROM PEOPLE COMING IN.

AND WE'RE WONDERING WHAT REQUIREMENTS SHOULD WE HAVE?

I DON'T THINK IT IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE, BECAUSE I THINK PLACES WE'RE TRAVELLING TO BE HAVE THEIR STANDARDS.

AND EMBRACE THOSE REQUIREMENTS, AND KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

ALSO REMEMBER, WHEN YOU GET TO EUROPE, IT IS GOING TO BE A QUESTION OF WHAT ALL IS OPEN.

THERE IS NO GOOD INFORMATION MOST COVID YET.

SO WHAT HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, AND MUSEUMS WILL BE OPEN?

SO THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I'M WAITING FOR.

BUT IF YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE A TOUR OR BUY ANYTHING THAT WILL BE EXPENSIVE TO EXCHANGE, KNOW WHAT THE FINE PRINT IS.

IF YOU HAVE TO CANCEL YOUR TRIP YOU SHOULDN'T LOSE MONEY IF IT IS BEYOND YOUR CONTROL.

>> WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS LAST YEAR?

>> I'M EMPLOY A HUNDRED PEOPLE HERE.

AND LAST YEAR, WE WERE COMING OFF OF OUR BEST YEAR EVER.

WE JUST HAD OUR ANNUAL WORKSHOP, AND THEN LIKE A TSUNAMI, COVID CAME AND IT HAS SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING.

AND WE HAD TO SEND EVERYBODY BACK THEIR DEPOSITS, AND WE HAVE JUST BEEN DOING THE BEST TO HOLD OUR TEAM TOGETHER.

I HAVE A HUNDRED PEOPLE ON MY PAYROLL RIGHT NOW WITH NO REVENUE.

THAT'S TOUGH.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO NEED THAT TEAM WHEN WE START TRAVELING AGAIN.

BUT I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYING THE TRAVELER'S MINDSET HERE FROM HOME.

I AM JUST THINKING IT IS GOD'S WAY OF SAYING TO SLOW DOWN, A REMINDER THAT THERE'S MORE TO LIFE THAN INCREASING ITS SPEED, AND I'M TRYING TO EMPLOY THAT POSITIVE, CURIOUS MIND SET RIGHT HERE AT HOME.

AND THERE IS SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT THAT MY BOTTOM LINE AND RECOGNIZING THAT THERE IS REAL NEED RIGHT HERE AT HOME.

>> RICK STEVES IT'S A PLEASURE SPEAKING WITH YOU.

BEST OF LUCK ON THIS NEXT YEAR.

WE'LL CERTAINLY BE FOLLOWING YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME AND HAPPY TRAVELS.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

♪♪ >>> ASU IS OFFERING SUMMER CAMP FOR STUDENTS.

THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIPS EXPLAINS WHAT IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS SUMMER.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

IT IS WONDERFUL TO BE HERE ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT ASU SUMMER PROGRAMS.

OBVIOUSLY THERE IS AN EDUCATIONAL FOCUS, BUT HOW MUCH EDUCATION IS INVOLVED HERE?

>> WELL, A LOT OF ASU PROGRAMS HAVE A COLLEGE-GOING COMPONENT, SO WE TRY TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION SO OUR STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR REQUIREMENTS ARE, AND WE ALSO DIVE INTO THE COLLEGE COMPONENTS SO WE CAN BEST PREPARE OUR STUDENTS TO BE COLLEGE READY IN THE FUTURE.

>> SO ARE WE TALKING DAY CAMPS OR HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> A LOT OF THE PROGRAMS DO INVOLVE A RESIDENTIAL COMPONENT.

OVER THE LAST YEAR, AND THIS YEAR, ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS ARE VIRTUAL, BUT NEXT YEAR, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO COMING BACK TO CAMPUS COMPONENTS >> OKAY.

SO GIVE US AN EXAMPLE.

>> ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS, STUDENTS CAN STUDY LEADERSHIP, COMPUTERS -- THERE'S AN ARRAY OF PROGRAMS THAT STUDENTS CAN STUDY, WHILE ENGAGING WITH COLLEGE PROFESSORS.

>> SO ARE THERE TESTS GIVES, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS?

>> NO, VERY RARELY WILL THERE BE TESTS, BUT IT IS STILL RARE TO GET A COLLEGE LECTURE AT THIS AGE.

>> YES.

AND FOR KINDERGARTEN, AND THE YOUNGER FOLKS WHAT CAN THEY GET?

>> FOR THE YOUNGER FOLKS A LOT OF PROGRAMS CAN GET INVOLVED IN WHATEVER THE TOPIC MAY BE.

SO IF YOU ARE INTO THE ARTS, THERE IS A SPECIFIC PROGRAM.

SO STUDENTS CAN SEE WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE AN ACTOR AND WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LOOK INTO THE CAMERA AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

>> IT'S ALL VIRTUAL THIS YEAR, THAT KIND OF CHANGES THE DYNAMIC, DOESN'T IT?

>> IT DOES.

THE PROGRAMS ARE INTERACTIVE AND ENGAGING, AND THEY ARE ABLE TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS ARE YOUR CUR RECOLLECT PROFESSORS.

LAST YEAR WE HAD STUDENTS OUTSIDE OF ARIZONA, AND SO IT IS DIFFERENT, BUT IT DOES PROVIDED A SDHINAL OPPORTUNITY.

>> AS FAR AS THE PANDEMIC IS CONCERNED, WHAT WAS LEARNED?

HAS IT CHANGED THE NATURE OF THESE SORT OF EDUCATIONAL SUMMER CAMPS FOR GOOD?

>> WELL, I THINK THE PANDEMIC TAUGHT US ALL A LOT THINGS.

ONE IS THAT YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY, AND IT FORCED ALL OF US TO BE MORE CREATIVE, AND HAVING STUDENTS FROM TEXAS, FLORIDA, AND ILLINOIS TAKING PART IN THESE SUMMER SUMMER PROGRAMS WAS REALLY EXCITING.

>> AND WHERE DO YOU GO TO LEARN MORE.

>> WELL, ACCESSASU SUMMER SEARCH CAN YOU GET YOU MORE INFORMATION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, AND GOOD LUCK THIS SUMMER.

>> THANK YOU, TED.

♪♪ >>> AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

♪♪ >>> COMING UP ON CRONKITE NEWS WHAT HOT AND DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD MEAN FOR CAMPING TRIPS AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, POLITICS IN COVID-19 VACCINES.

♪♪