[♪ THEME MUSIC ♪] >>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, ON ARIZONA HORIZON, WE'LL SPEAK WITH STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION KATHY HOFFMAN ON MASKS, VACCINES AND OTHER BACK-TO-SCHOOL CONCERNS.

THE LATEST CDC GUIDELINES ON WHEN MASKS SHOULD BE WORN IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID, AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BLACK JOURNALIST.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THE STATE HEALTH DIRECTOR IS STEPPING DOWN.

DR. CARA CHRIST WILL BE LEAVING ON AUGUST 27TH TO TAKE A POSITION AS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF ARIZONA.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE TODAY BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

CHRIST HAS RECENTLY BEEN AT ODDS WITH THE GOVERNOR ON QUARANTINING STUDENTS.

TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT COMES LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER GOVERNOR DOUG DUCEY SAID THE STATE WILL NOT ADHERE TO MASK REQUIREMENTS.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE STATE WILL NOT CHANGE ANY LAWS, AND ADDED THAT THE CDC'S NEW RECOMMENDATIONS WILL ONLY, QUOTE, DIMINISH CONFIDENCE IN THE VACCINE.

>>> SENATE'S AUDIT SPOKESMAN, KEN BENNETT IS NO LONGER THE SENATE'S LIAISON TO THE RECOUNT OF MARICOPA COUNTY BALLOTS.

HE SAID HE IS STEPPING DOWN BECAUSE HE WAS LOCKED OUT OF THE RECOUNT AFTER EXPRESSING CONCERNING.

SENATE PRESIDENT KAREN FANN SAYS THAT BENNETT WAS LOCKED OUT FOR LEAKING INFORMATION.

HE SAID HE STILL SUPPORTS WHAT HE AND THE SENATE CALL A FORENSIC AUDIT.

>>> THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAID THESE AUDITS COULD VIOLATE FEDERAL LAWS.

ARIZONA WAS ISSUED A SIMILAR WARNING IN MAY.

AFTER THEY TURNED OVER BALLOTS TO CYBER NINJA.

>>> ARIZONA SENATOR KYRSTEN SINEMA ANNOUNCED AN AGREEMENT ON A $1.2 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.

SHE SAID THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS, QUOTE, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PACKAGE.

AND NOW THE PRESSURE IS ON TO GET SOMETHING FINALIZED.

SHE ALSO SAID SHE WILL NOT SUPPORT A $3.5 TRILLION BUDGET PROPOSAL FROM SENATE DEMOCRATS.

BUT SHE WILL SUPPORT PARTS OF RECONCILIATION.

SHE SAID THAT SHE IS NOT GOING TO, QUOTE, SUPPORT A BILL THAT WILL COST $3.5 TRILLION.

>>> THE CDC NOW RECOMMENDS ANYONE IN THE SCHOOLS WEAR A MASK.

GOVERNOR DOUG DUCEY HAS BARRED SCHOOL DISTRICTS ON ENFORCING QUARANTINES.

EARLIER TODAY WE SPOKE WITH STATE'S EDUCATION CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION KATHY HOFFMAN.

SUPERINTENDENT HOFFMAN.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I KNOW THIS IS A BUSY TIME.

THE CDC RECOMMENDING MASKS FOR EVERYONE IN A SCHOOL SETTING, REGARDLESS OF VACCINE STATUS.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN ARIZONA?

>> WELL, OUR SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN PUT IN A DIFFICULT POSITION, BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR PUT INTO POLICY THAT SAID THAT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTERS CANNOT MANDATE MASKS IN THEIR SCHOOLS, THAT DOES NOT RESTRICT THEM FROM ENCOURAGING MASKS, BUT THEIR HANDS ARE TIED.

ESSENTIALLY THE GOVERNOR TOOK AWAY THE LOCAL DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY, AND IN THIS CASES THEY ARE VERY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE ESPECIALLY OUR YOUNGER STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE YET, OR FOR OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE MEDICALLY FRAGILE.

THIS IS CAUSING A LOT OF CONCERN.

AND EVERYONE IS VERY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT HAVING IN-PERSON LEARNING, BUT THIS IS THROWING A WRENCH IN THE PLANS, AND WE'RE LOOKING AT THE DATA AND SEEING THE NUMBERS GOING UP.

>> THERE IS ALSO CONCERN, I WOULD IMAGINE REGARDING NO TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAD A QUARANTINE POLICY.

THE GOVERNOR SAYING YOU CAN'T DO THAT EITHER, SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE SAYING THAT IS NOT TRUE.

>> THIS HAS CAUSED MORE OF A DISRUPTION, ESPECIALLY WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT STARTING.

THANKFULLY THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES STOOD BY OUR LEADERS SAYING THE QUARANTINE POLICY IS RECOMMENDED, BUT THIS DID CAUSE MORE DISRUPTION, AND I HAVE TO ASK WHY?

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?

WE KNOW THESE QUARANTINE POLICIES ARE REALLY EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING HAVING AN OUTBREAK IN OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES, SO TO ME THIS WAS A VERY POLITICAL MOVE.

>> IS IT A POLITICAL MOVE THAT WILL BE RESPONDED TO?

WHAT ARE SCHOOL DISTRICTS GOING TO DO?

THE GOVERNOR SAYS YOU CAN'T DO THIS, AND THE HEAD OF THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS NOW GONE.

SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS GOING TO MEAN.

WILL SCHOOL DISTRICTS JUST PUSH UNTIL TOLD TO STOP?

>> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE CURRENT PLANS.

OUR SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH HEALTH OFFICIALS ON DEVELOPING THESE PLANS.

THESE PLANS WERE DEVELOPED MONTHS AGO.

THESE ARE VERY DETAILED PLANS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN TO PLACE TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE, SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THEY HAVE LOOKED AT THE NEW LAWS AND THEIR POLICIES, AND WRITTEN BACK TO THE GOVERNOR SAYING WE ARE FOLLOWING THE LAW, SO UNLESS THERE'S FURTHER ACTION FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, OUR SCHOOLS ARE PLANNING TO IMPLEMENT THEIR QUARANTINE PROCEDURES.

>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT FEDERAL LAW SAYS KIDS HAVE TO WEAR MASKS ON SCHOOL BUSES.

IS THAT TRUE?

>> YES, THAT IS TRUE.

WE HAVE RECEIVED THAT CLARIFICATION.

IT IS A FEDERAL LAW THAT EVERYONE IS REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS, AND WE HAVE PROVIDED THAT GUIDANCE OUT TO OUR SCHOOL LEADERS.

>> THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES REGARDING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND GETTING STARTED BACK UP AGAIN.

LET'S TALK ABOUT DIGITAL EQUITY.

WHERE DO WE STAND ON THAT?

>> WE ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.

I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, CONGRESS, THEY HAVE ALLOCATED MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO HELP US EXPAND TECHNOLOGY HERE IN ARIZONA.

AND I HAVE STUDIED WHAT OTHER STATES ARE DOING, AND WE HAVE BEEN STUDYING OTHER MODELS, AND THE TASK FORCE RECENTLY WRAPPED UP THEIR WORK, AND NOW THE DEPARTMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THIS TASK FORCE, SO WE'RE WORKING TO GET THESE POSITIONS SET UP, BUT WE WANT TO BE PROVIDING OUR SCHOOLS WITH EVEN MORE SUPPORT ON HOW THEY -- ON A WIDE RANGE OF THINGS, SUCH AS HOW TO MAKE SURE THEIR SYSTEMS ARE SECURE, WHAT TYPES OF TECHNOLOGY THEY MIGHT NEED AND HELPING THEM TO -- HELPING TO GUIDE THEM IN MAKING THE BEST DECISIONS POSSIBLE.

>> THAT SOUNDS ENCOURAGING.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TEACHER SHORTAGE.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

>> PRIOR TO COVID-19, ARIZONA -- WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A SEVERE TEACHER SHORTAGE.

AS OF NOW -- WE'RE STILL ANALYZING THE DATA AND WE PLAN TO PUT A REPORT OUT -- PROBABLY WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, ACTUALLY.

BUT THE DATA ACTUALLY GIVES ME HOPE THAT WE STILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT GAPS, BUT THEY ARE SIMILAR TO THE GAPS WE HAD PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, AND WE HAVE SEEN IS THERE WERE NOT AS MANY RETIREMENTS AS WE MIGHT HAVE EXPECTED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

SO IT CONTINUES TO BE A CHALLENGE TO RECRUIT SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, MATH, SCIENCE, AND PARTICULAR AREAS THAT WE NEED TO PUT THE MOST ATTENTION ON.

I KNOW MANY OF OUR DISTRICTS CONTINUE TO NEED TO RECRUIT AND HIRE TEACHERS FROM OUT OF COUNTRY.

SO THE TEACHER SHORTAGE CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE, BUT SO FAR IT SEEMS THE PANDEMIC DID NOT HAVE SUCH A DIRE IMPACT AS WE WERE WORRIED IT MIGHT HAVE.

>> LAST QUESTION, YOUR MESSAGE.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS AS THE SCHOOL YEAR STARTS?

>> I THINK THAT OUR SCHOOL YEAR IS GOING TO START STRONG.

AS I SAID, WE'RE SO EXCITED TO WELCOME STUDENTS BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE PARENTS IF YOUR CHILD IS OVER THE AGE OF 12 IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO GET THEM VACCINATED, AND IF THEY ARE NOT, OR EVEN IF THEY ARE, I COULD ENCOURAGE THE USE OF A MASK, AND PLEASE TALK TO YOUR PEDIATRICIAN, AND PLEASE ALSO REACH OUT TO YOUR SCHOOLS DIRECTLY IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR POLICIES, SUCH AS THE QUARANTINE POLICIES, WE WANT OUR SCHOOLS TO BE A RESOURCE, SO YOU HAVE THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION.

>> STATE'S EDUCATION CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION KATHY HOFFMAN, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TED.

>>> UP NEXT, THE LATEST ON THE STATE OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN ARIZONA.

>>> U.S. ATTORNEY AND GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND INSTITUTED A MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY, BUT ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL WANTS TO RESUME EXECUTIONS.

WE TALKED ABOUT THAT WITH JON GOULD FROM ASU'S WATTS COLLEGE OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS PUT A MORATORIUM ON FEDERAL EXECUTIONS.

WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

>> I THINK THIS IS A RECOGNITION THAT THERE ARE SERIOUS ISSUES INVOLVING THE WAY CAPITOL PROSECUTIONS ARE BROUGHT TO THE UNITED STATES, WHETHER THE DEATH PENALTY IS REALLY THE BEST OPTION.

SO THE CURRENT AG HAS PUT A MORATORIUM ON ALL FEDERAL CAPITOL PROSECUTIONS, AND SAYS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS GOING TO DO AN INVESTIGATION.

MY GUESS IS WE'RE LOOKING AT PROBABLY A YEAR OR MORE BEFORE THEY REACH A RESOLUTION, BUT IT IS ANYBODY'S GUESS WHAT THE ULTIMATE RESOLUTION WILL BE FROM THAT.

>> AND SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WILL BE LOOKED AT INCLUDE, WHAT, SOME OF THE DRUGS USED?

>> WHAT HAPPENS RIGHT NOW IS WHEN THERE IS A CASE THAT IS CALLED CAPITAL ELIGIBLE, SO IT'S A MURDER CASE, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COULD BRING IT AS A CAPITAL CASE OR NOT.

A COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE CASE, AND HERE IS THE DEFENSE, AND THEN THEY MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHETHER THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS GOING TO GO FORWARD AND SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY.

IRONICALLY THE RESOURCES ARE DETERMINED NOT BY THE DEFENSE, BUT BY FEDERAL JUDGES, SO YOU HAVE SOMEBODY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A NEUTRAL UMPIRE THAT DETERMINE THE ISSUES.

>> WELL, AND WE KNOW THAT THE FEDERAL -- THAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS DECIDED THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GO FORWARD WITH SEVEN CASES THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION -- THEY WERE LOOKING FOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT?

>> YES, THERE WERE SEVEN CASES IN WHICH THE TRUMP JUSTICE DEPARTMENT DECIDED THEY WERE GOING TO SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY, AND NOW THEY HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY.

I THINK THIS IS A SIGN OF WHERE THINGS ARE HEADED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

ALTHOUGH, AGAIN, THERE IS AN IRONY HERE IN THEM SIMULTANEOUSLY PUTTING A MORATORIUM ON GOING TO THE DEATH PENALTY, AND AT THE SAME TIME HAVING THESE CASES COME IN WHERE THEY DECIDE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.

>> OKAY.

WHAT ABOUT THE STATE LEVEL?

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN AS FAR AS ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL VERY MUCH PRO DEATH PENALTY?

>> SO WE LIVE IN A FEDERAL SYSTEM, MEANING WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FEDERAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SYSTEM, DOES NOT INFLUENCE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

SO THE ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL SEEMS TO BE HELL BENT ON SEEKING MULTIPLE EXECUTIONS BEFORE HE LEAVES OFFICE, AND I DOUBT ANYTHING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WILL INFLUENCE HIM.

>> I MENTIONED LETHAL INJECTION EARLIER.

IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FINDS THAT THERE IS TOO MUCH PAIN AND SUFFERING WITH THIS PARTICULAR DRUG, DOES THAT FILTER DOWN TO THE STATE LEVEL?

>> IT COULD IN TWO WAYS.

ONE WAY, IS IT COULD INFLUENCE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT IS A BARBARIC PRACTICE AND HE STOPS DOING IT.

THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

THE OTHER THING IS FILING MOTIONS WITH THE ARIZONA SUPREME COURT CLAIMING THINGS SHOULD BE STOPPED BECAUSE OF THAT KIND OF FINDING.

I SHOULD NOT EVEN BEGIN TO PREDICT HOW THAT WOULD COME OUT.

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

ARE THESE MOSTLY SLANTED TOWARDS OPPOSITION TO THE DEATH PENALTY, OR COULD YOU ALSO LOOK AT OTHER WAYS OF EXECUTION?

>> CERTAINLY, THEY COULD BE LOOKING AT THAT.

MY GUESS IS GIVEN WHO IS IN THIS JUSTICE DEPARTMENT RIGHT NOW, AND THE FACT THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN RAN FOR ELECTION ON A PLATFORM THAT INCLUDED ENDING THE DEATH PENALTY, I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE MORATORIUM, IS THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT THEY SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY IN.

IF YOU LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW, THE DEATH PENALTY IS USED VERY, VERY RARELY.

SINCE THERE HAS BEEN THE OPTION OF LIFE OF IMPRISONMENT WITHOUT PAROLE, JURIES HAVE CHOSEN THAT IN MANY, MANY CASES.

SO ARIZONA WILL BE AN OUTLIER NATIONALLY IF THEY GO FORWARD WITH THIS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SIR.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>>> THE ARIZONA KOITS ARE LOOKING TO MOVE FROM GILA RIVER ARENA TO A NEW FACILITY.

WE LEARNED MORE FROM PAULINA PINEDA OF THE "ARIZONA REPUBLIC," WHO BROKE THE STORY.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

GREAT WORK.

WHAT IS THE LATEST NOW ON THE COYOTES POSSIBLY MOVING TO TEMPE?

>> YEAH, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

THE CITY ISSUED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL LAST WEEK, SEEKING A PROFESSIONAL SPORTS FRANCHISE TO DEVELOPMENT AN ARENA IN AN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.

BIDS ARE DUE BY OCTOBER -- OR BY AUGUST 19TH -- EXCUSE ME -- SO WE HAVE A LITTLE OVER -- I THINK TWO OR SO WEEKS UNTIL THOSE ARE DUE.

THE COYOTES HAVE SAID THEY ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN THE LAND, PARTICULARLY FOR ITS LOCATION.

THEY HAVE SAID THAT THEIR FAN BASE IS IN THE EAST VALLEY, SO THEY HAVE COMMITTED TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO THE CITY TO SHOW WHAT THEY CAN DO THERE.

AND AFTER THE BIDDING PROCESS, THE CITY WILL CREATE A COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE BID, AND WE SHOULD HEAR SOMETHING POSSIBLY BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> TALK ABOUT THE LAND, WHERE IT IS LOCATED.

I KNOW IT IS BETWEEN THE 202 AND THE PARKWAY.

AND RIGHT NOW IT IS A DUMP, ISN'T IT?

>> IT IS.

AND HISTORICALLY THAT PIECE OF LAND HAS BEEN USED FOR A DUMP FOR A LONG TIME.

IT IS ON THE SOUTHERN LAKES OF THE DRY FAULT RIVER, JUST WEST OF TEMPE TOWN LAKE AND TEMPE CENTER FOR THE ARTS.

IT'S CURRENTLY USED AS A CITY OPERATION SITE.

AND IT IS SORT OF UP AND COMING AREA, I WOULD SAY, THERE IS NOT A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT GOING ON, BUT THERE ARE OFFICES BEING BUILT RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET.

THERE IS A MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY.

IT IS A GROWING EMPLOYMENT CORRIDOR.

THE CITY HAS SAID THEY WANT TO REDEVELOP THAT SITE.

THEY DID A STUDY ABOUT RELOCATING THE YARD TO A CENTRAL LOCATION OFF STATE ROUTE 143, AND THE CONSULTANTS THOUGHT THE BEST USE OF THE LAND WAS TO TURN IT INTO A COMMERCIAL OFFICE SPACE.

>> AND IT IS GOING TO INCLUDE SHOPPING, ENTERTAINMENT, AND THE ARENA.

TEMPE IS ON THE HOOK FOR 7 TO MILLION DOLLARS, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ARENA, THAT'S THE COYOTES?

>> THE SOURCES HAVE SAID THAT THE ARENA AND COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL SPACE WILL BE PRIVATELY FUNDED, AND THE DEVELOPER WOULD ALSO BE IN CHARGE OF THE REMEDIATION FOR THAT LAND, AND ANY INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS, AND IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE REMEDIATION WOULD BE ABOUT $70 MILLION, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THAT COST COULD BE ON THE TEAM.

>> AND THAT HAS TO REALLY BE -- I WOULD IMAGINE LEADERS ARE HEAD OVER HEELS OVER THIS.

ARE YOU HEARING ANYTHING ABOUT GLENDALE?

>> GLENDALE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE TOO HAPPY.

THEY ARE STILL PRETTY SET ON SECURING A LONG-TIME LEASE WITH THE TEAM.

THE TEAM HAS BEEN ON A ONE-YEAR PLEASE AT GILA RIVER SINCE 2016, BUT THEY WANT TO KEEP THE TEAM THERE.

THE NEW OWNER WHEN HE CAME IN, HE COMMITTED TO STAYING IN ARIZONA, BUT NOT SO MUCH IN GLENDALE, SO I THINK THEY COULD BE A POSSIBILITY.

>> NOT ON A LIGHT RAIL LINE, IS THE CITY GOING TO CHANGE ANY OF THAT?

>> YEAH, THERE ARE PLANS TO EXTEND STREETCARS IN THE FUTURE.

THERE IS NO FUNDING -- THAT ISSING PROABLY A WHILE AWAY.

BUT I KNOW THAT THEY ARE STUDYING AND LOOKING AT EXTENSIONS TO MESA, AND THERE HAVE BEEN TALKS TO EXTENDING IT TO THE LAKE AND TEMPE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, AND IF THIS DEAL WENT THROUGH, I THINK THAT COULD BE AN OPTION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

GIVE US A TIME LINE HERE.

RFP MAYBE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

WHEN DOES CONSTRUCTION START?

WHEN DOES THE PUCK DROP?

>> IT MIGHT BE A COUPLE OF YEARS AWAY.

ONCE THE CONTRACT IS -- YOU KNOW, GIVEN TO THE TEAM OR ANOTHER DEVELOPER, IT WOULD THEN -- THE CITY AND THE DEVELOPER WOULD THEN -- YOU KNOW, COME TO SOME SORT OF DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WHERE THEY WOULD DISCUSS COSTS, TIME LINE, AND AFTER THAT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT IS -- YOU KNOW, SIGNED, THEY WOULD HAVE TO START REMEDIATION WITHIN TWO YEARS, BUT THE RFP DID STATE THAT THE CITY IS NOT LOOKING TO MOVE THE YARD BEFORE 2024, SO WE MIGHT NOT SEE AN ARENA UNTIL AFTER THAT.

>> AND REAL QUICKLY, NOW, YOU ARE SAYING THE COYOTES OR ANY OTHER DEVELOPER.

THE CITY IS NOT EXPECTING ANY OTHER PROPOSAL, ARE THEY?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

THE REQUEST WAS PRETTY SPECIFIC.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A PROFESSIONAL SPORTS FRANCHISE OR PARTNER.

AND I DON'T THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS LOOKING TO MAKE THAT MOVE RIGHT NOW.

BUT YOU NEVER KNOW.

>> OKAY.

GREAT JOB ON THIS.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>>> AND BEFORE WE GO, WE SHOULD MENTION THAT WE RECEIVED WORD THAT KEN BENNETT HAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT TO REMAIN AS LIAISON TO THE SENATE'S REVIEW OF MARICOPA COUNTY BALLOTS.

THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> COMING UP, ON CRONKITE NEWS, A FORMER OLYMPIAN'S DROWNING PREVENTION.

AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, THE IMPACT OF DIVERSITY IN JOURNALISM.

♪♪