[♪ THEME MUSIC ♪] >>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," A LOOK AT CONSERVATORSHIPS AND HOW THEY WORK.

AND ON CRONKITE NEWS, FORMER ARIZONA CONGRESS WOMAN A GABRIELLA BACHARA HELPS REVEAL A NEW MEMORIAL HONORING THOSE KILLED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

THAT'S ALL AHEAD IN THE NEXT HOUR OF ARIZONA PBS.

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

I'M TED SIMONS.

MARICOPA COUNTY TODAY BECAME THE FIRST LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN ARIZONA TO SIGN ON TO A MASSIVE NATIONAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.

THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO AGREE TO THE SETTLEMENT.

>> THIS AGREEMENT IS BRINGING ROUGHLY $550 MILLION TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND SERVICES FOR THOSE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

>> BY SIGNING ON MARICOPA COUNTY AGREES TO DROP ITS OWN LAWSUIT AGAINST THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES INVOLVED.

OTHER NEWS THE FDA TODAY AUTHORIZED MODERNA AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON COVID VACCINES TO BE ADMINISTERED AS BOOSTER SHOTS FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, THEY ALSO APPROVED SO-CALLED MIX AND MATCH BOOSTER SHOTS, WHICH CLEARS A DIFFERENT WAY TO RECEIVE A BOOSTER FROM THE ORIGINAL VACCINE RECEIVED.

THE MOVE WILL LIKELY LESSEN THE DEMAND FOR THE J&J SHOT WHICH STUDIES HAVE SHOWN TO BE LESS EFFECTIVE THAN THE OTHER TWO.

>>> THIS COMES AS THE FEDERAL CAMPAIGN TO VACCINATE YOUNG CHILDREN IS RAMPING UP.

IT IS EXPECTED WITHIN WEEKS.

PLANS ANNOUNCED TODAY INCLUDES A FOCUS ON ADMINISTERING THE VACCINE AT PEDIATRIC OFFICES.

THIS TIME DOCTORS OFFICES AND PHARMACIES WILL TAKE THE LEAD.

>> WE HAVE ALREADY ENROLLED MORE THAN 25,000 PEDIATRICIANS, FAMILY DOCTORS AND OTHER PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS TO ADMINISTER VACCINES, AND WE'RE WORKING WITH STATES AND LOCALITIES TO ENROLL MORE.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LOCAL PHARMACIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL OFFER VACCINATIONS FOR KIDS, AND HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS IN RURAL CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, PREDOMINANTLY IN UNDERSERVED AREAS WILL BE READY TO VACCINATE KIDS.

>> THE PLAN CALLS FOR SMALLER VIALS AND NEEDLES TO BE USED.

>> MORE CDC DATA RELEASED TODAY ON THE EFFICACYS OF COVID-19 VACCINES.

THE AGENCY SAYS THAT THE NUMBERS COME FROM DATA COLLECTED IN SEVERAL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY DURING AUGUST.

THE CDC TODAY ALSO SAID THAT COVID CASES AND DEATHS IN THE U.S. ARE DOWN SLIGHTLY THIS WEEK, IN ARIZONA THE WEEK-LONG AVERAGE IS DOWN 2%.

THERE WERE 47 FATALITIES TODAY, WHICH THAT PUTS IT SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

>>> AND NO FURTHER WORD FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE REGARDING A MESSAGE FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THAT ARIZONA'S AVAILABILITY TO REGULATE WORKPLACE SAFETY COULD BE REVOKED.

THE GOVERNOR IMMEDIATELY RESPONDED BY CALLING THE MOVE, A QUOTE, POLITICAL STUNT AND DESPERATE POWER GRAB, BUT THIS COMES AS OSHA PREPARES TO ENFORCE VACCINES AND TESTING FOR WORKERS NATIONWIDE.

>>> MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE ARE UNDER A CONSERVATORSHIP, WHICH IS A CONCEPT THAT RECENTLY MADE HEADLINES BETWEEN BRITNEY SPEARS AND HER FATHER.

TO GET TO INCITES ON THIS ISSUE, WE SPOKE WITH LOU SILVERMAN.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WHAT IS CONSERVATORSHIP?

>> A CONSERVATORSHIP INVOLVES THE APPOINTMENT OF A PERSON ORENTITY TO TAKE CARE OF A PERSON'S MONEY, REAL ESTATE, AND EVERYTHING.

A GUARDIAN IS TAKING CARE OF THE PERSON.

A GUARDIAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HEALTHCARE, AND RESIDENTIAL CARE, AND ENTERTAINMENT AND TRAVEL, AND ALL OF THE NEEDS A PERSON MAY HAVE ON A PERSONAL LEVEL.

THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT POSITIONS AND COULD BE TWO DIFFERENT APPOINTMENTS.

>> SO GIVE US A REALLY GOOD DEFINITION OF CONSERVATORSHIP.

>> WELL, IT'S REALLY THE APPOINTMENT OF A PERSON FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PROPERTY OR ASSETS OF AN INCAPACITATED AMERICAN.

THAT IS A PERSON WHO IS UNABLE TO MANAGE THEIR AFFAIRS BECAUSE OF MENTAL DISORDER, CHRONIC USE OF DRUGS, CHRONIC INTOXICATION, CONFINEMENT, DETENTION BY A FOREIGN POWER OR [ INAUDIBLE ].

ANY OF THOSE WOULD BE THE BASIS FOR A COURT TO APPOINT A CONSERVATOR.

AND GUARDIAN WOULD BE BASICALLY THE SAME DEFINITION, EXCEPT, THAT IS TAKING CARE OF THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF A PERSON.

>> ARE WE TALKING FRIENDS, ACQUAINTANCES THAT ARE OFTEN INVOLVED, OR ARE THEIR GROUPS OR PEOPLE THAT DON'T EVEN HAVE TO KNOW THE PERSON?

>> IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

THERE ARE STATUTORY PRIORITIES OF WHO CAN BE APPOINTED, AND WHO THE COURT IS GOING TO NOMINATE A CONSERVATORY.

IF THE COURT BELIEVES THE PERSON CAN MAKE THAT KIND OF DECISION, A SPOUSE, A CHILD, AN ADULT CHILD, A SIBLING, ANY RELATIVE AND THEN THERE ARE ALSO PRIVATE COMPANIES THAT ARE CALLED PRIVATE FIDUCIARIES, WHICH ARE AUTHORIZED BY THE SUPREME COURT TO ACT IN THAT ROLE, SO ANY OF THOSE COULD THEORETICALLY BE THE CONSERVATOR AND THE GUARDIAN.

>> CAN THESE BE DIFFICULT, CONTENTIOUS SITUATIONS?

>> THEY ABSOLUTELY CAN BE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

THE FIRST REASON WOULD BE THAT THE PERSONALEL EDGED TO BE INCAPACITATED OPPOSES IT, AND SAYS I DON'T NEED THE APPOINTMENT OF ANYBODY TO TAKE CARE OF ME.

THE PROCESS IS THAT A -- A PERSON THAT IS APPLYING FOR A CONSERVATORSHIP OR GUARDIANSHIP HAS TO INCLUDE A MEDICAL OPINION OF A PROFESSIONAL -- YOU KNOW, AN M.D.

THAT IS GOING TO USE A COURT FORM THAT HAS A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS ON IT, THAT CONCLUDES WHETHER OR NOT THE PERSON IS INCAPACITATED.

THAT IS THE BASIS THE COURT RELIES ON IN TERMS OF IS THIS PERSON IN NEED OF THIS KIND OF HELP?

THE WARD CAN OPPOSE IT AND HAVE THEIR OWN MEDICAL TEAM TO TRY TO OPPOSE IT.

IN ADDITION WHEN THE CASE IS FILED, THE COURT APPOINTS AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THE WARD, AND THAT ATTORNEY IS ADVOCATING FOR THE WARD, AND IF THE INDIVIDUAL OPPOSES THE APPOINTMENT, AND THE ATTORNEY BELIEVES THERE IS A RATIONAL OBJECTION, THEY ARE GOING TO FILE AN OBJECTION.

THE COURT OPPOSES THE APPOINTMENT MAYBE 20% OF THE TIME, BECAUSE IN MOST CASES IT IS PRETTY OBVIOUS THE PERSON NEEDS HELP, AND THAT -- YOU KNOW, THE INITIAL MEDICAL REPORT IS FAIRLY ACCURATE.

>> HOW DIFFICULT IS IT, THOUGH, TO GET OUT OF A CONSERVATORISHIP?

>> YEAH, ONE THE COURT HAS MADE THAT DETERMINATION, YOU KNOW, IT'S TOUGH.

IT'S LIKE TRYING TO OVERTURN A TOUCHDOWN, WHERE THERE IS NOT CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE.

SO THE WARD CAN ALWAYS PETITION FOR THE COURT TO RECONSIDER AND TO SAY, HEY, I EITHER DIDN'T NEED IT THEN, OR I'M BETTER, AND PROBABLY I'M BETTER IS A BETTER CASE, BECAUSE NOW YOU ARE SAYING EVEN IF I DID NEED IT THEN, I'M BETTER, AND YOU CAN FILE A PETITION, AND ASK THE COURT TO TERMINATE THE CONSERVATORSHIP OR GUARDIANSHIP, AND PROVIDE YOUR OWN MEDICAL TESTIMONY.

>> CRITICS SAY IT'S A MONEY-MAKING SYSTEM, AND CRITICS SAY IT'S IN DESPERATE NEED OF REFORM.

DO YOU THINK REFORM IS NEEDED FOR THIS SYSTEM?

>> TED, REFORM HAS BEEN AN ON GOING SITUATION, A NEW YEARS AGO, SOME OF THE LISTENERS AND WATCHERS MAY REMEMBER A SERIES OF ARTICLES IN THE REPUBLIC BY A REPORTER BY THE NAME OF LORI ROBERTS, WHERE SHE DISCOVERED SOME CASES WHERE THERE REALLY WAS GROSS MANIPULATION, AND ATTORNEYS FEES AND FIDUCIARY FEES THAT WERE BASICALLY BANKRUPTING PEOPLE.

AND THE COURT DID HAVE GOOD OVERSIGHT OVER THE FEES BEING CHARGED, AND THAT LEAD TO LOTS OF INTERNAL INVESTIGATION TO HAVE A BETTER SYSTEM, WHICH WE'RE SEEING TODAY, IN TERMS OF MORE, MORE SUPERVISION AND MORE REVIEW OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE BEING PAID, AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE GOOD RECORDS TO -- TO PROVE THAT THE SERVICE HAS BEEN NECESSARY, AND IT'S BEEN PERFORMED AT A REASONABLE RATE, SO IT'S ALL BASED ON BEING PAID FOR YOUR HOURLY TIME.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY PERCENTAGES, YOU HAVE TO PROVE THE VALUE OF YOUR TIME.

THE COURT ACCOUNTANTS REVIEW THINGS FAIRLY CAREFULLY, SO THERE IS ALWAYS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF OVERSIGHT THAT EVOLVES, AS THE SYSTEM -- YOU KNOW, WE SEE PROBLEMS IN THE COURT, AND WE SAY WE HAVE TO TRY TO FIX THIS.

I THINK IT'S OVER ALL AN EVOLVING PROCESS OF TRYING TO MAKE IT SAFER AND LESS RISKY FOR THE WARDS.

>> GREAT INFORMATION, LOU SILVERMAN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

>>> UP NEXT, WE HEAR ABOUT A MEXICAN HOLIDAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED ON.

>> HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY, "ARIZONA HORIZON."

>> HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, "ARIZONA HORIZON."

>> HAPPY ANNIVERSARY "ARIZONA HORIZON"!

>> HAPPY ANNIVERSARY "ARIZONA HORIZON"!

>> FROM THE PLACE I HAVE CALLED HOME FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, "ARIZONA HORIZON."

HERE IS TO MANY MORE.

>>> THE CULTURAL COALITION IS HOSTING ITS ANNUAL FESTIVAL IN PHOENIX THIS PAST WEEKEND.

"HORIZONTE" HOST JOSE CARDENAS SPOKE TO HIS GUESTS ABOUT THE HOLIDAY.

>> A PLEASURE TO ALWAYS HAVE YOU ON OUR SHOW.

PEOPLE STILL GET CONFUSED ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS TRADITION, DESPITE MOVIES LIKE COCOA, WHICH HAS HELPED.

TELL US ABOUT THE ORIGINS.

>> THE ORIGINS IN MEXICO GO BACK 3,000 YEARS TO THE TIME OF THE [ INAUDIBLE ].

THAT'S WHEN THE SEE THE FIRST EVIDENCE OF WHAT EVENTS THE KAS COSMO TRANSITION OF OUR ANCESTORS LEAVING THIS LIFE AND MOVING TO THE NEXT.

AND THE VERY REASON WE CELEBRATE IT IS BECAUSE IN ESSENCE, WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR ANCESTORS THAT GO BACK THOUSANDS, NOT HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

>> AND THE CONNECTION, THOUGH, TO THE SPANIARDS WOULD BE THE CHURCH KIND OF APPROPRIATING THE CELEBRATION AND MAKING IT IN CONJUNCTION WITH ALL SOULS DAY, CORRECT?

>> EXACTLY.

AND THAT'S THE REASON WE CHOSE TO CALL OUR FESTIVAL THIS TERM, AND GO BEYOND THE HISPANIC TO THE HISPANIC, AND UNCOVER THE -- THE BEAUTY AND THE PHILOSOPHY, AND THE IMAGERY BEHIND THE HOLIDAY.

>> CARMAN YOU BOTH HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CELEBRATIONS FOR DECADES, I THINK IT FIRST STARTED BACK IN 1975.

YOU NOW HAVE AN EVENT COMING UP ON SUNDAY.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> YES, IT BE OUR ANNUAL CELEBRATION AT THE PARK.

IT'S FREE AND OPEN TO ALL.

WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF PERFORMANCES.

WE HAVE ARTISTS, ART ACTIVITY, LOTS OF FOOD TRUCKS AROUND THERE, SO PLEASE BRING YOUR FAMILY AND ENJOY WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER, AND WE CULMINATE AT SUNSET.

>> AND AMONG THE THINGS THAT WILL BE FOR SALE, WILL BE THE BEAUTIFUL JEWELRY YOU MAKE, INCLUDING LIKE THE EARRINGS YOU HAVE ON NOW.

>> YES, I LOVE TO EMPOWER WOMEN WITH MY JEWELRY.

>> AND WHEN WE BEGAN THE INTERVIEW, CARMAN POINTED TO THE MURAL BEHIND YOU.

I TAKE IT THAT IS ONE OF YOUR PAINTINGS?

>> YES.

THAT IS ONE OF THE MURALS WE USE FOR OUR FESTIVAL >> I KNOW MEXICAN, MEXICAN-DECENT PEOPLE HERE STILL FOLLOW THE TRADITION, THEY GO TO THE CEMETERY ON NOVEMBER 2ND.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD PEOPLE KNOW.

>> GOING TO THE CEMETERY IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE POPULAR.

THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON THIS TIME OF YEAR, WE CELEBRATE THIS AS A FESTIVAL, AS A PRECELEBRATION, OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

THERE IS A LOT OF ART, EXHIBITIONS GOING ON, A LOT OF PERFORMANCE ART, AND ACTUALLY OTHER FESTIVALS THAT ARE POPPING UP ALL THE TIME, SO THERE IS ENOUGH TO GO AROUND, AND THERE IS SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE.

>> CARMAN AS HE MENTIONED THERE ARE A LOT OF FESTIVALS.

INITIALLY THERE WAS JUST ONE.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE EVOLUTION.

DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS JUST LIKE CINCO DE MAYO IT HAS BECOME SO COMMERCIALIZED.

DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THAT?

>> WE SEE THAT HAPPENING.

AND WE WANT TO DISTINGUISHED OURSELVES FROM OTHER CELEBRATIONS, AND ADOPTED THEN INDIGENOUS TERM.

>> WE ALSO HAVE ARTISTS TWO HAVE TRADITIONS OF CELEBRATING THIS WITH THEIR FAMILIES OR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE, THEY ARE REALLY EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY TO EMBRACE THIS TRADITION.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND YOU ARE NOT SAYING YOU HAVE ARTISTS THAT ARE HUNDREDS OF YEARS OLD.

>> NO.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> IT IS 7,000 YEARS OLD, THE TRADITION.

>> IT IS A WONDERFUL -- WONDERFUL TRADITION, AND YOU GUYS HAVE DONE SO MUCH TO FURTHER AND ENHANCE IT, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING TO US ABOUT IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AND WE CONTINUE OUR CELEBRATION OF "ARIZONA HORIZON"'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY BY SPEAKING WITH ASU LAW PROFESSOR PAUL BEND -- PAUL BENDER.

WE SPOKE WITH PROFESSOR BENDER ABOUT HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

>> PAUL BENDER, I WOULD SAY WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON," BUT YOU SURE KNOW YOUR WAY AROUND HERE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF "ARIZONA HORIZON."

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT APPEARING ON "ARIZONA HORIZON"?

>> WELL, I LIKE TALKING TO YOU AND I LIKED TALKING TO MIKE WHEN HE STARTED, AND I LIKE THE IDEA OF TALKING TO NON-LAWYERS ABOUT IMPORTANT THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE LAW.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF CONFUSION ABOUT WHAT THINGS MEAN, AND I -- I ENJOY TRYING TO EXPLAIN IT TO PEOPLE.

IT HELPS ME EXPLAIN IT TO MYSELF.

IT ALSO HELPS ME PREPARE FOR CLASS.

SOMETIMES I TALK TO YOU BEFORE CLASS, AND THEN MY CLASS IS A LOT BETTER.

BUT I ENJOY TALKING ABOUT IT.

AND THE SUPREME COURT, WHICH IS WHAT WE TALK ABOUT MOSTLY -- THE SUPREME COURT IS SUCH A FASCINATING INSTITUTION.

>> AND ARIZONA -- I MEAN WE PROVIDE SO MUCH LEGAL FODDER.

WE HAD TWO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES FOR A WHILE.

ARIZONA PUNCHES ABOVE ITS WEIGHT, DOESN'T IT?

>> WAY ABOVE ITS WEIGHT.

NOT ONLY DID WE HAVE THE TWO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, AND ONE OF THEM WAS THE FIRST WOMAN ON THE COURT, AND WE ALSO -- I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PUT THIS TACTFULLY, ARIZONA HAS HAD SOME VERY STRANGE LAWS, AND SOMETIMES THE STRANGENESS MAKES THEM BE CHALLENGED AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, SO A MUCH LARGER PERCENTAGE OF ARIZONA STATE LAWS ARE CHALLENGED MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

IN A LOT OF THESE CASES, IT'S BECAUSE -- ARIZONA, FOR EXAMPLE, IS THE FIRST STATE, OR ONE OF THE FIRST STATES TO DO INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONS, AND THAT DECISION ABOUT WHETHER THAT DECISION WAS CONSTITUTIONAL OR NOT.

AND THAT KEEPS HAPPENING.

ARIZONA KEEPS TRYING NEW THINGS, AND WE ALSO HAD A GOVERNOR WHO WAS IMPEACHED.

>> WITH THAT IN MIND, THE CHALLENGES OF PRESENTING COMPLEX LEGAL QUESTIONS AND ISSUES IN FRONT OF A MASS AUDIENCE.

WE LIKE TO THINK WE HAVE A PRETTY WELL-ROUNDED AUDIENCE, AND THEY ARE SHARP.

BUT THESE ARE COMPLEX ISSUES.

IS IT DIFFICULT FOR YOU?

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK YOU CAN EXPLAIN REALLY COMPLICATED LEGAL ISSUES TO PEOPLE IF YOU JUST TRY TO EXPLAIN THEM.

THE LAW IS AMAZINGLY LOGICAL, AND CAN BE EXPLAINED, AND I ENJOY DOING IT, BECAUSE YOU KIND OF UNTANGLE IT, AND IT TELLS A STORY, AND LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT STORY.

AND IT'S -- IT'S A REALLY COMPLICATED LEGAL SYSTEM, BUT IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE, AND SO JUST GOING THROUGH THOSE COMPLICATIONS AND EXPLAINING IT TO PEOPLE IS SOMETHING I ENJOY DOING, AND I JUST TRY TO MAKE IT PLAIN TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ANY LEGAL BACKGROUND, AND IT CAN BE MADE THAT WAY.

>> YOU MENTION STORIES, AND YOU DO A GREAT JOB PRESENTING EACH CASE WITH THE STORY BEHIND THE CASE.

THAT SAID, ALL OF THESE DECADES BEING ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," DO YOU REMEMBER TALKING ABOUT ONE OR TWO CASES THAT REALLY STAND OUT?

>> IT'S HARD.

YOU KNOW, THE MECAM IMIMPEACHMENT WAS TELEVISED AND THINGS WOULD BE HAPPENING AND PEOPLE COULD SEE IT HAPPEN, AND PEOPLE WOULD TALK ABOUT IT.

ALONG THOSE LINES -- ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE ENJOYED THE MOST THAT I HAVE DONE, THERE WAS TIME WHERE WE DID ARIZONA SUPREME COURT ARGUMENTS MORE OR LESS LIVE.

WE DID IT ON THE SAME DAY.

AN ARGUMENT WOULD BE IN THE MORNING, AND IT WOULD BE RECORDED, AND MIKE GRANT AND I WOULD TALK ABOUT IT THAT EVENING, AND WE WOULD TRY TO PREPARE PEOPLE BY TELLING THEM WHAT THE CASE WAS ABOUT, AND WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT, AND THEN WE WOULD CRITICIZE IT.

AND THAT WAS REALLY ENJOYABLE, AND I WAS REALLY SORRY WHEN THOSE TELECAST STOPPED.

THERE WAS A WHILE WHEN THEY WOULD TELECAST ARIZONA SUPREME COURT ARGUMENTS ON THE SAME DAY THEY WERE DONE, SO IT WAS LIVE IN EVERYBODY'S MIND, AND WE COULD TALK ABOUT THE ARGUMENTS AND TRY TO EXPLAIN WHAT WAS GOING ON .

>> YEAH.

WELL, OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE BEEN A TREASURE HERE FOR DECADES.

LAST QUESTION, REAL QUICKLY, THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT YOU DO THROUGH "ARIZONA HORIZON," GETTING THAT INFORMATION OUT TO THAT MASS AUDIENCE.

>> THE IMPORTANCE?

>> YES.

>> YEAH, WELL, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL SYSTEM THEY ARE LIVING UNDER.

IT MAKES IT EASIER ON THEIR MINDS.

PEOPLE GET CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING, AND I THINK IT'S VERY UP SETTING TO THEM.

AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO EXPLAIN AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THEY UNDERSTAND IT.

I THINK IT MAKES THEM FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE AND THEY CAN RELAX MORE.

AND I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE AND THE COUNTRY GENERALLY, AND I THINK DEMOCRACY IS MUCH BETTER OFF IF THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> PAUL BENDER THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS MANY YEARS OF CONTRIBUTING TO "ARIZONA HORIZON," AND WE HOPE MANY MORE.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF "ARIZONA HORIZON."

>> OKAY.

THANKS, TED.

NICE TO TALK TO YOU.

>>> AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

♪♪ >>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HALF HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS.

ON CRONKITE NEWS, TRADITIONAL PLAYS ARE GETTING A MODERN MAKEOVER.

AS THEATER COMPANIES WORK TO REFLECT THE COUNTRY'S DIVERSITY.