♪ MUSIC PLAYING ♪ >> COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON", FINDING OUT IF YOU ARE AT RISK FOR DEVELOPING ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE COULD BE SIMPLE AS TAKING A BLOOD TEST.

ALSO AHEAD, INVESTIGATING JOURNALISTS LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF LITHIUM MINES ON WATER SUPPLIES IN THE WEST.

AND A BREAKDOWN OF NEW ELECTION CHANGES AND HOW THOSE CHANGES WILL IMPACT ARIZONA VOTERS.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE TONIGHT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

>> THIS HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE FRIENDS OF PBS.

MEMBERS OF YOUR PBS STATION.

THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I AM STEVE GOLDSTEIN IN FOR TED SIMONS TONIGHT.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS EXPECTING TO NOMINATE TWO WOMEN TO BECOME FEDERAL JUDGES IN ARIZONA.

U.S.

MANAGE ALL JUNK ANGELA MAR AND KRISSA LANHAM COULD BECOME BIDEN'S FIRST APPOINTEES TO THE ARIZONA BENCH.

MARTINEZ IS A JUDGE IN TRUE ON AND LAMB AN THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN ARIZONA.

THE POSITIONS ARE LIFETIME BUT NEED ACCEPT ATTA PREVIOUS.

THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE IS INTERVENING TWO LAWSUITS BROUGHT BY THE REMEMBER PARTY.

THE PROCEDURES MANUAL, GUIDING THE ELECTION OFFICIAL MS. HOW TO CONDUCT AND CERTIFICATE ELECTIONS, REPUBLICANS HAVE CHALLENGE THE MANUAL SEVERAL TIMES SPECIFIC LOW PROCEDURES UNSURE NON-SUTTONS CAN NOT VOTE AND RULES AGAINST VOTER UP TILL TAKE SUCH AS STRICTING PHOTOGRAPHING PEOPLE DROPPING AFTER THEIR BALLOTS.

THE DNC IS SINGING TO BE ADDED IN THE SUITS ALONGSIDE SECRETARY OF STATE ADRIEN UPON CESC SAYING IT'S A BLATANT ATTEMPT TO INTERFERE WITH ARIZONA'S ELECTIONS, END QUOTE.

IF YOU LIKE TO HIKA LONG THE LOWER VERDE RIFF YOU NEED TO MAKE OTHER PLANS, ARIZONA GAME AND FISH WILL CLOSE SOME OF THE AREAS FOR BALD EAGLE BREEDING INCLUDING PARTS OF THE VERDE RIVER, SALT RIVER AND TAN TOE CREEK, TO MAIM A FEW.

THERE ARE 97 EAGLE BREEDING NESTS AND GAME AND FISH SAYS HIKERS AND OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS SHOULD AVOID THEM IF THEY CAN.

AND THEY ARE ASKING DRONE OPERATORS TO FLY HIGHER THAN 2000 FEET TO AVOID DISTURBING THEM.

>> WHAT IF FINDING OUT YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE WAS AS SIMPLE AS TAKING A BLOOD TEST THIS DEVELOPMENT COULD MEAN THOSE IDENTIFIED AS AT RISK COULD BEGIN TREATMENT EARLIER.

TODAY WE FOUND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS GREAT BREAKING RESEARCH FROM ANYTHING LAMB ASHTON VERY ADVISER FOR THE BIOMAKER PROGRAM.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU V. >> MY FIRST QUESTION IS WHAT WILL THIS NEW BLOOD TEST BE ABLE TO REVEAL SPECIFICALLY ABOUT WHETHER SOME IS AT SERIOUS RISK FOR DEVELOPING ALZHEIMER'S.

HOW WILL THIS BE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT PEOPLE ARE RAILROAD ALREADY SEEING?

>> YEAH, SO THE LANDSCAPE OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE HAS REALLY CHANGED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

BEING ABLE TO DETECT AT THE EARLY STAGES IF SOMEONE HAS ALZHEIMER'S IN THE BRAIN HAS BECOME EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE WE HAVE DRUGS THAT ARE STARTING TO HAVE MEANINGFUL EFFECT ON PATIENTS.

SO WE NEED TO IDENTIFY THESE INDIVIDUALS EARLIER.

AND REALLY THE TECHNIQUES THAT WE HAVE ARE NOT VERY APPLICABLE FOR EVEN.

ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF PEOPLE CAN HAVE A BRAIN SCAN OR SPINAL TAP.

SO THIS BLOOD TEST MAKES IT AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A LOCAL CLINIC CAN TAKE BLOOD OF COURSE.

SO THIS MEANS IT'S VERY INCLUSIVE.

AND EVEN HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS AND IN THE FUTURE HOPEFULLY THE CORRECT TREATMENT.

>> THAT'S WHY THIS BLOOD TEST IS SO EXCITING, BECAUSE THE IDEA IT COULD BE A REGULAR THING, EAGER GO TO YOUR LOCAL CLINIC OR A LOCAL DOCTOR.

HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN IN THE WORKS?

BECAUSE WE KNOW THEY WERE ALWAYS WAITING FOR THAT NEXT SORT OF SEMI SILVER BULLET TO OCCUR.

HAS THIS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR SO MANY YEARS TO GET TO THIS POINT WHERE A BLOOD TEST IS EFFECTIVE?

>> EXACTLY.

YEAH.

SO I MEAN, I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS, OR OVER 10 YEARS MONTH AND YOU COLLEAGUES BEFORE ME HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR EVEN BEFORE THAT.

BUT I WOULD SAY THAT THESE NEW GENERATION OF BLOOD TESTS THAT WE STARTED TO SHOW REAL PROMISE HAS DEVELOPED IN THE LAST THREE TO FOUR YEARS.

IT'S BEEN QUITE A RAPID ADVANCEMENT AND A REAL TESTAMENT TO ACADEMIC SCIENCE HAS NOW PRODUCED SOMETHING WHICH IS A CLINICALLY VIABLE TEST AND THAT'S WHAT IS DIFFERENT NOW ABOUT THE BLOOD TEST.

BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF EXCITEMENT IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WE HAVE KNOWN THAT THESE BLOOD TESTS ARE GOING TO WORK, BUT THE REASON THIS ONE IS SO EXCITING IS NOW IT'S SIMPLY AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO USE.

IT'S NO LONGER A PROMISE ANYMORE, IT'S HERE.

AND THAT'S WHAT IS SO EXCITING ABOUT IT.

>> AND HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED IN THE STUDY THAT'S BEING REPORTED NOW?

>> SO THERE WAS AROUND ABOUT 800 INDIVIDUALS TESTED.

ALL THESE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED WHAT WE WOULD CALL THE GOLD STANDARD DIAGNOSIS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, SO THEY HAD A BRAIN SCAN.

AND A BLOOD TEST AT THE SAME TIME.

AND SIMPLY JUST WANTED TO SEE COULD THE BLOOD TEST PERFORM JUST AS GOOD AS THE BRAIN SCAN.

AND 96% OF THE TIME IT WAS ACCURATE.

REALLY GOOD CONCORDANCE WITH OUR GOLD STANDARD.

AND WHAT WAS ALSO VERY INTERESTING ABOUT THE STUDY IS A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS DID NOT YET HAVE SYMPTOMS.

BUT THEY HAD AMYLOID PATHOLOGIST OR OUTSOURCED PATHOLOGIST DEVELOPING IN THE BRAIN AND THE BLOOD TEST WAS STILL ACCURATE AT THAT STAGE.

ALTHOUGH WE DON'T RECOMMEND AT THE MOMENT THAT PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER'S SHOULD GET THE BLOOD TEST IT SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO PEOPLE WITH MILD SYSTEMS, THAT'S WHAT OUR DRUGS ARE DOING IT GIVES REAL PROMISE IF THE INTERVENTION IS VERY EFFECTIVE VERY EARLY IN THE STAGE EVEN BEFORE SYMPTOMS THE BLOOD TEST WILL PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THAT CLINICAL WORK FLOW.

>> WELL, THAT'S AN IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK AND MAYBE THIS IS A CLINICAL QUESTION, BUT COULD YOU ENVISION A TIME IN THE NEAR FUTURE WHERE IF SOMEONE WANTED TO AGREED TEST TODAY THIS WITH A BLOOD TEST AS OPPOSED TO SHOWING SYMPTOMS OR HAVING FAMILY HISTORY, THEY COULD JUST GO AHEAD AND HAVE IT DONE?

TO GET PEACE OF MIND TO SOME EXTENT.

>> YEAH, SO I MEAN THERE ARE SOME, YOU KNOW, TESTS AVAILABLE THAT CAN DO THAT.

THEY ARE NOT AS ACCURATE AS THESE ONES IT'S NOT SOMETHING I RECOMMEND.

I REMEMBER IT SHOULD BE DIRECTED LIE A CLINICIAN.

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER IF YOU DON'T HAVE SYMPTOMS AND YOU HAVE AMYLOID PATHOLOGY IN THE BRAIN, THIS IS STILL A RISK FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, IT'S NOT 100 PERCENT.

SO WE HAVE TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE CAUTIOUS HERE THAT OKAY, THIS IS A HIGH-RISK THAT YOU ARE GOING TO DEVELOP ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE BUT IT'S NOT A DEFINITIVE ONE WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE SYMPTOMS.

SO WE HAVE TO BE A LITTLE CAUTIOUS THERE.

BUT WHAT WE SHOULD SAY IS THAT, YOU KNOW, DRUG TRIALS ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, TESTING THE SAME DRUGS, BUT IN PEOPLE WITHOUT SYMPTOMS AND SEEING IF THE RATES OF DEMENTIA OR LOWER.

IF PEOPLE START THESE DRUGS EARLIER.

SO YOU CAN'T IMAGINE A SCENARIO WHERE A DRUG OR BLOOD TEST LIKE THIS IS INCORPORATED INTO A WELL HEALTH CHECK UP AT 60 YEARS OF AGE AND SCENARIOS LIKE THAT, YOU CAN DEFINITELY IMAGINE THAT.

BUT RIGHT NOW, IT'S SET VERY CLEARLY BY THE GUIDELINES THAT IS DIRECTED BY CLINICIAN, YOU MUST HAVE OBJECTIVE OR SUBJECTIVE SYMPTOMS AND THE BLOOD TEST IS THEN SUPPORTIVE OF THE DIAGNOSIS.

>> SO, DOCTOR, IF THE BLOOD TEST INDICATES THAT SOMEONE IS ON THE ROAD TO ALZHEIMER'S OR COULD BE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO IT.

WHAT SORT OF PREVENTIVE OPTIONS ARE THERE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW?

ARE THERE THINGS ON THE MARKET THAT PEOPLE COULD GET MAYBE NOT READILY IS BUT SOMEWHAT EASILY?

>> YEAH, EASILY OR READILY, THAT'S A DIFFICULT QUESTION FOR ME TO ANSWER FROM EUROPE, BECAUSE IN THE UNITED STATES YOU DO HAVE TO APPROVE DRUGS FOR ALZHEIMER'S IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WHICH CLEAR AMYLOID FROM THE BRAIN, THAT'S UNDISPUTED.

WHERE THE -- WHERE IT IS SLIGHTLY DISPUTE SECOND DEGREE HOW MUCH IS THE PATIENT BENEFIT AND THESE DRUG TRIALS HAVE SHOWN BENEFIT BUT MAYBE NOT QUITE AS MUCH AS WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

BUT THESE DRUGS ARE AVAILABLE AND SO WE CAN ACT AND WE CAN START TREATING THESE INDIVIDUALS.

SO IN THE UNITED STATES, YOU ARE IN A VERY UNIQUE SITUATION THAT IT'S NOT ONLY SYMPTOMATIC BUT THESE MODIFYING DRUGS CAN BE ISSUED TO INDIVIDUALS THAT SHOW MODERATE SYMPTOMS IN ORDER TO GET THE DRUGS YOU HAVE TO PROVE THAT YOU HAVE THE PATHOLOGY IN THE BRAIN AND THE BLOOD TEST SAY KEY COMPONENT OF THAT.

>> BRIEF FINAL ANSWER ON HAD ONE, WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU WITH THIS RESEARCH?

WHAT ARE GOING BE DOING IN ARIZONA?

>> SO, YEAH, IN ARIZONA, WE WILL COME AND START A LARGE BIO MARKER LAB DOING LARGE SCALE BLOOD TESTING PROVIDE THIS IS BLOOD TESTING FOR THE WHOLE OF ARIZONA AND NATIONWIDE AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH, AND FOR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE A LARGE RESOURCE OF HIGH-QUALITY BLOOD TESTS.

BUT MY PERSONAL RESEARCH WHERE THE LAB WILL LOOK AT IS DIFFERENT TYPES OF DEMENTIA NOW.

SO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IS ONLY 60% OF DEMENTIA CASES.

THERE ARE 40% OF OTHER DEMENTIAS OUT THERE WHERE WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO TESTS FOR.

SO WE ARE STILL DIAGNOSING THEM BASED ON CLINICAL SYMPTOMS.

AND THIS IS FUNDAMENTAL THAT WE HAVE TESTS WITH THEM SO DRUG DEVELOPMENT CAN OCCUR, I AM TALKING LIKE DEMENTIA OF LEWY BODIES, FRONT OF TEMPORAL.

IT'S VERY FRONT IN THE NEWS WITH BRUCE WILLIS, THESE HAVE NO TESTS AND THAT WILL BE THE FOCUS OF OUR RESEARCH.

>> DR. ASHTON, WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK OBVIOUSLY AND THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, SISTER, THANK YOU FOR MY DAUGHTER.

>> THESE ARE YOUR ANCESTORS.

>> I AM FOREVER CHANGED.

>> REALLY?

>> IT'S CRAZY.

>> I AM HAPPY I CAN SAY.

>> TURN THE PAGE AND MEET YOUR DNA.

>> OH, NO.

♪ MUSIC PLAYING ♪ >> REPORTERS IN THE HOWARD CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO A LITHIUM MINE IN SILVER PEAK, NEVADA TRYING TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT IT HAS ON UNDER GROUND WATER SOURCES IN ARIZONA AND OTHER STATES.

FOR MORE ON THEIR FINDINGS WE WELCOME MECHANICS OF THE HOWARD CENTER'S ARE THING TEAM.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARK GREENBLATT.

CALIFORNIA REPORTING DAYS I TANNER AND NEVADA REPORTER AND DRONE HIGH BUTT.

JOHN LEOS, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

WHEN IT COMES AT THIS HUGE PROJECT LIKE THIS, MARK, WHAT GOES IN TO -- THERE ARE A LOT OF STORIES AND A LOT OF THINGS THAT DESERVE DIGGING.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DECIDE ON THIS PROJECT AND HOW IS IT DECIDED?

>> WELL, STEVE, IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO WHAT KINDS OF INVESTIGATIVE PROJECTS CAN WE ACTUALLY TEACH INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM THROUGH.

AND AT THE HOWARD CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM AT ARIZONA STATE IT'S ONE OF THE MORE UNIQUE SPACES IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

IN THAT WHAT WE ARE AIMING TO DO DO IS NOT ONLY TEACH INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING, TEACH FAIRNESS, ACCURACY CONCEPTS BUT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A STORY THAT IS SO ORIGINAL AND SO IMPORTANT THAT IT ALSO MEETS THE TAP CARDS OF MAJOR NATIONAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE REGULARLY -- WE ARE REGULARLY PARTNERING WITH.

>> SO CONSIDERING ALL OF THAT.

THIS WAS DONE IN THE WESTERN REGION BUT DIDN'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO?

>> IT DIDN'T HAVE TO BE, WE CAN BE GLOBAL, ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, BUT WE FOCUS IN THE WESTERN REGION, WE DO LIKE TO PLAY FOR OUR STRENGTHS AND WE ARE LOCATED OUT HERE AND WHEN WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM, WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH LITHIUM AND WE ALL LOVE LITHIUM, BECAUSE IT HELPS DOUSE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS, BUT THERE WAS THIS DARK SIDE THAT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH LIGHT POUT IT AND IT ALSO NEEDED A LOT OF HARD WORK.

A LOT OF BODIES.

AND SO WE HAPPENED TO HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS WHO WANTED TO LEARN AND WE SET THEM LOOSE ON DIGGING THROUGH LITERALLY 10S OF THOUSANDS OF REGULATORY DOCUMENTS UNTIL THEY FOUND QUITE AN IMPORTANT STORY.

>> DAISY THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF FUN DUG THROUGH REGULATORY DOCUMENTS.

WHAT WAS YOUR SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT?

>> SO THERE WASN'T REALLY SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENTS, IT WAS MORE SO LET LOOSE AND SEE WHAT YOU FIND, RIGHT?

SO I STARTED TO LOOK INTO CALIFORNIA.

APPROXIMATELY THERE IN CALIFORNIA THERE WERE THREE PROPOSED PROJECTS, TWO OF WHICH ACTUALLY HAD REGULATORY DOCUMENTS THAT I STARTED TO DIG INTO.

AND FROM THERE I STARTED TO FIND SOME PRETTY CONCERNING NUMBERS WHEN IT CAME TO WATER USAGE, SPECIFICALLY WATER THEY WERE GOING TO USE FROM THE COLORADO RIVER.

>> SO, JOHN, DRONE, HOW DOES THAT WORK?

AND WAS THAT YOUR SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT?

HOW DID YOU GET THAT SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, MY ROLE ON THE TEAM WAS TO SERVE AS THE LEAD VIDEOGRAPHER AND KIND OF VISUALS REPORTER AND WE KNEW WHEN WE WERE COVERING THE STORY THAT THEY WOULD BE GOING TO THESE KIND OF VAST LANDSCAPES.

AND COVERING LARGE SCALE OPERATIONS AND PROBLEMS AND WE NEEDED TO SEE THAT VISUALLY.

AND I TOOK THE INITIATIVE OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEMESTER THAT WE WERE WORKING ON THIS TO GET MY DRONE PILOT'S LICENSE WHICH REQUIRED STUDYING FAA REGULATIONS AND PRACTICING IN ORDER TO CAPTURE KIND OF THOSE GRAND SCENES.

>> I HAVE TO ASK THE TWO OF YOU BEFORE WE GO BACK TO MORE, DID YOU ENVISION YOURSELVES BEING INVESTIGATION TIFF REPORTERS OR JUST JOURNALISTS?

DAISY LET ME START WITH YOU.

>> OH, GOSH, I STARTED IN BROADCAST JOURNALISM, KNEW THAT I LOVED JOURNALISM AND WANTED TO BE SOMEWHERE IN THERE, BUT I REALLY DEVELOPED A DEEP LOVE, ESPECIALLY THROUGH THIS CLASS OF FINDING A FULL STORY AND REPORTING IT ALL WAIT THROUGH.

GET TO GO REALLY DIG TO THE BOTTOM OF SOMETHING THAT SEEMED DIFFERENT ON THE TOP THAN IT IS ONCE YOU GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE STORY, YOU DIG THROUGH ALL THE REGULATORY PAPERWORK, SO AFTER THIS, I AM DEFINITELY INVESTIGATIVE IS FOR ME.

>> JOHN, HOW ABOUT YOU?

>> YOU KNOW, STARTED OFF AS A DOCUMENTARY FILM MAKER AND PHOTO JOURNALISM, PHOTO JOURNALIST, AND I NEVER WORKED ON AN INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT BEFORE THIS.

I AM VERY INTERESTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS AND SO THIS PROJECT REALLY DREW MY ATTENTION.

AND, YEAH, I THINK THE HOWARD CENTER REALLY TAUGHT ME ALL OF THOSE INVESTIGATIVE SKILLS AND I THINK THEY REALLY APPLY TO KIND OF THE VISUAL FIELD.

>> MARK, LEARNING OBVIOUSLY THAT THE HOWARD CENTER HAS A FAR REACH AND A BIG IMPACT THAT IT CAN HAVE.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHY YOU CAME HERE, HOW WAS THIS TO START OFF AS YOUR FIRST MAJOR PROJECT?

>> WELL, LOOK, I SPENT MORE THAN A DECADE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

WORKING FOR A BIG COMPANY CALLED SCRIPTS DOING NATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR THEM AND I CAME HERE BECAUSE I WANTED TO TRULY LEAD THE NEXT GENERATION OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS.

AND I THINK YOU AND I ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE WORK FOR THESE TWO RUN DAY, THEY ARE REALLY THAT GOOD.

BUT THE CONCEPT OF BEING A PART OF A PROJECT THAT REALLY DISCOVERS, YOU KNOW, IT CHANGES THE CONVERSATION NATIONALLY.

>> YEAH.

>> ABOUT HOW LITHIUM IS ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTING, HOW IT'S DRYING UP PARTS OF OUR GROUND WATER SUPPLIES.

HOW IT'S, YOU KNOW, TAKING FROM THE COLORADO RIVER, WHICH IS ALREADY STRAINED, THE CONCEPT OF BEING ABLE TO TEACH STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY ASK HARD QUESTIONS OF EVEN VERY LARGE COMPANIES, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A UNIQUE THING, AGE VERY PROUD OF THESE STUDENTS.

>> YOU AND I ARE A LITTLE BIT PROBABLY FROM SORT OF AT LEAST A FEW LATERS THAN THE "ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN" PERIOD.

BUT THAT REALLY HAD DRIVEN YOUNG PEOPLE TO WANT TO DO MORE WHEN IT COMES TO INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM.

MAYBE NOT TAKE DOWN A PRESIDENT BUT IN TERMS OF THAT THING, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE -- -- THAT IS TOO OLD OF A REFERENCE OR SOMETHING THAT STUDENTS CAN HAVE A MORE MODERN VERSION OF THAT HERE SAN IMPACT I CAN MAKE IN MY COMMUNITY THAT CAN HAVE REALLY IMPORTANT LONG-REACHING IMPACT?

>> WE TALK ABOUT "ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN" AND THERE WAS A SCENE WE SHOWED IN CLASS, THERE WAS A SCENE WHERE BOTH WOODWARD AND BURNSTEIN ARE IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GOING THROUGH ONE METHODICAL CARD AFTER THE NEXT AND YOU SEE HOW MUCH WORK THEY HAVE TO PUT IN TO FIND SOMETHING IMPORTANT, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT AS AN ANALOGY TO THE WORK THEY DID HERE ON THIS VERY PROJECT.

THERE ARE MODERN DAY ANALOGIES TO THAT.

BUT THE OTHER THING WE ARE DOING IS WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO TAKE TAKE A HAVE HAD MODERN FACE TRAIN TO TRAIN THE STUDENT TO BE FUTURE READY.

MEANING NOT ONLY ARE HAVE YOU HAVING TO PUT OUT REALLY STRONG, COMPELLING WRITTEN MATERIAL THAT CAN NEED THE STANDARDS AND LAND ON THE FRONT WAGE OF U.S. TODAY, WHICH THIS STORY DID, BUT ALSO PUT TOGETHER A VIDEO PROJECT THAT MET THE STANDARDS OF THE PBS NEWS HOUR AND WENT IN-DEPTH ON THE GROUND THAT.

>> DAISY, BRIEF ON THIS ONE, BUT WHAT WAS THE MOST INTRIGUING OR REVELATORY THING FOUND OUT SPECIFICALLY WHEN YOU WERE INVESTIGATING?

>> ONE OF THE MOST REFER TO I EVER THINGS THAT THE TEAM AND I SCOFFED IN CALIFORNIA WAS DEFINITELY WAS READING THE REGULATORY PAPERS.

THEY DON'T SEE IT IN TERMS THAT YOU OR I UNDERSTAND, ONCE WE REALIZED THAT AN ACRE FOOT OF WATER DIDN'T MEAN ANYTHING TO ME I HAD TO BREAK IT DOWN, ONCE YOU REALIZE THAT AN ACRE FOOT OF WATER IS A FOOT OF WATER THAT COVERS A WHOLE ACRE, THAT'S A LOT MORE WATER.

WE FOUND OUT ONE OF THE PROJECTS IN CALIFORNIA WILL BE USING OVER 100 BILLION GALLONS OF WATER IN ITS LIFETIME AND THAT FIND AGO LOAN WAS JUST SHOCKING TRULY.

>> I DON'T KNOW, WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPACT.

THING YOU FOUND?

>> SURE, WE LOOK A LOOK AT THE FIRST OPERATING LITHIUM MINE IN UNITED STATES WHICH IS IN SILVER PEAK, NEVADA AND THROUGH OUR ON THE GROUND REPORTING AND THROUGH THE RESEARCH THAT MYSELF AND THE FELLOW REPORTERS HAD DONE.

HAD DISCOVERED THAT THE PUMPING OF GROUND WATER IN THIS VALLEY IN NEVADA WAS REALLY HAVING AN IMPACT ON THE WATER LEVELS AND THE SURROUNDING MONITORING WELLS.

WE WENT OUT WITH A SCIENTIST MONITORS GROUND WELLS ANNUALLY AND, YOU KNOW ARE STANDING AROUND AND WATCHING HIM THROW A ROCK DOWN A WELL AND HEARING IT CLANG DOWN TO AN EMPTY BOTTOM AND HE TOLD US THAT JUST YEARS EARLIER YOU WOULD HAVE HEARD A SPLASH AS IT HIT.

>> WOW.

>> OVER 30 FEET OF WATER THAT HAD DROPPED DOWN TO NOTHING.

WAS REALLY AMAZING TO SEE IN PERSON.

>> OKAY, WE'LL HAVE TO STOP THERE.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

♪ MUSIC PLAYING ♪ >> ARIZONA PBS WANTS TO WISH A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR ARIZONA PBS KIDS CLUB MEMBERS THAT ARE HAVING A BIRTHDAY.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING A PART OF THE ARIZONA PBS KIDS CLUB.

AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR NAME HERE DURING YOUR BIRTHDAY MONTH, GET A GROWN YUPS HELP TO VISIT AZPBS.ORG/FAMILY TO LEARN ABOUT OUR ARIZONA PER FAMILY MEMBERSHIP THINK HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM ALL OF US AT ARIZONA PBS.

>> WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU, SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS, COMMENT, AND CONCERNS VIA EMAIL AT ARIZONA HORIZON@ASU.EDU.

>> THE GOVERNOR AND STATE LAWMAKERS CAME TOGETHER EARLIER THIS MONTH TO PASS NEW LEGISLATION TO FIX PROBLEMS WITH ARIZONA'S NEW AUTOMATIC REBOUND LAW.

PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAVE DELAYED THE STATE'S ENTIRE ELECTION PROCESS, SO WHAT CHANGED AND HOW DO THE CHANGES ADDRESS ELECTION TIMING ISSUES?

LAST WEEK TED SAT DOWN WITH MARICOPA COUNTY RECORDER STEVEN RICH FORGET SOME ANSWERS.

>> I GUESS THE BIGGEST THING IS MOVING THAT PRIMARY ELECTION DATE UP U TALK TO US ABOUT THAT.

>> THAT'S WHAT VOTERS NEED TO KNOW.

OUR NORMAL AUGUST PRIMARY, THAT'S PRIMARY IN WHICH YOU CAN VOTE FOR THE U.S. SENATE CANDIDATES, HOUSE, STATE LEGISLATURE CANDIDATES AS OPPOSED TO PRESIDENTIAL WHICH IS HAPPENING IN MARCH.

THAT AUGUST 6TH PRIME DATE HAS BEEN MOVED TO JULY 30TH.

UP ONE WEEK.

AND THE REASON FOR THAT WAS OWING TO A WHOLE BUNCH OF FACTORS CHANGES TO STATE LAW, CHANGES TO FEDERAL LAW, THE CALENDAR I AM SURE TAYLOR SWIFT WAS INVOLVED SOMEHOW.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> YES.

>> BUT BECAUSE OF ALL THOSE REASONS THEY NEEDED TO EXPAND THEM OUT.

>> DOES THAT TIME GIVE YOU GUYS ENOUGH TIME FOR RECOUNTS?

>> RIGHT.

SO THE TWO IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE WERE WORRIED WOULD BE IMPERILLED WOULD ONE, BEING ABLE TO SEND MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTERS THEIR BULL BALLOTS 45 DAYS BEFORE THE GENERAL ELECTION.

AND TWO, BEING ABLE TO SEND ARIZONA'S DELEGATES FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST IN EARLY DECEMBER.

BOTH WERE GOING TO BE PROBLEMATIC WITH THE NEW RECOUNT LAW THAT WAS GOING TO TRIGGER MORE RECOUNTS AND MAKE US DO MORE OF THIS STUFF AFTER THE ELECTION.

SO THIS ALLOWS US TO MEET THOSE DEADLINES AND SO THAT'S WHY ALL 15 COUNTIES CAME TOGETHER WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE WITH THE GOVERNOR AND PUT TOGETHER THIS PACKAGE.

>> OKAY.

AND IT SOUNDS LIKE JULY 30TH WAS THE DATE FOR THE PRIMARY.

MOVED IT UP.

>> WAG AUGUST 6TH.

>> WAS.

>> NOW JULY.

>> WHAT'S THE POINT OF THAT, WHAT'S THAT ALL ABOUT?

>> I THINK THEY'LL LOOK AT A LONGER TERM SOLUTION WHERE THEY JUST WANT TO MOVE IT UP ONE WEEK OR WHETHER THEY WANT TO MOVE THE PRIMARY TO MAY.

THAT'S PART EIGHT BROADER CONVERSATION THEY WANT TO HAVE BUT WE NEEDED IT FIXED BY AT LEAST ONE WEEK FOR THIS SHORT-TERM SOLUTION.

>> BALLOTS MAIL TODAY EARLY VOTERS DID THAT CHANGE, DID THAT DATE CHANGE AS WELL?

>> IT DID.

EVENING MOVED UP ONE WEEK.

>> EVERYTHING GOES?

>> EXACTLY.

27 DAYS BEFORE.

FOR MOST VOTERS THEY'LL KNOW IT'S ELECTION TIME WHEN THE BALLOT COMES IN THE MAIL AND JUST KNOW THAT THEY HAVE TO GET IT BACK WITHIN 27 DAYS AND, OF COURSE, WE'LL HAVE THE RIGHT DATES ON THE ELECTION MATERIAL AND SO IT WILL SAY, YOU MUST DROP THIS OFF NO LATER THAN 7:00 P.M. ON JULY 30TH.

>> SIGNATURE VERIFICATION.

FOR THOSE THAT ARE HELPING THOSE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> OKAY.

>> THIS SEEMS LIKE IT WAS IN HERE TOO.

HOW DOES THAT PROCESS WORK AND DO YOU HAVE TO BE A REGISTERED VOTE TORAH SIFT A REGISTERED -- >> WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> THERE WERE A FEW CHANGES THAT WERE MADE TO THAT.

BUT THE IMPORTANT PART OF THIS IS IS THAT IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE NOW.

AND WE CAN SEND A BIPARTISAN TEAM OUT TO YOUR NURSING FACILITY, OUT TO THE HOSPITAL, THIS IS IF YOU CAN'T MARK THE BALLOT YOURSELF YOU CAN RELAY IT TO A REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT SITTING THERE TOGETHER WHO PUT IT DOWN, YES, THEY ARE GOING TO BE REGISTERED VOTERS, YES, THEY WILL HAVE BACKGROUND CHECKS BUT STILL GOING TO BE ABLE TO SERVICE VOTERS.

>> DOES IT CHANGE MUCH?

>> A BIT BUT IT'S ON THE ADMINISTRATOR SIDE SO IT DOESN'T ENCUMBER THE VOTE NEVER ANYWAY AND WE WANT YOUR EXPERIENCE TO BE PASS.

>> I HAVE WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT CURING VOTES AND NOW CHANGE THE DATES ON THOSE FIVE -- WAS IT A FIVE REGULAR DAYS AS OPPOSED FIVE BUSINESS DAYS.

>> EXACTLY RIGHT.

>> TO SECURE VOTES, EVERYONE GOES THAT'S INTERESTING, WHAT IS CURING VOTES?

>> IS IT SICK?

NO.

THIS IS WHEN YOUR SIGNATURE IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE SIGNATURES THAT WE HAVE ON FILE.

AS YOU KNOW, IF YOU VOTED IN ARIZONA BEFORE, YOU HAVE THAT GREEN RETURN ENVELOPE AND YOU SIGN IN THE BOX AND WE THAT I CAN THAT SIGNATURE AND COMPARE IT TO PAST SIGNATURES TO CONFIRM THAT REALLY WAS YOU F WE CANNOT MAKE THAT COMPARISON SOUNDLY, THEN WE'LL CALL YOU, TEXT YOU, WE WILL EMAIL YOU AND NOW WE HAVE FIVE CALENDAR DAYS TO DO THAT INSTEAD OF FIVE DOES BUSINESS DAYS.

>> DOES IT MAKE MUCH I'VE DIFFERENCE?

>> YOU PUT MORE HOURS INTO THE CALENDAR DIES THAN BUSINESS DAYS, MARICOPA COUNTY BEING A LARGE COUNTY WE IN THE NOVEMBER 2022 GENERAL ELECTION WE HAVE 14,000 BALLOT THAT WE NEEDED TO CURE IT'S A LOT OF WORK BALE JUST THROW MORE BODIES AT THAT TIME IN FEWER DAYS RATHER THAN HAVING THE FIVE BUSINESS DAYS.

>> CHANGES WITH BALLOTS HANDED IN ON ELECTION DAY WHICH IS ALWAYS A FAVORITE FOR ELECTION DAY.

THEY LOVE IT WHEN PEOPLE DO THAT.

>> YES.

>> SO YOU CAN RETURN THEM NOW ON ELECTION DAY, BUT WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> YOU CAN RETURN THEM ON ELECTION DAY, SO IT DOESN'T HAVE TO CHANGE ANYTHING FOR HOW YOU ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE.

HOWEVER, IT WILL GIVE YOU AN ADDED OPTION OF BEING ABLE TO SHOW YOUR IDENTIFICATION SUCH THAT IT DOESN'T THEN HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SIGNATURE VERIFICATION PROCESS.

IF YOU SHOW UP WITH THAT EARLY GREEN RETURN ENVELOPE ON ELECTION DAY.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO DO WHAT MY HOUSEHOLD DOES THEN YOU GET IT BACK TO US EARLIER AND WE CAN HAVE ALL OF THOSE RESULTS READY AT 8:00 P.M. ON ELECTION NIGHT.

BECAUSE WE HAVE ALREADY DONE THE SIGNATURE VERIFICATION, WE HAVE ALREADY SECURITY REMOVED IT FROM THE ENVELOPE AND WE HAVE ALREADY SENT IT TO TABULATION.

>> THERE IS A REASON THEY ARE EARLY BALLOTS, THE IDEA IS EARLY.

>> PUT THE EARLY BACK IN EARLY BALLOT.

>> YEAH.

THERE YOU GO.

WILL THIS SPEED UP THE VOTE, THOUGH?

THESE CHANGES AS FAR AS EARLY BALANCE DISCUSS TAKING THEM IN ON ELECTION DAY?

>> I PROPOSE AHEAD LOT OF THINGS TO HAVE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF THE BALLOTS TABULATED WITHIN THE FIRST 24 HOURS.

BUT WHAT THIS IS INTENDED TO DO IS TO ADDRESS THAT RECOUNT, THAT CHANGE OF STATE STATUTE THAT WILL HAVE MORE RECOUNTS AFTER THE CANVAS PERIOD.

SO THIS ISN'T REALLY ABOUT SPEEDING YOU WANT TABULATION PROCESS SO MUCH AS BUYING MORE DAYS TO ALLOW FOR POTENTIALLY MORE RECOUNTS.

>> WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR POLLING PLACES?

I MEAN, YOU CAN START GETTING CROWDS IN DIFFERENT LINES FORMING OUT THERE?

>> IF YOU ARE SHOWING YOUR IDENTIFICATION, YEAH, WE'LL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY HOW WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL WORK THROUGH -- WE'LL WORK THROUGH, THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATE EITHER THROUGH JUST DROPPING IT OFF IN A BUCK NET A SECURED BALLOT DROP BOX, RETURNING IT THROUGH USPS OR GETTING A NEW BALLOT VOTING IN PERSON.

>> THAT'S A GENERAL -- PRIMARY FOR EVERYONE.

BUT THE PRESIDENTIAL PRESENCE ELECTION.

THAT IS A DIFFERENT BEAST HERE AND HAPPENING IN MARCH.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO THAT'S MARCH 19TH, THAT IS JUST FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

SO IF YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN, THIS IS CHOOSING BETWEEN SAY DONALD TROUBLE AND NIKKI HALEY OR ANY OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT.

YOU HAVE TO BE A REGISTERED REPUBLICAN OR REGISTERED DEMOCRAT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS.

THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OTHER PRIMARY THAT WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT IN WHICH YOU CAN BE AN INDEPENDENT AND YOU JUST CHOOSE A REPUBLICAN BALLOT OR CHOOSE A DEMOCRATIC BALLOT.

SO FOR THIS MARCH 19TH PRESIDENTIAL PRESENCE ELECTION, GO TO BE VALUE YOU THE READY.VOTE AND INDIVIDUAL MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE REMEMBER INDIVIDUAL TOWARD A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT TO PARTICIPATE.

>> IF YOU ARE AN INDEPENDENT JUST JUST GO OUT TO DONOR.

>> YES EXACTLY WHILE YOUR FRIENDS ARE GET GETTING THEIR BALLOTS AND YOU ARE JEALOUS SPEND YOUR TIME OTHERWISE.

>> THANKS A LOT IF THAT.

JURISDICTIONAL ELECTIONS, LAST QUESTION HERE.

LAST THINGS ARE GOING ON IN DIFFERENT PLACES HERE.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO HE NO?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, JUST TO MAKE THINGS A LITTLE EVEN EASIER WE HAVE A JURISDICTIONAL ELECTION, THE WEEK BEFORE THAT PRESIDENTIAL PRESENCE ELECTION.

SO PRESIDENTIAL PRESENCE LEX MARCH 19TH.

BUT WE HAVE AN ELECTION ON MARCH 12TH THAT IS GOING TO BE JUST FOR THE CITY OF TEMPE AND FOR THE CITY OF LICHFIELD PARK.

SO THEY HAVE SOME LOCAL RACES THAT ARE GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT THEN.

SO IF YOU ARE A MAIL VOTER YOU'LL RECEIVE A BALLOT BY MAIL FOR TEMPE JURISDICTIONAL ELECTION AND A WEEK LATER A BALLOT BY MAIL FOR IF YOU ARE VOTE TO THIS REPUBLICAN PRESENCE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

READ YOUR INSTRUCTIONS AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU PUT THE RIGHT BALANCE NUT THE RIGHT RETURN ENVELOPE WHEN YOU GET IT BACK TO US.

>> THANKS, IT ALL SOUND VERY EASY, STEVEN.

>> BUT WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

>> IT'S BEEN STREAM LINED.

>> THAT'S WHY I AM HERE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS JUST CONTACT OUR OFFICE AND A GOOD RULE-OF-THUMB IS REACH OUT TO US EARLIER RATHER THAN LATER BECAUSE WE CAN SOLVE MORE PROBLEMS IF YOU GIVE US MORE TIME.

>> AND WE WILL GIVE YOU MORE TIME IF YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO COME BACK TO TALK TO US,.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THAT'S ALL FOR THIS EDITION OF "ARIZONA HORIZON."

FOR TED SIMONS I AM STEVE GOLDSTEIN, HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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