>> Ted: COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, WE'LL SPEAK WITH MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF PAUL PENZONE WHO ANNOUNCED HE'S STEPPING DOWN FROM OFFICE AND RAY ANDERSON IS RESIGNING AS ASU'S ATHLETIC DIRECTOR.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE ARE NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> Ted: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

IPOD TED SIMONS.

THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTED TO PREVENT A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN BY APPROVING A TWO-STEP CONTINUING RESOLUTION TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OPERATING UNTIL JANUARY.

THIS ACTION COMES AHEAD OF A FRIDAY DEADLINE INVOLVING THE NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, MIKE JOHNSON, REACHING ACROSS THE HOUSE TO DEMOCRATS TO GET THE DEAL DONE AND THAT'S THE SAME STRATEGY THAT COST THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER HIS JOB.

HE WAS WILLING TO LEAVE THAT BEHIND TO GET THE GOVERNMENT RUNNING.

THE BILL MOVES TO THE SENATE TO APPROVED AHEAD OF THE FRIDAY DEADLINE.

>>> THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SHOWS INFLATION EASED LAST MONTH WITH PRICE INCREASES SLOWING TO THE POINT THAT THE FED IS NOW LESS LIKELY TO INCREASE INTEREST RATES IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

CPI CHECKED IN AT 3.2%, HALF A PERCENT LOWER THAN SEPTEMBER AND THE LOWEST SINCE JULY.

THE FED HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET PRICE INCREASES BACK DOWN TO THE 2% PACE THAT WAS CONSIDERED NORMAL PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

>>> OTHER HEADLINES, ARIZONA CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PERFORMING BELOW THE U.S. AVERAGE ACCORDING TO A TEN-YEAR STUDY OUT OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY.

THEY LOOKED AT MATH AND READING SCORES TO FOURTH AND EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS, BUT THEY WERE MOSTLY ALIGNED WITH STATE PUBLIC ACHIEVEMENT.

OF NOTE, ARIZONA SHOWED A GAP IN TEST SCORES BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE CHARTER STUDENTS AND BETTER THAN THAN AVERAGE.

INDEED, THE SECOND LOWEST DISPARITY IN THE COUNTRY.

>>> A STATE OF LUNG CANCER REPORT FINDS ARIZONA RANKS AS THE SEVENTH HIGHEST STATE FOR NEW LUNG CANCER CASES AND NEXT TO LAST IN THE NATION FOR LUNG CANCER SCREENING.

ARIZONA RANKED 46th FOR LACK OF TREATMENT AND 41st FOR SURGICAL INTERVENTION AND THEY FOUND SURVIVAL RATES ARE IMPROVING.

>>> A NEW HEALTH STUDY SHOWS EATING HIGHER AMOUNTS OF UTLA PROCESSED FOODS RAISES THE RISK OF DIABETES, HEART DISEASE AND CANCER.

THE INCREASED RISK IS MODEST AT 9% AND SHOWS A CORRELATION INVOLVING ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS ESPECIALLY SWEETENED BEVERAGES.

THEY'RE NOT SURE IF IT'S DUE TO THE FOOD THEMSELVES OR HEALTHIER FOODS IN THE DIET.

>>> MARICOPA COUNTY SHERIFF, PAUL PENZONE, ANNOUNCED HE WILL STEP DOWN BEFORE HIS TERM ENDS AND QUOTE, LEAVING WITH JOY IN MY ITER HEARTHEART AND, QUOTE, A CLOUD.

YOU'RE NOT SEEKING REELECTION.

WHY?

>> I JUST FEEL I'M AT A STAGE OF MY LIFE WHERE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES ARE INTERESTING AND I'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH A CHANCE TO BE SHERIFF FOR TWO TERMS AND QUITE FRANKLY, HISTORICALLY, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE'S, THE EXPECTATION THAT YOU SHOULD BE IN THE SERVICE FOR 24 YEARS LIKE MY PREDECESSOR, THAT DOESN'T ALIGN WITH BEST PRACTICES THROUGHOUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITIES.

MOST POLICE CHIEFS DON'T STAY THAT LONG.

A LOT OF PIECES THAT CAME TOGETHER AND I FELT IT WAS THE RIGHT TIME TO LEAVE.

>> Ted: DID YOU SUBMIT A FORMAL RESIGNATION?

>> NO.

I'LL DO THAT CLOSER TO THE END DATE.

PEOPLE REALIZE I'M ON THE WAY OUT, BUT YOU NEED TO MAKE CRITICAL DECISIONS AND IF I PUT IT WHERE NEAR TRYING THEY'RE TRYING TO CHOOSE MY SUCCESSOR, THE DUCK SPACE WHERE THEY DON'T KNOW WHO THEY'RE ANSWERING TO.

>> Ted: IS THERE A CONCERN IT WOULD BE TOO LATE, THAT THEY WON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO FIND SOMEONE?

>> WE'VE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS AND PUTTING THEIR WORK IN AHEAD OF THE DECISION AND I THINK THEY'LL BE FINE.

>> Ted: IS THE WAIT RELATED TO WHAT YOU PLAN ON DOING NEXT?

>> NO.

YOU GET STARTED IN SOMETHING ELSE AT THE BEGINNING OF A YEAR AND I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS I END MY TIME AS SHERIFF THAT I LEAVE EVERYTHING IN A GOOD PLACE, THAT WE ADDRESS ISSUES, THAT EVERYBODY IS PREPARED INTO THE NEXT ELECTION YEAR AND ME AND MY FAMILY, THAT'S A GOOD TIME TO TURN THE PAGE AND START NEW.

TESTED >> Ted: IF THAT WERE THE CASE, THAT WOULD BE OPTIMAL TIME TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

ARE YOU RUNNING FOR ANOTHER OFFICE.

>> RIGHT RIGHT NOW.

>> Ted: I'M MOVING SOMETHING I'M EXCITED ABOUT AND POLITICS ISN'T IN MY NEAR FUTURE.

I DIDN'T EXPECT TO RUN FOR SHERIFF.

I WON'T SAY I'LL NEVER DO THIS OR THAT BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE WILL HOLD.

>> Ted: I WANT TO GET BACK TO THE QUOTE, JOY IN YOUR HEART AND A CLOUD HANGING OVER THE OFFICE.

ARE WE TALKING ABOUT OVERSIGHT HERE?

>> YES, YOU REFLECT ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND WHERE WE ARE VERSUS WHERE WE ARE AND MANY WOMEN FROM THE LEADERSHIP ALL THE WAY THROUGH, THESE ARE NOT THE MEN AND WOMEN RESPONSIBLE THAT LEAD TO THE ATROCITIES, BUT THE PEOPLE LEFT BEHIND TO CLEAN IT UP.

THEY'VE SHOWN THEIR ETHICS, INTEGRITY AND COMMITMENT EXCEEDS WHAT WE SHOULD ASK FOR.

I SEE THIS AS A LINGERING -- I WILL CALL IT WHAT IT SHOULD BE CALLED, WHICH IS AN OVERREACH BY THE JUDICIARY BELIEVING IT'S APPROPRIATE TO RUN THIS OFFICE BEYOND A CAPACITY WHICH IS TRULY COMMITTED TO JUST ENSURING THAT WE ARE ACTING APPROPRIATELY.

>> Ted: WAS IT INITIALLY AN OVERREACH OR AN OVERREACH AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?

>> I WOULDN'T SAY ALL ELEMENTS WERE EITHER UNNECESSARY OR INAPPROPRIATE EVEN NOW.

BUT AT SOME POINT, YOU HAVE TO GIVE TO THE OFFICE WHAT THE PEOPLE HAVE ASKED FOR, WHICH IS A NEWLY ELECTED SHERIFF, A NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM AND OTHERS.

THE IDEA THAT WHETHER IT'S A JUDGE OR A FELLOW MONITORING TEAM, THEY'RE BETTER EQUIPPED TO MANAGE AND MOVE FORWARD IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

IF THAT'S THE CASE, WE HAVE REAL PROBLEMMED.

PROBLEMS.

YOU HAVE TO TRUST WHAT IS DESERVING AND LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND TO SHOW WE'RE DESERVING OF THE PRIVILEGE.

>> Ted: HOW MANY RESOURCES ARE USED TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS ABOUT OF THAT FEDERAL OVERSIGHT?

>> FAR TOO MANY.

BUT THE OVERSIGHT, 130 TO 150 EMPLOYEES AND I GET A PAIRSON COMPARISON TO 120 IN CRIMES AND THAT VICTIMS NEED SERVICES FOR.

THAT DOESN'T REPRESENT THE NUMBER PROPERLY.

BECAUSE THE OVERSIGHT REQUIRES TOO MUCH, I HAVE INVESTIGATORS FROM SEX CRIMES TAKING ON INTERNAL AFFAIR'S CASES TO HELP CLOSE THOSE SO THERE'S NOW A PUNITIVE DEBT TO THE COMMUNITY THAT IS BEYOND WHAT WE ALREADY ARE PAYING.

SOME OF THE PENALTIES WE FACE.

A LOT OF THE ORGANIZATION IS DOING DOUBLE DUTY TO MEET THE DEMANDS.

>> Ted: WHEN YOU HAVE MORE PEOPLE INVESTIGATING THAN CRIMES IN OUR COMMUNITY, SOMETHING IS WRONG.

>> YES.

>> Ted: CRITICS SAID SOMETHING CONTINUES TO BE WRONG AND IMMIGRATION CHECKS.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND THAT SAYS, YEAH, THE PILE IS GONE AND UNDERLYING PROBLEM EXISTS?

>> THOSE THAT SAY THAT ARE A SMALL MINORITY AND NOT BY WHO THEY ARE BY PEOPLE BUT THE VOLUME OF IT.

AND TO ME, I FOUND IT EGREGIOUS, WE'LL TURN ON THE NEWS AND SAY THERE'S A PROBLEM AT THE BORDER AND SEE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS COMING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, SEEKING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BETTER DOING IT IN AN ILLEGAL FASHION.

AND IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, THEY SAY THE SAFEST WAY TO ADDRESS THIS WHICH IS LAWFUL IS TO BE INTERVIEWED IF THEY ENTERED UNLAWFULLY.

WE'RE TURNING OUR BACK AND MAKING THIS AN OPEN BORDER NATION AND IT SHOULDN'T BE.

WE SHOULD BE ABIDING BY THE RULES AND LAWS AS EVERYTHING ELSE IS AS THEY COME HERE.

IF THAT'S THE WORST CRITICISM YOU CAN MAKE OF ME, I CAN MAKE OF IT.

>> Ted: THELE FAILING TO COMPLY WITH COURT MANDATES AND HOLD OFFICERS ACCOUNTABLE, THAT THIS WAS HIGH PROFILE UNDER YOUR PREDECESSOR AND STILL EXIST.

DO THEY STILL EXIST?

>> NO.

THOSE WARRANT SAME ARE THE SAME CRITICS.

THERE WAS A MOVEMENT, DEFUND THE POLICE, AND MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION DOES NOT COME TO THE IDEA OF NOT HAVING ORDER IN A FREE SOCIETY.

NOW WE'VE GOTTEN TO DESTABILIZE THE POLICE.

IF YOU CONSTANTLY CAST CRITICISMS, WHETHER NO BASIS OR NOT, YOU GIVE THE GENERAL POPULATION THIS BELIEF OF, THEY'RE UNSURE OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

WE HAVE INVESTIGATED MORE INTERNAL AFFAIRS CASES IN MY TENURE THAN THE HISTORY OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

WE'VE TERMINATED DISCIPLINE AND SUSPENDED AND CLEARED MORE DEPUTIES OF ALLEGATIONS IN MY TENURE THAN PROBABLY THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THE OVERSIGHT WAS SO COMPREHENSIVE, WE CAN'T CATCH UP WITH THE DEMAND.

NO IT'S NOT BEING DONE, I HAVE TOO MUCH STAFFING WITH OBLIGATIONS THAT WEREN'T REALISTIC.

THOSE THINGS ARE DONE AND THEY'RE JUST MORE CHALLENGING THAN THEY SHOULD BE FOR AN OFFICE LIKE OURS.

>> Ted: WITH THAT IN MIND, THOSE THINGS ARE BEING DONE AND COULD THEY BE DONE BETTER?

>> IF YOU WANT TO FIND ME ANOTHER 500 TO 750, I'LL SAY EMPLOYEES, CIVILIAN OR SWORN, TO COME IN AND FOCUS ON THE DEMANDS OF THE COURT, THEN WE MAY BE ABLE TO MEET THEM IN THE TIME FRAME THAT IS EXPECTED.

SHORT OF THAT, WITH THE IDEA THAT WE NOT HAVE TO ONLY DO THAT AND KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE.

THE THINGS AREN'T DISCUSSED THAT SHOULD BE.

WE WENT THROUGH COVID AND SAW A 25% SOUGHT CUT IN OUR STAFFING BECAUSE OF COVID AND ACROSS THE NATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE DEALT WITH ALL TYPES OF CIVIL UNREST FROM PROTESTS THAT WERE BLACK LIVES MATTER OR THINGS RELATED TO THE ELECTION.

WE DEALT WITH THE ELECTION ISSUES, WHICH WAS A CONSIDERABLE BURDEN ON THE ORGANIZATION.

WITH ALL OF THE OTHER FACTORS IN THE SAME TIME FRAME.

THE ONLY THING THAT DIDN'T CHANGE WAS THE DEMAND BY THE COURT ON THE OFFICE.

WE'RE DOING MORE WITH LESS AND NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THESE NEW RESPONSIBILITIES, BUT BECAUSE WE HAVE LESS STAFF TO ENCOMPASS ALL OF THOSE ELEMENTS.

IT'S SOMETHING IF WE'RE HONEST AND BEING DETAILED AND REVIEWING IT, THE QUESTIONS NOT ASKED THAT SHOULD, WHY HAS THE COUNTY SPENT OVER $250 MILLION RELATED TO COURT OVERSIGHT AND IS THAT MONEY SPENT, REALLY, IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TAXPAYERS?

WHY ARE FEDERAL COURT MONITORS BILLING OUT APPROACHING $30 MILLION AND EXPECTING THEM TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAYING, OK, NOW WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE OUTCOMES AND WE'RE READY TO LEAVE?

IN SOME WAYS, YOU'RE FINDING YOURSELF IN A HIGH-PAYING JOB AND THAT'S NOT ME QUESTIONING THEIR ETHICS OR INTEGRITY.

BUT THERE'S A FINANCIAL ELEMENT IN THIS NARRATIVE THAT NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED AND CONSIDERED.

WHY ARE WE PAYING SO MUCH TO TELL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DO THEIR JOB WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE STAKE IN THE GAME OR INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY EVERY DAY?

YOU HAVE A FINANCIAL BENEFIT FROM OUR COMMUNITY EVERY DAY.

>> Ted: AND LAST QUESTION BECAUSE WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, BUT I'M CURIOUS, WITH THAT OVERSIGHT AND RESOURCES AND WITH THE ISSUES YOU JUST LISTED OFF, WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE FOR YOUR SUCCESSOR?

>> TO STAY THE COURSE.

DOING THE BEST JOB IMAGINABLE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE MEN AND WOMEN IN MARICOPA COUNTY, IF NOT YOU, WHO WILL FIGHT THIS FIGHT IN SPITE OF THE OBSTACLES AND THE BARRIERS IN YOUR WAY?

TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

I WOULD LIKE TO THINK -- AND IT'S ASHAME WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION BECAUSE THESE AREN'T COMPLAINTS BUT THE REALITY OF THE PROCESS.

WHEN I HEAR THE CRITICS, WHAT HAVE THOSE CRITICS DONE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THIS EXPECT OTHER THAN CAST STONES AND WE DON'T LIKE THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING FOR THESE REASONS WITHOUT A LEGITIMATE BASIS.

YOU'RE A PART OF THE SOLUTION AND PART OF THE PROBLEM AND I HOPE THE NEXT MAN OR WOMAN RECOGNIZES, IT'S GOOD TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION.

>> Ted: THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Ted: THE LATEST ON YESTERDAY'S SURPRISE RESIGNATION OF ASU ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, RAY ANDERSON.

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>> Ted: RAY ANDERSON RESIGNED YESTERDAY WITH THREE YEARS LEFT UNDER THE CONTRACT AND THE RESIGNATION STILL SURPRISED MANY.

MICHELLE GARDNER COVERS ASU SPORTS AND JOINS US NOW.

DID IT SURPRISE YOU?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

I WAS BLIND-SIDED.

WE THOUGHT MAYBE FIVE OR SIX WEEKS AGO, SOMETHING SOMEBODY PUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT HE RESIGNED AND TURNED OUT NOT TO BE TRUE.

I DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD RESIGN BECAUSE HE MAKES A LOT OF MONEY AND WITH THREE YEARS ON HIS CONTRACT, I DIDN'T THINK HE WOULD LEAVE THAT MUCH MONEY ON THE TABLE.

HE'S BEEN UNDER PRESSURE FOR A COUPLE YEARS AND NOT VOWED TO RESIGN, SO I WAS SURPRISED.

>> Ted: WHY DID HE DO IT AND WHY DID HE DO IT NOW?

>> GOOD YES.

THERE'SQUESTION.ONE OF THE BIGGEST FACTORS IS THAT THE ALUMNI, THE FAN BASE, DONORS WERE SO DISENCHANTED WITH HIM THAT YOU HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE NOT DONATING TO THE COLLECTIVE AND WOULD NOT GO TO A GAME, WOULD NOT SUPPORT THE PROGRAM IN MY WAY, SHAPE ORLE FORM AS LONG HE WAS THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR.

IF YOU WANT TO GIVE HIM CREDIT AND HELP THE DEPARTMENT, I THINK A MORE LIKELY SCENARIO IS THAT THE INVESTIGATION COULD BE COMING TO A CLOSE PRETTY SOON.

>> Ted: I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT'S STILL GOING ON, AND WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG?

>> THREE YEARS.

>> Ted: AND EVISCERATING IN MANY RESPECTS.

>> THE FAN BASE WANTS THIS DONE.

GIVE US OR PENALTY AND MOVE ON AND YOU HAVE A NEW COACH IN PLACE THAT'S INRIG INRIGGERRATED INTO THE PROGRAM.

WE MIGHT SEE A RESIGNATION TIED TO THAT POSSIBLY.

>> Ted: HERE IS AN IDEA, WAY OUT OF LEFT FIELD, JAY DANIELS HAD AN HISTORIC PERFORMANCE FOR ASU.

DID BIG MONEY FOLKS SAY HE'S GOT TO GO?

THAT WAS OURS AND NOW HE'S GONE?

>> THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

>> Ted: STAYS IN LEFT FIELD, DOESN'T IT?

>> A LOT OF FACTORS AT PLAY THERE AND I DON'T THINK HEAVY WAS USED PROPERLY IN THE OFFENSE HERE AND HE HAS A PARENTAL FIGURE IN MAKING DECISIONS AND THAT'S HOW THAT ENDED UP.

>> Ted: THE NCAA INVESTIGATION, THE HIRING OF HERM EDWARDS, A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP THERE THAT NEVER SEEMED QUITE RIGHT, THOSE ARE THE NEGATIVES AND WHAT ARE THE POSITIVES THAT RAY ANDERSON BROUGHT TO ASU?

>> HE SHINED A LIGHT ON OLYMPIC SPORTS, BUT THOSE DON'T PAY THE BILLS.

YOU HAVE A BASKETBALL ARENA THAT IS ONE OF THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY AND NOTHING IS ADDRESSED TO DO THAT.

IT'S NICE THEY HAVE A NICE HOCKEY ARENA THAT TURNS A PROFIT.

THE MONEY THEY MAKE FROM THE ARIZONA COYOTES MEANS THEY MAKE A PROFIT.

SO HE'S DONE GOOD THINGS THERE, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATE OF THE ARENA, WHAT HE'S DONE WITH THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM AND HOW FAR THAT'S FALLEN OFF.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS THE FAN BASE HERE IS THAT HERM TOWARDS WAS PAID $4.4 MILLION TO WALK AWAY AND THEY COULD HAVE FIRED HIM WITH CAUSE AND NOT HAD TO PAY THAT OUT.

OBVIOUSLY THE FACT THAT ANDERSON WAS HERM'S AGENT MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, HE WANTED TO DO WELL, DO HIS BUDDY A FAVOR, BUT I THINK THE FAN BASE LOOKS AT EVERYTHING THIS DEPARTMENT NEEDS AND YOU'LL PAY HIM $4 MILLION TO GO AWAY.

>> Ted: IS THE FAN BASE AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY REALISTIC, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL OF THE BIG MONEY FLYING AROUND.

THESE ATHLETES ARE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY.

A LOT OF ASU FANS ARE WORSHIPING AT THE FEET OF FRANK KUSH AND ARE THEY DELUSIONAL?

>> THERE'S A GOOD PORTION OF THE FAN BASE THAT IS AND A GOOD PORTION OF THE FAN BASE THAT DOES GET IT.

I THINK THE PROBLEM IS AND YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS, THEY'VE HAD OVER 500 DONORS PUT MONEY INTO THAT COLLECTIVE TO HELP RETAIN PLAYERS AND THE LAST I HAD HEARD IS THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY TODAY TO BREAKING THE ALL-TIME RECORD WHICH THEY SET YESTERDAY.

SO THAT IS GOING TO GO TOWARDS KEEPING THE PLAYERS ON THE ROSTER THAT ARE HERE, GOOD AND OTHER TEAMS MIGHT WANT.

THAT HAS TO SHOW YOU HOW MUCH THE FAN BASE WANTED A CHANGE AT THE TOP.

>> Ted: IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT ANY TIME AND HAPPENED YESTERDAY.

THE LAST QUESTION HERE, HE'S ALMOST 70 YEARS OLD.

I WOULD IMAGINE HE'S PROBABLY HAD ENOUGH OF THIS, RIGHT?

IT SOUNDS LIKE HE'S A MAN OF A DIFFERENT ERA AS FAR AS COLLEGE SPORTS ARE CONCERNED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND HE WILL STILL WORK AT THE LAW SCHOOL AND STILL DO THAT, BUT I THINK AND KENNY DILLINGHAM SAID HE WANTS AN ATHLETIC TERROR THATATHLETICDIRECTOR THAT UNDERSTANDS THE LANDSCAPE.

IT'S NIL AND IT'S ALL OF THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, CHANGES CONFERENCES AND EMBRACING THAT.

HE WANTS AN ATHLETIC DIRECTOR THAT'S MORE IN TUNE WITH THOSE THINGS LEADING ASU INTO A DIFFERENT TIME.

>> Ted: THAT WILL BE AN INTERESTING WATCH AND INTERESTING WATCH FOR YOU AND GREAT JOB REPORTING.

MICHELLE GARDNER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> ANYTIME.

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♪♪ >> I'M JEFF BENNETT.

TONIGHT ON THE "NEWS HOUR" FIGHTING RAGES AROUND HOSPITALS IN GAZA, COMING UP AT 6:00 ON ARIZONA PBS.

>> Ted: PIPELINE AZ AND THE ARIZONA TOURISM ASSOCIATION ARE TEAMING UP TO HELP EDUCATE STUDENTS AND JOB SEEKERS ON THE VARIETY OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN ARIZONA'S HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

WE WELCOME MARY FOOTE AND KIM SABON.

MARY, WHAT IS THAT?

>> WE ARE AN ONLINE PLATFORM AND HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND CAREER PATHWAY OPTIONS AND SERVE EVERYONE FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO COLLEGE STUDENTS, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ADULTS THAT ARE TRYING TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESKILLING, UPSKILLING AND MAKING EMPLOYMENT.

>> Ted: NEW AND OLD AND LODGING AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION.

HOW DID THIS PARTNERSHIP COME ABOUT AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

HOW DOES IT ENHANCE THE OPERATIONS OF BOTH?

>> WELL, IF I COULD, I'LL GO BACK IN TIME DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THIS INDUSTRY WAS HIT FIRST AND IT WAS HIT WORST AND WE LOST ABOUT 50% OF WORKFORCE.

SO IT'S BEEN AN ONGOING EFFORT BY THE AZLTA TO REBUILD THAT WORKFORCE.

THE STATE OF THE INDUSTRY IS GREAT, BUT WE NEED THAT WORKFORCE TO SUSTAIN THE VISITORS.

>> Ted: I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT THE STATE OF THE INDUSTRY BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S COME BACK WITH GUSTO.

>> IT HAS.

2022, WE SAW OUR BEST NUMBERS ON RECORD FAR SURPASSING 2018 PRE-PANDEMIC NUMBERS.

>> Ted: FIRST OF ALL, WHETHER OR NOT YOU SHOULD BE INTERESTED AND IF YOU ARE, EVERYTHING FROM ENTRY LEVEL TO UPPER MANAGEMENT AND WHAT'S INVOLVED HERE?

>> SO WE HAVE MORE THAN 155,000 USERS NOW ON THE PLATFORM AND, AGAIN, ACROSS ALL AGES.

SO WE WANT TO SHOW PEOPLE CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW IN HOSPITALITY AND WE'RE TRYING TO EDUCATE THE FUTURE WORKFORCE, AS WELL.

SO HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT A GREAT INDUSTRY IT IS AND WHAT A GREAT PROFESSION IT IS AND HOW THEY CAN START AT AN ENTRY LEVEL AND WORK ALL THE WAY UP TO, YOU KNOW, HOTEL MANAGER, LOTS OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

>> Ted: LET'S SAY I'VE BEEN IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY IN THE PAST AND I'M AN ADULT AND INTERESTED AND COME TO YOU AND HOW DOES THIS PROCESS WORK?

>> SO THEY'RE ABLE TO COME IN, EXPLORE VARIOUS DIFFERENT CAREER PATHWAYS AND INFORMATION ABOUT HOW ENTRY-LEVEL CAREERS CAN BUILD INTO UPPER MANAGEMENT POSITIONS AND SO, THERE'S ALSO GREAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE ABOUT THE SALARIES, WHAT ARE THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES FOR THE DIFFERENT CAREER PATHWAYS AND WHAT ARE OPEN OPPORTUNITIES TO ACCESS?

>> Ted: LET'S SAY I'M AN EMPLOYER AND COME TO THE PARTNERSHIP AND SAY I'M STRUGGLING TO FIND PEOPLE, HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> EMPLOYERS CAN POST THEIR OPENINGS ONLINE AND IT'S THIS GREAT HUB THAT BRINGS THE EMPLOYERS TOGETHER WITH JOB SEEKERS.

SO, AGAIN, IT'S THIS FANTASTIC HUB FOR THE ECOSYSTEM OF HOSPITALITY.

>> Ted: ARE THERE PARTICULAR JOBS IN PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES MOST IN NEED?

>> OH, GOODNESS.

ACROSS THE BOARD, TED.

REALLY ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> Ted: ARE THERE AREAS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY GETTING BACK TO NORMAL FASTER THAN OTHERS?

>> I THINK THAT WE ARE IMPROVING AGAIN IN GENERAL.

AND AGAIN, THIS INDUSTRY -- AND I DO THIS FOR INDUSTRY -- BECAUSE IT'S SO VAST.

WE REPRESENT NOT ONLY HOTELS AND RESORTS, BUT AIRLINES, SPORTS, ATTRACTIONS AND YOU NAME IT.

IT RUNS THIS BEAUTIFUL, BIG GAMUT OF OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Ted: AND REALLY AFFECTS RURAL ARIZONA QUITE A BIT, DOESN'T IT?

>> IT DOES.

IT'S TRULY THE ONLY INDUSTRY THAT POSITIVELY, ECONOMICALLY IMPACTS ALL 15 COUNTIES AND THE LIFE BLOOD OF A LOT OF THESE COMMUNITIES.

>> Ted: WERE THEY HIT HARD DURING THE COMMUNITIES?

>> THEY WERE.

>> Ted: JUST LOOKING AND LET'S SAY I'M A STUDENT AND A NINTH GRADER AND THINKING, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE.

I HEAR ABOUT THIS AND MY PARENTS, AND COME TO YOU, WHAT KIND OF PROCESS IS THERE?

>> SO STUDENTS CAN COME TO OUR K12 VERSION OF THE PLATFORM.

ANYONE IS AVAILABLE TO USE IT.

IT IS FREE TO USE BECAUSE OF OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

SO EVERY STUDENT HAS TO COMPLETE AN EDUCATION AND CAREER ACTION PLAN BEFORE THEY GRADUATE AND WE'RE ACTUALLY THE ONLINE PLATFORM THEY OFFER.

>> Ted: INTERESTING!

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION THAT COMES TO THE PROGRAM ORGANICALLY AND STRATEGIC PLACEMENT NOT ONLY THE K12 SYSTEM AND HAVE OF THE STATE'S COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

>> Ted: AS FAR AS IT'S LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER, TRUE, THIS PLATFORM?

>> YES, TWO MONTHS AGO.

>> Ted: WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE SO FAR?

>> FANTASTIC!

IT'S THE FIRST OF ITS KIND AND I REALLY HAVE TO THANK MARY AND HER LEADERSHIP COMING TOGETHER, AZLA WITH PIPELINE AND IT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE INDUSTRY NEEDED.

IT'S THAT ONE-STOP SHOP FOR, AGAIN, JOB CREATORS AND JOB SEEKERS TO COME TOGETHER AND REBUILD THE INDUSTRY THAT IS THE LIFE BLOOD OF THIS GREAT STATE.

>> Ted: WHERE CAN PEOPLE GO TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION?

>> AZ ZHOSS HOSPITALITYCROSS.COM.

>> Ted: THANK YOU FOR BOTH JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.