COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON: IMPEACHING A U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE.

SOME DEMOCRATS WANT TO SEE IT HAPPEN, WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT... ALSO TONIGHT, WE'LL HEAR ABOUT NEW, AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR OLDER ARIZONANS... AND, LOCAL AUTHOR PENG SHEPHERD DISCUSSES HER NEW NOVEL, WHICH IS ALL ABOUT CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES WITH A QUANTUM TOUCH.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT, ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

♪ GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I.

'M TED SIMONS.

TROPICAL STORM BERYL CAUSED MAJOR FLOODING IN HOUSTON AND OTHER AREAS OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS TODAY AS THE STORM MADE LANDFAL EARLY THIS MORNING WITH STRONG WINDS AND TORRENTIAL RAINS.

NEARLY 3 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE HOUSTON AREA WERE WITHOUT POWER THIS MORNING AND AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED BY FALLING TREES NORTH OF THE CITY'S DOWNTOWN AREA.

BERYL WAS QUICKLY DOWNGRADED TO A TROPICAL STORM ONCE IT MADE LANDFALL AND WEAKENED AS THE DA WORE ON, BUT IT'S STILL EXPECTE TO DROP SIGNIFCANT RAINS AS IT MOVES NORTHEAST THROUGH TEXAS AND ON TO PARTS OF LOUISIANA AN ARKANSAS.

THE STORM MADE FOR CANCELLATION AND DELAYS AT SKY HARBOR THIS MORNING.

NEARLY HALF OF THE 25 CANCELLED FLIGHTS WERE OUT OF HOUSTON, WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE DISRUPTIONS INVOLVING SOUTHWEST AIRLINES.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO "FLIGHT-AWARE," AS REPORTED BY THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC.

THE TSA REPORTED TODAY THAT HOLIDAY WEEKEND TRAVEL SET A NE ALL-TIME RECORD, WITH THE TSA SCREENING MORE THAN 3 MILLION PASSENGERS YESTERDAY ALONE.

THAT'S A SINGLE-DAY RECORD, AND THAT'S WITH EARLY DISRUPTIONS DUE TO WHAT WAS THEN HURRICANE BERYL.

MAJOR AIR CARRIERS ARE SAYING THAT THEY, TOO, EXPECT TO MEET OR EXCEED RECORD TRAVEL NUMBERS FROM YESTERDAY.

AND PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TODAY EMPHASIZED THAT HE HAS NO PLANS TO STEP ASIDE FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

THE PRESIDENT THIS MORNING WAS ON MSNBC AND ADDRESSED HIS FELLOW DEMOCRATS WHO WANT HIM TO DROP OUT BY SAYING, QUOTE, I ANY OF THESE GUYS DON'T THINK I SHOULD RUN, RUN AGAINST ME.

GO AHEAD, ANNOUNCE FOR PRESIDENT.

CHALLENGE ME AT THE CONVENTION.

SPEAKING OF CONVENTIONS THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IS SET FOR NEXT WEEK IN MILWAUKEE AND THE NEW YORK TIME IS REPORTING THAT THE PARTY'S NEW PLATFORM WILL REFLECT DONAL TRUMP'S PRIORITIES, THUS CEMENTING TRUMP'S IDEOLOGICAL TAKEOVER OF THE PARTY.

INDEED, TRUMP TODAY TOLD GOP OFFICIALS THAT HE WANTS THE PLATFORM TO SUPPORT HARD-LINE IMMIGRATION AND PROTECTIONIST TRADE POLICES.

HE ALSO WANTS THE PLATFORM TO HELP HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN BY SOFTENING LANGUAGE ON ABORTION AND REMOVING REFERENCES TO TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE AS ONLY BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN.

AND AMERICANS THINK THAT PRICE HIKES WILL EASE IN THE COMING YEAR.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A NEW CONSUMER SURVEY BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK, WHICH FOUND THAT YEAR-AHEAD INFLATION EXPECTATIONS DECLINED FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT MONTH.

THOSE SURVEYED SAID THAT THEY EXPECTED PRICES TO RISE MUCH MORE SLOWLY FOR THINGS LIKE FOOD, GAS, RENT AND MEDICAL EXPENSES.

DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS-WOMAN ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ OF NEW YORK HAS VOWED TO FILE IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES AGAINST SOME MEMBERS OF THE U.S. SUPREM COURT.

THIS AFTER THE HIGH COURT'S RECENT STRING OF CONTROVERSIAL ACTIONS AND DECISIONS.

FOR MORE ON THIS WE WELCOME STEPHEN MONTOYA, PARTNER AT MONTOYA, LUCERO & PASTOR.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SHE WANTS TO FILE IMPEACHMENT ARTICLE ITS AGAINST WHAT, ONE JUSTICE, TWO JUSTICES, ALL JUSTICES?

HOW DOES THIS WORK?

>> SHE HAS NOT ANNOUNCED WHO HER TARGETS ARE, WHETHER IT'S ONE OR MANY.

THE MOST OBVIOUS TARGET, I GUESS, WOULD BE JUSTICE THOMAS.

JUSTICES ALITO AND THOMAS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT SHE'S GONNA DO.

SHE HASN'T DONE IT.

SHE SAID SHE WAS GOING TO DO IT I BELIEVE TODAY AND I'VE NOT HEARD HER DO ANYTHING.

HOW DOES SHE DO IT?

IT'S GOING TO BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO DO BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T HAVE THE VOTES AND BECAUSE THE SPEAKER'S A REPUBLICAN AND NOT GONNA PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, SHE DOESN'T HAVE A MAJORITY.

IT'S NOT WHO ARE GOING TO GET OFTEN GROUND.

IT'S DEAD ON ARRIVAL AT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

BUT SHE CAN STILL RAISE A RUCKUS, AND IF YOU WANT TO, LET'S GET THEORETICALLY HERE, IMPEACHING THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES.

HAS IT EVER HAPPENED BEFORE?

>> IT'S HAPPENED ONCE.

THAT WOULD BE SAMUEL CHASE.

HE WAS IMPEACHED MEANING THEY BROUGHT CHARGES AGAINST HIM.

THOSE CHARGES WERE ENTERTAINED BY THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND, HE WAS NOT CONVICTED AND SERVED UNTIL HIS DEATH.

I THINK HE WAS ACQUITTED IN 1805.

>> HOLY SMOKES.

THAT'S A LONG TIME AGO.

AS FAR AS THIS KIND OF IMPEACHMENT IS CONCERNED, WE UNDERSTAND HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS, WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH THAT.

SAME KIND OF DEAL WHEN IT COMES TO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES?

>> IT IS THE SAME KINDS OF DEAL EVEN THOUGH IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY THAT WITH ANY CERTAINTY BECAUSE WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY EXAMPLES, THERE ARE A FEW, HOWEVER, HISTORICAL EXAMPLES.

ONE OF THE FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE SUPREME COURT, THE FORMER PRESIDENT OR GOVERNOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, HIS NAME IS JOHN PICKAME -- PICKERING, RATHER, HE WAS UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE WHO WAS IMPEACHED AND CONVICTED IN 1804.

IN FACT, HIS CONVICTION CAME DOWN THE SAME DAY THAT THEY ACTUALLY CHARGED SAMUEL CHASE WITH IMPEACHMENT.

IT WAS SOON AFTER THOMAS JEFFERSON BECAME PRESIDENT, THOMAS JEFFERSON WAS TRYING TO PURGE THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY OF THE FEDERALISTS.

THOMAS JEFFERSON WAS DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN, WHO THOUGHT THE FEDERALISTS WERE TOO CONSERVATIVE, AND HE WAS TRYING TO KICK THEM OFF THE BENCH.

PICKERRING WAS A LITTLE BIT CRAZY.

HE WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE COMMITTED BLASPHEMY FROM THE BENCH, IGNORED PRECEDENCE FROM THE BENCH AND BEEN DRUNK ON THE BENCH.

AND HE WAS ACTUALLY ACQUITTED AND KICKED OFF THE BENCH.

>> SO HOUSE TRIES AND THEN IT CONVICTS.

>> CORRECT.

>> A MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE IMPEACHES TWO-THIRDS OF THE SENATE MUST CONVICT, AND THAT'S A VERY DIFFICULT NUMBER TO REACH.

>> 52 WHAT SUPREME COURT JUSTICES COULD BE IMPEACHED OVER, I MEAN -- BACK TO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES, ALITO AND THOMAS, THEY HAVEN'T RECUSED THEMSELVES ON ANY OF THESE CASES.

I THINK THIS IS WHAT THE CONGRESSWOMAN WAS KIND OF FOCUSED ON, THIS ALONG WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY THING.

IS THAT THE KIND OF THING THAT COULD RISE TO IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

AND I'LL EXPLAIN WHY.

FIRST OF ALL, THERE ARE TWO FEDERAL STATUTES THAT PROHIBIT ANY FEDERAL JUDGE FROM SITTING ON A CASE WHERE A REASONABLE PERSON COULD QUESTION THEIR IMPARTIALITY.

SECOND OF ALL, THERE'S ANOTHER FEDERAL STATUTE THAT APPLIES TO ALL JUDGES, INCLUDING JUSTICES THAT PROHIBITS JUDGES FROM NOT RECUSING THEMSELVES WHEN THEY HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

THESE ARE FEDERAL STATUTES.

THE VIOLATION OF WHICH WOULDN'T CONSTITUTE A FELONY OR A MISDEMEANOR, BUT IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE CONSTITUTION VIOLATING THE LAW IS ENOUGH.

IF YOU COUPLE THAT WITH CLARENCE THOMAS TWO-DECADES' HISTORY OF TAKING UNDISCLOSED GIFTS FROM WHAT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS PATRONS, I BELIEVE, IF YOU HAVE THE VOTES, THAT HE COULD BE IMPEACHED AND HE COULD BE CONVICTED.

>> WITH THAT IN MIND, LET'S SAY, AGAIN, HYPOTHETICALLY, THAT A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE IS IMPEACHED AND IS CONVICTED, WHAT HAPPENS?

WHERE DO YOU GO FOR THE NEXT SUPREME COURT JUSTICE?

>> YOU FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION.

THE PRESIDENT NOMINATE AS REPLACEMENT AND IT'S CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE.

>> I WOULD IMAGINE THAT WOULD BE A PRETTY DIVIDE SENATE.

IS THAT THE KIND OF THING WHERE YOU JUST WAIT FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN, AND YOU'RE 4 AND 4 UNTIL SOMETHING -- >> YEAH, WE'VE DONE THAT BEFORE JUSTICE DIOS.

YOU KNOW, AND THE SUPREME COURT HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN A COURT OF NINE.

>> ARE THERE LEGAL REMEDIES FOR SUPREME COURT JUSTICE WHO HAS BEEN IMPEACHED?

AND REMOVED FROM OFFICE?

>> NO.

THEY COULD BRING A LAWSUIT, BUT I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE DISMISSED, BECAUSE I THINK MOST FEDERAL COURTS INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT WOULD CONCLUDE THAT THE SEPARATION OF POWERS PREVENTS THE JUDICIAL BRANCH FROM SECOND GUESS WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH CONCLUDES REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE SHOULD BE IMPEACHED AND CONVICTED.

>> SO BOTTOMLINE HERE, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT, AGAIN, SHE COULD RAISE A RUCKUS, IS THIS A CIVICS LESSON FROM THE CONGRESSWOMAN?

ARE WE GOING TO LEARN HOW FAR CAN SHE GO WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> I THINK IT IS A CIVICS LESSON, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE A LESSON FOR THE COURT.

THE COURT RECENTLY DECLARED THAT OUR PRESIDENT CANNOT BE CRIMINALLY PROSECUTED IF HE VIOLATES THE LAW IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY.

THAT'S A BAD THING.

THE COURT HAS SAID THAT CONGRESS CANNOT IMPOSE AN ETHICAL CODE UPON IT, AND ONLY THE COURT COMPANY JUDGE ITSELF.

CONGRESS, THE SENATE, ASKED CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS TO APPEAR BEFORE IT AND DISCUSS THE STATS US OF THE COURT, AND HE REFUSED.

THAT WAS VERY ARROGANT.

THE COURT IS BECOMING VERY ARROGANT.

IT PUTS ITSELF ABOVE THE PEOPLE, AND I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT A MOVE BY CONGRESS TO REIN IN THE COURT WOULD TEMPER THE COURT'S ARROGANCE AND REALLY MAKE IT COMPORT WITH THE TRADITIONAL POSITION OF THE COURT AS THE LEAST DANGEROUS BRANCH.

>> SO BASICALLY PUT THE FEAR OF GOD IN THEM.

>> YES.

>> WOULD THAT BE A GOOD THING OR WOULD IT BE MORE FEAR IF YOU ADDED MORE JUSTICES?

>> IT IS -- I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD THING.

BUT I ALSO THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD THING TO ADD MORE JUSTICES.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE IS THAT THESE JUSTICES ARE SO IMPORTANT.

IF WE DELUDED THEM BY -- DILUTED THEM BY INCREASING THEIR NUMBER, THEIR CONCORDANCE WOULD DIMINISH, AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD THING.

THE COURT NEEDS A VERY STRONG DOSE OF HUMILITY IN MY OPINION.

>> GOOD INFORMATION, GOOD HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> WHAT THE BISHOP SAYS IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS... >> THERE'S A BODY, HARRISON'S.

HIS MAID WORKS THERE.

>> ANOTHER DEAD GIRL USED TO WORK AT HARRISON.

ONE OF THOSE GIRLS KNOWS SOMETHING.

A NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR FOLKS OVER THE AGE OF 55 IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION THE DEVELOPMENT PROMISES TO INCLUDE ACCESS TO ON-SITE WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND OTHER SERVICES.

HERE TO TELL US MORE IS JOEL HELLE FROM CVS HEALTH, WHICH INVESTED $22 MILLION DOLLARS INTO THE PROJECT.

>> WHAT'S THIS BALL.

>> SO VERY EXCITED TO INVEST IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

ARIZONA IS AT FOURTH LARGEST HOMELESSNESS IN ALL OF THE UNITED STATES, AND ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE 55 AND OLDER AND/OR DISABLED PEOPLE.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM HERE IN ARIZONA.

AND THIS ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR -- BY INVESTING IN FEDERAL TAX CREDITS, INVESTING IN TUCSON.

IT'S RIGHT DOWNTOWN.

THE LIGHT VAIL RIGHT THERE, AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, HEALTH AND HEALTHY OUTCOME, IN ORDER HAVE EQUAL ACCESS FOR EVERYONE YOU NEED TO START WITH THINGS LIKE HOUSING, FOOD, JOBS, DOCTORS.

AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE, THAT WE CAN'T EXPECT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE CHRONIC DISEASE.

WE CAN'T EXPECT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO BE TESTED WITH THESE TYPE OF THINGS.

THIS IS WHY WE INVEST IN THOSE THINGS, TO GET CLOSER TO THE COMMUNITY SO WE CAN MAKE SURE EVERYBODY, REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU ARE, HAS EQUAL ACCESS TO ALL THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

>> I WAS GONNA ASK WHERE IT'S LOCATED BUT YOU BEAT ME TO IT.

>> RIGHT IN DOWNTOWN TUCSON, RIGHT BY CONGRESS THERE.

>> YEAH.

>> PERFECT LOCATION.

THE LIGHT RAIL IS LIGHT IT IN.

>> 85 NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IS WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE?

>> FOR FOLKS 55 AND OLDER.

THERE'S ANOTHER ONE RIGHT NEXT DOOR THAT WAS ALREADY BUILT.

>> HE.

SO WHEN IT INCLUDES ACCESS TO LIKE ON-SITE WELLNESS PROGRAMS AND THAT'S EMPHASIZED AND HIGHLIGHTED, WHAT DOES THAT SEEN IN.

>> WE'VE INVESTED $100,000 WITH FRONTERA TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE CAN GET TO A PROVIDER, GET TESTING FOR THINGS LIKE BLOOD PRESSURE, FOR THINGS LIKE HEART DISEASE, TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE GETTING IT.

THE FIRST STEP TO GETTING TO SCARE GETTING TO DOCTOR, GETTING TO PHARMACIES.

THEY DO THINGS LIKE YOGA AND THINGS LIKE HELPING PEOPLE GO TO THE GYM.

>> WRAP-AROUND SERVICES FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> YEAH, SO, YOU KNOW, THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT IS SET UP SO THAT IF SOME OF THOSE UNITS, REGARDLESS OF YOUR DISABILITY, THEY HAVE ACCESS, THERE'S -- YOU KNOW, THE BATHROOMS, THE GETTING THROUGH IN THE ELEVATOR, ALL THAT STUFF IS VERY EASY FOR PEOPLE, SO THAT THEIR DISABILITY DOESN'T GET INTO THE WAY OF THEM BEING ABLE TO LIVE THERE AND THRIVE.

>> AS FAR AS SERVICES ARE CONCERNED, MENTAL HEALTH ALSO HERE?

WHAT IS INVOLVED THERE?

>> MOST IMPORTANT THING TODAY, RIGHT.

MENTAL HEALTH, SINCE COVID ESPECIALLY, IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE ISSUES, TO THOSE DOCTORS.

I'LL TELL YOU THIS, I TALKED TO A WOMAN IN TUCSON AND SHE SAID, YOU KNOW, I WORKED MY WHOLE LIFE, I HAVE MY OWN BUSINESS AND GOT SICK AND I COULDN'T DO MY BUSINESS, AND I ALMOST WAS -- I WAS THIS CLOSE AND FINALLY GOT INTO WEST POINT AND SHE WAS CRYING AND SAID I COULDN'T AFFORD IT BEFORE.

NOW I HAVE AN AFFORDABLE LAND.

I THINK SHE PAYS ABOUT $700 A MONTH AND SO MUCH HAPPIER.

>> AND THIS AGAIN IS A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, EXPLAIN EXACTLY HOW THAT WORKS.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUTS FEDERAL TAX CREDITS OUT THERE, SO ORGANIZATIONS LIKE VC -- CVS AND OTHER BUSINESSS CAN INVEST IN THOSE PROGRAMS.

WE CHOOSE TO INVEST IN THOSE VERSUS INVESTING IN OTHER HIGHER YIELD PROGRAMS BECAUSE WE GET IT TO THE COMMUNITY AND GET TO THESE FOLKS RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE.

>> SO GETTING THE PROJECT OFF THE GROUNDS, I GUESS WE HAVE TO START WITH WEST POINT ONE HERE.

HOW DIFFICULT, WHAT KIND OF CHALLENGES WERE INVOLVED.

>> I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY -- THERE'S A LOT OF BUSINESSES TRYING TO GET IN, BUT PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY WANT THEM THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, EITHER.

YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE CITIES, THE GOVERNMENT, YOU GOTTA FIND THE RIGHT PLACE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE TRANSPORTATION AND HOSPITALS, ET CETERA, AND THEN GET THE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO AGREE TO BUILD.

>> EVERYTHING WE TALKED ABOUT HERE FROM ON-SITE SERVICES TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HELPING THOSE WHO NEED THIS HELP IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

THE IMPACT OF ALL OF THIS ON HEALTH OUTCOME.

>> LOOK, I THINK, YOU KNOW, HEALTH EQUITY, WHAT THAT MEANS IS EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE A FAIR AND EQUAL ACCESS TO BEING HEALTHY, RIGHT.

AND IF THINGS LIKE THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH LIKE HOUSING, LIKE FOOD, LIKE JOBS, LIKE DOCTORS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, WE CAN'T EVEN START THERE.

SO WE GOTTA START WITH THESE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS LIKE HOUSING AND FOOD AND JOBS, ET CETERA.

START THERE, THEN QUESTION GET TO EQUAL OUTCOMES ON THE BACKEND FOR FOLKS WITH HYPERTENSION, DIABETES, WITH ASTHMA, AND OTHER, YOU KNOW, CANCER.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT THE REACTION OF THE ONE WOMAN YOU TALKED ABOUT FROM WEST POINT ONE, OTHER RESPONSES.

WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD?

>> THAT THE PEOPLE ARE SO EXCITED, THAT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM, I WOULD SAY, IS THERE'S NOT ENOUGH.

>> YEAH.

>> THERE'S NOT ENOUGH THERE.

THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE HERE, WE HAVE ONE IN PHOENIX HERE, SHE AND HER HUSBAND, BOTH HAD JOBS, SHE'S SHE LOST HER JOB DURING COVID.

THEY HAD TWO KIDS, LOST THEIR APARTMENT.

SHE HAD TO GIVE HER KIDS TO HER SISTER, AND HER HUSBAND AND HER LIVED IN A CAR UNTIL SHE WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THIS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

SHE WAS SO GRATEFUL THAT SHE FINALLY WAS ABLE TO FIND.

>> LAST QUESTION HERE, TIMETABLE FOR CONSTRUCTION ON WEST POINT TWO?

>> WE STARTED ABOUT A YEAR, I'D SAY ABOUT A YEAR FROM NOW, WE'LL BE DONE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

GOOD LUCK ON THAT.

AND THANKS FOR SHARING THE STORY.

SOUNDS GOOD, JOEL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

♪ TOMORROW IS THE RELEASE DATE FO AN INVENTIVE NEW NOVEL FROM A CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED LOCAL AUTHOR WHO, IN THIS CASE, TAKES READER- INVOLVEMENT TO NEW LEVELS.

THE BOOK IS TITLED, "ALL THIS AND MORE," AND IT INVOLVES A MAIN CHARACTER WHO PUTS HER FUTURE - AND THE PLOT - IN THE HANDS OF THE READER.

JOINING US NOW IS THE BOOK'S AUTHOR, PHOENIX NATIVE PENG SHEPHERD.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> QUITE THE AUTHOR HERE.

YOU'VE -- WE'VE HAD YOU ON MORE THAN ONCE HERE.

THIS IS -- I GOTTA TELL YA, THIS IS REALLY SOMETHING HERE.

EXPLAIN HOW YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO READ THAT NOVEL.

>> OKAY.

WELL, SO THIS IS THE STORY ABOUT -- IT'S ABOUT HAPPINESS, REGRET, SECOND CHANCES, IT'S REALLY THE PERFECT SUMMER READ.

I WANTED TO REALLY BRING READERS INTO THAT, YOU KNOW, AND NOT JUST HAVE YOU READING THE MAIN CHARACTER'S ADVENTURE, BUT BEING ABLE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO TRY ALL OF THE PATHS.

SO YOU CAN READ IT STRAIGHT THROUGH LIKE A TYPICAL NOVEL, BUT AT CERTAIN POINTS IN THE TEXT, THE BOOK WILL ASK YOU WHAT THE MAIN CHARACTER SHOULD CHANGE ABOUT HER LIFE, AND IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN DECIDE.

>> AND WHEN YOU DECIDE, WHAT -- HOW -- WHAT DO YOU DO?

LET'S SAY I DON'T WANT TO KEEP GOING THROUGH, WHEN WE TAKE OPTION B.

DO I JUST AHEAD TO B, DO I GO -- HOW DOES IT WORK?

>> THE BOOK WILL TELL YOU, IF YOU WANT -- MARSHA'S THE MAIN CHARACTER.

IF YOU WANT MARSHA TO DO THIS, TURN TO THIS PAGE, IF YOU WANT MARSH TO DO THAT, KEEP READING.

>> AND MARSH, A MAIN CHARACTER, LOOKING FOR LIFE, SHE WANTS TO DO A DO-OVER, SHE'S GOT SOME CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS AND REGRETS, NEIGHBOR KIND OF THING.

YOU REALLY, AS THE READER, YOU GET TO FIGURE IT OUT FOR HER A LITTLE BIT, RIGHT.

>> A LITTLE BIT.

AND ALSO I HOPE A LITTLE BIT FOR YOURSELF, TOO.

YOU KNOW, AS YOU GO THROUGH AND HELP MARSH FIGURE OUT WHAT IN HER OWN PATH DOES SHE REGRET, WHAT WOULD SHE LIKE TO CHANGE, HOW DOES SHE WANT HER FUTURE TO BE, HOPEFULLY YOU THINK A LITTLE BIT TOO ABOUT THE CHOICES YOU HAVE MADE IN THE PAST AND WHAT YOU MIGHT DO DIFFERENTLY AND WHAT YOU WOULD NEVER CHANGE FOR THE WORLD.

>> AND SHE GETS THIS OPPORTUNITY BY WAY OF -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG -- LIKE A GAME SHOW, IS THAT WHAT IT WAS.

>> YES, EXACTLY.

>> SO AS A HUNGER GAMES FEEL TO IT.

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> SO IT IS A MYSTERIOUS NEW GAME SHOW.

IT HAS A FUTURISTIC TECH THAT ALLOWS -- WHAT HAPPENS IS BASICALLY ONCE A YEAR, SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD, THE SHOW CHOOSE AS PERSON, A CONTESTANT.

AND IT CAN SEND THAT CONTESTANT BACK TO VERY SPECIFIC MOMENTS IN THEIR PAST, WHERE THEY HAVE A REGRET.

AND THEN ALLOW THEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENT DECISION.

AND THAT SORT OF BENDS REALITY TO MAKE IT REAL AND REALLY CHANGE THEIR PRESENT LIFE.

>> I'M HEARING QUANTUM PHYSICS HERE.

>> A LITTLE BIT.

IT'S NOT THAT HEAVY.

>> OKAY.

BUT IT DOES -- IT'S REALLY MORE ABOUT ASKING YOURSELF WHAT WOULD DO YOU IF NEWSPAPER MARSH'S SHOES?

IF YOU WERE GIVEN A DO-OVER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND WHAT ARE THE MOMENTS YOU'D GO BACK TO.

>> WHAT SENT YOU IN THIS DIRECTION?

WAS IT THE IDEA OF REGRET, LOOKING BACK, HAVING DIFFERENT OPTIONS AND HAVING IT PUT ON THE PAGE?

>> A LITTLE BIT.

IT WASN'T SO MUCH REGRET, BUT I AM GOING TO BE TURNING 40 IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, WHICH IS A BIG MILESTONE BIRTHDAY, SO I HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF THINKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE PATH THAT MY LIFE HAS LED SO FAR AND WHERE IT'S GOING NEXT.

AND I THINK IT'S REALLY NATURAL TO START REFLECTING ON THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> SO HOW WAS THE WRITING PROCESS?

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU WROTE FOUR DIFFERENT NOVELS HERE.

>> MAYBE MORE.

IT WAS REALLY CHALLENGING, BUT IT WAS ALSO REALLY, REALLY FUN, BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL VERSIONS OF THE SAME STORY AND ALL EQUALLY TRUE TO THE MAIN CHARACTER.

SO THEY'RE VERY -- YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING IS KIND OF CONNECTED EVEN IF IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT AT FIRST.

>> RIGHT.

AND WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH THE NOVEL, YOU REALIZE I COULD GO BACK AND TREATED AGAIN GO A DIFFERENT PATH.

IS THAT POSSIBLE?

>> YOU CAN, IF YOU WANT.

BUT ALSO THERE COULD BE SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR YOU FINISH IT ONCE AND THAT IS YOUR CHOICE.

BECAUSE THAT'S HOW LIFE LIFE IS, SOMETIMES YOU ONLY GET ONE WAY THROUGH.

>> YOU CAN'T GET BACK ON THE GAME SHOW.

>> NOPE.

>> DID YOU FIND YOURSELF WORKING THE PLOT TO ADAPT TO THE TECHNIQUE OR WAS IT THE TECHNIQUE KIND OF CONFIGURED TO -- THE PLOT IS A BIG DEAL IN EVERY NOVEL, BUT THIS ONE IS KIND OF TEETER-TOTERING A LITTLE BIT.

>> IT IS.

AND THAT WAS THE BIG CHALLENGE ABOUT IT.

BUT IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME THAT THE STORY BE ABOUT THE CHARACTER AND ABOUT HER LIFE, AND SO I HAD TO MAKE THE STRUCTURE WORK FOR THAT.

>> WHAT WAS THAT PROCESS LIKE?

I MEAN, WRITERS, YOU KNOW THAT, CAN YOU DISCARD ANYTHING WHEN IT COULD BE A POSSIBLE SECOND AVENUE?

>> WE HAVE SO MANY PATHS THAT WE DIDN'T END UP USING.

>> REALLY?

>> YEP.

>> AND YOU AND MARSH, IN OTHER WORDS.

>> ME AND MARSH.

>> YEAH.

I TRIED GO THROUGH THIS AND THOUGHT YOU KNOW WHAT I NEED TO SETTLE DOWN WITH THIS.

BUT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE READ THIS, WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE HAVE YOU HAD?

>> PEOPLE ARE HAVING SO MUCH FUN WITH IT AND SAYING IT WAS SUCH AN ADVENTURE OR IT REALLY MADE ME THINK ABOUT MY OWN LIFE THAT I HADN'T BEFORE, MADE ME GRATEFUL FOR MY OWN LIFE, WHICH IS REALLY NICE TO HEAR.

>> AND NOW YOU'RE PROBABLY IN THE MIDST OF ANOTHER NOVEL, CORRECT?

>> I AM, HALFWAY THROUGH THE FIRST DRAFT.

>> WHEN YOU GET THAT FAR PAST THIS PARTICULAR EFFORT, DO YOU SEE IT DIFFERENTLY?

DOES IT FEEL DIFFERENT?

>> IT DOES.

I THINK NOW THAT IT'S DONE, I CAN STEP BACK AND SEE ALL OF THE PATHS FOR WHAT THEY ARE, YOU KNOW.

BECAUSE BEFORE WHEN I WAS DOWN IN THE WEEDS, IT WAS REALLY -- YOU KNOW, I WAS IN THE WEEDS WITH MARSH.

>> WAS IT DIFFICULT KEEPING TRACK OF ALL THE -- I MEAN, IT'S DIFFICULT TO KEEP TRACK OF A PLOT TO BEGIN WITH, BUT, I MEAN, WAS IT DIFFICULT?

>> IT WAS.

BUT BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I DID NOT HAVE AN OUTLINE THE WHOLE TIME.

>> OH, COME ON.

>> BECAUSE I THOUGHT IF I HAVE AN OUTLINE, I'M GOING TO START ENGINEERING THIS IN A WAY THAT ISN'T TRUE FOR THE CHARACTER.

SO IF IT ALL CAN LIVE IN MY HEAD, IT'S GOTTA BE REAL TO HER.

>> AND I WAS GONNA ASK ABOUT, WAS THERE ANYTIME IN THE PROCESS WHERE YOU THOUGHT, THE BITE WAS A LITTLE BIGGER THAN COULD I CHEW?

>> OH, SURE.

>> REALLY?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, YOU THINK THAT WITH ANY NOVEL ANYWAY.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A VERY, VERY LONG GAME, AND YOU'RE NEVER REALLY SURE UNTIL YOU ACTUALLY FINISH IT THAT YOU CAN PULL IT OFF.

>> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS.

LAST QUESTION HERE, WHAT DO YOU WANT FOLKS TO TAKE FROM SUCH AN EFFORT?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I WOULD LOVE IF PEOPLE -- IF IT MADE EVERYONE THINK ABOUT THEIR OWN LIFE IN A WAY THAT MADE THEM APPRECIATE THE CHOICES THEY'VE MADE EVEN THE ONES THAT MIGHT NOT BE SO GREAT, BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO GO BACK.

WE ALL ONLY GET ONE PLAY-THROUGH AND THAT'S WHAT HEY, IT SO SPECIAL.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, AGAIN, ON YOUR LATEST NOVEL, AND THANKS AGAIN FOR STOPPING BY AND SHARING IT WITH US.

PENG SHEPHERD, THAT IS ALL AND MORE, GOOD LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ALL DIFFERENT WAYS, WHATEVER PATH YOU TAKE, GOOD LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.