
AZ Fake Electors, Havasupai Flooding, Steward Health/St. Paul
Season 2024 Episode 172 | 27mVideo has Closed Captions
Fake elector trial date set. Tribes evacuated after flooding. Employees at St. Luke's furloughed.
The judge overseeing the Arizona "fake elector" case that charged several Trump allies with alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the state has set a trial date. Flash flooding near the Grand Canyon resulted in the death of one tourist and the evacuation hundreds of tourists and tribal members. On Monday, employees at St. Luke's Health Center in Phoenix were furloughed.
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Arizona Horizon is a local public television program presented by Arizona PBS

AZ Fake Electors, Havasupai Flooding, Steward Health/St. Paul
Season 2024 Episode 172 | 27mVideo has Closed Captions
The judge overseeing the Arizona "fake elector" case that charged several Trump allies with alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the state has set a trial date. Flash flooding near the Grand Canyon resulted in the death of one tourist and the evacuation hundreds of tourists and tribal members. On Monday, employees at St. Luke's Health Center in Phoenix were furloughed.
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TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."
WE'LL UPDATE THE LATEST ON ARIZONA'S CRIMINAL FAKE ELECTORS CASE.
>>> ALSO TONIGHT, ST. LUKE'S BEHAVIORAL HOSPITAL IN PHOENIX FURLOUGHS HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEES AFTER THE HOSPITAL'S MEDICAL LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED.
>>> AND UPDATE ON THE DEADLY FLASH FLOODS LAST WEEK AT THE GRAND CANYON.
THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."
GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."
I'M TED SIMONS.
SPECIAL COUNSEL JACK SMITH TODAY ISSUED A REVISED VERSION OF AN INDICTMENT ARCCUSING DONALD TRUMP OF PLOTTING TO OVERTURN THE 2020 ELECTION.
THE REVISION IS REACTION TO THE SUPREME COURT RULING THAT GIVES BROAD IMMUNITY TO FORMER PRESIDENTS.
THE NEW INDICTMENT TAKES OUT ALL ALLEGATIONS THAT TRUMP TRIED TO FORCE THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO SUPPORT HIS FALSE CLAIMS THAT THE ELECTION HAD BEEN RIGGED AGAINST HIM.
THE ALLEGATION SAID WERE REMOVED DURING SUPREME COURT RULING THAT TRUMP CANNOT FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES DUE TO ANY INTERACTIONS WITH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.
OF NOTE, TODAY'S MOVE KEEPS THE SAME CRIMINAL CHARGES BUT NARROWS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST TRUMP.
>>> ARIZONA STATE BAR PANEL DECIDED TO DISMISS ETHICS VIOLATIONS AGAINST ATTORNEYS FOR KARI LAKE AND MARK FINCHEM, CHALLENGED THE USE OF VOTING MACHINES AFTER LAKE AND FINCHEM LOST RACES IN 2022, THE CASE WAS DISMISSED AND THE PRESIDING JUDGE ORDERED ATTORNEYS TO PAY SANCTIONS, THAT LED TO THE ETHICS COMPLAINTS BUT STATE BAR PANEL RULED LAWYERS SHOULD NOT BE SANCTIONED FOR BRINGING, QUOTE, DEBATABLE LONG SHOT COMPLAINTS, ESPECIALLY IN ELECTION CASES.
>>> DECISION BY MESA MAYOR JOHN GILES, A REPUBLICAN, TO CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE KAMALA HARRIS CONTINUES TO DRAW ATTENTION, AND GILES TELLING CNN A LOT OF THE ATTENTION IS FROM REPUBLICAN VOTERS WHO SAY THEY'RE JUST LIKE HIM.
>> A SURPRISING NUMBER HAVE.
PREDICTABLY, I GOT AN ANGRY RESPONSE FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE BUT HAVE BEEN HEARTENED, BUT WALKING AROUND TOWN, WALKING INTO THE CITY BUILDING, IN THE GROCERY STORE, STRANGERS ARE STOPPING ME AND THANKING ME FOR GIVING VOICE TO PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO ARE SOMEWHAT POLITICALLY HOMELESS.
WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE MIDDLE AND WE'RE USED TO HAVING A REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT WAS -- THAT HAD LOYALTY TO PRINCIPLES.
NOW WE'VE GOT A PARTY THAT THE LITMUS TEST IS WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE BLIND LOYALTY TO AN INDIVIDUAL.
TED: ONE OTHER NOTE FROM LAST WEEK'S EVENT.
THE ARIZONA POLICE ASSOCIATION ENDORSED DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT.
THE ORGANIZATION'S LEADER MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON STAGE AT TRUMP'S RALLY IN GLENDALE, BUT NOW THE SAME POLICE ASSOCIATION IS ENDORSING RUBEN GALLEGO OVER KARI LAKE FOR U.S. SENATE.
CITED EXPERIENCE AS A MARINE FOR ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THE ENDORSEMENT.
>>> A TRIAL DATE OF JANUARY OF 2026 IS SET FOR ARIZONA'S FAKE ELECTORS CASE WHICH ALLIES OF DONALD TRUMP HAVE BEEN CRIMINALLY CHARGED FOR ATTEMPTING TO OVERTURN THE RESULTS OF ARIZONA'S 2020 ELECTION.
TO HELP GUIDE US THROUGH THE CASE, WE WELCOME FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY PAUL CHARLTON.
GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
YESTERDAY AND A LITTLE INTO TODAY.
WHAT HAPPENED?
>> SO THIS IS A HEARING, TED, THAT WAS BROUGHT BY THE DEFENDANTS, A NUMBER OF THEM.
AS YOU KNOW THERE ARE 16 DEFENDANTS, 11 OF THEM ACCUSED OF BEING FALSE ELECTORS TO SEE IF THE JUDGE WILL DISMISS THE CASE BASED UPON A NOVEL CONCEPT, A NEW LAW THAT ONLY ARIZONA HAS IN PLACE CALLED AN ANTI-SLAP STATUTE, WHICH IS DESIGNED, USUALLY IN CIVIL CASES TO PROTECT PEOPLE EXERCISING FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT, AND HERE WHAT THE DEFENDANTS IN THE FALSE ELECTOR'S CASE SAY WE ARE SIMPLY EXERCISING OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE BELIEVE SHOULD BE TALKED ABOUT DURING THE ELECTION AND PROSECUTED BECAUSE OF OUR POLITICAL BELIEFS.
TED: SOUNDS AS YOU MENTIONED, WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IS WE'RE DOING THIS JUST IN CASE THE SUPREME COURT RULES X, Y AND Z AND WE'D BE READY.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE KIND OF THING YOU BRING UP AT A TRIAL, AND NOT NECESSARILY FOR DISMISSAL.
>> IT DOES, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ISSUES TRYING TO PUT IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE.
THIS WAS A CONTINGENT-BASED FALSE ELECTION PROVISION, IF YOU WILL.
THIS WAS ONLY GOING TO BE, WE WERE ONLY GOING TO ACT AS ELECTORS IF THERE WAS A COURT DECISION THAT SUPPORTED OUR VIEW THAT THE DECISION SHOULD HAVE GONE FOR FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, NOT FOR BIDEN.
THERE WERE OTHER STATES THAT THE CONTINGENCY WAS VERY CLEAR.
PENNSYLVANIA HAD A VERY CLEAR PROVISION WENT DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYING THIS IS ONLY GOING TO TAKE PLACE, WE'RE ONLY GOING TO BE ELECTORS IF THERE'S A COURT CASE THAT ALLOWS US TO BE SO.
NO SUCH PROVISION WAS PUT INSIDE THE ARIZONA DOCUMENT AND THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAYS IT IS THAT EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS THESE INDIVIDUALS KNEW THEY WERE MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
TED: BACK TO THE SLAP STATUTE, YOU HAVE TO PROVE THAT THE STATE IS MOTIVATED BY THE DESIRE TO PREVENT THE EXERCISE OF YOUR CONSTITUTION -- YOU HAVE TO PROVE THAT.
THAT'S NOT AN EASY THING TO PROVE, IS IT?
>> IT OUGHT NOT TO BE, AND BECAUSE THIS IS A NEW STATUTE, BECAUSE IT'S NOVEL, THERE'S NO CASE LAW TO HELP THE JUDGE DECIDE EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF BURDEN OF PROOF THERE IS GOING TO BE, HE SHOULD LOOK AT THE FACTS, THIS JUDGE IS DECIDING THIS LAW FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME IN THE COUNTRY.
NOW WHAT THE DEFENDANTS SAY IS, LOOK, WE'VE HEARD KRIS MAYES, A CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYING SHE WANTED TO BRING FORWARD CASES LIKE THIS AND THAT SHOWS POLITICAL BIAS OR ANIMUS TO GO AFTER US AS REPUBLICANS, SHE'S A DEMOCRAT.
THAT MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT.
THIS JUDGE HAS TO WEIGH WHAT THE CORRECT OUTCOME AND SAID WHATEVER I DECIDE, 50% OF THE POPULATION IS GOING TO REVIE ON ME AND THE OTHER 50% IS IN A DIFFICULT POSITION.
TED: DIFFICULT POSITION BUT HE UNDERSTANDS WHERE HE.
IS HE KNOWS HE'S GOING TO BE QUESTIONED ABOUT THE START OF THIS TRIAL.
206?
WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT?
>> JANUARY 2026.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE THREE BEST DEFENSES IN CRIMINAL PROSECUTION ARE IN THIS ORDER -- DELAY, DELAY AND DELAY.
IF YOU CAN PUT THE PROSECUTION OFF.
TELL THE JUDGE, WE AREN'T READY FOR THIS CASE UNTIL JANUARY OF 2026, SIX YEARS AFTER THE ALLEGED EVENTS TOOK PLACE, THE DEFENSE WINS A VICTORY.
MEMORIES BEGIN TO FADE, BECAUSE THE AGENTS WHO MAY HAVE BEEN IN CHARGE RETIRE, PROSECUTORS GO TO PRIVATE PRACTICE.
DELAY IS BAD FOR THE PROSECUTION.
DELAY IS GOOD FOR THE DEFENSE.
THE JUDGE IN SETTING UP THE DATE SAID THERE ARE 80 WITNESSES THAT ALL OF THE DEFENDANTS WANT TO INTERVIEW.
A VOLUMINOUS AMOUNT PAPERWORK THEY HAVE TO REVIEW, SO THERE IS A LEGITIMATE REASON TO PUT THIS TRIAL OFF, AND SOME OF THIS IS GOING TO BE ON THE PROSECUTION BECAUSE THEY DECIDED TO BRING SUCH A LARGE CASE WITH A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS AND A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF WITNESSES, AND SO IT ISN'T UNREASONABLE FOR THE JUDGE TO SAY WE NEED TO PUT THIS CASE OFF FOR A WHILE.
TED: I WANT TO GET TO THE FACT THERE WAS 18, NOW 16 FOLKS TRIED HERE.
BUT THE PROSECUTION SAID LATE SUMMER, NEXT YEAR, WE GET THAT.
THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE, REASONABLE.
JANUARY 2026, IS THE JUDGE STILL ON THE BENCH AT THE TIME?
>> THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM, THE JUDGE SAID THIS IS A MOVING TARGET, I EXPECT JANUARY 2026 MAY NOT BE A FIRM TRIAL DATE.
WE MAY CITY PUSHED BACK YET AGAIN IF THE TRIAL GOES FORWARD.
TED: COULD THE TRIAL BE PUSHED FORWARD?
COULD HE SAY I'VE RECONSIDERED.
LET'S MAKE IT SEPTEMBER OF 2025?
>> IT WOULD BE A VERY RARE THING TO ACCELERATE THE TRIAL DATE.
YOU WILL SEE TRIAL DATES GO BACK, TO BRING IT FORWARD WOULD BE VERY, VERY INTERESTING.
TED: GRAND JURY, ALL SORTS OF GRAND JURY INFORMATION, BECAUSE LET'S FACE IT THEY DON'T TRUST THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, CORRECT?
>> THEY DON'T TRUST OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ANIMATED TO BRING VIOLENCE AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE ANTI-VOTES TO THE MAGA MOVEMENT.
THERE ARE PEOPLE THREATENED WITH DEATH THREATS, PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED.
WE NEED TO PROTECT THE IDEAS OF THE GRAND JURORS SO THEY AREN'T THREATENED AS OTHER GRAND JURORS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVE BEEN THREATENED.
THE JUDGE SAYS MAYBE WE CAN REDACT THE NAMES, THAT IS A STANDARD PRACTICE GRAND JURORS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTED, SUPPOSED TO BE SECRET, SUPPOSED TO MAKE DECISIONS IN SECRET.
THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE WE'VE SEEN IN POLITICAL DISCOURSE IS SUCH THAT THAT HEIGHTENED AWARENESS MAKES SENSE AND YOU CAN SEE WHY A JUDGE WOULD STRUGGLE TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION BUT NOT DISCLOSE IT PUBLICLY.
TED: I WAS GOING TO SAY, IF I'M ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS AND YOU'RE MY ATTORNEY, AT WHAT POINT CAN WE NOT TALK ABOUT X BECAUSE X IS REDACTED OR X IS PROTECTED?
>> PRECISELY, AND IF LIBERTY INTEREST IS AT RISK, IF YOU MAY GO TO PRISON IN THE EVENT OF CONVICTION, GETTING ALL OF THE INFORMATION IN YOUR HANDS AND USE WHAT DEFENSE IS AVAILABLE IS VERY IMPORTANT.
THAT'S WHAT THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARE ARGUING.
PROSECUTION SAYS LET'S KEEP MUCH OUT OF THE HANDS AS WE CAN.
THE JUDGE HAS TO SPLIT THE BABY HERE.
TED: ONE LAST QUESTION IN TERMS OF GENERALITIES BECAUSE SOMEONE ASKED ME THIS AND I'M NOT QUITE SURE.
16 PEOPLE, OKAY, 16 PEOPLE, THE JUDGE SAYS THE TRIAL STARTS IN JANUARY OF 2026.
DOES IT START FOR ONE PERSON, DOES IT START FOR 8, DOES IT START FOR 16?
THESE RUN CONCURRENTLY?
CONSECUTIVELY?
HOW DOES THIS WORK?
>> AS THIS IS CURRENTLY SET UP, THE PROSECUTION GETS TO MAKE THE DECISIONS AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE CASE, AND THE PROSECUTION BY CHARGING ALL 18, NOW 16 BECAUSE WE HAVE TWO PLEA AGREEMENTS AND A COOPERATING AGREEMENT, ALL OF THE 16 DEFENDANTS HAVE A TRIAL ON THE VERY SAME DAY AND IT'S GOING TO MOVE THROUGH FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
THAT IS A TACTICAL DECISION THAT THE PROSECUTION MADE HERE, WHETHER THAT IS A TACTICAL ERROR AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE TO SEE.
THERE IS A MAXIMUM IN PROSECUTIONS, BIG CASES HAVE BIG PROBLEMS, SO IF YOU ARE BRINGING THAT MANY DEFENDANTS TO TRIAL AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS VERY HARD TO MANIPULATE.
AND IF YOU SAW THE IMAGES OF THE COURTROOM YESTERDAY AND TODAY, YOU WILL SEE THREE PROSECUTORS AND 16+ DEFENSE ATTORNEYS.
EACH ONE MAKING OBJECTIONS, EACH ONE MAKING ARGUMENTS.
IT IS A SLOW AND PONDEROUS PROCESS.
THE PROCESS OF THE PROSECUTION'S PICTURE, WHETHER THAT WAS THE RIGHT DECISION AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.
TED: YOU COULD HAVE ONE OUT OF 16 HAVING A PROBLEM AT FAR END OF THE BENCH AND YOU HAVE A SLOWING DOWN.
>> IT LASTED TWO DAYS, IN A CASE WITH ONE OR TWO DEFENDANTS, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DECIDED IN A MATTER OF HOURS.
>> A CROWDED COURTROOM WITH DEFENDANTS AND ATTORNEYS.
PAUL CHARLTON, DENTON'S FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY.
ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, TED.
.
TED: MORE THAN 200 EMPLOYEES OF ST. LUKE'S BEHAVIORAL HOSPITAL WERE FURLOUGHED DUE TO ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE FACILITY THAT LED THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO SUSPEND THE HOSPITAL'S MEDICAL LICENSE EARLIER THIS MONTH.
STEPHANIE INNES OF "THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC" IS FOLLOWING THIS.
THIS IS A PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY IN PHOENIX, CORRECT?
>> YES, 127 BEDS.
TED: MORE THAN 200 EMPLOYEES FURLOUGHED BECAUSE?
>> BECAUSE ON AUGUST 13, THE STATE SUSPENDED THE LICENSE AT ST. LUKE'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AT THE HOSPITAL, BECAUSE THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD BROKEN THAT WEEKEND, AND THE TEMPERATURE IN THE LOBBY WAS OVER 80 DEGREES.
TEMPERATURE IN THE INTAKE FACILITY AND EVERYWHERE WAS NOT WHAT THEY CONSIDERED GOOD FOR PATIENTS, IT WAS PUTTING PATIENTS AT RISK.
TED: SO THE MEDICAL LICENSE AND THEY'RE SAYING, ACCORDING TO YOUR REPORTING THE MEDICAL LICENSE WILL LIKELY BE REVOKED?
>> WELL, THEY PUT THE FACILITY ON NOTICE THAT IT COULD BE REVOKED, SO THE STATE SAYS THEY INTEND TO REVOKE IT, AND THEY HAVE, IN THE MEANTIME, SUSPENDED THE LICENSE, SO THERE'S A HEARING ON THURSDAY, WHICH IS ACTUALLY PRETTY UNUSUAL BECAUSE USUALLY THE STATE TRIES TO WORK WITH THESE FACILITIES.
TED: REALLY?
>> YEAH, THAT SAYS TO ME THE OWNERS OF ST. LUKE'S FROM STEWART HEALTH CARE ARE NOT BEING AS AGREEABLE OR WORKING WITH THE STATE THE WAY USUALLY OTHER FACILITIES DO WHEN THEY'RE IN THESE KINDS OF SITUATIONS.
TED: I WANT TO GET TO STEWART IN A SECOND BECAUSE OF THE FACILITIES AROUND TOWN.
BUT THE PATIENTS, IF THE MEDICAL LICENSE IS REVOKED, THEY GOT TO GET OUT OF THERE, WHERE DO THEY GO?
>> WELL, THEY'RE OUT OF THERE NOW ALREADY BECAUSE THE LICENSE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED, BUT YOU BRING UP A VERY GOOD POINT, 127 BEDS IN THE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL.
YOU KNOW STEWART HEALTH IN ARIZONA HAS 415 BEDS, WHICH WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE STATE HAS 15,000 HOSPITAL BEDS, MAYBE THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A HUGE NUMBER, BUT 127 PSYCHIATRIC BEDS IS VERY BIG, AND THEY'RE VERY SOUGHT-AFTER AND NEEDED AND THEY SERVE A POPULATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ON MEDICAID.
SO IT IS VERY CRITICAL.
TED: IT'S AN IMPACT, I WOULD IMAGINE, ON HEALTH CARE IN THE VALLEY OVERALL?
>> A HUGE IMPACT, YEAH.
TED: LET'S GET TO STEWART HEALTH CARE, THEY OWN ST. LUKE'S, THEY FILE FOR CHAPTER 11.
I'M THINKING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO ALL THE ST. LUKE FACILITIES AROUND TOWN AND THE STATE.
THE STEWARD FACILITIES?
.
>> STEWARD IS TRYING TO CELT HOSPITALS AND ATTORNEY GENERAL KRIS MAYES SAYS SHE'S LOOKING INTO THE BANKRUPTCY CASE.
I DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S INTERVENING AT ALL.
I HAVEN'T HEARD THAT SHE IS YET, BUT I KNOW SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE PATIENCE, AND IN MASSACHUSETTS, WELL, THEY HAVE 31 HOSPITALS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THEY'RE TRYING TO SELL ALL OF THEM, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A BUYER YET.
TED: HOW MANY FACILITIES IN ARIZONA?
>> FOUR HOSPITALS AND 22 CLINICS.
TED: THAT INCLUDES TEMPE ST. LUKE'S AND A HOSPITAL IN FLORENCE, AND A HOSPITAL IN MESA.
TED: THEY'RE LOOKING FOR BUYERS.
LET'S SAY THEY DON'T FIND BUYERS.
WHAT HAPPENS?
>> YEAH, WELL, THEY'VE ALREADY CLOSED TWO HOSPITALS IN MASSACHUSETTS, AND AT LEAST 900, PROBABLY MORE THAN THAT, PEOPLE LOST THEIR JOBS.
TED: NOT ONLY LOST THEIR JOBS BUT YOU HAVE HOSPITALS SHUTTERED.
>> YEAH, YOU HAVE PATIENTS WITHOUT A PLACE TO GO.
TED: AND AS FAR AS OVERALL HOSPITAL BEDS IN THE VALLEY, HOW BIG OF AN IMPACT, I KNOW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, THE PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY IS ON A SPECIALIZED TREATMENT, BUT THE GENERALIZED FACILITIES, HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT WOULD THAT MAKE?
>> WELL, AS I SAID, IT'S 415 BEDS STATEWIDE THAT STEWARD HAS, WHICH, IF YOU LOOK AT TOTAL NUMBER OF HOSPITAL BEDS IN THE STATE, MAYBE IT DOESN'T LOOK THAT BIG, BUT IN A PLACE LIKE TEMPE, THAT'S THE MAIN HOSPITAL, RIGHT?
>> RIGHT.
>> AND SAME WITH FLORENCE, SO IT'S AN ISSUE OF LOCATION TOO.
TED: YOU MENTIONED THE HEARING ON THURSDAY UNUSUAL AND THE STATE MEANS BUSINESS AND THEY'RE TIRED OF FOOLING AROUND HERE, THIS ENTIRE SITUATION OF A HOSPITAL CHAIN IS GOING BELLY-UP AND SAYING COME BUY OUR STUFF OR WE'RE GOING TO SHUTTER THE PLACE.
HOW UNUSUAL IS THAT?
>> WELL, I'VE BEEN COVERING HEALTH CARE IN ARIZONA SINCE 08 AND HAVEN'T ENCOUNTERED ANYTHING QUITE LIKE THIS BEFORE, BUT I'M NOT -- I WOULDN'T SAY THAT THAT MAYBE IS A DEFINITIVE STATEMENT, IT'S ANECDOTAL.
TED: IS IT AN INDICATION OF THE HOSPITAL BUSINESS IN AMERICA RIGHT NOW?
YOU MENTIONED OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
ARE WE SEEING THIS WITH OTHER COMPANIES AROUND THE COUNTRY?
>> WELL, ST. LUKE'S USED TO BE NONPROFIT AND THEN IT BECAME FOR PROFIT AND STEWART IS A FOR-PROFIT COMPANY AND IT WAS ONE TIME OWNED BY PRIVATE EQUITY, AND THE MASSACHUSETTS LAWMAKERS, SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN IS ONE OF THEM, HAVE GONE AFTER STEWARD, SAYING THAT WHEN THE PRIVATE EQUITY COMPANY GOT OUT OF STEWARD, THAT THEY TOOK AN $800 MILLION PROFIT.
TED: MY GOODNESS.
>> AND THEIR CEO BOUGHT A YACHT, AND HE WAS JUST SEEN AT THE OLYMPICS WATCHING THE DRESSAGE COMPETITION WHILE ALL THESE EMPLOYEES WERE GRAPPLING WITH LOSING THEIR JOB.
TED: GOOD FOR HIM.
LAST QUESTION, THEN.
IS THAT THE KIND OF THING, AND I HEAR THE ELIZABETH WARREN STATEMENT, SHE LIKES TO TAKE CRUISADES AND GO WITH CERTAIN IDEAS.
WILL THIS CHANGE THE NATURE OR STATUTES INVOLVING PRIVATELY OWNED HEALTH CARE FACILITIES SPECIFICALLY HOSPITALS?
I MEAN, FLORENCE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE A HOSPITAL.
THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR THAT AREA.
>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
I THINK THAT PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF HEALTH CARE AND FOR PROFIT OWNERSHIP IS CERTAINLY THE TREND, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S GOING TO STOP, BUT I ALSO -- I DON'T MAKE THOSE RULES SO I CAN'T REALLY SAY, BUT I THINK THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE CONCERNED LIKE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MASSACHUSETTS.
THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF -- THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF COMMUNITY REACTION TO WHAT'S GOING ON WITH STEWARD THERE, AND I WOULD IMAGINE, DEPENDING ON HOW IT PLAYS OUT HERE, IT'S PROBABLY THE SAME HERE.
>> I GUESS WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT IN A BIG WAY HOW IT PLAYS OUT ON THURSDAY WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING.
>> INTERESTED IN YOU ON HAD GOES.
TED: STEPHANIE INNES WITH THE "ARIZONA REPUBLIC."
ALWAYS A PLEASURE.
THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
.
TED: HAVASUPAI FALLS REMAINS CLOSED AFTER FLASH FLOODS LAST WEEK.
IT LED TO THE DEATH OF A GILBERT WOMAN AND THE EVACUATION OF MORE THAN A 100 HAVASUPAI RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS.
WE'RE JOINED BY BRIAN KLIMOWSKI WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FLAGSTAFF OFFICE.
GOOD TO HAVE YOU.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FROM UP NORTH.
DESCRIBE THE AREA WHERE THIS FLASH FLOOD HIT.
>> YOU BET, TED.
THE AREA IS ON THE WESTERN PART OF THE GRAND CANYON, SO IT'S CANYON COUNTRY.
YOU SEE EVERYTHING FROM STEEP WALLS, NARROW CANYONS AND THE BURDEN FOLIAGE THAT STREAMS ALONG THE AREA.
TED: HOW POPULAR A TOURIST AREA IS THIS?
>> YOU KNOW, I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT GO THERE, BUT IT IS QUITE POPULAR AT THIS TIME.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL AREA TO VISIT.
TED: WHEN YOU VISIT THE WATER FLOW, I HEARD THE WATER IS A COUPLE FEET THERE, A FOOT, THERE THE USUAL WATER FLOW.
THE RIVERS, THE STREAMS, WHAT ARE THEY USUALLY AND WHAT WERE THEY LAST WEEK?
>> YOU KNOW, THOSE SPRING-FED WATERS, ARE BEAUTIFUL TURQUOISE BLUE, AND ONE TO TWO FEET DEEP, TYPICALLY, BUT LAST WEEK IT WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT.
OF COURSE, WE HAD THE VIOLENT FLASH FLOODS STRIKE THE AREA AND TURNED IT INTO A SCENE OF A DIFFERENT TYPE.
TED: AND I SAW ONE TO TWO INCHES OF RAIN IN 60 TO 90 MINUTES.
SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.
SOUND ABOUT RIGHT TO YOU?
>> YEAH, BUT MOST OF THE RAIN FELL WITHIN 15 TO 20 MINUTES.
IT WAS A VIOLENT STORM, HIT VERY QUICKLY AND THE FLASH FLOODING HIT VERY FAST.
TED: AND THE STORM AREA, WAS IT ANYWHERE NEAR WHERE THE FLOOD WAS -- SOMETIMES IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU ARE HIT BY A FLASH FLOOD.
HOW DID IT WORK OUT IN THIS CASE?
>> IN THIS CASE MOST OF THE RAIN FELL WITHIN FIVE TO TEN MILES OF THE IMPACTED AREA.
OF THE VILLAGE AT SUPAI AND HAVASUPAI CREEK.
WE HAD A LARGE INTENSE CELL FORMULATE IN THE MORNING AND SOUTHWEST OF THE AREA AND SLOWLY MOVED NORTH AND EAST.
IMPACTING THE AREA WITH TORRENTIAL RAIN THERE IN THE VILLAGE WITH SUPAI.
AROUND 11:55 TO 12:15.
TED: IS THAT A COMMON STORM PATTERN WHETHER IT COMES TO FLASH FLOODS.
IN THE SENSE OF SOMETHING POPS UP IN AREA X AND AREA Y DOWNSTREAM, DOWNRIVER, HERE COMES THE WATER?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
OUR MONSOON THUNDERSTORMS ARE JUST CHARACTERISTICALLY, CHARACTERISTIC OF HAVING HEAVY RAIN.
SOMETIMES THEY MOVE SLOWLY, SOMETIMES QUICKLY, BUT IT'S THE SLOW MOVING ONES LIKE THIS SYSTEM WHICH CAN ACCUMULATE THE HEAVY RAINFALL AND CAUSE FLASH FLOODING.
TED: HAVE NEW WATERFALLS BEEN MADE OUT OF THIS?
DO OLD ONES DISAPPEAR?
HOW MUCH DOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE?
>> FLASH FLOODING OF THIS MAGNITUDE CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE.
BACK IN 2008, WE HAD VERY LARGE FLASH FLOODS IN THE SAME AREA, CHANGED THE WATER COURSE, MODIFIED WATERFALLS, CREATED NEW ONES.
I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF WE SEE THE SAME THING AFTER THIS EVENT.
TED: THE AREA IS OFF LIMITS AND I IMAGINE, AND YOU TELL ME, OFF-LIMITS FOR QUITE A WHILE, DON'T YOU THINK?
>> YOU KNOW, I CAN'T REALLY SAY, TED.
>> IT WOULD SEEM LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE THERE.
WITH THAT IN MIND, PEOPLE GOING ANYWHERE, ESPECIALLY IN ARIZONA, CENTRAL ARIZONA WHERE THE MONSOONS HIT WITH MORE FREQUENCY THAN THEY DO HERE.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR?
BEST PREPARE TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING LIKE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO YOU?
>> YOU KNOW, DEVASTATING IMPACTS HAPPEN ANY TIME, BUT IF YOU ARE TRAVELING, HIKING IN THE MONSOON SEASON, USE ALL YOUR SENSES, USE ALL THE INFORMATION AT YOUR DISPOSAL.
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL, GET INFORMED ON THE WEATHER YOU MIGHT BE ANTICIPATING.
YOU MIGHT SEE AN ENHANCED RISK OF THUNDERSTORMS IN THE FORECAST THAT MIGHT LEAD TO YOU MODIFY YOUR PLANS ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
AND ONCE YOU ARE DOWN IN THE CANYONS, ONCE YOU ARE IN THE AREA, THERE YOU MIGHT BE OUT OF CELL RANGE, YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE ANY OTHER COMMUNICATION, AND THERE IT'S MOST IMPORTANT TO USE YOUR SENSES.
LISTEN FOR THUNDER, KEEP YOUR EYES OUT FOR THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AREA, AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS HAVE A SAFE PLACE IN MIND.
SOME KIEP OF ESCAPE ROUTE, IF A FLASH FLOOD MIGHT COME.
TED: HIGHER GROUND AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE.
BRIAN KLIMOWSKI, NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FLAGSTAFF.
GOOD INFORMATION AND GOOD TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TED.
TED: YOU BET.
THAT IS IT FOR NOW.
I'M TED SIMONS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.
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Arizona Horizon is a local public television program presented by Arizona PBS