♪ Music Playing ♪ >> COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," A CONVERSATION WITH JOANNA MENDOZA, THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 6.

AND ALSO TONIGHT, THE LATEST IN THE COLLAPSE OF AN ASU HOCKEY During an outdoor people work out in August.

Those stories and more next on "Arizona Horizon."

>> "Arizona Horizon" is made possible by contributions from the friends of Arizona PBS.

Members of your public television station.

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

I'M TED SIMONS.

TONIGHT WE CONTINUE OUR 2026 AZ VOTES SERIES WITH A FOCUS ON CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 6, WHICH INCLUDES MUCH OF SOUTH-EASTERN ARIZONA, INCLUDING SUBURBS OF TUCSON.

JOANNA MENDOZA IS THE DEMOCRATI CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 6, SHE JOINS US NOW.

WE SHOULD NOTE THAT WE INVITED REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE, INCUMBENT JUAN CISCOMANI, TO TONIGHT'S DISCUSION, BUT HE DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR INVITATION.

Good to have you here, thank you so much for joining us.

Thank you for the opportunity.

>> You bet you.

This particular district, a lot going on down there.

What's the most pressing issue?

>> Cost.

I mean, you know, we hear all throughout the district that people can't afford groceries, they can't afford gas.

Utilities especially during the summer, I mean, you know it gets really hot here in Arizona and so people, you know, can't afford their energy bill and so it's cost, health care and I will go as far as saying safety of our communities because this is a byrder district.

>> Indeed.

Let's talk about the costs.

Tax ruts Republicans say spur the I he do be my the H.R.

1 spending cuts were good for America.

The big, beautiful bill tax cuts, spending cuts.

Good for congressional district six be?

>> No.

We are hearing from folks that the tax cuts for billion ors actually are hurting every-day working folks because the tax ruts on overtime and tips don't go far enough.

So those are only good for a short period of time.

I believe it's about two years and they are not permanent and so I guess you could say that the tax cuts for billionaires and corporations are no good.

But we definitely need to make the tax cuts for overtime and tips personal.

>> I was going say, because the idea that the tax cuts will spur the economy, That's a lot of folks think that's the case.

If it's not the case is there a better way to create jobs to raise wages, these things?

>> Yeah, there is always a better way.

We can always up proven.

There were both to be about 18,000 clean energy jobs that were going to come to the state of Arizona.

Some down south in the district and unfortunately under this administration, the claw backs to the mona prop rated was just being you know, pulled back, which eliminate the 18,000 jobs.

And so we really have to look at different ways to ensure that people are able to make ends meet and people want the dignity of work, Ted.

They want to work.

It's just really hard especially in a district that is not only, you know, partly the city of southeast city of Tucson, but also a lot of the rural communities where there are just no jobs anyways.

>> Should you be a pro-business candidate with that sort of mindset?

I mean, if people want the dignity of work and they need jobs, my not be pro business?

>> Well, look, I am running to represent the people of southern Arizona, I was born and raised in Pinal county.

I am the daughter, proud daughter of farm workers I grew up in Eloy.

And one of the reasons why I left my small community right after high school was because there were no economic opportunities.

I agree up in rural poverty being snap, food stamps, Medicaid access here in Arizona.

And so what it really is about is about bringing quality jobs here to Arizona.

So that people don't have to work two to three jobs my parents work hard and couldn't make ends meet.

>> You referred to leg care earlier how do you make healthcare more affordable?

We can start with Medicaid and Medicare in a second.

The H.R.

1, again, lots of cuts >> Yeah.

>> As far as Medicaid is concerned S that a good thing for the district?

>> No, here is what I will say about that, Ted, Ciscomani stated you know now devastating the cuts would be to the district 6 and promised no to it out them and you were turned around and voted for H.R.

1 that's a huge betrayal to the district.

The subsidies were not expanded for ACA.

He voted against expanding those and folks could not afford their premiums it went up several hundred dollars for people they are not renewing plans and as we are getting into the winner, where you have flu season and people usually get sick people need that healthcare.

>> Again the opposing side would say, that there is waste, fraud and, abuse in medicate system around the country.

And it's time to look at the rolls, look at the eligibility and figure out who really belongs there and who doesn't if so many people are off Medicaid rolls could be off.

Snap coming up at the end year, doesn't that suggest something.

>> Snap people are impact by that.

Weigh her from voters.

Though submit their paperwork back into the portal and in terms of the cuts we need to restore medicate cuts and programs, safety net programs for families because they need them.

But I will say there is a way do this so that you are not negatively impacting such a large group of people we can address fraud and abuse in the system it's not in eliminating the safety net programs and getting huge tax cuts and tax breaks to billionaires and corporations.

>> As far as Medicare is concerned quickly hear, is it solve end in and secondly what do you tell young people who look at Medicare and think there is no way that's going to be there for me?

>> I think you know, young people are feeling that.

Not just with Medicare.

They are looking at you know, the probably never be able to own a home because homes are not affordable.

The tariffs under this administration and that Mr.

Ciscomani has supported raising the cost on everything, including construction materials to build more affordable housing.

>> A lot of issue to get to a bigish in this district the boarder.

Compare border security now with when Democrats were some sort of control during the Biden administration, compare?

>> Both parties kicked the can down the road it wasn't better under the Biden administration it's not about the better now and it wasn't been for a long time.

Whenning folks one and say they are fixing the system, Mr.

Ciscomani has been there 222 terms is it not more cure secure than the Biden administration?

Are you arguing it's less secure?

>> What I am saying is that there are some things that each administration did that helped.

But overall, we not only need border security but we need to address immigration reform.

So talking about worker Visas the system that's been bogged down and backlog today such a long tame.

And I do want to add being you know, for boarder security, I mean, as a United States marine, you know, who did serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, lake national security, the safety of our community, and the homeland, it absolute a pry on priority there are places where a mall make sense and it doesn't.

We need to modernize our ports entry ensure that we are working with Mexico which now we have not a great working relationship with them.

Ensure local law enforcement county sheriff department in Cochise have the resources they need to secure the border on this side for our community.

>> On this side of the border, talk about ice real quickly.

Is it a rogue agency?

Should it be abolished?

>> We -- it should not be abolished let me start by saying that much ice, you have agents who are running am participant and rogue and violating constitutional rights, they are not following the letter of the law.

I mean, a lot of these agents were haired and were not properly vetted or trained and then they were getting bonuses to folks to entice them to join the organization.

So we need to rein in rogue ice agos.

And we need to make sure that we are working with our local law enforcement to ensure that our communities are safe.

When we don't have the resources that we need to secure the border we see a rise in cartels and drug traffic and human trafficking.

As a matter of fact we were down in Stafford in the district talking to police chief down there and he shared with us when resources are not at the border they see a spike in crime in the local community.

And they are only a 23-police officer force, so imagine that, 203 police officers who secure -- 23 police officers who secure the community is not enough.

>> I want to talk about something reported that some online comments that you made prior to your campaign launch you erased these from social media progressive comments dating back 222.

The George Floyd era.

Militarized police force systemic racism as a part of our nation, those are relatively progressive ideas are they too progressive?

Too liberal for this particular district?

>> Well, look, the fact it's a conversation on social media scrubbing that's not what we are hearing from the people in the community they are concerned costs and healthcare and border security.

And what I will say is that look, I have never I never supported defund the police and I ran state let legislature I do not support defunding the police there are statements out there that stay that I support more resources for local law enforcement it's mischaracterizing pie statement.

>> You did scrub them how did you do that?

>> The social media account wasn't scrubbed it's a standard practice for a lot of congress campaigns to actually fresh and new they were not scrubbed.

You know what, to be honest.

Floss this is not what we need to talk about.

We are a war in Iran with service members jumping off ships because they are for the getting the food rations they need and not getting support and resources they need.

>> I got out that.

But, I mean, this is a pretty close race.

>> Yeah.

>> And this is a centrist kind I've district here and I am asking again, can you be too liberal and too progressive for this particular district?

>> I am not.

I will say that much I -- I am not progressive or liberally am am interested in serving the community.

And you know, we paid to he can for us on the issue that are impacting people.

In our politics, so divisive and you have both sides screaming at each other.

What we hear from folks on the ground is that they are sick and tired it was they want someone to address the solutions and so that's what I plan on bringing.

>> As far as the war in Iran.

The Republicans and administration it's necessary because of Iran action backing of terror around the world for decades do they have a point?

>> Look, I served in middle east two combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan as a what reign what I will share share if you if were intelligence that basically stated that a Iran had the materials to make a nuclear can he, number nuclear bam why not share it the house foreign intelligent nil I and get a war resolution passed maya component voted several times against that he supports the president and his decision in Iran and right now there is no measure of success.

You know, obviously as I mentioned before.

Not enough resources not taking care of our troops.

And I have spoken to parents not just being you know, Democrats, but conservative parents who are terrified that their kids will come back in flagged-draped cough interim they promised no more wards, no more forever wars and we are back if middle east and it's I promise broke beanie the president, the prison and Mr.

Ciscomani.

>> Last question.

If Democrats take the house there is a shot it could happen and you wind up winning this particular race, would you work to impeach the president?

>> I don't think that should be the focus.

We need to focus people ensuring to feed their kids.

And that they can get jobs to provide for their families.

>> That said do you think the president has committed impeachable offenses?

>> I mean, he committed impeachable offenses the first time and he was impeached and not removed.

What I will tell you is that the policies of this administration are really hurting people in our communities.

And Mr.

Ciscomani has not done anything to stand up to this administration.

>> Joanna Mendoza, again, Democratic candidate for congressional district 6, we thank you so much for joying us and participate this is a discussion.

>> Thank you, I appreciate it.

Thanks, dealt.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> ASU HOCKEY PLAYER, MATTHEW MAYICH, COLLAPSED DURING AN OUTDOOR TEAM WORKOUT IN LATE AUGUST.

MAYICH IS ON LIFE-SUPPORT AND NOT EXPECTED TO RECOVER.

THE UNIVERSITY HAS OPENED AN INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT HAPPENED, BUT MAYICH'S FAMILY, AND SOME OF HIS TEAMMATES, ARE QUESTIONING THE IMPARTIALITY OF ASU CONDUCTING AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION.

ROBERT ANGLEN HAS BEEN ALL OVER THIS STORY, HE'S AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER FOR THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC AND AZCENTRAL.COM.

And we were mention that Arizona state university operates Arizona PBS here.

Good to have you here, thank you so much for joining us.

What happened to Matthew Mayich >> During a pretty intense workout, described by players as just extreme, run by a volunteer ex-green beret, he collapsed and -- of heat exhaustion, heat vehicle and he was taken to a hospital.

And he was later transferred for the their logical institute where he remain as you said on life support.

>> How old is he?

>> We want one years old.

>> The work outrun by annex green beret, described as a military-style workout.

What does that many?

>> It means that he was brought in by all accounts to train, to help run a three-day workout.

And this was the first of three days.

And that workout, of course, was -- has raised questions.

The ex-green beret, Tim, says it wasn't that kind of military workout.

While the players describe it as one of the most grueling exercises they have ever been through.

>> Were any other players in any way injured or harmed because of this particular workout?

>> Not to the degree that Matthew Mayich was.

However, as players are now coming forward and talking about this, they say at least two other players vomited and another player was having extreme difficulty during the workout.

And the workout continued.

Of course, overarching that is their claim water was can he need to the players it was used as a e reward the players had to earn water.

And Mayich didn't.

>> And he didn't.

And after he collapsed, what options were taken.

>> That gets into our investigation.

What we found is that the university has heat guidelines, heat policies that they are supposed to follow and it appears that they were not.

The -- when a player collapses, the predescribed method for treatment is to get them off the ground, put them into an ice cold tub and that did not happen.

He was left on the ground while they tried to treat him.

Made him with a hose he continued laying on what amounts to the tarmac, the field.

>> And that, again, goes against just Holly is?

>> Correct.

>> ASU police investigating?

Is that true?

>> It is.

They began investigating the moment the 911 call was made on August 20th.

Of course, that investigation has been called into question over and over.

As has the secondary review.

The.

>> Interesting.

The counsel I attorney was asked and looked into it and said sounded like she says, what, I am wait for this ASU version?

I am reviewing it that what have is she staying?

>> Her staff is working with ASU police communicating with them daily when they submit a case, she will review the case for charges.

I asked the question, well, what happens if they don't submit a case?

And there has not been an answer.

>> That's interesting, that's something they didn't.

The county is satisfied with the investigation so far?

Or do we know?

>> I don't think the county has a say in it it's being handled directly by ASU PD.

And ASU PD is a police force, so ostensibly it's a criminal investigation.

>> Interesting, interesting point.

Family, family can't be satisfied by this in.

>> Not in fact, they repeatedly asked for an outside agency to be brought N they first asked about a month ago that ASU turnover the case to either the attorney general, Phoenix police department, or the department of public safety.

And the university did not respond.

>> Didn't respond.

Didn't say yes, didn't say no just didn't respond there is a possibility it could happen?

>> I wouldn't hold your breath.

>> I was going to say it hasn't happened so far it likely won't.

The head coach now has been put, a while here took time, put on paid admin combative leave, correct?

>> Correct.

41 days after the collapse ASU suspended coach Greg powers.

The person who arranged this workout, which also appears to have been in violation of policies.

>> And also, you are reporting that some of the hockey players, some of his teammates, they are now speaking up a little more they did originally saying this ain't right?

>> Seven of them came forward through an attorney, they were anonymous, and they are laying out their version of what they say happened at that workout and it is eye popping.

>> How so?

>> In terms of what they say they endured and the actions by staff as it happened.

Prince, they say that powers and the coaching staff, the entire coaching staff, was on hand during the workout and they were a witness to Mayich faltering not completing tasks, ultimately collapsing.

>> Were these kind -- do we know if these workouts were run previously in previous years with or without the same personnel?

>> I can't speak -- to ASU hockey, they were not.

He had come in a year earlier and given a motivational speech.

But this was the first time he said he was there doing this kind of work out.

>> And where is he now?

What is he doing?

>> He is -- he's a retired ex-green beret.

He has significant PTSD.

He says and he -- >> He's at home.

But he's no longer working with hockey team?

That's done?

>> Yeah, it was a volunteer assignment they brought him Horizon him in on I handshake deal with Greg powers a continuing to his attorney he has done that kind of work before he did it at Arizona Christian university.

These workouts.

>> Anonymous players, I think cruelty and incompetence were mentioned in their complaint.

Did they go in to details?

How much detail do we have of what went on out there?

>> Quite a bit.

Not only I told you about the response to the collapse, they say after Mayich fell to the ground the head coach actually minute mazed it.

Down played it.

Said, oh, I have seen this a million times he will be fine he needs I.V.

fluid he will be fine.

After the ambulance took him away.

They say, he told them, hey, you guys are now in a better position to win a college tournament.

And then the next day he told them he was doing fine.

He was his organs recovering without mentioning his brain activity.

>> The university did not follow procedure on heat illness didn't follow procedure on heat acclamation because the kid was from Canada being correct?

>> Yeah, and the acclamation is another serious point.

You are supposed to do acclimate for seven to 14 days, Mayich had been in opportunity for eight days.

The acclamation pert is specific to workouts.

Whale the university highlighted the fact he had been in town eight days the actually time he spent working out three days of which 15 minutes a day were outside.

So he had 45 minutes of total work outs outside prior to this collapse.

>> Last question, what is ASU's response to all of this?

>> That they are investigating and they intend to continue to do that.

>> That's it?

>> Pretty much.

>> Nothing he would?

Besides putting coach on paid administrative leave as well.

>> Correct.

They have expressed sympathy towards Mayich.

And they have launched administrator review.

Along with the other investigation, that sums it up real quickly what is next in all of this?

>> Well, they play a game tomorrow their first game season under a temporary coach.

And a new coach could be pointed a new interim coach could be appointed as soon as next weak.

>> We know you would abbott store Robert Anglen, Arizona Republican, AZcentral.com.

Thank you for being here.

>> Thank you.

♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ >> FINALLY TONIGHT, SCOT OLSON' BEEN A VIDEOGRAPHER, EDITOR AND MASTER STORYTELLER HERE AT ARIZONA PBS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

SCOT IS EMBARKING ON A WELL-DESERVED RETIREMENT.

WE THOUGHT WE'D TAKE A LOOK BAC AT SCOT'S EXCEPTIONAL CAREER.

>> I started at Arizona PBS as a freshman in 1978.

It was a way to interview different students who might want to work on the production crew.

And after that, they hired me for, I don't know, somewhere around $3 an hour.

It was great, though.

We got to learn about production and use cameras that at the time were, you know, each camera was $100,000 with a lens and it was like amazing to be working in TV.

So many great memories of working at Arizona PBS.

We did a live open heart surgery that our general manager came up with this idea and it was kind of crazy to you know in real time it was broadcast all over the world.

Another great memory was going to shine China way group of ASU researchers and followed them there and did a program called from Mars to China.

Trail mix was a very challenging project.

But it was super rewarding.

I always loved traveling around Arizona.

And being able to show off, you know, the actual beauty of Arizona as one of the most fun things to do.

One of my favorite projects to work on was check, please Arizona.

Being able to visit I think over 300 Arizona restaurants and tell the stories about their chefs and their owners, present the food items to all of our viewers was a super fun project for me to work on.

I am looking forward to having some extra time to spend on my own projects.

Some travel, you know, I just got to go on a vacation I had never been before to Europe and that was fun and I'll probably try to do that again.

One of the main things I will miss is all of the great other people I have gotten to work with.

You know, I like TV is kind of a small community.

It takes a lot of people at the station to create programs and I get to be on the front line of that.

I will just miss being able to be a part of this team that is able to create those neat programs.

>> What a career.

Congratulations, Scot.

That's it for now, I am Ted Simons, thank you so much for joining us, you have a great evening.

♪♪ >> I like to think at "Arizona Horizon" we are unique in the way that we present information.

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And I don't want conversations and human interaction to go out of style.

And I hope with "Arizona Horizon" it never goes out of style.

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