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TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," THE DIRECTOR OF THE SECRET SERVICE RESIGNED IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

>>> ALSO TONIGHT, THE IMPACT OF DRUG USE ON HEAT-RELATED DEATHS IN MARICOPA COUNTY.

>>> AND WE'LL MEET THE ASU PROFESSOR SET TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS HALL OF FAME.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

.

TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

ARIZONA U.S.

SENATOR MARK KELLY IS BEING VETTED BY VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS' PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO USA TODAY WHICH REPORTS THAT KELLY IS AMONG SEVEN PEOPLE BEING CONSIDERED TO JOIN HARRIS ON THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET.

KELLY AND THE OTHERS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO SUBMIT PERSONAL INFORMATION INCLUDING FINANCES AND FAMILY HISTORY.

HARRIS IS LIKELY TO CHOOSE A MALE RUNNING MATE TO BALANCE THE TICKET.

>>> THE HARRIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN RECEIVED ENDORSEMENTS FROM THE TWO HIGHEST-RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

>> SO NOW THAT THE PROCESS HAS PLAYED OUT FROM THE GRASSROOTS, BOTTOM UP, WE ARE HERE TODAY TO THROW OUR SUPPORT BEHIND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS!

>> KAMALA HARRIS WILL FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM.

KAMALA HARRIS WILL FIGHT FOR OUR FAMILIES.

KAMALA HARRIS WILL FIGHT FOR OUR FUTURE.

I'M PROUD TO STRONGLY ENDORSE KAMALA HARRIS TO BE THE 47th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

TED: ALSO TODAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN TESTED NEGATIVE FOR COVID, ACCORDING TO THE WHITE HOUSE PHYSICIAN WHO SAID THAT THE PRESIDENT'S VITAL SIGNS ARE NORMAL AND THAT HIS COVID SYMPTOMS RESOLVED.

WITH THAT THE PRESIDENT FLEW FROM DOVER AIR FORCE BASE TO WASHINGTON.

IT WAS HIS FIRST APPEARANCE SINCE DECIDING TO EXIT THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

THE PRESIDENT IS SET TO ADDRESS THE NATION TOMORROW EVENING ABOUT HIS DECISION NOT TO SEEK RE-ELECTION.

>>> THE HEAD OF THE SECRET SERVICE RESIGNED TODAY, DIRECTOR KIM CHEATLE STEPPED DOWN FOLLOWING PERSISTENT QUESTIONS ABOUT LACK OF ACTION IN THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TEN DAYS AGO.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MIKE JOHNSON SAID SHE HAD TO GO.

>> IT IS LONG OVERDUE, I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT.

HAPPY TO SEE SHE HAS HEEDED THE CALL OF THE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

NOW WE HAVE TO PICK UP THE PIECES.

WE HAVE TO REBUILD THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S FAITH AND TRUST IN THE SECRET SERVICE AS AN AGENCY.

IT HAS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY IN PROTECTING PRESIDENTS, FORMER PRESIDENTS AND OTHER OFFICIALS IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND WE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

TED: JOHNSON LATER ANNOUNCED THAT A BIPARTISAN TASK FORCE WILL LEAD CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT.

>>> ONE MORE HEADLINE, SUNDAY WAS THE HOTTEST DAY SINCE A CLIMATE-TRACKING AGENCY BEGAN MONITORING WORLD TEMPERATURES IN THE MID 1900s.

SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR AVERAGE TEMPERATURES HAD RECORD HEAT, SCIENTISTS SAY THIS YEAR'S RECORD IS AS EL NINO IS TRANSITIONING TO SUPPOSEDLY COOLER LA NINA PHASE.

>>> AS WE MENTIONED, U.S. SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR KIM CHEATLE STEPPED DOWN FOLLOWING THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

RESIGNATION AFTER INCREASING CRITICISM OVER THE AGENCY'S INABILITY TO PREVENT THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT.

FOR MORE WE'RE JOINED BY CRISTINA BELOUD, FORMER SPECIAL AGENT-IN-CHARGE OF U.S. SECRET SERVICE HERE IN PHOENIX.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, TED.

TED: THOUGHTS ON THE RESIGNATION.

DID IT HAVE TO HAPPEN?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY HAD TO HAPPEN.

YOU KNOW, AS A SECRET SERVICE AGENT, NOBODY WANTS TO BE IN THAT POSITION IN FRONT OF A CONGRESSIONAL HEARING TESTIFYING TO A TERRIBLE DAY THAT HAPPENED TO THE SECRET SERVICE.

YOU'RE THERE BECAUSE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENED.

I THINK THAT, BASED ON HER TESTIMONY, BASED ON THE PERCEIVED STONEWALLING, PERCEIVED LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, SHE DEFINITELY NEEDED TO STEP DOWN, MAINLY BECAUSE MOVING FORWARD IN THAT ROLE, HER ABILITY TO GARNER THE TRUST AND THE CONFIDENCE OF THE AGENCY AND THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT WORK THERE, PLUS THE UNITED STATES HAS CONSIDERABLY WANED AND SHE NEEDED TO STEP DOWN.

TED: SHE SAID, QUOTE, WE FELL SHORT OF THE MISSION TO PROTECT THE NATION'S LEADERS.

THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE.

THAT MISSION SIMPLY WAS NOT ACCOMPLISHED.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

TED: YOU AGREE WITH HER DECISION?

>> 100%.

TED: LET'S TALK ABOUT PROCEDURE HERE.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE, WE'RE GETTING A BETTER IDEA WHAT HAPPENED.

THIS BUILDING WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE SECRET SERVICE PERIMETER, THE SECURITY PERIMETER.

IT WAS SO CLOSE TO THE STAGE.

WHY DID THAT HAPPEN?

HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

>> I THINK IT'S A PARSING OF TERMS.

WHEN WE THINK OF A PERIMETER, IN MY MIND, THAT BUILDING DID FALL IN THE PERIMETER, IT DID FALL IN WHAT WE CONSIDER AN AREA THAT NEEDED TO BE PROTECTED BY AN ASSET, LIKELY ONE OF OUR PARTNERS IN LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, PERHAPS ANOTHER AGENCY WAS -- SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE, BUT WE CAN'T DISCARD THE BUILDINGS AROUND THE SITE.

SO THE PERIMETER IS SORT OF WHAT'S CONTAINING THE PEOPLE ATTENDING THE EVENT.

THE OUTER PERIMETER AND BEYOND DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AND ANY THREATS MITIGATED RIGHT AWAY.

THEREIN LIES THE FAILURE.

TED: 450 FEET FROM THE PODIUM, THAT'S WITHIN RIFLE RANGE.

YOU WOULD THINK THAT'S A LOCKDOWN SITUATION.

>> 100%.

IT'S BEEN SAID TIME AND TIME AGAIN, BUT AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN.

I WAS HERE LAST WEEK AND TALKED ABOUT IT.

THERE, I BELIEVE, WAS A LACK OF COMMUNICATION.

I BELIEVE THERE WERE CERTAINLY ASSETS AROUND.

WE'RE TOLD THERE WAS OVERWATCH.

WE'RE TOLD THERE WERE AGENTS ON THE GROUND.

WE'RE TOLD THERE WERE PEOPLE IN A RESPONSE POSITION.

I THINK WHERE THE FAILURE LIES IS WITH THE TIME IT TOOK TO ACTUALLY IDENTIFY THE SHOOTER, ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE WERE ALREADY CALLS BY PEOPLE ATTENDING THE RALLY, OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT, THAT THIS INDIVIDUAL WAS SUSPICIOUS AND IN A PLACE HE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN.

THERE ARE MITIGATION -- MITIGATION IN PLACE TO SEND WHAT WE WOULD CALL A PROTECTIVE INTELLIGENCE TEAM.

THEY'RE USUALLY MADE UP OF A SPECIAL AGENT AND ONE OF THE PARTNERS FROM THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, TO GO AND PHYSICALLY INTERVIEW OR INTERACT WITH THESE POTENTIAL THREATS OR SUSPICIOUS PERSONS.

WHY IT TOOK SO LONG FOR THAT TO HAPPEN IS SOMETHING THAT HOPEFULLY THE INVESTIGATION WILL FIGURE OUT.

TED: SOUNDS LIKE THEY LOST TRACK OF HIM.

>> THAT'S THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF.

TED: I THINK THE TESTIMONY WAS ONE OF THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SAID THEY LOST TRACK OF HIM, IT WAS AN HOUR BEFORE THEY SAW THIS GUY AN HOUR BEFORE.

>> THAT'S TOO LONG.

TED: THAT BUILDING ITSELF, AGAIN, THIS IS A BASIC QUESTION FROM SOMEONE NOT IN THE BUSINESS LIKE YOU ARE, WHY WAS THERE NOT SOMEONE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WHERE THAT SHOOTER WAS?

450 FEET.

SHOULDN'T THERE BE SOMEONE UP THERE?

>> 100%, ABSOLUTELY.

THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT LEAST -- AND I'VE SAID THIS TO COLLEAGUES AND OTHERS.

IF YOU COULDN'T PUT A PERSON UP THERE FOR WHATEVER REASON, YOU GET A SCISSOR LIFT AND HAVE HIGH GROUND COVERAGE, THEY HAVE ABILITY TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON THERE AND HAVE OVERWATCH, YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OTHER ASSETS AVAILABLE ESPECIALLY AT AGRICULTURAL AREA.

I BET YOU THERE'S A SCISSOR LIFT OR BACKHOE THAT YOU COULD UTILIZE TO GET A TEAM OR GET ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OUT THERE.

TED: SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS BASIC FROM WHERE I SIT.

WHY, IF THERE WAS A SUSPICIOUS PERSON SEEN, WE'VE LOST TRACK OF THIS SUSPICIOUS PERSON, PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE MAY HAVE SEEN SOMETHING AS WELL, GUY ACTING SQUIRRELY OUT THERE.

WHY WAS THE PRESIDENT ALLOWED TO TAKE THE STAGE?

>> AGAIN, I BELIEVE IT'S DIRECTLY RELATED TO COMMUNICATION, EVEN FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP HIMSELF SAID HE WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE PAUSING FOR A MOMENT AND GETTING IT ALL FIGURED OUT.

HOPEFULLY THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION, INSURANCE INVESTIGATION INTERNALLY WITH THE SECRET SERVICE, IF WE IMPANEL THE INVESTIGATIONS, THE FBI INVESTIGATION, HOPEFULLY THEY WILL FILTER DOWN WHY THAT HAPPENED.

TED: AND AGAIN, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP HERE, WE'RE NOT SURE WHATEVER HAPPENED THERE, WE KNOW IF SOMEONE WAS KILLED AND TWO PEOPLE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED HERE, AND SECURITY FAILURES IN THE CONGRESSIONAL HEARING YESTERDAY DESCRIBED AS SHOCKING.

YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> I DO.

I AGREE THAT THEY WERE SHOCKING, BUT I ALSO FEEL THE SECRET SERVICE HAS BEEN UNDERFUNDED AND UNDERSTAFFED FOR DECADES, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, VERY LIKELY UNDERTRAINED.

WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY DONE MORE WITH LESS, WHICH IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO LOOK AT THINGS.

BUT WHEN I SAY THAT I MEAN BEING CREATIVE WITH PROTECTIVE FOOTPRINT.

BEING CREATIVE WITH USING FIRE TRUCKS TO BLOCK LINE OF SIGHT.

SCISSOR LIFTS TO RAISE A COUNTERSNIPER TEAM UP IN THE AIR.

YOU USE WHAT YOU CAN BECAUSE OFTENTIMES THE ASSETS ARE STRETCHED VERY THIN, AND I BELIEVE THERE WERE TWO OTHER PROTECTEES IN THE PENNSYLVANIA DISTRICT AT THE TIME THAT HAD ASSETS DEDICATED TO THEM.

I HOPE THIS INVESTIGATION CAN IDENTIFY WHAT WENT WRONG, AND I HOPE THAT THEY CAN TAKE -- THE SECRET SERVICE CAN TAKE STEPS TO MITIGATE THAT IN THE FUTURE.

TED: WITH THAT IN MIND, DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN SECRET SERVICE TACTICS, IN SECRET SERVICE -- OBVIOUSLY, YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE RESOURCES INCREASED AND IMPROVED, WHAT ABOUT TACTICS?

>> 100%.

THE TACTICAL WORLD IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING.

THE USE OF CYBER, THE USE OF TSHGS OVERWATCH TECHNOLOGY, DRONE TECHNOLOGY, RADIO TECHNOLOGY, ALL THESE THINGS ARE GROWING EVERY DAY.

AGAIN, THE BUDGET FOR THE SECRET SERVICE IS ABOUT $3 BILLION, AND TO MOST PEOPLE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY.

IT'S REALLY NOT.

IT'S AMONG DHS AGENCIES, IT'S THE SMALLEST BUDGET AND THE SMALLEST AGENCY.

THERE ARE ABOUT 7,000 EMPLOYEES WORLDWIDE IN THE SECRET SERVICE, THAT'S LESS THAN A THIRD OF THE ENTIRE FBI, AND THE SECRET SERVICE HAS 36 FULL-TIME PROTECTEES WHICH REQUIRES STAFFING, EQUIPMENT, CARS, TRAINING, TRAVEL, THE LIST GOES ON, AND THAT'S FULL TIME.

SO YES, THERE DOES NEED TO BE FUNDAMENTAL TACTICAL CHANGES IMPLEMENTED AND HOPEFULLY THERE WERE.

TED: LAST QUESTION, ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT, IF YOU ARE ASKED TO TESTIFY IN FRONT OF THIS CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM?

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM?

>> I WANT TO SAY FIRST I DO BELIEVE YESTERDAY'S TESTIMONY SHOULD HAVE STARTED IN A CLOSED SESSION.

I BELIEVE THEY WOULD HAVE HAD MUCH MORE TRANSPARENCY IF CONGRESS HAD ASSIGNED RANKING MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, AND LISTENED TO WHAT WE'VE ALREADY LEARNED.

I THINK THAT DIRECTOR CHEATLE WOULD HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY IF SHE WAS IN AN AREA WHERE SHE COULD SPEAK FREELY, SHE WAS NOT IN ANY POSITION TO ANSWER MOST OF THE QUESTIONS YESTERDAY IN THE PUBLIC FORUM.

VERY SENSITIVE INFORMATION THAT WE DON'T, THE SECRET SERVICE DOES NOT DIVULGE IN A PUBLIC FORUM.

I COMMEND HER BEARING, I COMMEND HER ABILITY TO STAY UNEMOTIONAL WHILE THE DECORUM OF THE ROOM WENT OUT THE WINDOW.

SHE DID AS WELL AS A JOB AS SHE POSSIBLY COULD UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHILE KEEPING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE SECRET SERVICE AND THE PROTECTIVE MISSION IN THE FOREFRONT.

TED: CRISTINA BELOUD, GREAT INFORMATION, INTERESTING POINTS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, TED.

.

TED: HEAT DEATHSORT RISE IN MARICOPA COUNTY AND DRUG USE SEEN AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN AN INCREASING NUMBER OF HEAT-RELATED FATALITIES.

WE WELCOME STEPHANIE SIETE FROM THE CRISIS RESPONSE PROGRAM.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, I'M NOT CRAZY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

WE'RE DEFINITELY ON THE WAY THIS YEAR, AND DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE IS INCREASING FACTOR.

WHAT'S GOING ON OUT THERE?

>> IT'S SAD, SCARY, IT'S HOT OUTSIDE.

I SPEAK TO THIS AS COMMON SENSE, YOU WANT TO KEEP THE BODY TEMPERATURE DOWN AND SOME OF THE SUBSTANCES DRIVE THE TEMPERATURES UP, SO IT'S A DANGEROUS COMBINATION.

TED: I'VE HEARD AND WE'RE READING THAT METH USE IS ESPECIALLY INCREASING AND ESPECIALLY INVOLVED AS FAR AS HEAT-RELATED DEATHS.

METH USE.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A THING IN THE PAST.

STILL THERE, OBVIOUSLY.

IS IT GETTING WORSE?

>> I APPLAUD YOU GUYS FOR TALKING ABOUT THAT BECAUSE DRUG USE IS CYCLICAL.

I'VE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY FOR 20 YEARS AND DRUGS NEVER DISAPPEAR, THEY CYCLE AROUND.

METH IS BACK, ON THE RISE.

THINGS PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THEY CAN GOOGLE.

THERE'S A NEW METH, A STRONGER MORE POTENT DRUG.

IT IS A STIMULANT IT.

INCREASES HEART RATE, BODY TEMPERATURE AND WE'RE TYING THIS TO HEAT.

IT'S ALREADY TOO HOT OUTSIDE AND IF YOU'RE ON THE STREET, EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND DON'T HAVE SHELTERS, DEADLY COMBINATION.

IT'S VERY SCARY.

TED: WHAT SERVICES, WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE FOR FOLKS WHO ARE CAUGHT IN THAT PARTICULAR CYCLE IN THIS KIND OF WEATHER?

>> WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP COMMUNITY BRIDGES WITH THE CITY OF PHOENIX, THERE'S A LOT OF PARTNERSHIPS TRYING TO PROVIDE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE.

THEY CAN CHECK OUT COMMUNITY BRIDGES INC.ORG, CALL 988 OR 211 FOR CRISIS AND NONCRISIS SERVICES.

PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THERE IS HELP AVAILABLE.

TED: BACK TO METH HERE, I FIND THIS FASCINATING.

IS IT CHEAPER NOW?

YOU SAID THE NEW AND IMPROVED METH, IF YOU WILL.

IS IT CHEAPER?

EASIER TO GET AHOLD OF.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

>> BOTH.

I ALWAYS REMIND PEOPLE, KEEP IN MIND PROXIMITY TO THE BORDER.

A LOT OF THE DRUGS COME FROM CARTELS, WE ARE NEIGHBORS WITH SINALOA, JALISCO CARTELS.

THEY DON'T JUST TRAFFIC FENTANYL, THEY TRAFFIC METH.

IT'S SADLY TOO ACCESSIBLE, IT'S TOO CLOSE TO US.

PHYSICALLY TOO CLOSE TO ARIZONA.

>> YOU MENTIONED IT AS A STIMULANT.

FOR FOLKS WHO ARE UNHOUSED AND HAVE LIFE'S BELONGINGS WITHIN A SHOPPING CART OR BAG NEXT TO THEM, I WOULD IMAGINE A STIMULANT TO KEEP YOURSELF AWAKE OR ALERT WOULD NOT BE A BAD IDEA.

>> PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT.

METHAMPHETAMINE HISTORICALLY CAUSED WEIGHT LOSS.

WE SAW THAT WITH YOUNGER GIRLS WANTING TO DO IT.

YOU TIE IT TO HOMELESSNESS, YOU WANT TO PROTECT YOUR VALUABLES.

THAT'S WHAT METHAMPHETAMINE IS GOING TO DO.

THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR YOU TO LET THE BODY STAY AWAKE FOR DAYS ON END, WITH NO SLEEP.

NOW WE'RE TALKING HALLUCINATIONS, DELIRIOUS, PANIC ATTACKS BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T RESTED.

TEMPERATURE IS UP, BAD COMBOS.

TED: AS FAR AS OTHER SYMPTOMS OF OVERHEATING, DOES METH ALLEVIATE THOSE IN THE MIND?

DOES METH MAKE YOU THINK YOU ARE NOT SO THIRSTY AND NOT SO HOT OUT HERE?

>> IT'S A COMMUNICATION ERROR, RIGHT?

ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU DON'T REALIZE YOU ARE EXTRA HOT AND TIRED.

YOU ARE NOT AWARE.

THAT'S ALL WE SAY ABOUT SUBSTANCES, THE IRRATIONAL BRAIN.

TED: YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT'S BEING DONE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

WHAT'S NOT BEING DONE THAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE?

>> MORE EDUCATION.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

WE FOCUS A LOT ABOUT CERTAIN HYPE, CERTAIN TRENDS AND HEAR ABOUT THE FENTANYL CRISIS.

METHAMPHETAMINE NEVER WENT AWAY.

SO I THINK A LOT OF IT COMES BACK TO KNOWING IT EXISTS AND PUT THEM TOGETHER.

WHAT DO WE HEAR ABOUT ALL THE TIME, UNINTENTIONAL OVERDOSES, ACCIDENTAL.

A LOT OF THE SUBSTANCES GET MIXED AND WE DON'T KNOW.

TED: LAST QUESTION, YOU TALK ABOUT EDUCATION AND GETTING THE INFORMATION OUT.

GETTING THE INFORMATION OUT TO UNSHELTERED FOLKS TO THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

CAN THAT BE DONE?

CAN YOU TALK TO SOME OF THESE FOLKS?

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO DO A BETTER JOB.

JUST LIKE SUBSTANCE ABUSE, NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE TREATED FOR THE PROBLEM, WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELESSNESS, PEOPLE ARE NOT COMING OUT OF THE SYSTEM, MORE ARE COMING IN THAN GOING OUT.

WE CAN'T OVERLOOK THAT.

WE HAVE TO PARTNER WITH CITIES AND MAKE SURE THE SERVICES AND NEEDS ARE MET, WE PROVIDE THE SERVICES.

TED: KNOWING ABOUT ALCOHOL AND METH AND DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, DOES IT SIGNAL SOMETHING THAT COULD HAPPEN THIS WINTER?

>> WE HOPE IT COOLS DOWN THIS WINTER.

TED: AS FAR AS THE CYCLICAL NATURE OF THE NARCOTICS?

>> HARD TO PREDICT WHAT'S OUT THERE.

KEEP IN MIND, IF YOU LOOK AT DATA, FENTANYL AND OPIOIDS ARE NEAR THE TOP.

INCREASE WITH METH AND COCAINE, ANOTHER STIMULANT.

NOT NEARLY COMPARABLE IN THE SAME LEVEL, BUT THEY'RE BOTH GOING TO BE CONSIDERED PROBLEMS THIS WINTER.

TED: IS THE PROBLEM DROPPING AS FENTANYL RISES?

>> CAN YOU LOOK AT 2,000 LESS DEATHS, I DON'T CALL IT SIGNIFICANT, IT'S OVERWHELMING.

TED: STEPHANIE SIETE, LET'S HOPE IT COOLS DOWN AND SOON: .

TED: RETHA HILL IS A LONGTIME PROFESSOR AT CRONKITE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION, HEAD OF THE NEW MEDIA AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP LAB AND SET TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE BLACK JOURNALISTS HALL OF FAME NEXT MONTH.

WE WELCOME RETHA HILL TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

TED: YOU BET.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT?

THAT'S QUITE AN HONOR, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> IT'S AMAZING, WHEN I GOT THE LETTER SAYING I WOULD BE INDUCTED, I WAS SHOCKED.

IT'S SUCH A GREAT HONOR.

I'VE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS SINCE COLLEGE, AND I'VE BEEN THE PRESIDENT OF THREE CHAPTERS IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA AND WASHINGTON, D.C., AND HERE IN ARIZONA, AND SO IT REALLY IS A GREAT HONOR, AND I'M SO HAPPY THAT THEY RECOGNIZED MY BODY OF WORK.

TED: SOUNDS LIKE YOU KNEW YOU WANTED TO GET INTO JOURNALISM RELATIVELY EARLY.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW THAT JOURNALISM WAS FOR YOU, AND DID SOMEONE INSPIRE YOU?

ESPECIALLY THE EARLY YEARS.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IN HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL, I LOVE WRITING, HISTORY, I LOVE CURRENT EVENTS BUT NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT JOURNALISM BECAUSE TO ME, IT WAS THE PERSON ON TELEVISION TALKING ABOUT FIRES AND CRIME AND ALL OF THAT, AND IT WASN'T UNTIL I STARTED LEARNING ABOUT THE MUCKRAKERS AND PEOPLE DOING THE INVESTIGATIVE LONG-FORM JOURNALISM THAT I GOT EXCITED ABOUT IT.

AND IN HIGH SCHOOL, STARTED WORKING FOR HIGH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN AND I GOT THE BUG, AND IT'S STILL WITH ME TODAY.

TED: SOUNDS LIKE YOUR BACKGROUND, CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, "WASHINGTON POST," A LOT OF THE BACKGROUND, BACK IN THE DAY, INVOLVED TECH.

DID YOU SEE THAT AS AN AVENUE EARLY ON?

>> I DID.

I'M A TREKKIE FROM WAY BACK, OF COURSE I WANTED TO INVENT EVERYTHING ON "STAR TREK."

STILL WORKING ON THE TRANSPORTER, BUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS SO FASCINATING AND ONCE I GOT INTO JOURNALISM AND HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY DIFFERENT THINGS TO BE INNOVATIVE, I WOULD ALWAYS VOLUNTEER TO DO THAT, AND BACK IN 1995, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP FORM THE "WASHINGTON POST" FIRST ONLINE COMPANY CALLED DIGITAL INK AND TOOK IT TO WASHINGTONPOST.COM AND FIRST PRESIDENT TO START B.E.T.

'S INNOVATION LAB.

I NEVER GET TIRED OF THINGS.

TED: IT EXHAUSTS ME, AND SEEMS LIKE IT'S A CHALLENGE TO STAY AHEAD OF TECHNOLOGY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO NEWS AND INFORMATION.

>> IT IS BECAUSE THIS PERIOD WITH GENERATIVE AI IN GENERAL, IT MAKES THE INTERNET DAYS LOOK LIKE A SLOW, SLOW NEWS DAY.

IT'S COMING, CHANGING SO QUICKLY BUT ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND THE STORY AND HOW DO WE HELP PEOPLE GET INFORMATION, AND HOW DO WE EMPOWER STORYTELLERS?

THAT'S THE GREAT THING ABOUT THIS PERIOD, I CAN DO THINGS BY MYSELF THAT A FEW YEARS AGO I HAD TO HIRE FOUR OR FIVE PEOPLE TO DO, AND THAT'S WHAT'S REALLY EXCITING ABOUT IT.

TED: YEAH, AND A DEEP FAKE AI STUFF IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME, DON'T WANT TO GET TOO MUCH INTO THAT BECAUSE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE MEDIA INNOVATION LAB AT ASU.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> STUDENTS COME INTO THE LAB AND I TEACH THEM WHATEVER THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IS.

A FEW YEARS AGO, 10, 12 YEARS AGO, CREATING iPHONE APPS AND DID GAME DEVELOPMENT, BUT HERE RECENTLY, WE'VE BEEN USING AI TO TELL THE STORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, FOR EXAMPLE.

SOMETHING AS WE KNOW THE 250th BIRTHDAY IS COMING UP IN 2026, SO WE CAN TELL THESE STORIES IN AN INTERACTIVE IMMERSIVE WAY TO GET YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN OUR HISTORY, AND I'M TEACHING THE STUDENTS HOW TO DO THAT.

I'LL BE TEACHING THEM TO DO OTHER THINGS AS WELL.

ALWAYS USE THE TECHNOLOGY TO EMPOWER THE STUDENTS TO BE BETTER STORYTELLERS.

>> THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP ASPECT OF THIS, ARE KIDS MAKING APPS AND THINGS THAT CAN GO INTO THE BUSINESS WORLD?

>> THEY CAN.

A STUDENT CAME INTO THE LAB THIS FALL WHO WANTS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT TO HELP TRAIN JOURNALISTS WHEN THEY'RE NEW TO STEP INTO A CHAOTIC SITUATION LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TEN DAYS AGO AND BE PREPARED.

ALMOST LIKE THE POLICE SHOOT DON'T SHOOT VIDEOS, BUT TO MAKE THE INTERACTIVE SO A GREEN REPORTER WON'T BE OVERWHELMED IN CHAOS.

TED: THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

>> IT'S A WONDERFUL IDEA.

TED: I CAN'T BELIEVE IT WASN'T THOUGHT OF BEFORE.

THERE YOU GO.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS, IN DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF JOURNALISTS, HOW IMPORTANT?

>> IT IS SO IMPORTANT.

ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT NABJ, WE'VE ALWAYS LOOKED TO THE NEXT GENERATION, ALWAYS TRIED TO HELP THOSE YOUNGER JOURNALISTS COMING INTO THE BUSINESS TO BE LEADERS IN THEIR CHAPTER AND BE LEADERS IN THE BUSINESS, AND WE CAN'T STICK AROUND UNTIL WE'RE 80 AND 90 YEARS OLD.

WE HAVE TO DEVELOP THE YOUNGER PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO TELL STORIES TO SPEAK TO THEIR GENERATION.

TED: OPTIMISTIC?

>> VERY MUCH SO.

I KNOW I TALK TO YOUNG PEOPLE ALL THE TIME AND ASK THEM THAT QUESTION, ARE THEY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THIS BUSINESS?

AND 99% OF THEM SAY YES, THEY ARE.

TED: LAST QUESTION HERE, WOULD A YOUNG RETHA HILL BE INTERESTED IN THE NEW MEDIA LAB?

>> YES, INDEED BECAUSE I HAVE SO MANY STORIES I WANT TO TELL AND THE INNOVATION LAB GIVES MEET TOOLS TO TELL THE STORIES.

TED: HALL OF FAMER, CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS, THIS IS A GREAT HONOR AND YOU CERTAINLY DESERVE IT.

THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR STORY WITH US.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

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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