TEST TEST THE STATE SENATE TODAY VOTED TO REPEAL A NEAR-TOTAL BAN ON ABORTION DATING BACK TO 1864.

THE VOTE WAS 16-14 WITH TWO REPUBLICANS, SENATORS SHAWNA BOLICK AND T.J. SHOPE, JOINING DEMOCRATS TO "ENSURE" THAT THE LAW WAS REPEALED.

THE LAW, WHICH BANS ABORTION IN ALL CASES EXCEPT TO SAVE THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER, WAS REVIVED NEARLY A MONTH AGO BY THE STATE SUPREME COURT.

"TODAY'S" VOTE BY THE SENATE FOLLOWS LAST WEEK'S SIMILARLY TIGHT VOTE TO REPEAL BY THE HOUSE.

OTHER HEADLINES: PRO-PALESTINIAN DEMONSTRATIONS IN TUCSON LED TO POLICE USING TEAR-GAS AFTER PROTESTORS REFUSED TO CLEAR AN ENCAMPMENT BY LAST NIGHT'S 10-30 DEADLINE.

BY 2 AM, U OF A PRESIDENT ROBERT ROBBINS ORDERED POLICE TO ENFORCE CAMPUS POLICIES AND LAWS.

NO WORD AS YET ON HOW MANY ARRESTS WERE MADE, BUT THE ENCAMPMENTS WERE CLEARED ABOUT AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF LATER.

MORE THAN A DOZEN ARRESTS WERE REPORTED IN FLAGSTAFF, AFTER PROTESTERS AT NAU FAILED TO CLEAR AN ENCAMPMENT BY A 10 PM DEADLINE.

IT TOOK LAW ENFORCEMENT NEARLY 3 HOURS TO CLEAR THE AREA JUST OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT UNION.

AND, THE FEDERAL RESERVE TODAY LEFT INTEREST RATES UNCHANGED.

FED CHAIR JEROME POWELL REITERATED STATEMENTS FROM MARCH, SAYING THAT CENTRAL BANKERS NEED, QUOTE, "GREATER CONFIDENCE" THAT INFLATION IS DECREASING BEFORE REDUCING RATES.

POWELL ADDED THAT IT WAS S UNLIKELY INFLATION CONCERNS WILL LEAD TO THAT A RATE HIKE NEXT TIME OUT.

TODAY'S DECISION LEAVES INTEREST RATES AT A TWO-DECADE HIGH OF 5.33-PERCENT, WHICH IS WHERE THEY'VE BEEN SINCE LAST JULY.

AS WE MENTIONED, THE ARIZONA SENATE TODAY VOTED TO UNDO A NEAR-TOTAL BAN ON ABORTION THAT DATES BACK TO 1864, BUT WAS REVIVED BY THE STATE SUPREME COURT, AFTER THE US SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE-V-WADE.

GOVERNOR KATIE HOBBS IS EXPECTED TO IMMEDIATELY SIGN THE REPEAL-BILL.

WHAT ARE THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE REPEALING THIS ABORTION BAN?

FOR THAT, WE ASK LONGTIME POLITICAL CONSULTANT CHUCK COUGHLIN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HIGHGROUND.

S GOOD TO SEE YOU, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THOUGHTS WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CAP.

>> FIRST OFF, THE GOVERNOR WON'T BE SIGNING THE BILL FOR ANOTHER TWO WEEKS.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

>> IT'S A FUNNY THING, YOU KNOW.

THE LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE, BUT WHILE SENATE WAS ON THE FLOOR, BEFORE THEY HAD CONCLUDED THE HOUSE ADJOURNED, FOR TWO WEEKS.

SO THE BILL HAS TO GO BACK TO THE HOUSE TO BE TRANSFERRED UP TO THE GOVERNOR.

>> BEFORE WE GO ON, THE BILL QUANTITY ABLE TO TAKE EFFECT UNTIL 90 DAYS AFTER THE LEGISLATURE SETTINGS.

THEY CAN DRAG THIS OUT, CAN THEY NOT.

>> YEAH.

THERE'S A LOT OF THEATER GOING ON IN A LOT OF PLACES.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WENT TO THE SUPREME COURT YESTERDAY AND ASKED FOR MINT THAT DAY EXTENSION.

YOU HAVE TO READ IT ACROSS THE HOUSE FLOOR.

IT HAS TO BE READ ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, AND THEN IT'S TRANSMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR.

I PRESUME THAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 15th.

SHE WILL THEN SIGN IT, BUT THE BIG QUESTION THERE IS ANY BILL DOES NOT BECOME LAW UNLESS IT HAS AN EMERGENCY CLAUSE ON IT, UNTIL 90 DAYS AFTER LEGISLATURE ADJOURNS.

QUESTION MARK.

>> EXACTLY.

I WANT TO GET TO THE TIMING OF THIS IN A SECOND HERE BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT SENATORS TJ BULLOCK AND SHONDRA SIGNING WITH DEMOCRATS.

WAS THERE MUCH PROCEDURAL BUSINESS INVOLVED.

>> THEY TRIED.

SENATOR HOFFMANN WAS CHALLENGING THE CHAIR, CHALLENGING THE PRESIDENT ON SOME OF THE RULES ON THE FLOOR.

HE'S WRONG.

HE WAS TOLD HE WAS WRONG.

HE TRIED TO INTRODUCE ANOTHER MOTION TO HE COW THE BILL.

IT'S THE THIRD AND FINAL READ ON THE BILL.

YOU DON'T THAT.

THAT'S OUT OF MOTION.

SO THEY HAD QUITE A BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN PETERSON AND HOFFMAN TODAY.

>> AND THIS WAS SWAPPED OUT FOR THE HOUSE BILL, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

>> OKAY.

THE HOUSE HAD SIMILAR DRAMA HERE LAST WEEK AND THERE WE GO.

OKAY.

ANTHONY KEARN, SENATOR KEARN, THIS IS THE PIT ME OF DELUSION SAYING I'M PRO-LIFE YET VOTING FOR AN ABORTION BAN, AND YET TWO REPUBLICANS DID IT.

WHY DID THEY DO IT?

>> WELL, I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO PERSONAL AND POLITICAL REASONS, I THINK.

YOU HAVE TO ASK THEM AT SOME POINT.

MY OBSERVATIONS IS AN AVIDLY PRO-LIFE REPUBLICAN FELT THE EXCEPTIONS HERE AS SHE SAID ON THE FLOOR SPEECH TODAY, COULD A DNC PROCEDURE BE RULED NOT LEGAL UNDER THE TERRITORIAL BAN.

SHE BROUGHT THAT UP.

SHE QUITE COURAGEOUSLY ADMITTED SHE HAD ONE.

SHE'S A VERY PRIVATE PERSON AND THAT WAS A REALLY STARTLING THING TO HEAR HER SAY.

BUT SHE SAID I WAS NOT CONFIDENT.

WOULD NOT BE CONFIDENT WITH THIS TERRITORIAL BAN.

MR.

SHAPE, I THINK A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

HE'S IN A MUCH MORE SAFE REPUBLICAN DISTRICT, THERE MAY BE SOME POLITICAL INCLINATIONS THERE WITH BOLLIC, SHE'S IN DISTRICT 2 WHICH HAS GOT DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE.

RIGHT NOW SHE HAS A VERY COMPETITIVE SENATE RACE THIS TIME, SO SHE MAY BE TRYING TO TAKE THAT ISSUE OFF THE TABLE.

MR. SCHAUPP IS FROM CANAL COUNTY.

HE WAS PART OF THE RESTORATION VOTE BACK IN THE DAY WHEN HE WAS IN THE HOUSE WHERE MR. DIGGS WAS RULED ON THAT, AND SO, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT CLEAR.

I THINK IT WAS MY IMPRESSION -- I THINK IT WAS UNDER SOME DOMESTIC PRESSURE.

>> INTERESTING.

>> YOU HE NEVER KNOW WHERE THE PRESSURE WILL COME FROM.

>> YOU NEVER KNOW.

>> OKAY.

THAT SAID NOW, RAMIFICATIONS FOR THESE TWO SENATORS.

WHAT KIND OF PENALTY WILL THEY FACE?

>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION.

MR. SCHOUPP IS THE SPEAKER PRO TEM.

WE'LL SEE IF THEY REMOVE HIM FROM THAT SEAT, FOR BREAKING REPUBLICAN PROTOCOL, THAT WOULD BE THE FIRST AND FOREMOST THING.

BOLL SICK THE HEAD OF THE COMMITTEE.

WE'LL SEE IF THERE'S RAMIFICATIONS THERE.

AND POLITICALLY SPEAKING, YOU KNOW, YOU TRY TO FIGURE OUT -- THIS IS A NO-WIN SITUATION FOR REPUBLICANS.

IT REALLY IS A NO-WIN SITUATION.

I MEAN, MY ADVICE TO REPUBLICANS, ANY CANDIDATE, HAS BEEN TO SAY OVER MY CAREER, THE ONE ISSUE YOU DON'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON GETTING HIT BY TRAFFIC GOING BOTH WAYS IS THIS ISSUE.

>> YES.

>> YOU WANT TO BE DECLARED IF YOU WANT TO SAY WHAT ARE YOU AND BE DONE WITH IT.

AND THAT'S VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FOR SOME OF THESE -- THE TWO SENATORS TODAY.

>> AS FAR AS THE TIME SOMETHING CONCERNED, AGAIN, 90 DAYS AFTER THE END OF THIS SESSION.

BUT YOU GOT THE 45 DAYS AFTER THE SUPREME COURT MAKES ITS FILE MANDATE.

THAT HASN'T BEEN MADE YET.

SO YOU'VE GOT A 45 THING THERE, A FLOATING 90 DAY AS FAR AS THE LEGISLATURE IS CONCERNED, AND NOW ATTORNEY GENERAL CHRIS MACE AS YOU MENTIONED WANTS THE COURT TO, WHAT, HOLD OFF ON THE FINAL MANDATE UNTIL SEPTEMBER?

>> I THINK THE ARGUMENT THAT SHE'S CONSIDERING OTHER APPEALS.

>> TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

>> POTENTIALLY.

>> OKAY.

>> ON THE UNDERLYING CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE ORIGINAL TERRITORIAL BAN OR SOME ASPECTS OF THAT.

SO SHE ASKED THE COURT FOR SOME LEEWAY TO GIVE -- UNTIL IT GOES INTO EFFECT.

GIVE ME TIME TO SEE IF I CAN DO THAT.

SO SHE FILED THAT YESTERDAY.

SO I THINK THE COURT WOULD BE INCLINED TO PROVIDE HER THAT.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S -- GIVEN ALL OF THESE OTHER NATIONALIZATIONS GOING ON, IN THE WAY I READ THEIR RULING, THEY WERE LOOKING FOR EXITS ON ALL OF THIS, AND SO I THINK THERE'S REASONABLE SUSPICION THAT THE COURT WOULD GRANT THAT REQUEST.

>> LOOKING FOR EXITS BUT NOT TO RECONSIDER.

>> NO.

THE SLAW FAIRLY CLEAR ON THAT.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CRITICISM OF THE COURT ON THAT, BUT THE UNDERLYING LAW, WHICH WAS NOT REPEALED WHEN THAT -- WHEN DUCEY SIGNED THAT OTHER ABORTION, THE 24-WEEK ABORTION AND THE UNDERLYING LAW, THEY NEVER REPEALED THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE.

THAT WAS A KEY COMPONENT.

CATHY HARROD AND THE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT IN ARIZONA REQUIRED THAT TO STAY IN THE LAW.

ON THE ANTICIPATION THAT ROE WOULD BE OVERTURNED AND THEY WOULD HAVE HAVE THAT LAW REINSTATED ON THE BOOKS.

>> AND LAST QUESTION HERE, AS FAR AS AN IMPACT ON THE ELECTION IN NOVEMBER, IS IT TOO SOON TO TELL?

I MEAN, THESE DATES, THESE FLOATING DATES, WILL THEY HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON WHAT HAPPENS IN NOVEMBER?

>> I THINK IT IS REGARDLESS, TED.

I THINK THIS IS SUCH AN ISSUE WITH SUCH A BIG PORTION OF THE ELECTORATE THAT THE WILL WOULD BE IF YOU WANT A WOMAN'S RIGHT PROTECTED, YOU WANT IT IN THE CONSTITUTION.

IT'S UNASSAILABLE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A TURN-OUT MECHANISM FOR THEM, AND FOR THE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT, YOU WANT THIS DEFEATED.

SO IT IS A ISSUE THAT WILL DEFINE A LOT OF THE POLITICS IN ARIZONA THIS FALL.

>> GOT 15 SECONDS LEFT HERE, IS IT GOING TO BE MORE OF AN ISSUE IN NOVEMBER THAN IMMIGRATION?

>> I THINK AS A TURN-OUT ISSUE, YES.

I THINK AS A TURN-OUT ISSUE, IT WILL BE.

>> ALL RIGHT, CHUCK COUGHLIN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AS ALWAYS.

>>> GRASS ROOTS MOVEMENT SPARKED BY A COLLEGE BASKETBALL COACH LED TO A MANDATED DAY OFF FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES, GIVING THEM A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.

FOR MORE ON THIS, WE WELCOME CAMILLE COLLIER, ASU'S ASSISTANT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH AND PRESLIE ANDERSON, ASU'S ASSISTANT WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL COACH.

GOOD HAVE YOU BOTH HERE, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

CAME MEET, LET'S START WITH YOU, WHAT IS ALL VOTE, NO DISPLAY.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENT ATHLETES, COACHES, AND EVERYBODY ON OUR ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE IN OUR COUNTRY.

I THINK CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS REALLY REALLY IMPORTANT FOR EVERYBODY SO THAT THEY CAN HEAR THAT THEIR VOICE IS HEARD.

IT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US AS COACHES TO BE ABLE TO EMPOWER OUR STUDENT ATHLETES IN SAYING HEY, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT IN OUR COUNTRY, AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> AND PRESSLIE, THE IDEA IS THERE ARE NO PRACTICES, NO GAMES, NOTHING GOES ON ON ELECTION DAY?

>> ESSENTIALLY BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MANDATE SO MUCH TIME AND BLOCK OUT SO MUCH OF THEIR SCHEDULE, WE -- THIS DAY IT'S OFF LIMITS.

WE CAN'T ASK THEM TO DO ANYTHING.

AND SO THAT WAY THERE'S NO REASON QUESTION DON'T WANT THERE TO BE AN EXCUSE AS TO WHY THE NEXT GENERATION CANNOT GO OUT THERE AND VOTE.

>> SO EVEN IF THEY WANT TO GO OUT AND SHOOT A COUPLE OF HOOPS, DON'T IT?

>> CAN'T DO IT.

>> LIKE YOU MENTIONED, IT STARTED BECAUSE THE COACH WAS HEY WE HAVE TO GIVE OUR STUDENT ATHLETES AN OPPORTUNITY TO ABLE TO ENGAGE IN THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE AND I THINK IT'S ABOUT EDUCATION AND EMPOWERING THEM.

THEY'RE ABLE TO DO SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS AND WE TAKE UP ALL OF THEIR TIME BUT BEING A STUDENT ATHLETE FIRST IS ABOUT GOING A STUDENT AND THAT'S BEING ABLE TO ENGAGE IN ALL OF THE CIVIC THINGS YOU CAN DO IN OUR COUNTRY.

THIS IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT SO WE'RE GLAD THEY WERE ABLE TO DO THAT FOR US.

>> AND IT STARTED WITH A GEORGIA TECH COACH?

>> YEAH GEORGIA TECH.

>> HE SAID LET'S DO THIS, AND IT JUST GREW.

>> YEAH.

I THINK IDENTIFYING PROBABLY THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH THAT WE'RE EVEN KEEPING -- MAYBE WE ARE THE BARRIER FROM KEEPING STUDENT ATHLETES FROM GETTING THROUGHOUT.

>> AND I SEE 1100 COACHES HAVE DECIDED TO DO THE SAME THING.

AT ASU, ALL ATHLETICS AT ASU OR SOME ATHLETICS.

>> NO, ALL ATHLETICS.

IT'S ACROSS ALL OF OUR SPORTS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENT ATHLETES ARE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> I SEE SOMETHING HERE ALL ENCAMPUS DEMOCRACY CHALLENGE.

WHO WANTS TO TAKE THAT ONE ON?

>> I CAN TAKE IT ON.

>> ALL RIGHT, GO AHEAD.

>> IT'S SOMETHING, AGAIN, WHERE WE WANT OUR CAMPUS TO BE ABILITY TO ENGAGE IN THEIR RIGHTS.

SO BEING INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY, BEING ABLE TO EDUCATE EACH OTHER, THIS IS A CHANCE IN THIS COUNTRY WHERE YOU CAN HAVE FREE SPEECH, AND SO FOR US TO HAVE A PLATFORM AND A FORUM WHERE EVERYBODY IS ABLE TO DO THAT FREELY.

>> I SEE.

BUT I SEE CHALLENGE HERE.

IT SUGGEST SOME SORT OF COMPETITION.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> COMPETITION TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR -- ALL OF OUR STUDENTS REGISTER TO VOTE.

THAT'S A BIG THING TOO.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT HAVING THE RIGHT TO VOTE BUT HAVE THE RIGHT TO REGISTER TO -- BUT REGISTER TO VOTE.

>> SO YOU'VE GOT BIG 10 AGAINST THE BIG 12, HOW IS THAT CHANGING.

>> I KNOW.

THERE'S A LOT OF MOVEMENT THERE.

BUT HOPEFULLY THE MESSAGE REMAINS THE SAME ACROSS ALL CONFERENCES BECAUSE I THINK IS IMPORTANT.

OBVIOUSLY AT ASU, IT'S IMPORTANT TO US.

BUT ESSENTIALLY THIS IS -- WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THIS IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE IT REALLY IN THE POWER OF THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE SCHOOL.

>> AND INCLUDES A COACH'S PLEDGE, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES.

>> YOU GUYS PLEDGE THIS THING?

>> YEAH.

>> YOU OKAY WITH THE PLEDGE?

>> YEAH.

>> OKAY.

AND EMPHASIZE THEY'RE NON-PARTISAN.

>> CORRECT.

BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS DIFFERENT BELIEFS AND DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS.

AND OUR JOB AS COACHES ISN'T TO TELL OUR PLAYERS WHAT TO BELIEVE BUT TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THEIR OWN RESEARCH, EDUCATE THEMSELVES ABOUT WHAT ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT FOR THEM AND SO NOW THAT THEY CAN VOTE ON WHICHEVER WAY THAT THEY KIEL FEEL.

BUT IT'S OUR JOBED TO SKATE AND WE'RE GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY DO THAT, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WHAT MAKES THIS PLATFORM SO SPECIAL.

>> AND TO WIN THE CHALLENGE.

AS FAR AS OTHER IDEAS FOR PUSHING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, WHAT IS HAPPENING ALONG THOSE LINES?

>> I THINK A BIG THING FOR US THAT WE TALK ABOUT, ESPECIALLY DEPARTMENT WIDE, IS THE COMMUNITY SERVICE ASPECT.

LIKE YOU HAVE TO GET ENGAGED WITH THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU AND GET -- SO THAT WE HAVE A GOOD FEEL.

ARIZONA STATE A REALLY BIG SCHOOL, STUDENT POPULATION WISE, BUT THE ATHLETICS ACCIDENT SO SMALL, SO WE AS AN ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT KIND OF GET OUR HAND IN EVERY AREA OF ARIZONA IN THE VALLEY.

WE'RE GONNA GET TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY AROUND US, AND WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT?

WHAT ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN HELP.

>> AND AS FAR AS THE ATHLETES ARE CONCERNED, DO THEY GET THIS, DO THEY APPRECIATE IT, DO THEY UNDERSTAND IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR COUNTRY.

WE MAKE A BIG EMPHASIS AND BRING OUR TEAMS TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT THOSE THINGS BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES AFFECTING THE STUDENT ATHLETES.

NOT JUST THEM PERSONALLY BUT THEIR PARENTS.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE EDUCATED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND HOW IT'S GOING TO IMPACT THEM.

>> AND LAST POINT, JUDGING FROM THE CAMPUS PROTESTS WE'RE SEEING, A LOT OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT GOING ON THESE DAYS.

>> YEP.

THAT IS ACTUALLY BEING ENGAGED TODAY.

>> YEAH.

SO IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE'S KIND OF GETTING A LITTLE BIT MORE INVOLVED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE BOTH VERY MUCH INVOLVED, BASKETBALL TEAM, VOLLEY BOUGHT TEAM, GOOD HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

CHANGE HANDS BOOKSTORE IS A VALUED INSTITUTION.

HAVING OPENED ITS DOORS 50 YEARS AGO AT A LITTLE STOREFRONT ALONG 5TH STREET IN TEMPE.

FROM THERE CHANGING HANDS GREW TO BECOME ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES IN THE COUNTRY.

JOINING US NOW IS GAYLE SHANKS CO-FOUNDER OF CHANGING HANDS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> IT'S REALLY NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN TOO, TED.

>> WHEN I WAS A COLLEGE AT ASU I SPENT SO MUCH TIME DOWNSTAIRS IN THE YOUTH SECTION.

IT MIGHT AS WELL BEEN MY OFFICE DOWN THERE.

I LOVED IT DOWN THERE.

>> I KNOW.

AND YOU'RE IN SUCH GOOD COMPANY BECAUSE WHEN WE WERE HAVING OUR 50th CELEBRATION, WE HAD ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WHO CAME IN AND SAID, YOU KNOW, I LIVED IN YOUR BASEMENT OR -- YOU KNOW, YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN THIS BUT I WOULD SPEND HOURS DOWN THERE, AND IT JUST MADE ME SO HAPPY.

>> DOES IT FEEL LIKE 50 YEARS?

>> NO.

IT DOES NOT FEEL LIKE 50 YEARS.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO EVEN BELIEVE THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN THAT LONG.

BUT WHEN I SEE THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION OF, YOU KNOW, OUR CUSTOMERS, KIDS WHOSE PARENTS WERE LIKE IN THEIR MOTHER'S WOMB, WHEN THEY -- YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY WERE COMING IN, IT'S JUST -- YOU KNOW, IT REALLY -- THEN IT MAKES ME THINK, OH, YEAH, I GUESS IT COULD BE THAT MANY DECADES.

>> WHEN YOU DRIVE BY FIFTH STREET, ESPECIALLY DOWN MILL AVENUE NEXT TO THE COOKIES FROM HOME STORE, IT ALWAYS SMELLS SO GOOD.

AND WHEN YOU DRIVE BY THESE AREAS, THEY'VE CHANGED SO MUCH.

BUT HAVE THEY CHANGED FOR YOU?

>> WELL, I DON'T LIKE TO GO DOWN THERE ANYMORE BECAUSE IT JUST DOESN'T HAVE, YOU KNOW THAT COMMUNITY THAT WE TRIED SO HARD AND DID IN FACT BUILD, AND IT'S ALL GONE AGAIN.

SO IT'S KIND OF REVERTED TO WHAT IT WAS WHEN WE FIRST HAD THIS IDEA OF OPENING UP A STORE IN 1974.

>> WHAT WAS THAT IDEA?

>> IT WAS JUST TO HAVE A COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACE IN AN AREA THAT HAD SOME HISTORICAL BUILDINGS, THAT HAD SOME AMBIANCE.

WE WANTED A STORE THAT PEOPLE WOULD COME IN TO AND RELAX IN AND THINK ABOUT THE WORLD AND FIND GREAT BOOKS FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO BUILD, AND I THINK WE DID BUILD IT.

>> YOU DID.

WE'VE GOT A BUNCH OF PHOTOS OF YOU GUYS BACK IN THE DAY.

AND THERE'S THAT FIFTH STREET THING.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T EVEN REMEMBER, BUT THAT WAS THERE.

THE BIG ONE WAS OF COURSE ALONG THE AVENUE.

BRINGS BACK SO MANY MEMORIES HERE.

>> ME TOO.

>> WHEN DID YOU KNOW THAT THIS WAS GONNA WORK?

AND NOT JUST WORK, BUT WORK IN A BIG WAY?

>> WELL, WE ALWAYS DREAMED THAT IT WOULD WORK, AND WE GREW THE STORE ORGANICALLY.

YOU KNOW, WE EXPANDED EVEN WHEN WE MOVED FROM FIFTH STREET TO MILL AVENUE, WE WERE IN JUST 1700 SQUARE-FOOT SPACE, WE KNOCKED OUT THE WALL TO THE NORTH OF US AND THEN WE KNOCKED OUT THE WALL TO THE SOUTH OF US, WHICH IS WHEN YOU GOT YOUR BASEMENT THAT YOU COULD HANG OUT IN.

>> YES.

>> AND IT EXPANDED TO 5,000 SQUARE FEET, AND WE THOUGHT, OH, THIS IS IT, YOU KNOW.

WE'VE -- IT'S THE RIGHT SIZE.

IT'S BIG ENOUGH, BUT NOT TOO BIG.

AND THEN THE CHANGE STORE STARTED ROLLING INTO THE VALLEY, AND THEN WE SAID OH THIS IS A TINY STORE IMPAIR COMPARED TO A BARNES & NOBLE OR BORDERS, SO WE REALIZED IT WAS VERY DIFFERENT, VERY UNIQUE.

WE ALREADY WERE BUT KNEW THAT HAD TO BE EVEN A BIGGER DEAL FOR US.

>> AND I WAS GONNA SAY IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THINGS LIKE CARDS AND TRINKETS AND TOYS FOR KIDS, THESE SORTS OF THINGS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE LATEST LOCATION.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN THERE?

>> SINCE 1990.

>> OH MY GOODNESS.

SEEMS LIKE THAT STORE PUT MUCH MORE OF AN EMPHASIS ON THOSE SORTS OF THINGS THAN IT DID ON MILL AVENUE.

>> TRUTHFULLY WE COULD MAKE MORE PROFIT ON GIFTS THAN WE COULD MAKE ON BOOKS.

AND IT'S AN ISSUE THAT WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING WITH THE BOOK INDUSTRY.

THE PUBLISHING WORLD FOR, YOU KNOW, CLOSE 50 YEARS.

NOW, IT'S JUST NOT POSSIBLE TO JUST A BOOKSTORE ANY LONGER WITH JUST BOOKS.

AND SO WHEN WE ADDED THE GIFTS, IT ADD NOT ONLY MORE PROFITABLE SPACE FOR US, BUT IT ALSO ADDED TO THAT SENSE OF PLACE AND AMBIANCE AND ONE-STOP SHOPPING, AND THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY NEEDED PEOPLE UNDERSTAND, WAS THEY COULD COME TO THE STORE AND EVEN IF THEY WEREN'T A BIG READER, COULD YOU BUY A GIFT FOR YOUR MOTHER FOR MOTHER'S DAY.

COULD YOU BUY, YOU KNOW, A PRESENT FOR THE BIRTHDAY PARTY ON YOUR WAY, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE TAKING YOUR KIDS ON A SATURDAY MORNING.

COULD YOU STOP IN, GET IT WRAPPED AND RUN OUT THE DOOR.

AND THAT REALLY BECAME PART OF THAT EXPERIENCE.

>> AND THEN YOU ADDED WITH THE PHOENIX LOCATION NOW, YOU'VE GOT A NICE LITTLE AREA THERE FOR EAT AND DRINK AND 60 AROUND AND DOING WHATEVER YOU WANT.

YOU EXPANDED IN THAT DIRECTION AS WELL.

>> WE DID.

WE -- YOU KNOW, WE WANTED IT TO BE EVEN MORE FUN, AND AN EVEN BIGGER EXPERIENCE.

SO WE ADDED THE BAR.

AND THE BAR STARTS IN THE MORNING WITH SERVING COFFEE, AND IT EVOLVES INTO LUNCHTIME WHEN SOMEONE MIGHT COME IN AND HAVE A SNACK AND A BEER.

AND THEN IN THE EVENING, WE HAVE HAPPY HOUR, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN HAVE A GLASS OF WINE WHILE YOU WANDER AROUND AND LOOK AT BOOKS ON THE SHELF.

>> WOW.

>> SO IT WAS JUST THIS IDEA OF TRYING OUT NEW THINGS AND GIVING, AGAIN, OUR CUSTOMERS AN EVEN BIGGER EXPERIENCE.

>> IS THAT WHY CHANGING HANDS HAS SUCCEEDED WHEN SO MANY INDEPENDENT BOOK STORES HAVE JUST GONE UNDER?

>> YOU KNOW, TED, I THINK THAT CHANGE HANDS HAS SUCCEEDED FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

ONE IS THAT WE HAVE A PASSIONATE STAFF OF BOOK SELLERS.

WHO LOVE BOOKS, READ BOOKS, LOVE TO RECOMMEND BOOKS, CAN'T WAIT TO TALK ABOUT THEM WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH OUR CUSTOMERS.

THEN WHAT WE DO IS WE PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH THIS EXPERIENCE THAT I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, THAT YOU CAN'T GET WHEN YOU GO ONLINE AND YOU CLICK TO BUY A BOOK.

THAT IS NOT THE EXPERIENCE HAVE YOU WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE STORE.

THE EXPERIENCE HAVE YOU IS THAT IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL, IT SMELLS BEAUTIFUL.

YOU KNOW, IT SOUNDS BEAUTIFUL.

THERE'S PEOPLE CHATTING.

YOU GET TO MEET AN AUTHOR.

YOU GET TO MEET, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO HAVE WRITTEN THE BOOKS THAT YOU LOVE, AND IT BECOMES LIKE AN ENTIRE EXPERIENCE, ONE THAT WE HOPE PEOPLE WANT TO COME BACK FOR AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

AND THEY DO.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN SO LOYAL.

IT'S BEEN UNBELIEVABLE HOW LOYAL OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN FOR THESE 50 YEARS.

>> WELL, YOU WERE A SPECIAL PART OF TEMPE IN THE EAST VALLEY, AND THEN THE VALLEY IN GENERAL.

YOU WERE A VERY SPECIAL PART.

THAT SAID, LAST QUESTION, GOT ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT HERE.

WHAT'S YOUR FONDEST MEMORY OF THE PAST 50 YEARS?

>> OH, GOSH.

THERE ARE SO MANY MEMORIES FROM THAT STORE, YOU KNOW, WITH AUTHORS, WITH CUSTOMERS, WITH OUR OLD EMPLOYEES COMING BACK WITH THEIR KIDS, YOU KNOW, THEY WANTED TO BRING THEM IN AND SAY THIS IS WHERE MOMMY WORKED.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE ISN'T REALLY ONE EXPERIENCE.

I THINK THE CONTINUOUS EXPERIENCE FOR ME IS SEEING CHILDREN RUNNING INTO THE KIDS SECTION, RUNNING.

AND DEMANDING THAT THEIR PARENT READ THEM A BOOK.

AND AS LONG AS THAT KEEPS HAPPENING, I THINK OUR SOCIETY IS GOING TO KEEP BEING THE KIND OF PLACE THAT WE WANT TO LIVE IN.

>> WELL, CONTINUED SUCCESS.

CONGRATULATIONS ON 50 YEARS.

MY GOODNESS, AND KEEP IT GOING, WILL YA?

>> I PROMISE I WILL.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU TOO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

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

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.