COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON: WE'LL TALK ABOUT PRESIDENT-ELEC DONALD TRUMP'S PICK TO HEAD UP THE FBI, KASH PATEL.

ALSO AHEAD, ASU'S EDSON COLLEGE OF NURSING RECEIVES A HUGE GRAN TO STUDY THE ISSUE OF AGING.

AND THE BLACK THEATRE TROUPE IS RINGING IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT WITH ITS ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF "BLACK NATIVITY."

THOSE STORIES AND MORE, COMING UP ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M CHRISTINA ESTES, IN TODAY FOR TED SIMONS.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, DESPITE SAYING HE WOULD NOT DO IT, PARDONED HIS SON HUNTER BIDEN HUNTER BIDEN WAS AWAITING SENTENCING ON TWO CRIMINAL CASE ONE INVOLVING TAX EVASION AND THE OTHER FOR NOT REPORTING DRU USE WHEN HE BOUGHT A GUN.

HIS FATHER'S PARDON MEANS HE WILL NOT SUFFER PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE CRIMES.

REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING THAT PROVES WEAPONIZATION OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND SOME DEMOCRATS ARE WORRIED THAT THE PARDON WILL BE USED AGAINST THEM.

INCLUDING ARIZONA DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN GREG STANTON.

.

>> I THINK HE HAD IT RIGHT BEFORE YESTERDAY WHEN THE PRESIDENT INDICATED THAT HE WAS NOT GOING TO PARDON HIS SON AND TRUSTED THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, EVEN IN THE CASE -- ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE INVOLVING HIS SON.

I FELT THAT HUNTER BIDEN HAD BEEN CONVICTED BY A JURY OF HIS PEERS, HE PLED GUILTY HIMSELF.

IT WAS DONE BY A SPECIAL COUNSEL.

THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT IT WAS A POLITICIZED CASE.

I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT THE CASE AGAINST DONALD TRUMP, BY THE WAY, THAT IT WAS NOT DONE WITH POLITICS BUT DONE BY PROFESSIONAL PROSECUTORS, BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND SO I FELT THE PRESIDENT HAD IT RIGHT BEFORE YESTERDAY AND YESTERDAY GOT IT WRONG.

ALSO MAKING NEWS TODAY, PRESIDENT- ELECT TRUMP'S CONTROVERSIAL PICK TO HEAD THE FBI.

KASH PATEL IS A TRUMP LOYALIST, WHO HAS VOWED TO DISMANTLE THE AGENCY.

>> WE'LL DISCUSS PATEL AND THE BIDEN PARDON FOLLOWING OUR HEADLINES.

THIS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY SAW RECORD-BREAKING AIR TRAVEL.

THE TSA SAYS IT SCREENED NEARLY 3.1 MILLION TRAVELERS ON SUNDAY BREAKING THE PREVIOUS RECORD BY ABOUT 74,000.

THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS SET AFTER THE JULY FOURTH HOLIDAY THIS YEAR.

OCCUPANT FIRST GUEST JOINS US TO DISCUSS PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP'S ANNOUNCEMENT TO GET THE LATEST ON ALL THIS, WE WELCOME FORMER ASSISTANT U.S ATTORNEY ROY HERRERA, WITH HERERRA ARELLANO, LLP.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED?

WHY DID PRESIDENT BIDEN CHANGE HIS MIND?

>> HE SAID IN A STATEMENT HE EXPRESSED AN UNDERSTANDABLE, VERY REAL EMOTION AS A FATHER IN TRYING TO PROTECT HIS SON.

SO I THINK THE EASIEST EXPLANATION IS THAT HE, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY WAS LOOKING TOWARD A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WITH A NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SAID THAT HE WANTED TO PROTECT HIS SON.

HE ALSO SAID IN HIS STATEMENT, OF COURSE, THAT HE FELT THAT HIS SON WAWNS FAIRLY PROSECUTED TO BEGIN WITH AND THAT HIS SON WAS ONLY PROSECUTED BECAUSE HE HAPPENED TO BE HIS SON.

SO I THINK THAT IS PROBABLY THE EASIEST ANSWER.

THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE IT RIGHT.

I AGREE WITH A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT CONGRESSMAN STANTON JUST SAID ABOUT THE APPEARANCE OF THIS ON WHETHER THIS WAS FAIR, AND OF COURSE IT GOES -- HE'S GOING AGAINST WHAT HE SAID DURING THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, IN THAT HE WOULDN'T ACTUALLY PARDON HIS SON.

AND SO SOMETHING CLEARLY CHANGED.

>> WILL THIS BE A STING ON HIS LEGACY, OR WILL PEOPLE SOMETIMES SOFTEN THEIR STANCE AS TIME GOES BY OR THEY START TO LOOK AT MAYBE PAST PRESIDENTS, THE ACTIONS OF OTHER PRESIDENTS.

>> I THINK THAT'S ULTIMATELY THOUSAND WILL BE LOOKED AT.

IF YOU LOOK AT HISTORY, EVEN THE PRIOR PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT TRUMP, HE STORILY PARDONED CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS INCLUDING HIS SON-IN-LAW'S FATHER.

IF YOU LOOK FURTHER TO PARTLY CLOUDY -- PRESIDENT CLINTON, HE ALSO PARDON FATHER-IN-LAW ET CETERA.

WE HAVE SEEN THE PRESIDENT MISUSE THE PARDON POWER.

AT LEAST IN MY VIEW.

I THINK THIS IS ALSO A SIMILAR EXAMPLE TO THAT.

BUT THELY I THINK PEOPLE WILL FORGET ABOUT THAT IN SOME WAYS AND THINK ABOUT THE OVERALL FOUR YEARS WHEN IT COMES TO JUDGING HIS LEGACY.

>> WELL, THERE'S A LOT OF NEWS FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT QUICKLY, LET'S MOVE ON TO KASH PATEL, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PICK TO LEAD THE FBI.

CONTROVERSIAL HAS BEEN A WORD THAT'S OFTEN USED TO DESCRIBE HIM.

WHAT YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT HIM AND WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR HIM?

>> CERTAINLY A CONTROVERSIAL PICK.

I THINK IT'S CONTROVERSIAL FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS.

ONE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS REGISTRATION MAKE OPPONENTS I THINK WOULD SORT POINT OUT THAT IT'S A VERY THIN RESUMÉ WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT HE'S DONE IN HIS CAREER.

HE'S A PRETTY UNDISTINGUISHED PUBLIC DEFENDER AND PROSECUTOR.

MOST OF HIS CAREER HAS BEEN WORKING FOR REPUBLICAN ELECTED OFFICIALS, INCLUDING PRESIDENT TRUMP, HE WAS PART OF THE FIRST ADMINISTRATION.

AND THE MOST DISTINGUISHED THING ABOUT HIM IS HE IS A LOYALIST.

HE HAS GONE ON TV AND HAS A CHILDREN'S BOOK IN WHICH DONALD TRUMP IS THE HERO THAT BOOK.

SO IT MAKES SENSE THAT TRUMP PICKED HIMMING KIND OF GOES ALONG WITH WHAT HE'S DONE WITH SOME OF THE OTHER PICKS SO FAR.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS IT'S STORY.

THE OTHER REASON IS BECAUSE THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT HE MAY DO AS THE FBI DIRECTOR.

HE HAS INDICATED THAT HE BELIEVES IN THIS DEEP STATE CONSPIRACY.

HE'S INDICATED THAT POTENTIALLY POLITICAL OPPONENTS AT THE FBI NEED TO BE FIRED, SORT OF IN THE NAME OF FBI REFORM.

AND HE'S ALSO INDICATED THAT THE FBI COULD BE USED TO GO AFTER POLITICAL OPPONENTS WHETHER THEY BE IN GOVERNMENT, WHETHER THEY BE MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA OR WHETHER THEY BE DEMOCRATIC ELECTED OFFICIALS.

ALL OF THAT I THINK HAS PEOPLE VERY, VERY WORRIED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO DO IF HE BECOMES THE FBI DIRECTOR.

>> SO WE WERE TALKING A LITTLE BIT BEFORE THE SHOW STARTED ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AND SORT OF HOW YOU FELT THAT MOST OF YOUR COLLEAGUES, YOUR DIRECT COLLEAGUES WERE NOT POLITICAL IN THEIR JOBS.

THEY WERE VERY MUCH THERE TO DO THEIR JOB AND NOT TO FAVOR ANYBODY IN PARTICULAR.

SO HOW DOES HAVING A DIRECTOR, SOMEBODY LEADING AN AGENCY WHO HAS BEEN VERY VOCAL IN TERMS OF, I GUESS.

IDENTIFYING AS A LOYALIST, HOW DID THAT POTENTIALLY CHANGE THINGS?

>> IT'S CONCERNING BECAUSE IN MY EXPERIENCE, I HAVE WORKED WITH WHAT YOU WOULD CALL CAREER CIVIL SERVANTS, INDIVIDUALS THAT WORK IN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OR AT FBI OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, SOMETIMES DECADES, SO WORKING UNDER MULTIPLE PRESIDENTS OF BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES.

THEY GENERALLY DON'T HAVE A POLITICAL BIAS, AT LEAST THAT THEY EXPRESS IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY.

AND SO HAVING SOMEONE AT THE TOP THAT'S GOING TO TRY TO WADE THROUGH THAT AND POTENTIALLY GET RID OF PEOPLE THAT THEY DON'T BELIEVE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO HELP THE PRESIDENT IS A CONCERN.

AND THAT'S PRECISELY -- I MEAN, IF YOU'RE GOING BACK TO THE PATEL EXAMPLE, THAT'S PRECISELY WHY UNDER FEDERAL LAW WE HAVE THE RULE THAT FBI DIRECT REMEMBERS SUPPOSED TO SERVE FOR 10 YEARS, BECAUSE, AGAIN, THE IDEA IS IF THE FBI DIRECTOR SERVES FOR 10 YEARS THEY'LL SERVE UNDER MULTIPLE PRESIDENTS AND PERHAPS OF DIFFERENT PARTIES, AND THEREFORE THEY'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO BE BIASED TOWARDS ANY PARTICULAR PRESIDENT OR POLITICAL PARTY.

SAME IDEA WITH CIVIL SERVE VAULTS.

THAT'S SORT OF HOW ARE WE OPERATED FOR MANY DECADES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

THE CONCERN IS APPOINTEES FROM TRUMP, WHETHER IT BE PATEL OR NOMINEE FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL COME IN AND SAY ALL OF THESE PEOPLE NEED GO AND BE REPLACED WITH PEOPLE THAT WE FIND SUFFICIENTLY LOYAL.

>> AND I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE CURRENT FBI DIRECTOR WAS APPOINTED BY TRUMP I THINK IT WAS 2017.

SO HE DID SERVE UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

BUT WHAT DO YOU EXPECT WILL HAPPEN WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR CONGRESS TO CONSIDER PA SCHNELL.

>> WELL, IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

HE'S PROBABLY GOING TO START INTERVIEWING WITH THE VARIOUS SENATORS.

HE'LL MEET WITH OUR TWO DEMOCRATIC SENATORS HERE IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA.

HE'LL BE QUESTIONED IN A COMMITTEE WHERE HE'S HAVE TO ANSWER SOME OF HIS QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS PERMANENT VIEWS AND AGAIN MORE IMPORTANTLY WHAT HE WANTS TO DO WITH THE FBI.

AND IT WILL BE A VERY TIGHT SENATE.

IT WILL BE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED, WE KNOW, BUT IT WILL BE A NARROW MAJORITY, AND OF COURSE THERE'S GONNA BE A COUPLE OF REPUBLICAN SENATORS WHETHER IT BE COLLINS OR MARKOWSKI WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED AT LEAST SOME INDEPENDENCE FROM TRUMP AND THEY'LL BE THE ONES THAT ULTIMATELY DECIDE WHETHER HE GETS THE 50 VOTES THAT HE NEEDS.

>> HERRERA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I EXPECT YOU WILL BE BACK DISCUSSING THIS AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

ASU'S EDSON COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH INNOVATION RECENTLY RECEIVED A MAJOR GRANT TO CREAT AN EDWARD R. ROYBAL CENTER, WHICH WILL STUDY THE ISSUE OF AGING SOLO AND LIVING ALONE WHILE IN COGNITIVE DECLINE.

TONIGHT, AS PART OF OUR MONTHLY AARP SPONSORED SEGMENT THAT HIGHLIGHTS ISSUES IMPORTAN TO OLDER ADULTS IN ARIZONA, WE'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT THE CENTER.

EDSON COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH INNOVATION PROFESSOR FAN YU IS HERE TO TELL US MORE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN BEFORE WE START TALKING ABOUT THE CENTER, WILL YOU EXPLAIN OR DESCRIBE COGNITIVE DECLINE.

BECAUSE I THINK IT MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

>> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

INDEED IT'S TRUE.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COGNITIVE DECLINE, IT CAN BE MULTIPLE PHASES.

YOU NEED TO NOTICE WHEN PEOPLE BEGIN TO NOTICE THEMSELVES THEIR COGNITION IS DECLINING.

THAT'S CALLED SUBJECTIVE COGNITIVE DECLINE, AND AS IT PROGRESSION, WHEN THEY DO SOME COGNITIVE TESTING, THEY'RE GOING TO BE OBJECTING TO EVIDENCE THAT THEY DO SCORE LOWER COMPARED TO THE AGE OCCUPATION SUCH AS IT APPEARS.

THAT IS CALLED NARROWED COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT.

SO AT MCI, AT THIS PHASE, THEY BOTH HAVE SUBJECTIVE COGNITIVE DECLINE.

AND AS THE COGNITION DECLINES FURTHER, SO DOES DAILY FUNCTIONING.

THEIR FUNCTION DECLINES TO A LOWER LEVEL, AND THAT'S MORE THAN LIKELY THEY'RE ENTERING INTO THE DEMENTIA PHASE.

>> SO WHAT WOULD BE SOMETHING I WOULD NOTICE MYSELF?

IS IT FORGETFULNESS OR -- >> YEAH.

SO PARTICULARLY WHAT HAPPENS IS LIKE SOMETIMES I HAVE TO QUESTION MYSELF.

BUT NORMAL AGING PROCESS FORGETFULNESS, IF YOU CAN RECALL WHERE YOU FORGET, MAYBE MINUTES LATER OR HOURS LATER.

BUT FOR PEOPLE WHO REALLY HAVE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND COGNITIVE DECLINE THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RECALL THEM DOWN THE ROAD, EVEN WITH CUES.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> WHAT KIND OF WORK WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CENTER?

>> SO OUR CENTER WE HOPE TO ENGAGE OLDER ADULTS LIVING ALONE WITH COGNITIVE DECLINE TO UNDERSTAND THEIR NEEDS AND HOPEFULLY DEVELOPING INTERVENTIONS WHERE PROGRAMS CAN HELP THEM TO CONTINUE TO LIVE LONG.

WE KNOW MUSCLE BUILDS AND INCREASES THEIR FUNCTION LEVEL, EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING WILL LIKELY IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND HOPEFULLY IT CAN DELAY SOMING CAME NARRATIVE DECLINE.

>> A COUPLE OF AREAS THAT I THINK THE CENTER WILL ADDRESS, AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED LIFESTYLES AND BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION.

YOU CAN TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> DEFINITELY.

TECHNOLOGY, BECAUSE FOR PEOPLE LIVING ALONE, EVEN IN THE GENERAL POPULATION, WE KNOW THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PROVIDERS TO CAR FOR EVERY PERSON WHO HAS COGNITIVE DECLINE.

THAT'S WHY A LOT OF FAMILY MEMBERS ARE SERVING THE ROLE AS CAREGIVERS.

SO WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO BRIDGE THE GAP IN THE LIFE OF CAREGIVERS IS USING TECHNOLOGY TO AUGMENT EXISTING CARE AND SERVICES.

SO AN EXAMPLE WHERE THE TECHNOLOGY WE ARE LOOKING AT, INCLUDING CARE PROGRAMS WHERE SOME -- THEY CAN LOOK AT ALGORITHMS AND HELP MAKE BETTER DECISIONS TO IMPROVE FUNCTION AND BETTER LIFE.

THAT'S THE TECHNOLOGY PIECE.

BUT THE BEHAVIORAL AND LIFESTYLE PIECE IS BASED ON THE FACT 30 TO 40% OF COGNITIVE DECLINE CAN BE SKILLED TO BEHAVIOR LIKE EXERCISE, HOW YOU SLEEP, WHERE AND WHAT YOU EAT.

THOSE.

>> 30 TO 40%?

IT OCCURS FROM NOT TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES.

>> AHA.

>> WOW.

SORRY.

I CUT YOU OFF.

THAT MAKES ME WANT TO GET UP AND START WALKING RIGHT NOW.

>> EXACTLY.

>> SO HOW THEN DO YOU INTERVENE IS THAT EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EXERCISE AND EATING HEALTHY FOODS AND SLEEPING WELL?

>> YES, THAT'S AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF BEHAVIOR CHANGE, EDUCATING PEOPLE, EMPOWERING PEOPLE, PROVIDE THEM WITH TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE HOW THEY CAN CHANGE THEMSELVES, AND THOSE ARE PROGRAMS THAT BECOME GO-TO SO THEY WILL WANT TO DO IT ON THEIR OWN.

AND BESIDES GOING TO A PROGRAM MAY HAVE SOCIAL INTERACTION BENEFITS AS WELL, ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DEALINGS WITH SOCIAL ISOLATION AND MANY OF THOSE CONNECTIONS CAN BE MADE VIA TECHNOLOGY LIKE FACEBOOK TYPE TECHNOLOGY CAN CONNECT PEOPLE.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO IN THE CENTER.

>> WE HAVE JUST ABOUT 30 SECONDS OR SO LEFT HERE.

CAN YOU TELL ME WHO YOU'RE LOOKING TO HELP?

BECAUSE THIS SUSPECT -- THIS IS BASED HERE AT ASU, BUT THIS ISN'T JUST LIMITED TO -- >> YOU'RE RIGHT.

THEY ARE OPEN TO SOME STUDIES ACROSS THE NATION.

SO ANYONE WHO APPLIES, IF THEY MEET THE CRITERIA OF TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY AND INTERVENTION TO IMPROVE THE BEHAVIOR WITH LIFESTYLE TO IMPROVE COGNITIVE DECLINE.

>> PROFESSOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN AND ENCOURAGING KNEE EXERCISE MORE.

EVEN THOUGH YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T INTEND TO COMING IN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> A HOLIDAY TRADITION THRURNTION FRIDAY.

THE BLACK THEATRE TROUPE WILL PERFORM LANGSTON HUGHES' CELEBRATED SONG PLAY, 'BLACK NATIVITY.'.

THE PRODUCTION WILL RUN FROM DECEMBER 6 TO DECEMBER 15 AT THE HELEN K. MASON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AND WILL INCLUDE A SOULFUL RETELLING OF THE NATIVITY STORY THROUGH VIBRANT GOSPEL MUSIC AND DANCE.

JOINING US NOW IS BLACK THEATRE TROUPE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DAVID HEMPHILL.

HE'S GOT PRETTY COOL BLUE GLASSES, AND THE MUSICAL DIRECTOR TONY WHEATON.

THANK YOU, FOLKS.

START BY DESCRIBING BLACK NATIVITY FOR US.

>> WE LIKE TO CALL IT OUR CHRISTMAS CARD TO THE COMMUNITY.

FIRST OFF, LET ME TELL YOU THAT THE TIME, THE MUSICAL DIRECTOR IS TONY HANKINS.

>> HE'S THE BIG SHOT, OKAY, THANK YOU.

>> BUT IT IS OUR CHRISTMAS CARD TO THE COMMUNITY AND WE DO IT EVERY SEASON AND CHANGE IT EVERY SEASON.

LIKE THIS SEASON THE FOCAL POINT IS TO HAVE A YOUTHFUL OUTLOOK IN TERMS OF THE CRAVINGS THE SHOW.

AND SO THAT'S WHY WE PUT TONY THAT POSITION.

HE'S BEEN WITH US A LONG TIME AND CAME FOR OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS AND IS PART OF OUR YOUTH COLLECTIVE, SO THIS IS HIS BIG DEAL.

>> YOU DIRECTED LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR.

SO WHY THE YOUTH FOCUS.

IT'S THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT EACH YEAR.

>> I THINK IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO BRING A YOUNGER FEEL TO THEATER IN GENERAL.

SO JUST BRINGING THE YOUTH IN THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH FOR A WHILE, GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF THEATER.

>> WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN IT COMES TO DIRECTING THIS?

>> I THINK THE NOMINATION.

>> SEE, THAT WAS MY SEGWAY -- THAT WAS MY SEGUE INTO THE NOMINATION.

THE BROADWAY WORLD.

>> YES.

>> FOR PHOENIX, FOR BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL, ARE YOU NOMINATED FOR.

SO THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF.

>> I AM, IT WAS MY FIRST, MY DEBUT DIRECTING, AND I GOT NOMINATED, SO THAT'S A BIG HONOR.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> YEAH.

>> SO WHEN YOU WATCH -- BECAUSE YOU DID THIS LAST YEAR.

WHEN YOU'RE WATCHING, ARE YOU EVER ENJOYING IT, OR ARE YOU JUST WATCHING EVERYTHING -- >> AT BEGINNING, OF COURSE I'M WATCHING IT AND PICKING IT APART, BUT AS THE SHOW GOES ON, I START TO ENJOY WHAT I'M SEEING AND THINKING ABOUT HOW EVERYTHING TOOK PLACE AND HOW IT GOT THERE.

>> THERE'S A PHOTO THAT WE SEE A LOT OF YOUNG FACES IN THERE.

DAVID, WHAT DOES THE NOMINATION -- IT'S SIGNIFICANT FOR TONY, BUT THE MUSICAL ITSELF IS ALSO NOMINATED, IF I HAVE MY INFORMATION CORRECT.

>> YES, THE MUSIC IS NOMINATED, AND IT GIVES CREDENCE TO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AT THE THEATER.

I MEAN THIS IS THE FIRST TIME AT ONE OF OUR MAJOR PRODUCTIONS.

WE'VE RECEIVED MANY NOMINATIONS BUT THIS IS THE FIRST ONE THAT'S BEEN LED BY A YOUNG PERSON.

SO WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THAT.

AND WHEN PEOPLE SEE THIS YEAR'S PRODUCTION, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO SEE THE CHANGE IN IT BECAUSE THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW IS A CONCERT.

THE FIRST HALF IS HE WORDS AND TEXT, IT'S THE STORY.

BUT THE SECOND HALF IS THE CREATION OF THE DIRECTOR THAT'S IN CHARGE.

IT'S A MUSICAL CONCERT.

>> SO SERVE STANDING UP AT END DANCING, I KNOW.

TONY, THIS BLACK THEATER TROUPE IS SPECIAL, CERTAINLY TO YOU, BUT BLACK NATIVITY, ISN'T THAT HOW YOU GOT YOUR START?

>> IT IS.

I'VE BEEN WITH BLACK NATIVITY SINCE I'VE BEEN A TEENAGER.

NOW I'M GOOD MORNING AND BEING AN ADULT AND GETTING A CHANCE TO DIRECT, IT IT'S CRAZY.

>> SO WHAT DOES THAT JOURNEY SOUND LIKE?

WHEN YOU STARTED, WERE YOU JUST STARTING BECAUSE YOU WANTED TO HAVE FUN, OR WERE YOU LIKE TO IS GOING TO BE MY CAREER?

I CAN SEE MYSELF -- >> I THINK I STARTED BECAUSE I JUST WANTED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE THEATER, JUST GROWING UP WITH MUSIC AND SINGING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND THEN I GOT INTO IT, AND I LOVED IT.

SO -- >> HE'S ONE OF OUR BETTER STUDENTS.

HE WAS -- HE HAD DRIVE FROM THE BEGINNING.

HE WAS YOUNG, BUT HE HAD A GOOD DRIVE FROM THE BEGINNING AND IT'S IMPORTANT WITH CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT CAN ACT AS A PEER, AS A LEADER, VERY GOOD HE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHAT IS THE MOST STRESSFUL PART OF IT FOR YOU.

>> OH, GOD.

I THINK THE WHOLE THING IS STRESSFUL.

>> I THINK THE MOST CHALLENGE SOMETHING TAKING WHAT I SEE IN MY HEAD AND PUTTING IT ON THE STAGE.

OF COURSE IT'S SO MANY MOVING PARTS WITH LIGHTS AND MUSIC AND DANCE AND JUST TAKING WHAT YOU SEE IN YOUR HEAD AND BRINGING IT TO THE STAGE WOULD BE THE HARDEST PART.

>> IT'S LIKE HURTING CATS.

THERE'S 34 PEOPLE IN THE CAST.

AND IT'S REALLY, REALLY DIFFICULT TO KNOW ALL THE PERSONALS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WHAT TALENTS WE HAVE AND WHERE TO PUT THEM IN THE SHOW AND ET CETERA.

I ADMIRE HIM FOR THAT BECAUSE I DON'T IT.

>> AND YET YOU JUST SAID PERSONALITIES, I THOUGHT 34 DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES.

>> 34 PERSONALITIES.

>> WERE YOU ALWAYS MELLOW OR -- >> I'M MELLOW.

>> THIS IS JUST HOW YOU HANDLE 34 PERSONALITIES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WHAT DO YOU HOPE THE AUDIENCE WILL TAKE AWAY?

>> I THINK THE STORY OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST IS THE BIGGEST PART FOR ME.

AND THEN JUST HAVING THAT CHRISTMAS FEELING, LIKE CHRISTMAS IS BLACK NATIVITY FOR ME, SO THAT'S WHAT I HOPE THEY TAKE AWAY FROM IT.

>> HOW WILL YOU CELEBRATE?

>> WELL, HE HAS A NEW JOB.

IN ADDITION TO HIS WORK WITH THE THEATER, ME A NEW JOB AT THE -- A PROMOTION, I SHOULD SAY, AT HIS JOB.

SO THAT'S WHERE HE'S GOING TO BE.

>> WELL, WE HAVE ABOUT 10 SECONDS LEFT.

SO WHO WANTS TO TELL US WHERE PEOPLE CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION TO BUY TICKETS.

>> BLACKTHEATERTROUPE.ORG, AND YOU CAN CALL OUR BOX OFFICE AT 602-25 AYE-8128 -- 602, 258-8128, AND TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

CONGRATULATIONS, AGAIN, ON A NOMINATION.

>> THANK YOU, WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M CHRISTINA ESTES IN FOR TED SIMONS, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

S. >> HELLO, WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED ARIZONA HORIZON.

FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS, ARIZONA HAS RELIED ON ARIZONA HORIZON FOR IN DEPTH COVERAGE OF ISSUES OF CONCERN TO OUR COMMUNITY.

HOST TED SIMONS HAS LED INSIGHTFUL PUBLIC AFFAIRS DISCUSSIONS ON TOPICS RANGING FROM STATE POLITICS TO NATIONAL POLICY.

NOW WE'RE ASKING TO YOU THIS VITAL COMMUNITY RESOURCE THAT HELPS EACH OF US BETTER UNDERSTAND THE WORLD AROUND US AND HOW IT AFFECTS THE GRAND CANYON STATE.

WHAT SETS ARIZONA HORIZON APART IS THAT YOU KNOW LIKE CONVENTIONAL NEWSCASTS, ARIZONA HORIZON GOES BEYOND THE HEADLINES AND SOUND BYTES, AND OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, ARIZONA HORIZON HAS PROVIDED KEY RESOURCES TO HELP EDUCATE AND INFORM CITIZENS ACROSS THE STATE WITH ELECTION-RELATED PROGRAMMING.

WHETHER THROUGH CANDIDATE DEBATES AND DISCUSSIONS, ARIZONA THE VOTES SPECIALS OR FULL ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE, TED SIMONS AND THE ARIZONA HORIZON TEAM ARE A TRUSTED PARTNER YOU CAN COUNT ON.

WHO KNOWS WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS BUT ONE THING WE DO SNOW WITH YOUR SUPPORT, ARIZONA HORIZON WILL BE HERE WITH US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

SO COUNTING ON THAT HINGES ON YOUR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION.

PLEASE VISIT US ONLINE OR CALL OR TEXT NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN WITH YOUR DONATION.

AND WHEN YOU GIVE RIGHT NOW WE HAVE SOME VERY SPECIAL WAYS WE CAN THANK YOU.

HERE'S MORE.

>> NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR ARIZONA HORIZON WHEN YOU MAKE A SUSTAINING MONTHLY GIFT OF $5 OR AN ANNUAL GIFT OF $60, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEND YOU THE ARIZONA HORIZON MUG WITH OUR THANKS.

EMBLAZONED WITH THE SHOW'S LOGO, THIS ELEGANT MUG IS PERFECT FOR ANY BEVERAGE, HOT OR COLD.

INCREASE THIS SUSTAINING GIFT TO $10 OR MAKE AN ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION OF $120, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEND YOU THIS STYLISH ARIZONA PBS TOTE WITH OUR THINGS.

EMBLAZONED WITH THE LOGOS OF ALL OF THE LOCAL PROGRAMMING YOU LOVE ON THIS STATION, THIS VIBRANT TOTE IS PERFECT FOR THE ON THE GO LIFESTYLE WE ALL LIVE TOGETHER.

MAKE A GENEROUS SUSTAINING GIFT OF $12 OR AN ANNUAL DONATION OF $144, AND WE'LL THANK YOU WITH BOTH THE TOTE AND THE ARIZONA HORIZON MUG.

CALL, TEXT OR GO ONLINE RIGHT NOW AND DO YOUR PART TO CONTINUE THE LEGACY OF ARIZONA HORIZON HERE ON THIS STATION.

THANK YOU.

>> WHEN YOU MAKE A QUALIFYING CONTRIBUTION TO THIS PBS STATION, YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A TERRIFIC MEMBER BENEFIT CALLED PBS PASSPORT, IT UNLEASHES THE DIGITAL LIBRARY, SPEAKERS FROM THE PBS NEWS HOUR, OUR LIBRARY OF DOCUMENTARYS AND OTHER INFORMATIVE PROGRAMS THAT BRING YOU IN DEPTH NEWS COVERAGE.

YOU CAN ENJOY PBS PASSPORT ON YOUR COMPUTER OR THROUGH THE PBS APP ON YOUR SMART TV, PHONE, TABLET OR TV STREAMING DEVICE.

YOU CAN BINGE-WATCH DRAMAS, CATCH UP ON CONCERTS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED OR VISIT SOME OF YOUR OTHER PBS FAVORITES.

AND BEST OF ALL, YOU CAN WATCH WHEREVER WHENEVER YOU WANT.

YOU CAN VISIT TODAY BY REACHING OUT TO THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN OR GOING ONLINE TO GIVE RIGHT NOW.

>> HELLO, I'M BILL MOYERS, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE QUALITY OF OUR DEMOCRACY DEPENDS UPON THE QUALITY OF OUR JOURNALISM.

THAT'S WHY PUBLIC BROADCASTING HAS PLAYED SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART IN DEMOCRACY OVER THESE LAST 50 PLUS YEARS.

I MEAN, THIS IS A PLACE WHERE INDEPENDENT JOURNAL HIGH.

BEEN ABLE HE THROUGH THE POWERS THAT BE TO TELL WHAT IS NEEDED TO KNOW TO REPORT WHAT IT IS TO YOU, WHETHER IT'S NEWS HOUR OR FRONTLINE OR ANY OF THE GREAT DOCUMENTARIES BROUGHT TO YOU, WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR JOURNALISM AND FOR DEMOCRACY IS TO SUPPORT THIS NATION.

THE PROGRAMS YOU COUNT ON, THE JOURNALISM YOU COUNT ON COUNTS ON YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> I WANT TO THANK BILL MOYERS FOR THE SIMPLE REMINDER OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC MEDIA FOR STATE SO ELEGANTLY WHY THIS COMMUNITY SERVICE IS IS THE FABRIC OF OUR DEMOCRACY IN OUR COUNTRY.

I HOPE YOU TAKE HIM UP ON HIS APPEAL FOR SUPPORT.

NOW IS THE TIME.

DON'T WAIT.

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