Broken AC can be deadly. How Arizona leaders can fix it

Broken AC can be deadly. How Arizona leaders can fix it

Author: The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com October 8, 2025 Duration: 21:59
Most Arizonans see the end of summer as a reprieve. But for some, it's a sign of survival. Since 2020, at least 270 people in Maricopa County have died at home when their cooling systems failed or were shut off completely. The Arizona Republic dug into the records of these quiet casualties of extreme heat. Read that report here. This week on The Gaggle, an Arizona politics podcast, we ask an expert what can be done to fix this and what policies could be put into place. Email us! thegaggle@arizonarepublic.com Leave us a voicemail: 602-444-0804 Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Guest: ⁠⁠David Konisky Host: ⁠⁠⁠Ron Hansen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda Luberto⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every Wednesday morning, The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast cuts through the noise to focus on a single issue shaping life in the state. Hosted by The Arizona Republic’s national political reporters Ron Hansen and Stephanie Murray, and produced by Amanda Luberto, this isn't just a recap of headlines. Instead, the conversation goes deeper with a guest-a politician, a journalist, or another key public figure-to unpack the real-world implications of a policy, a vote, or a debate. You’ll hear how decisions made at the capitol or in city halls ripple out to affect communities, schools, and wallets. The discussion is grounded in the expertise of the Republic’s newsroom, offering clarity and context that’s often missing from the daily churn. For anyone trying to understand the forces directing Arizona’s future, this weekly podcast provides an essential, focused look at the mechanics of state politics and government, making the complex both accessible and relevant. It’s a straightforward guide to what’s happening, who’s involved, and why it all matters for your day-to-day.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast
Podcast Episodes
Charlie Kirk's legacy and where Gen Z gets their news [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:13
A vigil was held at Arizona State University for Charlie Kirk, conservative influencer and founder of Turning Point USA, after his assassination on September 10th. His career was kickstarted and his identity as a fierce…
Politics roundup + a farewell to Mary Jo Pitzl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:05
It's nine months into 2025 and there may have been some Arizona politics stories you bookmarked for later but haven't just yet read them. There's a lot to keep up with, and The Gaggle gets that. This week on The Gaggle,…
Arizona's job growth boom hits snooze button [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:38
Arizona has been a reliable and long-standing national leader in job growth. But so far this year, the state has taken a big step backwards. Through the first seven months, Arizona has ranked 46th in bringing in new jobs…
Partisan passion in local government [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:57
There’s a conservative wave washing over some local governments in the Valley’s suburbs. Some point to Donald Trump’s aggressive efforts to erase DEI policies in city businesses. Others contend it’s a natural swing of th…
Kari Lake was right about ASU's collusion. What now? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:28
It's been three years since the 2022 gubernatorial debate went from a discussion to a debacle and the Arizona Republic just received the public records. The reports show behind-the-scenes deliberations involving ASU Pres…
Conservative judge heeds warning for his party [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:44
Anxieties you might assume are from a liberal law professor against President Donald Trump and his administration are coming from an unexpected source: Arizona Supreme Court Justice Clint Bolick. Appointed by Republican…
A conversation with Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:49
Rep. Yassamin Ansari has spent her freshman year in Congress making national headlines. She made national headlines for her travel to El Salvador where she tried, unsuccessfully, to meet with a man who was deported to th…
Remembering migrants-rights activist Alfredo Gutierrez [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:31
Alfredo Gutierrez, a nationally known migrants-rights activist and prominent politician, has died. At 79 years old, he succumbed to esophageal cancer on Tuesday, July 29. Through his long service in the state, Gutierrez…
Arizona Democrats are in crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:50
Arizona Democrats have held the spotlight this month with two very different votes. One elected legacy politician Adelita Grijalva for the party's representation in the CD 7 race to fill her late father's seat in Congres…
What Sen. Gallego's trip to Iowa could mean [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:01
While the rest of the U.S. Senate will go on its annual break in August, Arizona freshman Ruben Gallego is heading to Des Moines to meet with middle America to potentially gauge his chances in what is expected to be a cr…