Dennis Welch
@dwelch.bsky.social
Political Editor for CBS5 News/3TV in Phoenix. I dig scoops, my dog Joan and the Iowa Hawkeyes
NEW: AZ Senate President Warren Petersen (R) praises the Trump administration for ending the DOJ investigation of Phoenix PD which he calls a “witch hunt”
May 21, 2025 at 4:59 PM
NEW: AZ Senate President Warren Petersen (R) praises the Trump administration for ending the DOJ investigation of Phoenix PD which he calls a “witch hunt”
Shake it up! Co-endorsed Trump candidate Karrin Taylor Robson’s consultants bail. "It takes special skill to botch a GOP primary with the Trump endorsement, but unfortunately that's what this candidate has single-handedly assured,"
Scoop: Trump aides dump 1 of the 2 Arizona governor candidates he backed
The exodus from Karrin Taylor Robson's campaign came after Trump's advisers spent months urging her to air TV ads promoting his endorsement, sources tell Axios.
www.axios.com
May 7, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Shake it up! Co-endorsed Trump candidate Karrin Taylor Robson’s consultants bail. "It takes special skill to botch a GOP primary with the Trump endorsement, but unfortunately that's what this candidate has single-handedly assured,"
Crank up the hype-machine! Sen. Gallego is off to Pennsylvania
Ruben Gallego travels to Pennsylvania amid 2028 shadow primary
The Arizona senator is heading to the swing state to talk about "the struggles of working-class Americans."
www.politico.com
May 5, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Crank up the hype-machine! Sen. Gallego is off to Pennsylvania
Breaking: Chaos continues for the Arizona Democratic Party. Chairman Robert Branscomb now faces call to resign over his fight with Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. Steven Jackson, the chairman of the LD8 Democrats in the East Valley, drafted a letter urging Branscomb to step down.
May 5, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Breaking: Chaos continues for the Arizona Democratic Party. Chairman Robert Branscomb now faces call to resign over his fight with Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego. Steven Jackson, the chairman of the LD8 Democrats in the East Valley, drafted a letter urging Branscomb to step down.
Spiciest veto of the year?: Gov. Hobbs kills Sen. Jake Hoffman’s transportation bill by taking at not so subtle shot at his recent record of dodging a speeding ticket with the help of legislative immunity
May 3, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Spiciest veto of the year?: Gov. Hobbs kills Sen. Jake Hoffman’s transportation bill by taking at not so subtle shot at his recent record of dodging a speeding ticket with the help of legislative immunity
NEW: The Arizona House passed a bill allowing for a memorial to slain journalist Don Bolles who was assassinated nearly 50 years ago investigating a shady land dead. Bill now heads to the Senate.
April 28, 2025 at 9:08 PM
NEW: The Arizona House passed a bill allowing for a memorial to slain journalist Don Bolles who was assassinated nearly 50 years ago investigating a shady land dead. Bill now heads to the Senate.
Breaking: Feds arrest state worker near the border on human smuggling accusations, an incident that threatens to derail Gov. Hobbs’ nominee to run a key state agency
Arizona Department of Agriculture employee accused of human smuggling
A now-former employee of the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) was arrested earlier this month at the border for alleged human smuggling.
www.azfamily.com
April 26, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Breaking: Feds arrest state worker near the border on human smuggling accusations, an incident that threatens to derail Gov. Hobbs’ nominee to run a key state agency
After making some noise about running for a couple of offices, AZ Secretary of State Adrian officially announces his bid for a second term.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes announces run for re-election
The state’s top election official launched his re-election bid on Thursday, saying the office still needs to regain the confidence of voters.
www.azfamily.com
April 25, 2025 at 4:17 AM
After making some noise about running for a couple of offices, AZ Secretary of State Adrian officially announces his bid for a second term.
UPDATE: @governorkatiehobbs.bsky.social signs the bipartisan bill that keeps the state’s disability program funded through the end of the fiscal year
Gov. Hobbs signs bipartisan bill to fund Arizona disability program
Gov. Katie Hobbs has signed legislation that plugs a gaping budget deficit at the department that serves 60,000 people with disabilities before it runs out of money.
www.azfamily.com
April 25, 2025 at 3:06 AM
UPDATE: @governorkatiehobbs.bsky.social signs the bipartisan bill that keeps the state’s disability program funded through the end of the fiscal year
Breaking: Arizona Senate passes a bill to plug a $122M funding gap for the department that serves 60K disabled people. The bill is now headed to Gov. Hobbs’ desk.
April 24, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Breaking: Arizona Senate passes a bill to plug a $122M funding gap for the department that serves 60K disabled people. The bill is now headed to Gov. Hobbs’ desk.
HAPPENING NOW: Republican candidate for governor, Karrin Taylor Robson, backs President Trump’s tariffs and urges him to “keep fighting.”
April 7, 2025 at 7:54 PM
HAPPENING NOW: Republican candidate for governor, Karrin Taylor Robson, backs President Trump’s tariffs and urges him to “keep fighting.”
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: AZGOP Chair Gina Swoboda did **not** endorse Alexander Kolodin in the Republican Primary for Secretary of State and confirms that she is thinking about running for the position herself
Rep. Alexander Kolodin on X: "When your Party Chair asks you to run. When the future of Arizona demands that you run. And when you’re the most qualified person for the job. You run. I’m Alex Kolodin and I’m running for Secretary of State to restore transparency to our elections once and for all. https://t.co/8GByrRbZ8Y" / X
When your Party Chair asks you to run. When the future of Arizona demands that you run. And when you’re the most qualified person for the job. You run. I’m Alex Kolodin and I’m running for Secretary of State to restore transparency to our elections once and for all. https://t.co/8GByrRbZ8Y
x.com
April 2, 2025 at 7:03 PM
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: AZGOP Chair Gina Swoboda did **not** endorse Alexander Kolodin in the Republican Primary for Secretary of State and confirms that she is thinking about running for the position herself
UPDATE: Trouble in Mudville?: The D-Backs’ Chase Field bill (HB2704) won’t be heard in committee tomorrow. The chairman said it doesn’t have the votes right now.
April 1, 2025 at 12:45 AM
UPDATE: Trouble in Mudville?: The D-Backs’ Chase Field bill (HB2704) won’t be heard in committee tomorrow. The chairman said it doesn’t have the votes right now.
Reposted by Dennis Welch
SCOOP: Occasional Trump golf partner and regular rally attendee, Jay Feely, is seriously considering a run for Congress in Arizona’s CD05 to replace Rep. Andy Biggs, according to a source. Feely was a former professional NFL kicker and CBS sideline analyst.
March 31, 2025 at 7:21 PM
SCOOP: Occasional Trump golf partner and regular rally attendee, Jay Feely, is seriously considering a run for Congress in Arizona’s CD05 to replace Rep. Andy Biggs, according to a source. Feely was a former professional NFL kicker and CBS sideline analyst.
Trust Us: The AZ Diamondbacks want $500M of your tax money to fix up their stadium but hasn't given the public a cost estimate of what needs to be fixed.
New questions over $500 million repair bill for D-backs’ stadium
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego told Arizona’s Family she has not seen documented evidence to justify the $500 million price tag.
www.azfamily.com
March 31, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Trust Us: The AZ Diamondbacks want $500M of your tax money to fix up their stadium but hasn't given the public a cost estimate of what needs to be fixed.
Reposted by Dennis Welch
Border encounter numbers have plummeted in the Tucson and Yuma sectors.
Feb. 2025 is the lowest number in both sectors in the publicly available data we have from CBP dating back to Oct. 1999.
Tucson Sector: 1,336
Yuma Sector: 243
@dwelch.bsky.social @azfamily.com
Feb. 2025 is the lowest number in both sectors in the publicly available data we have from CBP dating back to Oct. 1999.
Tucson Sector: 1,336
Yuma Sector: 243
@dwelch.bsky.social @azfamily.com
March 22, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Border encounter numbers have plummeted in the Tucson and Yuma sectors.
Feb. 2025 is the lowest number in both sectors in the publicly available data we have from CBP dating back to Oct. 1999.
Tucson Sector: 1,336
Yuma Sector: 243
@dwelch.bsky.social @azfamily.com
Feb. 2025 is the lowest number in both sectors in the publicly available data we have from CBP dating back to Oct. 1999.
Tucson Sector: 1,336
Yuma Sector: 243
@dwelch.bsky.social @azfamily.com
Reposted by Dennis Welch
Bonus podcast just dropped! Arizona Chamber of Commerce CEO Danny Seidel on legislative efforts to keep the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. (Regular pod coming on Sunday.)
www.azfamily.com/2025/03/13/p...
www.azfamily.com/2025/03/13/p...
March 13, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Bonus podcast just dropped! Arizona Chamber of Commerce CEO Danny Seidel on legislative efforts to keep the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. (Regular pod coming on Sunday.)
www.azfamily.com/2025/03/13/p...
www.azfamily.com/2025/03/13/p...
Gov. Hobbs launches and new border security plan as federal data shows migrant encounters and arrests are down
Arizona governor signs executive order for new border security plan aimed at cartels
Gov. Hobbs signed an executive order to create Operation Desert Guardian, a joint task focused on breaking up illegal drug smuggling and human trafficking operations.
www.azfamily.com
February 25, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Gov. Hobbs launches and new border security plan as federal data shows migrant encounters and arrests are down
HAPPENING TODAY: Gov. Hobbs’ office says there’s “no way in hell” she’ll sign the Republican backed “Bounty Bill”
‘No way in hell’: Gov. Hobbs’ office responds to migrant ‘bounty bill’
The Governor's Office had a stern response when asked if she would sign a bill that would give money to law enforcement for each migrant they deport.
www.azfamily.com
February 21, 2025 at 1:55 AM
HAPPENING TODAY: Gov. Hobbs’ office says there’s “no way in hell” she’ll sign the Republican backed “Bounty Bill”
During her first two years in office, Hobbs vetoed nearly one-third of all the bills passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature (excluding ballot referrals and other measures that don’t require the governor’s approval)
This is Gov. Hobbs’ 217th veto.
She vetoed 143 her first year, 73 her second year and this is the first in her third year in office. @jenafifield.bsky.social @dwelch.bsky.social
She vetoed 143 her first year, 73 her second year and this is the first in her third year in office. @jenafifield.bsky.social @dwelch.bsky.social
February 18, 2025 at 11:03 PM
During her first two years in office, Hobbs vetoed nearly one-third of all the bills passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature (excluding ballot referrals and other measures that don’t require the governor’s approval)
Reposted by Dennis Welch
New podcast has dropped! Votebeat reporter Jen Fifield talks about legislation to speed up the vote count. Then Dennis and Colin break down the nominees for the 2025 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Bad Company? Really?)
www.azfamily.com/2025/02/17/p...
www.azfamily.com/2025/02/17/p...
Politics Unplugged Podcast: Jen Fifield
Faster elections and Hall of Famer rockers.
www.azfamily.com
February 17, 2025 at 7:13 PM
New podcast has dropped! Votebeat reporter Jen Fifield talks about legislation to speed up the vote count. Then Dennis and Colin break down the nominees for the 2025 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Bad Company? Really?)
www.azfamily.com/2025/02/17/p...
www.azfamily.com/2025/02/17/p...
FYI: A bill that bars lawmakers from using legislative immunity to get out of traffic tickets is scheduled for debate in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Because this special privilege is outlined in the state Constitution it would need voter approval.
February 15, 2025 at 1:55 AM
FYI: A bill that bars lawmakers from using legislative immunity to get out of traffic tickets is scheduled for debate in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Because this special privilege is outlined in the state Constitution it would need voter approval.
Another state lawmaker avoids a ticket because of legislative immunity. Sen. Jake Hoffman was clocked driving 89MPH in a 65MPH zone. DPS statement below:
February 15, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Another state lawmaker avoids a ticket because of legislative immunity. Sen. Jake Hoffman was clocked driving 89MPH in a 65MPH zone. DPS statement below:
Reposted by Dennis Welch
New episode of the pod is here! Congressman Greg Stanton on why he views Elon Musk as a threat to our democracy. Then Dennis and Colin look back at the best and worst Super Bowl halftime shows.
www.azfamily.com/2025/02/10/p...
www.azfamily.com/2025/02/10/p...
Politics Unplugged Podcast: Congressman Greg Stanton
Rep. Stanton on Elon Musk and the current state in D.C.
www.azfamily.com
February 10, 2025 at 7:53 PM
New episode of the pod is here! Congressman Greg Stanton on why he views Elon Musk as a threat to our democracy. Then Dennis and Colin look back at the best and worst Super Bowl halftime shows.
www.azfamily.com/2025/02/10/p...
www.azfamily.com/2025/02/10/p...
JUST IN: State Sen. Mark Finchem’s seat mate in the House has filed a bill to abolish legislative immunity for all traffic stops. If passed, the measure would go to the voters in 2026
February 7, 2025 at 8:13 PM
JUST IN: State Sen. Mark Finchem’s seat mate in the House has filed a bill to abolish legislative immunity for all traffic stops. If passed, the measure would go to the voters in 2026