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”
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: 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.”
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.
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:
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
Kyrsten Sinema Update: the former Arizona Senator is reported to have lobbied for Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to become the next director of national intelligence
February 5, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Kyrsten Sinema Update: the former Arizona Senator is reported to have lobbied for Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to become the next director of national intelligence
NEW: A Republican-led House committee advanced HB2578 (6-1) which dedicates a memorial to journalist Don Bolles who was killed in 1976 by a car bomb while investigating organized crime in Phoenix
February 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM
NEW: A Republican-led House committee advanced HB2578 (6-1) which dedicates a memorial to journalist Don Bolles who was killed in 1976 by a car bomb while investigating organized crime in Phoenix
Bill of the day: A GOP-led House committee advanced HB2125 that allows for jury trials in divorce cases. Question: how would feel about laying out the intimate details of your marriage in front of 12 strangers?
February 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Bill of the day: A GOP-led House committee advanced HB2125 that allows for jury trials in divorce cases. Question: how would feel about laying out the intimate details of your marriage in front of 12 strangers?
NEW: Republican Sen. Wendy Rogers filed a proposal last night urging the Arizona Department of Transportation to name State Route 260 the “Donald J. Trump Highway.”
December 17, 2024 at 7:47 PM
NEW: Republican Sen. Wendy Rogers filed a proposal last night urging the Arizona Department of Transportation to name State Route 260 the “Donald J. Trump Highway.”
ICYMI: here’s President-elect Donald Trump’s statement on Matt Gaetz withdrawing his Attorney General nomination
November 21, 2024 at 6:07 PM
ICYMI: here’s President-elect Donald Trump’s statement on Matt Gaetz withdrawing his Attorney General nomination
Arizona Congresswoman-elect Yassamin Ansari has been elected as the Democratic Freshman Class President.
November 20, 2024 at 8:59 PM
Arizona Congresswoman-elect Yassamin Ansari has been elected as the Democratic Freshman Class President.
That didn’t take long. After Arizona’s Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs highlighted her efforts to fight drug smuggling at the border today, the Republican Governor’s association released a statement calling her weak in the issue
November 18, 2024 at 9:32 PM
That didn’t take long. After Arizona’s Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs highlighted her efforts to fight drug smuggling at the border today, the Republican Governor’s association released a statement calling her weak in the issue
Happening now: Gov. Hobbs at the border in Nogales to announce the AZ National guard has assisted with the seizure of more than 6M fentanyl pills and 1400lbs is meth, cocaine and heroin at the border’s ports of entry since she launched Task Force Safe in July.
November 18, 2024 at 7:02 PM
Happening now: Gov. Hobbs at the border in Nogales to announce the AZ National guard has assisted with the seizure of more than 6M fentanyl pills and 1400lbs is meth, cocaine and heroin at the border’s ports of entry since she launched Task Force Safe in July.
Hey folks, let’s welcome the unofficial/official dean of the AZ Capitol press corps. Give him a follow if you’re interested in Grand Canyon State politics: @azcapmedia.bsky.social
November 18, 2024 at 5:22 AM
Hey folks, let’s welcome the unofficial/official dean of the AZ Capitol press corps. Give him a follow if you’re interested in Grand Canyon State politics: @azcapmedia.bsky.social
Just in: Incumbent Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R) holds on to his seat in Arizona’s 6th Congressional district as CNN projects the GOP will retain control of the U.S. House
November 13, 2024 at 7:22 PM
Just in: Incumbent Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R) holds on to his seat in Arizona’s 6th Congressional district as CNN projects the GOP will retain control of the U.S. House
Breaking: Kristen Engel (D) concedes her race against Republican incumbent Rep. Juan Ciscomani in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District.
November 13, 2024 at 7:11 PM
Breaking: Kristen Engel (D) concedes her race against Republican incumbent Rep. Juan Ciscomani in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District.
As excepted, Sen. Warren Petersen (R) re-elected President of the Arizona state Senate
November 12, 2024 at 9:16 PM
As excepted, Sen. Warren Petersen (R) re-elected President of the Arizona state Senate
State Rep. Steve Montenegro pulls off the political comeback. Six years after dropping out of his congressional race amid a sexting scandal, he becomes the 1st Latino elected Speaker of the AZ State House
November 12, 2024 at 8:02 PM
State Rep. Steve Montenegro pulls off the political comeback. Six years after dropping out of his congressional race amid a sexting scandal, he becomes the 1st Latino elected Speaker of the AZ State House