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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch

@politicsunplugged.bsky.social
541 followers 150 following 37 posts

The official Bluesky home for the Politics Unplugged TV show and podcast from Arizona's Family. Hosted by @dwelch.bsky.social; produced by @cstanton.bsky.social. New episodes Sunday night.

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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
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,"
axios.com
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.
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Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
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
Screen shot of Governor Hobbs’ veto letter
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
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.
Picture of the letter calling for AZ Democratic Party Chairman Robert Branscomb to step down over his fight with Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego and others Picture of the letter calling for AZ Democratic Party Chairman to step down over his fight with Sens Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
UPDATE: @governorkatiehobbs.bsky.social signs the bipartisan bill that keeps the state’s disability program funded through the end of the fiscal year
azfamily.com
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.
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
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.
Screen shot of the vote total for a finding bill
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
After making some noise about running for a couple of offices, AZ Secretary of State Adrian officially announces his bid for a second term.
azfamily.com
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.
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Collin Yourbs 🌵✡️ 🟦 @collinyourbs.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
Hoffman - N He always has to be an asshole, doesn't he?
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
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.
azfamily.com
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.
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
This week's pod has dropped -- looking at the impact of DOGE cuts with consultant Marcus Dell'Artino and former lawmaker Isela Blanc. Also, a music playlist from (future congressman?) Adrian Fontes. www.azfamily.com/2025/03/17/p...
azfamily.com
Politics Unplugged Podcast: Marcus Dell’Artino and Isela Blanc
An in-depth discussion about the impact federal cuts will have in Arizona
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
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...
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
This week's podcast has dropped, and it's a fun one. We talk with Arizona's Family news anchor Jared Dillingham about how political coverage has changed in the ten years since Trump began his 2016 presidential campaign. Download in the usual spots, or watch here: www.azfamily.com/2025/03/03/p...
azfamily.com
Politics Unplugged Podcast: Jared Dillingham
A dive into how journalism is changing in the Trump era.
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Gov. Hobbs launches and new border security plan as federal data shows migrant encounters and arrests are down
azfamily.com
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.
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
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...
azfamily.com
Politics Unplugged Podcast: Jen Fifield
Faster elections and Hall of Famer rockers.
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
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.
A screen shot of a House committee agenda where a bill to limit the use of legislative immunity is scheduled for a hearing
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Another state lawmaker avoids a ticket because of legislative immunity. Sen. Jake Hoffman was clocked driving 89MPH in a 65MPH zone. DPS statement below:
Screenshot of a police statement confirming that state Senator Jake Hoffman was stopped for speeding but was not issued a ticket because of legislative immunity
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
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...
azfamily.com
Politics Unplugged Podcast: Congressman Greg Stanton
Rep. Stanton on Elon Musk and the current state in D.C.
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
CHECK IT OUT: You can see the raw police body cam video of Sen. Mark Finchem’s traffic stop in Prescott and my latest story on how he’s trying to use the Arizona Constitution to get out of it
azfamily.com
Arizona Republican state senator demands police erase speeding ticket, claims legislative immunity
Arizona State Senator Mark Finchem, a staunch conservative Republican from Yavapai County, claims his position grants him immunity, asking police to nullify and completely erase the ticket from all re...
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
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
Screen shot of a report that former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Siname lobbied for Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
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
This is a picture of the House Committee on Government shortly before they passed a bill to memorialize slain journalist Don Bolles
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
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?
This is a screen shot of the fact sheet on House Bill 2125 that allows jury trials in divorce cases
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Sen. Mark Finchem (R) thinks the same laws that apply to you don’t apply to him because he’s a state lawmaker
azfamily.com
Mark Finchem wants Prescott speeding ticket dismissed, cites legislative immunity
Arizona Sen. Mark Finchem has asked for his civil speeding ticket to be dismissed after he reportedly drove 48mph in a 30mph zone.
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
The new podcast has dropped! Axios reporters Jessica Boehm and Jeremy Duda help us address the big questions: what was the impact of the federal funding freeze? How is Simple Minds playing arenas in 2025? Why didn’t those pigeons get out of Dennis’ way?
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Reposted by Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch
Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
Stop me if you’ve heard this one: 4 Republican lawmakers get pissed a state bars them from bring their own booze on to the golf course. So they file a bill to repeal that law and call it the “Inflation Reduction Act of 2025”
search.app
HB2411 - 571R - I Ver
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
This week’s pod has dropped! Stacey Barchenger of the AZ Republic looks ahead to the state races in 2026. Dennis and Colin remember musicians lost in 2024 - with a playlist posted here.
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
This Sunday on the Politics Unplugged podcast: reporter Stacey Barchenger on the names to watch in the 2026 election. Then, Dennis and Colin remember musicians lost in 2024. Here's a playlist of the artists we mention: open.spotify.com/playlist/5Jr...
open.spotify.com
Remembering musicians lost in 2024
Playlist · colinstanton · 18 items
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 22/12/2024
Need a better Christmas playlist? We got you. Dennis and Colin’s Christmas favorites on Spotify. Enjoy. open.spotify.com/playlist/48G...
open.spotify.com
Dennis & Colin's Christmas favorites
Playlist · colinstanton · 19 items · 2 saves
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Quick update... This week on Politics Unplugged: State senator TJ Shope and consultants Stacy Pearson and Doug Cole. Good show. No podcast this week -- we're on a two week break. Pod returns January 5th. Happy Holidays!
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
This week's podcast has dropped! Married lobbyists Marcus and Meghaen Dell'Artino on what to expect this legislative session. Also, Dennis and Colin share their lists of the all-time most disappointing albums. Like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Video version tomorrow.
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
Heads up - Politics Unplugged airs after tonight's Suns game on 3TV (probably around 7:30). Among the topics: will the incoming Maricopa County Board of Supervisors take a hard line with the Diamondbacks in stadium negotiations?
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Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
search.app/YKbxaLQnkTSJ... Attorney General Kris Mayes is furious Arizona is paying a drug company more money out of the opioid settlement fund than its paid into it
search.app
AG: Pharmaceutical company now profits off Arizona opioid crisis settlement
Ohio-based Cardinal Health had to pay millions to Arizona for its role in the opioid crisis. Its now taking state money to help prisoners with hepatitis C.
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Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Sen. John Kavanagh (R) insists his “bathroom bill” is aimed at stopping boys and girls from showering together at school but can’t provide a single example of where this has happened. search.app?link=https%3...
search.app
Arizona lawmaker reintroduces bills on bathroom access, pronouns in schools
Arizona state Sen. John Kavanagh is reintroducing legislation on bathroom bans and pronouns for transgender students.
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
A reminder - the Politics Unplugged Year in Review for 2024 is coming up at 5:30 on Arizona’s Family 3TV. Guests are Marcus Dell’Artino and Stacy Pearson.
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
This week on Politics Unplugged: the 2024 Year in Review with Marcus Dell’Artino and Stacy Pearson. That airs Sunday at 5:30. (No podcast this week — we’ll be back next weekend.)
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Video version of the podcast has now dropped. We talk with former Ducey advisor JP Twist about the 2026 race for Governor -- and whether Gov. Hobbs is really going to face a Democratic challenge in the primary:
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
I’ve mentioned on the pod how astonished I was to learn New Order played Billy Barty’s Roller Fantasy - one mile from my house - when I was in high school. Turns out there is audio evidence. God bless the internet. —Colin youtu.be/-2mxdn0fJ9s?...
youtu.be
New Order - Live, Billy Barty's Roller Fantasy, Fullerton, CA, USA, 23rd Jun 1983
YouTube video by The Cassette Converter
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
New episode of the podcast has dropped: former Ducey advisor JP Twist on whether Governor Hobbs can succeed in changing her approach to border issues.
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Tonight on Politics Unplugged, coming up at 5:30 on 3TV... will Governor Katie Hobbs face a primary challenge in 2026? (Adrian Fontes? Kris Mayes?)
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Today on Politics Unplugged: Senator-Elect Ruben Gallego on the Trump plan to use the military for mass deportations. See you at 5:30 on 3TV.
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
This week's TV show and podcast are in the can! TV: Ruben Gallego on plans for mass deportation Rebecca Gau on dismantling the Dept. of Ed Dawn Penich & Marcus Dell'Artino on the 2026 Gov's race Podcast: Ducey advisor JP Twist on running a successful gubernatorial campaign. They drop on Sunday.
Dennis talks with JP Twist on the Politics Unplugged podcast.
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
We’re officially official! We got a poster! Woot woot 🎉🥳🎈🎊🎁
A picture of the politics unplugged poster
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Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Arizona Congresswoman-elect Yassamin Ansari has been elected as the Democratic Freshman Class President.
Screen shot of the press release announcing that Arizona Rep.-elect Yassamin Ansari was elected as the Democratic freshman class president
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Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
www.azcentral.com/story/news/p... Watch your left flank governor: @azcentral.bsky.social reports that Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes is thinking about challenging Gov. Katie Hobbs in the 2026 Democratic primary.
azcentral.com
Adrian Fontes says gubernatorial buzz is 'a real conversation', but focuses on reelection
"We'll be seriously considering every option but right now I'm running for reelection," Fontes told The Arizona Republic.
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Not a surprise. The Governor’s race in 2026 could get messy. www.politico.com/news/2024/11...
politico.com
Arizona’s secretary of state mulls gubernatorial primary against Hobbs
It’s the latest chapter in a wave of post-election Democratic finger pointing.
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Video version of this week's podcast has dropped. Guests are Dawn Penich and Dan Scarpinato. Among the topics - did Democrats have a losing strategy on border issues?
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Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
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.
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Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
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
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
This week's podcast has dropped (at least on Apple). Dawn Penich and Dan Scarpinato on the results of the election -- and whether Ruben Gallego made a mistake when he said he still believes Donald Trump is a racist:
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Full story here:
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Dennis Welch @dwelch.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
NEW: Kari Lake settles election defamation case brought by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer. Terms are confidential.
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Politics Unplugged with Dennis Welch @politicsunplugged.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Tonight on Politics Unplugged -- state GOP lawmaker Teresa Martinez on whether the legislature can find common ground with Governor Hobbs on border security. Join us tonight at 5:30 on 3TV.
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