>> COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON: WE'LL HEAR FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MARICOPA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE COUNTY'S NEW BUDGET... ALSO TONIGHT: ENCOURAGING RESULTS FROM THE PHOENIX ZOO'S EFFORTS TO HELP AN ENDANGERED SPECIES... AND, THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF SHOWCASING BEAUTIFUL NOISE.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE, NEXT, ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THE DEATH TOLL FROM JULY 4TH FLOODS IN CENTRAL TEXAS IS NOW AT LOCAL OFFICIALS IN TEXAS TODAY RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS ABOUT 119 WITH MORE THAN 160 STILL MISSING.

THEIR HANDLING OF THE DEADLY FLOODING.

THE SHERIFF OF KERR COUNTY WAS ASKED ABOUT THE TIMELINE FOR ACTIVATING THE REGION'S WARNING SIGNALS.

>> THERE'S GONNA AN AFTER-ACTION.

THERE'S GONNA BE AN ACT OR ACTION, OKAY.

THOSE QUESTIONS ARE GOING TO BE ANSWERED.

I BELIEVE THOSE QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ANSWERED TO THE FAMILIES OF THE MISSING LOVED ONES, TO THE PUBLIC, YOU KNOW, TO THE PEOPLE THAT PUT ME IN THIS OFFICE, AND INCIDENT THAT ANSWER, AND WE'RE GONNA GET THAT ANSWER.

AND I KNOW THAT'S GONNA BE ASKED OVER AND OVER.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO HIDE FROM ANYTHING.

THAT'S GOING TO BE CHECKED INTO AT A LATER TIME.

I WISH I COULD TELL YOU THAT TIME.

WHEREVER KNOW THAT TIME.

THIS INCIDENT WILL BE REVIEWED.

YOU HAVE MY WORD.

WHEN OR IF NECESSARY, IN IMPROVEMENTS NEED TO BE MADE, IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE.

>> OFFICIALS WENT ON TO NOTE THAT RESCUE EFFORTS BY LOCAL EMERGENCY CREWS SAVED HUNDREDS OF LIVES THROUGHOUT THE FLOODED REGION.

AND THIS WAS THE SCENE IN NEW MEXICO YESTERDAY AS FLASH FLOODING HIT RUIDOSO.

AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED KILLED AS FLOODWATERS FROM MONSOONAL RAINS INUNDATED LAND SCARED BY WILDFIRES LAST YEAR.

AT LEAST 35 HOMES WERE DAMAGED OR SWEPT AWAY, AND THAT NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO RISE.

>> BUSINESS NEWS: U.S. CHIPMAKER NVIDIA TODAY BECOME THE 1ST PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANY TO HIT $4 TRILLION IN IT GOT THERE FASTER THAN APPLE AND MICROSOFT.

MARKET VALUE.

NVIDIA STOCK IS UP ABOUT 20% THIS YEAR THANKS TO ITS LEADING ROLE IN POWERING THE A-I BOOM.

>> AND SAD NEWS: PULITZER PRIZE WINNING POLITICAL CARTOONIST STEVE BENSON HAS DIED.

HE WAS 71 AND DIED FROM COMPLICATIONS FROM A STROKE HE SUFFERED LAST YEAR.

BENSON'S WORK FOR THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC EARNED HIM THE PULITZER PRIZE, ALONG WITH TWO OTHER PULITZER NOMINATIONS.

HE SPENT THE FINAL FIVE YEARS OF HIS CAREER WITH THE ARIZONA MIRROR AS HIS SYNDICATED WORK CONTINUED TO APPEAR IN PUBLICATIONS RANGING FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES TO THE WASHINGTON POST AND TIME MAGAZINE.

STEVE BENSON WAS ALSO A REGULAR ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

INDEED, ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR YEAR-END SHOWS HIGHLIGHTED BENSON'S MORE PROVACATIVE CARTOONS FROM THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.

AND IT HE COULD BE PROVOCATIVE.

>> AND SPEAKING OF CANDIDATES, LET'S GO TO THE G.O.P.

SIDE, AND, ALL RIGHT, STEVE... >> WELL, I TELL YOU, IN ARTICLE 6 OF THE CONSTITUTION IT SAYS THERE SHALL BE NO RELIGIOUS OATH APPLIED TO THE REPUBLIC GOVERNMENT.

BUT APPARENTLY THESE GUYS ARE FALLING ALL OVER THEMSELVES.

THEY'RE TRYING TO OUT-JESUS EACH OTHER.

AND I'M GOING, JESUS CHRIST.

>> LET'S START WITH THE QUID PRO QUO.

>> AND WE'VE GOT THESE LIQUID PAID TO SPINE RESPONDERS IN THE G.O.P., WHO, YOU KNOW, WHEN WERE -- TRUMP DOESN'T MIND THIS BECAUSE AT END OF THE DAY, HE WANTS TO SURPRISE.

AND SO THEY GO ALONG WITH THIS OBVIOUS QUID PRO QUO, SQUID PRO MO OR WHATEVER IT IS.

I DON'T SPEAK LATIN, AND IT WAS CLEARLY A PAYOFF.

AND EVEN TODAY THE HOUSE HAS ISSUED OH OH.

>> LEGENDARY POLITICAL CARTOONIST, JOURNALIST AND A GOOD GUY, STEVE BENSON, DEAD THE MARICOPA COUNTY BOARD OF AT 71.

SUPERVISORS RECENTLY APPROVED A BUDGET WORTH CLOSE TO $4 BILLION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NEW SPENDING PLAN INCLUDE A PROPERTY TAX FOR THE FIFTH STRAIGHT YEAR, AND INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

TO LEARN MORE, WE WELCOME THOMAS GALVIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARICOPA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> HEY, TED, HOW ARE YA?

>> I DID GET THE NUMBERS RIGHT, 3.9 BILLION AND FIFTH YEAR FOR PROPERTY TAX.

>> FIFTH YEAR OVERALL TAX RATE CUT.

THERE'S THREE COMPONENTS, THE PROPERTY TAX, FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND WE STILL HAVE MAINTAINED GOOD SERVICES IN MARICOPA COUNTY.

>> MORE THAN HALF LOOKS LIKE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUDICIAL SYSTEM, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, THESE SORTS OF THINGS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S HALF THE BUDGET, AND WITH THE $4 BILLION BUDGET WE ARE THE SECOND LARGEST IN THE STATE AFTER IT WAS PASSED AND WHEREVER LEGISLATION AND GOVERNOR.

THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND WITH A COUNTY OF 4.5 MILLION PEOPLE, THE FOURTH LARGEST COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY, IT'S ESSENTIAL FOR US TO DO A GOOD JOB IN TERMS OF FOLLOWING OUR PRINCIPLES OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ABLE TO CUT OUR TAX RATE AND ALSO MAKE INVESTMENTS ESPECIALLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> OTHER MAJOR INVESTMENTS?

WHAT DO YOU GOT GOING HERE?

>> WELL, INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY WE'LL BE INVESTING IN OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE, REN WHEN WERING SUBSTATIONS.

ALSO, WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT 22 DIFFERENT PARKS HERE IN MARICOPA COUNTY.

WE'RE GOING TO BE BUILDING A BRAND-NEW STATE OF THE ART ELECTION TABULATION CENTER WHICH YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, IN A COUNTY OF 4.5 MILLION PEOPLE, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS WE HAVE TO GET DONE BUT WE HAVE A BALANCE BUDGET AND NO DEBT.

>> AND TALKED ABOUT THAT ELECTION CENTER BEFORE.

MY QUESTION IS US A, IS THIS REAL NECESSARY, AND DO YOU THINK IS GO TO QUELL THE CRITIC AS SOON AS.

>> IN TERMS OF THE ELECTIONS BILLING, THIS COUNTY HAS BEEN GROWING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS, AND PEOPLE ARE MOVING HERE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THE BUILDING THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY IN IS JUST TOO SMALL.

IT'S OUTDATED BY DECADES.

WE NEED TECHNOLOGY TO CATCH UP AND FRANKLY NEED MORE SPACE FOR MORE WORKERS TO GET IN THERE AND COUNT THE BALLOTS FASTER.

BUT WHEN LOOKING AT WHEREVER ALL BUDGET, WHAT I'M INCREASINGLY PROUD OF IS OUR INCREASE IN PAY FOR DETENTION OFFICERS AND EMERGENCY DISPATCH OFFICERS.

>> AND I NOTICED A NEW ANIMAL SHELTER.

>> A NEW ONE IN THE WEST VALLEY.

I'M REALLY PROUD THAT WE OPENED UP THE NEW ONE IN THE EAST VALLEY, IN MY DISTRICT, WHICH IS DISTRICT 2, AND ALSO JUST BECAUSE THE COUNTY'S GROWING, JUST OVER THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND, WE HAD HUNDREDS OF DOGS THAT EITHER CAME IN AS STRAYS OR WERE SURRENDERED, AND SO WE NEED TO FIND THE CAPACITY TO TAKE CARE OF OUR FOUR ALMOST WILL WHAT WERE YOU TALK ABOUT OVERALL BUDGETING HERE, LOWEST STAFF TO POP PLACE RATIO, I THINK, IN HISTORY, TRUE?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAVE BEEN LOWERING THE STAFF TO POPULATION RARE RATIO FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS.

AND I LIKE TO COMPARE OURSELVES TO THE LARPTDZ WILL WHAT THE UNITED STATES, WHETHER THAT'S COOK COUNTY IN ILLINOIS, 4RE6RZED 4R-B8G9 OH QLOWPTIONZ SWRORVELTZIS COUNTY IN TEXAS, MIAMI-DADE, AND WE ARE JUST DEMOLISHING THE COMPETITION.

WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK FOR TAXPAYER DOLLARS, BUT EVERY SINGLE YEAR AS THE COUNTY GROWS, OUR RATIO GOES DOWNS.

>> IT SOUNDS GREAT, IT SOUNDS ECONOMICAL, EFFICIENT, THE WHOLE NINE YARDS HERE.

BUT IS IT -- CAN MORE MONEY SPENT ON MORE THINGS?

>> WELL, I HAVE ONE PRINCIPLE, WHICH IS DON'T SPEND MORE THAN YOU TAKE IN.

AND WHEREVER 0EUBGD ROOM.

Q.

>> HE THAT IN GOVERNMENT TOO MUCH, ESPECIALLY AT THE STATE LEVEL.

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE SAW OUR SUBSTANTIAL WILL WHAT WERE DIAGNOSIS DASH DEFICIT AND THEY'VE HAD TO SCRAMBLE EVER SINCE.

MARICOPA COUNTY WE HAVE A LOT OF MANDATES AND RESPONSIBILITIES BECAUSE WE HAVE TO FOLLOW STATE LAW.

BECAUSE AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE VERY CAREFUL WITH OUR DOLLARS, AND THAT'S WHAT TAXPAYERS EXPECT FROM US.

WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW WHO ACTUALLY LIVE THAT MANDATE.

>> LET ME ASK THAT QUESTION FROM A DIFFERENT DRETDZ WILL WHAT YOU TAKING IN ENOUGH?

>> YEAH.

WE ARE TAKING IN ENOUGH, FRANKLY.

AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE ACTUALLY -- OUR TAX LEVY RIGHT NOW IS $269 MILLION BELOW WHERE WE COULD WALKER ISLY BE AT, WHICH IS A JAW-DROPPING FIGURE.

SO YOU CAN REPLACE US WITH FIVE NEW SUPERVISORS TOMORROW, QUO RAISE TAXES BY $269 MILLION, WE'RE NOT DOING THAT.

WE HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE CARE BEHALF WE HAVE TO DO.

>> SO RESERVES IN GOOD SHAPE.

BOND RATING.

WHERE IS THAT?

>> AAA.

PERFECT.

>> AND WHEN WERE -6R7B8G9SDZ OF COURSE HELPS THAT RATING.

>> YES.

I GAYLE BECAME CHAIRMAN IN JANUARY AND SAID MY MISSION WAS TO ENSURE SECURITY AND PROMOTE PROSPERITY AND WE HAVE ENOUGH RESERVES, HAVE A STERLING BOND RATING AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT WE NEED TO DO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I KNOW THIS IS A BIG DEAL FOR YOU, THE CHASE FIELD, THE RENOVATION, THIS IS STATE LAW, NOT THE COUNTY BUT IT AFFECTS THE COUNTY.

THE IMPACT ON COUNTY REVENUES FROM THIS LAW.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AND WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

>> WELL, I'M VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT THE COUNTY FOUGHT HARD TO MAKE SURE WE WERE NOT HARMED IN THIS PROCESS.

WE WERE IN MANY WAYS BYSTANDERS BUT ALSO AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.

THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD HAVE ASKED UP MONEY FROM THE COUNTY'S GENERAL FUND, AND WE FOUGHT HARD FOR THAT AMENDMENT TO BE STRUCK OUT, WHICH IT WAS.

AND SO RIGHT NOW THE MONEY THAT WILL BE USED TO THE REPAIRS OF THE STADIUM FOR DECADES TO COME WILL BE FROM ACTIVITY GENERATED AT THE STADIUM ITSELF.

THIS IS MONEY THAT WILL BE EFFECTIVE FOR THE STATE LEVEL, THE COUNTY LEVEL AND CITY OF PHOENIX LEVEL, BUT IN THE SAME TIME THE COUNTY'S GENERAL PLANS WERE NOT AFFECTED.

>> BUT CRITICS ARE SAYING THAT THIS IS MONEY THAT WOULD OTHERWISE GO TO THINGS LIKE LAW ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> THE ARGUMENT THAT THEY'RE MAKING BECAUSE IT WAS THE STATE LAWMAKERS, SAYING IF YOU'RE GOING INTO THE STADIUM, BUYING A T-SHIRT, A TICKET, A HOT DOG, THE SALES TAX GENERATED FROM THAT STADIUM IS NOW GOING TO FURTHER THE REPAIR COSTS FOR THE STADIUM ITSELF.

AND THIS IS A PUBLIC BENEFIT.

THIS IS A PUBLIC ASSET.

>> ALSO AN INCOME-PRODUCING ASSET.

>> AND IF YOU'RE GOING TO THE D-BACKS GAME ON TUESDAY NAP WILL WHAT WERE K4R50EU6R7B8G9SDZ PEOPLE THERE, IN THIS WEATHER, 117 DEGREES RIGHT NOW, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET 117,000 PEOPLE DOWN TO DOWNTOWN PHOENIX ON A WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

>> IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING IT'S STATE LAW HERE, BUT SOMETHING YOU WERE VERY MUCH INVOLVED, VERY MUCH BEHIND, AND THIS ANNUAL INPLACE ADJUSTMENT UP 3%.

I MEAN, THAT'S A LOT.

WHEN WERE -6R7B8G9SDZ NECESSARY?

>> THAT WAS A NUMBER THAT WAS NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE DIAMONDBACKS, THE LEGISLATORS AND THE GOVERNOR.

WHAT I WAS DOING AND WHAT MY COLLEAGUES AND PRESCRIBE DOING WERE MAKING SURE THAT THE COUNTY TAX DOLLARS WERE NOT AFFECTED.

SO YOU CAN'T GET WHAT YOU WANT ALL THE TIME, AND SO WE WERE MAKING SURE THAT FROM A COUNTY PERSPECTIVE, THAT WE WERE HELD HARMLESS, FOR THE MOST PART, WE WERE.

THERE'S ALSO A NEW BOARD CREATION THAT WILL BE APPOINTMENTED BY THE MAYOR OF PHOENIX.

COUNTY IS NOW OUT OF THE STADIUM BUSINESS.

SO I'M HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

I CAN JUST GO TO THE GAME AND RELAX.

>> BIGGEST SMILE YOU'VE HAD ALL NIGHT.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THAT THE STADIUMS, THESE -- I'M A HUGE SPORTS FAN.

I'M COMING AT THIS FROM A WEIRD ANGLE, BUT THE STUDIES SHOW THAT THEY DON'T -- THEY PRODUCE LITTLE TO NO ECONOMIC BENEFIT.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND WHEN YOU SEE THOSE KINDS OF NUMBERS.

>> I DISAGREE.

DIAMONDBACKS ONLY PLAY 81 DAYS OUT OF 365 DAYS.

THE OTHER 270 DAYS WE HAVE MONSTER JAM, BILLY JOEL, KENNY CHESNAY, STEVIE NICKS, FOOTBALL GAMES, THE WORLD CUP CLASSIC.

THERE ARE WAYS TO BRING BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN.

I KNOW BUSINESSES AND LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS, THEY'RE THIRSTY FOR THAT CLOSE REVENUE DOLLARS.

IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> AND BEFORE WE GO, WE'VE GOT WHAT WE GOT DOWN THERE.

THE DIAMONDBACKS ARE STAYING.

WE'VE ONLY GOT A FEW MINUTES LEFT HERE, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE LETTERS BEING SENT OUT BY THE REPORTER AND ANOTHER COMING OUT BLAMING THE VENDOR.

YOU WERE PRETTY -- >> WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTIONS YOU HAVE TO DO RIGHT BY THE VOTERS AND SOMETIMES THINGS HAPPEN AND MISTAKES ARE MADE.

MY DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE RECORDER IS HE'S NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY IS SECOND OUT 83,000 LETTERS ERRONEOUSLY TO THE VOTERS AND BLAMED A THIRD PARTY VENDOR WHEN IT TURNED OUT SOMEONE IN HIS OFFICE HAD APPROVED IT.

I DON'T THINK HE'S FACED THE MEDIA SINCE THEN.

THE RECORD HERE MADE MISTAKE AFTER MISTAKE AFTER MISTAKE SINCE HE'S COME INTO OFFICE.

DESPITE MAKING HUGE PROMISES, THE BOARD WANTS HIM TO DO WELL, THE BOARD WANTS HIM TO SUCCEED, BUT HE HAS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, HE HAS TO OWN IT, AND I WANT TO SEE THAT MORE FROM HIM.

>> IS THAT SOMETHING THAT THE BOARD HAS OVERSIGHT?

COULD THEY HAVE STOPPED IT?

>> NO, WE DON'T.

SO THE VOTERS OF MAYOR COPE PA COUNTY ELECTED HIM TO RECORDER.

HIS JOB IS TO DO VOTER REGISTRATION AND EARLY ENVELOPES.

WE HANDLE THE CANVASSING.

THE WAY THE ARIZONA LAW FOR ELECTIONS SAYS WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER BUT IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE OR YOU LET DOWN THE VOTERS, YOU GOTTA LOOK THEM IN THE EYE, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, APOLOGIZE AND MOVE ON.

PEOPLE HERE ARE VERY FORGIVING, BUT DON'T INSULT THEIR INTELLIGENCE.

>> THE RECORDER SAYS NO VOTER REGISTRATION WAS AFFECTED.

HE BLAMED THE 77, DO I'M NOT SURE WHICH VENDOR HE'S TALKING ABOUT, BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE THE LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT OUT AND PEOPLE I THINK WERE SHOCKED TO GET THE LETTERS IN THE FIRST PLACE, ANOTHER LETTER WHERE IT WAS KIND OF -- I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE SUING EACH OTHER, COUNTER-SUING EACH OTHER, A WHOLE BUSINESS HERE.

IS THERE WAY FOR YOU GUYS TO ALL GET TOGETHER AND MAKE NICE.

>> THERE IS A WAY.

AND WE HAD IT ON APRIL 11th WHEN HE STRUCK A DEAL WITH US ABOUT THE SHERIFFS AGREEMENT.

WE HAD THESE SAME TYPE OF AGREEMENTS WITH THE THREE PREVIOUS RECORDERS, HE THEN WENT DARK FOR OVER A MONTH AND AND BACKED OUT OF THE DEAL AND DECLARED HE WAS GOING TO SUE US.

THAT'S JUST NOT HONORING THE WHEREVER -7B8G9SDZ THAT YOU TOOK.

>> THOMAS GALVIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARICOPA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS THE PHOENIX ZOO HAS RAISED THOUSANDS OF CHIRICAHUA LEOPARD FROGS TO BE RELEASED INTO THE WILD.

IT'S PART OF THE ZOO'S RECOVERY EFFORTS FOR THIS THREATENED SPECIES.

EARLIER YOU MENTIONED THAT THEY WERE ENDANGERED AND -- >> WELL, IT'S A LITTLE HIGHER LEVEL OF THREAT TO THEM.

>> AND YOU'RE TRAM WILL W4R50EU6R7B8G9SDZ THEM FROM GOING ENDANGERED.

>> EXACTLY.

>> WHAT IS THE CHIRICAHUA LEOPARD FROG.

>> THEY ARE' A SPOTTED FROG, THIS HE CAN RANGE IN SIZE QUITE A BIT, AND THEY ARE NATIVE TO AREAS OF ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO AND NORTHERN MEXICO, AND THEY'VE BEEN LISTED AS THREATENED SINCE 2002.

>> WHY?

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

WHAT'S CAUSING THEM TO BE THREATENED?

>> SO AT THAT TIME, IT WAS FOUND THAT THEY HAD DISAPPEARED BY ABOUT 75% OF HISTORICAL SITES, AND A LOT OF THE THREATS THAT THEY'VE FACED ARE HABITAT LOSS, INTEGRATION, THE LONG-TERM DROUGHT HAS BEEN REALLY TERRIBLE FOR THEM, AND INHAYES ASSIST SPECIES LIKE BULL FROGS AND DISEASE.

>> ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

AND CLIMATE CHANGE, IS THAT MAKING THEM MOVE TO DIFFERENT AREAS THAT THEY MAY NOT BE ALL THAT -- DO ALL THAT WELL -- I MEAN, HOW DOES CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT AN ANIMAL LIKE THIS?

>> I THINK DROUGHT REALLY THE MAIN PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY'RE A HIGHLY AQUATIC SPECIES.

SO THEY LIVE IN LITTLE POCKETS OF WATER, OR THEY CAN LIVE IN STREAMS.

BUT A LOT OF SITE WHERE IS THEY'RE BOUND IN THE WILD ARE JUST DRYING UP WHEREVER SO MUCH TEMPERATURE, BUT WATER.

>> YES.

>> THIS IS WHERE THE PHOENIX ZOO COMES IN.

30 YEARS NOW, HOW DID THAT GET STARTED?

>> WELL, I WASN'T HERE WHEN IT STARTED BUT I'M TOLD THAT IT ACTUALLY STARTED UNDER A CURATOR'S DESK IN HIS OFFICE, AND THAT WHEN WERE RAISING THEM IN LIKE KITTY POOLS, AND NOW WE HAVE A MUCH MORE SOPHISTICATED OPERATION THESE DAYS.

WE HAVE A FROG LAB WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME AND ACTUALLY WATCH US RAISE THEM.

>> WOW.

AND YOU GO FROM EGGS TO TAD POOLS TO BE JUVENILES, CORRECT?

>> YES.

>> HOW LONG DOES THAT TAKE?

>> IT REALLY DEPENDS ON WHERE THE FROGS HAVE ORIGINATED.

SO ACTUALLY SOME THAT LIVE WAY UP HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS CAN TAKE ALMOST TWO YEARS TO FULLY DEVELOP TO ADULTHOOD WHEREAS SOME THAT ARE OH OH YOU KNOW, FROM LOWER ELEVATIONS DEVELOP QUICKER.

SO WE USUALLY RELEASE THEM -- TAD POOLES AROUND 6 TO EIGHT WEEKS OF AGE, SOMETIMES WE KEEP THEM A LITTLE LONGER.

>> AND YOU MARKED 30,000 THIS YEAR?

>> YEAH, A BIG MILE STONE.

>> SURE IS.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

>> THANK YOU INSIDE TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS.

ONCE THEY'RE READY TO LEAVE THE NEST OR TUB, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, WHERE DO THEY GO?

>> SO WE'VE BEEN RELEASING THEM, ESPECIALLY IN THE TONTO NATIONAL FOREST.

SO THE ONES THAT YOU'RE HERE HERE WERE RELEASED INTO A CATTLE STOCK TANK, AND SO THEY ACTUALLY ARE FOUND QUITE A BIT IN CONTACT EARTH AND CATTLE STOCK TANKS UP IN THE NATIONAL FORESTS.

THEY DO OCCUR LOTS OF OTHER PLACES TOO.

>> AND IS THERE A CERTAIN TYPE OF -- TIME OF YEAR THAT YOU LIKE TO DO THIS?

>> SUMMER IS USUALLY OUR PEAK TIME.

>> REALLY?

>> YES.

BECAUSE THEIR EGGS ARE USUALLY LAID LAYED IN LATE SPRING AND THEN IT TAKES A LITTLE WHILE TO RAISE THEM IN OUR FROG LAB.

>> DO YOU JUST DUMP THEM IN THE POND?

WHAT'S THE PROCESS?

>> I MEAN, YOU CAN, BUT WE PREFER TO ACCLIMATE THEM FIRST BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN A DIFFERENT WATER TEMPERATURES, AND THE WATER IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFERENT.

SO WE HAVE TO ACCLIMATE THEM.

>> WILL WHAT WERE 125EU6RBZ JOASKTZ POWER NEEDED?

>> IT'S A BIGGEST FOR US.

IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK.

WE RAISE THEM IN SEVERAL TANKS.

WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN WATER QUALITY.

WE FEED THEM -- ONCE THEY ARE LITTLE FROG LET'S ITS, WE'RE FEEDING THEM AROUND 15,000 CRICKETS A WEEK AND A COUPLE HUNDRED ROACHES, AND SO THE TAD POOLS GET A DIFFERENT DIET OF TAD TOLL JAIL THAT WE ROLL OUT LIKE A BROWNIE.

>> WOW.

CONGRATULATIONS.

INDIANA ROOTING FOR THESE GUYS, AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THESE -- FOR SOMEONE WHO SAYS THIS SOUNDS NICE AND EVERYTHING, BUT WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?

>> WELL, THESE FROGS ARE ARIZONANS JUTDZ WILL W4-7B8G9SDZ AND ME.

AND THEY'RE A PIECE OF WHAT MAKES THIS STATE REALLY SPECIAL AND UNIQUE.

AND THESE FROGS ARE NOT DOING WELL.

WE HAVE 24 FROGS AND TOAD SPECIES HERE IN ARIZONA AND THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT'S LISTED AS THREATENED UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES WHEREVER 0ER7B8G9SD 134R50EU6R7B8G9SDZ NEED OUR HELP.

SO WE HAVE THE EXPERTISE NEEDED TO HELP THEM, AND WE'RE JUST EXCITED TO BE DOING THAT WORK.

>> SAME KIND OF PROCESS OR OTHER SPECIES?

>> WE HAVE 11 NATIVE SPECIES THAT ARE IN OUR CARE AT OUR CONSERVATION CENTER AT THE PHOENIX ZOO.

AND IT'S SIMILAR FOR DIFFERENT SPECIES BUT MOST OF THEM, WE HAVEN'T BEEN WORKING WITH FOR 30 YEARS.

>> AND 30,000 OF THEM.

WELL, CONGRATULATIONS, AGAIN, DR.

TEAR A HARRIS IN PHOENIX ZOO, I'M SURE THE LEOPARD FROGS THANK YOU TOO.

>> THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM IS CELEBRATING 15 YEARS.

"MIM" IS RENOWNED AS ONE OF THE PRE- IMMINENT MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUMS IN THE COUNTRY.

IT'S ALSO AN ACCLAIMED STOP FOR PERFORMING ARTISTS.

JOINING US NOW IS CRAIG COOLEY, MIM'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE MIM?

>> MIM, THERE'S NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE WORLD.

WE REPRESENT MUSIC FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE PLACES THAT YOU COME THERE, IT IS FOR KIDS, IT'S FOR ADULTS, IT'S FOR FAMILIES.

SO REALLY FOR EVERYONE.

>> WHAT WAS THE MUSEUM'S ORIGINAL GOAL 15 YEARS AGO, AND DID THAT MISSION CHANGE OVER THE YEARS?

>> THE MISSION DID NOT CHANGE.

WE WANTED TO BE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE COULD ENJOY THINGS AND HAVE ARTICLE GOOD TIME, AND IT'S A SPOT FOR EVERYONE.

>> AND ALSO A SPOT FOR TOURING MUSICIANS.

>> IT IS.

>> WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE DO YOU GET WHEN THEY SHOW UP AND LOOK AROUND.

>> THEY'RE BLOWN AWAY.

WE REALLY CAN'T EXPLAIN WHO WE ARE UNTIL THEY COME IN, AND THEY SAY, WHEREVER AND I'M LIKE, YES, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PLACES THAT YOU HAVE TO COME IN AND SEE.

WE HAVE OVER 12,000 INSTRUMENTS AND OBJECTS.

>> GOODNESS GRACIOUS.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHICH ONES ARE GOING TO EXHIBIT.

>> SO WE HAVE OUR CURATORS FOR EACH AREA.

THEY GO THROUGH THE LIST.

WE'RE CONSTANTLY UPDATING IT WHEN WERE EVERY DAY WE'RE MAKING CHANGES TO OUR EXHIBITS.

SO WE TRY TO SHOOT THE BEST ONES.

WE SEE WHAT EVERYONE EIGHT WILLING AND WE CONTINUE TO UPGRADE.

YOU TRY TO SEE WHAT EVERYONE'S LIKING, AGAIN, YOU'VE GOT ALL OF THESE LITTLE THINGS LINED UP HERE, HOW DO YOU DECIDE YOU'RE IN, YOU'RE OUT?

>> WE HAVE THESE HEAD SETHS, AND WE CAN SEE HOW PEOPLE ARE WALKING THROUGH OUR MUSEUM AND WE CAN KNOW IF THEY'RE STAYING AT A CERTAIN EXHIBIT FOR LONGER OR LESS TIME, SO WE KNOW WHAT'S WORKING AND WHAT'S NOT WORK WORKING.

>> YEAH.

HOW BEST TO PRESENT A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, RIGHT.

AND THAT'S WHERE I HAVE EXPERTS ON THE TEAM THAT COME IN AND ACTUALLY TELL ME HOW TO DO THAT.

>> WHAT ARE THEY TELLING YA?

>> WELL, THE WAY THEY DISPLAY IT, THE ONE THING WE DO DIFFERENTLY IN MOST PLACES IS WE TRY NOT TO HAVE EVERYTHING BEHIND A GLASS CASE, RIGHT.

WE WANT IT TO BE RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF PEOPLE SO THEY CAN SEE ALL ANGLES OF EACH OF THE INSTRUMENTS.

>> AND YOU HAVE AUDIO/VISUAL?

>> WE DO.

>> HOW DO THOSE WORK.

BASICALLY, WHEN YOU WALK UP TO AN EXHIBIT, RIGHT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO TOUCH ANYTHING.

YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE MUSIC AUTOMATICALLY, WHICH IS ONE OF A KIND, RIGHT, FOR THE SIZE OF MUSEUM THAT WE HAVE, AND THEN WHEN YOU WALK AWAY FROM THE EXHIBIT, YOU CAN GO UP TO ANOTHER ONE AND LISTEN TO IT RIGHT AWAY.

>> YEAH.

IS THAT -- YOUR ADVICE FOR SOMEONE, FIRST TIME AT MIM, WHAT WOULD BE THE -- WOULD YOU FOCUS ON ONE AREA, WOULD YOU FOCUS ON THE AD ASPECT?

>> MY FIRST THING FOR THE PERSON IS DON'T HAVE A PLAN.

COME IN THERE AND JUST REALLY ENJOY IT.

>> SO LET EVERYTHING KIND OF FLOW OVER YOU, HUH?

>> JUST EXPERIENCE IT, RIGHT.

NOW, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH TIME.

BECAUSE EVERYONE THAT COMES THERE THINKS AN HOUR, TWO HOURS.

IT COULD BE A WHOLE-DAY THING.

>> THAT'S WHY I ASK WILL WHAT USING BECAUSE IT SEEMS IF YOU'RE GOING TO GO DO GUITARS, DO GUITARS ALL DAY LONG, OR WIND INSTRUMENTS.

IS THAT AN IDEA THERE.

>> IF SOMEONE TELLS ME THEY HAVE ONE HOUR TO SPEND, WE SAY, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE, RIGHT.

>> TALK ABOUT THE EVENTS THERE.

>> THIS SUMMER WE'RE ACTUALLY PILOTING AND DOING THREE NEW PROGRAMS PLUS OUR SIGNATURE EVENTS.

SO OF THESE PROGRAMS, WE'RE DOING CHOIR WORKSHOPS, WHICH IS WHERE WE'RE BRINGING IN GROUPS OF PEOPLE TO SING A SONG, LEARN ABOUT THAT SONG, AND THEN ACTUALLY GO TOUR AND LEARN ABOUT THE BACKGROUND OF THAT SONG.

THAT'S ONE.

AND THEN THE SECOND ONE, WE'RE DOING THESE SPOTLIGHT SERIES, RIGHT, WHERE THEY'RE LOOKING INTO -- WE'RE SHOW I CAMING EACH OF THE MEW SIGNIFICANCES, THE EXPERTS, THE WORKSHOPS.

SO IT'S A SINGLE-DAY EVENT FOR THE SPOTLIGHT SERIES, AND THE THIRD ONE IS LED BY OUR CURATOR OF EDUCATION.

HE DOES A DEEP DIVE INTO A CERTAIN TOPIC, IT'S A HANDS-ON ACTIVITY AND THEN DO DOES A TOUR.

THESE COULD BE ANYTHING FROM MUSIC AND HEALING TO CATS AND MUSIC.

>> CATS AND MUSIC?

>> CATS AND MUSIC.

>> I HAD NO IDEA.

I WAS TALKING WITH HIM, AND HE SAID THIS IS WHERE WE TALK ABOUT THE CULTURAL TRADITIONS OF WHERE LIONS, TIGERS AND CATS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO THE MUSIC.

>> OH, MY GOODNESS.

I'M INTERESTED IN THAT.

>> SEE, THAT'S WHAT I SAID.

>> YEAH.

AND BASICALLY -- AND YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS, IT'S WONDERFUL IN THE SUMMER, BECAUSE YOU CAN GET OUT OF THE HEAT AND ENJOY -- IT'S AN AMAZING PLACE TO BE.

>> YEP.

>> ESPECIALLY IN THE -- WHERE CAN PEOPLE LEARN MORE ABOUT MIM?

>> THEY CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE.

YOU CAN LEARN EVERYTHING FROM OUR CONCERTS TO OUR EVENTS TO ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE COMING UP.

>> AND BEGUN, A LOT OF CULL TOUR EXHIBITS THERE, AS WELL, THE CULL TOUR AND MUSIC PLAYS A BIG PART OF WHAT YOU GUYS DO.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON 15 YEARS OUT THERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MUST HAVE IS SEEMED LIKE IT WENT BY QUICKLY, HOW ABOUT YOU?

>> I STARTED BEFORE IT EVEN OPENED, AND IT STILL FEELS LIKE DAY ONE.

AND WE'RE MOVING SUPER FAST.

I LOVE IT, IT'S A WONDERFUL PLACE.

>> GOOD HAVE YOU HERE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU WHEREVER THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.