♪.

TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CONFLICT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND IRAN.

>>> ALSO TONIGHT, THE IMPACT THAT THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET BILL WOULD HAVE ON LOCAL FOOD BANKS.

>>> AND WE'LL HEAR ABOUT NPH, THE CONDITION THAT LED BILLOW JOEL TO CANCEL HIS UPCOMING TOUR.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

.

TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP TODAY OFFERED A NUMBER OF AMBIGUOUS HINTS REGARDING A DECISION ON THE U.S.

JOINING ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON IRAN'S NUCLEAR SITES.

>> I HAVE IDEAS WHAT TO DO, I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION ONE SECOND BEFORE IT'S DUE.

THINGS CHANGE.

ESPECIALLY WITH WAR.

THINGS CHANGE WITH WAR, ONE EXTREME TO THE OTHER.

WAR IS VERY BAD.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

I HAVE BEEN ASKED ABOUT IT BY EVERYBODY, BUT I HAVEN'T MADE A DECISION.

TED: ISRAEL'S PRIME MINISTER WAS DECIDEDLY CLEAR ABOUT U.S. INVOLVEMENT, AT LEAST THUS FAR.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK PRESIDENT TRUMP, A GREAT FRIEND OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL.

I THANK HIM FOR STANDING ALONGSIDE US AND THANK HIM FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES IN ASSISTING AND DEFENDING THE SKIES OVER ISRAEL.

WE SPEAK FREQUENTLY INCLUDING LAST NIGHT.

WE HAD A VERY WARM CONVERSATION.

I THANKED PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR HIS BACKING.

TED: OTHER HEADLINES, THE FEDERAL RESERVE HELD INTEREST RATES UNCHANGED AS THE FED TRIES TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SHIFTING TRADE POLICIES.

>> CHANGES TO TRADE, IMMIGRATION, FISCAL AND REGULATORY POLICIES CONTINUE TO EVOLVE, AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY REMAIN UNCERTAIN.

THE EFFECTS OF TARIFFS DEPEND, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ON ULTIMATE LEVEL.

INCREASES IN TARIFFS THIS YEAR ARE LIKELY TO PUSH UP PRICES IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

TED: POWELL ADDED DESPITE THE UNCERTAINTY, THE ECONOMY IS IN, QUOTE, A SOLID POSITION WITH LOW UNEMPLOYMENT TO GO ALONG WITH THE LABOR MARKET AT OR NEAR MAXIMUM EMPLOYMENT.

>>> U.S. SUPREME COURT VOTED TO UPHOLD A STATE BAN ON MEDICAL TREATMENTS FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH.

CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS WRITING IN THE MAJORITY OPINION AT QUESTIONS REGARDING MEDICAL TREATMENT SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY THE PEOPLE THROUGH ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AND DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

JUSTICE SONIA SOTOMAYOR SAYS IT AUTHORIZES UNTOLD HARM TO THE TRANSGENDER CHILDREN AND THE PARENTS AND FAMILIES WHO LOVE HIM.

>>> THE STATE SENATE IS CLOSING IN ON A VOTE TO FUND CHASE FIELD WITH TAXPAYER MONEY.

WOULD DIVERT TAX REVENUE GENERATED FROM THE STADIUM TO PAY FOR RENOVATIONS.

IT HELPS FUND EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE BILL IS BACKED BY THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE GOVERNOR THAT PUT A CAP ON HOW MUCH MONEY CAN BE USED.

MEASURES INCLUDE EDUCATION FUNDING AND MEDICAID EXPANSION AND FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF LAND IN THE STATE.

>>> AS WE MENTIONED, PRESIDENT TRUMP IS NOT SAYING IF HE'S MADE UP HIS MIND REGARDING U.S. AIRSTRIKES AGAINST IRAN.

THE PRESIDENT SAID, QUOTE, I MAY DO IT, I MAY NOT DO IT, THIS AS THE CONFLICT CONTINUES TO ESCALATE.

JOINING US IS SOMEONE FROM ASU SCHOOL OF GLOBAL STUDIES, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

TED: IS THE U.S. CLOSER TO DROPPING BOMBS WITH THIS THING?

>> DROPPING BOMBS REMAINS TO BE SEEN, BUT CERTAINLY THE U.S. IS INVOLVED IN ASSISTING ISRAEL WITH COUNTERING IRANIAN ATTACKS AT THE MOMENT.

THERE'S STILL A STAGE TO GO WHEN IT COMES TO THE UNITED STATES ACTUAL PHYSICAL INVOLVEMENT IN THIS CONFLICT.

HOWEVER, THERE REMAINS OPPORTUNITY FOR DIPLOMACY, WHICH IS SOMETHING I'M HOPING TO SEE.

TED: IS IT CLOSER TODAY THAN IT WAS THE DAY BEFORE?

>> EVERY DAY IS GETTING CLOSER TO SOME KIND OF SOLUTION, BE THAT INVOLVEMENT IN THE CONFLICT DIRECTLY BY THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH SOME KIND OF PLEA FOR DIPLOMACY WHICH BOTH PARTIES COME TOGETHER.

TED: IRAN IS SAYING THEY HAVE NO CHOICE TO RETALIATE IF THE U.S.

STRIKES.

IS THAT REAL?

WHERE WOULD THEY RETALIATE?

BASES IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

>> THIS IS SOMETHING DISCUSSED BY IRAN ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AND OBVIOUSLY, THE UNITED STATES HAS NUMEROUS INTERESTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, PARTICULARLY AROUND THE PERSIAN GULF AREA.

THREATS HAVE BEEN MADE AGAINST THOSE ASSETS, AND WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST FOLLOWING THE ASSASSINATION OF SOLEIMANI, THE IRANIANS ATTACKED U.S. BASE NORTH OF IRAQ.

THE POTENTIAL IS THERE, BUT HOPEFULLY THIS WON'T ARRIVE IF DIPLOMACY CAN BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO SUCCEED.

TED: WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE PRESIDENT WHO REFERRED TO THE ISRAELI MILITARY EFFORT AS WE, AND CALLED FOR THE TOTAL EVACUATION OF TEHRAN.

WHAT DO WE MAKE OF THE STATEMENTS?

IS THIS BLUSTER?

THINGS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY?

THESE ARE WORDS THAT YOU JUST DON'T HEAR.

>> I THINK THE TERM WE IS SOMETHING THAT MAY BE A SLIP OF THE TONGUE OR THE UNITED STATES IS TRADITIONALLY A VERY CLOSE ALLIE OF ISRAEL.

TO HAVE THAT IN A SENSE IS SOMETHING THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN A CONSCIOUS CHOICE OF WORDS, HOWEVER, INTERPRETED AS SOMETHING QUITE DIFFERENT.

MOVING TO THE EVACUATION NOTICE, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING POINTS.

CAUSED NO END OF UNCERTAINTY IN TEHRAN.

PEOPLE ARE OBVIOUSLY VERY CONCERNED.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, SAY, VERY LARGE CITY OF IRAN, 8 TO 10 MILLION PEOPLE, DEPENDING HOW WIDE WE LOOK AT IT.

SO TO EVACUATE A CITY OF THAT PROPORTION IS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE KIND OF TAKEN TO LEAVING THE CITY ALREADY, BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE LOGISTICS OF IT, IT'S A HUGE TASK, MANY PEOPLE REFUSED TO DO SO, BUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT IS SOMETHING TO LOOK AT.

IS IT A MESSAGE TO SAY LEAVE NOW BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE CONSEQUENCE OR RISK TO LIFE, OR IS IT A MESSAGE TO SOW INSTABILITY IN IRAN AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE.

TED: IS IRAN READY FOR THAT INSTABILITY?

>> SHOULD I ARGUE IT'S ALREADY UNSTABLE BECAUSE OF THE CONFLICT.

THIS CONFLICT WASN'T MEANT TO HAPPEN.

WE WERE FIVE ROUNDS IN OF TALKS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND IRAN, ALBEIT BROKERS THROUGH IMAN, SO THE SOUTHERN CHANGE OF PLAN CHANGED THE GAME.

TED: AND ISRAEL, WHAT THEY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IS STOP THE NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM THERE.

CAN THEY DO THAT, A?

B, CAN THEY DO THAT WITHOUT THE U.S. HELP WITH THE BUNKER BUSTING BOMBS?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY, TO SOME EXTENT, THEY CAN CERTAINLY DISRUPT THE NUCLEAR PROGRAM.

I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO REACH IRANIAN NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT FACILITIES DIRECTLY THEMSELVES, UNLESS THEY USE ALTERNATIVE METHODS.

LET'S NOT FORGET THAT THE SYSTEMS ARE RUN ON HIGHLY TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED PROGRAMS AND MATERIALE AND ISRAEL HAVE PROVEN IN THE PAST THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO AFFECT THE IRANIAN NUCLEAR PROGRAM PRIMARILY THROUGH WEAPONS.

I'M TALKING ABOUT CYBERATTACKS AND TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION.

COMING TO IT COMPLETELY ALONE, I'M NOT REALLY SURE.

I THINK THE U.S. IS BEING INVITED BY ISRAEL TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS IN ORDER TO USE THAT KIND OF TECHNOLOGY THAT THE U.S. POSSESSES.

BUT I'M NOT REALLY SURE IT CAN BE DONE ALONE.

TED: THE BUNKER-BUSTING BOMBS, U.S. IS REALLY THE ONLY COUNTRY WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY, TRUE?

>> RUSSIA HAS SIMILAR.

TED: RUSSIA HAS SIMILAR, OKAY.

WHAT IS THIS DOING TO ALLIANCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

I MEAN, IT'S ALWAYS SHIFTING, ALWAYS HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHO'S ON WHAT SIDE AND WHO'S ON THE OTHER, WHAT ARE WE SEEING RIGHT NOW?

>> ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST, I THINK MANY COUNTRIES CONVEYED SHOCK, THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING, AND EVERYBODY IS JUST WATCHING THE EVENTS UNFOLD.

IT'S ONLY BEEN SIX DAYS, SEVEN DAYS NOW, THERE'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY, PARTICULARLY FOR THE PERSIAN GULF COUNTRIES, THERE ARE TRADITIONALLY ALIGNED WITH IRAN, QATAR MOST NOTABLY, BUT OTHERS HAVE APPROACHED ISRAEL.

THERE ARE NORMALIZATION OF TIES BETWEEN BAHRAIN AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES IN ISRAEL.

THEY'RE IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION BECAUSE BOTH ENJOY REASONABLY GOOD TIES WITH IRAN, BUT IT'S ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE REGION AFTERWARDS THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE LOOK AT LOGISTICS, SECURITY, FREEDOM OF SHIPPING AND TRAVEL, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR TRAVEL.

TED: STRAITS OF HORMUZ, THE WHOLE NINE YARDS HERE.

COULD THIS BE SERIOUSLY DISRUPTED OR IS THIS THE KIND OF THING -- WILL IT NECESSARILY AFFECT THOSE ASPECTS OF THE ECONOMY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SOMETHING LIKE 25% OF THE WORLD'S OIL FLOWS THROUGH THE PERSIAN GULF AS WELL AS MAJOR SHIPPING HUB USING DUBAI AS A PORT.

SO THE WIDER IMPACT ON BOTH THE REGION AND THE WIDER WORLD WILL BE HUGE.

TED: U.S. IMPACT -- CHECK THAT.

THE IMPACT OF THE U.S.' POSITION AND ALLIANCES, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT TO A CERTAIN DEGREE, BUT DOES THE U.S. GAIN FRIENDS HERE, ENEMIES HERE, IF THE U.S. DROPS BOMBS ON TEHRAN OR THE NUCLEAR FACILITIES?

.

>> THE U.S. CAN GAIN FRIENDS BY PROVING THERE IS A LEADER THAT CAN BRING PARTIES TO THE TABLE AND NEGOTIATE DIPLOMACY.

THIS IS WHAT PRESIDENT TRUMP REPEATEDLY SAID, THAT HE WANTS PEACE, HE WANTS A SOLUTION, HE WANTS A DEAL IN HIS OWN WORDS, THAT CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY DIPLOMACY, COMING AROUND THE TABLE, AND NEVER TOO LATE TO DO THAT.

TED: IS HIS UNPREDICTABILITY A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS?

>> THE SITUATION IS UNPREDICTABLE IN ITSELF.

ANYBODY THAT LOOKS AT WHAT'S HAPPENING AND CHANGES THEIR RHETORIC, THEY'RE DOING SO BECAUSE NOTHING IS STABLE.

THIS IS A VERY, VERY FLUCTUATING CONFLICT.

IT'S NORMAL FOR CHANGE OF OPINIONS TO OCCUR.

TED: HAVEN'T ASKED ABOUT EUROPE, THE U.S.

PRESENCE AND ALLIANCES, WE'RE NOT SURE THAT IS CHANGING, NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT AT A CORE LEVEL.

HOW DOES IT CHANGE THE DYNAMICS, OR DOES IT?

>> U.S. FIGHTING A BATTLE ON TWO FRONTS.

THEY ARE CONTINUALLY TALKING ABOUT INCREASING THREAT FROM RUSSIA, BUT THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT AS WELL.

BRITISH FORCES HAVE OFFERED TO FLY EQUIPMENT TO CYPRUS TO ASSIST THE JETS FLOWN THERE, AND IN THE PAST, THE PREVIOUS ATTACK THAT IRAN AND ISRAEL CAME ACROSS, BRITISH JETS WERE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFENSE OF ISRAEL, WHICH THEY WERE SEEN SHOOTING DOWN IRANIAN DRONES.

SO THERE IS SOME KIND OF GLOBAL COLLECTIVE PARTICIPATION, AND EUROPE ARE HEAVILY INVOLVED.

TED: LAST QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE NEXT?

>> WHAT I EXPECT TO SEE IS A CALL FOR PEACE, A CALL FOR DIPLOMACY AND EXPECT TO SEE COUNTRIES NOT NECESSARILY INVOLVED BUT STEP UP WITH THE UNITED STATES, SUCH AS INDIA, CHINA, RUSSIA, PARTICULARLY MEMBERS OF THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL AND ENGAGE WITH BOTH PARTIES TO BRING THIS TO A PEACEFUL END AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

TED: GOOD INFORMATION, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

.

TED: CONGRESS IS CONSIDERING A BUDGET BILL THAT INCLUDES NEARLY $300 BILLION IN CUTS FROM THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, KNOWN AS FOOD STAMPS.

A 30% CUT, THE LARGEST IN HISTORY, AND THREATENS TO PUT A HEAVIER BURDEN ON FOOD BANKS.

ASHLEY ST. THOMAS IS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

TED: GIVE ME GENERAL THOUGHTS, REGARDING THIS BILL AND WHAT IT DOES, AND WHAT IT MEANS?

>> YEAH, IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS, THIS BILL, CUTS OF THIS MAGNITUDE TO S.N.A.P.

WOULD INCREASE FOOD INSECURITY, IN ARIZONA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND CERTAINLY THE IMPACT WOULD AFFECT FOOD BANKS, DEMAND WOULD RISE.

CURRENTLY FOOD BANKS ARE SERVING 700,000 PEOPLE EACH MONTH, WHICH IS RECORD BREAKING.

THAT'S HIGHER THAN THE PEAK MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT COMPARING THESE TIMES AND WHAT COULD HAPPEN WITH THIS BILL IN THE PANDEMIC.

WE'LL GET TO THAT IN A SECOND.

YOU MENTIONED S.N.A.P.

AND I MENTIONED THE SUPPLEMENTAL.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> GROCERY PURCHASING BENEFIT THAT FAMILIES WHO ARE LOW INCOME ARE ELIGIBLE FOR WITH OTHER REGULATORY STIPULATIONS, BUT THAT'S WHAT THE BENEFIT DOES.

TED: THE BILL BASICALLY SAYS, WHAT?

WE'RE CUTTING THE BENEFITS, WE'RE ADDING TO WORK REQUIREMENTS?

THOSE SORTS OF THINGS?

>> YEAH, SO IT'S NOT AN EN MASSE CUT, IT'S STRUCTURAL CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM WHICH EXISTED IN CURRENT FORM SINCE 1964.

THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME CUT THIS WAS MAGNITUDE ARE DISCUSSED AND PRIMARILY DONE IN THREE WAYS.

ONE IS COST SHARING WITH STATES FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.

THE BENEFITS TO DATE HAVE BEEN FEDERALLY FUNDED.

THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME THE STATE PUTS IN MONEY FOR THE BENEFITS.

EXPANSION OF WORK REQUIREMENTS AS YOU SAID, AND A RECALCULATION OF THE BENEFIT WOULD NO LONGER BE ALLOWED, SO ULTIMATELY IT KEEPS THE STATIC, THE RATE STATIC.

TED: SO IN OTHER WORDS, INFLATION NOT EVEN A FACTOR HERE?

>> CORRECT.

ULTIMATELY, AND IT DOESN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PEOPLE'S NUTRITIONAL NEEDS, DATA CHANGES HOW PEOPLE PURCHASE AND COOK FOOD, SO THE WAY THE BENEFIT IS CALCULATED NOW TAKES THAT INTO ACCOUNT BUT NEEDS TO BE ADAPTED EVERY YEAR, RIGHT?

AS GROCERY PRICES RISE, IT WOULDN'T ADAPT TO THAT.

>> YOU MENTIONED COST SHARING WITH STATES, IS ARIZONA ABLE, WILLING TO PICK UP SOME SLACK HERE?

>> IT'S UNCLEAR.

IT'S UNCLEAR HOW THIS IS GOING TO WORK, AND WHAT IT MEANS IF THE STATE CAN'T PUT IN WHAT'S REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THAT HASN'T BEEN HAMMERED OUT YET, BUT WE KNOW THAT ARIZONA WOULD LIKELY BE REQUIRED TO PUT IN ABOUT $500 MILLION FOR THE FIRST YEAR, AND IF YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED THE STATE BUDGET IS MOVING FORWARD THIS WEEK, AND IT'S KIND OF A NON-STARTER AT THAT PRICE.

TED: THAT'S AN AWFUL LOT OF MONEY.

OKAY.

SO WHAT YOU GOT, I WOULD IMAGINE, IS A LOT OF FOLKS WHO CAN'T PAY GROCERY BILLS AND A LOT OF FOLKS WHO CAN'T PAY GROCERY BILLS LOOK TO FOOD BANKS FOR ASSISTANCE.

HOW MUCH DO YOU SEE THAT INCREASING IF THIS AS IT STANDS GOES THROUGH?

>> I CAN'T GIVE A PERCENTAGE BUT OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN S.N.A.P., THEY'RE CHILDREN, SENIORS, PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES, WORKING PARENTS AND BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET.

THEY NEED THAT ASSISTANCE $6 PER DAY ON AVERAGE IN ARIZONA TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

SO WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE THAT, THEY TURN TO FOOD BANKS AND LIKE I SAID, OUR FOOD BANKS ARE STRETCHED THIN, AND FOOD BANKS ARE RESILIENT AND FIND A WAY, THEY'RE EMBEDDED IN THE COMMUNITIES, THEY DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN, BUT AT SOME POINT, THERE HAS TO BE A BREAKING POINT.

TED: YEAH, RURAL AREAS WOULD GET ESPECIALLY HARD?

>> YES, FOOD INSECURITY IS HIGHEST IN RURAL AREAS, APACHE COUNTY HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

THAT WOULD BE EXACERBATED BECAUSE RETAILERS ARE FAR AWAY FROM WHERE PEOPLE LIVE, TRANSPORTATION ISN'T THE BEST.

THAT'S HOW WE SEE THE FOOD INSECURITY RATE HIGH NOW, AND WITH THE LACK OF ACCESS TO S.N.A.P., THAT WOULD ONLY INCREASE.

TED: WE'VE DONE A NUMBER OF SHOWS ON THIS TOPIC IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

THE FIRST TIME WE TALKED TO FOOD BANKS.

I ALWAYS ASK, ARE YOU HEARING ANYTHING FROM FEDERAL OFFICIALS?

FROM STATE OFFICIALS?

FEDERAL IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT NOW, STATE WOULD HAVE TO PICK UP SLACK HERE.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> THINK WE'RE HEARING WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT, WHICH IS THAT THIS IS REALLY DEVASTATING TO OUR FOOD BANKS AND OUR FAMILIES, OUR RETAILERS, OUR FARMERS, WHETHER THERE'S POLITICAL WILL TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, I DON'T KNOW.

TED: AND WE ALWAYS HERE, AS FAR AS THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE CUTS AND THE ROLLBACKS AND SUCH, WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE IS THE CATCH PHRASE RIGHT NOW.

DO THEY HAVE A POINT?

SOME WAY TO TIGHTEN THINGS UP WITHOUT, AGAIN, PUTTING FAMILIES IN A POSITION WHERE THEY HAVE TO GO FOOD BANKS?

>> I THINK WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE, WHAT WE SEE MOST IS AT THE HIGH LEVEL, CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES, STEALING PEOPLE'S BENEFITS BEFORE THEY GET THEM, BEFORE THEY'RE RELEASED TO THE CARD.

WE'VE SEEN IT HERE IN ARIZONA, SEEN IT IN OTHER STATES, AND THE BILL DOESN'T DO ANYTHING TO ADDRESS THAT OR REIMBURSE FAMILIES WITH HAVE THAT STOLEN FROM THEM, WHICH IS REALLY HARD TO SEE.

TED: LAST QUESTION, ASHLEY.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC AT ALL?

>> THAT'S A DIFFICULT QUESTION.

I WILL SAY THAT FOOD BANKS ARE NOT PARTISAN.

WE WORK WITH PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND SEEN SUPPORT FROM PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE.

I'M I HOPE WHEN OUR CONGRESSMEN AND STATE LAWMAKERS ARE MAKING A DECISION, THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT FAMILIES WHO ARE STRUGGLING, JUST TRYING TO GET BY.

TED: ASHLEY ST. THOMAS, ARIZONA FOOD BANK NETWORK, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

.

TED: SINGER/SONGWRITER BILLY JOEL CANCELED UPCOMING TOUR AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH NEUROPRESSURE HYDRO CEPHALIS.

>> IT GOES REALLY, REALLY SLOWLY AND PUSH AGAINST OTHER PARTS OF THE BRAIN THAT CAN CAUSE THIS DEMENTIA, FORGETFULNESS, WEIRD WALKING, KNOWN AS ATAXIA, AND URINARY INCONTINENCE, PEEING RANDOMLY.

TED: BECAUSE THE PRESSURE BUILDS IT MESSES UP WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE BRAIN.

>> THE BRAIN IS SO DELICATE.

FOUR MINUTES WITHOUT OXYGEN LEADS TO BRAIN DAMAGE.

THE PRESSURE ON THE BRAIN, HITTING AGAINST THE SKULL, WHICH IS IMMOVEABLE, CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS.

THIS SLOW PROCESS, WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT OCCURS EITHER.

TED: HERALDED BY HEADACHES OR ANYTHING LIKE THIS?

>> NO, NO.

THE MOST COMMON SYSTEM IS THE MENTAL STATUS STUFF AND THE WALKING STUFF.

LOOKS LIKE PEOPLE ARE LIMPING.

ARE YOU LIMPING?

ARE YOU HURT?

YOU SHOULD GET ATTENTION.

TED: DO THE PATIENTS KNOW THEY'RE LIMPING?

>> NOT NECESSARILY, NOT NECESSARILY.

USUALLY OTHERS NOTICE IT.

I'VE SEEN A COUPLE TIMES IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, SOMEBODY COMES IN WITH SOMETHING, A LITTLE OFF.

WE GET A CAT SCAN AND IT'S OBVIOUS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH FLUID PROPORTIONALLY AND YOU DO A LUMBAR PUNCTURE, THERE ARE NO TREATMENTS.

ONLY SURGICAL TREATMENT.

TED: GAIT, EQUILIBRIUM, MEMORY.

>> YEAH, AND URINARY INCONTINENCE.

TED: THAT SOUNDS LIKE ALZHEIMER'S, PARKINSON'S, UNDER THE SAME UMBRELLA?

>> SOMETIMES A PRECURSOR TO ALZHEIMER'S.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

IF YOU GO TOO LONG WITH THIS, IT CAN BE PERMANENT.

AND PEOPLE SOMETIMES PUT SHUNTS, A TUBE IN THE BRAIN, DRAIN THE LIQUID, TAKES A SHORT BIT OF TIME.

HALF HOUR PROCEDURE BUT A LOT OF COMPLICATIONS BECAUSE A SHUNT GOES IN THERE, GOES AROUND THROUGH THE NECK AND IN THROUGH THE ABDOMEN.

TED: HOLY SMOKES.

>> TELL ME ABOUT IT.

I'VE DONE LUMBAR PUNCTURES IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AND PEOPLE SAY WOW, IT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE WALKED NORMALLY IN MONTHS BECAUSE THE FLUID COMES OFF.

FASCINATING.

TED: IS IT MISDIAGNOSED A LOT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S VERY RARE, BILLY JOEL IS THE RIGHT AGE, IN THE 70s, THE PEOPLE WHO GET IT IN THEIR 70s AND 80s, IT'S MUCH HIGHER.

TED: YOU MENTIONED THE LUMBAR PUNCTURE AND THE SHUNTS.

ANYTHING ELSE IN THE TREATMENT?

LET'S SAY SOMEONE COMES IN IN THE EARLY STAGES AS OPPOSED TO THE LATE STAGES, HOW DOES THE TREATMENT DIFFER?

>> REMOVE THE FLUID.

IF YOU DO LUMBAR PUNCTURE IS AND IT GOES AWAY, AND THE PATIENT FEELS BETTER, THEY SAY WE, THE NEUROSURGEON.

DOCTORS TOLD HIM NOT TO LISTEN TO LOUD MUSIC, NOT PLAY ON STAGE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE RIGHT MESSAGE, I WISH IT WAS THAT EASY TO SAY THAT EXACERBATES AND CAUSES IT.

WE DON'T KNOW.

TED: YOU DON'T KNOW IF THAT EXACERBATES IT EVEN.

>> NOT REALLY.

WE KNOW IF YOU HAD A PRIOR STROKE, ALZHEIMER'S, YOU'RE MORE PRONE TO GET IT, WE DON'T KNOW HIS KIND.

YOU CAN ONLY KNOW WHAT'S BRIN ABOUT.

HE HAS THE IDIOPATHIC ONE, THAT WE DON'T KNOW.

TED: YOU REFERRED TO THIS EARLIER, RISK FACTORS, DO WE KNOW ANY RISK FACTORS HERE?

>> GETTING OLDER, HAVING HAD PRIOR NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS GOD FORBID BRAIN TUMORS OR STROKES OR BLOOD REMOVED FROM THE BRAIN, PRETTY CRAZY.

TED: WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT BILLY JOEL'S HEALTH SYSTEM.

>> I GOOGLED HIM BEFORE I GOT HERE.

THEY SAY HE'S STABLE AND WANTS TO TOUR AGAIN BECAUSE THAT'S HIS PASSION.

A GOOD SIGN.

TED: DO YOU THINK HE IS GOING TO TOUR AGAIN?

>> I HOPE SO.

I SAW HIM TOUR WITH STEVIE NICKS AND HE DID NOT GET UP.

THIS IS THE MOST HE DID THE WHOLE TIME.

TED: COULD THAT BE AN INDICATION THAT MAYBE THINGS WEREN'T ALL THAT STRONG?

>> IT COULD BE, HE SAID HE WAS TIRED AND GOING TO MOVE AROUND BUT MOVE AROUND IN HIS SEAT.

HE WAS AMAZING.

TED: INTERESTING HOW WE -- I NEVER HEARD OF NPH BEFORE BILLY JOEL, NEVER HEARD ABOUT LOUIE BODY DEMENTIA BEFORE ROBIN WILLIAMS, WE'RE HEARING A LOT OF CONDITIONS WITH SUPERSTARS.

>> IT IS GOOD FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS BECAUSE PEOPLE COME IN AND GET SEEN SOONER, THE GOOD WITH THE BAD.

TED: AS FAR AS OVERALL HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE CONCERNED.

TALKED ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S AND PARKINSON'S AND YESTERDAY WE HAD A STORY HOW PICKLEBALL IS HELPING PARKINSON'S PATIENTS.

ARE WE LEARNING MORE?

SEEMS LIKE ALZHEIMER'S PLATEAUED.

DOES IT SEEM LIKE THINGS ARE MOVING AS FAR AS INTELLIGENCE ON THESE LEVELS?

>> HERE AT ASU, DOING LOTS OF RESEARCH ON IT, AND I THINK DIET, EXERCISE, KEEPING THE MIND MOVING SEEMS TO BE REALLY HELPFUL.

TED: EVEN FOR SOMETHING LIKE NPH?

>> FOR ALZHEIMER'S.

TED: EVEN NPH, I IMAGINE EXERCISE IS AN ELICKS -- ELIXIR.

>> ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

TED: IF WE SEE BILLY JOEL, THINGS ARE GOOD.

>> THE PIANO MAN.

TED: THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.