COMING UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON... A DEBATE ON A PROPOSED AMENDMEN THAT GUARANTEES LIFE IN PRISON FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF SEX- TRAFFICKING A CHILD... ALSO TONIGHT, A NEW TASK FORCE FORMED AIMED AT PREVENTING DRUG USE IN SCHOOLS, WITH A FOCUS ON FENTANYL.

AND BEST-SELLING LOCAL AUTHOR T. J. NEWMAN JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT HER LATEST THRILLER.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE, NEXT, O ARIZONA HORIZON.

GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT'S SHOW WITH A DEBATE.

PROPOSITION 313 IS A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ESTABLISH A LIFE SENTENCE FOR ANYONE CONVICTED OF A CLASS 2 FELONY FOR CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING.

PROP 313 WAS REFERRED TO THE BALLOT BY THE LEGISLATURE.

HERE TO DEBATE MEASURE IS KAYLEIGH KOZAK, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF "BECAUSE YOU STILL MATTER," WHICH IS IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE, AND JENNA PANAS, CEO OF THE ARIZONA COALITION TO END SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WHICH OPPOSES PROP 313.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

KAYLEIGH, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

LET'S GET THE PARAMETERS FIGURED OUT HERE.

DEFINE SEX TRAFFICKING IN THIS CASE.

>> SEX TRAFFIC SOMETHING BUYING OR SELLING A CHILD OR SOMETHING OF -- FOR SOMETHING OF VALUE.

IT IS NOT ONLY MONETARILY BUT EXCHANGING THEM FOR SOMETHING OF VALUE TO HAVE SEX WITH THEM.

>> USING A MINOR FOR PROSTITUTION.

THIS PROPOSAL WOULD ALSO TARGET THOSE WHO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS AS WELL?

>> YES, THAT COULD ALSO FALL UNDER THIS.

>> WHY DOES THIS LIFE IMPRISONMENT, NO PAROLE, WHY DOES THIS NEED TO BE IN THE CONSTITUTION?

>> SEX TRAFFICKING IS VERY SERIOUS.

IT'S A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY.

IN 2021 TO 2022 SEX TRAFFICKING CASES INCREASED BY OVER 78% JUST IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA ALONE.

THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM, AND IT'S TIME THAT WE START BEING PROACTIVE WITH THESE LAWS AND LESS REACTIVE.

>> WHY NOT HARSHER PUNISHMENT FOR THESE KINDS OF CRIMES?

>> SO IT ISN'T REALLY A MEASURE OF PUNISHMENT VERSUS NON-PUNISHMENT.

IT'S THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THE BILL.

SO THIS BILL COULD HARM VICTIMS HOLLYWOOD PRESENT AS VERY BLACK AND WHITE PICTURE OF WHAT SEX TRAFFICKING IS.

I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH A TRAFFICKING VICTIM, WHO HAD TO LEAVE HER HOME AS A TEENAGER AT 17, MOVED IN WITH A BOYFRIEND AND WAS TRAFFICKED.

HER BOYFRIEND ESSENTIALLY ENCOURAGED HER TO ENGAGE IN COMMERCIAL SEX, BUT HER SISTER WAS STILL AT HOME.

WHEN SHE WAS 18, HER SISTER MOVED IN WITH HER, AND THEY ENGAGED IN TRAFFICKING TOGETHER.

THEY ENGAGED IN COMMERCIAL SEX WORK TOGETHER.

THEY DROVE TOGETHER, THEY SHARED A CAR, THEY KEPT EACH OTHER SAFE, AND EVENTUALLY LOST THEIR LIFE TOGETHER.

THAT SISTER, A VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING HERSELF, WOULD BE SUBJECT TO LIFE IN PRISON UNDER THIS BILL.

>> IF IT'S A BLANKET POLICY, EVERYTHING IS COVERED.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE ESPECIALLY THE SCENARIO WE JUST HEARD?

>> THEY MAY BE SUBJECT UNDER THIS BILL.

ANYONE UNDER PROP 313 IS A MINOR CHILD.

17 AND UNDER.

ALSO IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A SISTER WHO IS RECRUITING WHO WAS TRAFFICKED, THEY WERE RECRUITED, COERCED FIRST, WITH MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES, A JUDGE WOULD BE VERY UNLIKELY TO SENTENCE A VICTIM WHO WAS SEX TRAFFICKING TO NATURAL LIFE IN PRISON UNDER THIS LAW.

THAT'S NOT WHO WE'RE GOING AFTER.

WE ARE GOING AFTER PEOPLE WHO PUT CHILDREN OUT AND SELL THEM AND BUY THEM FOR SEX.

>> THE SCENARIO YOU JUST GAVE THOUGH, WOULD THAT SISTER BE UNDER THIS PROPOSITION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT MAKES IT MANDATORY.

SO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY WITHIN THE SYSTEM FOR PROSECUTORS FOR JUDGES TO BE ABLE TO DERMIT GATING CIRCUMSTANCES.

LIFE IMPRISONMENT IS STILL AN OPTION ON THE TABLE.

WE HAVE CASES, DANGEROUS CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN.

IN ARIZONA WE AREN'T PUNISHING PEOPLE FOR SEX TRAFFICKING.

THEY'RE GETTING OFF.

BUT RATHER THERE'S AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE HERE TO A POTENTIAL VICTIM.

>> IS THERE AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE, THOUGH, TO NOT HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS ON THE BOOKS, TO GET THESE RATES THAT ARE INCREASING, TO GET THEM TO DECREASE?

>> I THINK WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN THERE IS PREVENTION.

THE LAWS ON THE BOOING RIGHT NOW ARE UP TOO.

THE OPTION IS THERE.

BUT IT ISN'T SHOWING THE DETERMINANT FACT.

PREVENTION WOULD.

SEEKING FUNDS FOR BETTER PREVENTION IS THE BETTER WAY TO DO THIS WITHOUT HARMING SURVIVORS.

>> THERE IS NO MONEY TO BE MADE IN PROTECTING CHILDREN AND VICTIMS.

THERE IS HOWEVER MONEY TO BE MADE IN SELLING CHILDREN FOR SEX AND PROVIDING INTERVENTIONS AND PROGRAMS TO THOSE WHO SELL CHILDREN FOR SEX.

THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS A VERY SMALL AUDIENCE, THE SHEER PERCENTAGE THAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT, AND REFERRING TO, AND IT DOES HAPPEN, BUT WE ARE OVERLOOKING THE MORE COMMON PREDATORS THAT ARE SELLING CHILDREN FOR SEX.

>> IS THERE A WAY TO FINE-TUNE THE PROPOSITION TO MAKE SURE THOSE COMMON PREDATORS ARE TARGETED AND OTHERS ARE NOT?

>> WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER WITH LAWS, BUT AGAIN, WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE AND LESS REACTIVE.

ALSO A JUDGE ONCE SAID IT'S NOT THE SEVERITY THAT SERVES AS A DETERRENT, IT'S THE CERTAINTY OF IT.

AND IN THIS PROPOSITION, IT WILL BE CERTAIN THAT IF YOU BUY OR SELL A CHILD FOR SEX THAT ARE YOU GOING TO PRISON FOREVER IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA.

>> DOES IT NOT -- PLEASE... >> UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S THAT THAT CREATES HARM.

MOST CHILDREN ARE TRAFFICKED BY A FRIEND OR FAMILY, AND SO THE SITUATION THAT I'M DESCRIBING IS COMMON.

IT ISN'T UNCOMMON.

SO WHEN WE ALREADY HAVE ARE THE PUNISHMENT ON THE BOOKS, WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T EXIST, AND UNFORTUNATELY HARMING FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS WILL HAVE A LIFETIME IN PRISON AS A CERTAINTY.

WE WANT TO KEEP OUR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE NOT -- >> DOES THAT NOT SEND A MESSAGE TO THOSE WHO MIGHT THINK ABOUT PERPETRATING THESE CRIMES?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, I MEAN, KAYLEIGH IS RIGHT, THE CERTAINTY OF PUNISHMENT IS WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

WE ALREADY HAVE THE PUNISHMENTS ON THE BOOKS.

SO THE CERTAINTY NEEDS TO EXIST AROUND WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE.

THERE ISN'T CERTAINTY IN A LIFETIME OF IMPRISONMENT.

IT ALREADY EXISTS.

>> THE PUNISHMENT ON THE BOOKS ARE VERY LACKING.

WE ARE GIVING -- THE PUNISHMENTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON THE BOOKS, WE ARE GETTING OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE TRAFFICKERS TO FURTHER VICTIMIZE.

WE'RE GIVING THEM MULTIPLE CHANCES.

RIGHT NOW IF YOU TRAFFIC A 15, 16, OR 17-YEAR-OLD, YOU ARE LOOKING AT A 10 TO 14-YEAR SENTENCE.

SO WHY WOULD WE GIVE THEM A SECOND CHANCE TO COME OUT AND RE-VICTIMIZE OR FURTHER VICTIMIZE OTHER INNOCENT CHILDREN?

>> UNDER THE SEVERITY OF PROPOSITION 313 IF A TEENAGER, 19, 20, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, IF THEY'RE CONVICTED, THAT'S THE BALL GAME UNTIL THEY'RE 70, 80, 90, THEY DIE OUT, THEY'RE GONE.

DID THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> IT DOES MAKE SENSE BUT THEY'RE MAKING A CHOICE KNOWING THAT IF THEY ARE BUYING OR SELLING A CHILD FOR SEX THAT THEY WILL FACE NATURAL LIFE IN PRISON.

>> DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO YOU?

>> NO, IT DOESN'T BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE PUBLIC INSTANCES, THINK ABOUT THE EPSTEIN CASE WHERE FRIENDS WERE OFFERING WAYS TO MAKE MONEY TO THEIR FRIENDS.

TRAFFICKING UNDER THIS LAW IS NOT REALLY BEHIND SELLING A CHILD FOR SEX BUT ALSO PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION.

IT'S ALSO PROVIDING A COMPUTER.

THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES CAN BE TAKEN AS TRAFFICKING AND UNFORTUNATE THE CERTAINTY.

WE DON'T IMPOSE PUNISHMENT TO THOSE WHO DESERVE IT, BUT WE FEEL LIKE OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE FLEXIBLE IN ORDER RESPOND TO ALL TYPES OF CRIMES.

>> ANOTHER ASPECT IS THE FLEXIBILITY, JOURNAL DISCRETION HERE.

SHOULD THERE NOT BE JOURNAL -- THERE CAN'T BE UNDER PROP 313.

SHOULD THERE NOT BE THOUGH?

>> FOR THIS SITUATION, NO.

>> FOR THIS SITUATION, BACK TO YOU, VICTIMS OF THIS, IF YOU GET A 10, 20, OUR 24-YEAR SENTENCE, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, THE PERPETRATOR COMES UP FOR PAROLE, YOU GOTTA GO THROUGH THIS ALL OVER AGAIN.

THIS WOULD KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING, ISN'T THAT A GOOD THING?

>> SO I THINK WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS IT IS VERY UNLIKELY THAT SOMEONE WHO IS SEX TRAFFICKING SOMEBODY, EVEN AS A FIRST OFFENSE, IS GOING TO FACE A SINGLE CHARGE OF SEX TRAFFICKING.

AND SO WE'RE SEEING MUCH LONGER SENTENCES SO WHEN THAT PERSON COMES OUT ON PAROLE, WE DO HAVE ESSENTIALLY THERAPY AND OTHER THINGS FOR FOLKS THAT -- >> BUT THE SITUATION COULD -- >> IT ABSOLUTELY COULD.

BUT DOES THAT SITUATION MITIGATE THE HARM OF HAVING A SURVIVOR IN JAIL FOR LIFE.

>> AND AGAIN, NO CONSIDERATION FOR THE NATURE OF THE OFFENSE, NO CONSIDERATION FOR PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS, ZIPPO.

THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE CALLING FOR HERE.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE CALLING FOR, YES.

>> OKAY.

IF THIS DOESN'T -- LET'S SAY IT DOESN'T PASS, LET'S SAY IT DOESN'T PASS, IS THERE A WAY TO CONTINUE TO RAMP UP PUNISHMENT, RAMP UP THE MESSAGE WITHOUT GOING LIFE IN PRISON WITH NO CHANCE OF PAROLE?

>> THERE IS A WAY.

IT WILL GO THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE, BUT I THINK THIS GIVES ARIZONA AN OPPORTUNITY COME TOGETHER AND SAY THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE NOT FOR SALE.

>> AND THAT IS A MESSAGE AS WELL.

I MEAN, IT'S A MESSAGE TO THE PERPETRATORS.

AND IT'S ALSO JUST A MESSAGE OF -- SOCIETAL MESSAGE.

>> THAT THE CHILDREN ARE NOT FOR SNAIL ABSOLUTELY, AND WE AGREE WITH THAT.

HOWEVER, IT TAKES THE REALITY OUT OF THE SITUATION IN WHICH WE HAVE TEENAGERS MAKING BAD DECISION BESIDE OUR TEENAGERS AND THEM BEING SUBJECT TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.

>> JENNA AND KAYLEIGH, THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

A NEW TASK FORCE DEVELOPED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS LOOKING TO REDUCE FENTANYL OVERDOSES IN SCHOOLS.

THE EFFORT IS CALLED THE "SCHOO TRAINING OVERDOSE PREPAREDNESS AND INTELLIGENCE TASK FORCE," O "STOP-IT."

TO LEARN MORE, WE WELCOME.

DR. HOLLY GEYER, ADDICTION SPECIALIST AT MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

THIS TASK FORCE, THAT PRETTY MUCH WHAT IT'S CHARGED WITH DOING, GETTING EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS?

>> IT'S MUCH BIGGER THAN THAT.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE DEMOCRATIC IS TAKING ARIZONA BY STORM.

MANY OF OUR AUDIENCE MAY NOT KNOW BUT MORE THAN HALF OF THE PENALTYNAL TRAFFICKED FROM THE UNITED STATES COMES STRAIGHT FROM ARIZONA.

WE ARE THE EPICENTER.

THIS IS ALSO ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE PREPARED WITH THAT LAX OWN AND POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IN PLACE AS WELL AS THE EDUCATION OCCASION.

>> IF WE'RE THE EPICENTER, WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR SCHOOLS?

>> WE DON'T KNOW.

AND THAT'S THE SCARY THING.

WHAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED IS THAT THERE'S MORE THAN 180 OVERDOSES THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN KIDS UNDER AGE 18 JUST IN 2023.

WE'VE HAD 80 DEATHS IN KIDS IN 2021, 2022.

BUT THERE'S NO MANDATE ON BEHALF OF THE STATE'S SCHOOLS TO BE MONITORING HOW MANY OVERDOSES TAKE PLACE.

SO IT'S UP FOR GRABS.

>> WHERE ARE THE KIDS GETTING THESE PILLS, WHERE ARE THEY GETTING THE STUFF FROM?

>> YOU NAME, IT IT'S OUT THERE.

THE ENTIRE DRUG TRADE IS OPERATIONAL.

EVERY ROAD IS MARKED, EVERY STREET, EVERY -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ] THESE KIDS CAN ACCESS FROM JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE.

>> HOW DO YOU CONVINCE A KID THAT THIS IS LETHAL STUFF WITHOUT EYES ROLLING AND SAYING, OH, THERE WE GO AGAIN.

>> THE DEA HAS RUN A GREAT CAMPAIGN THAT HAS SOME GOOD NUMBERS ON IT.

WE RECOGNIZE 7 OUT OF EVERY 10 FENTENYL PILLS ARE OUT THERE HAVE ENOUGH FENTENYL IN THAT PILL TO KILL THE AVERAGE AMERICAN AND ADULT AND NOW THEY'RE BEING STAMPED INTO THINGS THAT LOOK LIKE STANDARD PRESCRIPTION PILLS AND HARD TO TELL APART AND NOW THEY'RE COMING IN FLAVORED CANDY VERSIONS, DIFFERENT SCENTS, SMELLS TARGETING KIDS.

>> SOCIAL INFLUENCERS ARE A BIG DEAL AMONG THE YOUNGSTER.

IS THERE A WAY TO GET INFLUENCERS INVOLVED IN ALL THIS?

>> THAT'S PART OF OUR PROJECT.

AS AS WE ROLL THIS OUT, WE HOPE THAT THE EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM THAT WE DEVELOP FOR SCHOOLS WILL USE THE SOCIAL INFLUENCERS TO HELP SELL THE MESSAGE.

>> WHO'S ON THE TASK FORCE?

>> A BUNCH OF PEOPLE.

WE HAVE MORE THAN 60 REPRESENTATIVES COMING FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS.

WE HAVE MULTI-DISCIPLINARIES, FROM THE GOVERNMENT, FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, FROM THE MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STAND POINT MAKE SURE WE HAVE DIVERSE OPINIONS.

>> AND I WANT TO ASK, WHAT CAN THIS TASK FORCE DO THAT HASN'T ALREADY BEEN DONE OR TRIED?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, LIKE MANY STATES IN THE NATION, UPWARDS OF 30 OF THEM, WE HAVEN'T DONE ENOUGH.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S STATE LEGISLATION IN PLACE THAT REQUIRES SCHOOLS TO ENACT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ON NALOXONE IN SCHOOLS.

WE'VE GOT A LOT GOING ON RIGHT NOW ACROSS 2000 SCHOOLS THROUGH ALL OF ARIZONA AND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ASSESS IS HOW MANY SCHOOLS DO HAVE THIS DRUG AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE PREPARED WITH EDUCATION OR THE DRUG ON PREMISES TO DELIVER TO STUDENTS AND WHAT THE POLICIES ARE.

WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IS AT LEAST 40% FROM PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF ALL SCHOOLS DON'T HAVE NALOXONE.

>> AND THAT'S THE NARCAN.

>> YES.

>> WHO WOULD YOU ADMINISTERING THIS AT A SCHOOL?

>> WE'RE WORKING ON POLICY.

WE HAVE A SUBCOMMITTEE FOR THAT, AND WE AIM TO HAVE AT LEAST ALL STAFF TRAINED IN ARIZONA SCHOOLS, THAT WILL BE DELIVERING TRAINING TECHNIQUES INTO ONLINE VERSIONS.

WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO WORK ON LANGUAGE TO MEET MORE LIBERAL POLICIES FOR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO CARRY IT AND ADMINISTER IT WITHOUT PUNITIVE DAMAGE.

>> THIS CAN BE EXPENSIVE, WHO'S PAYING FOR ALL THIS?

>> WE'RE WORKING ON THAT TOO.

WE'LL BE ADDRESSING IT.

>> SO THE TASK FORCE HAS ITS BISCUIT OUT FOR IT, DOESN'T IT.

>> WE ARE BUSY WITH A DEADLINE OF DECEMBER 31st.

>> REALLY.

IS THERE A WAY WITH A TASK FORCE TO ACTUALLY CUT THE COST PER DOSE?

I MEAN, IS THAT A FACTOR THAT CAN BE A PLAY?

>> ABSOLUTELY A REALISTIC OPTION.

IN FACT, YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED HOW MANY STATE AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH BOTH LOCAL AND THE STATE ONE, OFFER IT FOR FREE.

PEOPLE CAN GET THIS FROM LIBRARIES, THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

WE'RE EXPLORING ALL OF THOSE IN ADDITION TO SOME OTHER ONES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS DISBURSEMENT FUNDS AND DISBURSEMENT SUPPLIES OF NALOXONE AND WE MAY BE LOOKING AT APPROACHING THE LEGISLATURE WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING MOVING FORWARD.

>> BUT THE BOTTOMLINE IS EDUCATION REALLY IS THE KEY, GETTING IT INTO SCHOOLS AND GETTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE MAKING THE RIGHT MESSAGE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE'S A MISUNDERSTANDING THAT IF KIDS DON'T HEAR ABOUT IT, THEN THEY DON'T EXPERIMENT.

AND THAT'S THE EXACT OPPOSITE, WHAT THE DATA SHOWS IS THAT YOU CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF KIDS EXPERIMENTING 30 TO 50% BY HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS BEFORE THEY LOOK AT THOSE DRUGS.

>> VERY GOOD.

IT'S THE NEW TASK FORCE "STOP IT."

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.

LOCAL BEST-SELLING AUTHOR T.J. NEWMAN IS OUT WITH ANOTHER THRILLER.

THIS ONE'S TITLED "WORST CASE SCENARIO," AND IT WEAVES ALL SORTS OF REAL AND POSSIBLE DISASTERS RANGING FROM PLANE CRASHES TO NUCLEAR MELTDOWNS, WITH FAMILY ISSUES AND SMALL-TOWN DYNAMICS.

LIKE ALL OF T.J. NEWMAN'S BOOKS THERE'S A LOT GOING ON HERE.

WE WELCOME T.J. NEW NOON ARIZONA HORIZON.

WELCOME BACK.

>> IT'S WONDERFUL TO BE BACK.

CONGRATULATIONS.

I FEEL LIKE WE STARTED WITH YOU ON THE FIRST BOOK, THE SECOND BOOK AND NOW LOOK AT YOU, YOU'RE SELLING BOOKS HAND OVER FIST.

>> IT BLOWS MY MIND AS WELL.

I CANNOT BELIEVE I HAVE MY THIRD BOOK.

>> AND THERE'S A PLANE INVOLVED HERE BECAUSE YOU'RE A FLIGHT ATTENDANT FOR HOW LONG?

>> 10 YEARS.

>> 10 YEARS.

OKAY.

PUT THE PLANES INVOLVED, HOW MUCH -- GIVE US THE STORYLINE AS BEST YOU CAN.

I DON'T WANT TO GIVE TOO MUCH AWAY HERE.

>> YEAH, NOT TO GIVE TOO MUCH AWAY BUT IT'S NOT EXACTLY A SPOILER TO SAY BY THE END OF THE FIFTH PAGE THE PLANE HAS CRASHED.

WHEREAS MY FIRST TWO BOOKS TAKE PLACE ALMOST ENTIRELY ON A PLANE OR DURING THE COURSE OF ONE FLIGHT THIS ONE TAKE PLACE ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON THE GROUND IN A SMALL RURAL TOWN IN MINNESOTA.

THE FLIGHT IN QUESTION, THE CAPTAIN FLYING THE PLANE, HAS A HEART ATTACK AT 35,000 FEET, DIES INSTANTLY, AND IT IS AT THE MOMENT THAT THEY'RE DOING A BATHROOM BREAK AND THE FIRST OFFICER IS IN THE BATHROOM.

SO RESULTING IN THE PLANE CRASH AND IT HAPPENS IN A SMALL TOWN INTO A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT.

>> YES.

AND THEN THE FUN STARTS.

HAD YOU DROWNING, NOW YOU'VE GOT A PLANE CRASHING.

WERE YOU LIKE IN THE TOWERING INFERNO.

>> AND MY TIME AS A FLIGHT ATTENDANT.

THIS IS HOW WE'RE TRAINED TO THINK.

WE'RE TRAINED TO BE THINKING WHAT IS THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO.

WHAT CAN GO WRONG AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT.

>> THE BOOK FOLLOWS A NUMBER OF RESPONDERS AT DIFFERENT PLACES.

WAS IT HARD AS A WRITER TO KEEP THEM ALL IN LINE?

>> I OUTLINED PROFUSELY, YOU KNOW, IN WRITING YOU HAVE AUTHORS WHO WRITE BY THE SEAT OF THEIR PANTS, THEY COME UP WITH THE STORY AS THEY WRITE.

I WROTE MY FIRST BOOK THAT WAY AND TOOK ME 40 DROPS TO GET THERE AND YEARS TO WRITE.

NOW I HAVE DEADLINES AND HAVE TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS.

I RESEARCH EXTENSIVELY AND PLOT EVERYTHING OUT AHEAD OF TIME, AND THAT PROCESS IS LIKE HERDING CATS, FIGURING OUT HOW TO MAKE ALL OF THE DIFFERENT STORYLINES AND CHARACTERS MAKE SENSE AND FALL IN LINE INTO ONE COHESIVE STORY.

>> EVERY CHARACTER HAS THEIR OWN PICK DILL LOWS AND THINGS THAT GET THEM GOING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

BUT GOODNESS GRACIOUS, THE RESEARCH ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO NUKE LATERAL ENERGY, NUCLEAR REACTORS, FROM EVERYTHING DIVING TO -- EVERYTHING, THAT'S A LOT -- THAT SEEMED LIKE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT OF RESEARCH.

WAS IT?

>> IT WAS A LOT OF RESEARCH, AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU, THE RESEARCH FOR THIS BOOK TERRIFIED ME.

I WENT INTO IT NOT SURE WHAT I WOULD FIND.

I WASN'T SURE IF THERE WAS A STORY THERE.

THE IDEA FOR THE STORY ACTUALLY CAME FROM THE CONVERSATION THAT I HAD WITH THE PILOT WHEN I WAS DOING RESEARCH FOR MY FIRST BOOK "FALLING."

AND I ASKED ALL OF THE PILOTS THAT I WAS FLYING WITH AT THE TIME LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT FLYING AND ASKED ABOUT THE EMOTIONAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL SIDE OF BEING A PILOT.

I WOULD ASK THEM A QUESTION, WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST FEAR.

AND ONE DAY I HAD A PILOT WHO LOOKED ME DEAD IN THE EYE AND SAID MY BIGGEST FEAR IS A COMMERCIAL AIRLINER CRASHING INTO A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT.

AND I PAUSED LIKE YOU JUST DID, AND I THOUGHT LIKE, HOLD ON A SECOND.

>> BELLS ARE RING.

>> BELLS ARE RINGING, BUT ALSO LIKE, YOU KNOW, I'M CALLING HIS BLUFF AND SAYING, COME ON, WE LIVE IN A POST-9/11 WORLD.

THEY HAVE SHOWN THAT IF THE EVENT -- I'M GIVING MY STORY WHY I'M NOT AFRAID THIS, AND HE'S LISTENING TO ME, AND WHEN I FINISH TALKING, HE HE LAS LOOKS AT ME AGAIN DEAD IN THE EYE AND SAYS, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO THINK.

AND THE HAIR ON THE BACK OF MY NECK STOOD UP ON EDGE AND I REMEMBER I SORT OF TUCKED IT AWAY.

SO WHEN I WENT TO WRITE MY THIRD BOOK I WENT BACK TO THIS AND SAID IS THERE ANYTHING THERE, LET ME JUST SEE.

AND IT DID NOT TAKE ME LONG TO FIGURE OUT IN THE RESEARCH PROCESS THAT THERE IS A LOT OF VALIDITY TO THOSE FEARS.

>> AND JUST THE RESEARCH, THE RESCUE OPERATION, THE RECOVERY OPERATIONS.

FAMILY ISSUES ARE ALSO A BIG FOCUS HERE, A PARENTAL ISSUES ON A VARIETY OF LEVELS.

WAS IT DIFFICULT TO WEAVE THAT IN?

BECAUSE THEY'RE THERE AND IT'S PART OF THESE PEOPLE -- THEIR CHARACTER OR THEIR MAKE-UP, AND THAT HELPS EXPLAIN WHY THEY DO CERTAIN THINGS IN THE RECOVERY AND RESCUE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, I WRITE MASSIVE, ENTERTAINING BLOCKBUSTER ACTION THRILLERS.

THOSE ARE THE STORIES THAT I LOVE, THOSE ARE THE STORIES THAT I WANT TO WRITE, THAT I WANT TO WATCH AND READ.

EXPLOSIONS AND CAR CHASES AND ALL OF THAT WONDERFUL STUFF, IT'S NOT GONNA SUSTAIN A READER FOR 300 PAGES.

THERE HAS TO BE MORE THERE.

THERE HAS TO A REASON WHY PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING SO HARD FOR SOMETHING AND SACRIFICING FOR SOMETHING.

THE HEART HAS TO BE THERE.

AND I'VE ALWAYS FOUND IT CENTERED AROUND FAMILY, WHETHER IT'S THE FAMILY OF A CREW ON AN AIRCRAFT OR A NUCLEAR FAMILY, NO PUN INTENDED, IN THIS BOOK.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT WE LOVE AND THIS SMALL TOWN COMMUNITY, IS THAT THEY'RE THEIR OWN FAMILY.

THEY'RE ALL THEY HAVE.

HOPE'S NOT COMING.

SO IT'S UP TO THEM TO SAVE NOT ONLY THEMSELVES IN THE COMMUNITY BUT THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.

>> THE WAY THE BOOK ENDED, IS THAT HOW YOU PLOTTED FOR IT TO END OR DID THAT HAPPEN JUST AS YOU GOT THERE?

>> THAT HAPPENED AS I GOT THERE AND THOSE THRILLERS, THIS IS THE FIRST ENDING THAT I HAVE THAT -- IT ENDED HOW IT HAD TO END, BUT BOY, SOMETIMES I WISH THINGS DIDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN THE WAY THEY GO.

>> WERE YOU TEMPED TO HAVE IT END DIFFERENTLY?

>> NO.

BECAUSE IT'S WHATEVER THE STORY NEEDS.

AND MY PERSONAL AFFINITY AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE CHARACTERS IS SECONDARY.

>> IS HOLLYWOOD EXPRESSION INTEREST?

HAVE THEY EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE FIRST TWO, WHAT ABOUT THIS ONE.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS ON THE ROAD.

I DON'T TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED.

JUST THE FACT THAT MY FIRST TWO BOOKS HAVE MOVIES ATTACHED TO THEM FOLLOWING WITH UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND THE FACT THAT THOSE ARE MOVING FORWARD IS JUST BLOWS MY MIND.

>> ARE YOU WORKING ON YOUR NEXT ONE RIGHT NOW?

>> I'M NOT AT MOMENT.

I'M GOING TO TAKE A BREAK.

I'VE GOT STUFF IN THE WORKS.

I ALWAYS HAVE STUFF GOING ON BUT THIS IS, YOU KNOW, MY THIRD BOOK, AND I'M DOING AN ADAPTATION FOR "FALLING."

SO ONE SCRIPT AND THREE BOOKS IN FOUR YEARS, I'M TIRED.

I NEED A BREAK.

I NEED TO FIND A BEACH SOMEWHERE.

>> THERE YOU GO.

WHEN YOU WERE STOCKING BOOKS AND ANSWERING DUMB QUESTIONS FROM PEOPLE LIKE ME, CHANGING HANDS, DID YOU EVER THINK THAT THIS KIND OF SUCCESS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?

BE HONEST HERE.

>> WHEN I USED TO SHELF BOOKS BY AUTHORS WITH THE LAST NAME NEWMAN, MY LAST NAME, I USED TO TAKE MY THUMB AND COVER UP THEIR FIRST NAME AND PRETEND THAT I WAS SHELVING MY OWN BOOK.

I DREAMED OF THIS MOMENT.

I HAD NO ASSURANCE THAT IS IT WOULD COME OR HOW IT WOULD GET HERE, BUT A LIFELONG READER, A LIFELONG WRITER, A LIFELONG LEARNER AND POLICE REPORTED AUTHOR, IT WAS A CONCRETE GOAL.

>> IT IS A CONCRETE SUCCESS RIGHT NOW.

T.J. NEWMAN, WORST-CASE SCENARIO IS THE LATEST.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.