Senators told of ‘alarming’ level of drone incursions at southern border

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Drone Incursions,590.
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By Ian McKinney
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Cartels are sending as many as 1,000 unmanned drones across the border every month, sometimes smuggling drugs but more often probing the border for vulnerabilities, a Pentagon official told a Senate committee this month.

U.S. Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, who assumed command of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command in February, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that countering unmanned aircraft systems had “dominated … the first month” of his tenure. Senators started asking about drone flights around military bases, but the discussion then turned to incursions across the border. Continue reading “Senators told of ‘alarming’ level of drone incursions at southern border”

Dreamscape Learn provides virtual learning experiences for ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest students

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Dreamscape Learn. 765 words.
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By Lauren Kobley
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Have you ever been inside of a cancer cell? Or 30 meters below the ocean’s surface? Elementary students at ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest Elementary & Middle School have (virtually).

The school is the first in the U.S. to offer the innovative learning experience that immerses K-12 students in places and topics they study, through a partnership with Arizona State University and Dreamscape Learn, which says it’s “a transformational education experience born from a groundbreaking entertainment platform.” ASU offers a similar Dreamscape Learn program for college students.
Continue reading “Dreamscape Learn provides virtual learning experiences for ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest students”

King of the Jungle: Arizona Wildcats looks to pounce on Clemson Tigers in Sweet 16 meeting

  • Slug: Sports-Arizona Clemson NCAA, 1,000 words.
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By Addison Kalmbach
Cronkite News

LOS ANGELES – After a dominating first weekend in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Arizona Wildcats are back in the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years under coach Tommy Lloyd.

With a chance to make the Elite Eight for the first time in nearly a decade, the Wildcats, seeded No. 2, are not overlooking a tough No. 6 Clemson team, which beat No. 11 New Mexico and No. 3 Baylor on the way to its first Sweet 16 since 2018.

“I know it’s boring, but we’re a one-day-at-a-time, one-game-at-a-time cliche coach, cliche team,” said Lloyd, before Arizona took on Clemson Thursday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena in the West Region semifinals. “So we’re 100 percent focused on Clemson, and we haven’t looked at anything beyond that.” Continue reading “King of the Jungle: Arizona Wildcats looks to pounce on Clemson Tigers in Sweet 16 meeting”

Menthol cigarettes, heavily marketed to African American communities for years, face possible state and federal bans

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Menthol Cigarette Marketing. 900 words.
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By Brooke Rindenau
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Arizona and across the U.S. Federal and state officials are now targeting flavored tobacco products, particularly menthol, for having made the problem worse.

The American Lung Association recently joined Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and attorneys general from other states urging the Biden administration to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars.

Continue reading “Menthol cigarettes, heavily marketed to African American communities for years, face possible state and federal bans”

Next big thing: Freddy Peralta begins pathway to Brewers’ ace, will make first career Opening Day start

  • Slug: Sports-Brewers Freddy Peralta, 930 words.
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By Anthony Remedios
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Among the Milwaukee Brewers’ revamped roster, the pitching staff will also look different in 2024.

Right-hander Freddy Peralta was named the Opening Day starter for the first time in his career, while being just the third Dominican-born Opening Day starter in franchise history. He had to wait an extra day before taking the Citi Field mound against the Mets in New York, as the Brewers’ first regular season game was pushed from Thursday to Friday because of rain.

Peralta, 27, made his MLB debut on May 13, 2018 and has been a full-time member of the Brewers’ rotation since 2021. The 2024 season is the last on his current contract, though the club does have an option for each of the next two years. Continue reading “Next big thing: Freddy Peralta begins pathway to Brewers’ ace, will make first career Opening Day start”

Who’s hot, who’s not in the men’s Sweet 16? The ACC, transfer portal and … birds

  • Slug: Sports-Hot or Not Sweet 16, 1,580 words.
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By Bobby Hurley
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The first round of men’s March Madness marched its way to an average of 8.3 million viewers, the most in tournament history, according to Front Office Sports. Fifty two teams were eliminated and 16 remain vying to reach the Final Four at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium April 6-8. So, who’s feeling hot, and who’s not? Continue reading “Who’s hot, who’s not in the men’s Sweet 16? The ACC, transfer portal and … birds”

Battle of the Bigs: Arizona’s Oumar Ballo faces tall task in Sweet 16 matchup against Clemson’s PJ Hall

  • Slug: Sports-Arizona Clemson NCAA, 620 words.
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By Dalanie Todd
Cronkite News

LOS ANGELES – Basketball is a game of power and skill, and of course, a little bit of luck, especially in March. With constant upsets, and plenty of highs and lows, the Sweet 16 West Region semifinal between Arizona and Clemson should be no different, especially when looking at centers Oumar Ballo and PJ Hall, who will bring starkly different playing styles to Thursday’s game at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

The No. 2-seeded Wildcats are pursuing their first Final Four appearance since 2001. The Tigers, a No. 6-seed, are making their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2018.

One of the focal points will be the matchup between Hall, a 6-foot-10, 238-pound senior, and Ballo, a 7-foot, 260-pound senior. Continue reading “Battle of the Bigs: Arizona’s Oumar Ballo faces tall task in Sweet 16 matchup against Clemson’s PJ Hall”

‘Cactus Basketball Hoops’ honor Indigenous community as Final Four nears

  • Slug: Sports-Cactus Basketball Hoops, 733 words.
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By Justin de Haas
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Arizona is known for its cacti, but not like the succulents popping up across the Valley recently.

Four “Cactus Basketball Hoops” – each with a unique design and standing 13 feet tall – signal that the men’s Final Four is approaching. One basket was unveiled on the Marshall Way Bridge in Old Town Scottsdale Tuesday, while two others will be located in downtown Phoenix and a fourth one in Glendale, near the site of the games April 6-8.

Two of the hoops, including the one in Scottsdale, were designed by Paul Molina, a local Hispanic and Indigenous artist. The NCAA contacted Molina via Instagram about creating the design and he worked with its marketing team to depict the connection of basketball with the Indigenous culture of Arizona. Continue reading “‘Cactus Basketball Hoops’ honor Indigenous community as Final Four nears”

Sponsor surprise turns golfer Kim Paez’s LPGA dreams into reality following recent success

  • Slug: Sports-Kim Paez LPGA, 830 words.
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By Maxwell Williams
Cronkite News

GILBERT – After making history as the first female golfer to win the 2023 Southwest PGA Championship, Kim Paez is prepared to compete in her first LPGA tour event from the comfort of her own home state of Arizona. However, Paez didn’t know she had the chance to play until quite recently.

On March 7, Paez prepared herself for a meeting at PING’s Phoenix headquarters. As a player development director at PING and a PGA coach at Cave Creek Gold Club’s Reed West Academy, the meeting seemed routine at first, and she was given the impression that she was participating in a discussion promoting women’s golf during women’s history month.

“I honestly thought I was there for a women’s golf marketing meeting,” Paez said. “I had notes prepared, I did my research and there were women in the meeting that I have been in meetings with before so I thought it was really nothing new.” Continue reading “Sponsor surprise turns golfer Kim Paez’s LPGA dreams into reality following recent success”

‘This team will be ready’: Arizona Diamondbacks’ expectations high entering 2024

  • Slug: Sports-Diamondbacks Season Opener 1,200 words.
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By Aaron Schmidt
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The vibes in the Arizona Diamondbacks clubhouse could not be any better.

Music blasts as players challenge each other to a game of cards, or a seemingly popular game of dominoes where players can’t help resist a friendly match between teammates. An exciting 162-game season looms, and the Diamondbacks are brimming with anticipation to step back out on the diamond.

“It’s always a different day for me. It’s the best day of the baseball season,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said, referring to Thursday night’s game at Chase Field against the Colorado Rockies that launches the 2024 season. “It’s Opening Day and there’s so much excitement. I love that. The people around the stadium are here and energized and it means the start of a new year.” Continue reading “‘This team will be ready’: Arizona Diamondbacks’ expectations high entering 2024”

Debate sobre si kratom beneficia o perjudica a quienes lo consumen

  • Nombre: CN-Kratom. 1,822 palabras
  • 4 fotos disponibles

Por Nicole Macias Garibay
Cronkite Noticias

PHOENIX – Cuando la Administración para el Control de Drogas de Estados Unidos (DEA por sus siglas en inglés) quiso clasificar por primera vez el kratom, una sustancia vegetal, como “droga preocupante” en 2016, se encontró con una resistencia que le llevó a retirar esa designación. Desde entonces, ha habido un debate continuo sobre si el kratom ayuda o perjudica a las personas.

Continue reading “Debate sobre si kratom beneficia o perjudica a quienes lo consumen”

Cronkite News Digest for Thursday, March 28

Here is your Cronkite News lineup for Thursday, March 28. If you have questions on news stories from the Phoenix bureau, please contact Managing Editor of Digital Julia Thompson at 602-496-5050 or julia.thompson.1@asu.edu, while questions about stories from our Washington bureau should go to Steve Crane at 202-684-2398 or steve.crane@asu.edu. Sports story questions can be directed to Paola Boivin at paola.boivin@asu.edu. Clients who want to use Cronkite videos should contact Allysa Adams at 480-580-5502 at aadams1@asu.edu for clean versions. If not linked below, stories promised for today, along with photos and links to multimedia elements, will post to our client site at cronkitenews.jmc.asu.edu/clients. Continue reading “Cronkite News Digest for Thursday, March 28”

Nación Tohono O’odham recibe subvención para ampliar conectividad a Internet

  • Nombre: CN-Tohono,2053 palabras
  • 7 fotos disponibles

Por David Ulloa Jr.
Cronkite Noticias

NACIÓN TOHONO O’ODHAM — En un vibrante edificio adornado con murales en los terrenos del Tohono O’odham Community College, los estudiantes se reúnen en un aula alrededor de una mesa en forma de U. Aquí, bajo la guía de Marvin Carmen, el instructor del curso, aprenden los fundamentos de la composición de correos electrónicos. Con una concentrada atención, absorben las instrucciones de Carmen sobre cómo escribir a los destinatarios en la sección “Para”, elaborar los temas de sus mensajes y redactar los correos electrónicos simulados para practicar.

Continue reading “Nación Tohono O’odham recibe subvención para ampliar conectividad a Internet”

LPGA Tour Game Night brings together fans, pros in a unique golf experience

  • Slug: Sports-LPGA Tour Game Night, 1,023 words.
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By Brett Lapinski
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Just over a month after the last putt clinked the bottom of the cup on the 18th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the professional golf scene is back in Arizona. Starting Thursday morning, LPGA Tour golfers will shoot to ace the Gilbert greens of Seville Golf and Country Club during the inaugural Ford Championship presented by KCC, which runs through Sunday.

The tournament features a star-studded lineup including the top five players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings: No. 1 Lilia Vu, No. 2 Nelly Korda, No. 3 Céline Boutier, No. 4 Ruoning Yin and No. 5 Minjee Lee. Continue reading “LPGA Tour Game Night brings together fans, pros in a unique golf experience”

‘Little bit of a fairytale’: Josh Doan scores twice in unforgettable Arizona Coyotes debut

  • Slug: Sports-Josh Doan Coyotes, 1,050 words.
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By Josh Jones and Zach Mott.
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The Doan legacy lives on in the desert.

The NHL debut of an Arizona legend’s descendant made a permanent mark in history on a magical Tuesday night at Mullet Arena.

As the lights dimmed and the fans settled in their seats, a distinct energy that has been long absent swept through the building as the hometown crowd awaited the return of former Arizona State captain Josh Doan, son of former Coyotes captain Shane Doan. Continue reading “‘Little bit of a fairytale’: Josh Doan scores twice in unforgettable Arizona Coyotes debut”

Ultimate coup de grace: ASU men’s swim and dive team seeks to end Pac-12 era with first NCAA championship

  • Slug: Sports-Arizona Swim Dive NCAA, 1,220 words.
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By Hayden Cilley
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The Arizona State men’s swim and dive team, the top-ranked team in the nation, looks to deliver a coup de grace to the Pac-12 era this week by capturing its first NCAA men’s swimming and diving championship.

Three weeks before the NCAA championships, which run Wednesday through Saturday at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, the Sun Devils secured their second consecutive Pac-12 championship in dominant fashion by scoring 1,036 total points. They also had the second-highest point differential in conference history, winning by 303 points. Arizona State men’s swim and dive coach Bob Bowman acknowledged the possibility of winning the first NCAA championship in program history. Continue reading “Ultimate coup de grace: ASU men’s swim and dive team seeks to end Pac-12 era with first NCAA championship”

Jordan Montgomery addition exemplifies Arizona Diamondbacks’ willingness to compete for another World Series

  • Slug: Sports-Diamondbacks Jordan Montgomery, 850 words.
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By Aaron Schmidt
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – After a plethora of signings in the offseason, Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen repeatedly emphasized throughout spring training that the team was not done improving its roster.

He wasn’t kidding. The Diamondbacks are officially alive.

As the sun set Tuesday, the team struck a one-year, $25 million deal with free-agent starter Jordan Montgomery, with a player option for 2025. Montgomery can earn $20 million in 2025 with 10 starts this season, $22.5 million with 18 starts and $25 million with 23 starts. Continue reading “Jordan Montgomery addition exemplifies Arizona Diamondbacks’ willingness to compete for another World Series”

Lights, churro, action! Diamondbacks highlight upgrades to Chase Field despite uncertain future

  • Slug: Sports-Chase Field Changes, 650 words.
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By Sean Brennan
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – With a new MLB season approaching, the collection of Arizona Diamondbacks’ banners above Chase Field’s left-field wall has a new member — one that highlights the team’s 2023 National League pennant. Other novelties can be found around the ballpark, but one thing that remains unchanged is the Diamondbacks’ plan on where they might call home in the future.

With the team’s lease with the 28-year-old stadium expiring in 2027 and no reported negotiations towards a renewal, much uncertainty has surrounded the Diamondbacks’ next steps in the Valley. Earlier in the spring, owner Ken Kendrick said, “We may run out of time in Phoenix” although he hopes the situation doesn’t come to that.

Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall added additional insight into the situation Thursday, citing the organization’s strong relationship with Maricopa County, which owns Chase Field. Continue reading “Lights, churro, action! Diamondbacks highlight upgrades to Chase Field despite uncertain future”

Former users and experts debate whether kratom, an herbal substance, helps or harms those who take it

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Kratom. 1733 words.
  • 4 photos, video story available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Nicole Macias Garibay
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – When the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration first intended to categorize kratom, an herbal substance, as a “drug of concern” back in 2016, it was met with resistance causing it to withdraw that designation. Ever since, there has been an ongoing discussion about how kratom helps or harms people.

Continue reading “Former users and experts debate whether kratom, an herbal substance, helps or harms those who take it”

Where flower fields historically grew, the next generation of farmers cultivates south Phoenix

  • Slug: BC-CNS-South Mountain Farmers. 1,050 words.
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By Analisa Valdez
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Older Phoenix residents might recall memories of driving along Baseline Road in the late 1960s and the mile-long stretches of vibrant flower fields that once flourished at the base of South Mountain.

The Japanese Americans who immigrated to the area in the early 1900s started farms that quickly grew into iconic agricultural staples in the South Phoenix area. According to Kathryn Nakagawa, daughter of the original Nakagawa flower field owner, seven main Japanese American families were the driving force behind the booming, blooming businesses on Baseline. They persisted even after the families faced incarceration in internment camps during World War II, until slowly selling their farmlands off in the early 2000s.

Despite the era of the Japanese flower farms having come to an end – the hundreds of acres of floral fields having now been replaced by blocks of housing and urban development – the environment at the base of South Mountain continues to offer plentiful opportunities for the next generation of farmers.

Continue reading “Where flower fields historically grew, the next generation of farmers cultivates south Phoenix”