Playing ‘Arizona State basketball’: Bobby Hurley, Sun Devils seek identity in first Big 12 season

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–ASU Men’s Basketball, 1,100 words.
  • Photo available.

By Tucker L. Sennett
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – At his first Big 12 media day, Bobby Hurley talked about playing “Arizona State basketball.” Now entering his 10th season in charge of Sun Devils men’s basketball, an important question begs answering: What is Arizona State basketball?

When considering identities in the Big 12, coach Kelvin Sampson’s high-octane rebounding at Houston and Bill Self’s big-game prowess with the Kansas Jayhawks often come to mind. The answer to that question is not easy for Arizona State.

The Sun Devils have a 155-131 record under Hurley, a collegiate basketball legend and member of a truly dynastic basketball family. But those 155 wins produced just three NCAA Tournament appearances, zero trips to the round of 32 and zero conference championships in the Pac-12. Continue reading “Playing ‘Arizona State basketball’: Bobby Hurley, Sun Devils seek identity in first Big 12 season”

Donald Trump focuses on immigration at Tempe campaign rally just 12 days before election

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Trump in Tempe. 1,000 words.
  • 3 photos available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Aaron Stigile
Cronkite News

TEMPE – A normally frozen Mullett Arena hosted heated rhetoric about immigration, the economy, Vice President Kamala Harris and faith during a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump on Thursday.

The crowd, which filled much of the 5,000-seat arena save a smattering of empty seats,  consistently broke out into chants of “fight, fight, fight” before Trump came on stage, a reference to the words he said after an assassination attempt in July. 

“Immediately upon taking office, I will launch the largest deportation in American history,” Trump said. “I will rescue every town across America that’s been invaded and conquered.”  Continue reading “Donald Trump focuses on immigration at Tempe campaign rally just 12 days before election”

Act II: Chase Budinger delivers encore in beach volleyball at 2024 Paris Olympics after NBA journey

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Chase Budinger, 1,900 words.
  • Photo available.

By Koby Braunstein
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The Olympic Games bind the most esteemed athletes in history to a fraternity powered by mastery in sport.

Former University of Arizona standout and seven-year NBA veteran Chase Budinger joined this exclusive club at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, but his feats did not occur on the hardwood. Budinger left his mark in the beach volleyball sand for Team USA.

Beach volleyball has been a part of Budinger’s life dating back to his teenage years, and he maintained a burning ambition to play once basketball was in the rearview mirror. Continue reading “Act II: Chase Budinger delivers encore in beach volleyball at 2024 Paris Olympics after NBA journey”

Navigating new heights: Former top Arizona basketball prospects conquer mental, physical demands at next level

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–High School to College, 2,400 words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Dylan Ackermann
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Grand Canyon University women’s basketball coach Molly Miller began the team’s first official practice week with what she calls “camp week.”

Monday was “Camp Go,” focusing on transition and conditioning. Tuesday was “Camp Bucket,” introducing Miller’s offensive system. Wednesday was “Camp Lockdown,” her favorite, centered on defense. And purposefully, the week ended with “Camp Grit,” emphasizing screening, taking charges, rebounding and trapping.

Rather than allowing the mental and physical weight of the high school-to-college transition to slowly creep up and “smack them in the face,” she said camp week is intentionally designed to do just that. Continue reading “Navigating new heights: Former top Arizona basketball prospects conquer mental, physical demands at next level”

‘It means everything’: Arizona athletes reflect on representing heritage at Paris Olympics, World Cup

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Country Representation, 2,000 words.
  • 4 photos available.

By Dylan Ackermann
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Grand Canyon women’s basketball player Trinity San Antonio still dreams about indulging in the viral chocolate chip muffins from the Olympic Village.

A must-have on her plate or in her hands at every meal, the Puerto Rican guard cherished enjoying what many could only experience through social media.

While the flavor of the American-inspired pastry somehow earned gold in a country famous for its pastries, there was a deeper meaning – beyond taste – that made it her favorite part of the Paris Olympics last summer. Continue reading “‘It means everything’: Arizona athletes reflect on representing heritage at Paris Olympics, World Cup”

Efecto de la salud mental en la mortalidad materna

by Julio Cisneros
  • Nombre: CNMortSalud. 1015 palabras
  • 2 fotos disponibles

Por Nicollette Valenzuela
Cronkite Noticias

PHOENIX – “¿Podemos pasar directamente a la sesión de empoderamiento?”, grita alguien desde una multitud en una pequeña tienda con poca luz y un resplandor rosa fluorescente. La “sesión de empoderamiento” reúne a más de 30 participantes todos los martes por la noche en la tienda The Daily Mix Nutrition en Avondale.

Continue reading “Efecto de la salud mental en la mortalidad materna”

Will tax deduction cap expire under Kamala Harris or Donald Trump? Experts weigh potential impact on Arizona taxpayers

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: SALT Expiration. 1,050 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Grace Monos
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Arizona’s higher-income residents and homeowners with steep property taxes have felt a pinch since Congress capped the state and local tax (SALT) deduction at $10,000, but the presidential election could lead to changes in the tax code.

The SALT cap and other provisions in former President Donald Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are set to expire next year. Even Trump has said he wants to let the cap expire.

Continue reading “Will tax deduction cap expire under Kamala Harris or Donald Trump? Experts weigh potential impact on Arizona taxpayers”

Phoenix says visits to heat relief centers skyrocketed during record-breaking summer, and 92% were from people experiencing homelessness

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: Phoenix Heat Recap. 700 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Jalen Woody
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Summer is the most brutal time in Phoenix, especially for those surviving without basic needs like water and cool places to rest. This year, the city offered 24-hour heat relief spaces that skyrocketed in demand. City officials say 92% of visitors were experiencing homelessness, and the centers are a means to help them get off the streets and into safer places.

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) implemented the centers to provide people experiencing homelessness with much needed necessities to survive the temperatures.

Continue reading “Phoenix says visits to heat relief centers skyrocketed during record-breaking summer, and 92% were from people experiencing homelessness”

‘Toss the Tusk’ educates Phoenix Zoo guests on illegal ivory trading, allows ivory surrender

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: Toss the Tusk. 1,040 words.
  • 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Aryton Temcio
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Since 1989, the international commercial trade of ivory has been banned in an effort to rebuild the dwindling population of elephants and other species poached for their ivory. Although these animals are found primarily in Africa and Asia, many agencies think the ramifications of ivory poaching are felt around the world.

The United States only adopted a near-total ban in 2016. Despite the bans on commercial trading, ivory is still legal to possess in the U.S., and many people still do.

Continue reading “‘Toss the Tusk’ educates Phoenix Zoo guests on illegal ivory trading, allows ivory surrender”

Flourishing Los Angeles: Activists reclaim urban spaces through guerrilla gardening

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Guerrilla Gardening. 1,350 words.
  • 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Brandelyn Clark
Cronkite News

LOS ANGELES – Amid the barren patches of dirt scattered throughout Los Angeles’ bustling streets, a movement for social change is taking root. Community gardens and local plants flourish in underused land, bringing much-needed green to the city’s concrete jungle.

Starting as a necessity for people who didn’t own land seeking to provide food for their communities, guerrilla gardening has evolved into a powerful tool for social rebellion and environmental activism.

Continue reading “Flourishing Los Angeles: Activists reclaim urban spaces through guerrilla gardening”

CORRECTION to Oct. 22 story about technology to reduce carbon emissions

by Julia Thompson

EDS: Clients who used the Cronkite News story slugged Carbon Capture that moved Tuesday, Oct. 22, under a WASHINGTON dateline are asked to run the following correction. The errors occurred in grafs 10, 11, 30 and 31 of the original and in a photo caption. A corrected version of the story and caption have been posted here.

WASHINGTON – An Oct. 22 Cronkite News story about technology to reduce carbon emissions misidentified where Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs expressed support for the CarbonCapture Inc. Mesa facility; it was in a statement. The quote, “And that needs to be certified,” regarding regulating direct air capture, should have been attributed to Klaus Lackner, an Arizona State University engineering professor and founding director of the ASU Center for Negative Carbon Emissions. An image of a CarbonCapture Inc. Leo module should have been identified as a photo.

Arizona is launching PFAS mitigation efforts ahead of the EPA deadline. But critics say it isn’t enough

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: PFAS Water Contamination. About 1,000 words.
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Amelia Monroe
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – An estimated 97% of Americans have detectable levels of invasive “forever chemicals” in their bloodstreams – many are unaware that they’re drinking them.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – or PFAS – are man-made synthetic chemicals manufactured and commercialized since the 1940s. This class of chemicals includes roughly 14,000 variations, widely used in consumer and industrial products – nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, cosmetics and firefighter foam – due to their grease-, oil- and water-resistant properties.

Continue reading “Arizona is launching PFAS mitigation efforts ahead of the EPA deadline. But critics say it isn’t enough”

Prop. 479 seeks to continue half-cent sales tax that helps fund Maricopa County public transit, roads

by Julia Thompson

EDS: An earlier version of this story miscast what $14.9 billion in tax revenue through 2045 would fund. The error occurred in the fifth graf the original. The story below has been corrected, but clients who used previous versions are asked to run the correction found here.

  • Slug: Prop. 479. 800 words.
  • File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Hayden Larkin
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – With Proposition 479, a continuation of a half-cent sales tax in Maricopa County for transportation funding, on the ballot in November, Valley Metro and other groups are advocating for the continuation, while opponents say the tax on consumer goods is unneeded for a service few people use.

Public transit has provided Maricopa County residents with access to ease of travel. Light rail expansions, short-term rental bikes and scooters and public buses have all become viable options for city-dwelling Arizonans. With these options becoming more available, voters and groups are butting heads over the taxation and costs of expanding these transit systems. Some places in Maricopa County also may not have the means to afford certain forms of public transit to be able to expand into their cities.

Continue reading “Prop. 479 seeks to continue half-cent sales tax that helps fund Maricopa County public transit, roads”

Future of ACA, health insurance coverage at stake in presidential election

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: Health Care Election. 1,160 words.
  • 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Madeline Nguyen
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Maria Losoya isn’t a doctor. She can’t treat patients, and she can’t do surgeries. But in southern Arizona’s border communities, she performs a special kind of life-saving health care. She’s an expert at navigating the health insurance marketplace – in English and Spanish.

It’s a strength that has made Losoya a trusted face in her home of Santa Cruz County, where nearly one in three residents were uninsured in 2022 – the highest rate in the state, according to the National Institutes of Health. Day and night, community members call Losoya from hospital rooms to see how they can afford the treatment they need, from emergency care to chemotherapy.

Continue reading “Future of ACA, health insurance coverage at stake in presidential election”

How mental health affects maternal mortality in Arizona

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Mental Health Maternal Mortality. 920 words.  
  • 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).
  • Story voiceover available.

By Nicollette Valenzuela
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – “Can we skip straight to the empowerment session?” shouts someone from a crowd at a small, dimly lit shop with a fluorescent pink glow. The “empowerment session” gathers more than 30 participants every Tuesday night at The Daily Mix Nutrition store in Avondale.

After a battle with postpartum depression, Yormheri Munguia, the store’s owner, and Jennie Parra, a women’s transformation coach, recently started the Women’s Empowerment workout.

Continue reading “How mental health affects maternal mortality in Arizona”

‘Better, not bigger’: New entrance, ticket policy among changes for 2024 WM Phoenix Open

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–WM Phoenix Open Changes, 570 words.
  • 2 photos available.

By Keller Brown
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Following a chaotic 2024 tournament that received national scrutiny, organizers of the WM Phoenix Open announced sweeping changes to the PGA Tour’s most popular event.

A second entrance, higher ticket prices and wider walkways are among the changes for the tournament dubbed “The Greatest Show on Grass,” which often attracts close to 500,000 fans each year.

The goal is to make it “better, not bigger,” Matt Mooney, the 2025 WM Phoenix Open chairman, said Wednesday. Continue reading “‘Better, not bigger’: New entrance, ticket policy among changes for 2024 WM Phoenix Open”

Photo essay: Michigan State celebrates return of Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Suns Photo Essay, 1,200 words.
  • 17 photos available.

By Brendan Pricco
Cronkite News

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Mat Ishbia is known around Arizona as the billionaire owner of the Phoenix Suns, who open their season Wednesday night at the Los Angeles Clippers’ new Intuit Dome. However, if you travel across the country to the spirited and picturesque college town of East Lansing, Michigan, he is known for his connection with the Michigan State Spartans.

Before conquering the business world, Ishbia was a 5-foot-10, 175-pound walk-on point guard attending his home state university: Michigan State. In his three-year career, he appeared in 48 total games, often in garbage time when the game had already been decided. The most significant minute of his collegiate career came on April 4, 2000.

Tom Izzo called Ishbia’s name in the final minute of Michigan State’s national championship victory over Florida. Not only did Ishbia log a minute, he made sure to etch his name into the box score with a shot attempt: a miss. Continue reading “Photo essay: Michigan State celebrates return of Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia”

New faces, same goal: GCU women’s basketball looks promising heading into final WAC season

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–GCU WBB Preview, 1,200 words.
  • 2 photos available.

By Kendall Flynn
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon women’s basketball team welcomed seven new players to its roster. Despite the influx of talented newcomers, the Lopes are still working on meshing as a herd, which is something they will need to do quickly as the season officially begins Nov. 4.

GCU is hoping an infusion of fresh talent will give the Lopes a boost as they prepare for their final year in the Western Athletic Conference. Next year, GCU will join the West Coast Conference, meaning if the Lopes hope to capture their first WAC title, it’s now or never.

Looking at the Lopes’ record of 25-8 and 16-8 in the WAC last season, it’s no wonder the team had record-breaking achievements, including the most wins in their Division I-era season and the second-most home victories. However, the Lopes fell short in the first round of the WAC Tournament and went another season without an NCAA Tournament berth. Continue reading “New faces, same goal: GCU women’s basketball looks promising heading into final WAC season”

Don’t ‘become a pickle’: Long-term psychological effects of youth gambling concern addiction experts

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Youth Gambling Effects, 950 words.
  • Photo available.

By Breden Paul
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – When Marc Lefkowitz was in his 20s, he struggled with a gambling problem. Now, after nearly 40 years of abstaining from gambling, he hopes to help today’s younger generation overcome their addiction the same way he did.

“When I grew up, you were a degenerate if you gambled on a regular basis,” said Lefkowitz, an internationally certified gambling counselor with over 25 years of experience. “Now it’s so socially acceptable.”

Many factors can contribute to teen gambling. Stress relief is one component of gambling’s appeal to the younger generation, according to Lefkowitz. He also points to teens experiencing problems in school and, most commonly, genetic issues, where addiction runs in a person’s family. Continue reading “Don’t ‘become a pickle’: Long-term psychological effects of youth gambling concern addiction experts”

Arizona State researcher Terry Shoemaker explores how sports and religion share common ground

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Sports and Religion, 650 words.
  • Photo available.
  • Video available (Video by Deron Orr Jr./Cronkite News)

By Anne-Marie Iemmolo
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Terry Shoemaker’s trip to a Baltimore cemetery inspired his research on sport and religion for years to come.

Shoemaker, a research scholar and religious studies professor at Arizona State, recently published his book “Religions and Sports: The Basics,” which covers the connections between religious and sporting activities.

“To study these two things, either comparatively or as if they’re overlapping, gives us a sense of what humans do and why they do it,” Shoemaker said in an interview with Cronkite News. Continue reading “Arizona State researcher Terry Shoemaker explores how sports and religion share common ground”