Author: Adnan Alam

Arizona bill aims to regulate labeling of meat alternatives, but opponents say it’s too broad

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Alternative Meat Labeling. 760 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).
  • Video available.

By Sadie Buggle
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – In response to the surging popularity of lab-grown meat and plant-based alternatives, Arizona Rep. Quang Nguyen, R-Prescott Valley, has introduced a bill seeking to impose stricter regulations on the labeling and representation of such products.

HB 2244 aims to prevent “intentionally misrepresenting” food items not derived from traditional livestock or poultry as meat or animal products. This legislation would apply to lab-grown meat created from the cells of animals as well as plant-based meats or synthetic alternatives derived from insects or other sources.

Continue reading “Arizona bill aims to regulate labeling of meat alternatives, but opponents say it’s too broad”

WNBA evaluating how superstar Cailtlin Clark, women’s sports popularity can help secure lucrative media rights deal

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-WNBA Media Rights, 900 words.
  • Photo available.

By Tia Reid
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Never in the existence of the sport has women’s basketball been bigger than it is right now, which has the WNBA looking forward to a big payday when it negotiates a new media rights deal after the 2025 season.

The 2024 NCAA women’s basketball national championship game averaged 18.9 million viewers, peaking at 24 million. It was the second-most-watched non-Olympic sporting ever in the United States. And Monday’s WNBA Draft drew 2.45 million viewers, the most ever, making it the most-viewed WNBA event on ESPN platforms.

Stars such as the newly drafted Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese and exciting veterans like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart are attracting a whole new audience, rapidly shifting the media landscape of women’s basketball. Continue reading “WNBA evaluating how superstar Cailtlin Clark, women’s sports popularity can help secure lucrative media rights deal”

The ultimate sacrifice: Tillman’s legacy burns bright as firefighters lead Pat’s Run 20-year celebration

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Pat’s Run First Responders, 800 words.
  • Photo available.

By Anthony Remedios
Cronkite News

TEMPE – A tradition like no other, Pat’s Run celebrated its 20th anniversary Saturday with approximately 28,000 participants taking part in a 4.2-mile run or walk along the scenic routes of Tempe.

The race featured a stampede from all backgrounds, including military veterans, Arizona State athletes and football coach Kenny Dillingham, Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon and senior citizens, among many more.

Perhaps no segment of the crowd stands out more than local firefighters and other first responders, who support the cause while wearing their full equipment, setting them apart from other participants.
Tillman’s legacy has inspired millions around the world since leaving the NFL in 2002 to enlist in the Army with his brother, Kevin, in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. That legacy lives on through not only the Pat Tillman Foundation but also through the many participants of Pat’s Run. Continue reading “The ultimate sacrifice: Tillman’s legacy burns bright as firefighters lead Pat’s Run 20-year celebration”

Up trend: GCU men’s volleyball program is latest Antelopes team to gain national attention

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-GCU Men’s Volleyball, 660 words.
  • Photo available.

By Connor Manning
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Following the announcement of Jamie Boggs taking over the athletic program at Grand Canyon University, sports across the board reached heights not seen in the school’s 10-year Division I era.

The men’s basketball team earned three NCAA tournament appearances in four seasons, including the program’s first tournament victory in March, while the women’s basketball team finished second in the Western Athletic Conference this year. The softball squad, meanwhile, is on pace for its third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.

Even club sports are seeing ascension and success, with the men’s hockey team competing in its first national tournament game during Bogg’s tenure. Continue reading “Up trend: GCU men’s volleyball program is latest Antelopes team to gain national attention”

Biggs ready for his day in impeachment spotlight, even if it’s short-lived

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Biggs Stage,820 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Ian McKinney
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs said he is prepared to tell the Senate, and the American public, the “historical basis” of high crimes and misdemeanors and how they apply to the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

If he gets the chance.

The Senate is expected to quickly dismiss articles of impeachment that will be sent over this week from the House, which indicted Mayorkas in February on two articles, including willful refusal to comply with the law and “breach of public trust.”

Biggs is one of 11 House managers scheduled to present the case to the Senate, which one analyst called a “reinforcement of brand on steroids” for the Gilbert Republican who is one of the leaders for the far-right Freedom Caucus in the House. Continue reading “Biggs ready for his day in impeachment spotlight, even if it’s short-lived”

WNBA Draft Day arrives, but Phoenix Mercury’s splash already made in Kahleah Copper trade

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Mercury Draft Preview, 1,300 words.
  • Photo available.

By Justin de Haas
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The 2024 WNBA Draft is garnering plenty of excitement off the heels of record-high viewership from the 2024 Women’s NCAA Final Four, but the Phoenix Mercury will not participate in much of the action.

The NCAA Championship game April 7 drew 18.7 million viewers –nearly four million more viewers than the men’s championship – and the momentum keeps rolling Monday with the 2024 WNBA Draft.

The NCAA Tournament interest was fueled by the success of Iowa star Caitlin Clark, who is expected to go No. 1 to the Indiana Fever in today’s draft. But there were other generational stars in the tournament who also will be among the top players in today’s draft, including Stanford forward Cameron Brink, South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso, Connecticut forward Aailiya Edwards and Louisiana State center Angel Reese. Continue reading “WNBA Draft Day arrives, but Phoenix Mercury’s splash already made in Kahleah Copper trade”

How 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament affected WNBA Draft stock for collegiate superstars

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-WNBA Draft Impact, 1,250 words.
  • Photo available.

By Tia Reid
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Just eight days separate the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship game and Monday’s WNBA Draft, meaning players from teams who made it far into the tournament have had just a little over a week to reset and turn their attention to the next phase of their careers.

While the turnaround may be short, it can also have its benefits. Players who put up stellar performances in the later stages of March Madness can leave a lasting impression in the minds of WNBA general managers and executives. Draft stocks can shoot up and solidify based on the way a player performs in the final few games of their collegiate careers, drastically changing the outlook on their professional careers.

“I think body of work is always important because consistency is something that’s important, but I do think that there’s something to be said about meeting the moment,” ESPN basketball analyst Andraya Carter said. “And in a very high-pressure situation, performing well and doing exactly what your team needs for success when there are times where you could fold or there are times where the pressure could be too much.” Continue reading “How 2024 Women’s NCAA Tournament affected WNBA Draft stock for collegiate superstars”

Saguaro beach volleyball rides stellar season into promising playoff run

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Saguaro Beach Volleyball, 850 words.
  • Photo available.

By Brett Lapinski
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – One year ago, Saguaro High School’s beach volleyball team broke the mold for the program with its first playoff appearance, which included a first-round upset over No. 5 seed Valley Christian before losing a 3-2 heartbreaker in the quarterfinals to Northwest Christian. With this year’s playoffs slated to begin Tuesday afternoon, the Sabercats are in prime position for a title run just one season after their first playoff berth.

Saguaro enters the 2024 AIA Beach Volleyball Division II State Team Championship playoffs as the No. 6 seed behind a program-best 10-2 regular season and will face No. 11 AZ College Prep (10-3) in the first round.

Even though the Sabercats ended last season on a high note, they entered this season with multiple question marks. The first question was how would the team perform under new coach David Mietzner, who replaced Tim Church in the offseason. Mietzner came in with plenty of indoor volleyball coaching experience, but he knew beach volleyball is not the same playing field. Luckily for him, he happened to be friends with the most decorated high school beach volleyball coach in Arizona: Tim McHale. McHale has amassed eight championships during his current tenure at Xavier College Prep, so Mietzner knew if there was anyone to help him dip his toes into the beach volleyball coaching world, it would be McHale. Continue reading “Saguaro beach volleyball rides stellar season into promising playoff run”

Shaman sidelined: Chansley among more than 70 to miss signature threshold

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Early Exit,850 words.
  • 2 file photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Ian McKinney
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Jacob Angeli-Chansley, better known as the “Qanon Shaman,” will not be going back to Washington – at least not in any official capacity.

Angeli-Chansley was one of more than 70 would-be candidates for federal office who failed to meet the April 1 deadline to turn in petition signatures to the secretary of state’s office that were needed to get their names on the ballot.

While that narrowed the field, it still left dozens of candidates who will compete in this fall’s primary and general elections – some of which are already shaping up to be bitter, high-profile bloodbaths. Continue reading “Shaman sidelined: Chansley among more than 70 to miss signature threshold”

Reunited: From Ashburn to Arizona to Milwaukee, pitchers JB Bukauskas and Taylor Clarke together again

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Brewers Hometown Teammates, 1,300 words.
  • 2 file photos available.

By David Bernauer
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Familiarity may breed contempt, but not for pitchers JB Bukauskas and Taylor Clarke. They’ve found that, when entering a new situation for the first time, perhaps it’s better to have someone you know on your side.

Bukauskas and Clarke both hail from the same hometown, Ashburn, Virginia, and the two are both pitchers within the Milwaukee Brewers organization. The Brewers will look to them among others as they retool their pitching staff following the trade of 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes and a season-ending injury to Brandon Woodruff.

While Ashburn may be a typical Washington D.C. suburb, the town of about 45,000 people isn’t historically a baseball hotbed. Continue reading “Reunited: From Ashburn to Arizona to Milwaukee, pitchers JB Bukauskas and Taylor Clarke together again”

Blocking the noise: Arizona Coyotes aim to limit outside distractions, finish season strong

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Coyotes Outside Noise, 950 words.
  • 2 photos available.

By Sean Brennan
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Shortly after Wednesday’s overtime win over the Vancouver Canucks, Arizona Coyotes players celebrated in the visitors’ dressing room in the bowels of Rogers Arena.

Forward Liam O’Brien handed a football meant to symbolize a “game ball” given to the squad’s best player that night to rookie forward Logan Cooley, who scored the game-winning goal, as cheers from his teammates filled the room. Amid the endless saga of recent relocation rumors, the latest of which came Wednesday and hinted at the franchise potentially relocating to Salt Lake City, none of it seemed to matter during that very moment.

While much of the sports world was riveted by rampant speculation that this might be the team’s final season in Arizona, the players seemed unfazed by the off-ice drama. After all, they’d just taken the Canucks, one of the NHL’s elite teams this season, to overtime before Cooley lit the lamp with just over a minute left in the frame to cement a 4-3 victory. Continue reading “Blocking the noise: Arizona Coyotes aim to limit outside distractions, finish season strong”

‘We’re here because Pat lived’: Tempe gears up for 20th annual Pat’s Run, in honor of Pat Tillman

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Pat’s Run, 800 words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Hannah Pedeferri
Cronkite News

TEMPE – In what has become an April ritual and a highlight of the Valley’s sports scene, approximately 30,000 people will flood the streets around Arizona State’s Tempe campus Saturday morning to participate in the 20th annual Pat’s Run, honoring fallen hero Pat Tillman.

As of Friday morning, more than 24,000 people had registered for the race, while more than 4,000 people signed up to participate virtually.

The 4.2-mile run was first held in 2005 by friends and family who wanted to honor the legacy of Tillman, a linebacker for Arizona State (and later an Arizona Cardinals safety for four seasons) who wore No. 42 for the Sun Devils while leading ASU to the Rose Bowl in 1997. Continue reading “‘We’re here because Pat lived’: Tempe gears up for 20th annual Pat’s Run, in honor of Pat Tillman”

‘There ain’t no soft-baked cookies’: Arizona State taps transfer portal with running backs primed to reverse backslide

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-ASU Running Backs, 850 words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Justin de Haas
Cronkite News

TEMPE – “Skattebo, Skatte-can, Skatte-touchdown!”

Those were the words of Fox Sports college football play-by-play announcer Tim Brando when Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo broke through two missed tackles to scamper in for a 52-yard touchdown against USC last season.

That was a breakout moment for Skattebo, who finished the season as the team’s leading rusher with 783 rushing yards and the third-most receiving yards (286). In a rebuilding 3-9 season, the performances from the ASU running back room was a silver lining amid the struggles. Continue reading “‘There ain’t no soft-baked cookies’: Arizona State taps transfer portal with running backs primed to reverse backslide”

Tribal leaders seeking solutions to cartel crime, say they mostly got talk

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Tribes Cartels,620 words.
  • 2 photos available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Ian McKinney
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Lawmakers wanted to talk about the problems of foreign criminal cartels operating on Indigenous lands, but tribal leaders came to the House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing Wednesday seeking solutions.

Instead, they said, they left the hearing afraid it was just another “check-a-box-off” exercise.

“Something that wasn’t really talked about is where do we go from here?” said Tohono O’odham Chairman Verlon Jose. “I heard, ‘Yes I want to go to your reservations,’ ‘Yes, I learned something.’ But there was no real strong commitment on where do we go from here. That’s what I want to hear.” Continue reading “Tribal leaders seeking solutions to cartel crime, say they mostly got talk”

Attempt to repeal abortion ban fails as House devolves into raucous shouting

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Repeal Repelled,850 words.
  • File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Martin Dreyfuss
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The Arizona House blocked two efforts to overturn a near-total ban on abortion Wednesday, one day after the 19th-century law was reinstated by the state Supreme Court.

The procedural moves to block the repeal sparked an outburst by angry Democrats, who shouted down the lawmakers who called for a recess. That was followed by a more-civil, but no more successful second try later in the day before the House adjourned for a week.

Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, D-Tucson, said “the eyes of the world watching the state of Arizona” and she urged her colleagues to stay in session and vote to reverse the Supreme Court’s “extreme” ruling. Continue reading “Attempt to repeal abortion ban fails as House devolves into raucous shouting”

Clinics vow to continue providing abortions, but unsure for how much longer

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Abortion Scramble,550 words.
  • File photo, video story available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Sadie Buggle and Martin Dreyfuss
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – One day after the Arizona Supreme Court resurrected a law that makes it a felony to perform an abortion, clinics around the state said they will continue offering care even as they scramble to figure out how long they can do so.

The court ruled Tuesday that an 1864 law banning abortions in all cases except to save the life of the mother is still in effect, overriding a 2022 law that allowed abortions up to 15 weeks of pregnancy. But the justices put the ruling on hold to allow for legal challenges in lower courts – a delay that different groups have said could be 14 days or two months. Continue reading “Clinics vow to continue providing abortions, but unsure for how much longer”

Despite auction date set, roadblocks lie ahead in Arizona Coyotes’ trip to new arena as Salt Lake City makes overtures

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Coyotes Arena Potential Move. 1,300 words.
  • Photo available

By Zach Mott
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The Arizona Coyotes have had a wild month. Between zeroing in on yet another potential place in the Valley to call home and news that the NHL has reportedly dropped a contingency plan in case the team is relocated to Salt Lake City – along with the owner of the Utah Jazz asking fans on social media for possible team names should SLC lure the ‘Yotes – there has been no shortage of off-the-ice drama.

Now, Coyotes fans will have to wait until June 27 to see if and where the team’s future exists.

The Coyotes are focused on a 110-acre piece of land next to the Desert Ridge Marketplace in north Phoenix, right off Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road, a parcel of desert that was approved for auction on March 14. An already popular area will become more popular with the addition of the arena and the entertainment district in the surrounding areas, according to Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo.

But the interest from business executives and politicians in Utah could prompt the franchise to once again pull up stakes and move to what it considers greener pastures. In 1996, the Winnipeg Jets moved to the Valley and rebranded as the Phoenix Coyotes, before changing the name in 2014 to the Arizona Coyotes.

Continue reading “Despite auction date set, roadblocks lie ahead in Arizona Coyotes’ trip to new arena as Salt Lake City makes overtures”

Ra’Shaad Samples, ASU’s coveted wide receivers coach, leaves for new role with Oregon Ducks

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Ra’Shaad Samples Oregon. 500 words.
  • Photo available.

By Timothy Russell
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The heralded Texas-to-Tempe football pipeline took a rough detour this week.

Ra’Shaad Samples, Arizona State’s wide receivers coach and one of the most dynamic recruiters in the country, has left the Sun Devils for the University of Oregon, where he will be the Ducks’ running backs coach and assistant head coach. The news comes just four months after Samples signed an extension with ASU that was meant to keep him in the Valley through the 2025 season.

Samples, 29, was also ASU’s passing game coordinator. Before he joined the Sun Devils, his resume was already stacked, as he worked his way up to an assistant coach at SMU after three years with the team from 2019-2021. Samples had also been TCU’s assistant head coach and running backs coach in 2021 before joining the Los Angeles Rams.

The loss of Samples comes smack in the middle of ASU’s spring practices, tossing yet another hurdle at a team searching for ways to jump-start its stagnant program.

“You lose your wide receiver coach at the time, but that’s the nature of adversity,” Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said Tuesday.

Continue reading “Ra’Shaad Samples, ASU’s coveted wide receivers coach, leaves for new role with Oregon Ducks”

HBCU All-Star Game shines spotlight on Black excellence during Final Four weekend

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-HBCU Showcase. 760 words.
  • Photo available.

By Jaden Batiest
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Rick Mahorn, who played 18 seasons in the NBA and won a league championship with the 1988-89 Detroit Pistons, established his college basketball roots at Hampton University, a Historically Black College and University in Hampton, Virginia.

So Mahorn knows better than most about the progress of HBCU sports over decades, and he saw it on display from the sidelines Sunday when he was one of two NBA legends coaching some of the best HBCU basketball players in the country at the third annual HBCU All-Star Game at Grand Canyon University’s Global Credit Union Arena.

Ben Wallace – also a former Piston who played college basketball at another HBCU, Virginia Union University – coached the opposing All-Star team.

There was “nothing like this,” Mahorn said, when he starred at Hampton from 1976-1980. Thanks to the vision of Travis Williams, the CEO and founder of the HBCU All-Star Game, “this wouldn’t be possible,” Mahorn added.

Continue reading “HBCU All-Star Game shines spotlight on Black excellence during Final Four weekend”

Sky-high action, sharpshooting tips off Final Four weekend at GCU’s Global Credit Union Arena

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Final Four Slam Dunk Update, 830 words.
  • 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Noah Maltzman
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Nicknamed “Young Skywalker,” Grand Canyon star Gabe McGlothan played a significant role in his team’s 30-win season and stuffed the stat sheet in the 12th-seeded Lopes’ first-round NCAA Tournament upset over the fifth-seeded Saint Mary’s Gaels.

He posted a double-double in that game, Grand Canyon’s first NCAA Tournament victory ever, finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and three blocks.

And McGlothan put on another March Madness show to remember in front of his home crowd during last Thursday’s 35th annual State Farm College Dunk & 3-Point Championships at Global Credit Union Arena. Continue reading “Sky-high action, sharpshooting tips off Final Four weekend at GCU’s Global Credit Union Arena”