Author: Adnan Alam

Phoenix-area Black businesses face challenges with start-up capital

by Adnan Alam

EDs: An early version of this story included an incorrect photo credit. The caption below has been corrected, but clients who used the previous version are asked to run the correction found here.

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Black Businesses. 520 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Huston Dunston Jr.
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – There is a small but growing number of Black-owned businesses in Arizona. One of the challenges that they face is getting the money to start.

Brownstone Spa in Phoenix is owned by Stacy Best-Nervis. The spa has customized services for men and women of color, who often experience skin issues that are not easily identified due to the absence of training and expertise at other facilities and esthetic schools, according to the spa’s website. It says the business offers skin consultations, body treatments, customized facials and advanced treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion and dermaplane treatments.

When asked about challenges in starting her business, Best-Nervis said “gaining capital and getting your finances together” was tough. “As a Black-owned business, there are stats that show it is harder for us to get capital.” She started her business five years ago and said she’s proud she can provide services in the skin care industry for those who haven’t been able to get proper care or treatment.

According to the State of Black Business 2022 report, there were 1,019 Black-owned businesses in greater Phoenix, or 1% of employer firms. The report said it would take almost 5,000 more Black-owned businesses in the area for the number to match population representation.

Continue reading “Phoenix-area Black businesses face challenges with start-up capital”

Amid abundance of highly touted young players, Milwaukee Brewers will also take a look at ‘older’ prospects

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Brewers Older Prospects, 1,140 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By David Bernauer
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Much of the hype surrounding the Milwaukee Brewers this spring has centered around an abundance of young talent permeating the roster.

The Brewers’ system includes Jackson Chourio, an outfielder with a blend of power and speed who is MLB.com’s No. 2-ranked prospect, right-handed pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, who has shown the ability to touch 100 mph on his fastball, strong-armed catcher Jeferson Quero and infielder Tyler Black, who is also getting reps in the outfield.

It’s no wonder Brewer fans are excited about the club’s youth movement. Continue reading “Amid abundance of highly touted young players, Milwaukee Brewers will also take a look at ‘older’ prospects”

As spring practice opens, ASU football enters second year of Kenny Dillingham era with higher expectations in 2024

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-ASU Spring Football, 930 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Aaron Schmidt
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Arizona State football is beginning the second year of the Kenny Dillingham era and after a forgettable campaign in 2023, Sun Devil faithful will get a taste of what is in store for the struggling program in 2024 when ASU opens spring practice Tuesday.

The team is coming off its second straight 3-9 season, marking the program’s worst stretch in nearly 80 years. The Sun Devils also are riding back-to-back 2-7 finishes in the soon-to-be-defunct Pac-12 Conference as they prepare to make their Big 12 Conference this season.

It’s a chance for a fresh start for a team that has struggled with injuries and a lack of depth. Continue reading “As spring practice opens, ASU football enters second year of Kenny Dillingham era with higher expectations in 2024”

$1.2 trillion budget bill, racing against shutdown, funds more border security

by Adnan Alam

EDS: UPDATES lede and second graf to reflect early-morning Senate vote. No other changes. Will not be led.

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Border Budget,700.
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Ian McKinney
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Lawmakers have approved a $1.2 trillion package of budget bills that includes funding for 42,000 new beds in migrant detention facilities and for the hiring of an additional 22,000 Border Patrol agents.

The House voted 286-134 for the bill early Friday afternoon and the Senate approved it 74-24 shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday – stopping a government shutdown that was scheduled to take effect at midnight Friday if no budget had passed. President Joe Biden has said he will sign a bill as soon as Congress gets it to him.

The bill passed the House despite substantial opposition from Republicans, who said it was rushed through and contained what they called giveaways to Democrats. Rep. Eli Crane, R-Oro Valley, called the measure “a complete disaster.” Continue reading “$1.2 trillion budget bill, racing against shutdown, funds more border security”

‘Downwinder’ renewal left out of massive budget bill rushed through Congress

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Downwind Downtrodden,1130.
  • 3 file photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Lillie Boudreaux
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The $1.2 trillion budget package that Congress was working to pass Friday included everything from protection for gas stoves to restrictions on payments to the Chinese government.

What it didn’t include was an extension for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which compensates people who lived downwind from nuclear test sites and developed cancer as a result.

Family members of such “downwinders,” like Cullin Pattillo of Mohave County, said they felt “disgust” at Congress’ lack of action. Continue reading “‘Downwinder’ renewal left out of massive budget bill rushed through Congress”

Arizona Coyotes’ trade deadline moves signal youthful future in sight

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Coyotes Trades, 825 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Zach Mott
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The future has arrived.

The Arizona Coyotes have struggled in the win-loss column this season, currently sitting at 28-36-5 and second to last in the Central Division. Despite being just outside the NHL wild-card race heading into the All-Star break in early February, with plenty of hopes afloat, a collapse on the other side of the break, including a nearly record-breaking 14-game losing streak, sparked conversations about the team’s direction moving forward. As the March 9 trade deadline loomed, the Coyotes shipped out several veteran players, shifting their priority toward the future.

Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong was active on the final day of the deadline, trading away veteran forward Jason Zucker to the Nashville Predators for a 2024 sixth-round pick. He also traded defenseman Matt Dumba and a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning to acquire a 2027 fifth-round pick. One day earlier, Armstrong sent out defenseman Troy Stecher to the Edmonton Oilers, tied together with a 2024 seventh-round pick, to acquire a fourth-rounder in 2027. All three players were on one-year deals with the Coyotes. Given the team’s direction, it was unlikely that any would return next season. Continue reading “Arizona Coyotes’ trade deadline moves signal youthful future in sight”

GCU men’s basketball seeks to solidify legacy with first NCAA Tournament win Friday against Saint Mary’s

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-GCU MBB Preview, 1,300 words.
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Justin de Hass
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — The Grand Canyon men’s basketball team won the Western Athletic Conference three of the last four years, but the program believes the time is now to take the next step and win its first NCAA Tournament game.

The Antelopes won their first WAC championship in 2021, which was monumental as it was their first tournament appearance since the program jumped up to Division I in 2013. Only two players from that squad are on this year’s team: senior guard Jovan Blacksher Jr. and redshirt senior forward Gabe McGlothan.

Blacksher Jr. and McGlothan came to GCU to build the foundation, and now they are about to leave the program better than they found it. However, the job is not finished as No. No. 5 Saint Mary’s awaits the No. 12 seed Friday in the first round of the West region in Spokane, Washington. Continue reading “GCU men’s basketball seeks to solidify legacy with first NCAA Tournament win Friday against Saint Mary’s”

Mobile maternity care clinics work to expand prenatal care accessibility

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Inequitable Prenatal Care. 1,420 words.
  • Photos, embeddable map available.

By Mia Milinovich
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Minority communities without access to adequate prenatal care often suffer high maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates. In Arizona, approximately 1 in 6 infants in 2022 was born to a woman who didn’t get adequate prenatal care.

Mobile maternity care clinics are making a difference by bringing prenatal care into communities where it’s needed. These maternity care clinics, on wheels, connect expectant mothers to accessible and timely medical services.

Continue reading “Mobile maternity care clinics work to expand prenatal care accessibility”

Hometown kid: Carter Jensen’s baseball journey continues at first MLB camp with Kansas City Royals

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Carter Jensen Royals, 700 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By James Lotts
Cronkite News

SURPRISE – For many players reporting to spring training this season, it was just the beginning of another long and grinding baseball marathon. But for Carter Jensen, this spring training meant a little more.

Jensen was reporting to his first major league camp for the Kansas City Royals, the team he cheered for as a child growing up in Missouri. Despite being assigned to the club’s minor league camp on March 3, he still made one of his dreams come true.

“It’s come full circle for sure,” Jensen said. “It’s just one of those things that’s incredible.” Continue reading “Hometown kid: Carter Jensen’s baseball journey continues at first MLB camp with Kansas City Royals”

Storylines, sleepers to watch: 68 teams look to write their chapter during March Madness

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-NCAA Men’s Tournament Sleepers, 1,600 words.
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Bobby Hurley
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – March is the time of the year where stories are written and legends are made. These moments can happen to any men’s basketball team throughout the field of 68 and are hiding in plain sight. Here are some storylines and Cinderella teams that can make headlines across the country.

Arizona Wildcats to the Final Four

The Wildcats have been the subject of jokes when it comes to March Madness early exits in the past few seasons. People around the country pick them in their brackets and the Wildcats often disappoint. Most notably, there was an early exit last season to the Princeton Tigers, the No. 15 seed. Arizona can have a different fate in 2024 because of two very important factors.

For one, the Wildcats, seeded No. 2 in the West Region, have March Madness experience littered throughout their roster. Star guard Caleb Love and versatile forward Keshad Johnson have played in the last two national championship games. Even though Johnson was in a San Diego State uniform and Love in a North Carolina uniform, the duo can bring valuable experience to an already older team. Don’t forget that Pelle Larsson and Oumar Ballo were both key bench contributors during the Wildcats’ 2022 Sweet Sixteen run that ended in a loss to the Houston Cougars. Continue reading “Storylines, sleepers to watch: 68 teams look to write their chapter during March Madness”

Former ASU swimmer Kyle Sockwell, the self-proclaimed CEO of swimming social media, upends the sport’s coverage

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Sockwell Swimming Social Influencer, 980 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Tyler Bednar
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Former Arizona State swimming and diving captain Kyle Sockwell was bribed to join the sport. His mother bought him Pokemon cards to help entice him off the starting block.

“But I mean, this Charizard right here, if there are any nerds out there listening, is a pretty hefty price tag attached to that one, depending on what it would get graded at,” Sockwell said. “But I like to say that that card, I pulled it out of my pack that my mom had to give me to bribe me to swim my first race.”

That one card led Sockwell to a successful collegiate swimming career, which included three seasons at Arizona State. Sockwell became team captain and performed under legendary coach Bob Bowman, who helped guide Sockwell in the right direction at the end of his career. Continue reading “Former ASU swimmer Kyle Sockwell, the self-proclaimed CEO of swimming social media, upends the sport’s coverage”

Next-man-up mentality fuels Hamilton High School baseball following two straight 6A state championships

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Hamilton High Baseball, 600 words.
  • 4 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Brevan Branscum
Cronkite News

CHANDLER – In a sport defined by failure, the Hamilton High School baseball team hasn’t had to overcome much of it. Coming off back-to-back 6A state championships, the Huskies are looking for their third straight title as the season gets underway.

The quest for a three-peat isn’t without turnover. The Huskies lost their top four players with the most plate appearances from the previous season, as well as their three wins leaders on the pitching side.

Roch Cholowsky, who led the 2023 team in plate appearances, hits, runs and home runs with a .466 average, is now playing at UCLA. Ryan Kucherak plays for LSU, while Zach Wadas is at TCU. Josh Tiedemann, also a TCU commit, forwent college after hearing his name called by the New York Yankees in the 2023 MLB draft. Continue reading “Next-man-up mentality fuels Hamilton High School baseball following two straight 6A state championships”

Coming home: Chicago native Nicky Lopez brings leadership, culture change to White Sox

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Nicky Lopez White Sox, 1,150 words.
  • 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Stephen Buxton
Cronkite News

GLENDALE – On the doorstep of the most important day of his life, Chicago White Sox second baseman Nicky Lopez received a call most players dread.

Lopez was with his family and friends in Rancho Mirage, California, at his Nov. 17 rehearsal dinner the night before his wedding when, in the middle of it, he got the news from Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos.

He was getting traded. Continue reading “Coming home: Chicago native Nicky Lopez brings leadership, culture change to White Sox”

Casitas, private clubs highlight upgrades Arizona Cardinals plan for State Farm Stadium

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Cardinals Stadium Changes, 770 words.
  • 4 renderings available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Anthony Remedios
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – New field-level suites and club areas at both end zones are among the major enhancements planned for State Farm Stadium, the Arizona Cardinals announced Monday.

Although the $15 million upgrade will address the demand for premium seating, the casita suites in the sound end zone will replace 1,200 general-purpose seats, upsetting some season-ticket holders.

“In light of the Cardinals doing what they did with State Farm Stadium, I emailed my rep yesterday with my displeasure while asking to cancel my tickets and get a full refund,” X user Josh D @DavisOnScuf wrote Tuesday. “Sounds like they’re going to accommodate which I can respect.” Continue reading “Casitas, private clubs highlight upgrades Arizona Cardinals plan for State Farm Stadium”

Despite lingering challenges, Trump, Biden cruise to victories in Arizona

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Presidential Returns,910.
  • 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Lillie Boudreaux
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump cruised to victory in Arizona’s presidential preference election Tuesday, easily outdistancing challengers despite an organized protest vote and former challengers who were still on the ballot.

In early returns, Biden had 89.7% of votes from Democrats, far ahead of the 3.5% for challenger Marianne Williamson. She had been pushed as an alternative by groups calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, who hoped to send a message to Biden over his administration’s support for Israel.

Trump, meanwhile, had 76.7% of the Republican vote compared to 19.8% for Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor – and Trump’s former United Nations ambassador – who dropped out of the race two weeks ago after winning only a handful of delegates in early primary states. Continue reading “Despite lingering challenges, Trump, Biden cruise to victories in Arizona”

Colorado’s Cal Quantrill, Dakota Hudson bring leadership, experience to Rockies pitching staff

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Rockies New Pitchers, 820 words.
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Aaron Schmidt
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Reflecting on his team’s 59-103 campaign in 2023, Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black sat in his office, lamenting the catastrophic injuries that derailed his team a year ago.

Injuries within the Colorado pitching staff, including two that required season-ending Tommy John surgeries for veterans German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela, left Black scrambling.

The Rockies relied on a variety of tactics just to get through the season. For example, there were 17 different Rockies pitchers, including those slated to start and others who were expected to come out of the bullpen, who started games in 2023, and only Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber started more than 20 games. Continue reading “Colorado’s Cal Quantrill, Dakota Hudson bring leadership, experience to Rockies pitching staff”

A’s new plate approach is paying dividends thus far in spring training

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Oakland A’s Plate Approach, 662 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Josh Amick
Cronkite News

MESA – After finishing last season with the lowest runs per game in all of baseball, the Oakland A’s are using spring training to take more of a team-first approach at the plate.

So far it’s working.

Oakland finished last season with 3.61 runs per game and through 20 spring training games in the Cactus League, they are averaging 5.8. According to manager Mark Kotsay, they are controlling the zone better and using the next-man-up strategy to grind out every at-bat. Continue reading “A’s new plate approach is paying dividends thus far in spring training”

‘A perfect situation’: Arizona ‘excited’ for First Four matchup against Auburn in NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Arizona Women’s Basketball Tournament, 1,000 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Addison Kalmbach
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The most magical Sunday in all of college basketball occurred on St. Patrick’s Day with the annual bracket selection of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, and it might have delivered the first upset of the spring.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Arizona women’s basketball team was invited to the Big Dance, and that was far from a given going into the day. After starting the season 5-0, the Wildcats lost 12 of their next 20 games.

However, Arizona came on to sneak into the NCAA Tournament, drawing a First Four bid as an 11-seed in Portland Region 3. The Wildcats will face Auburn in Storrs, Connecticut, Thursday. Continue reading “‘A perfect situation’: Arizona ‘excited’ for First Four matchup against Auburn in NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament”

Organizations assist Native American voters as election year ramps up

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Native Voters. 890 words.
  • File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By John Sanders
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – As voters headed to the polls Tuesday to vote in the presidential preference election, Native Americans in Arizona continued to work within a system that has challenged their ability to vote for decades. With new legislation affecting the upcoming election in November, the challenge just got harder for Native Americans looking to exercise their voting rights.

In 2021, 19 states enacted 33 laws that target voting rights, which the Brennan Center For Justice characterized as restrictive legislation. Organizations around the country have been assisting people affected by these laws.

Continue reading “Organizations assist Native American voters as election year ramps up”

State officials warn of potentially ‘explosive’ wildfires this summer

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: BC-CNS-Wildfire Season,530.
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below)

By Martin Dreyfuss
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Forestry officials said Arizona is on the verge of a volatile wildfire season, and they urged state residents to be prepared and to take steps now to head off the worst of it.

“The first day of any firefight starts with the actions and efforts that we do today,” said Aaron Casem, the prevention officer at the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

He was speaking at a news conference Monday where state officials said a wet winter spurred excessive growth of vegetation that has the potential to become a “heavy fuel load” for fires as the state dries out this summer. Continue reading “State officials warn of potentially ‘explosive’ wildfires this summer”