• Slug: BC-CNS-Goth Scene Photo Essay. 115-word intro + photos.
• 13 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Sam Ballesteros
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – When people think of Arizona, a thriving Goth scene may not be something that comes to mind, but maybe it should be.

The Goth subculture began decades ago as a post-punk musical style. It is a fashion style, music genre and lifestyle that often explores dark and romantic themes. Those who identify with the subculture often refer to themselves as “Goths.”

Today, the scene in Arizona has gained prominence through events and festivals and evolved into an accepting space for new and older generations of Goths alike. Goth-centered artisan markets, Goth nights at clubs and Goth festivals have emerged to provide the community with opportunities to express themselves in a welcoming environment.

Continue reading “‘You’re Goth, welcome to the club’: Arizona’s Goth scene is gaining prominence due to events, exposure”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Senior Homelessness. 800 words.
• Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By John Sanders & Naomi DuBovis
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Homelessness is an ongoing issue in the state and around the country. As the number of unhoused individuals rises, government and nonprofit organizations continue to assist those impacted – with the help of federal funding. Arizona older adults in particular have difficulties with housing and may be limited in generating new income.

A 2022 report from the Arizona Department of Economic Security indicated that more than 4,500 individuals ages 55 and older received homelessness assistance, more than any other age group that year.

Continue reading “Older adults face homelessness at high rates. Here’s how governments, organizations are responding.”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Health and Wellness Festival. 530 words.
• 13 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Sam Ballesteros
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market and the Phoenix Bioscience Core hosted the first Health & Wellness “Phoestival” with multiple guest speakers, a blood drive, cooking demonstrations and booths.

The Phoenix Bioscience Core is a 30-acre life science innovation district in downtown Phoenix that serves as a center for bio research and education. It boasts the highest concentration of research scientists in the state, from TGen, Exact Sciences and Phoenix’s major health care systems – Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Banner Health, Dignity Health and Valleywise Health – and more. It is the only area where all three of Arizona’s public universities – University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University – have medical campuses.

Continue reading “Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market, Phoenix Bioscience Core promote health education at festival”

• Slug: BC-CNS-AZ Mental Health. 1,680 words.
• 4 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Leah Mesquita
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Mental Health America ranked Arizona 49th in the nation for adult mental health care. The national nonprofit determines rankings based on the prevalence of mental illness and the access to mental health care. Arizona’s 2023 ranking of 49 out of 51 is based on the state having a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower access to insurance and treatment.

For Rachel Streiff, an organizer and member of Arizona Mad Moms, this ranking was no surprise. She and other family members, caregivers and friends of individuals with severe mental illness, have been advocating on their behalf for adequate psychiatric services and treatment for quite some time.

Continue reading “Arizona ranks 49th in nation for access to adult mental health care”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Saving One Life. 685 words.
• Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).
• Video available.

By Mariah Temprendola
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – According to the annual Shelters Animal Count report, 41% of cats that ended up in Arizona shelters in the first quarter of this year were strays. There are many animal organizations that contribute to the well-being and care for these cats. Cronkite News followed volunteers with one organization to see what it takes to get a cat from the cold streets to a warm, safe home.

Saving One Life is a nonprofit organization that provides care for at-risk cats and dogs through foster and adoption programs. Anna Zhundrikova, is a volunteer who helps coordinate the organization’s Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. According to Saving One life, it uses TNR to humanely trap feral cats and spay or neuter them in order to help decrease the population. Once the cats have healed, they are returned to the colony in the area where they were trapped.

Continue reading “‘Unconditional love’: Saving One Life helps cats through colony feedings, TNR, fostering, adoptions”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Valley Fever. 1,625 words.
• Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).
• Can run with BC-CNS-Valley Fever Sidebar.

By Jack Orleans
Cronkite News

TUCSON – Daniel Sestiaga remembers being in the COVID-19 ward of a hospital in late 2020. He tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 in June, then later tested negative, but he was still struggling to breathe and testing positive again by the end of August.

After driving 60 miles to see his Indian Health Service primary care physician in Sells, Sestiaga said that his doctor took a chest X-ray showing pneumonia. His breathing became so difficult that he had to go to the emergency room before seeing a pulmonologist.

It wasn’t only COVID-19 causing his difficulty breathing. He was diagnosed with Valley fever after the X-ray revealed fluid around his lungs restricting their capacity. Sestiaga was told the fluid needed to be removed.

Continue reading “Valley fever, a fungal disease endemic to the Southwest, disproportionately affects minority populations”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Valley Fever Sidebar. 365 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).
• To run with BC-CNS-Valley Fever.

By Jack Orleans
Cronkite News

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, Calif. – Valley fever has been infecting people in the Southwest U.S., Central America and South America for decades.

“It’s not just (in Arizona). It’s also up and down the Western Hemisphere. There are pockets in Mexico, there are pockets in Central America,” said Dr. John Galgiani, director of the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona.

Continue reading “Sidebar: The rise of Valley fever”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Space Sector. 630 words.
• Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Vanessa Pimentel
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – “Our opportunities are boundless, just like space,” Gov. Katie Hobbs told an audience at the second annual Arizona Space Summit in Tempe last month.

Arizona is the fifth-largest employer in aerospace and defense manufacturing, home to over 1,250 supply chain contributors, according to the Arizona Commerce Authority. Sandra Watson, the authority’s president and CEO, said Arizona has become the “global hot spot for emerging technologies and advanced manufacturing.”

Major industry players in Arizona have a significant impact on the economy. Together, these companies employ more than 52,000 people directly, according to the authority. Its website states the numbers reflect “Arizona’s long-standing history with leading names in the industry – companies whose continued success in everything from unmanned aircraft systems to missiles, space vehicles to commercial aircraft and research into alternative fuels – drives further future growth.”
Continue reading “‘Opportunities are boundless’: Arizona pushes space sector’s growth through education, collaboration, economy”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Water Supply Solutions. 600 words.
• File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Huston Dunston Jr.
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona, much like California and other states with large deserts, is having an issue with dwindling Colorado River water levels.

With so many people living in and moving to Arizona, specifically the Phoenix area, state and local agencies are working toward water solutions, including expanding the Bartlett Dam and adding new infrastructure.

The Central Arizona Project is a 336-mile aqueduct system that begins on the California-Arizona border, at Lake Havasu, and ends south of Tucson. CAP brings Colorado River water into Arizona and runs it through more than a dozen pumping plants that carry the water throughout the system.

Continue reading “How city of Phoenix, CAP are addressing water supply issues”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Farrier Education. 590 words.
• 10 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).
• Video available.

By Julia Schamko
Cronkite News

TUCSON – At 83 years old, George Goode describes every day as a “blessing” as he makes the two-hour commute to Sells to teach local Native Americans farrier education.

It was 1972 when Goode started his horseshoeing school in Tucson. Over a half-century later, he retired and founded the nonprofit Native American Horse Education Foundation in hopes of bringing a new mindset to Indigenous communities.

Continue reading “Best foot forward: Tucson farrier educates Native American communities on horseshoeing”

• Slug: BC-CNS-State of the City. 550 words.
• Photos available (thumbnails, captions below)
• Video available.

By Vanessa Pimentel
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – “Today, the world is looking to Phoenix as a city of the future, where possibility is found in every corner,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said Tuesday at her annual State of the City address.

Gallego focused on efforts to create a successful, sustainable and safe Phoenix to enable residents to live comfortably. Phoenix is looking to build its economy by addressing climate and housing issues along with increasing investment opportunities. She said record levels of investment are already having an extensive impact on the local economy, creating thousands of high-level jobs to support the middle class.

Continue reading “State of the City: Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego highlights jobs, housing, sustainability”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Modern Libraries. 475 words.
• Photos available (thumbnails, captions below)
• Video available.

By Leslie Chapman
Cronkite News

GOODYEAR – In an age dominated by digital devices, public libraries are evolving to meet the changing needs of their communities.

In 2023, the Greater Phoenix Digital Library, which includes library systems across Maricopa County, saw a staggering 6 million digital checkouts. Area libraries are transforming from spaces filled with printed books and quiet study spaces to resources that embrace technology to better serve patrons of all ages, especially younger generations.

Continue reading “From page to pixel: Valley libraries embrace digital evolution, serving tech-savvy generations with virtual offerings”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Early Child Funding. 1,800 words.
• Photos available.

By Annika Tourlas
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Early childhood care and education programs struggled to recruit, retain staff and meet labor costs before the COVID-19 pandemic. Then the worldwide shutdown made matters worse, as parents turned their homes into conference rooms, classrooms and day care centers.

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2023 Kids Count Data Book, 16% of children 6 and under in Arizona had a family member quit, change or refuse a job because of child care problems. In fact, the 2023 report ranked Arizona 39th overall for child well-being, noting an annual cost of $10,883 for “center-based child care.”

Continue reading “Pandemic relief funds for early childhood care set to expire June 30”

• Slug: BC-CNS-New Valleywise Health Center. 850 words.
• Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Brenna Gauchat
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Valleywise Health refers to its health care system as a safety net for the community and prides itself on serving the Valley’s underserved.

On April 3, Valleywise Health hosted an opening ceremony for its new medical center on E. Roosevelt Street in Phoenix. This center replaces the previous building, which served the public for 53 years.

Standing 10 floors high and sprawling over 673,000 square feet, the new Valleywise medical center features upgraded facilities to provide specialized care to the community. The original hospital in that location was known as the Maricopa County Integrated Health System, renamed Valleywise in 2018.

Continue reading “Valleywise Health opens a new medical center in Phoenix to ‘serve the underserved’”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Sensory Job Fair. 780 words.
• 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Annika Tourlas
Cronkite News

TEMPE – A Sensory Friendly Job Fair gave individuals with autism and autism spectrum disorder an opportunity to meet and be interviewed by more than a dozen potential employers on April 9 in Tempe.

The job fair was organized by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix and Rio Salado College. Timothy Stump, vocational rehabilitation employer liaison at the Arizona Department of Economic Security, organized the fair.

Continue reading “Sensory Friendly Job Fair paves the way for adults with autism to meet potential employers”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Native American Suicide. 600 words.
• File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Donovan Growney
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Belén Santistevan lost her brother to suicide when she was just a freshman in high school. Santistevan points to a lack of Indigenous community identity and resources as contributing factors to what happened to her brother.

“I find myself wondering, if my family didn’t struggle with historical intergenerational trauma, and if we grew up practicing our culture, my brother would still be here,” said Santistevan, who is a prevention coordinator at the Phoenix Indian Center and also helped to coordinate the 2024 Annual American Indian Suicide Prevention Convening.

Continue reading “‘Combating this epidemic’: Native Americans gather to address suicide prevention”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Singletons. 445 words.
• 11 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).
• Video available.

By Vanessa Pimentel
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – What started as a tribute to a single mother of four has since grown into a support system for the many cancer warriors who have been in her shoes.

On Oct. 23, 2005, single mother Michelle Singleton lost her battle to cancer. Years later, a community exists to honor Singleton’s life. The Singletons, a nonprofit organization based in Phoenix, devotes itself to supporting single-parent families battling cancer.

Formerly known as Singleton Moms, the Singletons provide aid to many families, supplying them with groceries, household items and financial assistance. Marleah Nigro and her daughter, Marisa Nigro, found comfort in knowing they had the Singletons community to lean on.

Continue reading “The Singletons provides financial, compassionate support to single-parent families battling cancer”

• Slug: BC-CNS-American Indian Youth Disability Summit. 900 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Brooke Rindenau
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The fourth annual American Indian Youth Disability Summit, held on April 13, awarded a Youth Tribal Leadership Award to a college student whose interest in learning disabilities and her own speech disorder led her to study speech and hearing sciences at Arizona State University.

The youth summit explored topics ranging from mental health problems like post-traumatic stress disorder to voting accommodations made for those with disabilities in Arizona.

Continue reading “4th annual American Indian Youth Disability Summit honors ASU student with Youth Tribal Leadership Award”