• Slug: BC-CNS-Lesko Leaves,830 words.
• 2 file photos, video story available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Renee Romo
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Declaring Washington “broken,” four-term Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, made the surprise announcement Tuesday that she will serve out her current term but will not seek reelection next year.

The announcement shocked political observers who said Lesko’s departure opens the door to what will likely be a crowded, and costly, GOP primary to replace her in what has been called a solidly Republican district.

“It’s going to be one of the most watched races in the state, all of a sudden,” said Paul Bentz, senior vice president of research and strategy for Highground Inc. “This is a pretty shocking announcement that creates a very competitive race that a lot of people are going to jump into.” Continue reading “Heated race likely to succeed Lesko, who will leave ‘broken’ Washington”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Cleaner Burning Gas. 570 words.
• File photo available.

By Reagan Priest
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – A joint committee of the Arizona Legislature held a hearing on Monday to discuss high gas prices in Maricopa County and how to lower them, but experts testified that lowering prices could take years.

The Republican chairs of the Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Study Committee on Air Quality and Energy called the hearing after claiming that Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs’ administration didn’t do enough to mitigate a shortage of Cleaner Burning Gasoline, a unique blend of gas that is required in Maricopa County to reduce emissions.

Cleaner Burning Gasoline, or CBG, is required under a state implementation plan from 1997 to comply with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards and the Clean Air Act. It is only sold in Maricopa County and parts of Pinal and Yavapai Counties.

Continue reading “Can Arizona lawmakers lower gas prices in the Valley? Not any time soon”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Solar Eclipse,640 words.
• Photo, NASA video available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Kate Duffy
Cronkite News

FLAGSTAFF — At 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, when the annular solar eclipse reached its peak, more than 2,000 people at the Lowell Observatory broke into applause as they witnessed the “ring of fire.”

The weekend’s eclipse was an annular eclipse, which, according to Tyler Richey-Yowell, the Percival Lowell Postdoctoral Fellow at the Lowell Observatory, occurs when the moon is further away from the Earth and, therefore, appears too small to fully eclipse the sun.

“That’s how you end up with this beautiful ring of fire, we call it, where you’re seeing just the outer edges of the star,” Richey-Yowell said. Continue reading “Thousands gather in Flagstaff to witness annular solar eclipse”

• Slug: BC-CNS-House Divided,790 words.
• Photo, video story available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Alexandria Cullen
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Arizona lawmakers voted on party lines for a new House speaker Tuesday, but it was not enough to overcome a new group of rebellious Republicans in the House who blocked the election of Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan.

Jordan needed 217 votes to become speaker, but could only muster 200 from his party, as 20 Republicans voted for other candidates.

It was the first attempt to elect a speaker since eight Republicans – including Reps. Andy Biggs of Gilbert and Eli Crane of Oro Valley – joined all Democrats two weeks ago to oust then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Continue reading “Arizona lawmakers fall in line, but House fails to elect new speaker”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Lake Loss,580 words.
• File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Adrienne Washington
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – A federal appeals court rejected an attempt by 2022 GOP candidates Kari Lake and Mark Finchem to stop Arizona’s use of electronic voting machines, saying the claims did not raise a “real and immediate” threat of voter fraud.

The ruling Monday by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a 2022 U.S. District Court decision to dismiss the suit on the same grounds. It was the latest defeat for Lake, the failed Republican nominee for Arizona governor, and Finchem, the party’s failed nominee for secretary of state, who have mounted numerous legal challenges to their defeats. Continue reading “Court rejects attempt by Finchem, Lake to bar electronic voting machines”

• Slug: BC-CNS-OTC Contracptives,1050 words.
• 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Angelina Steel
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona regulators this summer finalized long-awaited rules that allow expanded access to over-the-counter hormonal contraceptives for women over age 18 in the state.

“Reproductive freedom is critical to the individuals and families working hard to create a life for themselves in Arizona,” Gov. Katie Hobbs said in a July 6 news release publicizing the new legislation.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports over-the-counter access to hormonal contraception, pointing out the requirement for a prescription can be an obstacle for those who use contraceptives. The professional organization recommends over-the-counter contraceptives because they can be a cheaper and easier option for women who are uninsured, live in rural areas, or have to make special arrangements in order to see a health care provider. Continue reading “Contraceptives will be available at pharmacies without a prescription, increasing accessibility for Arizona women”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Tax Credits. 615 words.
• File photo available (thumbnail and caption below).
• Video story available.

By Jacob Snelgrove
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Republican legislators defended family tax rebates Monday as beneficial to Arizonans on the heels of new projections that Arizona is expecting a $400 million state budget shortfall.

The Finance Advisory Committee report released last week indicated the projected shortfall is due in part to a drop in individual income tax collections. In a news release, Arizona House Democrats pointed to “an irresponsible permanent $2 billion income tax cut primarily benefitting wealthier Arizonans.” Arizona’s 2.5% flat tax was approved by Republican lawmakers in 2021, and the following September, former Gov. Doug Ducey directed the Arizona Department of Revenue to enact the flat tax in the 2023 tax year, a year ahead of schedule.

Republican legislators, including the Arizona Freedom Caucus, hosted a news conference Monday to tout the rebates as “inflation relief” that will be headed to Arizona families. Beginning Oct. 30, tax rebates will start heading out to about 750,000 Arizona families. The money could take weeks to a month to reach them.

Continue reading “Arizona Republicans tout family tax rebates amid projected $400 million budget shortfall”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Water Catchments. 640 words.
• Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).
• Audio story available here. (Note: Some web browsers may not support media download.)

By Kiersten Edgett
Cronkite News

CAREFREE – At the center of all life is water. But, for wildlife in the hot deserts of Arizona, finding it isn’t so easy. That’s where water catchments come in.

Water catchments are systems that collect rainwater and use it to fill a drinking hole for desert-dwelling animals – from honeybees to bighorn sheep.

According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, there are roughly 3,000 catchments across Arizona.

Continue reading “Water catchments across Arizona provide drinking water for wildlife”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Israel Palestine Rallies,1100 words.
• 8 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Kate Duffy and Angelina Steel
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Hamas, which the U.S. State Department has designated a terrorist organization, launched an attack on Israel this past Saturday. More than 1,200 were dead as of Wednesday, according to media reports, and Israel on Sunday declared war on Hamas.

Hamas governs more than 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Founded in 1987, Hamas has called for the elimination of Israel, which was founded in 1948 as a safe haven for Jews fleeing persecution.

Amid news of death and violence in this latest Israel-Hamas war, the diverse communities of Arizona State University have expressed both grief and support for Israelis and Palestinians. The first ASU event took place on the Tempe campus on Wednesday evening, and drew students and others together to grieve for lost loved ones and show solidarity for Israel. On Thursday at 11 a.m., a group marched through the Tempe campus to show their support for Palestinians. Continue reading “Hundreds gather at ASU events with opposing views of Israelis, Palestinians”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Urban Trees. 1,300 words. By Zach Bradshaw.
• 4 photos, embeddable map, video story available (map code, thumbnails, captions below).

By Zach Bradshaw
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The city of Phoenix is dedicating millions of dollars to increase tree and shade coverage for underserved communities.

The Office of Heat Response and Mitigation is accepting applications from public schools and neighborhoods to receive grant funds for tree and shade structure installation in qualified census tracts – communities with a poverty rate of 25% or more, or with 50% of households with incomes below 60% of the area median gross income.

Three available grants – Community Canopy, Canopy for Kids, and Shade for Students – are intended to improve shade landscapes at schools and places that provide services for youth and to improve shade coverage in pedestrian places and residential sites.

Continue reading “Phoenix funding trees and shade structures for underserved communities”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Israel Arizona. 590 words.
• File photo available (thumbnail and caption below).
• Video available.

By Jacob Snelgrove
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Due to the latest war between Israel and Hamas, Jewish communities in Arizona have felt the need to bolster their security presence.

“It is hard for Jews to come together to pray in public places. We have a security guard standing outside our synagogue every time we gather. It shouldn’t be like that in America,” said Rabbi Cookie Lea Olshein of Temple Emmanuel of Tempe. Olshein said the synagogue has increased the number of security guards it uses.

Continue reading “‘The violence needs to stop’: Arizona Jewish community beefs up security amid Israel-Hamas war”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Butterfly Migration,700 words.
• 9 photos, video illustration, video story available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Kevinjonah Paguio
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – This time of year, butterflies are in backyards and parks, but it may look different this season. This year’s extreme heat is expected to affect all parts of the ecosystem, including butterflies and their migration.

Climate change is prolonging heat cycles, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, making the period of extreme heat longer than in the past. The National Weather Service recorded 31 straight days of temperatures of 110° or higher in 2023 in Phoenix, a record. The heat took a toll on humans and other species they share the environment with, including butterflies. Continue reading “Arizona’s extreme heat threatens ‘spectacular migrations’ of butterflies”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Space Dirt,700 words.
• 4 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Lux Butler
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – A University of Arizona scientist joined NASA officials Wednesday to unveil the results of a successful multiyear mission to a near-Earth asteroid that returned last month bearing what they called “scientific treasure.”

OSIRIS-REx set multiple records on its seven-year trip to the asteroid Bennu, where it collected four times as much material as planned – material including carbon and water-bearing clay that could hold clues to the development of Earth. Continue reading “Arizona expert marvels at ‘scientific treasure’ from 7-year asteroid mission”

• Slug: Sports-Ricky Tiedmann Feature. 1,400 words
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Jordy Fee-Platt
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Ricky Tiedemann graduated high school in the spring of 2020, with hopes of being drafted by an MLB organization. The baseball prospect had tremendous talent, but with the COVID-19 pandemic raging, it was a brutal time for young players to earn attention. The left-handed pitcher committed to San Diego State, but due to the eligibility requirements for the MLB draft, he chose not to wait.

“I kind of just had a feeling I was ready at that time,” Tiedemann said.

His decision at that moment has proved to be the right move, and he now has begun a crucial developmental step in the Arizona Fall League.

Tiedemann is already off to a tremendous start in the desert, earning Arizona Fall League Pitcher of the Week honors Tuesday. The rise to the precipice of the major leagues featured pandemic complications, high risks, and a coach who changed everything.

Continue reading “From JUCO to Triple-A, No. 1 Blue Jays prospect’s lightning rise turning heads at Arizona Fall League”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Animal Therapy,560 words.
• 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Caleb Scott
Cronkite News

MESA – On a playground in Mesa, a group of children of various ages and abilities plays with several dogs and two miniature horses. Some run around with the animals while others just pet and hold them. This is animal therapy.

Once a month, the Arizona organization Pawsitive Friendships brings therapy animals to A Place 4 Everyone Learning Center, a school to help students with physical, social and emotional issues.

Pawsitive Friendships was founded in 2014 when the founder and CEO, Tosha Tharp-Gaitanis, discovered that exercise routines with her son, who has autism, were more productive when the family dog was part of the sessions. “I’m not a therapist, I’m not a teacher, just a mom with a passion to have others succeed like my son did,” Tharp-Gaitanis said. Continue reading “Pawsitive Friendships provides animal therapy to students with disabilities”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Arizona Green Party,750 words.
• File photo, graphic available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Reagan Priest
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — The Arizona Green Party is collecting signatures to register as a new party after losing party recognition in the state in 2019. If the party is successful, it will be ballot eligible for the 2024 elections.

Parties looking to qualify for recognition must submit at least 34,127 valid signatures to the Secretary of State’s office by Nov. 30. In order to ensure enough signatures are valid, the Green Party is aiming to collect 70,000 signatures by that date and had collected 41,601 as of Sept. 30. Continue reading “Arizona Greens push to regain party recognition and get on 2024 ballot”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Senate Shakeup,830 words.
• File photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Renee Romo
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Kari Lake’s expected entrance Tuesday into the already-crowded field seeking to unseat Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., sets the stage for what one analyst said has the potential to be “the greatest race in United States Senate history.”

Lake, the failed 2022 Republican nominee for governor, has not officially announced her intention to run for Senate, instead promising to make a “huge announcement” at a campaign rally Tuesday. But she filed a statement of candidacy for the Senate race late last week with the Federal Election Commission.

“It’s going to be the Grand Slam, the World Cup, the World Series, the Super Bowl of U.S. Senate races with Kari Lake getting into the race,” said Jason Rose, an Arizona-based political consultant. Continue reading “Likely Lake entry into Arizona Senate race sets up ‘Super Bowl’ of elections”

EDS: An earlier version of this story attributed a statement in the 15th graf to the wrong source. The story below has been corrected, but clients who used previous versions are asked to run the correction found here.

• Slug: BC-CNS-Unwinding Medicaid,870 words.
• File photo, graphic available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Oakley Seiter
Cronkite News

PHOENIX– For the past six months, the nation has been undergoing a Medicaid “unwinding,” wherein millions of individuals who were enrolled in Medicaid health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic are being disenrolled because their current income makes them ineligible.

States are now removing people from their enrollment systems because the enhanced federal funding that paid for expanding Medicaid during the COVID-19 pandemic, is ending.

The state agency that handles Medicaid payments to Arizona residents is the Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). On April 1, AHCCCS began the process of running all 2.5 million Arizonans enrolled on Medicaid through federal databases that verified a certain number of people were still eligible to stay on Medicaid automatically. Continue reading “AHCCCS reaches out to recipients, community to help with Medicaid ‘unwinding’”

EDS: An earlier version of this audio and script included a mispronunciation and misspelling of Nate Solmon’s name and an incorrect job title for Joseph Currie in the story about water catchments. The audio and script below have been corrected, but clients who used previous versions are asked to run the correction found here.

• Slug: BC-CNS-CN2Go Weekly Update. Runtime 8:54.
• Downloadable audio here. (Note: Some web browsers may not support media download)

[Music bed under] 

CN2Go Host: This is Cronkite News 2 Go. I’m your host, Deanna Pistono.

[Music fade in/under] Continue reading “CN2Go Weekly Update: Salt River landfill fire smoke may pose health problems”