Large federal grant will fund Canalscape project

Arizona received a hefty grant this week to help fund the Canalscape project.

U.S. Representatives Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix

Bat Week hopes to debunk negative rumors about bats

Government and private agencies are seeking to educate the public about bats and their vital role in the ecosystem. Cronkite News reporter Elizabeth Blackburn brings us the story from one such function at the Department of Interior in Washington, D.C.

Rob Mies photo

Feds propose recovery plan for endangered Southwestern fish

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed a recovery plan Tuesday for the endangered Gila chub that seeks to reduce threats from nonnative species and protect the fish's degraded habitat in Arizona and New Mexico.


Phoenix looks for local artists to create art from trash piles

Local artist Beth Shook collects discarded furniture parts to create her artwork.

The artists will have four months to claim pieces of trash for their art projects. (Photo by Elenee Dao/Cronkite News)

Study: 7 in 10 Americans believe in solid evidence of global warming

Severe drought affecting many parts of the nation is convincing skeptics of global warming to reconsider their position on the matter.


Look twice for bikes, Phoenix launches bike safety pledge

Bicyclists and motorists have a complicated relationship when sharing the roads of Phoenix. In each of the past five years, there have been an average of more than 450 bicycle involved collisions, according to the city of Phoenix website.

These signs and many others have been placed throughout Phoenix — and will continue to be placed — to help guide bicyclists and motorists in Phoenix. (Photo by Claire Cleveland/ Cronkite News)

The Phoenix Grand Canal en route to improvement this year

Phoenix residents can look forward to strolling along a beautiful canal soon — and they won’t have to leave the country to do it.

The north side of the Grand Canal in Phoenix is awaiting a beautification project. The $4.9 million Grand Canalscape is designed to improve pedestrian pathways and tie the canal system into neighborhoods. (Photo by Eboni Johnson/Cronkite News)

Despite bright spots, Arizona slips to 17th in energy-efficiency rank

WASHINGTON - Arizona slipped two spots to 17th place in the 2015 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard released Wednesday, even though experts say the state still does very well in some areas.

energy-efficient fluorescent light bulb

Timeline: University of Arizona, Arizona State University heavily involved in Mars exploration

By Jesse A. Millard Cronkite News University of Arizona and Arizona State University have been heavily involved with the exploration of Mars ever since the Viking missions, which resulted in the first successful U.S. mission to land a spacecraft on Mars’ surface. A UA undergraduate played a vital role in the discovery of liquid water on mars and ASU is working with NASA on the next rover to be sent to the red planet. Both schools have accomplished much, and to highlight the achievements here is a compilation of some of the two universities’ work in the exploration of Mars:


Storms continue to pound Valley: How you can prepare

How do homeowners prepare for the strong storms expected to hit the Valley in the next few days?


High-efficiency nozzles save water while keeping lawn green

As a groundskeeper for a housing community in Phoenix, Terry Peterson has changed about 800 sprinkler heads to high efficiency water nozzles. Now he’s taking action at home.


NOAA predicts El Niño weather will continue through winter

Fresh off another punishing storm, Arizonans likely can expect to see a wet winter as El Niño conditions heat up the Pacific Ocean.