It’s not your imagination: Airline performance fell in 2014, report says
WASHINGTON – Two of the biggest airlines serving Arizona saw a decline in their service last year – but they were not alone.
Remembering Raul Castro, former Arizona governor
To Alfredo Gutierrez, former majority and minority leader of the Arizona State Senate, Gov. Raul H. Castro wasn’t the warmest person to deal with.
Interactive video: Efforts to track Mexican gray wolves
Cronkite News reporter Laura Sposato and producer Court Jeffrey produced this interactive video about efforts to track Mexican gray wolves.
ASU researchers find potential clues to detecting ovarian cancer
Arizona State University researchers said they have identified three promising biological signals that could help detect ovarian cancer before patients display any symptoms.
New life for paint: Gilbert connecting unused cans with people, projects
GILBERT – You can’t beat the price of a 5-gallon drum of latex paint at Jack Minkalis’ shop – as long as gray or tan will get the job done.
If Winslow levee isn’t fixed, there won’t be a corner to stand on
The Navajo County Board of Supervisors has approved a multimillion-dollar plan to rehabilitate a levee that protects Winslow, historic Route 66 and a rail line from flooding on the Little Colorado River. The county has been saving for the improvements over the past decade, but officials say they may ask Winslow to pick up some of the $66 million cost.
Cronkite News: April 7, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News takes an in-depth look at water in Arizona, including issues with the Colorado River. Watch video
Cronkite News: April 8, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News takes an in-depth look at how Arizona law enforcement uses funds seized in drug busts.
Cronkite News: April 9, 2015
In this episode of Cronkite News, Gov. Doug Ducey meets with the Arizona Board of Regents, and Sen. John McCain may have some obstacles in his reelection bid.
Cronkite News: April 10, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News looks at the legacy of the late Gov. Raul Castro.
Cronkite News: April 14, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News examines border security issues and how local groups are fighting for equal pay for women.
Cronkite News: April 15, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News focuses on tax day and Gov. Doug Ducey's first 100 days in office.
Cronkite Sports on FOX, Season 7, Episode 1
In this edition of Cronkite Sports on Fox, reporters explore ASU alumni Kole Calhoun’s journey from Sun Devil to Angel, sports injuries that affect more women than men, and more.
Cronkite Sports on FOX, Season 7, Episode 2
In this edition of Cronkite Sports on Fox Sports Arizona, reporters explore a company that produces eco-friendly golf balls, how the Valley of the Sun is becoming a sports Mecca, the excitement that was the two weeks in between the Conference Championship games in the NFL and the Super Bowl.
Cronkite Sports on FOX, Season 7, Episode 3
This edition of Cronkite Sports on Fox Sports Arizona focuses on NFL players relocating to the Valley, ASU baseball coach Tracy Smith and how ASU football players are preparing for the NFL Draft.
Ducey calls budget, education highlights of first 100 days
Before boarding his “Opportunity Express” RV on Wednesday to celebrate his first 100 days in office, Gov. Doug Ducey said he has provided “100 productive days of promises kept.”
Panel: Government needs better way of measuring border security
The Department of Homeland Security needs to find a better way to measure the success of border security policy or else spending on the issue is little more than "a shot in the dark," a panel of experts said Monday.
Recovering heroin addict: ‘I’m not ashamed anymore’
Dara Lawson, a 21-year-old recovering heroin addict, talks to Cronkite News about her appearance on the statewide broadcast of “Hooked” and how it helped her to stay sober. Lawson, who said she has been off heroin for nearly four years, has a son and is pregnant with her second child. Her husband also is a recovering heroin addict.
Fort Huachuca plans ‘buffer’ against development; conservationists skeptical
A trio of federal agencies announced this week that Fort Huachuca will be part of a program aimed at preventing land development around bases, to aid military operations while protecting vulnerable environments.
Arizona exports topped $21 billion in 2014; nation set fifth record
[caption id="attachment_592" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Arizona businesses exported $21.1 billion worth of goods in 2014, and the vast majority came from small business like JWB Manufacturing, a machine shop in Tempe. Photo by Jamie Killian.[/caption]
Arizona businesses raked in $21.1 billion from exports last year – money that supported 93,354 jobs in the state, according to a report released Thursday by the Obama administration.
Officials: IRS response to taxpayer calls down sharply, wait times up
Taxpayers are losing the ability to hold the IRS accountable because of steep declines in the “powerful” agency’s ability to respond to questions and complaints, the agency’s national taxpayer advocate said Wednesday.
Tallwave selects startups for training in downtown’s Luhrs complex
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Jeffrey Pruitt, CEO of Tallwave, announced the five startup companies selected for its High Tide training program on April 8. Photo Courtesy of Tallwave[/caption]
Tallwave, a Scottsdale-based venture development and capital company, recently selected five digital technology startup companies for its High Tide training program at Luhrs City Center in downtown Phoenix.
Hooked: Tracking heroin’s hold on Arizona
As heroin pours into the state, an epidemic of addiction threatens a generation of young people, their families and friends. View the stories, photos, video, data and how to get help.
News21: Gun Wars
The nation is more armed than ever with more guns allowed in schools, churches and other public places. This News21 project, produced in the summer of 2014, examines the impacts of guns and gun violence on the country.
Cronkite News en Español, May 1, 2014
Top bilingual students at the Cronkite School report on the latest news events and key issues for Arizona's Latino community. This newscast features stories on the highly contested race for Arizona's 7th Congressional District after the announced retirement of Rep. Ed Pastor, as well as immigration, minority education, and urban neighborhood blight.
Cronkite News en Español, April 9, 2015
Cronkite News en Español focuses on the proposed act called “Grow America” in which used car dealerships and car rental businesses will be obligated to let consumers know if a vehicle being purchased has been part of a recall effort.
Ballot initiative filed to legalize recreational use of marijuana
The Washington, D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project filed a ballot initiative Friday that would legalize recreational use of marijuana and regulate and tax the drug like alcohol.
Cronkite News: April 16, 2015
Cronkite News looks takes a look into the use of palm oil and the effects it has on the environment, the city's plan to sue the FAA, and revisits a recovering heroin addict.
Cronkite News: April 17, 2015
In this episode of Cronkite News, a group aims to put marijuana legalization on the state ballot, Phoenicians speak out against flight path changes at Sky Harbor and a Gilbert fish spa appeals its case to the Supreme Court.
Cronkite News: April 20, 2015
In this episode of Cronkite News, the Arizona Board of Regents holds a public forum on tuition increases and Education Supt. Diane Douglas plans a statewide tour on education.
Education superintendent launches We Are Listening tour
Saying she wants to hear the concerns and suggestions of Arizonans with a stake in education, Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas is hitting the road in the coming weeks with a 14-stop tour.
300-plus fugitives arrested by Maricopa, Pima, Pinal authorities
An effort involving law enforcement agencies in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties has apprehended 307 fugitives since March 2, authorities said Monday.
Wildfire season outlook uncertain, but firefighters preparing for the worst
ORACLE - The baseball field at Mountain Vista School is dotted with yellow and green uniforms. But today the players are dozens of wildland firefighters preparing to save landscapes, property and perhaps their own lives.
Supreme Court turns down appeal from owner of Gilbert ‘fish spa’
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear the appeal of a Gilbert spa owner whose plan to offer fish pedicures was blocked by the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology.
Cactus League reflects on this season’s record success
Word of the Cactus League is getting out. Spring training in Arizona posted its highest attendance in history at 1.89 million, topping the previous record of 1.73 million set in 2013. Spring training across Major League Baseball topped 4 million, setting a record by more than 200,000 fans.
Cronkite News: April 21, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News explores the threat of the bird flu virus coming to Arizona, and how the Tempe Police Department is using new technology to study crime patterns.
Proposals to raise student costs meet little opposition at hearing
Issac Ortega, president of Associated Student of the University of Arizona, says students don’t relish the idea of having to spend more on a college education after deep state funding cuts to universities.
Scottsdale exec launches effort to support reproductive health
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Peter Ax, founder and managing partner of Scottsdale-based Phoenix Capital Management launched PRJKT RUBY to allow women in the United States to purchase affordable birth control and generate proceeds for women’s health in Third World countries.[/caption]After his teenage daughters visited Africa and Asia, the head of a venture capital firm decided to start offering affordable birth control in the U.S. and putting the proceeds toward reproductive health in the Third World.
Experts: Funding, staffing cuts undermining state’s water agency
In Arizona, there is hardly a more precious resource than water. That's why some water experts point with alarm to deep cuts in funding and staffing at the state agency tasked with overseeing it, especially after years of drought and with a shortage looming on the Colorado River.
Endangered species condoms mark Earth Day with an earthy message
WASHINGTON – The Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity worries that Earth Day has moved away from its original focus on overpopulation, so it will bring that message back in an unusual package – 50,000 endangered species condoms.
Panel: Government should invest in video games to help students
WASHINGTON – A panel of experts was in Washington this week advocating for more fun in schools – more “hard fun.”
Arizona wine industry matures, experts foresee potential gains
CORNVILLE – The back roads near Cornville look like many others in Yavapai County, until you turn a corner and find rolling hills filled with vines, tasting rooms and homes that are more Tuscan than Southwestern.
Cronkite News: April 22, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News looks at Earth Day celebrations and how virtual reality is being used in Arizona classrooms.
Carlos Slim Helu: Arizona-Mexico relations yet to reach full potential
Self-made business tycoon Carlos Slim Helu, one of the world’s top three richest men, said Arizona and Mexico have yet to reach their relationship’s fullest potential. But it’s getting better.
Firms showcase products aimed at boosting border security
With some technology seemingly straight out of a summer blockbuster movie, companies from across the country showcased some brand new products this week that they hope will increase the security of America’s borders and improve trade.
Cronkite News: April 23, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News focuses on protests against the immigration reform bill, and how retail development near the Grand Canyon could harm the Colorado River.
Environmental impact statement clears way for forest thinning
Approval of an environmental impact statement clearing the way for thinning 600,000 acres of Arizona forest is an important step toward reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires, U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick said.
Lawmakers balk at White House reuniting Central American families
WASHINGTON - An Obama administration program that reunites Central American children with parents who have immigrated to the U.S. faced sharp questioning Thursday from senators, who worried that it would further dilute immigration standards.
Experts press case for forest management to head off wildfires
The science is in and the time to act on forest management is now if the government wants to avoid more catastrophic wildfires, a panel of wildfire experts told a House committee Thursday.
Centers: Cronkite heroin documentary spurred addicts to seek help
A Cronkite News documentary on heroin addiction has brought new patients into rehabilitation facilities seeking help, representatives say.
Cronkite News: April 24, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News explores how communities are working to regrow forests after devastating wildfires.
Facing popularity issues, baseball steps into 21st century with pace of play rules
Baseball has long been called “America’s Pastime,” and as time itself passes, the game has grown to encompass that definition – in a negative way.
Johnson: Border more secure, but it’s not ‘mission accomplished’
WASHINGTON – Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Friday that the number of people apprehended at the border is “down considerably” from 2014, a sign that investments in border security are paying off.
University of Arizona scientists research valley fever vaccine
Valley fever is a potentially debilitating disease that affects Arizonans more than anywhere else in the country, with 60 percent of all cases occurring in the Phoenix metropolitan area. But this non-contagious disease could be eradicated if scientists at the University of Arizona succeed in creating a vaccine.
Enhancing the clouds: A solution to Arizona’s water challenges?
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A cumulonimbus cloud produces a shaft of rain. Some say Arizona can help address its water challenges by seeding clouds to produce more rain and snow. (Photo by University Corporation for Atmospheric Research)[/caption]Of all the potential solutions offered for Arizona’s water challenges, one has a decidedly science fiction feel: planes flying over the Rockies, seeding clouds with aerosolized silver iodide to stimulate rain and snow.
Timeline: Diane Douglas
Diane Douglas has come under heavy scrutiny as superintendent of public instruction since her time in office began. This timeline documents significant moments during the controversy.
Flake: ‘Continual planning’ needed to manage water supply
Arizonans should never take water for granted, as the new water restrictions in California show what can happen without proper planning for future water supplies, U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake said Tuesday.
ASU student launches product to conserve water, save money
Arthur Steingart posed a question at a dinner party one night: “What can we create today that simplifies the technology that has been around for a long time?”
Contest seeks to drive innovation in water-conservation education
With drought continuing to grip the Southwest, a group armed with a $100,000 prize is out to encourage conservation and create awareness of water shortages through a website allowing individuals to create their own documentaries.
Timeline: Game-by-game history of the Super Bowl
From Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I to this season's New England Patriots win, take a tour through all 49 Super Bowl games on this interactive timeline.
Audit says ICE could save millions by filling seats on detainee flights
WASHINGTON – Immigration and Customs Enforcement could have saved up to $41.1 million on flights carrying immigrants across the U.S. and back to their home countries simply by filling up more seats on those planes, a recent audit says.
Inspectors find dead rodent, undated food at Valley ballpark eateries
Spring training fans: Before you bite into that hot dog or sip that lemonade, you might want to check out the place you bought it from first.
Arizona tourism sees “moderate” post-Recession improvement
Arizona's Office of Tourism escaped initial plans to cut $4.5 million from next year's budget, a move lobbyist Barry Aarons called a "big victory for the industry."
Relief pitchers culprits of longer MLB games
Closer Addison Reed was the slowest relief pitcher on the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, but even he is in favor of speeding up the game.
New rule expands roaming area for endangered Mexican gray wolf
RESERVE, N.M. – “We’ve got a wolf coming in!” Susan Dicks yells.
International leagues struggle with pace of play
So you think Major League Baseball’s pace of play is slow? Head for a game in Latin America or Japan.
MLB’s pace of play changes won’t affect concession sales
During the fourth inning of the Diamondbacks game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 10, the line for the infamous Churro Dog ran only four deep.
Department of Health: STDs on the rise for Arizona’s aging population
Health officials have good news and bad news when it comes to Arizona's senior set.
Purse and sword: Seized assets mean big money for law enforcement
Arizona law enforcement agencies have spent more than $57 million since 2008 through a federal program granting money and other property seized from those suspected of crimes, a Cronkite News review found.
Cronkite News: April 27, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News focuses on the upcoming Supreme Court same-sex marriage case and how it impacts Arizona, and how the state's renewable energy requirements aren't being met.
Phone call rates squeeze inmate families, boost state prison revenues
GLENDALE – Shayna Palles says phone calls are one of the few ways she can keep her 2-year-old daughter connected to her father, David Colbert, who is serving a 7.5-year prison term in Tucson for second-degree burglary.
Barrow Concussion Network built to protect Arizona high school athletes
Kyle Janes plays linebacker for Phoenix Christian High School. He suffered a concussion on the field this year. But the injury came in a less expected spot: the baseball diamond.
Rocky Point official: New cruise port ‘most important’ project in city
The sound of heavy machinery scraping against rocks and an overwhelming smell of diesel fuel invade an otherwise serene desert beach where Mexico will spend roughly $100 million building its first cruise ship home port.
From cheerleading to MMA, chance for concussion is hard to eliminate
At first glance, mixed martial arts and cheerleading appear to be at the opposite ends of the safety spectrum. But they share similar concerns and protocols when it comes to concussions.
Youth football tackles concussion issues
Brian Brooks still remembers the first time he watched his son sustain a head injury playing tackle football. The hit left 10-year-old Carson down on the field, injured – and Brian with a parent’s worst nightmare.
Cronkite News: April 28, 2015
This episode of Cronkite news focuses on the same-sex marriage debate in the Supreme Court, and how some Arizonans are paying high fees to call family members in prison.
Doctors turning to innovative tools to combat sports concussions
[caption id="attachment_1513" align="alignright" width="800"]
ASU Head Athletic Trainer Dr. Rodger McCoy is working with the Barrow Neurological Institute to develop new equipment that will detect and monitor head injuries. “No helmet, no head device ever can protect you from a concussion completely,” Dr. McCoy said. (Photo by Ben Margiott)[/caption]Accelerometers. Mouthpieces that turn blue. IV dye. PET scores. Phone apps.
Arizona sports concussions by patient ZIP code
This map documents concussions reported as a result of sports-related injuries. Patients were treated at Arizona hospitals, but some patients reside outside the state, according to a Cronkite News analysis of data from Arizona Department of Health Services. (Graphic by Aimee Cash and Langston Fields)
Concussions have altered football forever
The NFL hosted their very first Veterans Combine, in Arizona, this past March. The combine included some players who, despite suffering concussions in their career, are working to return to the very game that caused those injuries. However, NFL players aren’t the only ones impacted by this ongoing concern in the sports world. From high school to the NFL, current and former players, as well as coaches, weigh in on how brain injuries have changed the game at all skill levels.
Flag football proving an alternative to tackle football concussion fears
[caption id="attachment_1556" align="alignright" width="800"]
A member of the Kinght Saints jumps in the air as he tries to elude members of the Scruggs Raiders after making an interception. Concussions in tackle football have led to more and more parents signing their kids up for flag football leagues, such as PrimeTime Athletics, which oversees teams such as the Raiders and Saints. (Photo by Jeff Vinton)[/caption]Youth participation in flag football, basketball and soccer is on the rise in Mesa and elsewhere.
Supreme Court grapples with same-sex marriage, as hundreds rally
WASHINGTON – Justices peppered both sides with questions Tuesday as the Supreme Court grappled with a case that could legalize same-sex marriage in every state, two years after overturning a federal ban on such unions.
Arizona enjoying three-year run as country’s sports mecca
It’s impossible to watch a nationally televised sporting event played in Arizona without scenic shots of a sunset behind a saguaro or the Grand Canyon in the middle of the day. The shots, ready-made for television, almost become cliché, but every big game has them.
Senators look at ‘perverse incentive’ of asset forfeitures for police
WASHINGTON - A Senate panel said Wednesday that while civil asset forfeitures can be a valuable tool for compensating victims and funding police work, there are too many loopholes that can allow abuses.
Super Bowl climbing wall headed to Hance Park as part of massive renovation plan
The most iconic feature of Super Bowl Central is returning downtown as part of a plan by city officials to create a “Central Park” for the city.
Arizona’s missile, space industry may turn to space tourism
Experts say the state's guided missile and space vehicle industry, which contributes an estimated $15 billion annually to the state’s gross domestic product, needs to diversify its client base. And the commercial space and space tourism looks promising.
Preparing for shortage: Arizona farmers used to doing more with less
MARICOPA – Dan Thelander, who grows alfalfa, wheat, cotton and other crops on 5,000 acres here, already has seen his irrigation district give up 20 percent of its Central Arizona Project water under an agreement Arizona negotiated to help support the level of Lake Mead.
Leaders launch Phoenix Forward to encourage business growth
Phoenix officials said local business expansion makes up 80 percent of new jobs. City leaders plan to help facilitate that growth and support business needs through the Phoenix Forward initiative, which launched Wednesday.
New state law limits when schools can use restraint, seclusion
Melissa Van Hook, a mother of two children with autism and co-founder of the East Valley Autism Network, said too many parents of students with disabilities have called her to report children being secluded and restrained at school.
After Super Bowl XLIX, what is next for city of Glendale?
In 2008, millions converged on Glendale as the place to be for Super Bowl XLII. The NFL Experience was there. The game was there.
Cronkite News: April 29, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News focuses on birthright citizenship being discussed in the House Judiciary Committee, and how expanding a port of entry into Mexico will impact an Arizona town.
Sports leaders say commission, state fund could help Arizona with mega events
Leaders in the Valley’s sports community say Arizona could benefit from a central sports commission and state fund to recruit and produce mega events like the Super Bowl and the Final Four.
Downtown Phoenix businesses move ‘forward’ as more mega events loom
Businesses in downtown Phoenix saw explosive numbers during Super Bowl week. It was just the beginning for the newly crowned sports hub that will host the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in January and the Men’s Final Four in 2017.
Navajo zoo receives permit to provide protected eagle feathers
For hundreds of years, Native Americans have used eagle feathers for religious and cultural purposes. But the government closely regulates the ability to obtain such feathers, sometimes leading to black market activity.
DPS data show texting leads to tickets, but lawmaker wants ban
When state Sen. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, offered the latest bill this year attempting to ban texting while driving in Arizona, he faced strong opposition from Senate President Andy Biggs that helped derail the measure.
Mesa teacher, other ‘teachers of the year’ honored at White House
He didn’t get the crystal apple awarded to the National Teacher of the Year by President Barack Obama, but a Mesa high school teacher said his visit to the White House Wednesday was still a “surreal, almost an out-of-body experience.”
House, Senate panels forward bills to halt Glendale casino
Bills that would halt construction on a Tohono O’odham casino in Glendale passed committees in both the House and the Senate Wednesday.
Invasive buffelgrass no longer just southern Arizona’s problem
Invasive buffelgrass has colonized landscapes across southern Arizona over the decades, increasing wildfire intensity and threatening native vegetation.
Mail closure in Tucson could save postal service, but cost region millions
A half dozen customers patiently wait in line at the Cherrybell post office in Tucson. It's quiet on this weekday morning.
Cronkite News: April 30, 2015
In this episode of Cronkite News, a proposed uranium mine near the Grand Canyon has stirred controversy, and Tucson is dealing with mail delivery issues.
Record number of donors, but long waits for kidneys remain
When Mark Larson first required a kidney transplant in 1984, obtaining one was relatively simple because his sister was willing to donate one of hers.
Kevin Brown’s Post
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Cronkite Sports on FOX, Season 7, Episode 4
This episode profiles Arizona State defensive back Jordan Simone, and how the Sun Devils have dipped into junior colleges for basketball talent.
Border changes improve crossing, critics say officials must do more
NOGALES – Engines roar and the smell of diesel wafts through the air as trucks steadily pass through the final checkpoints as they enter Arizona from Mexico.
Theft and larceny chief source of crime at Valley community colleges
Tyler Puglisi leaves her Marc Jacobs watch at home when she leaves for classes at Glendale Community College. A freshman, Puglisi said friends have had their cellphones and watches stolen, and she doesn't want to lose something that cost her more than $150.
Cronkite News: May 1, 2015
Cronkite News will return at 5 p.m. on Sept. 8 on Arizona PBS. This final episode of Cronkite News from the spring semester focuses on our Access Across Arizona specials.
Developers say building to begin soon for long awaited PhoenixMart
Nearly four years ago, Casa Grande officials announced that developers had planned to build a massive international trade center on the edges of the city.
Advocates: Expanding prisoner program would reduce recidivism
Michelle Lacy, who served 7.5 years in a state prison for drug charges, has managed to do what she says many of her friends from her time in prison weren’t able to do: start over.
Advocates call for state to expand participation in sex ed
Teen pregnancy in Arizona is a story of improvement and opportunity, advocates and experts say.
Map: How easy is it to bike around Phoenix and the Valley?
A recent Washington Post story illustrated the connectivity of bike lanes and paths in several major U.S. cities. The result? In places like Miami and Seattle, bike lanes are intermittent and sporadically connected.
Interactive video: Guide to Arizona’s wildfire season
This Touchcast interactive video breaks down details of Arizona's wildfire season. Touchcast works on desktop, mobile and tablet but is not optimized for smart phones yet.
For museums, sifting decades of artifacts is painstaking, but vital
TUCSON - Suzanne Eckert leaned over the second-floor railing in the old Arizona State Museum building, now used for storage after the museum outgrew the space years ago.
Tribes say law requiring return of remains, relics, hasn’t met promise
WASHINGTON – Manley Begay Jr. stood surrounded by boxes “stacked to the ceiling” that were filled with the remains of more than 1,000 Native Americans, when one label caught his eye.
Tribal officials discuss importance of repatriation
TOPAWA – Joseph Joaquin sat beneath a mesquite tree at the base of Baboquivari Peak and gestured toward the mountain range and desert plants.
Has the ‘anti-vaxx’ movement made vaccine talk impossible?
WASHINGTON – Renee Gentry is president of the Vaccine Injured Petitioners Bar Association, but she doesn’t tell people what she does for a living if she can avoid it.
Vaccine injury fund tops $3.5 billion as patients fight for payment
WASHINGTON – When Phoenix nurse Tarah Gramza realized that her daughter’s autoimmune disorder may have been caused by a vaccine, she looked into suing the vaccine manufacturer. Then she learned that the government won’t let her.
Critics say vaccine injury fund has strayed from original purpose
WASHINGTON – Barbara Loe Fisher was at the table 29 years ago when the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act was crafted – and she says it’s no longer living up to the “spirit and intent of Congress.”
Hunters tell House, don’t restrict sportsmen on federal lands
WASHINGTON - Sportsmen called on a House panel Wednesday to support a sweeping proposal that they said would guarantee hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting rights on federal lands for future generations.
Despite gains, Phoenix falls in ranking of energy-efficient cities
WASHINGTON - Phoenix has made improvements in its energy efficiency policies but still fell three spots in a national ranking, as other cities made "impressive jumps" and surged ahead, according to a report released Wednesday.
Arizona among highest states in nation for deaths by cops
WASHINGTON - Arizona was fourth-highest among states for the number of people killed by police over the last two-plus years, with 93 individuals being killed in that time, according to a comprehensive national database of such incidents.
Parent fights unsuccessfully for more than ‘blood money’ in child’s death
WASHINGTON – Erin Holmes got $250,000 she didn’t want, “blood money” her husband didn’t want to spend.
Not just the Ivies: Students send AP scores to community colleges
WASHINGTON – Advanced Placement exams and community colleges. They go together like… well, they never seemed to go together.
Groups aim to put memorial back in Memorial Day
WASHINGTON - When Mike Sullivan rode in the first "Flags for Our Fallen" Memorial Day rally nine years ago in Phoenix, it wasn't much of a rally.
Grand Canyon at confluence of popularity and conservation
When Renae Yellowhorse comes to the area of the Grand Canyon where the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers meet, she feels the presence of her late father.
Drowning takes no holiday: Deaths low now, but may rise in summer
WASHINGTON - A cool, wet spring in Arizona and an ongoing emphasis on pool safety have combined to produce statewide drowning numbers that officials say are far below those at the same time last year.
Longer term car loans gaining in popularity, especially in Arizona
When Tucson resident Valerie Vinyard purchased a new car in 2010, she expected to take out a five-year loan, but the dealership presented her with a longer financing option to reduce her monthly payments.
Kirkpatrick announces Senate bid, roiling 2016 congressional races
WASHINGTON - Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Flagstaff, announced Tuesday that she is running for Senate, making her an early entrant in what is expected to be a large field and costly campaign to unseat Sen. John McCain.
Tucson mail processing center gets reprieve from planned July closure
WASHINGTON - A Tucson mail processing center that had been scheduled to close in July will remain open until at least 2016, the U.S. Postal Service said Wednesday.
‘Waters of U.S.’ rule does little to settle feud over EPA reach on regs
WASHINGTON - Federal officials Wednesday unveiled a rule meant to settle the question of which bodies of water are subject to the Clean Water Act - but it did little to settle the fight over the issue.
Words, not with friends: Arizona kids sweat out National Spelling Bee
WASHINGTON - As if the day hadn't already been stressful enough, Chandler eighth-grader Marcus Behling had to listen while 46 other names were called as semifinalists at the Scripps National Spelling Bee before he heard his name Wednesday.
A broken spell: Chandler teen just misses National Spelling Bee finals
WASHINGTON - Even in defeat, Marcus Behling was cool and collected. The Chandler eighth-grader cruised through two days of the 2015 Scripps National Spelling Bee this week, calmly spelling words as the field was narrowed from 285 spellers to 21 by the end of the sixth round Thursday.
Both sides look for answers in feds’ Clean Water Act clarification
WASHINGTON - A new federal rule was meant to clarify the scope of the Clean Water Act, but some critics are saying the 300-page document has done little to clear up the issue since its release this week.
Court: Fire insurance may cover mudslide damage after Wallow Fire
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court Friday ordered a new hearing for an Apache County homeowner who said her fire insurance policy should cover damages from a mudslide that destroyed her home after the 2011 Wallow wildfire.
Supreme Court lets stand ruling rejecting Arizona’s immigrant bail ban
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Monday refused to intervene in a case that overturned Arizona's voter-approved ban on bail for criminal defendants who are in this country illegally.
Arizona hopes for more control of its water as drought deepens in West
WASHINGTON - Arizona wants more control of its water resources as the ongoing drought in Western states brings the likelihood of further shortages to the region, a state official testified Tuesday.
Rez ball: Popularity and importance of the game
Do you have experience with Rez ball? Then respond to our Public Insight Network query below.
Pennies for pupils: Arizona school spending again ranks near bottom of states
WASHINGTON - Arizona continued to be among the lowest states in the nation for per pupil school spending, and its expenditures were falling while the rest of the nation's were rising, the Census Bureau said.
Economic needs collide with preservation in Grand Canyon
Cronkite News reporter Ryan Hill's story on development plans for Navajo Nation land in a remote corner of the Grand Canyon aired on PBS NewsHour's June 3 show. What could the development mean to the Navajo community? Watch the full report:
Is endangered vole out of the hole? Feds say yes; conservationists disagree
WASHINGTON - Federal officials said Thursday they want to remove the Hualapai Mexican vole from the endangered species list, a move environmental groups immediately called a "bad idea."
House approves language to halt FAA changes to Sky Harbor flight paths
WASHINGTON - The House gave preliminary approval Thursday to a proposal that would stop the Federal Aviation Administration from making further changes to flight patterns at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Arizona: How has the Southwestern drought affected you — or not?
Please respond to this query from the Public Insight Network.
A week later, mosque officials say protesters’ message is being rejected
WASHINGTON - Pamela Geller and Usama Shami agree one thing: The Phoenix mosque where anti-Muslim protests occurred last week is not truly understood.
55,000 federal workers in state wait to see if personal data was taken
WASHINGTON - Arizona has more than 55,000 federal employees who could find out as early as Monday if they are among the 4 million federal workers and retirees whose personal information may have been compromised in a cyberattack.
Arizona towns claim top spots in ranking of best cities for retirees
WASHINGTON - Arizona grabbed three of the top four spots in a new national ranking of the best cities for retirees, based on a town's crime, weather, taxes and other factors.
White House touts health insurance gains in Arizona under Obamacare
WASHINGTON - Arizonans without health insurance fell from 20.4 percent of state residents in 2013 to 17.5 percent in 2014, further proof that Obamacare is working, the White House said Tuesday.
Feds talk about wildfire readiness, chances for ‘catastrophic’ fire
WASHINGTON - Federal officials said Tuesday they will be "ready when fire strikes," but raised concerns over funding for the upcoming wildfire season and the growing threat of catastrophic wildfires in the drought-stricken West.
Glendale City Council to discuss city’s arena agreement with Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes finished their worst season since moving to the desert with a loss to the Anaheim Ducks at Gila River Arena in April.
OSHA unveils new hot app – no, really, it’s an app warning of hot weather
Editors Note: A previous version of this story misspelled the name of one of the sources. The source, the safety director for Phoenix-based construction company Kitchell, is Josh Welp. The story below has been revised to reflect the correct information. Clients who used this story are asked to run the correction that can be found here.
Guard officials seek cooperation from Pentagon on local operations
WASHINGTON - The leader of Arizona's National Guard joined other state officials who told a House subcommittee Wednesday that the Guard is integral to natural disaster response and recovery, and deserves continued support from the Pentagon.
Glendale City Council votes to void deal with Coyotes
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story named an individual who was the reason for the council vote. City officials said late Thursday they had not revealed a specific individual. The story has been changed to reflect the new information.
House panel advances bill to improve forest management, fire prevention
WASHINGTON - The House Natural Resources Committee gave preliminary approval Thursday to a bill aimed at reducing catastrophic wildfires on federal lands by better managing forests before fires and quickly restoring them afterward.
For one night, lawmakers put aside political games for a baseball game
WASHINGTON - For months, a group of Republican congressman and senators gathered at the crack of dawn at an undisclosed Northern Virginia location, hoping to find a way to reverse a string of losses at the hands of Democrats.
Arizona tribes eye plan for flexibility under No Child Left Behind
WASHINGTON - The way Navajo Nation Council Delegate Lee Jack Sr. sees it, "God gave us different ways to speak, God gave us different ways to live."
Former assistant city manager calls Glendale allegation ‘ludicrous’ in city’s battle with Coyotes
Former Glendale Assistant City Manager Julie Frisoni told Cronkite News on Friday that she was “appalled” by allegations from Glendale lawyers that placed her at the center of the battle over an arena lease agreement between the city and the Arizona Coyotes.
Border businesses hope meeting with regulators stems bank closings
WASHINGTON - Nogales officials hope that a meeting Tuesday between local banks and regulators from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. can help reverse a string of bank closings that have hamstrung businesses along the border.
Report: State, national economies could surge under deportation-deferral plans
WASHINGTON - Granting deportation deferral to an estimated 137,000 Arizona residents would add hundreds of jobs annually and billions of dollars over a decade to the state economy, according to a new state-by-state analysis.
Federal court upholds Arizona’s process for teaching non-English speakers
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court Monday upheld a lower court ruling that said Arizona's system for educating English-language learners does not violate the federal Equal Educational Opportunities Act.
Correction to June 10 story on OSHA weather app
WASHINGTON – A June 10 Cronkite News report on an Occupational Safety and Health Administration app that helps protect people from heat-related illnesses misspelled the name of a source quoted in the story. The source, the safety director for Phoenix-based construction company Kitchell, is Josh Welp. The story here has been updated to reflect the correct infornation.
ASU recruit Durant sentenced, now awaits decision of school to determine future
Editor’s note: In a previous version of this story, a source incorrectly stated the delivery of the final decision by the university. That decision will be provided only to Davon Durant. Also, specific dates for the disciplinary process have been replaced in the story below by approximate dates based on publicly available information about the process.
Glendale City Council says it will press on in legal battle with Coyotes
GLENDALE – Glendale interim Assistant City Manager Tom Duensing said Tuesday that the city planned to stay the course in its battle with the Arizona Coyotes.
Arizona, again, can’t show compliance with Prison Rape Elimination Act
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department said that for the second year in a row Arizona was unable to submit proof of compliance or assurances that it was meeting federal prison rape prevention laws.
Blister in the sun? Heat bearing down on the Valley
Safety Project Manager Julian Martinez watches from below as two steel workers weld a massive girder on the top floor of the new Sandra Day O’Connor Law School building under construction downtown.
Nicaragua: Channeling the Future
An in-depth package of stories examining how a canal could impact Nicaragua socially and economically. View the stories, videos and slideshows.
What’s cookin’ in Phoenix? Eggs and ice cream outside
So what do you do on a hot, slow news day in Phoenix? Scramble eggs and melt ice cream outside, of course.
Court rules against death-row inmate who filed appeal one day late
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court Wednesday rejected the plea of an Arizona death row inmate, saying it could not overlook the fact that one of his appeals was filed one day beyond the deadline.
Arizona lawmakers mostly follow party line in vote on troop withdrawal
WASHINGTON - Arizona split largely down party lines as the House Wednesday rejected a Democratic proposal calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and Iraq.
Arizona deaths from injuries rose, got worse compared to other states
WASHINGTON - Arizona had the nation's 12th-highest rate of deaths from injuries from 2011 to 2013, and drug-related injuries accounted for the largest number of those deaths, a new report says.
Supreme Court sides with Gilbert pastor, strikes down town sign law
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court Thursday sided with a Gilbert pastor who said the town's sign restrictions were infringing on his First Amendment rights.
Federal appeals court upholds use of GPS evidence in border arrest
WASHINGTON - GPS does many things, but one thing it does not do is lie, a federal court ruled Thursday.
Arizona delegation splits on vote to let Pacific trade deal advance
WASHINGTON - Arizona Republicans sided with President Barack Obama and the state's Democrats opposed him Thursday, as the House voted to revive stalled negotiations toward a 12-nation free-trade pact with Asian and Pacific Rim countries.
Whose holiday is it? Transgender parents on Mother’s, Father’s days
WASHINGTON - When her Tucson church asked all the mothers in the congregation to stand up and be recognized on Mother's Day, Abby Jensen rose.
Glendale legal battle with Coyotes leaves Westgate businesses in limbo
GLENDALE – For Westgate Entertainment District business owners, the opportunity of making a living right outside Gila River Arena was too good to pass up.
Conviction, death sentence upheld in 2001 Navajo double-murder
WASHINGTON - An appeals court Friday upheld a federal death-row inmate's conviction and sentence in the grisly 2001 beating and stabbing murders of a woman and her 9-year-old granddaughter on the Navajo Nation.
Even superheroes have limits: Court turns down Spider-Man toy inventor
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court ruled against the Tucson inventor of a Spider-Man web shooter toy Monday, saying Marvel Entertainment no longer has to pay him royalties on its sale of the toy.
Arizona Heat travel to UCLA to compete in first ‘Angel City Games’
LOS ANGELES - The first annual Angel City Games, a competition for physically disabled athletes, took place at UCLA’s Drake Stadium over the weekend. The Arizona Heat, a team from Mesa, competed and relished the experience.
Take a hike – and more. Study ranks Arizona high for length of workouts
WASHINGTON - People in Arizona work out longer than those in almost any other state, according to an analysis of data from millions of users of a popular fitness app.
Stanton touts city’s successes, warns of need to fight for water rights
WASHINGTON - Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton told a Washington panel Tuesday that Arizona is in a fight to make sure other states, particularly California, don't take water "that rightfully belongs to the people of Arizona."
Feds announce $160 million settlement of Four Corners Power Plant lawsuit
WASHINGTON - Utility companies in Arizona and New Mexico will spend up to $160 million on new technology to cut harmful emissions from the Four Corners Power Plant, under a consent decree announced by the federal government Wednesday.
Panel ‘demands’ end to Native teen suicides, but answers hard to come by
WASHINGTON - In the six months since Christmas, 11 young people have committed suicide and another 379 have tried to do so on the Pine Ridge reservation, said Oglala Sioux Council member Collins Clifford.
Months after Kayla Mueller’s death, Obama announces new hostage policy
WASHINGTON - The White House on Wednesday announced a new policy on how it deals with foreign hostage-takers and "in particular its interaction and communication with families whose loved ones have been taken hostage."
When red and blue become pink: Lawmakers face press in charity softball game
WASHINGTON - Congress is often split into blue camps and red camps, but a bipartisan group came together Wednesday in a pink camp - the congressional softball team raising money to fight breast cancer.
Yuma official tells Congress aging water facilities need ‘major’ repair
WASHINGTON - Yuma water official Tom Davis said the West's aging water infrastructure is beyond patching and in need of "major replacement and rehabilitation" - but that can't happen until federal officials inventory the problem.
Obamacare ruling spares 127,000 in state with health care subsidies
WASHINGTON - For Arizona resident Jorge Mendez, subsidies under the Affordable Care Act made it possible for him to afford the health insurance that helps him cope with debilitating joint and muscle issues.
Wounded but still fighting, only this time on a different field of battle
WASHINGTON - Less than two years after doctors said he might never run again, Safford native Terry Cartwright is proving them wrong.
A family divided: Congressman, gay son disagree on same-sex marriage
WASHINGTON - Matt Salmon celebrated the Supreme Court's ruling Friday that said same-sex marriage is a constitutionally protected right.
Arizona advocates vow to fight on as Supreme Court OKs same-sex marriage
WASHINGTON - A divided Supreme Court said Friday that states cannot deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples, ruling that the Constitution's protection of the right to marry cannot be denied based on gender.
Court says Glendale must make quarterly payment, ups Coyotes’ bond to $1 million
The city of Glendale must still make its scheduled $3.75 million quarterly payment to the Arizona Coyotes, despite the city’s motion earlier this month to have that waived.
Arizona Coyotes unveil new look with uniforms
GLENDALE – Thousands of Coyotes fans poured into Gila River Arena Friday night for the team’s NHL Draft party. It was an opportunity to escape the team’s current legal battle with the city of Glendale and catch a glimpse of the franchise’s new look and future.
Court upholds use of lethal-injection drug used in botched Arizona execution
WASHINGTON - Use of the drug midazolam in lethal injections does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment, despite its use in botched executions in Arizona and Oklahoma, the Supreme Court ruled Monday.
Convicted former congressman Renzi’s last-ditch appeal turned down
WASHINGTON - Former Arizona Rep. Rick Renzi will serve out a three-year sentence in federal prison on extortion and racketeering convictions, after the Supreme Court Monday refused to hear his latest appeal.
Arizona voters can overrule Legislature on redistricting, high court says
WASHINGTON - When voters approved the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission they were reaffirming a "core principle" of government, the Supreme Court said Monday, "that voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around."
States’ bid to require citizenship proof for federal voters falls short
WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from officials in Arizona and Kansas who wanted federal election officials to require proof of citizenship for people registering to vote.
World Cup quest began in Mesa for women’s national team’s Julie Johnston
Young girls run around the fields of Barney Park in Queen Creek with shin guards on and a soccer ball at their cleats trying to perfect “The Jules.”
Supreme Court agrees to hear new challenge to redistricting commission
WASHINGTON - Just one day after it said the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission was legal, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will hear a challenge to the commission's Statehouse district plans.
Plan to expand overtime rules could reach 100,000 Arizona salaried workers
WASHINGTON - The Department of Labor announced plans Tuesday to expand overtime guarantees to about 5 million salaried workers who are not now covered, including an estimated 100,000 white-collar workers in Arizona.
Safety sometimes lost in the excitement of Fourth of July
Fireworks, parades, picnics, barbecues — and sometimes monsoon storms — are all part of Independence Day celebration festivities in Phoenix, but many underestimate the risks involved with the use of fireworks.
Export-Import Bank authorization lapses, leaving firms in ‘uncharted territory’
WASHINGTON - Authorization for the government bank that has helped more than 100 Arizona businesses do international business expired early Wednesday, leaving the Export-Import Bank in "uncharted territory" for the first time in its 81 years.
Feds move one Arizona species toward endangered status, one the other way
WASHINGTON - The federal government moved the Arizona toad closer to endangered status this week while dimming hopes for the gray wolf, which moved a step closer to losing endangered species protection altogether.
From desert to sea: Arizonans embark on plebe summer at Naval Academy
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Recent high school graduate Nick Herrera, 17, of Peoria, has one sibling, a passion for wrestling, a messy nest of hair and an earnest manner when he answers questions.
Report: School achievement gaps show need for ‘No Child’ overhaul
WASHINGTON - Schools across the country have made "remarkable progress" toward closing achievement gaps between different groups of students, but "troubling achievement gaps" remain for the lowest-performing schools, administration officials said Monday.
Change sparked by 2011 ArenaBowl loss set Rattlers up for sustained success
MESA – For 21 seconds, the Arizona Rattlers’ performance in ArenaBowl XXIV held a record.
Court orders new hearing for Tucson schools’ Mexican-American studies program
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court on Tuesday ordered a new hearing to determine whether a law banning the Tucson school district's Mexican American Studies program was motivated by an intent to discriminate against minority students.
Few unaccompanied minors returned to their home countries, senators told
WASHINGTON - Fewer than 2,000 of the 51,000 unaccompanied immigrant children who showed up at the Southwest border last year have been repatriated, a Senate panel was told Tuesday, a pace that critics said may have "incentivized" more migration.
Court restores conviction, redefining definition of who is Indian in the process
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court on Tuesday reinstated the conviction of a Gila River tribal member under the Indian Major Crimes Act, redefining its rule for determining who is and is not Indian in the process.
Video: U.S. Women’s National Team rallies in Los Angeles after World Cup win
Mesa's Julie Johnston was part of the World Cup rally in Los Angeles celebrating the U.S. Women's Soccer Team's victory.
LeBlanc at town hall meeting with fans: ‘We feel strongly that our home is Gila River Arena’
SCOTTSDALE – The elephant in the room at the Arizona Coyotes’ town hall meeting Tuesday night was the team’s continuing legal battle with the city of Glendale over the city’s vote last month to cancel their arena lease deal.
Governor, general: Brnovich wears two hats as acting governor for a day
WASHINGTON - As governor, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich would declare every day Grateful Dead Day and take down SkyNet, the self-aware computer network that menaces mankind in the "Terminator" movies.
Court sides with Native American groups fighting Washington team’s ‘racist’ name
WASHINGTON - A "very happy" Amanda Blackhorse welcomed the latest victory Wednesday in her long-running feud over the Washington Redskins name, which the Navajo woman says is racist and should not have government trademark protection.
House OKs bill aimed at curbing wildfires; critics call it ‘bad for forests’
WASHINGTON - The House voted 262-167 Thursday for a bill that supporters said will reduce wildfires by streamlining the process for managing federal forests before and after outbreaks.
Arizona youth among 1,000 at first White House Tribal Youth Gathering
WASHINGTON - Brooke Overturf of Window Rock was momentarily flustered as she stood holding hands Thursday with Michelle Obama, while hundreds of other Native American youth crowded around, hoping for a handshake.
Skipping in her sister’s footsteps: Girl’s recipe earns White House invite
WASHINGTON - Some people are excited to attend a White House state dinner. Most would be thrilled to see their signature dish on the menu. Not everyone tops off the day by skipping through the White House kitchen garden.
School’s out, need isn’t: Trying to boost summer meals after sharp 2014 drop
WASHINGTON - Arizona had the nation's biggest drop in kids getting free summer meals between 2013 and 2014, a time when most states saw increases in the number of children reached, a recent report says.
Mexico soccer fans celebrate team in Arizona against backdrop of Trump visit
GLENDALE – The Valley of the Sun echoed with shouts from those with Mexican heritage last weekend, but the exclamations came from separate sections of the shouters’ psyches.
Reaction to proposed Iran deal is swift, and split, from Arizona lawmakers
WASHINGTON - It took more than 20 months of negotiations to reach agreement on an Iranian nuclear deal, but it took mere hours for Arizona lawmakers to respond to the plan, with support falling along party lines.
When keeping secrets is your job, getting help is a problem for some veterans
WASHINGTON - Sgt. Daniel Somers' work in Iraq was classified, so when he returned from the war and sought treatment for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder he balked at a care in a group setting.
New downtown Phoenix arena could bring end to Coyotes’ bumpy desert road
When the Winnipeg Jets moved to the desert and became the Phoenix Coyotes in 1996, it was a bold statement, part of the NHL’s efforts in the 1990s to place hockey in markets previously believed untenable.
Navajo reject House bill that would divide former Fort Wingate land with Zuni
Editors Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly characterized part of the 2013 negotiations that led to the plan to divide Fort Wingate between the Navajo and Zuni. Tribal representatives at that 2013 meeting said only that the plan would be taken back to their respective councils for review while work drafting a bill proceeded, according to a document from that meeting. The story below has been revised to reflect the correct information. Clients who used this story are asked to run the correction that can be found here.
Dodging an Army bullet: State gets only a fraction of service’s 40,000 job cuts
WASHINGTON - Arizona may have averted disaster in the Army's plan to trim 40,000 jobs, but the announcement that Fort Huachuca will lose 114 positions over the next two years still is "not welcomed news," officials said this week.
Court orders new hearing in asset seizures from human-smuggling probe
Editors Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported the outcome of the two plaintiffs' efforts to get back the money that was seized by the state of Arizona. Lia Rivadeneyra eventually got her money back but Javier Torres never did, their attorney says. The story below has been revised to reflect the correct information. Clients who used this story are asked to run the correction that can be found here.
Phoenix Underwater Hockey Club takes root in desert
TEMPE – Snorkels poke out above the water of the outdoor pool at Arizona State’s Sun Devil Fitness Complex.
Feds approve 25-year extension for mining, burning coal at Navajo plant
WASHINGTON - Federal officials Friday approved a multiyear deal to allow expanded mining of coal on Navajo lands and continued burning of it at the nearby Four Corners Power Plant, along with other measures.
School administrators scrambling, again, to hire teachers as school year looms
WASHINGTON - Arizona officials say there are at least 1,000 vacant teacher positions to fill, with just weeks left until the school year starts around the state.
Food fight: FDA plan to cut trans fats from foods divides consumers
WASHINGTON - St. Johns rancher Jay Platt says he has never consumed trans fat in his life.
Court upholds conviction in 2004 Scottsdale diversity office bombing
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court Monday upheld the conviction of a white supremacist who bombed the Scottsdale Office of Diversity and Dialogue in 2004, causing significant damage and injuring three people.
En route to Hall, Johnson continues to be a valuable resource for D-backs
Randy Johnson used to cram his 6-foot-10-inch frame into the luggage racks above the seats in the charter buses used by his minor league team so he could sleep on long road trips. He said 12- to 15-hour rides were common when he was coming up through the Montreal Expos’ system in the late 1980s.
McSally raises $1.6 million so far in 2015, among most in the House
Editors note: The headline on a previous version of this story cited the wrong year. Rep. Martha McSally, R-Tucson, raised $1.69 million in the first half of 2015, according to Federal Election Commission filings, as the story correctly reported. The headline above has been corrected. Clients who ran the story with the previous headline are asked to run the correction found here.
Slain Mesa clerk’s uncle urges Senate to crack down on immigrant custody
WASHINGTON - Michael Ronnebeck was back in Washington on Tuesday, urging lawmakers to crack down on repeat offenders in the immigrant population in order to prevent another killing like that of his nephew.
Apache bring Oak Flat copper mine protest to White House, Capitol
WASHINGTON - After weeks of taking their message to churches and tribes around the country, a caravan of San Carlos Apache members sang and prayed in Washington Tuesday for the preservation of sacred sites in southeast Arizona.
Arizona continues to fare poorly in national child well-being scorecard
WASHINGTON - Despite making progress in most areas, Arizona remained mired at 46th among states for overall child well-being in the 2015 KidsCount report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Gila River leader says lack of broadband is harming tribal, rural areas
WASHINGTON - The governor of the Gila River Indian Community told a House panel Wednesday that Indian Country is the nation's "least served" area for broadband access, despite the "astounding" opportunity that it presents.
Apache vow fight, lawmakers push bill, to block Oak Flat land swap
WASHINGTON - The protest to preserve Oak Flat turned heated Wednesday as San Carlos Apache tribal members, rallying at the Capitol, vowed to do whatever it takes to reverse a deal to turn Oak Flat over to a mining company.
Johnson overcame early-career control issues on way to Hall of Fame
Some pitchers in baseball are described as graceful.
Officials: Slip among state-funded pension ranks no cause for concern
WASHINGTON - Funding for Arizona's state-run pension funds fell by more than 20 percent from 2003 to 2013, but the almost 600,000 state workers covered have no reason to worry about their retirement, officials said.
Glendale City Council approves Coyotes arena lease deal with city
The Glendale City Council on Friday approved four measures that will keep the Arizona Coyotes in Glendale -- for now.
I-10 reopening comes none too soon for businesses that rely on the road
WASHINGTON - Interstate 10 reopened Friday after a five-day closure, but not soon enough for businesses in western Arizona and eastern California that depend on the highway.
Glendale City Council approves new two-year Coyotes agreement
GLENDALE – Mayor Jerry Weiers said he believes Friday’s vote to accept a new lease agreement with the Arizona Coyotes is a sign of a brighter future for the city of Glendale.
Businesses hope I-10 closure is road-funding ‘wakeup call’ to Congress
WASHINGTON - Arizona Trucking Association President Tony Bradley says one good thing may have come out of the closure of a section of Interstate 10 this week - it could point up the need to fix the nation's infrastructure.
Diamondbacks fans soak in Cooperstown’s baseball atmosphere
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. – A smattering of Diamondbacks faithful have made the trek this weekend to this small town located at the edge of Otsego Lake, about 200 miles north of New York City, joining baseball fans from across the country in the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Video: Former ASU star Landreaux helping youth in Compton
Former ASU baseball standout Ken Landreaux and 1981 World Series winner goes back to his hometown roots in Compton to help out the baseball youth.
Randy Johnson reflects on parents’ support in HOF induction speech
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. – Long before Randy Johnson was dominating hitters at the major league level, the lefthander was tossing tennis balls at his family’s wooden garage door in Livermore, California.
Arizona posts lowest college completion rate, highest default rate
WASHINGTON - Arizona tied Alaska for the lowest college completion rate in the country in 2013, with just 29 percent of students able to earn a four-year degree in six years or less, a new report says.
Local youth soccer club hoping heart rate monitors improve performance, efficiency
While coaching the women’s soccer team at St. Mary’s College of California, head coach Kai Edwards noticed something about his star player, Caroline Kruez. She was always out ahead of everybody. She would touch the sideline first in sprints, get to the ball before any opponent in a game and she never asked for a substitution.
Cochise Regional Hospital set to close, after Medicare cut off funding
WASHINGTON - Medicare restrictions are crippling rural healthcare centers like Cochise Regional Hospital, which is set to close Friday after a funding dispute with the federal agency, an Arizona health expert testified Tuesday.
Cardinals’ Welter’s message to young girls: ‘They can do anything’
TEMPE – Jen Welter has loved football ever since she can remember. When the Arizona Cardinals introduced her Tuesday afternoon at their Tempe headquarters, the team’s newest addition to the coaching staff recalled grabbing the pigskin and barreling into her cousins as a young girl.
Report: About 40 percent of workers in state, U.S. have no paid sick leave
WASHINGTON - Close to half of Arizona's private-sector workers, more than 934,000 people, do not have access to paid sick leave, according to a report Wednesday by a group pushing for such laws.
Despite three championships, Mercury still fight for attention
The last eight years have been remarkable for the Phoenix Mercury.
VA whistleblower cites some progress, some work still to be done
WASHINGTON - A doctor who blew the whistle on problems at the Veteran Affairs hospital in Phoenix testified Thursday that some things have improved since last year's revelations, but there is still work to be done.
Teen ‘senators’ at Capitol to learn, might have some things to teach, too
WASHINGTON - Over the course of three days this week, Arizona teens Kennedy Prock and Lora Delahunt helped draft a platform for their party and debate bills they had written themselves for the Girls Nation Senate that was meeting here.
Judge rejects last-ditch attempt by Cochise hospital to keep doors open
WASHINGTON - Cochise Regional Hospital's last-ditch attempt to keep its doors open has been rejected by a federal judge, who refused to order Medicare to keep funding operations of the Douglas facility.
Driving while single can cost more in Phoenix, insurance study shows
WASHINGTON - Single, widowed and divorced drivers in Phoenix are likely to pay higher insurance rates than married drivers with identical driving records, according to a recent report from the Consumer Federation of America.
Arizona environmentalists cheer EPA Clean Power Plan, utilities wary
WASHINGTON - Arizona environmental groups cheered the final version of the Clean Power Plan unveiled Monday by the Environmental Protection Agency, a first-ever national standard that aims to cut power plant carbon emissions by a third by 2030.
Arizona’s repeat ranking as No. 1 for gun owners draws praise, concern
WASHINGTON - For the third straight year, Arizona was ranked best state in the nation for gun owners by Guns and Ammo magazine, which praised the state's self-defense and carry laws, its shooting sports and strong gun culture.
Arizona Coyotes and Sun Devil Athletics announce partnership for 2015-16 season
TEMPE - Hockey leaders in Phoenix unveiled an Arizona Coyotes jersey with the No. 15 and Sun Devils on the back Wednesday, signifying a union of the two hockey giants.
Forest Service says wildfire growth threatens to consume agency budget
WASHINGTON - Costs to battle wildfires will consume almost all of the U.S. Forest Service budget in 10 years unless Congress changes the way firefighting efforts are funded, the agency warned Wednesday.
Fighting fire with fire: Prescribed burns take aim at wildfire threats
WASHINGTON - As bureaucrats in Washington were complaining about growing costs of wildfires Wednesday, forest officials in Arizona were lighting a forest fire - but the two groups are working toward the same goal.
Giveaways help boost Diamondbacks’ Saturday attendance
The first thing Bernie Ray looks at when the Diamondbacks announce their schedule is the promotional games. She hasn’t missed one of them. After all, an A.J. Pollock Star Wars bobblehead is worth planning for.
Hold your horses: Planned Tonto Forest roundup delayed to September
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Forest Service said Thursday it has put a planned roundup of up to 100 horses in the Tonto National Forest on hold until September, when Congress returns from recess.
Arizona, other states, get temporary waiver for ‘No Child Left Behind’
WASHINGTON - Arizona was one of seven states granted a temporary waiver Thursday by the U.S. Department of Education from provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act.
Arizona workers may be coming up short on their retirement savings
WASHINGTON - Less than 40 percent of private-sector workers in Arizona participate in a retirement plan through their work, and they have an average retirement savings balance of just $23,826, according to a recent report.
When a dollar is worth $4.4 billion: McCain tries again on dollar coin
WASHINGTON - Sen. John McCain calls his proposal to replace paper dollars with dollar coins "common sense" and "logical," noting that it would save $4.4 billion on the cost of producing currency over 30 years.
Court upholds five-year bomb-possession sentence for Tucson man
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court Monday upheld a Tucson man's sentence for possession of 24 homemade bombs that were found in his house in 2011.
Health, homelessness are linked, and must be addressed, advocates say
WASHINGTON - Sister Adele O'Sullivan said he was known as Mr. 280, a homeless man with chronic mental illness whose trips in and out of the hospital racked up bills of more than $358,000 over several years.
Weapons conviction reversed for immigrant caught near border
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court Monday reversed the firearms conviction of an illegal immigrant who was caught near Green Valley in 2012 with guns, cell phones, a large supply of food and a radio scanner.
Basketball at breakneck pace a way of life on Navajo reservation
WINDOW ROCK — At 5:15 a.m., sunrise is only a thin pale highlight over red rock mesas in the east as Alicia Hale steps out of her house for her daily run. Even in June, the morning is so chilly at an altitude of almost 7,000 feet that she needs several layers to stay warm.
Arizona officials watchful, hopeful as EPA spill moves downstream
WASHINGTON - Arizona officials continue to monitor a massive spill of toxic sludge that is heading toward the Colorado River, but most were hopeful Tuesday that it will have little impact by time it reaches the state.
Report: DACA applications, renewals still growing after three years
WASHINGTON - The number of people applying for deferred deportation protection, and the number reapplying, have both risen as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program nears its third anniversary, new data shows.
Hill interns expand minds – and waistlines – working free-food circuit
WASHINGTON - August in Washington means a few things - Congress is out on recess, the city is slowing down and the tourists are heading home.
Transgender soldiers watch closely as Pentagon reviews ban on service
WASHINGTON - When Capt. Jennifer Peace looks in the mirror, she sees a woman who serves her country like more than 200,000 other women in the military.
Cards’ coaching intern Welter can learn from female community college coach
More than 30 years ago, Dot Murphy, former All-American and women’s basketball coach at Mississippi University for Women, sat with her children at Hinds Community College football practice watching her husband, Gene, coach the Eagles defense.
Small UA program produces big results in horse racing industry
TUCSON — The well-dressed horse trainer with the signature white hair and dark sunglasses who was the darling of the sports media this spring got his start in the racing industry in the most unlikely of places. Before Bob Baffert trained the first Triple Crown winner in 47 years, he cultivated his tradecraft in Tucson.
Report: Arizona beer has an economic kick, too, in terms of jobs, taxes
WASHINGTON - When Rob Fullmer, the executive director of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, says "everything is improved by the presence of a brewery," he's talking about the economic buzz it brings and not the alcoholic kind.
News21: America’s Weed Rush
America's Weed Rush, an investigation of marijuana legalization in America, is the 2015 project of the Carnegie-Knight News21 program, a national multimedia, investigative reporting project produced by the nation’s top journalism students and graduates. Each year, students selected into the program report in depth on a topic of national importance.
Groups to feds: Tighten mining rules in light of river spill
Citing the release of millions of gallons of toxic wastewater into a southwestern Colorado river earlier this month, a coalition of conservation groups, two Arizona Native American tribes and two county governments petitioned federal agencies Tuesday to tighten mining regulation on public lands.
Financial advisers, economists urge calm in face of market volatility
WASHINGTON - The stock market has been buffeted by historic drops over the last week, but economists and financial advisers in Arizona were telling investors Tuesday that it's still "too early to be concerned."
Stanton: Victory for Phoenix transit tax proposition shows ‘a belief in our future’
The first benefits of a transit tax increase that was winning approval from Phoenix voters will likely be increased service by Valley Metro's Dial-a-Ride and more attention to potholes, supporters said Wednesday.
Obama honors Phoenix Mercury at White House for 2014 WNBA title
WASHINGTON - Even star athletes can get awestruck.
Paying a price for going nowhere: Traffic hits Arizona commuters’ wallets
WASHINGTON - Traffic delays in Tucson and Phoenix last year cost the average commuter more than $1,000 in extra fuel and lost time, among other costs, according to a new report on rush-hour congestion on the nation's highways.
Mercury’s male practice squad a hidden key to team’s success
Former NCAA Division III Puget Sound forward Robert Krauel frequently squeezes in a workout on his lunch break from his job at Grand Canyon University.
ADOT starts demolishing homes for Loop 202 extension
Crews have started demolishing homes in the Ahwatukee Foothills to make way for a long-planned Loop 202 extension.
Ripples in Chinese economy could make waves for Arizona businesses
WASHINGTON - What happens in China, doesn't necessarily stay in China.
New deals app aimed at millenials launches in Tempe, aims to help build small businesses
TEMPE – Gil Schmitt said he has long struggled to get a steady flow of Arizona State University students into his ice cream and sweet shop on Mill Avenue.
Arizona high schools forced to seek creative funding solutions for athletics
Perry High School’s badminton team is good.
10 years later, Katrina memories still fresh for Arizonans who responded
WASHINGTON - It's been 10 years since he responded to the devastation that was left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, but the memories are still clear for Phoenix Fire Department Capt. Darrell B. Wiseman.
Spring rains boosted Lake Mead, heading off water emergency – for now
WASHINGTON - Unusually high rainfall in the Colorado River basin this spring helped boost Lake Mead water levels, averting a possible water emergency that would have triggered cuts in water allocations next year.
Court: Cops can be ordered to provide DNA in probe of officer’s death
WASHINGTON - A federal appeals court said Monday that Phoenix police were within their rights to take DNA samples from officers responding to the 2010 shooting death of a fellow officer, Sgt. Sean Drenth, near the State Capitol.
New Arizona special license plates feature Coyotes, firefighters, more
Arizona drivers looking to sport some personality on their rides have more options thanks to four new special license plates.
Storify: Aftermath of Phoenix storm rages on social media
This Storify highlights social media coverage from the storms that hit Phoenix on the night of Aug. 31.
State official questions CDC report listing Arizona last for early childhood MMR
Arizona vaccination rates for MMR are lowest in the country, according to the recently released National Immunization Survey.
Traffic jamming: That time spent behind the wheel adds up
WASHINGTON - What could you do with the 51 hours that you spent stuck in traffic last year if you were a typical Phoenix commuter? Or even the four hours that the average Lake Havasu commuter spent in congestion on the other end of the state's traffic jam spectrum?
Douglas recall petition launches; needs 366,000 signatures
An organization seeking to recall Diane Douglas filed paperwork Tuesday to start gathering signatures, with its chairman saying the state schools superintendent has done nothing to improve education.
Arizona Weights and Measures Department folding, duties moving
The state agency that investigates rogue moving companies, makes sure you get the gas you paid for at the pump and offers other consumer protections is set to shutter its doors next year.
Vemma stops operations after FTC calls it a pyramid scheme, student ‘affiliates’ lose money
When Chris Benson signed up to sell Vemma juice drinks, he said something didn’t feel right.
Arizona’s economy continues to recover, just very slowly
Spurred by slow but steady employment and housing growth, local and national economists remain cautiously positive about the economic forecast for Arizona.
Mesa program offers struggling veterans an alternative to the streets
MESA – Soon after returning home from the Vietnam War, Marine Corps veteran Larry Hutchison said he found himself on the streets of this Phoenix suburb.
70 years later, an Arizona veteran helps mark the end of World War II
WASHINGTON - From the nose of a B-24 bomber soaring low over the Pacific Ocean 70 years ago, Army Air Corps gunner Bill Schrader scanned the horizon for Japanese military vessels.
Renovations at Sun Devil Stadium force 10,000 season-ticket holders to relocate
TEMPE – Sun Devil Stadium has stood between two mountain buttes overlooking Tempe since 1958.
Businesses near Valley Metro’s northwest light rail extension struggle during construction
While residents and city leaders celebrate the opening of Valley Metro’s light rail extension in Mesa and future transportation funding from recently passed Proposition 104, small business owners at the northwest end of the light rail said they feel left in the dust.
Latina women would lose health care if Planned Parenthood defunded
Latina women who rely on planned parenthood for basic health care brace for possible funding cuts following the fetal tissue controversy. Planned Parenthood officials say the majority of women who visit clinics in Arizona are not seeking abortions.
Students combat bullying on the court as Mercury’s Bass shares experience
In middle school, Phoenix Mercury forward Mistie Bass needed a way to prevent the boys from laughing at her as she perspired while playing basketball with them.
City Council renews Valley Metro event day program, U.S. Airways Center partnership
Next time you’re headed to US Airways Center for an event, you won’t have to seek out a parking spot.
Advocates to Ducey: Pay court-ordered education funding now
The state's failure to pay public schools hundreds of millions in court-ordered funding has chased competent teachers from classrooms, education advocates said at a demonstration Thursday.
State files motion to intervene in lawsuit over wolf recovery plan
NOTE: A previous version of this story erroneously referred to a different lawsuit filed by environmental groups and misspelled the last name of Mike Rabe of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. PHOENIX – The state has filed a motion to involve itself in a lawsuit in which environmental groups allege that federal officials are failing to abide by the Endangered Species Act and environmental and administrative laws in a rule change to the recovery plan for Mexican gray wolves.
Rising Arizona membership gives unions something to cheer for Labor Day
WASHINGTON - Arizona labor unions have something to celebrate this Labor Day weekend, with union membership in the state rising last year for the first time since the start of the recession.
Experts predict slight gains in Labor Day travel, spending
Americans are projected to spend more than $13.5 billion on Labor Day air and road travel, according to a survey by the U.S. Travel Association.
Congress returns from recess facing long to-do list, short calendar
WASHINGTON - When Congress returns Tuesday from a five-week vacation, its members had better be rested.
‘Anchor Babies’ weigh in on birthright citizenship debate
While more Republican presidential candidates are using “anchor baby” to talk about birthright citizenship, Americans at the center of the debate question the controversial term.
Valley fever can be devastating for dogs
While he may seem like a typical dog, this Great Dane named Relay has overcome a lot in his nine years. And recently, so has his owner, Jenny Allert of Mesa.
Cronkite News: Sept. 8, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News focuses on birthright citizenship, marijuana legalization in Arizona and progress on the football stadium renovations at Arizona State.
Phoenix continues cleanup after major storm
Phoenix, and especially the zoo, are cleaning up after a massive storm that hit the city last week.
Proposal: Fees from legalizing marijuana could go to help schools
The Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol campaign is currently looking for signatures to put legalizing pot to a vote on the 2016 ballot.
Advocate: Poor AzMERIT reading results reflect higher bar
Poor reading results from third-graders' first round with the state's new AzMERIT test aren't bad news to one education advocate.
Phoenix man’s nightmare inspires Bloodhound, an app to locate missing people
William Scot Grey spent about 36 hours in panic nearly a year ago. His father, Ray, had not returned home from walking his dog. Minutes turned into hours, which turned into more than a day.
McAlister’s Deli fast casual restaurant chain to expand operations in Phoenix
When it comes to fast casual sandwich-oriented restaurant chains, Arizonans might be most familiar with names like Corner Bakery, Jason’s Deli and Panera Bread.
Officials, Phoenix Mercury out to engage voters of tomorrow
The 2014 primary election in Arizona saw the lowest voter turnout since the state began keeping track, with only 27 percent of registered voters participating. Turnout for the general election was 48 percent.
Cronkite News: Sept. 9, 2015
Today's episode of Cronkite News focuses on the shootings on the Interstate 10 freeway in Phoenix, congressman Trent Franks' speech at the Capitol on Planned Parenthood funding, and how a surfboard company is stretching the limits on sustainability.
Surfboard maker stretching the limits of sustainability
CO2 from surfboards leaks into the ocean. One LA surfboard maker is working on a solution that will be more friendly to the environment.
DPS investigating Interstate 10 shootings
DPS is investigating several shootings that have knocked out car windows and windshields of cars driving along Interstate 10. (Video by Ivan Rodriguez/Cronkite News)
Franks, abortion opponents attack Planned Parenthood in House hearing
WASHINGTON - An emotional Rep. Trent Franks, R-Glendale, accused Planned Parenthood on Wednesday of selling body parts of "innocent babies they're guilty of killing" in abortion procedures.
Changing exchange rates bring better bargains in Mexico
Mexico remains among the top foreign vacation spots, with visits already up 21.5 percent from last year, according to the Bank of Mexico.
Cronkite News: Sept. 10, 2015
This edition of Cronkite News goes in-depth on prescription drug and opiate abuse, and how an Arizona veteran is headed to Capitol Hill to protest the Iran nuclear deal.
Arizona receives $3.6 million grant to combat drug overdoses
Arizona has received a $3.6 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to combat prescription drug addictions, part of a federal effort to give states money to prevent overdose deaths.
Time is ticking on petition to recall Douglas
The clock is ticking on the petition to recall Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas.
Arizonans get creative with rebranding campaign
Arizona is known as the Grand Canyon State, but could the state be getting another slogan? A new re-branding campaign is looking to clean up and create a more positive image for the state.
Survey finds gaps between police force makeup, communities’ diversity
As part of the recruitment team for the Phoenix Police Department, Lt. Anthony Lopez says diversity pays dividends beyond reflecting the community served.
Organizers expect large turnout at Tempe’s ‘Healing Field’ to honor 9/11 victims
TEMPE – Rows of red, white and blue fill Tempe Beach Park to honor those who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001.
Teaching kids born post-9/11, so it’s not ‘just another date’ in history
WASHINGTON - Every year on 9/11, Arizona teacher Gaye Vaterlaus asks her fourth-grade class to define heroism, and every year they cite heroes like Superman, Spider-Man and Captain America - missing the significance of the date.
Cactus League expansion limited by funding, economic impact still significant
Greater Phoenix has increasingly become a destination for MLB teams to prepare for the season. Seven ballclubs called the Valley their spring training home in 2002.
Cronkite News: Sept. 11, 2015
This edition is the debut of Cronkite News Refresh, a 30-minute, social media-driven newscast.
New ‘Chip-and-PIN’ credit cards to change way consumers pay, businesses operate
When Carson Greene saw purchases show up on his credit card bill from California – places he had not visited – he became suspicious.
Light-rail program aiding homeless youth expands into Mesa
With light rail expanding into central Mesa, Valley Metro has added emergency contact spots for Safe Place, a crisis hotline for teens, at each of the four new stations.
Phoenix homeowners rank above average for underwater mortgages, Zillow report says
As underwater mortgages continue to drop nationally, many Phoenix homeowners still grapple with negative equity, according to a report released this month by Zillow Inc.
Line to legal for immigrants can be decades-long
Jose Patiño Regalado says he’s played by the rules, waiting in line to become a legal immigrant, just as opponents of immigration reform insist. He’s waited 21 years.
New tech making a difference in Tempe classrooms
Tempe elementary schools are stepping up technology in the classrooms, integrating it into curriculum and having students use it throughout the entire day.
New technology making tattoo removal easier than ever before
Phoenix companies are using the new PicoWay machine and acoustic energy to remove tattoos faster than ever before. The techniques also have been producing major results. (Video by Mitch Quesada/Cronkite News)
Cronkite News: Sept. 14, 2015
This edition of Cronkite News explores whether Arizona could have its own version of the Gold King Mine waste water spill, and features a new technique for removing tattoos.
Environmentalist sees toxic mine danger in Arizona; officials disagree
With Arizona home to thousands of abandoned mines, the head of a state environmental group says an incident similar to the recent toxic spill in Colorado could happen here.
Experts: Poor contact lens care exposes many to eye infections
An eye ailment sent Audrie Pirkl to the hospital.
Along proposed commuter rail line, leaders see growth
A lot would have to happen before a commuter rail line passes through Queen Creek, but Mayor Gail Barney sees great potential in the idea.
French Fry Heaven’s new Tempe location marks its shift to fast-casual dining
TEMPE – Although he'd only been in school at Arizona State University for three weeks, freshman Brad Haskin had already eaten at French Fry Heaven’s new Tempe location 10 times.
At one border crossing, Mexico requiring U.S. citizens to show passports
SAN YSIDRO, California – At the Puerta Este border crossing, U.S. citizens and other foreigners walking into Mexico must now show their passports.
Foreign STEM students may lose extended post-graduation work permit
A federal court ruling could end a program that allows tens of thousands of international students studying science, technology, engineering and math in the United States to work in this country for nearly two and half years after graduation.
Death toll rises as Colorado City, neighbor dig out from devastating flash flood
COLORADO CITY – As the death toll from a devastating flash flood rose to 12 on Tuesday, with one person still missing, leaders and residents of this community and neighboring Hildale, Utah, mourned the dead and looked toward repairing damage and clearing roads of mud and debris.
Board of Education authorizes suits against Douglas
The Arizona State Board of Education voted Tuesday to sue Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas if she doesn’t comply with longstanding directives on access to data and the board's website.
Cronkite News: Sept. 15, 2015
This edition of Cronkite News focuses on how Arizona is recovering from another round of storms, and how authorities are approaching the I-10 shootings investigation.
Vemma CEO confident after Tempe company’s court hearing on pyramid scheme allegations
NOTE: On Sept. 18, a federal judge barred Vemma Nutrition Co. from resuming most of its business activities. Click here for the follow-up story. BK Boreyko Tuesday said he felt confident in his team's work defending Vemma Nutrition Co. against federal regulators who accused them of running a pyramid scheme.
Audit finds deficiencies in Arizona Department of Real Estate’s operations
A state audit of the Arizona Department of Real Estate revealed it overcharged customers, and the report also highlighted deficiencies in the department’s cash collection and reporting processes.
Work by Arizona women earns White House nod as ‘champions of change’
WASHINGTON - When she moved from Mexico to the U.S. at age 11, Diali Avila could not know that it was the first step toward a trip to the White House.
Ducey declares Teen Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Combating suicide among Arizona teens is more difficult because parents, guardians and teachers are reluctant to talk about it, an advocate says.
Mayor: Flash flood ‘a horrific event that was totally out of our control’
COLORADO CITY – Authorities continued searching through mud and debris Tuesday for a 6-year-old boy missing after a flash flood that killed 12 in this community along the Arizona-Utah line.
Cronkite News: Sept. 16, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News focuses on the Republican presidential debate, and the upcoming visit by the pope to the U.S.
Genealogy library to find a new home
The Arizona Genealogy Library has been working for the last month and a half to find new homes for its documents.
Republican debate: What do Arizonans want to hear?
A preview of the Republican debates and some of the hot topics -- including immigration -- that Arizonans want to hear about.
Mayor Stanton attending climate change conference
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton stresses sustainability advances in the state at Los Angeles symposium.
Lawmakers, tribal officials blast EPA for Animas River spill response
WASHINGTON - Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye on Wednesday blasted the Environmental Protection Agency's handling of a toxic spill in the Animas River, saying the agency's response left his tribe feeling abandoned, uncertain and hopeless.
Open space parks provide economic boost to Maricopa County communities
In the northeast Valley, cyclists from across the country flock to McDowell Mountain Regional Park for its 50 miles of general trails and three competitive tracks.
Mercury’s Christon cultivating confidence in her hometown’s youth
PHOENIX — In the midst of a playoff season in her first summer with the Phoenix Mercury, guard Shameka Christon sat courtside after practice and unlaced her shoes as she planned for the offseason.
EPA worker: ‘This is not good’
The Environmental Protection Agency recently released videos of the Gold King Mine spill in Colorado. The spill resulted in 3 million gallons of toxic wastewater spilling into the Animas River.
Adulthood for foster care teens delivers a new world with new woes
Just a few months after foster teen Jaquelyn Cedillo turned 18 and enrolled in the Department of Child Safety’s independent living program, she was sleeping in a park with a boyfriend, having already spent the monthly stipend the state gives her to live on her own.
Report gives Arizona C-minus for kid dental sealant programs
At Native Health in central Phoenix, dentist Anh Thu Becker uses a 3-D model of molars to explain how she's going to apply a thin layer of plastic resin to 10-year-old Suzette's teeth.
Douglas: It’s Board of Education’s prerogative to sue
Despite the threat of lawsuits from the Arizona State Board of Education, Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas insisted Thursday that she and the board are maintaining a professional working relationship.
Fact-checking GOP candidates’ statements on border issues
PHOENIX – Last night's main Republican presidential debate covered a wide range of issues including immigration and border enforcement. Cronkite News checked the facts behind some of the candidates' statements.
Cronkite News: Sept. 17, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News covers Diane Douglas, Rep. Paul Gosar skipping the Pope’s address to Congress and a fact check of the GOP debate.
Constitution Day at the State Capitol
The 228th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution celebrated at the Arizona State Capitol.
Gosar to skip Pope Francis’ address, to protest likely policy positions
WASHINGTON - When Pope Francis delivers a history-making address to a joint session of Congress next week, Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Prescott, won't be there.
Stanton fights childhood hunger at elementary school event
Thousands of Arizona schoolchildren get help from federal programs that provide free or reduced lunches. Nevitt Elementary School in south Phoenix knows the programs all too well: more than 85 percent of the students depend on the food assistance.
No hike for Fed: Interest rates remain steady, some Arizonans breathe sigh of relief
After months of anticipation, the Federal Reserve opted not to hike its key interest rate Thursday. The lack of action makes this the longest period in the nation's current economic history not to do so.
ASU’s Graham, players big fans of new ‘Double Inferno’ student section
TEMPE – Senior quarterback Mike Bercovici has been at Arizona State since 2011. He’s seen just about everything from the Devil Walk to the fans at Camp Fargo. But even he was blown away by the new student section configuration at Sun Devil Stadium when he experienced it for the first time in the team’s home opener against Cal Poly on Saturday.
Catholic Church increasing Hispanic outreach
When Pope Francis visits Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, he will see the changing face of the Roman Catholic Church in America, which includes more Hispanics and immigrants.
Arizona delegation splits on party lines as House OKs abortion bills
WASHINGTON - A sharply divided House on Friday passed two strong anti-abortion bills that supporters said would help stop an American "genocide," but critics derided as a political "farce" to appeal to pro-life voters.
Judge bars Vemma Nutrition from resuming full business operations
A federal judge on Friday ruled that Vemma Nutrition Co. cannot resume full business operations and will remain under the supervision of a monitor.
Arizona lawmakers see mixed demand for tickets to watch pope’s speech
WASHINGTON - When Pope Francis gives a historic address to Congress next week, up to 50,000 people could be standing in a ticketed area of the West Front of the Capitol to watch the speech on large TV screens.
Medical simulation lab allows firefighters to prepare for unthinkable
Kneeling on the floor with only a sheet covering it, firefighter Nathan Phillips stretches a rubber tourniquet as tight as he can around the severed leg of his patient.
Cronkite News: Sept. 21, 2015
This edition of Cronkite News covers a major storm expected to hit the Valley and how some Arizonans are traveling to the East Coast to watch the pope's visit.
Hong Kong Commissioner: Entrepreneurs in Arizona need to branch out
Hong Kong Commissioner to the U.S. Clement Leung said there were many similarities between Arizona and Hong Kong, and he wants local entrepreneurs to meet face-to-face with their Asian counterparts more often.
Northern and central Arizona bracing for heavy rainfall
The monsoon season is nearly over, but a big storm headed through Arizona, could dump as many as 2 inches of rain.
Arizona State University adds Special Victims Unit to campus security
Arizona State University is now one of four universities with special investigations units to deal specifically with sexual assault cases on campus.
Future of Transportation forum explore solutions to Phoenix traffic congestion
The Beyond Traffic Forum in Phoenix talked about ways to relieve congestion on the roads -- and how to pay for it.
Church, state meet when pope addresses Congress, to dismay of some
WASHINGTON - Gilbert resident Simon Spanton doesn't have anything against Pope Francis. It's the combination of Pope Francis and Congress he has a problem with.
Arizona among states with ‘super lice,’ more resistant to treatments
Head lice is a health issue few people want to admit to dealing with. The truth is that it’s all too common for kids to find themselves in the chair due to head lice.
Chandler family fulfills a loved one’s last wish with Washington trip
WASHINGTON - James Malone and his stepmom, Sheri, looked like any other first-time tourists in Washington last week as they went from monument to monument, posing and taking photos.
Arizona Catholics make pilgrimage to see Pope Francis
Arizona Catholics are among the faithful making a pilgrimage to see Pope Francis during his visit to the United States.
Senators, whistleblowers demand action to stop VA retaliation
WASHINGTON - Brandon Coleman was an addiction therapist at the Phoenix VA hospital in December when he raised concerns about the care of suicidal veterans, who he said were often allowed to walk away from the facility.
Food banks’ needs persist in recovering economy
Patty Vanderpoel smiled as she handed a volunteer a plastic bag containing cereal and canned food, adding to boxes bound for St. Mary’s Food Bank.
Once dominant Catholic Church struggles to attract young followers
The Catholic Church is hopeful excitement surrounding Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. will help reverse a decades-old trend of declining religious affiliation among young adults.
Gila River Indian Community opposes freeway on sacred land
As the future South Mountain Freeway breaks through the barriers of limited accessibility and traffic congestion, it creates a new obstacle by cutting through land that the Gila River Indian Community finds sacred.
Arizonans join 100-mile march to D.C., and pope, in deportation protest
WASHINGTON - They were tired, hungry and sleepy, but the 100 women nearing the end of a 100-mile walk Tuesday weren't complaining.
Expert: Monsoon’s seeming intensity has more to do with location
Broken tree limbs crushing cars. Giant walls of wind and dust moving across the Valley. Social media posts galore featuring wicked weather, including viral video of a microburst dropping on downtown Phoenix.
Cronkite News: Sept. 22, 2015
This edition of Cronkite News focuses on preparations for the pope’s arrival to Washington D.C., and how another Phoenix VA whistleblower is speaking to Congress.
ASU mock election held to raise voter turnout
Tuesday was National Voter Registration Day. According to the Secretary of State's Office, only 50 percent of Arizonans currently vote. The data also shows that in 2014 non-presidential election, only 3.9 percent of 1.5 million votes were cast by people between the ages of 18-25. The Undergraduate Student Government at Arizona State University, along with the Secretary of State's Office held a mock election on ASU’s Tempe campus. Tuesday's event, with a theme of voter participation, was also an opportunity for people to register to vote in the upcoming primary election. Marissa Fullford, vice president of services for the Undergraduate Student Government, was one of many who gathered outside to encourage her peers to register. “Time and time again,” Fuller said, “students are the lowest turnout for voters, and I think we have a real opportunity to make a change if all the students went out and voted.” CNN also made an appearance at the event, bringing in “Campaign Camper,” an RV that is traveling across the country. It has been converted into an interview booth where people can propose questions for the upcoming presidential debates. The network says those questions are then uploaded to their Facebook page and that some of those questions will be asked at upcoming presidential debates. CNN producer Topher Guak-Rouger said it's important for people to register to vote and to participate in elections. “Everyone needs to have their voice heard," Guak-Rouger said. “Ultimately that’s what it comes down to. People do have the opportunity to be heard and to register to vote is really the only way to ensure that’s going to happen and make sure everything you care about is said and is out there.” The deadline to register to vote is Feb. 22, 2016, that can be done at www.arizona.vote.
Trump, Minions, Elsa among popular figures boosting piñata business
In a small, comfortable home near downtown Phoenix, colorful characters take shape.
Yelp, ProPublica partnership gives consumers access to hospital ratings
Until recently, using the crowdsourced information on Yelp to decide which hospital to go to meant navigating star ratings and seemingly countless consumer reviews.
Arizona continues push to open new uranium mines near Grand Canyon
Arizona officials continue to support a federal court battle to allow new uranium mining operations on a million acres surrounding the Grand Canyon.
Heart Association: Set example, schedule, limit screen time to make kids move
The American Heart Association held a Twitter discussion Wednesday to provide tips on how to be more physically active. Explore the back and forth.
NAU solar thermal project a new take on harnessing sun
This warehouse at the edge of the Northern Arizona University's campus, home to surplus desks, computers and dressers, features solar panels across much of its south-facing exterior.
Cronkite News: Sept. 23, 2015
This edition of Cronkite News focuses on Pope Francis' visit to Washington D.C., and examines communities living below the poverty line in Guadalupe, Arizona.
Catholic lawmakers talk about balancing private faith, public life
WASHINGTON - When the pope addresses a joint session of Congress in a history-making address Thursday, he will likely talk about hot-button issues like climate change and immigration.
Arizonans join throngs in, around White House for start of pope’s visit
WASHINGTON - She was looking at a pope and a president Wednesday, but Tucson resident Margarita Bernal said she could just as easily have been watching a "rock star" at the White House.
In Guadalupe, one of the state’s smallest towns, residents push back against persistent poverty
GUADALUPE — Just 300 feet separate a meticulously manicured resort and golf course from the tiny town of Guadalupe, where 31 percent of its mostly Latino and Yaqui Indian population live in poverty and only about 54 percent of its children graduate from high school.
Arizona municipalities offering free audits to conserve water
GILBERT – Jeff Lee's first stop at this home is the box holding the water meter. He furrows his brow upon finding the meter submerged.
New business incubator finds home in old pickle house building
The number of Hispanic businesses in Arizona has grown by 70 percent in recent years, and a new Phoenix incubator, the Pickle House project, aims to help even more Latino entrepreneurs succeed.
Arizona protesters demand justice on anniversary for 43 missing Mexican students
Nearly a year after the disappearance of 43 students in Mexico, groups on both sides of the border are protesting for justice and demanding answers from the Mexican government.
Phoenix Law Enforcement Association holds fundraiser for officer
Members of the community, firefighters and police officers gathered to raise funds for Phoenix Officer Eric Gardner.
Cronkite News: Sept. 24, 2015
This edition of Cronkite News covers the public's reaction to Pope Francis and his visit to the United States.
Arizona lawmakers give their blessing to Pope Francis’ speech to Congress
WASHINGTON - Members of Arizona's congressional delegation gave generally high marks to Pope Francis' Thursday speech to Congress that touched on immigration, climate change and the death penalty, among other potentially sensitive topics.
Outside Capitol, mood for pope’s speech was part picnic, part pilgrimage
WASHINGTON - They started gathering before the sun came up Thursday, eager for a spot outside the Capitol where they could witness Pope Francis' historic address to a joint session of Congress.
Suns help ready ‘Madhouse’ for team’s return to its former home
Sporting a brace on his left knee, former Suns center Alvan Adams arrived at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday in a white T-shirt, a grey long-sleeved shirt underneath, a tan fisherman’s hat, black sunglasses and khaki shorts running just above his kneecaps.
Mexican Consulate offers free flu shots to those in need
The Mexican Consulate in Phoenix offers free flu shots and a growing number of health services to immigrants and others in need.
Douglas recall campaign faces critics, sheer numbers
GLENDALE – Lisa Marsh and Diane Gordon spent this morning sitting outside a recreational center here and asking registered voters to help recall Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas.
Arizona Cardinals, ASU players’ jersey sales on low end nationally
CHANDLER – While the Arizona Cardinals and Arizona State University football have gained traction locally in recent years in terms of wins and popularity, the teams lag behind the competition in national jersey sales.
An Arizona family’s cross-country pilgrimage to see Pope Francis
This trip was not off to a smooth start for the Hanning family.
Politics never far from pope’s D.C. visit, as groups pressed their issues
WASHINGTON - Petra Falcon was expecting something like a religious experience this week when she was invited to the White House reception for Pope Francis.
Cronkite News: Sept. 25, 2015
This edition is our weekly Cronkite News Refresh, a social media-driven show that features the stories shared most over our social media channels.
In their own words: Arizonans talk about Pope Francis
WASHINGTON - Among the tens of thousands who descended on Washington for the first stop on Pope Francis' three-city U.S. tour this week were a number of Arizona residents and former residents. Some came for a cause, some came for their faith, some came just to be in the presence of the pope.
Drug Take-Back Day attacks addiction threat in Arizona
The graveyard of bright orange prescription bottles and stray single-dose tablets in many home medicine cabinets may be concealing the threat of addiction.
Catholic church hopes pope’s visit inspires millennials
Catholic parishes across Arizona hope lingering excitement over Pope Francis’ visit will inspire lapsed Catholics who are millennials to return.
Health expert: Innovations mean no excuses for not getting flu vaccine
During his long career in public health, including six years heading the Arizona Department of Health Services, Will Humble has seen plenty of reasons why people pass on a flu vaccination.
Douglas misses Board of Education meeting, drawing ire from some
Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas missed Monday's meeting of the Arizona State Board of Education, leading several members to note their disapproval.
Playworks program, Phoenix Suns volunteers battle school bullying
Children laughed and kicked the soccer ball around the playground at Loma Linda Elementary. They congratulated each other and gave high-fives. Volunteers played with them and helped to facilitate the games. One of those volunteers was Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough.
Feds announce new rules to protect farmworkers from pesticide exposure
WASHINGTON - The federal government outlined new safety measures Monday that would protect farmworkers from pesticide exposure by banning pesticide use by minors and sharply increasing training requirements, among other changes.
Arizonans recount ‘beautiful’ experience of seeing pope in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA - They sang, they danced, they cheered through the streets of Philadelphia this weekend as Pope Francis made the last stop on his U.S. tour.
Cronkite News: Sept. 28, 2015
This edition of Cronkite News covers the final leg of the pope’s U.S. visit, how the Catholic church is trying to reach millennials, and how scientists think there could be water on Mars.
Phoenix non-profit organization promotes local food awareness
The local food movement in Arizona needs just that – movement.
Protesters rally in Phoenix on anniversary of students’ disappearance
Leaning against a column in front of the nondescript office building that houses the Mexican Consulate in downtown Phoenix, Ruth Gonzales began addressing the small crowd before her.
Toll roads? Increased gas tax? Audit says ADOT faces budget shortfall of $62.7 billion and needs solutions
Motorists may need to pay more at the pump, on the roads or at the cash register to meet the funding needs of the Arizona Department of Transportation through 2035, according to a recent state audit.
Maricopa County effort aims to resolve cases of unidentified remains
In 1992, a white male in his late 30s to early 40s was found dead in the Superstition Mountains, slain by two gunshot wounds to the back of the head.
Phoenix, Ak-Chin Indian Community unveil College Football Playoff Championship Campus
For the second straight year, downtown Phoenix will come alive with an invasion of football fans. Only this time, they will be fans of the collegiate – not the professional – game.
Democrats announce $3.8 billion education-funding plan
Arizona House and Senate Democrats announced a plan they say would provide public schools an additional $3.8 billion over 10 years without raising taxes.
Tempe bans distracted driving
The Tempe City Council passed one of Arizona’s toughest distracted driving bans Thursday. Tempe’s new ordinance would fine drivers who drive erratically while using their phones. Fines start at $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense and up to $500 for another infraction within a two-year period.
Arizona beating 2014 national homicide trend
The FBI released its 2014 Crime Statistics on Tuesday. While Arizona mirrored most of the crime trends from the rest of the nation, the state saw significant differences in two areas: homicide and rape.
Latin jazz singer breaking down barriers
Carmela Ramirez music reflects her bi-cultural background. Her love of jazz came from her father. She's fused the two together for a unique sound. (Video by Erica Lang/Cronkite News)
Cronkite News: Sept. 29, 2015
This episode of Cronkite News focuses on efforts by forensics experts to track down missing Arizonans, and how the state lags nationally for the number of addiction centers.
Scenes from the street in Philadelphia, waiting for the pope
PHILADELPHIA - With the heart of Philadelphia closed to cars for Pope Francis' visit, one person said it's probably what the city looked like in a pre-industrial age, with pedestrians owning the streets.
Amid years-long drought, some homeowners giving artificial turf a look
Scottsdale homeowner Luke Rosenberg said he was skeptical at first about installing an artificial turf putting green for his children.
Discovery of liquid water on Mars links back to UA lab, student
This week's landmark announcement that the surface of Mars has liquid water links back to a University of Arizona laboratory where students and faculty monitor images from an orbiting camera.
Arizona’s Flintstones-themed Bedrock City continues to draw tourists amid potential sale
About 30 minutes from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim is a smaller, more obscure tourist attraction: Bedrock City, a Flintstones walk-through theme park honoring the 1960s cartoon.
Evangelical churches in Arizona gain growing Hispanic following
As more Hispanics join evangelical and Pentecostal churches, they’re reshaping Arizona’s religious landscape.
Ed Board sues Douglas over access to investigative documents
The Arizona State Board of Education has sued Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas for refusing board investigators remote access to documents involving teacher misconduct.
Arizona business leaders emphasize ethical practices at Integrity Summit
Making money while abandoning ethics continues to be an unsustainable business practice, Arizona-based industry leaders told the crowd gathered at the fifth-annual Integrity Summit on Wednesday.
Cronkite News: Sept. 30, 2015
This edition of Cronkite News focuses on the Board of Education lawsuit against Superintendent Diane Douglas over access to information to investigate teachers.
Democratic lawmakers called to White House to hear Obama pitch agenda
WASHINGTON - Arizona House Minority Whip Rebecca Rios joined Democratic legislators from around the country in Washington on Wednesday for a call to arms from President Barack Obama on domestic issues.
Congress passes stopgap budget with a day to spare; Arizona vote split
WASHINGTON - It took until the last minute to do it, but Congress on Wednesday passed a short-term budget that avoided a shutdown and will keep the government operating through mid-December.
Non-lead ammunition program expands to help protect wildlife
FLAGSTAFF – Hunters usually leave the Arizona Game and Fish Department's office just off Interstate 17 here with permits and tips from staff members on duty.
SRP tests way to power Internet data centers from electric substation
Technology has invaded the nation over the past decade, and staying connected means increasing demand for digital infrastructure.
Threat of bus strike affects busiest routes in Phoenix
Some Valley commuters might have to start carpooling or riding bikes because of the threat of a strike by drivers on dozens of Valley Metro bus routes.
D-backs appeal to college crowd
Grand Canyon University senior Oliver Campo enjoys going to Major League Baseball games and wanted to share that experience with his foreign classmates so he went along with them to one of the Diamondbacks’ College Nights, a series of promotional games throughout the season.
Company officials: Ample space, competitive wages attracted them to Arizona
Officials representing three companies – Home Depot, FacilitySource and Stitch Fix – cited three key reasons that spurred the expansion of their businesses to the region: competitive wages, availability of workforce and ample warehouse or office space.
With caregivers aging, experts warn of stress, isolation
Hand in hand, Ken Koch walks his wife, Mary, to the dishwasher and opens it for her. She pauses and looks at the dishes, then grabs a mug and taps it on the drying towel. Into the cupboard and back again, Mary takes her time unloading.
Report: Arizona lags most of nation in treatment available to addicts
Chris Mullin already operated two drug treatment centers in Spokane, Washington, but decided to open Recovery Oasis in Tempe because he heard there was a severe shortage in Arizona.
Laveen residents look forward to South Mountain Freeway
Many groups have vocalized their opposition to the future South Mountain Freeway, but there are residents of Laveen who say they’re excited about it.
Arpaio says he wasn’t directly involved in investigation of racial profiling
At a civil-contempt hearing Thursday, a plaintiff's attorney grilled Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio on the execution of an internal investigation that followed accusations his department violated an injunction to halt racial profiling.
Cronkite News: Oct. 1, 2015
This edition of Cronkite News explores the ongoing school superintendent Diane Douglas' new education plan, and how fallen firefighters are being honored in Washington D.C.
Stopgap budget has $700 million to replenish funds shifted to wildfires
WASHINGTON - When Congress passed the short-term budget that headed off a government shutdown Wednesday, it included $700 million to replenish U.S. Forest Service accounts that had been raided in recent months to fight wildfires
Benefits of $250,000 renovation to ASU hockey’s home arena go beyond the newly minted D-I program
TEMPE – Nine months after the Arizona State University hockey team announced its move to NCAA Division I, a $250,000 renovation of its home rink, Oceanside Ice Arena, has been completed in time for the team's first varsity season. The long-term plan is to move to a bigger arena, but the beneficiaries of the renovations go beyond the Sun Devils.
Local, national spa franchises expand in Arizona as industry grows
MESA – If it seems there is a salon or spa around every corner, it may be true.
Diane Douglas on new plan: Arizona kids can’t afford to wait
With children at her side wearing T-shirts that read “AZ Kids can’t afford to wait,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas proposed her new education plan on Thursday.
Audit: State agency overseeing X-ray facilities behind on inspections
The state agency overseeing X-ray facilities is overdue on inspections for about half of them, creating a public health risk, the Arizona Auditor General's Office reports.
D-backs make Hispanic outreach a top priority
When driving by a Cactus Youth Baseball League game in south Phoenix, it is hard not to notice the jerseys colored in the Sedona red, black and white of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Cronkite News: Oct. 2, 2015
This edition is our weekly Cronkite News Refresh, a social media-driven show that features the stories shared most over our social media channels.
As U.S. raises refugee cap, Arizona relief agencies ready for increase
WASHINGTON - The announcement this week that the U.S. will admit thousands more refugees in the coming year will likely mean hundreds more being resettled in Arizona - where relief agencies say they're ready.
State: EPA decision to lower ozone standard a ‘major challenge’ for Arizona
The Environmental Protection Agency’s reduction of its limit for ground-level ozone will put an additional seven Arizona counties out of compliance and pose a significant challenge, an official said Friday.
Fallen, not forgotten: Arizona firefighter among those honored in memorial
WASHINGTON - The 87 flags flew over Capitol, then were carefully folded and displayed at a memorial in Maryland, where they will remain until they are handed Sunday to survivors of 87 firefighters who died in the line of duty.
Douglas addresses public concerns about education plan
Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas released her education plan to the public on Thursday. Arizonans are working to make sense of not only Douglas’ plan but also Gov. Doug Ducey's plan and the separate Republican and Democratic proposals.
Expert: Many reasons why people don’t report sexual assault
“I came back from a party one night and had asked someone for a ride home, and when I invited them to stay, they took it as an invitation to take advantage of me.”
Phoenix Symphony survives and thrives after budget crisis
After suffering through economic hardship, the Phoenix Symphony is back from the brink.
ACLU files appeal in SB 1070 case
SB 1070, the heavily disputed immigration law in Arizona, was back in the spotlight Monday. Members of the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona along with a coalition of immigrant rights group filed a formal appeal challenging a U.S. District Court judge's dismissal of a prior SB 1070 challenge.
Gov. Doug Ducey: Trans-Pacific Partnership makes Arizona more competitive
Gov. Doug Ducey on Monday said he supports the Trans-Pacific Partnership because the trade policy will make Arizona more competitive in the business world.
Report: Native Americans in Arizona had nation’s highest obesity rates
WASHINGTON - Four of five adult Native Americans in Arizona were obese or overweight in 2013, the highest rate in the nation among states studied in a new report.
Feds remove Sonoran desert tortoise from consideration for protection
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday removed the Sonoran desert tortoise from consideration for protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Cronkite News: Oct. 5, 2015
This edition of Cronkite News focuses on how groups plan appeal of ruling on Arizona immigration law SB1070, and Superintendent Diane Douglas' new education plan.
Tarahumara Indians risk losing language to survive economically
CARICHI, Mexico - Every fall Tarahumara Indians come down from their homes high in the Sierra Madre Mountains to help harvest apples.
Arizona native among victims in Air Force plane crash in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON - A Tombstone native was identified Monday as one of five civilians who died, along with six military personnel, in the crash of a cargo plane shortly after takeoff Friday from an airfield in Afghanistan.
More hopefuls enter crowded GOP field for open 1st District in Congress
WASHINGTON - The Republican primary field in the race for Arizona's 1st Congressional District got more crowded Monday, setting the stage for a competitive GOP primary reminiscent of the bruising 2012 campaign for the same seat.
Experts: What do businesses need to increase trade across borders?
More than a dozen panelists discussed the growing number of business opportunities popping up across borders at the North America Economic Connectivity Conference last week.
Arizona Diamondbacks looking to build on positives of 2015
Despite finishing 15 games better in 2015 than the previous season, the Arizona Diamondbacks were never truly in contention for the playoffs
ASU hockey’s first varsity game was a night to remember
It had been three years since Connor Schmidt netted an NCAA goal. On Saturday night, he ended that drought when he scored the first goal in Sun Devil hockey program history during Arizona State’s first NCAA game.
Old school retro games have new life and are making a comeback
Something is happening in the dusty corners of the video game world. People are picking up old video games, wiping off the cobwebs and playing them again.
Maricopa County Superior Court program expands access to services
The AmeriCorps PACS program plans to recruit undergraduate students across Maricopa County to help litigants who will represent themselves in court.
Rio Salado College earns innovation grant
Rio Salado College is one of seventeen colleges nationwide to receive the “First in the World Grant” from the U.S. Department of Education. With the $2.6 million they received, they plan create an innovative program for students to follow that will offer support and planning as they work toward degrees.
Millennials transition into housing market as rents become more expensive
While the Valley’s economy continues to improve, the housing market has lagged.
Phoenix bus drivers protest contract offer at City Hall
NOTE: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified a Valley Metro spokeswoman criticized in a statement attributed to a union leader. The statement was made about Valley Metro spokeswoman Maria Hyatt. Phoenix bus drivers marched through City Hall Tuesday morning to protest the latest contract offer from the company that manages a portion of city bus routes.
Monarch butterflies face threats on both sides of the border
SCOTTSDALE – From deforestation in Mexico to a dwindling food supply in the U.S., Monarch butterflies face threats on both sides of the border.
Latina artist creates work on unique canvas
Annie Lopez defies stereotypes with her contemporary artwork.
Cronkite News: Oct. 6, 2015
This edition of Cronkite News focuses on a bus strike rally in Phoenix and how millennials are finding it better to buy homes than rent.
Feds propose Endangered Species Act protection for two Southwest fish
The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing two small species of Southwest fish as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Tuesday proposal follows pressure from the Center for Biological Diversity, whose legal agreement with the federal agency hastened the