Search result for Becca Smouse

Holiday travelers expected to hit the road, skies in near-record numbers

WASHINGTON - Experts say this holiday season will be one of the busiest in the last 20 years, with travel surging to pre-pandemic levels and beyond, and they remind travelers to make sure they are prepared before getting to the airport.


Migrant deaths climbed with temperatures in July; overall numbers still low

WASHINGTON - Migrant deaths in the Arizona desert spiked in July, when the remains of 42 undocumented individuals were found, the most for that month in more than a decade, advocates and medical officials said.


How #WeAreBG campaign helped bring home Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury are the trailblazers for generating popularity and building a voice for women’s basketball. In partnership with Wasserman, the #WeAreBG campaign is one of the many ways they shine brighter spotlights on their players and their sport.


Aumento de muertes por conducir bajo la influencia del alcohol en Arizona entre los más altos del país en 2021

WASHINGTON – Un aumento en las muertes por conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol en las carreteras de Arizona desde el 2020 al 2021 se encontró entre los más altos del país tanto en términos de porcentaje - 43% - como en números brutos, con 126 muertes adicionales por conducir ebrio llevando el total del estado a 421 en el 2021.

Las muertes por conducir bajo la influencia del alcohol en EE.UU. aumentaron un 14% de 2020 a 2021, y en Arizona aumentaron un 43% en el mismo período. Los expertos citan varios factores, pero dicen que los hábitos imprudentes de conducción durante la pandemia son al menos en parte los culpables. Aquí, en esta foto de archivo de 2018, tripulaciones de la Fuerza Aérea realizan un simulacro de rescate en Carolina del Norte. (Foto de Staff Sgt. Brittain Crolley/Fuerza Aérea de EE.UU.)

Arizona increase in drunken driving deaths among highest in nation in 2021

WASHINGTON - A surge in drunken driving deaths on Arizona highways from 2020 to 2021 was among the highest in the nation both in terms of percentage increase - 43% - and raw numbers, with the additional 126 drunken driving deaths taking the state's total to 421 in 2021.


‘Where’s the River?’ event calls attention to Arizona’s depleted waterways

PHOENIX — “Where’s The River?” an environmental event hosted by the Sustainable Water Network, aims to spread awareness about Arizona’s depleting rivers and what people can do to help conservation efforts

The Salt River is popular for water recreation, including this spot near Granite Reef, pictured on Feb. 24, 2023. (Photo by Izabella Hernandez/Cronkite News)

Staking a claim: Annual unclaimed property auction draws bargain hunters

PHOENIX - Coins, collectibles, jewelry - any unclaimed property left in an Arizona safe deposit box is turned over to the state, which auctions the goods off after holding them for a few years. This year's auction, held in January, brought in $329,948.50 for the state.


Documentary film works to preserve the legacy of Arizonan Stewart Udall

WASHINGTON - John de Graaf says any list of Arizona political icons should include Barry Goldwater, John McCain - and Stewart Udall. But he worries that Udall, a crusading Interior secretary, is being forgotten, a slight he hopes to reverse with a new documentary on the man.


$7,000 a night? Short-term rental prices skyrocket for Super Bowl 2023 weekend

GLENDALE – With hotel rooms in short supply, those visiting the Valley for the Super Bowl and WM Phoenix Open are turning to short-term rentals on sites such as Airbnb and Vrbo. They could be in for sticker shock.

A Paradise Valley Airbnb home.

Beastie Boys are back as pop groups embrace pop-up museums

LOS ANGELES – A Beastie Boys pop up exhibit in Los Angeles is on trend with the growing ideology of pop-up exhibits.

The authentic boombox, a device used to play music throughout the 1980s and 1990s shown in the Beastie Boys photo, is displayed in front of the image. Photographed on Jan. 19, 2023. (Photo by Daniel Ogas/Cronkite News)

Cronkite News changes name of topic category to ‘Indigenous Communities’

PHOENIX – Cronkite News is changing the name of one of our main topics – Indian Country – to Indigenous Communities. The reason: The term Indigenous is viewed by many as more inclusive.


Australian sisters strengthen family bond while running at NAU

PHOENIX – Sisters Nikita and Keira Moore reunited at Northern Arizona this year after a year spent apart. The Australians have adjusted to living in the U.S. while running cross country and track for the Lumberjacks.

Northern Arizona cross country and track runners Nikita and Keira Moore run alongside their teammates in a practice in Flagstaff. (Photo courtesy of Northern Arizona Athletics)