Search result for Charles McConnell

David and Goliath: PACs go head-to-head before Tempe special election for Coyotes arena

TEMPE — With a special election set for May, two political action committees are sparring over whether it’s in the city of Tempe’s best interest to break ground on an Arizona Coyotes entertainment district.

Gayle Shanks, co-owner of Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, speaks against special ballot propositions 301, 302 and 303 on March 20, 2023, in Tempe. The propositions will appear on a special election ballot in May in Tempe and, if passed, would make the Arizona Coyotes arena and entertainment district possible. (Photo by Drake Presto/Cronkite News)

Payday: Danny Lee earns more than $4 million by winning LIV Golf Tucson

MARANA – LIV Golf made its way to Tucson for the first time this past weekend. Over three days, many notable moments happened at the Gallery Golf Club but none bigger than Danny Lee's victory that netted him $4 million.

Danny Lee holds the LIV Tucson trophy above his head while standing on the LIV Golf champion podium at a golf course.

Legend for Charity: Howie Long honored with prestigious Pat Summerall Award at St. Jude event

PHOENIX – More than 500 attendees gathered at the St. Jude Legends for Charity dinner during Super Bowl week, where former NFL great and Fox Sports NFL analyst Howie Long was honored with the Pat Summerall Award for his contributions to cancer research. More than $800,000 was raised for St. Jude families that will impact the lives of kids with cancer like Owen Church, who Long visited during Church’s treatments at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital years ago.

Add Pat Summerall Award recipient to Hall of Famer Howie Long's extensive list of accolades. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Ice breakers: Arizona High School Hockey Association brings new community, awareness to hockey in Valley

TEMPE – The AHSHA was started to allow high school athletes to participate in high level hockey competition across the state. However, the AIA has not sanctioned it due to equipment costs and limitations with how many schools have participated. With the league gaining traction, hockey in the desert is thriving more than ever.

Notre Dame Preparatory School's hockey team defeated Basha High School in the semifinal of the ASHA playoffs to secure a place in Saturday's championship against Desert Vista High School at Mullett Arena. (Photo by Grace Edwards/Cronkite News)

Former Phoenix Suns players stir memories of 1992-93 season at fundraiser

PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns Charities event hosted current and former Suns players Monday at Steak 44, where the conversation centered around the 1993 NBA Finals team and the hopes for a championship in the near future.

Former Phoenix Suns forward Richard Dumas, who averaged 15.8 points and 4.6 rebounds as a rookie during the 1992-93 season, attended Monday's Phoenix Suns Charities event at Steak 44. (Photo by Grace Edwards/Cronkite News)

Gallego makes it official, announces a run for Sinema’s Senate seat

PHOENIX - Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, made it official Monday, formally announcing a long-anticipated challenge to Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a first-term senator who recently left the Democratic Party to become an independent.


‘It’s changing’: As police officers quit the profession in droves, an opportunity for change emerges

PHOENIX – Police departments across the country are in a workforce crisis. Some leaders see this as an opportunity, and they’re trying harder to attract candidates who reflect the communities they serve, with a focus on women, people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Officer Ashten Hayes of the Iowa City Police Department checks her patrol car's computer before her shift begins on April 18, 2022. After going to school for nursing, Hayes switched career paths to law enforcement "because I saw law enforcement as a noble job.” (Photo by Kate Heston/News21)

Fighting hate: Approaches range from expanding hate crime definitions to gathering data

LOS ANGELES – The system for reporting hate in America is broken. The FBI’s database has limited scope, and people often don’t – or sometimes can’t – report hate crimes to authorities. But federal, state and local entities are tackling hate in a variety of ways – from expanding definitions and launching hotlines to capturing data.

A chalkboard filled with drawings of staff and a large rainbow hangs near the front desk at the TransLatin@ Coalition office in Los Angeles on July 5, 2022. Jimena Sandoval, the group’s communications and marketing coordinator, says it was drawn for Pride Month. (Photo by Jessica Alvarado Gamez/News21)

Catalyst for change: How Jerry Colangelo, 1992-93 Suns transformed downtown Phoenix

PHOENIX – The 1992-93 Phoenix Suns were more than a success on the basketball court, where they were good enough to reach The NBA Finals. With a new coach, a new superstar in Charles Barkley and a new arena, that team launched a renaissance in downtown Phoenix that transformed the city.

A visionary in his own right, former Suns owner Jerry Colangelo capitalized on the potential of downtown Phoenix to help revitalize the Valley. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four set for Phoenix return with new logo unveiling

PHOENIX – The NCAA Men’s Final Four will return to Phoenix in 2024, and the countdown clock has started with Wednesday’s logo reveal in downtown Phoenix.

The logo for the 2024 Final Four features the colors of the desert and also the cacti and mountains that help define the Valley. (Photo by Nikash Nath/Cronkite News)

From Todd Graham to boosters to high school coaches, ASU’s hiring of Dillingham widely applauded

TEMPE – After an emotional and positive opening press conference for Sun Devil Head Coach Kenny Dillingham, all eyes are on what he’ll be able to do once he takes over.


Trash talk: Los Angeles is losing its battle with litter, and neighborhoods are stepping up

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles residents are fed up with trash they have decided to take matters into their own hands and create their own trash clubs, the city of Los Angeles, is stymied over the problem, and is heavily losing the fight against trash.

A man crushes cans and containers that can be cashed in at recycling centers. Scavengers go through some of the garbage left curbside Los Angeles. The city faces big problems of trash left on streets. (Photo by Emeril Gordon/Cronkite News)