Feds ease Colorado River cuts after positive forecast, but work remains
Federal officials are easing water restrictions after an unusually snowy winter in the mountains helped replenish the beleaguered river and its reservoirs and led to new Colorado River forecasts from the Bureau of Reclamation.
Remembering the Ooh Ahh Man, the Wildcats’ legendary sports fan
PHOENIX - Joe Cavaleri, a beloved Arizona sports superfan affectionately known as the "Ooh Aah Man," passed away at 71. He leaves behind an unforgettable legacy, having earned widespread recognition for his spirited mid-game antics that ignited crowd cheers and added joy to sporting events.
Tucson ruling on transgender athletes puts Arizona at center of debate about biology, psychology and fairness
PHOENIX – A ruling by a federal judge in Tucson Thursday gave the green light to let transgender girls play on teams consistent with their gender identity, stirring a debate has reached a crescendo in recent months. But the outcry has ignored the nuances of what many experts say is a complicated and layered issue that deserves more research and thoughtful conversation about the biology and psychology of these athletes.
From Tempe to Auckland: Arizona State’s Gabi Rennie triumphs as New Zealand claims first World Cup win
TEMPE – Less than 700 miles away from her hometown of Christchurch, ASU forward Gabi Rennie ran onto the pitch in front of over 40,000 fans in the 94th minute to help the Football Ferns in its first senior World Cup victory.
Brave heart: The motivation behind Raymond Jones’ fight to stay on football field at Cactus High
GLENDALE – Growing up with a heart defect, Cactus football player Raymond Jones already works twice as hard to remain on the field. But after heart surgery in January, Jones was faced with his biggest hurdle yet.
From stilettos to sneakers, center offers LGBTQ youth gender-affirming clothes
PHOENIX - One-n-Ten, a Phoenix nonprofit collects and gives away gender-affirming clothes for free. Hundreds of items, including underwear, socks, binders, drag and job-interview clothes are among the offerings.
California to store more rainwater as it vies with Arizona for flow from Colorado River
LOS ANGELES – California is taking advantage of extreme weather with a new approach: Let it settle back into the earth for use another day. As the latest batch of storms lashed the Golden State, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order this week to hasten projects that use rainwater to recharge aquifers, reversing decades of an emphasis on channeling it into drains and out to sea.
Tribe seeks burial for mountain lion P-22 in LA park
LOS ANGELES - Indigenous communities view wildlife as relatives and honor their memory by welcoming them back to nature. Even a deceased mountain lion.
Cha-ching! Arizona’s first year of legalized sports betting cashes in on surprising success
PHOENIX – Friday marks the one-year anniversary of legalized sports betting in Arizona. Many observers say the state has exceeded expectations.
‘Open-air prison’ in southern Mexico traps thousands of migrants
TAPACHULA, MEXICO – Thousands of migrants are trapped in Tapachula, just north of Mexico’s border with Guatemala, where they face strict limitations on their movements, few job prospects, poor living conditions and long waits for immigration hearings. Some have labeled Tapachula an “open-air prison,” others call it the southern extension of the U.S. border.
Despite state law, marijuana still banned in subsidized housing in Arizona
Both medical and recreational marijuana are legal in Arizona. But because of federal law, HUD still bans marijuana use in any type of government-subsidized housing, such as Section 8 and public housing. Marijuana and housing advocates call the policy discriminatory and counterproductive.
Bloom where you’re planted: How a south Phoenix farm harnesses Mother Earth
PHOENIX – Spaces of Opportunity – a partnership that includes Unlimited Potential, the Desert Botanical Garden and the Roosevelt Elementary School District – consists of small family gardens and a 10-acre incubator farm, as well as a farmers market. Its mission is to provide all south Phoenix families access to healthful, affordable food, promote active living and create strong bonds to individual cultures.
