Search result for Luke Runyon

Flat chance: Tire mishap inspires Cardinals’ Jesse Luketa to hitch ride to work with fans

TEMPE – After a flat tire on the highway, Cardinals linebacker Jesse Luketa was unsure if he could make it to the stadium in time for the game. Then, he spotted a family in Cardinals gear at a gas station, and their generosity got him to State Farm Stadium.


Arizona Purple Star pilot program kicks off with four schools supporting military families

GOODYEAR – Great Hearts Trivium Preparatory Academy, Luke Elementary School, Millennium High School and Dreaming Summit Elementary School are the first in a Purple Star pilot program launching in Arizona. The Purple Star designation is for schools with programs dedicated to supporting military-connected children in their education and social-emotional development.

Chris Wright, military liaison and third grade teacher at Great Hearts Trivium Preparatory Academy in Goodyear, speaks about the Purple Star Schools program, on Nov. 21, 2023. (Photo by Kiersten Edgett/Cronkite News)

Lök Wur’s South Sudanese spirit, hoop dreams shine entering 2023-24 season at GCU

PHOENIX – Meet Lök Wur, the Grand Canyon University basketball standout who’s embracing the opportunity to represent both his homeland and GCU on the basketball court while aspiring to make an impact.

GCU Men's basketball in a team huddle.

Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Wildcats set stage for electric 2023-24 season at Red-Blue Showcase

TUCSON – The annual Red-Blue Showcase offered the Tucson community a first chance to see the 2023-24 Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball team. Tommy Lloyd and Co. have a deep and talented squad looking to make a deep run come March.

KJ Lewis leaping over teammate in dunk contest.

‘We’re not the place’: Yuma County residents fight hazardous waste permit

PHOENIX – A petition to stop a local waste company from expanding into hazardous materials has reached more than 4,000 signatures as Yuma County officials prepare to vote on the special use permit.

The Colorado River weaves through the Sonoran desert near Yuma, Arizona. Photo taken in 2021. (File photo by Luke Runyon/KUNC)

Feds to pay for environmental repair, wildlife care, more at border wall

WASHINGTON - The federal government has agreed to pay $1.2 billion to repair environmental damages and reinstate Pentagon projects sidelined by construction of the border wall, and will take steps to protect wildlife in the region.


Arizona State coaches grapple with unregulated terrain of NIL and transfer portal

TEMPE – Before Name, Image and Likeness deals were OK'd by the NCAA in July 2022, Arizona State coaches focused more on recruiting and less on retaining. The transfer portal existed, but rules and regulations made its impact minimal over a long stretch of time.

Arizona State coaches Kenny Dillingham, left, Bobby Hurley, middle, and Willie Bloomquist face new offseason challenges due to NIL and the transfer portal in the evolving landscape of college athletics. (Illustration by Spencer Durose/Cronkite News)

GCU shortstop Jacob Wilson makes history, highlights talent in draft from Arizona

PHOENIX – Jacob Wilson makes GCU history in baseball’s amateur draft, while Arizona’s Chase Davis and ASU’s Luke Keaschall land in the first two rounds. The Diamondbacks also add to their talent.

Grand Canyon infielder Jacob Wilson made history as the first Lopes player to be selected in the first round of the MLB Draft. (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

For fore-seeable future, ASU men’s golf is on the rise after NCAA Championship showing

SCOTTSDALE – After a seventh-place finish in the 2023 NCAA Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club, the ASU men’s golf team has a promising future ahead of them.

ASU sophomore golfer Josele Ballester finished 2-up during match play Tuesday, marking the Sun Devils' only win during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club. (Photo by Taylyn Hadley/Cronkite News)

ASU’s bats wake up to secure must-win victory over Oregon State in Pac-12 tournament

SCOTTSDALE – ASU baseball earned a much-needed 14-10 win against Oregon State to stay alive in the hunt for the NCAA tournament. The Sun Devils’ win comes after a difficult loss Tuesday against in-state rival UArizona.

Arizona State's Owen Stevenson embraces catcher Bronson Balholm after closing out a must-win 14-10 victory over Oregon State in the Pac-12 Baseball Tournament at Scottsdale Stadium. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

‘We’re going to bounce back’: ASU baseball optimistic despite dropping Pac-12 tournament opener

SCOTTSDALE – More than a month after losing 20-0 to the University of Arizona, the Sun Devils walked a season-high 10 batters in a 12-3 loss in the first game of the Pac-12 tournament at Scottsdale Stadium.

ASU baseball took a thumping Tuesday in a 12-3 loss to UArizona in the Pac-12 tournament opener at Scottsdale Stadium. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

Balancing highs and lows: ASU baseball hopes to find rhythm in Pac-12 tournament

TEMPE – Arizona State baseball is focused on Pac-12 tournament play this week at Scottsdale Stadium. The Sun Devils will face Arizona and Oregon State in pool play on Tuesday and Thursday.