Search result for Sophia Kunthara

Two Cochise County officials face felony charges over 2022 election

PHOENIX – The Arizona Attorney General’s office announced Wednesday the indictment of two Cochise County supervisors for their roles in delaying the certification of the county’s election results in the November 2022 general election. Peggy Judd, 61, and Terry “Tom” Crosby, 64, face felony charges of conspiracy and interference with an election officer.

Peggy Judd, 61, and Terry “Tom” Crosby, 64, face felony charges of conspiracy and interference with an election officer over their roles in postponing certification of Cochise County’s 2022 general election results. In this November 2022 file photo, an election worker gathers ballots at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center. (File photo by Drake Presto/Cronkite News)

Proposed Arizona legislation would protect access to birth control

PHOENIX — On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, Democratic leaders vowed to preserve access to contraceptives for all Arizonians. Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, said she plans to introduce a bill during the next legislative session that would assure access to birth control. Gov. Katie Hobbs joined Salman and others at a press conference Thursday to discuss the proposed Arizona Right to Contraception Act.

Gov. Katie Hobbs says she supports a proposed Arizona Right to Contraception Act. (File photo by Emily Mai/Cronkite News)

New report shows Arizona children’s well-being improves slightly but state still ranks among the worst

PHOENIX – An annual report that measures the well-being of children shows slight improvement for Arizona kids, but it also raises child care concerns.

Founded by Joseph Ignacio Flores, Academia Del Pueblo is a kindergarten through eighth grade school that offers an early childhood center. Photo taken Tuesday, June 13, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Biazus/Cronkite News)

Truth and Healing Commission legislation heads to Senate floor

The U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has sent to the Senate legislation that would create the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States.

Dora Morning, a member of the Cheyenne Nation, is buried in the Carlisle Indian Cemetery on the former grounds of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, where she died in 1885. The Carlisle Indian Industrial School sits on the grounds of the present-day U.S. Army War College. (Photo by Addison Kliewer/Gaylord News)

Arizona State University plans new medical school among efforts to address gaps in state health care

TEMPE – The Arizona Board of Regents asked Arizona’s three universities to create real-world solutions to the state’s health care crisis. ASU responded with plans for ASU Health, which includes a new medical school focused on medical engineering and technology.

ASU President Michael Crow, left, and Fred DuVal, chair elect of the Arizona Board of Regents, confer after the regents meeting where Crow announced a new medical school on Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Photo by Sophia Biazus/Cronkite News)

Maricopa, Mohave counties certify election results as Cochise County delays

PHOENIX – Maricopa County and Mohave County certified their county results for the November election, but Cochise County refused to certify its results by the legal deadline of Monday. State election officials have said they would sue Cochise County if it missed Monday’s deadline.

After running through a vote-counting machine, an election worker gathers ballots at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center on Nov. 10, 2022. Maricopa and Mohave counties voted to certify election results Nov. 28, the state deadline, while Cochise County voted to postpone its certification. (File photo by Drake Presto/Cronkite News)

Election officials probe alleged voter intimidation at ballot drop box

WASHINGTON - Election officials reacted swiftly to reported voter intimidation this week at a Mesa ballot drop box, condemning the action and reassuring voters that they are working with law enforcement to address such incidents.


No dead poets here: Program ignites interest among students blasé about poetry

LOS ANGELES – Get Lit-Words Ignite is an organization that inspires students to perform and write poetry.


From Lil Wayne to Lauryn Hill, playlist helps Mercury find their vibe

PHOENIX - Music is the driving force behind Mercury's motivation. A peek behind the scenes shows how music has helped shape the identity of the WNBA team.


For the love of animals: High suicide rates reflect the many stresses of veterinarians

Veterinarians have a much higher suicide rate than the general public, which is something many vets are reluctant to talk about. Advocates say the veterinary field must do more to address the issue.


Biden claims ‘clear victory’ as Arizonans await final vote counts in razor-thin election

PHOENIX – Amid celebrations on one side, and vows to keep fighting on the other, Arizonans on Sunday awaited final vote counts even as President-elect Joe Biden claimed a “clear victory."


7 common mistakes to avoid when voting (no, don’t mail that ballot)

PHOENIX – Voters tend to overlook a few things when filling out ballots. Common mistakes are waiting too late to mail the ballot, using a fake drop box, missing or mismatched signatures, overvoting and using the wrong color ink.