News21 investigation: Voter fraud is not a persistent problem

PHOENIX — Politicians and voting rights advocates continue to clash over whether photo ID and other voting requirements are needed to prevent voter fraud, but a News21 analysis and recent court rulings show little evidence that such fraud is widespread.


Foster care children aging out of Arizona system need transitional help

PHOENIX - Jasmine Flores entered the Arizona foster care system when she was 13 years old. She stayed in the system, moving from group home to group home to group home and changing schools along the way.


Childcare pays poverty-level wage, but Arizona still tops most states

WASHINGTON - Arizona childcare workers were paid less, on average, than parking lot attendants, manicurists and pedicurists in 2015, part of a national trend that saw workers in all states earning salaries that could qualify them for food stamps.


The unaffiliated: Why more than a quarter of Arizonans are leaving religion behind

PHOENIX — "Granny tells me I'm going to hell," said Chris Wojno, vice president of the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix.

Chris Wojno is the vice president of the Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix. (Photo by Anna Copper/Cronkite News)

As insurers leave Arizona, Obamacare consumers face higher costs this fall

WASHINGTON - Insurance companies have one more day to let Arizona regulators know if they will drop or limit coverage under Obamacare, but this much is already certain: Coverage will still be available, but it will cost more.


Tour company uses bikes to give visitors a taste of Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO – Bruno Elias, a native of Rio de Janeiro, started his company Bike in Rio Tours four years ago with the goal of imparting the culture of Rio on curious travelers.


CDC: High smoking rate among Native Americans continues to climb

WASHINGTON - Cigarette use by Native Americans, already the highest in the nation, grew to 38.9 percent at a time when most other ethnic groups saw their rates dropping, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Thursday.


Arizona officials warn of Zika spread on return from Rio

As the eyes of the world descend upon Brazil, Valley resident Marla Dorman is ready to cheer on Team USA, hoping the experience outweighs the risk of Zika.


Tempe company rolls into Rio with Olympic mountain biker

PRESCOTT —In the mountain biking world, the mechanics of the bike are just as important as the riding itself. Rio-bound Chloe Woodruff prepared in Prescott for her first Olympics on locally-engineered, custom-painted equipment.


State gets failing grade for policies to support new working parents

WASHINGTON - Arizona received a failing grade for its policies to help expecting and new parents, only meeting the minimum federal standards under the Family and Medical Leave Act, according to a national report card released Wednesday.


Veterans gather in Phoenix to criticize Trump’s remarks

PHOENIX - Members of the Arizona Veterans and Military Leadership Alliance blasted Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump for his comments questioning the family of fallen military officer Humayun Khan, who was killed in the Iraq War.


Success on the field, struggles in the stands for Tucson Saguaros

TUCSON — As the Tucson Saguaros finish up their inaugural season, there’s one question that lingers in the minds of people as the team heads into the playoffs.

Tucson Saguaros’ second baseman Michael Rampone up at bat in front of a sparse crowd at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Photo by Michael Boylan/Cronkite News)