Both sides pan administration plan to tighten rules for asylum seekers

WASHINGTON - The White House unveiled a plan Thursday to deny asylum to migrants who try to cross the southwest border illegally or who do not first seek asylum in countries they cross on their way to the U.S. as they flee their home countries.


Conservation groups, highway advocates square off on proposed Interstate 11

TUCSON — Four conservation groups have sued the Federal Highway Administration over a proposed corridor for Interstate 11, saying there hasn’t been enough consideration of how it would affect the pristine Sonoran Desert and animals in the area.

Tom Hannagan, Friends of Ironwood Forest board president, walks through Ironwood Forest National Monument on Jan. 31, 2023, in Tucson. (Photo by Evelyn Nielsen/Cronkite News)

Pick-Nick party: Arizona Cardinals introduce Rallis as new defensive coordinator

TEMPE – The Arizona Cardinals and Jonathan Gannon hired Nick Rallis and held an introductory press conference on Wednesday to formally introduce him. The defensive coordinator’s promotion makes him the youngest coordinator in the NFL.

Nick Rallis addresses the media during his introductory press conference as the Arizona Cardinals new defensive coordinator on Wednesday. (Photo by Jake Seymour/Cronkite News)

‘Confidence is key’: Brewers young pitching staff gets sage advice from team veterans

PHOENIX – With a mix of veterans and rookies filling the clubhouse at American Family Fields of Phoenix, the light at the end of the tunnel lies with the success of the pitching staff. Although spring training games start Friday, the overall message in the clubhouse is to learn from the veterans while soaking in every moment to play at the major league level.

Brewers relief pitcher Hoby Milner, 32, didn't expect to make the 40-man roster during last year's spring training but played in the majors for the entire 2022 season. (Photo by Robert Crompton/Cronkite News)

Downtown Phoenix businesses see range of Super Bowl crowds, from record-breaking to a snail’s pace

PHOENIX — During a busy week for the Phoenix metro area, business at downtown restaurants was a mixed bag. Some were slammed, and others were nearly empty. Official economic impact numbers have not yet been released, but officials said last week that visitors were out in force and that Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport set a single-day passenger record the day after the Super Bowl.


Clutch time: GCU women’s basketball adds offense to defensive focus in pursuit of WAC championship

PHOENIX – Under coach Molly Miller, GCU women’s basketball has fallen short of making the NCAA tournament despite making the WAC tournament final the last two seasons with an improved defense. The team has improved its offense this season in search of an elusive WAC championship.

The GCU women's basketball team will look to finish the season on a strong note, beginning Thursday with the start of the team's final two-game homestand. (Photo by Brooklyn Hall/ Cronkite News)

GCU upset of Tennessee marks another milestone in rapid ascension of Lopes baseball

PHOENIX – GCU baseball has made tremendous progress over the last five years, earning WAC championships as well as two straight NCAA tournament appearances, including an at-large invitation last year. An upset win over Tennessee gave GCU even more national exposure.

The Grand Canyon University band and cheerleaders take the field before GCU baseball's home opener against Tennessee last Saturday. (Photo by Nicholas Hodell/Cronkite News)

Supreme Court chides Arizona – again – for death-penalty sentencing rules

WASHINGTON - A divided Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that an Arizona death row inmate was wrongly denied the right to tell jurors he would never get out on parole if he was sentenced to life instead of death.


At 20, Philip Studer is transforming North Canyon freshman basketball

PHOENIX – Philip Studer, 20, is in his second season as the freshman basketball head coach at North Canyon High School. As one of the youngest coaches at any high school in the country, Studer has used his youth to build relationships with his players and help turn the program around.

Philip Studer joined the North Canyon coaching staff as an assistant on the varsity team at 18 years old. After one season, the 20-year-old stepped in as the freshman coach. (Photo by Nikash Nath/Cronkite News)

A gambler’s paradise? For some, the industry’s extreme growth leads to addiction and worse in the Valley

PHOENIX – With Arizona transforming into a gambler’s paradise during Super Bowl week, there is an opposite side to the giant industry that is causing clinicians and counselors to become worried.

The legalization of sports betting in Arizona has generated billions in revenue, thanks in part to mobile apps like DraftKings that allow gamblers easy access. (Photo Illustration by Budrul Chukrut/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

EPA proposal would stop SRP from dumping coal ash into existing evaporation pond at Coronado Generating Station

PHOENIX — The EPA is proposing to reject an SRP application which argues that the utility should be allowed to dump coal ash into an evaporation pond at its Coronado Generating Station in St. Johns.

The EPA has said it intends to deny a request by Salt River Project to continue disposing coal ash from its Coronado Generating Station in St. Johns into an unlined pond. (Photo by James R. Eastwood/SRP)

‘It’s not just about salary’: Workers’ market gives employees opportunities, help against inflation headwinds

PHOENIX – Tight conditions in the labor market have given workers a footing to demand better wages, compensation and working conditions.

A now-hiring sign is posted at Chase Bank in downtown Phoenix on Feb. 21, 2023. Economists say the churn of people moving between jobs is driving up wages. (Photo by Logan Camden/Cronkite News)