Fight like a Devil: Inside Ryan Bader’s journey from ASU wrestling to Bellator champion

PHOENIX – Ryan Bader is the current Bellator Heavyweight Champion and is fighting in the main event of Bellator’s first card on CBS Network. From his hometown of Reno, Nevada, to ASU wrestling to fighting professionally, Bader’s journey has been remarkable.

Former ASU wrestler Ryan Bader developed a passion for mixed martial arts in Tempe as a sophomore. "We had no idea what we were doing," he recalls. (Photo by Damian Rios/Cronkite News)

Cochise sheriff comes to ‘share the reality’ of border in House testimony

WASHINGTON - Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels told a sharply divided House committee Wednesday that drug trafficking and illegal immigration is getting worse and that it's affecting the safety of residents in his border county.


‘The game needs us’: MLB has diversity problem and no easy solution

PHOENIX – With no United States-born Black baseball players featured in the 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, many felt as though baseball had taken a step away from building a diverse game. The next generation of players are growing within the youth community and the MLB DREAM Series in Tempe proved that the game still has more to learn.

Darrell Miller, right, a former major leaguer and coach at the Dream Series, believes that he was pushed to play in the outfield over playing behind the plate because he was “tall and ran a 6.60.” (Photo by Kelsey Grant/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Super Bowl deals: Affordable events to attend leading up to the big game

PHOENIX – As the average ticket cost for the 2023 Super Bowl reaches $5,000, here are events fans on a budget can attend during the week leading up to the big game.

The Super Bowl Experience presented by Lowe's will invite attendees to participate in the "ultimate NFL experience." For $20, fans can kick a field goal and run the 40-yard dash, among other interactive activities, ahead of the big game. (Photo by Grace Edwards/Cronkite News)

Field of work: State Farm Stadium undergoes final preparations for Super Bowl Sunday

GLENDALE – With the Super Bowl just weeks away, the preparation for the playing surface is in full swing as the grounds crew works around the clock to ensure that the field will look good to the eyes and keep players healthy.

On Super Bowl Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs will meet on a playing field made of locally grown, natural grass at State Farm Stadium. (Photo by Susan Wong/Cronkite News)

Arizona’s Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club keeps producing the best of the best

PHOENIX – Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club in Arizona is home to many Olympic medalists and World Champions, and according to coach Mark Perry, resources and elite talents are the reasons why.

ASU wrestler Brandon Courtney trained with elite talent at a young age as a member of the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club. "It keeps you motivated to stay wrestling," the redshirt senior said. (Photo courtesy of ASU Athletics)

‘Breaking the chain’: How George Floyd Square sparks change

MINNEAPOLIS – The aunt of George Floyd, along with others, is bringing the Minneapolis community together to spread the message of change through George Floyd Square. After Floyd’s 2020 murder at the hands of police, Angela Harrelson has found a new meaning to her life.

Angela Harrelson poses for a portrait with a copy of her recently published book, Lift Your Voice, Saturday, July 9, 2022, at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Harrleson visits the square — where her nephew, George Floyd, was killed by a Minneapolis police officer — every Saturday. (Photo by Diannie Chavez/News21)

Arizona, other states propose Colorado River cuts; California pushes back

WASHINGTON - Federal officials said they will consider a plan by Arizona and five other Colorado River basin states on how to further cut water consumption, even though the biggest user in the basin - California - has not signed off on it.


Wheelchair basketball event brings top teams, Paralympians to Ability360

PHOENIX – Some of the best wheelchair basketball players in the country competed over the weekend at the 23rd Annual D1 Phoenix Invitational.

The Courage Kenny Rolling Timberwolves and the Ability360 Wheelchair Suns line up and shake hands after their game at the 23rd Annual D1 Phoenix Invitational at Ability360 in Phoenix Jan. 28, 2023. (Photo by Brooklyn Hall/Cronkite News)

NFL Green brings Arizona community together for ‘Green Week’

PHOENIX – NFL “Green Week” continued on Thursday with an event that aimed to make a larger impact on the community than only the environment. Students led the way to donate over 25,000 items to underserved communities.

Dane Spratley, a Jack Barnes Elementary School student, helps organize donated picture books with his classmates. (Photo by Brooklyn Hall/Cronkite News)

Suns rising? Phoenix turning a corner after first-half struggles

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns struggled through much of the season with injuries piling up, testing the club’s roster depth. But with the return of forward Cameron Johnson and veteran point guard Chris Paul, and star Devin Booker expected back soon, the Suns may be poised to make a run after the upcoming NBA All-Star break.

The Phoenix Suns look poised to make a run after winning six of their last seven games to climb the Western Conference standings. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

With owners including Larry Fitzgerald, Major League Pickleball launches season in Mesa

MESA – Major League Pickleball kicked off its first event of 2023 in Mesa, Arizona this past weekend. The sport is the fastest growing sport across the U.S. and the tournament was televised on the tennis channel from Jan. 26 - Jan. 29.

Major League Pickleball opened the 2023 season last weekend at Legacy Sports Complex in Mesa, Arizona. Players competed in a high-stakes four-day tournament. (Photo by Nikash Nath/Cronkite News)