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)

All-Star Game voting opens with 8 Arizona Diamondbacks candidates listed on ballot

PHOENIX – MLB released the All-Star candidates available for voting Wednesday, and the Arizona Diamondbacks have eight players on the list. Here’s where they stand as they campaign to make the trip to T-Mobile Park in Seattle.


Stars in the Valley? Phoenix City Council favors hosting NBA, WNBA showcases in near future

PHOENIX – The Phoenix City Council will be working with the Suns and Mercury to place bids for the NBA and WNBA for hosting future All-Star games after a unanimous vote during Wednesday’s city council meeting.

Phoenix last hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 2009, when Footprint Center transformed into a stage for the league's biggest stars. After the Phoenix City Council's 9-0 vote Wednesday to support its return, the showcase could return in 2025. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Sug-ar on top: Phoenix Mercury’s Sutton turning heads in WNBA return

PHOENIX – After being released by the Washington Mystics in 2021, Sug Sutton spent two years working her way back to the WNBA. Now, she is taking advantage of every opportunity to stand out with the Phoenix Mercury.

Phoenix Mercury guard Sug Sutton has excelled in her first WNBA season since 2021, averaging 12.3 points off the bench through the first three games of the regular season. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Bee is not to be: Final Arizona spellers out of National Spelling Bee

And then there were none. After surviving several rounds of competition this week, the last two Arizona contestants in the 95th Scripps National Spelling Bee were eliminated Wednesday in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, respectively.


For more blue skies, Phoenix asks residents to blue-sky climate plan ideas

WASHINGTON - Phoenix wants to be more ambitious with its climate action plan, and city officials said they want residents to tell them the best way to get there. A recent public hearing included several big projects but a number of concerns at the neighborhood level, too.


Arizona delegation in rare agreement on debt limit bill – nobody likes it

WASHINGTON - The House Wednesday approved a debt-limit bill that was almost universally disliked, but which some lawmakers said they would vote for because failing to do so could spark a default on the nation's debt. Arizona lawmakers were split on the plan.


It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s a drone! Major League Drone Racing hosts first live preseason race

PEORIA – A new competitive sport is on the rise and it involves flying drones. Major League Drone Racing has entered their 2023 preseason with a race at Peoria Sports Complex on Saturday.

A drone flown by the Arizona Desert Hawks whizzes through the air during a preseason training race against the Phoenix Falcons last Saturday at the Peoria Sports Complex. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

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)

Photo essay: From steer wrestling to bull riding, Gart Hardt Memorial Rodeo honors those who came before

PAYSON – The recent Gary Hardt Memorial Rodeo in Payson was a night of remembrance for a former rider and roper, and for those in the military for Patriot Night.

Clay Wagner holds onto Salt River Rodeo’s Saturday Night Fever during the bull riding event at the 36th Gary Hardt Memorial Rodeo. (Photo by Joey Plishka/Cronkite News)

Spellbound: Arizona middle schoolers compete in national spelling bee

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Three Arizona middle schoolers are in the Washington area this week, minding theii P's and Q's - and every other letter of the alphabets, as they compete against more than 200 students in the 95th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee.


Hundreds gather at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona to honor fallen service members

PHOENIX – Hundreds of families attended the Memorial Day ceremony to pay respects to fallen service members at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Volunteers placed American flags on gravestones in preparation for the ceremony. Many service organizations attended the ceremony, including the Military Funeral Honor team, The Phoenix Stearman, 108th Army National Guard Band and others.

For many, Memorial Day is spent remembering fallen service members. Those who gathered at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona Monday witnessed the celebration that takes place each year Thousands of volunteers place flags on each graveyard to celebrate the life of each individual. (Photo By Evelin Ruelas/Cronkite News)