Backyard birds: Annual count uses citizen scientists to take snapshots of U.S. populations
MESA – Backyard biodiversity and citizen science collide at the Great Backyard Bird Count, when seasoned and fledgling birders take to their backyards, parks, nature preserves and the wilderness to share their sightings with scientists. For Arizona, the annual count gives us a snapshot of what species are here before migration starts this spring.
Sister act: ASU’s Gaspar twins share innate connection on, off lacrosse field
TEMPE – Twins Bella and Gigi Gaspar, star sophomore defenders for the Arizona State women’s lacrosse team, made the 1,500-mile journey from Canada to Tempe after playing every sport imaginable growing up. They also played a few pranks, too.
Suns face NBA stretch run without playmaker Chris Paul
PHOENIX – Chris Paul was leading the league in assists and was in the race for NBA Most Valuable Player when he suffered a thumb injury. Now, the Phoenix Suns will try to navigate the remainder of the regular season without their floor leader.
Graves in 19th century Pioneer Military & Memorial Park preserved by volunteer efforts
PHOENIX – The Arizona Pioneers’ Cemetery Association is working to preserve Pioneer Military & Memorial Park, where more than 3,700 people are believed to have been buried with only 600 grave markers.
Arizona Senate overrides education spending cap, avoids $1.2 billion in cuts to public schools
PHOENIX – In a 23-6 vote, the Arizona Senate passed SCR 1050 and overrode the Aggregate Expenditure Limit, an education spending cap that would have required a $1.2 billion cut in public school spending.
Advocates hopeful as Supreme Court agrees to hear ‘remain in Mexico’ case
WASHINGTON - The on-again, off-again fight to end the Trump-era "remain in Mexico" policy is on again, after the Supreme Court said it will review lower court rulings that have forced the Biden administration to keep the program in place, with a ruling likely by this summer.
Speedrunning: College League of Legends tiebreaker system raises question of fairness
PHOENIX – Top-ranked collegiate League of Legends often breeze through the first few weeks of their season against mismatched competition because tiebreaker rules incentivize “speedrunning.” College League of Legends coaches say neither winners or losers benefit.
24 horse fatalities during Turf Paradise racing season raise concerns
PHOENIX – With a death rate nearly twice the national average, Turf Paradise is coming under fire for 24 horse fatalities.
Arizona, national traffic deaths jumped in 2021; state outpaced nation
WASHINGTON - Arizona traffic deaths rose 18.4% in the first nine months of 2021 compared to the year before, far outpacing the national 12% increase in the same period, new federal data show. The death tolls were the highest since 2006.
Glendale’s Michael McDowell hopes to defend Daytona 500 championship with new team
PHOENIX – Glendale native Michael McDowell kicks off the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season with a chance to defend his Daytona 500 championship. He will have an entirely new team around him.
Wyoming made: GCU’s Carter Young achieved DI status without high school baseball
PHOENIX – Wyoming is one of only two states that doesn’t sanction baseball as a high school sport. Grand Canyon pitcher Carter Young still managed to play DI baseball by traveling and competing around the country.
Despite rising Russian tension, ‘I’m here and here I’ll stay’ in Ukraine
WASHINGTON - Despite U.S. warnings that Americans should leave Ukraine in the face of a possible Russian invasion, former Arizona resident Lada Roslycky says she intends to stay put in Kyiv, calling it "too important” to leave as the country readies to defend itself.
