Flag and play: Sierra Smith’s vision for women’s flag football at ASU becomes reality

PHOENIX – As flag football becomes more popular, Arizona State University student Sierra Smith gives women an opportunity to continue playing as ASU women’s flag football club kicks off in January.

ASU Women's Flag Football Club founder Sierra Smith, middle, holds a youth camp in Mesa in June. Smith's dedication is instrumental in the Sun Devils beginning their first season in January 2025. (Photo courtesy of Sierra Smith)

Migrants regularly die in searing Arizona heat, but the desert often claims the remains and death toll is uncertain

WASHINGTON – Arizona’s harsh desert kills hundreds of migrants every year. Volunteers try to save them but instead often find only the remains.

Volunteers for No More Deaths leave water for migrants. The humanitarian organization is based in southern Arizona. (File photo by Rebecca Spiess/Cronkite News)

Could 2024 Paris Olympics be blueprint of sustainability for cities across the globe?

PHOENIX – The green initiatives for the Paris Olympics help to illustrate the emphasis on sustainability in Europe, while there seems to be bigger hurdles to a unified front on sustainability in the U.S. On the flip side, the Olympics are seen by experts as a potential spur for change in future mega-events and city planning.

Spectators view the Eiffel Tower and Olympic rings along the Seine river in Paris, France. The city is gearing up to host the XXXIII Olympic Summer Games and made cleaning the Seine a priority. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Breakout summer: Former ASU guard Josh Christopher named NBA Summer League MVP

LAS VEGAS — Josh Christopher, former ASU guard, was named MVP of the NBA Summer League after leading the Miami Heat to the championship. The young guard made headlines with his incredible performance in Las Vegas.

Miami Heat guard Josh Christopher (53) finishes the NBA 2K25 Summer League Championship with 24 points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks. (Photo by Shirell Washington/Cronkite News)

Phoenix Suns showcase newest pieces during successful NBA 2K25 Summer League run in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — Phoenix Suns rookie Oso Ighodaro, two-way signee Jalen Bridges and forward David Roddy played crucial roles for the team during this year’s NBA 2K25 Summer League.

Phoenix Suns guard David Roddy scores 11 points against the Milwaukee Bucks for a 115-90 victory. (Photo by Shirell Washington/Cronkite News)

Gov. Katie Hobbs, other Arizona Democrats rally behind Kamala Harris for presidential nomination after Joe Biden bows out

WASHINGTON – Arizona Democratic delegates have embraced Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s new presidential nominee since President Joe Biden’s exit from the race. Gov. Katie Hobbs threw her support to Harris on Monday. Every Arizona Democrat in Congress backs Harris, as do most state party leaders.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a Biden-Harris reproductive freedom campaign event in Phoenix on June 24, 2024, the second anniversary of the overturn of Roe v. Wade. “Our work right now is absolutely directly going to affect the people of Arizona, the people of our country, but will have an impact on people around the world. That's what's in our hands right now,” Harris said at the event. (Photo by Stella Subasic/Cronkite News)

Golden goal: Mercury players, Team USA pack lessons from WNBA All-Star weekend for Paris Olympics

PHOENIX – Phoenix Mercury teammates Kahleah Copper and Diana Taurasi emphasize the importance of building team chemistry as they prepare with Team USA for the upcoming Olympics, following lessons learned from Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game.

Phoenix Mercury stars Brittney Griner, left, and Kahleah Copper turn their attention from the 2024 WNBA regular season to winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)

‘I’m a pretty sore loser’: BMX pro and Tucson native Daleny Vaughn set for Paris Olympics with support from family

PHOENIX – BMX pro and Tucson native Daleny Vaughn is set for the Paris Olympics. She wouldn’t have made it without support from her family and their home track Sports Park BMX.

Tucson's Daleny Vaughn leads a pack of riders during the UCI BMX Racing World Championships. She is on her way to the Paris Olympics due in part to great family support. (Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

State of Phoenix Rising: New coach, new questions amid return to USL playoff picture

PHOENIX – A new coach and new player helped lead Phoenix Rising to a much needed win Friday night. But there are still many questions around the state of the club after Danny Stone was fired.

Phoenix Rising goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo maintains his sixth clean sheet of the season to keep El Paso Locomotive FC at bay during their 2-0 victory. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Rising)

‘Commodification of life:’ Some religious leaders oppose IVF, causing tension among churchgoers struggling with infertility

PHOENIX – Reproductive technologies have increasingly been scrutinized by religious leaders, causing tension among churchgoers struggling with infertility.

E-Beth Marshall has been involved in fertility advocacy and care since after her third miscarriage. She is now the executive director of Advanced Fertility Care, a fertility clinic based in Arizona, and a board member of Resolve, a fertility care group. (Photo by Lauren De Young/Cronkite News)

WNBA stars embrace mentorship roles amid record-breaking All-Star Weekend

PHOENIX – WNBA stars A'ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu lead mentorship initiatives during a record-breaking All-Star weekend, highlighting the league's explosive growth and commitment to inspiring the next generation of players and fans.

A'ja Wilson, middle, shares a heartfelt moment with a young fan wearing her Team USA jersey at the WNBA Live fan experience in Phoenix. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)

Fan favorites Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese electrify sold-out Footprint Center in WNBA All-Star debuts

PHOENIX – Rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese captivated fans in their first WNBA All-Star Game debuts, contributing to Team WNBA's 117-109 victory over Team USA at Footprint Center.

Caitlin Clark, left, and Angel Reese high-five after Clark dishes to Reese for her record-breaking 10th assist in Saturday's 2024 WNBA All-Star Game. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)