The rise of Valley fever

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, Calif. – Valley fever has been infecting people in the Southwest U.S., Central America and South America for decades. Its name comes from early cases detected in the San Joaquin Valley, California.

Heavy black clouds of dust rising over the Texas Panhandle, Texas in 1936. (Photo courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)

Valley fever, a fungal disease endemic to the Southwest, disproportionately affects minority populations

TUCSON – Valley Fever, a disease caused by Coccidioides spores, can cause life-threatening illnesses, particularly in Black, Hispanic and Native American communities. There is still a lack of awareness as to how serious this disease can get, and the scope of it, even in the medical community.

Patches of dirt in both city and rural settings can contain the spores of the fungus that causes Valley fever and are released whenever the ground is disturbed. (Photo by Jack Orleans/Cronkite News)

Clock is ticking: Arizona Cardinals set eyes on NFL draft with fourth pick overall

PHOENIX – With the NFL draft on the horizon, the Arizona Cardinals are preparing for what could be a generational draft but no one knows the true plan.

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort is focused on finding "good players" and "good people" through the 2024 NFL Draft to build the team back into a contender. (Photo courtesy of Caitlyn Epes/Arizona Cardinals)

Pressure, resilience define former Pinnacle star Spencer Rattler’s unconventional journey to NFL draft

PHOENIX – Ever since middle school, Spencer Rattler has been in the spotlight. From Pinnacle High to Oklahoma to South Carolina, the quarterback’s closest coaches and trainers from Arizona reflect on how he’s dealt with the pressure leading up to the NFL draft.

Former Pinnacle High School quarterback Spencer Rattler participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in March. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

‘Power to evoke change’: Phoenix-based Artists 4 Liberation uses art to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza

PHOENIX – based Artists 4 Liberation holds community events and rallies in support of Palestinians. The human-rights advocacy group uses art as a means to raise awareness and fight for marginalized groups across the globe.

Bianey Luna, Christina Valles and E Rizo, members of Artists 4 Liberation pose for the camera with the name of the human-rights advocacy organization written on their hands on March 21, 2024. (Photo illustration by Kayla Mae Jackson/Cronkite News)

NFL tight end Mark Andrews wants to inspire others with diabetes both on and off the field

MESA – Mark Andrews, a tight end for the Baltimore Ravens, has never let his type 1 diabetes slow him down on the field or off it. He aims to inspire others with his story and his accomplishments despite his diagnosis.

Mark Andrews, giving low-fives to a group of Dexcom employees, is grateful for having a continuous glucose monitor to help him control his blood sugar. (Photo courtesy of Dexcom)

After losing players to the transfer portal, Arizona State football looks to returnees to bolster defensive line

TEMPE – Every school loses players to the transfer portal, but the Arizona State football team is counting on some returnees to bolster its defensive line.

Edge rusher Prince Dorbah is among the returning players that could help boost the defensive line. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News) Edge rusher Prince Dorbah is among the returning players that could help boost the defensive line. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)

Abortion law status remains unclear, even as lawmakers near repeal of ban

PHOENIX - As state lawmakers push to repeal a near-total ban on abortion, Planned Parenthood of Arizona said it will continue to provide abortions up to 15 weeks of pregnancy "until the last legal moment." But when that last legal moment is depends on who's talking.


House votes to repeal near-total abortion ban; bill still needs Senate OK

PHOENIX – The Arizona House voted Wednesday to repeal the state’s near-total ban on abortion, with three Republicans joining all Democrats to reverse the law despite emotional rhetoric from anti-abortion lawmakers.


How city of Phoenix, CAP are addressing water supply issues

PHOENIX – State and local agencies are working toward Arizona water supply solutions, including potentially expanding the Bartlett Dam and adding new infrastructure.

A man looks out over the Colorado River near Page in November 2022. Statewide and local agencies are working toward Arizona water supply solutions. (File photo by Alex Hager/KUNC)

Annual symposium for Arizona military members and families highlights veteran suicide prevention

PHOENIX – The Arizona Coalition for Military Families Annual Statewide Symposium, on April 17 and 18, spoke to Arizona veterans about resources available for suicide prevention and mental health care.

Nicola Winkel, project director at Arizona Coalition for Military Families, speaks during the general session of the Arizona Coalition for Military Families' 14th Annual Statewide Symposium in Phoenix on April 17. (Photo by Ashley Schulte/Arizona Coalition for Military Families)

A walk toward growth: Success of Nelly Korda, improved marketing could help increase LPGA audience

GILBERT – Now firmly settled into the LPGA 2024 season with Arizona hosting the inaugural Ford Classic in March, golfers reflect on the recent growth that the sport has seen plus improvements that still can be made.

Golfer Robyn Choi walks toward the third green of Seville Golf and Country Club, which serves as one of the 25 LPGA tournaments to be played in the U.S. in 2024 out of the 37 announced at the beginning of the season. (Photo by Maxwell Williams/Cronkite News)