From Phillies hero to championing muscular dystrophy awareness, Rhys Hoskins’ journey is one of heart, home runs

PHOENIX – What started as a high school service hour requirement has become a decade-long commitment for Rhys and Jayme Hoskins. Over seven years with the Philadelphia Phillies, they impacted countless lives through their work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and they’re bringing that dedication to Milwaukee.

Rhys (middle) and Jayme Hoskins (left), known for their philanthropic efforts, host a muscular dystrophy fundraiser event in Philadelphia. (Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Phillies)

‘There ain’t no soft-baked cookies’: Arizona State taps transfer portal with running backs primed to reverse backslide

TEMPE – Arizona State football is at a low point with two consecutive 3-9 seasons, but coach Kenny Dillingham is rebuilding the program with three of the team’s top running backs coming from the transfer portal.

The Arizona State running back unit is deep after the program turned to the transfer portal for help. (Photo by Ethan Briggs/Cronkite News)

Clinics vow to continue providing abortions, but unsure for how much longer

PHOENIX - One day after the Arizona Supreme Court resurrected a law that makes it a felony to perform an abortion, clinics around the state said they will continue offering care even as they scramble to figure out how long they can do so.


Tribal leaders seeking solutions to cartel crime, say they mostly got talk

WASHINGTON - Lawmakers wanted to talk about the problems of criminal cartels on Indigenous lands, but tribal leaders came to the House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing seeking solutions. Instead, they said, they left afraid it was just another "check-a-box-off" exercise.


Attempt to repeal abortion ban fails as House devolves into raucous shouting

PHOENIX - The Arizona House blocked two efforts to overturn a near-total abortion ban Wednesday, one day after the 19th-century law was reinstated by the state Supreme Court. The procedural moves to block the repeal sparked an outburst by angry Democrats.


Report: ESA voucher program not fully to blame for public school enrollment decline

PHOENIX – Common Sense Institute Arizona has released a report on the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program. Key findings from the report contend that while ESA enrollment is slowing down and public school enrollment is in decline, the ESA program may not be solely to blame.

Nyeshua Miller, a teacher at a Black Mothers Forum “microschool,” joins other forum members and marchers who support Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, known as ESAs or school vouchers, in Phoenix in March 2023. Common Sense Institute Arizona has released a report contending that though public school enrollment is in decline, the ESA program may not be solely to blame. (File photo by Emily Mai/Cronkite News)

Phoenix Suns superfan Mr. ORNG arrested on child sex crime charges

PHOENIX – Mr. ORNG, the face of the Phoenix Suns’ fan base for years, has been arrested for child sex crimes. Patrick Battillo allegedly solicited videos of boys in “various sex acts and in various states of nudity.”

Patrick Battillo, a popular Suns superfan known as “Mr. ORNG’ as well as a Peoria High School basketball coach, was arrested Tuesday night on charge related to child sex crimes. (File photo by Dominic Rivera/Cronkite News)

Phoenix Mercury unveil new headquarters, practice facility renderings

PHOENIX – Mat Ishbia sets a new standard for WNBA investment with the reveal of new Phoenix Suns and Mercury team headquarters and renderings of a state-of-the-art practice facility for the Mercury.

The Phoenix Mercury unveil renderings of their new state-of-the-art practice facility, part of a $100 million investment by owner Mat Ishbia. (Renderings courtesy of Phoenix Mercury)

Despite auction date set, roadblocks lie ahead in Arizona Coyotes’ trip to new arena as Salt Lake City makes overtures

TEMPE – The Arizona Coyotes have the auction date set, the location picked out, but the roadblocks have started to pop up. Between the NHL, the Scottsdale mayor and Salt Lake City, the road ahead is beginning to grow longer.

The clock is ticking for the Arizona Coyotes to win land and keep their arena plan alive as a way to finally plant permanent roots in the Valley. (Photo courtesy of Arizona Coyotes)

HBCU All-Star Game shines spotlight on Black excellence during Final Four weekend

PHOENIX – On Sunday, the third annual HBCU basketball All-Star Event was held at Grand Canyon University ahead of this month's NBA draft to increase exposure for athletes hoping to play at the next level.

Bethune-Cookman's Dhashon Dyson, center, was named MVP after scoring 19 points at the third annual HBCU All-Star Game in Phoenix. (Screen grab courtesy of Cameron Palmer/Cronkite News)

Ra’Shaad Samples, ASU’s coveted wide receivers coach, leaves for new role with Oregon Ducks

TEMPE - ASU wide receivers coach Ra’Shaad Samples leaves Arizona State in the middle of spring practice for a new position at Oregon. How does Kenny Dillingham replace him?

Ra’Shaad Samples, a popular wide receivers coach at Arizona State, has left for the Oregon Ducks and will serve as an assistant head coach. (Photo courtesy of PHNX Sports)

Arizona Supreme Court restores near-total ban on abortions in the state

PHOENIX - A divided Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated a 19th-century, near-total ban on abortion, saying it overrides a 2022 law that allowed abortions up to 15 weeks of pregnancy.