With his father, Pedro, on his mind, Rio Gomez returns to Arizona with Team Colombia

MESA – Red Sox minor leaguer Rio Gomez, the son of former ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez, returned to Arizona to pitch for Team Colombia in preparation of the World Baseball Classic.

Rio Gomez, pitcher for the Columbian team, warms up before the Oakland A’s spring training game against the Columbian National team at Hohokam Stadium Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of John Medina)

Phoenix mayor speaks to ASU Jewish students about tolerance, inclusion and overcoming antisemitism

TEMPE – As one of the youngest big city mayors in the country and a member of the Jewish faith, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego often speaks about tolerance and inclusion. She spoke to members of Chabad at ASU about her experiences and how she approaches leading the nation’s fifth-largest city.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego says being mayor of the nation's fifth-largest city is no protection against the growing threat of antisemitism. (File photo by Sophie Oppfelt/Cronkite News)

Giants twins Taylor and Tyler Rogers make historic pairing in bullpen

SCOTTSDALE – With Taylor Rogers signing a three-year contract with the San Francisco Giants, fans will be doing double takes all season long. Identical twins Taylor and Tyler Rogers are looking to provide solid innings out of the Giants bullpen while making MLB history.

Taylor Rogers hopes to regain his 2021 form in his first season with the San Francisco Giants. (Photo by Kaitlyn Parohinog/Cronkite News)

‘Anything is possible’ for Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia, who has had a lifelong love affair with basketball

PHOENIX – Before he became the leader of the largest mortgage lending company in the country, Mat Ishbia was a driveway floor general dreaming of playing in the NBA. He never achieved the goal he imagined during those icy Detroit winters while shooting hoops with his brother Justin and his best friend Jon Borovich in the 1990s. But Ishbia might have achieved the next best thing when the former Michigan State walk-on purchased the Phoenix Suns.

Mat Ishbia shifted the NBA landscape by trading for superstar Kevin Durant during his first day as Phoenix Suns owner. The deal marked the first move of many in his efforts to bring a championship to the Valley. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

‘He wants to make amends’: Can Desmond Cambridge Jr. spark ASU in intriguing Pac-12 men’s tournament?

PHOENIX – When Arizona State men’s basketball guard Desmond Cambridge Jr. drained a game-winning half court shot against Arizona, it seemed as if ASU salvaged its March Madness hopes. However, ahead of the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament, that shot wasn’t as impactful as expected for either team.

Desmond Cambridge Jr. looked as if he was still in disbelief after hitting a game-winning half-court shot against Arizona recently. He hopes to sparks Arizona State to a successful run in the Pac-12 Men's Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Damian Rios/Cronkite News)

‘Full circle’ moment: Composer Ben Shirley returns to LA’s Skid Row

LOS ANGELES – Ben Shirley credits his time at the Midnight Mission on Los Angeles’ Skid Row for his success. Once homeless, he kicked his alcohol addiction.


Black artists connect family, culture and history

PHOENIX – Black art is the great connector – of humanity, of Black history, of family, culture and a vision of life’s value and purpose, according to several Arizona artists who paint, sculpt and create.

Rhonda “Shakur” Carter said she finds inspiration from family, community and history. “I have this piece that looks like Harriet Tubman and she’s running to freedom. It kind of feels like we’re still fighting for freedom and to be heard,” Shakur said. (Photo by Sierra Alvarez/Cronkite News)

Student of the game: ASU junior Cris Valle working overtime as Hamilton boys basketball coach

CHANDLER – Former Hamilton basketball star Cris Valle had a dream of playing professional basketball. However, he found a true passion for coaching and giving back what he learned to the next generation of players.

Hamilton boys freshman assistant coach Cris Valle has successfully transitioned from player to coach, while balancing the demands of his school work at Arizona State University. (Photo by Hayden Cilley/Cronkite News)

Phoenix City Council bans “source of income” discrimination for renters, home buyers

PHOENIX — Phoenix City Council voted 8-1 to pass an ordinance banning “source of income” discrimination for anyone who rents or buys a home. The March 1 vote followed a push from Phoenix residents and affordable housing advocates who said people on public assistance and Section 8 housing vouchers face discrimination from landlords.

Phoenix joined Tucson in passing legislation the prohibits "source of income" discrimination against renters, which is when landlords reject applicants who rely on Section 8 vouchers, Social Security, disability payments or other public income. The Tucson law is under review by the attorney general, but Phoenix officials are confident the ordinance will survive. (File photo by Carolina Lopez/Cronkite News)

‘I want to win’: Former Diamondbacks star David Peralta eyes World Series ring with rival Dodgers

PHOENIX – David Peralta is one of the best Diamondbacks players of all time, helping lead the team to a 2017 wild-card appearance as a staple in the lineup from 2014-2022. This past offseason, Peralta signed a one-year deal with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers with one goal in mind.


‘Best team in the state’: Perry Pumas complete one-loss season with first-ever Open Division championship trophy

PHOENIX – Cody Williams and Koa Peat paced the Perry Pumas to help finish off a historic season on Saturday night, defeating the Sunnyslope Vikings 74-58 in the first-ever Open championship.

The Perry Pumas won the inaugural Open Division basketball championship against Sunnyslope on Saturday to finish the season 30-1. (Photo by Zach Woodard/Cronkite News)

Pac-12 marks Title IX anniversary with first all-female Hall of Honor class

LAS VEGAS – The Pac-12 Conference celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX with its first all-female Hall of Honor class. The event’s success sparked possibilities for more female representation in future years.

Former Arizona softball player Susie Parra, left, and Arizona State track and field athlete Jackie Johnson-Powell were among 12 Pac-12 Hall of Honor inductees. (Photo by Nicholas Hodell/Cronkite News)