Valley roller skaters adapt during pandemic, embrace community to overcome adversity
PHOENIX – As roller skaters navigate COVID-19 shutdowns and reopenings, they’re searching for a place to roll – and a community.
A place at the table: Latinas in Arizona strive for representation in politics
PHOENIX - 2020 was the first year a Latina was elected to statewide office in Arizona; in fact, two Latinas were: Anna Tovar and Lea Márquez Peterson.
Neighbors hope for relief from crematorium smoke as COVID-19 deaths decrease
PHOENIX – Maricopa County’s air quality department lifted regulations for crematoriums to operate past sunset. Public records show county residents have filed nearly 20 complaints about smoke coming from across the county.
Baseball in a border town: Nogales finds its favorite pastime a ‘release’ from pandemic
NOGALES – A city that has had enormous success in baseball has finally come back to life after the pandemic.
‘One generation away’: Diné College fights to keep Navajo culture alive during pandemic
The Navajo Nation has been hit hard by COVID-19. Schools and teachers like those at the Diné College in Tsaile pass on traditional knowledge in the face of a pandemic.
Arizona neighborhoods join Little Free Pantry movement to fight hunger
As food insecurity rises, Arizona communities are setting up neighborhood “little” pantries to get food and supplies to those in need.
March 11, 2020: The day that sports stood still
PHOENIX - One year ago, Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID, leading to a national shutdown. Athletes, coaches and media reflect on the 24 hours that changed everyday life in the United States.
WWII veteran celebrates his 94th birthday in a vintage plane, thanks to nonprofit
MESA – Norman Langeliers, who was in the Navy during World War II, celebrated his 94th birthday last month by flying in a vintage trainer at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa.
‘She’s got a part of us with her’: Donor family confident son’s heart is in the right place
PHOENIX - ASU freshman Olivia Eisenhauer waited two years for a heart transplant after suffering two cardiac arrest episodes. With a new lease on life thanks to the heart of a 22-year old accident victim, Eisenhauer has no plans to stop from pursuing her dream as a sports broadcaster
73 years after Robinson broke color barrier, baseball struggles to lure Black players
PHOENIX – According to SABR, there has been a decline of African American players in MLB nearly every year since 1981, and by 2016 that number plummeted to 6.7%, the lowest percentage since 1957.
Ajo group bands together to fight food insecurity during COVID-19
AJO – When COVID-19 crashed the food systems in Ajo and the nearby Tohono O’odham Nation, locals stepped in to fill the gap. After the shelves of the town’s lone grocery store were picked bare in April, one nonprofit transformed a cafe into a de facto food pantry.
A free ride: Erick Cedeño cycles 2,200 miles to experience the Underground Railroad
PHOENIX – Cyclist Erick Cedeño retraces footsteps of the Underground Railroad on wheels.
