As civic knowledge declines, programs work to engage young people in democracy

NEW YORK – Civic knowledge is declining, but Generation Z hopes to make a difference in democracy. Camp O’Connor USA in Phoenix and YVote’s Democracy Camp in New York reach students, and another camp in Indiana trains educators to strengthen young people’s civics education and engagement.


Millions in federal aid for homeless students in Arizona schools, unspent after 3 years, about to expire

WASHINGTON – Arizona schools have not used millions of dollars in federal aid for homeless students allocated three years ago during the pandemic. The Arizona Department of Education is “nagging” schools to tap the grants before they expire at the end of the month.

Schoolchildren walking toward a redbrick building in a school courtyard.

Democrats, Republicans across Arizona work to engage underrepresented voters

PHOENIX – Groups on both sides of the aisle aim to educate voters, including Activate 48's "Together We Will" campaign, Arizona Latino Republican Association's candidate recruitment efforts, and events hosted by Arizona Teenage Republicans.

Activate 48 Coalition members standing around a podium with a speaker and a banner that reads "ACTIVATE 48" in the background. The podium has a sign that says "TOGETHER WE WILL."

Endorsements from Parkland survivors group elevates gun debate in Arizona races that pit Democrats against NRA-backed Republicans

WASHINGTON – March For Our Lives, the group formed by survivors of the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting, has endorsed two Arizona Democrats against NRA backed Republicans.


Never forgotten: Tucsonans honor fallen first responders at 9/11 Tower Challenge

TUCSON – Tucson firefighters, police officers and citizens came together at the Tucson Convention Center, climbing more than 2,000 steps to honor fallen heroes at the 9/11 Tower Challenge.

Members of the Tucson Fire Department firefighters in protective gear walk single file down a stairway in a large indoor arena with empty and occupied seats.

ASU voter forum encourages college-aged voters to engage ahead of 2024 election

PHOENIX – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. hosted a voter forum at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication to educate young voters on ballot initiatives, registering to vote and how to detect misinformation in the digital age.


Tempe Healing Field pays tribute to 23rd anniversary of 9/11

TEMPE – The Tempe Healing Field paid tribute Wednesday to the 23rd anniversary of 9/11. The annual display of flags and related events memorialize those who lost their lives during the 2001 terrorist attacks. Nearly 3,000 American flags covered the fields of Tempe Beach Park.

Each flag at the Tempe Healing Field on Sept. 11, 2024, has the name of a victim of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Aryton Temcio/Cronkite News)

Climbing for the fallen: First responders, families commemorate 9/11 heroes at Glendale’s Tower Challenge

GLENDALE – To commemorate the anniversary of 9/11, the 100 Club of Arizona honored the first responders who were killed in the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Two firefighters in full gear standing beside a brass bell on a wooden frame in a stadium.

Proposition 139: What the Arizona ballot initiative would mean for abortion access

WASHINGTON – The Proposition 139 ballot initiative would guarantee a right to abortion in Arizona, extending the limit from 15 weeks to about 24 weeks.

Protesters holding up signs with messages about abortion in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building on a clear day.

Teacher shortages persist in Arizona but may be easing

WASHINGTON – The teacher shortage in Arizona is showing signs of easing as the 2024-25 school year draws closer.

Arizona’s teacher shortage has shown signs of improvement compared to last year. Desert Edge High School in Glendale will be fully staffed when classes begin in August 2024, according to principal Gretchen Hann. (Photo courtesy of Desert Edge High School)

Life-saving method: Medevac helicopters start carrying blood, but what about ambulances?

PHOENIX – Blood in ambulances is proven to save more lives because patients are able to get transfusions faster. Other states are beginning to carry blood in ambulances, but Arizona hasn’t implemented this yet, at least not on the ground.

Pints of O negative blood sit in a refrigerator at the Vitalant Tempe donation center on June 20, 2024. Blood needs to be kept at a certain temperature until the moment it is transfused. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)

Gen Z skeptical of Social Security in leadup to election

WASHINGTON – Gen Z and Millennial workers in Arizona are pessimistic about the future of Social Security.

Concerns about the future of Social Security gnaw at voters, and younger workers doubt they’ll ever collect benefits despite the payroll taxes they’re paying into the system. But that’s not driving their choices in the 2024 elections. (Photo by Douglas Sacha/Getty Images)