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Michael Carbajal, Phoenix boxing icon, leaves timeless mark on Valley’s fighting scene and beyond

PHOENIX – Born and raised in Phoenix, Michael Carbajal stands as Arizona's greatest boxer, celebrated for his Olympic success in 1988 and numerous title triumphs. Legendary figures from the boxing world reflect on his illustrious career and immense contributions to the sport.

Michael Carbajal celebrates after knocking Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzalez to the canvas in the 1993 Ring Magazine Fight of the Year. Carbajal would win the fight, unifying two junior flyweight titles and earning Ring Magazine’s 1993 Fighter of the Year. (Photo courtesy of Michael Carbajal)

Gallego raises more, spends more for potential Senate run against Sinema

WASHINGTON - Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., raised more than $1.6 million in the last quarter with $10.8 million on hand - for a race she hasn't committed to. Meanwhile, Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, is raising - and spending - money twice as fast for his bid for Sinema's seat.


Can Griner & Co. turn Mercury’s season around behind back-to-back wins?

PHOENIX – After a 2-11 start, the Phoenix Mercury are 4-4 in their last eight games and 2-0 since the All-Star break. Is tanking officially out of the question for the streaking Mercury?


Tucson ruling on transgender athletes puts Arizona at center of debate about biology, psychology and fairness

PHOENIX – A ruling by a federal judge in Tucson Thursday gave the green light to let transgender girls play on teams consistent with their gender identity, stirring a debate has reached a crescendo in recent months. But the outcry has ignored the nuances of what many experts say is a complicated and layered issue that deserves more research and thoughtful conversation about the biology and psychology of these athletes.


Big fight for a little bird: Pygmy-owl gets threatened species status

WASHINGTON - Federal officials this week granted threatened species status to the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl, capping 17 years of "litigation and controversy" from advocates fighting to win protection for the 6-inch raptor.


Border encounters fell sharply in June, to lowest level in two years

WASHINGTON – The number of migrant encounters at the Southwest border plummeted in June, falling to the lowest level in more than two years, according to new data from Customs and Border Protection.


Some back-to-school events go beyond backpacks and pencils and offer health care, groceries for entire families

PHOENIX – Some back-to-school events have moved beyond notebooks and backpacks and try to help the whole family with health care, groceries and haircuts. “If parents or grandparents aren’t happy and healthy, they can’t help their kids,” one partner said.

Isaac Elementary School District and United Healthcare gave away 1,000 backpacks full of school supplies during its joint back-to-school event at Isaac Middle School. (Photo by Kylie Werner/Cronkite News)

From Tempe to Auckland: Arizona State’s Gabi Rennie triumphs as New Zealand claims first World Cup win

TEMPE – Less than 700 miles away from her hometown of Christchurch, ASU forward Gabi Rennie ran onto the pitch in front of over 40,000 fans in the 94th minute to help the Football Ferns in its first senior World Cup victory.

Arizona State women's soccer forward Gabi Rennie celebrates her momentous debut and New Zealand's first win in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in front of a roaring home crowd of over 40,000 fans at Eden Park Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

U.S. criticizes Mexico over protection of vaquitas, stops short of sanctions

WASHINGTON - Mexico is not living up to its responsibility to protect the threatened totoaba fish and the critically endangered vaquita, a small porpoise of which there are only around a dozen left in the Gulf of California, the Biden administration said this week.


Feds to pay for environmental repair, wildlife care, more at border wall

WASHINGTON - The federal government has agreed to pay $1.2 billion to repair environmental damages and reinstate Pentagon projects sidelined by construction of the border wall, and will take steps to protect wildlife in the region.


Arizona legislator gives ASU 60 days to respond to free speech suppression allegations

PHOENIX – Republican Sen. Anthony Kern gave ASU 60 days to look into claims that faculty members at its honors college bullied students into not attending a school event because of its political speakers.

The Joint Legislative Ad Hoc Committee on Freedom of Expression at Arizona's Public Universities holds its first meeting on July 18, 2023. The discussion focused on an incident at Arizona State University. (Photo by Ole Braatelien/Cronkite News)

‘We cannot continue to scar Mother Earth’: Public shows support for proposed monument near Grand Canyon

FLAGSTAFF – Dozens of community members, tribal leaders and state officials gathered in Flagstaff to show their support for a proposed national monument around the Grand Canyon, saying the designation could protect natural and cultural resources. Critics say the monument could hurt the economy.

Nearly 200 people attend a meeting to discuss the proposed national monument near the Grand Canyon in Flagstaff on July 18, 2023. (Photo by Ashley Lay/Cronkite News)