Search result for Ben Margiott

Freeze on DACA approvals leaves thousands of Arizona migrants in limbo

WASHINGTON - An estimated 1.1 million undocumented individuals in the U.S. are eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals protection – 44,000 in Arizona - but fewer than half actually have coverage, as new applications have been frozen by ongoing court challenges.


Student loan repayments will hit economy; how hard depends on who’s being hit

WASHINGTON - When federal student loan payments resume Oct. 1, they could pull $71 billion a year out of the economy, $5.3 billion from Arizona. The pain could be real for borrowers - about 880,000 in Arizona - but will present only a "modest headwind" to the overall economy.


House dads: Gallego’s paternity leave shows slowly growing acceptance

WASHINGTON - Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, was not the first House member to take paternity leave, but that doesn't mean it was considered routine either. But experts say it's becoming more common in private workplaces, and is starting to be "normalized" in Congress.


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)

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?


Coconino official tells House ‘anti-ESG’ bills threaten public investments

WASHINGTON - Coconino County Treasurer Sarah Benatar told House lawmakers Tuesday that it's her job to get the best, and safest, return on public investments for taxpayers, but that "anti-ESG" legislation puts public dollars at risk.


How Flagstaff, a once quaint town, transformed into capital of running world

FLAGSTAFF – For many, Flagstaff is known as the running capital of the world. A look at how it got there and how it helped create one of the best-kept secrets among collegiate sports dynasties: the Northern Arizona University men’s cross-country team.

Many runners come to Flagstaff for the high-altitude training. Rachel Schneider often ran through Buffalo Park to train for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Navajo president presses Congress for more time, money, for water project

WASHINGTON - Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren asked senators Wednesday for more funding, and time, for a pipeline project that would create a reliable water supply for 250,000 people across Arizona and New Mexico.


Former Arizona Wildcat Bennedict Mathurin aims to become NBA’s premier two-way player in second season

LAS VEGAS – Bennedict Mathurin has starred in summer league, leading the Indiana Pacers with impressive scoring and a determination to improve his defense.

Indiana Pacers forward Bennedict Mathurin is focused on improving his defense to match his offensive output during the 2023 NBA Summer League. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

Economic growth in Dominican Republic fueled by investment and migrant labor

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The Dominican Republic is one of the fastest-growing countries in Latin America thanks to a boom in tourism and foreign investment. But it relies heavily on migrant labor from Haitians, who are often mistreated inside the Dominican Republic.

New construction abounds in the capital city of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Here, a skyscraper is under construction on March 6, 2023. (Photo by TJ L’Heureux/Cronkite Borderlands Project)

With no ethics board, Phoenix residents who file complaints face obstacles, silence and secrecy

PHOENIX – Six years ago, Phoenix City Council created an ethics commission to review complaints. But the city still hasn’t appointed anyone to it, so those who file complaints face nothing but frustration.

Phoenix is the only city among the 10 largest U.S. cities that does not have an ethics board or commission. (Photo by Emma Peterson/Howard Center for Investigative Journalism)

Putting the rough in the diamond: Lawmakers meet for annual baseball game

WASHINGTON - When lawmakers faced off for the annual Congressional Baseball Game, it wasn't to show off their athleticism. It was to raise money for charity and have fun, but mostly it was to relax and relate to each other in a friendlier atmosphere, if only for a night.