Kelechukwu Iruoma
Kelechukwu Iruoma(he/him/his)
News Digital Reporter, Washington, D.C.

Kelechukwu Iruoma expects to graduate in Fall 2024 with a master’s degree in mass communication. Iruoma has worked as an investigative and development journalist for eight years, and his stories have been published by NPR, Devex, Al Jazeera, Devex and more.

Latest from Kelechukwu Iruoma

Conservationists say cattle grazing on federal lands in Arizona has pushed a threatened garter snake closer to extinction

WASHINGTON – The northern Mexican garter snake, already threatened, is losing habitat due to livestock grazing on federal land in Arizona, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. The group has sued two federal agencies to protect the reptile.

Valley garter snake, a subspecies of the common garter snake. (Photo courtesy of the National Park Service)

After Mesa Mayor John Giles endorses Kamala Harris, some Arizona LDS members follow suit

MESA – Mesa Mayor John Giles is a Republican who is voting for Kamala Harris in this upcoming election. Find out why he is switching sides in a crucial election and why other Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members are following in his footsteps.

Mesa Mayor John Giles, co-chair of the Arizona chapter of Republicans for Harris, addresses the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 20, 2024. (Photo by Kelechukwu Iruoma/Cronkite News)

Governors prod Congress for more help on growing threat of wildfires in West

WASHINGTON – The western United States faces a severe and growing wildfire crisis. Increasingly destructive wildfires have threatened lives, herds and livelihoods. Governors of Arizona and 19 other states are urging Congress to act more swiftly to improve federal efforts to reduce and manage wildfires.

A forest fire in Copper Canyon blazing on a hillside with flames and thick smoke. Trees are silhouetted against the fiery backdrop.

Apache trout, Arizona’s state fish, dropped from endangered species list after 50-year comeback

WASHINGTON – Interior Secretary Deb Haaland declared the state fish of Arizona no longer endangered on Wednesday. The comeback of the Apache trout is a conservation success story 50 years in the making, though advocates say the move is premature.

A person holds a large, speckled yellow and brown trout over rippling water, gently supporting it with spread fingers.

Arizona Democrats excited as Kamala Harris accepts presidential nomination, vow to help her win battleground state

CHICAGO – Arizona delegates return from the Democratic National Convention determined to help Vice President Kamala Harris win the state and the White House.


Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego, in tight Senate race with Kari Lake, showcased on final night of Democratic National Convention

CHICAGO – Arizona Senate candidate Ruben Gallego, along with Sen. Mark Kelly and his wife, gun control activist Gabby Giffords, spoke in prime time before Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic presidential nomination.

Rep. Ruben Gallego of Phoenix, the Democratic nominee for a U.S. Senate seat in Arizona, speaks to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 22, 2024. (Photo by Kelechukwu Iruoma/Cronkite News)

Black Democrats see Kamala Harris driving up turnout in Arizona

CHICAGO – Black votes may not be a huge factor in Arizona, but for Black Democrats, Kamala Harris’ candidacy is a big deal.

John Legend, a singer and songwriter, third from left, with leaders of Democrats’ Black caucus at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 21, 2024. (Photo by Kelechukwu Iruoma/Cronkite News)

In centrist shift, Democrats tweak platform, deploy anti-Donald Trump Republicans to help Kamala Harris broaden appeal

CHICAGO – In a bid to attract disaffected Republicans, Democrats have pulled back from some progressive policies and showcased anti-Donald Trump Republicans, including Mesa Mayor John Giles, at their national convention.

Mesa Mayor John Giles, co-chair of the Arizona chapter of Republicans for Harris, addresses the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on Aug. 20, 2024. (Photo by Kelechukwu Iruoma/Cronkite News)

Arizona Democrats bar press from convention events, defying norms and keeping cabinet members and governors off camera

CHICAGO – At the Democratic National Convention, Arizona delegates heard from cabinet secretaries, governors and other VIPs behind closed doors, with a no-media policy that defies tradition and norms in both parties. Arizona Republicans were likewise media-averse this year.

Arizona delegates at the United Center in Chicago on Day 1 of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19, 2024. (Photo by Kelechukwu Iruoma/Cronkite News)

Arizona Democrats pin hopes on Kamala Harris to break the glass ceiling Hillary Clinton cracked

CHICAGO – Vice President Kamala Harris would be the first female president, and Arizona Democrats, especially women, are pinning their hopes on her to break the glass ceiling that Hillary Clinton left cracked eight years ago after her failed presidential run.

The Democratic National Convention women's caucus meeting drew delegates from across the nation in Chicago on Aug. 20, 2024. (Photo by Kelechukwu Iruoma/Cronkite News)

Arizona Democrats ‘excited, invigorated and happy’ as national convention kicks off four-day Chicago rally for Harris-Walz ticket

CHICAGO – Arizona Democrats, like other delegates to the Democratic National Convention, said they’re filled with optimism about the 2024 election now that Vice President Kamala Harris is the nominee.

Arizona Democratic delegates on the floor of the United Center in Chicago on Day 1 of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19, 2024. (Photo by Kelechukwu Iruoma/Cronkite News)