Kevinjonah Paguio
Kevinjonah Paguio(he/him/his)
News Visual Journalist, Phoenix

Kevinjonah Paguio expects to graduate in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in global studies. He has interned at the Reynolds Center for Business Journalism, is now an intern with AZ Big Media and has freelanced.

Latest from Kevinjonah Paguio

Minneapolis to Phoenix: George Floyd protest offerings displayed at ASU Art Museum

TEMPE – ASU Art Museum partnered with Arizona State University’s Center for Work and Democracy and the George Floyd Global Memorial following a professor’s acquisition of a collection of offerings gathered during the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis.

Nana Osei-Kofi looks at signs displayed at the “Twin Flames” exhibit in Tempe on Feb. 2, 2024. “It is an honor to be able to steward what other people have offered as their protest, as their pain, as their own,” says Jeanelle Austin, executive director of the George Floyd Global Memorial. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

New Sage Memorial Hospital transforms Navajo health care

GANADO – A new $177 million state-of-the-art medical facility in the Navajo Nation is nearing completion. Before the new hospital opens, staff must keep caring for patients in cramped spaces and with outdated equipment. All of that will change this fall when the new facility opens. Here’s a look at how radically different the new hospital will be.

Sage Memorial Hospital’s new $177 million medical facility is set to open in October. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Sage Memorial Hospital in Navajo Nation constructs new facility to improve health care

GANADO – Sage Memorial Hospital is opening a new facility in Ganado, looking to improve rural health care for the Diné people. Despite project hurdles and construction setbacks, the community is looking forward to the hospital’s opening.

Cars travel west on Highway 264 toward Ganado, population 883 as of 2020. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Medical interpreters break the language barrier in Phoenix hospitals, use interpretation and translation services to broaden accessibility

PHOENIX – Health care accessibility includes language. Phoenix hospitals are using interpretation and translation services to help non-English speakers access necessary care.

Martha Martinez is the manager of language services at Valleywise Health. “I want every human being to have information and health care in their language,” she said. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

¿Cómo los intérpretes médicos ayudan a superar las barreras del idioma?

PHOENIX – Los intérpretes médicos son esenciales para brindar atención de calidad a los pacientes que no hablan inglés ya que superan la barrera del idioma entre el personal médico y los pacientes, lo que garantiza que ambas partes se entiendan y puedan comunicarse de manera efectiva. Un simple error puede tener graves consecuencias.

Martha Martínez es gerente de servicios lingüísticos de Valleywise Centro Médico. “Yo creo firmemente que todas las comunidades, todas las personas requieren recibir su información en su idioma", dijo Martínez en Valleywise Centro Médico el 16 de abril de 2024. (Foto de Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite Noticias)

Navajo psychiatrist bridges gaps between Native American culture and behavioral health care

GANADO – Dr. Richard Laughter, a Navajo psychiatrist practicing in the heart of the Navajo Nation, incorporates Native American cultural practices into the behavioral health program at Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado.

Dr. Richard Laughter incorporates traditional Native methods into his psychiatric practice. “You can only do so much for their mental health if you’re just using meds and short therapy sessions,” he said. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Pandemic relief funds for early childhood care set to expire June 30

PHOENIX – Quality First’s federal pandemic relief funding for early childhood care is set to expire on June 30, ending some provider services and scholarships for families. Many, including Gov. Hobbs, are requesting an increase in state funds to mitigate the impact of this expiration.

A classroom sits empty in Imagination Childcare and Preschool in Litchfield Park as children play outside on April 2. Families at this preschool have received funding from Quality First, a quality rating and improvement program. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Arizona Supreme Court restores near-total ban on abortions in the state

PHOENIX - A divided Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated a 19th-century, near-total ban on abortion, saying it overrides a 2022 law that allowed abortions up to 15 weeks of pregnancy.


Low-income hearing health care expanded to all three Arizona universities

PHOENIX - The Hearing Healthcare Assistance Project provides hearing care for low-income adults who might not able to afford care. Founded in 2021 by the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and ASU, the program now includes NAU and UArizona.


Dreamscape Learn provides virtual learning experiences for ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest students

PHOENIX – Dreamscape Learn is collaborating with ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest to provide students with the first K-12 opportunity to use its new immersive virtual learning pod. Students can experience virtual realities from King Tut’s tomb to 30 meters below the ocean’s surface.

Hassan Davis smiles as he immerses himself in virtual learning on March 28, 2024, in Phoenix. ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest unveiled its Dreamscape Learn Pod, the first virtual learning experience of its kind for K-12 students in the country. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Prom, conversation, bingo: Seniors seek socialization

GILBERT – Phoenix senior homes held a prom in January to give their residents a special event with live music, dancing and a chance to dress up and socialize. Socialization is key to mental health and well-being for senior citizens.

Elaine Galusha, right, dances with Bob Platek during a prom on Jan. 27. “These are vibrant-life communities,” said Kim Wood, director of wellness programming at Savanna House. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Abortion opponents rally at Capitol during ‘crucial time in Arizona’

PHOENIX – Abortion opponents packed the plaza outside the Arizona Capitol on Friday in an impassioned display of anti-abortion advocacy at what one advocate called "a crucial time in Arizona" for the abortion fight.


Foro en español sobre el fentanilo promueve discusiones acerca de las adicciones en la comunidad hispana

PHOENIX – Cientos de personas asistieron al primer foro en español organizado por el condado Maricopa sobre el fentanilo dirigido a la comunidad hispana. Entre los oradores estaban Ronny Morales y su madre, Marta Ayala, quienes compartieron su experiencia lidiando con la adicción en la familia.

Ronny Morales discute su pasada adicción al fentanilo el 31 de Enero de 2024. “Intenté parar casi cada año”, dijo Morales. (Fotos por Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite Noticias)

Former drug user tells story at Maricopa County’s first Spanish-only forum on fentanyl addiction

PHOENIX – The Maricopa County Attorney's Office hosted its first Spanish-only forum on the dangers of fentanyl. The program featured Ronny Morales who told his personal story of using the drug and getting sober.


Maricopa County uses portion of national opioid settlement for group that helps recovering women

PHOENIX – Maricopa County got $2 million in national opioid settlement funds and gave $60,000 to Live and Learn AZ, a local organization that supported April Hernandez so she could overcome a crystal meth addiction and get back on her feet.

Live & Learn AZ, a nonprofit organization founded in 2012, aims to empower women in the Phoenix metro area and break generational poverty. (Photo By Hunter Fore/Cronkite News)

Organizations help immigrants reunite with families from Mexico

PHOENIX – Raíces del Sur and Esperanza en la Frontera assist Mexican parents who have adult children in the U.S. in obtaining visas to visit their families, regardless of the children’s immigration status.


Arizona Game and Fish restocks lakes with fish grown in hatcheries

PAGE SPRINGS – Arizona Game and Fish grows fish to replenish the state’s lakes. This supports those who enjoy the pastime while also keeping the state’s environment vibrant.

Rainbow trout are released into Goldwater Lake on Oct. 16, 2023. Anglers at Lynx Lake eagerly await the release of the trout. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Parents of children with disabilities could soon be paid as caregivers following Arizona proposal

QUEEN CREEK – Special COVID-19 funds have been paying parents as caregivers for their children needing specialized care. An extension of that arrangement is set to expire but a new proposal would make pay for parent caregivers a permanent benefit in Arizona.

Brandi Coon, right, lifts her son, Tyson, to put him into a sling

Arizona activists work to hold the criminal justice system accountable through court watching

PHOENIX – Activists with Mass Liberation Arizona have attended the state’s high-profile police brutality and racial discrimination cases – including hearings for former Maricopa County Attorney’s Office prosecutor April Sponsel – to support marginalized defendants and make their presence known to attorneys and judges.

Matt Aguilar takes notes while listening to April Sponsel’s disciplinary hearing on Oct. 23, 2023. Aguilar is part of Mass Liberation Arizona, a watchdog group that focuses on the criminal justice system. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

‘Perpetuating the Hawaiian culture’: Outrigger canoe teams bring sport, community to Arizona

TEMPE – Arizona has two Hawaiian outrigger canoe teams. They focus on competition as well as preserving Hawaiian culture and building community.

Linda Martin’s paddle comes out of the water during a practice at Tempe Town Lake on Oct. 28, 2023. Martin is a member of Team Arizona Outrigger Canoe Club and is preparing for Another Dam Race, an outrigger canoe competition in Parker. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Fighting fire with fire: How prescribed burns protect forests in northern Arizona

WILLIAMS – The Kendrick Prescribed Fire Project was one of the first of many prescribed burns this fall and winter throughout Arizona with the goal of protecting forest lands and surrounding communities from the threat of potential catastrophic wildfires. The prescribed burns in Kaibab National Forest are part of the U.S. Forest Service’s 10-year wildfire crisis strategy.

Ashton Johnson uses his drip torch during a prescribed burn operation in Kaibab National Forest on Oct. 5, 2023. Fire crews planned to burn around 2,300 acres of land that day. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

High home prices and interest rates contribute to tough market for first-time homebuyers

PHOENIX – Mortgage loan interest rates are hovering around 8% for the first time in decades, and home prices are high, making a home purchase tough for buyers entering the market for the first time.

A home for sale in the Ashby Acres community in Phoenix on Sept. 6, 2023. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Hundreds gather at ASU events with opposing views of Israelis, Palestinians

TEMPE - As the death toll in the fighting between Hamas and Israel rose this week, groups at Arizona State University gathered in separate rallies on Wednesday and Thursday to express both grief and support for Israelis and Palestinians.


Arizona’s extreme heat threatens ‘spectacular migrations’ of butterflies

SCOTTSDALE – Arizona experienced extreme heat this summer, which may affect butterfly migratory patterns. The prolonged heat means less food for butterflies and caterpillars.

A spotted tiger glassywing butterfly rests atop a flower at Butterfly Wonderland on Sept. 20, 2023. Arizona’s prolonged extreme heat is expected to reduce butterflies’ food, resulting in fewer migrating butterflies, Nina de l’Etoile, Butterfly Wonderland conservatory supervisor, said. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Arizona veterans, state agencies battle over bingo machines deemed illegal under state gambling laws

PHOENIX – Arizona veteran groups, including members of local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, with the help of state Sen. Sonny Borrelli, called out public agencies for targeting them over bingo technological aids, but the state says that’s not the issue. Instead, the groups may be using illegal bingo gaming machines.

Veterans listen to Arizona Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli during a news conference on Oct. 2, 2023. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Biden honors McCain, denounces ‘MAGA extremists’ during Tempe event

TEMPE – President Joe Biden invoked the spirit of the late Sen. John McCain while denouncing "MAGA extremists" as a threat to democracy, during a speech Thursday at the Tempe Arts Center.


A national caregiver shortage strains organizations and families across the Valley

PHOENIX – The need for family caregivers is on the rise, leaving families looking for education and solutions as the national caregiver shortage continues to grow.

Kathleen Allen lifts light weights during an exercise activity at the FSL ReCreación Center on Sept. 13, 2023. Allen suffered a brain aneurysm at 22 years old. She receives day care five days a week. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Scottsdale homeless housing plan met with concern from residents, legislators

SCOTTSDALE – Scottsdale residents denounced the city’s plan to convert hotel rooms into homeless shelters during a community hearing. State Rep. Matt Gress organized the community hearing after raising questions about the transparency and effectiveness of the plan.

Scottsdale residents listen in on a community hearing at Civic Center Library in Scottsdale on Sept. 13, 2023. Residents questioned the city’s plan to convert hotel rooms into shelter for the unhoused. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Phoenix Sky Harbor workers file complaint, vote to strike over dangerous working conditions and low wages

PHOENIX – Concession and service worker groups at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport are speaking out about dangerous working conditions and unlivable wages. One group voted to strike and another filed an OSHA complaint.

State Rep. Analise Ortiz, left, high-fives Michael Smith outside Phoenix City Hall on Sept. 6, 2023. Ortiz showed her support for Sky Harbor concession workers after they provided personal testimony at a city council meeting about low wages and tough working conditions. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)

Kris Mayes, other attorneys general, recommend crackdown on vaping products targeting youth

PHOENIX — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and 32 other attorneys general from around the country are asking the Food and Drug Administration to ban flavored e-cigarettes and crack down on marketing that targets youth.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and 32 other attorneys general from around the country are asking the Food and Drug Administration to ban flavored e-cigarettes and crack down on marketing that targets youth. Photo taken at Stogies Smoke & Vape in downtown Phoenix on Sept. 7, 2023. (Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio/Cronkite News)