Latest from Reece Andrews
Entertainment or exploitation? Controversial Micro Mania Tour that highlights wrestlers with dwarfism stops in Phoenix
PHOENIX – The Micro Mania Tour primarily showcases wrestlers with dwarfism but it raises questions about exploitation and derogatory language.
‘Little bit of a fairytale’: Josh Doan scores twice in unforgettable Arizona Coyotes debut
TEMPE – Josh Doan netted two goals in his NHL debut for the Coyotes on Tuesday night in a blowout win over Columbus. The son of Coyotes legend Shane Doan created lifelong memories for family, friends and fans.
As spring practice opens, ASU football enters second year of Kenny Dillingham era with higher expectations in 2024
TEMPE – After back-to-back forgettable seasons, ASU football looks to improve in a plethora of ways ahead of 2024 spring practices.
Despite lingering challenges, Trump, Biden cruise to victories in Arizona
PHOENIX - President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump cruised to victory in Arizona's presidential preference election Tuesday, easily outdistancing challengers despite an organized protest vote and former challengers who were still on the ballot.
Wacha’s Way: Kansas City’s signing of veteran pitcher could help Royals’ ‘young bucks’
SURPRISE – Having played the role of father for one full season in the MLB now, Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha reflects on how juggling parenthood and a professional career has taught him lessons that are applicable to leading a clubhouse.
Kansas City Royals embrace veteran presence in clubhouse, hope to return to winning ways
SURPRISE – The Kansas City Royals have had to rely on a young core in recent years, leading to inconsistent results. With the arrival of proven veterans to the Royals clubhouse, the team is embracing their presence heading into what hopes to be a very competitive season.
Sweater believe it: Jeff Munn’s signature fashion collection, born with ASU women’s basketball, shapes broadcast legacy
TEMPE – ASU women’s basketball KTAR FM broadcaster Jeff Munn has a sweater collection decades in the making that all started with his daughter. Just don’t let his brightly colored clothes distract from the impact his voice has had on the greater Phoenix area.
Photo essay: Whiteriver Community finds unity in hoops through Alchesay Falcons
WHITERIVER – The Alchesay Falcons find strength in the bond between team and community, as Whiteriver residents unite passionately in support of their beloved basketball team.
‘Fight before the fight’: MMA warriors battle to beat the scale in grueling process of cutting weight
TEMPE – Mixed martial artists employ unique and healthy strategies to shed pounds, maintain peak performance and conquer the mental and physical challenges before stepping into the octagon.
Forks down: Exit of OC Beau Baldwin, departure of players mark first changes in busy ASU football offseason
TEMPE – With the departure of OC Beau Baldwin and players already entering the transfer portal, Kenny Dillingham and ASU football begin a busy offseason after a rough 2023.
‘USA, USA, USA!’: Rivalry Series spotlights growth of women’s hockey in the Valley
TEMPE – Team USA won 3-1 against Team Canada in the teams’ first appearance at Mullett Arena in Tempe. However, a key element in the event was the players voicing their support for girl’s hockey in Arizona and the growth of the sport in the state.
‘Sleeping giant’: Through COVID, coaching change, Clark and Matus stay loyal to ASU football
TEMPE – Just five players remain from ASU football’s 2019 team. Through numerous obstacles, they’ve stayed with the program. We explored the motivations behind sticking around.
ASU coach Kenny Dillingham reunites with old football friends when Oregon visits Tempe for Pac-12 clash
TEMPE – After spending last season as the offensive coordinator at Oregon, ASU coach Kenny Dillingham will have a lot of familiar faces in Tempe Saturday when the Ducks visit Mountain America Stadium.
Photo essay: Tracking the twists and turns of NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway
AVONDALE – Take a look back at Sunday’s NASCAR’s Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway.
Emotional Ryan Blaney caps ‘unbelievable year,’ rallies with first NASCAR Cup Championship at Phoenix Raceway
AVONDALE – Phoenix Raceway hosted the NASCAR Championship Weekend for the third straight season. Four championship races in three days brought tons of action to Avondale. Ryan Blaney won the Cup Championship with Ford Motors, who won all three NASCAR championships this weekend.
Fans flock to downtown Phoenix bars in backyard of World Series stage at Chase Field
PHOENIX – Downtown Phoenix came alive this week as baseball fans crowded bars and restaurants to watch the World Series, boosting the local economy and creating an electric atmosphere near Chase Field.
World of hurt: Inside the cuts, bumps and bruises of mixed martial arts
PHOENIX – The world of MMA has a unique blend of passion and pain as fighters discuss the physical and emotional toll of injuries and the resilience that drives them in the unforgiving sport.
Photo essay: ASU football in ‘Prime Time’ sets stage for fervent fans, celebrity sightings
TEMPE – ASU fought valiantly in a close affair but dropped to 1-5 on the season after Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders and Colorado came to Tempe. Take a look back at the action and atmosphere of the game.
Deion Sanders, Colorado invade Tempe as ASU expects big crowds again at Mountain America Stadium
TEMPE – As Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes come to Tempe this weekend to play ASU, large crowds are expected again at Mountain America Stadium after the last game was a sellout.
Despite promise in second half, Arizona Cardinals grounded vs. San Francisco 49ers
TEMPE – The Cardinals had fast starts in their first three games, but fell behind big early to the 49ers and couldn’t overcome the deficit despite strong play from Josh Dobbs.
‘I’m supposed to be here’: ASU reserve quarterback Jacob Conover ready if needed against USC
TEMPE – Facing a series of injuries in ASU's quarterback lineup, Jacob Conover, a transfer from BYU, is prepared and waiting for his chance to shine in the upcoming matchup against USC.
ASU boosters, team react to news, timing of self-imposed bowl ban
TEMPE – Amid a backlash from fans and boosters over an 11th-hour self-imposed bowl ban, Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham wants his team to put the issue in the past and focus on the upcoming season.
Cloudy with a chance of baseballs: MLB, college players well aware of weather’s effect
PHOENIX – For baseball fans, discussions about altitude, temperature and air density occur often, but how much of an effect do they have on the game? For players around the league and at the collegiate level, weather conditions are always a focus.
‘Look good, feel good, play good’: Cardinals unveil new uniforms for first time since 2005
PHOENIX – The Cardinals invited fans and former players to attend the unveiling of the team’s new uniforms, which are a nod to tradition with a cleaner look.
Parents of transgender athletes file lawsuit over Arizona transgender athlete ban
PHOENIX – The parents of two transgender youth athletes have filed a lawsuit over Arizona’s ban on transgender girls participating in girls sports.
ASU spring game gives fans first glimpse at Kenny Dillingham, new-look roster
TEMPE – Arizona State played its annual spring game and gave fans a sneak peak at what Sun Devil football will look like under new coach Kenny Dillingham. The game demonstrated his pledge to activate the Sun Devil fan base to bring back the winning ways of Arizona State football.
ASU quarterback competition heats up as Sun Devils enter second week of spring practice
TEMPE – After a busy offseason in Tempe for coach Kenny Dillingham, spring football will provide an opportunity to see his quarterbacks for the first time. While there may be plenty of skill at the position, only one will be labeled the starter.
Under Kenny Dillingham’s direction, ASU football starts spring practice upbeat
TEMPE – New ASU football coach Kenny Dillingham roamed the field on the first day of spring practice with a microphone in his hand as he directed the Sun Devils through Day 1 drills to officially kick off spring football. His energy was contagious.
A gambler’s paradise? For some, the industry’s extreme growth leads to addiction and worse in the Valley
PHOENIX – With Arizona transforming into a gambler’s paradise during Super Bowl week, there is an opposite side to the giant industry that is causing clinicians and counselors to become worried.
Head over wheels: Inside NASCAR’s solution to concussion issues with enhanced Next Gen car
AVONDALE – After three NASCAR drivers suffered concussions this past season, including Arizona’s own Alex Bowman, concerns about the safety of the Gen-7 car were put into question and sparked immediate action from NASCAR.
Diamondbacks’ relationship with Bally Sports Arizona in limbo after parent company misses payment
PHOENIX – Diamond Sports Group, the ownership group of Bally Sports Networks, failed to make a $140 million interest payment Wednesday and is over $8 billion in debt. With TV rights in question, MLB is prepared to take back ownership of 14 teams rights, including the Diamondbacks.
Super Bowl 57 to be won in the trenches, tried and true
PHOENIX – The Chiefs and Eagles have ranked toward the top of the league in scoring offense all season, but the nature behind the numbers appears to pose a contrast in style and tempo that may impact the kind of game either is most likely to win.
Super Bowl 2023 halftime performer Rihanna discusses preparation for Sunday
PHOENIX – Fans have heard from Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs players every day this week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. Today, another big game performer will speak ahead of Sunday.
A path back to the Super Bowl: Eagles remade in Nick Sirianni’s image
PHOENIX — At Super Bowl Opening Night, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and some of his players reflected on the cultural underpinning of their path to the Super Bowl in Sirianni’s second season with the organization.
‘Woo!’: Kansas City Chiefs revved up for Super Bowl 57 on Opening Night
PHOENIX – Super Bowl week officially kicked off Monday night at the Footprint Center. The Eagles and Chiefs took center stage in front of thousands of fans to answer questions about the Super Bowl and how they got here.
Super Bowl 2023 week kicks off with Opening Night at Footprint Center
PHOENIX – For the first time since 2015, Arizona will play host to the Super Bowl. The privilege comes with plenty of must-see live entertainment; tailgates; festivals; and, of course, football in the lead-up to the big game at State Farm Stadium. Follow along for live updates, featuring news, event highlights and more from the Cronkite News team, before the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs kick off on Super Bowl Sunday.
Suns rising? Phoenix turning a corner after first-half struggles
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns struggled through much of the season with injuries piling up, testing the club’s roster depth. But with the return of forward Cameron Johnson and veteran point guard Chris Paul, and star Devin Booker expected back soon, the Suns may be poised to make a run after the upcoming NBA All-Star break.
Jimmie Johnson test drives NASCAR’s Next Gen car in Phoenix Raceway return
AVONDALE – It was a big week in the world of NASCAR at Phoenix Raceway. Not only was NASCAR testing new modifications to the Next Gen 7 car, seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson got behind the wheel of the new race car for the first time before his return to the sport.
Big shoes to fill: New Saguaro football coach Zak Hill up for the challenge
SCOTTSDALE – New Saguaro football coach Zak Hill will have his hands full with one of the best high school football teams in the state. The former ASU offensive coordinator comes in after former coach Jason Mohn’s extraordinary 11-year run with the program.
Los Angeles Sparks hope to build off success in July with successful homestand
LOS ANGELES – After starting the season 7-11, July has been kinder to the Los Angeles Sparks. They hope to keep that momentum going tonight against the Chicago Sky.
This third-generation pilot helped ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ take flight
LOS ANGELES – Kevin LaRosa, a film aerial coordinator, talks about his role on the Tom Cruise film “Top Gun: Maverick” and how his aviation journey from a young age led him to it.
‘Stabilizing the ship’: Despite turmoil, Vanessa Nygaard determined to keep Mercury on track
PHOENIX – Vanessa Nygaard had championship dreams. Despite the turmoil the Phoenix Mercury have faced, she is determined to keep the team on a positive path.
Mercury in retrograde? Not during WNBA team’s 3-game winning streak
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury opened 2-8 to start the season, with a rookie coach, multiple player absences and Brittney Griner on players’ minds. The team has rattled-off three straight wins thanks to newfound chemistry and good health.
Biden announces regional migration initiative at Summit of the Americas
LOS ANGELES – President Joe Biden announced a new migration initiative Thursday during the Ninth Summit of the Americas. The Los Angeles Declaration on Migration is a commitment by countries in the Western Hemisphere to enhance stability and create opportunities for safer and orderly migration.
Blinken urges young journalists to defend their craft – and themselves
LOS ANGELES – The ninth Summit of the Americas kicked off Tuesday night with remarks by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, but much of the discussion was on the safety of journalists in the Western Hemisphere and the growing mistrust of the news media.
Middle seats, canceled flights, COVID exposure: Taurasi, WNBA players sound off on commercial travel
PHOENIX – More WNBA players, including Diana Taurasi, are pushing back about having to fly commercial for road trips, and the issues came to a head earlier this year after the league fined the New York Liberty franchise fined $500,000 for using private jets.
Are race, gender slowing Brittney Griner’s return? Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard raises question
PHOENIX – Brittany Griner’s imprisonment for more than 100 days prompted Phoenix Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard to question why she remains jailed and compares the case to that of Gabby Petito, the missing vlogger who was murdered.
