Latest from Reece Andrews
‘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.