Latest from Samuel Nute
Life along 27th Avenue: Realities differ for Grand Canyon University, surrounding community
PHOENIX – Communities around Phoenix’s 27th Avenue want better for the area, but what “better” means depends on who you ask.
Arizona Cardinals brace for uncertainty at pick No. 16 in 2025 NFL Draft
TEMPE – Holding the 16th overall pick, Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort and coach Jonathan Gannon are navigating a draft filled with unpredictability.
Rooted in West Linn, Tim Tawa’s journey from three-sport high school star unfolds with Arizona Diamondbacks
PHOENIX – After dominating Oregon’s high school sports scene as a decorated three-sport athlete, Tim Tawa carved a unique path to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
‘Now you’ve got to deliver’: Koa Peat officially joins star-studded Arizona class at Perry signing day
GILBERT – Perry High School basketball star Koa Peat officially signed Wednesday with the Arizona Wildcats. Between Peat and a star-studded class including Brayden Burries, Dwayne Aristode and Bryce James, Wildcats fans expect big things in Tucson.
‘Let’s go!’: Molly Miller brings passion, success to Arizona State women’s basketball
TEMPE – After a hugely successful coaching stint with Grand Canyon women’s basketball, Molly Miller brings her passion and excitement to Arizona State and looks to rebuild the Sun Devils program.
‘What better place?’ GCU introduces rising star Winston Gandy as new women’s basketball coach
PHOENIX – After Molly Miller accepted the coaching position at Arizona State University, GCU moved quickly to hire South Carolina assistant coach Winston Gandy as their next women’s basketball coach. The optimism around the program continues to buzz.
Arizona Diamondbacks seek to breathe easy in 2025 following a season full of twists and turns
SCOTTSDALE – Following a season full of injuries, Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen hit the phones to acquire more depth this offseason, and now Arizona hopes the new acquisitions will mean another run at the World Series.
Battle-tested and NFL ready: Tyler Shough’s draft journey shaped by experience, adversity
INDIANAPOLIS – With the evolution of NIL and the transfer portal, NFL front offices have to adapt their thinking. Typically teams prefer younger prospects, but older players like Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough, who turns 26 after the NFL season begins, are changing the conversation.
Like a Skat out of hell: Physical and punishing, ASU’s Cam Skattebo set to prove NFL doubters wrong
INDIANAPOLIS – ASU’s Cam Skattebo is drawing a lot of questions about his top speed as a prospect. It may not matter as some general managers said at the NFL Scouting Combine that they don’t feel like it defines the value of a running back in the league.
Two-headed snake: Corbin Burnes and Zac Gallen form formidable pitching duo as Arizona Diamondbacks seek redemption
SCOTTSDALE – Corbin Burnes joins the Arizona Diamondbacks on the richest contract in franchise history. The Diamondbacks are pairing him with ace Zac Gallen, forming a dynamic starting pitching duo.
Deep in the trenches: Arizona Cardinals searching to disrupt QBs in 2025 NFL draft
INDIANAPOLIS – Philosophy can dominate moves from NFL front offices. One specific belief paved the way for the Eagles to win the Super Bowl convincingly. That same theory exists in the front office of the Cardinals as they approach the 2025 NFL Draft.
Corbin Burnes, Josh Naylor headline new-look Arizona Diamondbacks as spring training gets underway
PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks gear up for the 2025 MLB season with several new faces, headlined by Corbin Burnes and Josh Naylor. After missing the playoffs in 2024, several young players look to use spring training to make the Opening Day roster.
New year, same sand: Beach volleyball makes noise as new season nears for ASU
TEMPE – Arizona State beach volleyball quietly made noise last season, made its first playoff appearance with new coach Kristen Glattfelder and hopes to pile on that success this season.
Baseball’s back: Valley’s Cactus League opens for 78th year of spring training with a few twists
GLENDALE – The Cactus League is ready for its 78th year of spring training. What’s new this season for fans?
Homecoming on the Diamond: Arizona roots run deep for Savannah Banana ballplayers
GLENDALE – Arizona-native and former ASU players kicked off the Savannah Bananas' 2025 World Tour with a special homecoming. Bananas and Party Animals players reflected on their Arizona roots, reconnecting with fans before taking Banana Ball nationwide.
Photo essay: Emiliano Grillo’s hole-in-one on 16th hole stuns 2025 WM Phoenix Open crowd
SCOTTSDALE — Emiliano Grillo dunked a hole-in-one in the second round of the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, sending the crowd into a celebration unlike any other.
All is forgiven: Despite 2024 woes, fans return for WM Phoenix Open
SCOTTSDALE – Many fans shrugged off last year’s woes and returned to the WM Phoenix Open in 2025. It’s hard to pass up the weather, crazy atmosphere and great golf, they say.
Ace up his sleeve: A WM Phoenix Open full of surprises highlighted by Grillo’s hole-in-one on 16
SCOTTSDALE – Round two of the WM Phoenix Open was full of surprises, from Emiliano Grillo’s ace to Jordan Spieth’s late charge to Thomas Detry’s dominance.
From Michael Phelps to Corbin Burnes to Jelly Roll, WM Phoenix Open celebrity pro-am brings out the stars
SCOTTSDALE – From Arizona Diamondbacks players to stars in the entertainment world, celebrities took center stage at the WM Phoenix Open Annexis Pro-Am Wednesday at TPC Scottsdale.
Steven Fisk, Max McGreevy and Will Chandler earn coveted spots in final WM Phoenix Open Monday qualifier
SCOTTSDALE – Fisk, McGreevy and Chandler played their way to the top of the leaderboard to be the final Monday qualifiers in WM Phoenix Open history.
Anticipation rises as WM Phoenix Open looks to deliver unforgettable weekend after bumpy 2024 event
SCOTTSDALE – Following a rough 2024, the WM Phoenix Open will look to deliver a strong and better 2025 tournament as all eyes will remain on hole 16.
Family first: Prized arm Corbin Burnes details decision to join Arizona Diamondbacks
PHOENIX – Corbin Burnes left bigger offers on the table to play for the Diamondbacks and stay close to his wife and three children. Now Burnes looks to help lead the team back to the postseason.
Nick Kurtz defies rookie expectations with stellar Arizona Fall League debut
MESA – After an injury halted a torrid start to his professional career, the Athletics’ No. 2 prospect and fourth overall pick of the 2024 MLB Draft returned to the diamond in the Arizona Fall League and continued to dominate in the batter’s box.
Arizona Fall League proves invaluable for MLB prospects in successful 2024 campaign
SCOTTSDALE – The Arizona Fall League came to a close Saturday as the Salt River Rafters defeated Surprise to win the championship. Before the game, multiple players reflected on their experiences both on and off the field.
Ruben Gallego outspent Kari Lake to win Senate seat but other Arizona races proved money isn’t always enough
WASHINGTON – Big money poured into Arizona’s elections, and the U.S. Senate race between Ruben Gallego and Kari Lake was among the costliest in the country. But the final tallies show that a fundraising edge doesn’t always equate to victory.
Kansas City Royals top prospect Jac Caglianone makes waves in Arizona Fall League debut
PHOENIX – Jac Caglianone, the Royals’ 2024 first-round pick, has had a long year of playing baseball. From competing in fall baseball to the University of Florida’s regular season to 29 games in High Single-A, his 2024 baseball journey ends in the Valley.
Women have led other democracies, but US voters rejected the two who tried – what will it take to elect a female president?
WASHINGTON – With Donald Trump triumphant over Kamala Harris, another four years will pass with a male occupant of the Oval Office. Other countries around the world have elected female national leaders. Why is the US so late to break the glass ceiling?
Election Day 2024: Updates from Arizona voters, polling locations, watch parties and more
PHOENIX – Arizona voters are heading to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots for the presidential election, a U.S. Senate race, nine U.S. House races, 13 state ballot measures and many more state and local races.
Back to school: Arizona Fall League prospects take college stage at GCU Park for Friday showcase
PHOENIX – In the Arizona Fall League, the MLB prospects aim to show their growth in hopes of moving to the major league. However, their growth is just one aspect of the season, as they get unique opportunities to relive or even experience the college atmosphere.
Defensive anchor Mary Shroll keys ASU women’s volleyball hot start entering inaugural Big 12 campaign
TEMPE – Arizona State’s women’s volleyball team is off to a torrid start, and one of the reasons is libero Mary Shroll’s defense. She leads the 11-1 Sun Devils in digs and takes pride in being a vocal floor leader.
Surging Diamondbacks prepare for crucial series against Brewers, hope for healthy lineup
PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks are the top Wild Card team, with a few weeks left in the regular season. As key series loom, the Diamondbacks hope important bats can return to the lineup for the postseason push.
Spring training treasures: Exploring the intersection of baseball and card collecting in Arizona
PHOENIX – Against the backdrop of Arizona's spring training season, there's a thriving sports card market as collectors converge at shows and vendors capitalize on the enthusiasm of baseball fans.
The Lopes’ leap: GCU’s esports powerhouse fuels Arizona’s collegiate gaming boom
PHOENIX – With its massive on-campus esports lounge and early commitment to gaming, Grand Canyon University has cultivated a thriving 2,000-member esports community that is driving the rise of collegiate esports in Arizona.
No funding, no problem: ASU Overwatch stuns esports elites without university’s financial backing
TEMPE – Despite lacking funds and support, ASU's Overwatch esports team defied expectations, climbing into the top 10 national rankings and stunning the collegiate scene.
Cactus League announces highest attendance total since pre-pandemic
PEORIA – In its second full spring training year post-pandemic and league lockout, Arizona’s Cactus League announced an attendance of 1,630,436, its highest since 2019.
Phoenix shines as host city for 2024 Men’s Final Four, passes torch to San Antonio
PHOENIX – After the Final Four concluded Monday, the Phoenix planning committee handed the keys to hosting the Final Four to San Antonio, which will host the event in 2025.
From dusk till dawn: Gilbert Regional Park’s pickleball oasis offers electric atmosphere to draw passionate community
GILBERT – Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport, and Gilbert Regional Park is playing host to one of Arizona’s most thriving pickleball communities.
Freak hand injury (again) means ASU baseball starts season without Nick McLain
TEMPE – After sustaining a hamate bone injury to begin last season, Nick McLain suffered the identical injury to his other hand to begin 2024. ASU baseball is expected to be without the slugger until Pac-12 play.
O Canada! Nick Taylor impresses fans to north by shooting 60 at WM Phoenix Open
SCOTTSDALE – After a weather delay cut short an excellent start, Nick Taylor finished off his first round by shooting an 11-under bogey-free 60 for a five-shot lead, a PGA Tour record. The effort pleased the many Canadians that were in attendance to see it.