Scianna Garcia(she/her/hers)
News Reporter, PhoenixScianna Garcia expects to graduate in December 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in Spanish. Garcia has interned at Times Media Group and Phoenix Magazine.
Latest from Scianna Garcia
‘We were always sovereign’: Hia-Ced O’odham seek federal recognition as a tribe
PHOENIX – In Arizona, 22 federally recognized tribes inhabit nearly every region of the state, but the Hia-Ced O’odham community isn’t one of them. Some members are working to change that, and others believe it may be too difficult to achieve.
Student gumshoes at GCU collaborate with Phoenix police to create shoeprint database
PHOENIX – Grand Canyon University forensic science students and the Phoenix Police Crime Lab are building a local shoeprint database to assist investigators in identifying shoe impressions left at crime scenes.
Vertical farm in Avondale promotes sustainability, technology, water conservation
AVONDALE – The vertical farm OnePointOne has opened in Avondale and is growing a variety of leafy greens and strawberries. Among its benefits, vertical farming uses 99% less water than a traditional farm – which could significantly affect Arizona’s water supply.
See updates from Arizona voters and polling locations on Election Day
PHOENIX – Voters across Arizona headed to the polls to make their voices heard this midterm election. Their votes on candidate races and propositions will determine the future of Arizona. This year, tensions are high as Arizonans decide on a new governor as well as a U.S. senator, among other races.
El Día de los Muertos varía culturalmente, pero el recuerdo sigue siendo el corazón de la conmemoración
PHOENIX – Día de los Muertos ha sido comercializado y se cree que es el “Halloween mexicano”, sigue siendo un día de recuerdo. Quienes celebran también recuerdan los orígenes de la festividad en America, que se remontan a los aztecas.
Observations vary by culture, but remembrance remains the heart of Día de los Muertos
PHOENIX – Although Día de los Muertos has been commercialized and thought to be the “Mexican Halloween,” it remains a day of remembrance. Those who celebrate also remember the origins of the holiday, which reach back to the Aztecs.
Valley animal shelters struggle to ease overcrowding amid economic instability
PHOENIX – Metro Phoenix is experiencing an animal housing crisis of overcrowded animal shelters. Maricopa County Animal Care and Control and the Arizona Humane Society are offering resources to pet owners and rolling out initiatives to get pets out of shelters and into permanent or foster homes.
Inflación, violencia y trabajo, prioridades para votantes latinos, revela encuesta
PHOENIX – UnidosUS y Mi Familia Vota han publicado una encuesta que revela los temas más importantes para los votantes latinos en Arizona en las próximas elecciones. Entre estos se encuentran la inflación, la violencia armada y el aborto.
Empty Bowls event raises money to combat food insecurity, cut food waste
PHOENIX – Arizona nonprofit organization Waste Not raises funds to help food insecurity through its annual Empty Bowls event by selling handcrafted clay bowls. Proceeds go toward rescuing perishable foods from local businesses and delivering it to agencies that feed the hungry.
Corporation Commission: Kevin Thompson aims to reduce utility rates and reverse policymaking role
Mesa City Council member Kevin Thompson said he wants to use his experience to represent Arizonans on the Corporation Commission to ensure consumers are protected and energy grids remain reliable.
Amid high inflation, St. Mary’s Food Bank serves a record number of people in need
PHOENIX – A record-breaking 50,000 families visited the Phoenix and Surprise locations of St. Mary’s Food Bank just in August. With the cost of living on the rise, Arizonans in need are turning to the food bank to help make ends meet.
As Arizona recovers from pandemic, Black entrepreneurs still face challenges
PHOENIX – The 2022 State of Black Business report revealed that although Black business owners still have the lowest entrepreneurship rate nationally, they contribute significantly to Arizona’s economy. But entrepreneurs like Fernanda Sayles, owner of FernDiggidy Sweets & Treats, have prevailed despite hardships.
Ban on sexually explicit materials in Arizona schools set to take effect
PHOENIX – A state law banning any materials in public schools that contain sexual content takes effect this week, and critics worry self-censoring will put more stress on already overburdened teachers.
Arizona hopes to reduce enormous teacher shortage through mentoring, paid tuition
PHOENIX – The Arizona Teacher Residency is a first-of-its-kind graduate program, modeled on a traditional medical residency. It offers student teachers a two-year term in which they will receive in-classroom experience, a living stipend, a master’s degree from NAU and a job in a partnering school district. The program’s first cohort has been placed in three Title I districts.
AmeriCorps grant gives Arizona food banks more resources to help food insecurity
MESA – AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, has granted $180,000 to the Arizona Food Bank Network to fund 33 VISTA positions in the state. VISTA workers will dedicate a year to giving back to food insecure communities.
Women’s group works to eliminate food insecurities in south Phoenix
PHOENIX – A group of women helped develop the Phoenix Food Action Plan, which works to eliminate food deserts in Phoenix and improve accessibility to healthful, affordable food.
Un grupo de mujeres trabaja para eliminar la inseguridad alimentaria en el sur de Phoenix
PHOENIX - Un grupo de mujeres ayudó a desarrollar el plan de acción alimentario del sur de Phoenix. Sus ideas y proyectos contribuyen al objetivo de eliminar los desiertos de alimentos en Phoenix y de combatir los problemas de accesibilidad que enfrentan muchos.