Search result for Cronkite News Staff

Report: Alex Meruelo is stepping away from Arizona Coyotes’ ownership

PHOENIX – Alex Meruelo and the Coyotes were set to bid on and secure a 110-acre plot of land to build an arena and an entertainment district in north Phoenix. However, the auction was canceled and now Meruelo has told Coyotes staff he is walking away from ownership, according to a report.

The Arizona Coyotes had an arena and entertainment district planned in north Phoenix before an auction was canceled by the Arizona State Land Department. (Rendering courtesy of Arizona Coyotes)

Family, legacy and leadership: Nate Tibbetts makes mark in WNBA debut season with Phoenix Mercury

PHOENIX – Many criticized the Phoenix Mercury for hiring Nate Tibbetts, who had no prior experience coaching in the WNBA. However, the South Dakota native is building a “family atmosphere” thanks to inspiration from his family, coaches and players.

Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts is 'proud' and 'thankful' to follow in his father's footsteps after spending most of his career in the NBA. (Photo by Shirell Washington/Cronkite News)

Ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s quest for vengeance faces test in Rep. Eli Crane’s primary

WASHINGTON – Freshman U.S. Rep. Eli Crane accuses his GOP primary challenger of being a pawn in a revenge plot hatched by Kevin McCarthy. The ousted speaker wants payback against Crane, a key player in McCarthy’s own downfall only a year after he’d pumped big money into helping Crane get to Congress.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Eli Crane and former Yavapai County Supervisor Jack Smith will battle for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District seat in the Republican primary on July 30. (Left: File photo by Ian McKinney/Cronkite News and Right: Photo courtesy of Jack Smith campaign)

Pop fly and shut-eye: This fake baseball podcast is a cure for insomnia

PHOENIX – Fake baseball games as a cure for insomnia? That’s the wish of the Northwoods Sleep Baseball podcast, which hopes you’re not awake in the ninth inning.

The Northwoods Baseball Sleep Radio podcast delivers fake baseball play-by-play in dulcet tones to help listeners fall asleep. (Graphic courtesy of Northwoods Baseball Sleep Radio)

Bill aims to ease teacher shortage at tribal schools by granting federal pensions to educators

WASHINGTON – A proposal in Congress aims to address recruitment and retention problems at Arizona’s tribally run schools by letting their teachers join the federal pension system. The bill is authored by Democratic Reps. Ruben Gallego of Phoenix and Gabe Vasquez of New Mexico.

Theodore Roosevelt School near Fort Apache serves grades six through eight. (Photo courtesy of Theodore Roosevelt School)

Give me an R! Snubbed by Olympics again, cheerleading continues quest for respect

PHOENIX – Despite the hours, risk of injuries and athleticism required, cheerleading is still searching for respect as it seeks to find a place in a future Olympics.

More and more cheer teams are coed, just like the University of Western Ontario’s cheer team. Despite the athleticism involved, cheerleading is still struggling to be accepted as a sport. (Photo courtesy of David-Lee Tracey).

All eyes on Marvin Harrison Jr. as Arizona Cardinals kick off minicamp

TEMPE – As the Cardinals’ offseason winds down, the excitement for the arrival of rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has continued to rise.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray prepares to take snaps during the last practice until preseason camp. (Photo by Shirell Washington/Cronkite News)

‘Voice for the voiceless’: Natasha Cloud, Phoenix Mercury use platform to raise gun safety awareness

PHOENIX — At a Moms Demand Action event in honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Day, the Mercury's Natasha Cloud and members of her team heard emotional stories from gun violence survivors, reinforcing their commitment to advocating for gun reform.

Natasha Cloud, moved by the stories of gun violence survivors, vows to continue her advocacy for safer gun laws. (Photo by Shirell Washington/Cronkite News)

Community, healing and justice: Indigenous journalists share what reporting on repatriation meant to them

PHOENIX – Three Indigenous Cronkite reporters describe how reporting on the repatriation of Native American remains deepened their appreciation for returning ancestors home.

Cronkite News and Howard Center reporters, from left, Christopher Lomahquahu, Aspen Ford and Chad Bradley reported on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and wrote about the experience as Indigenous journalists. (Photo by Aspen Ford/Cronkite News and the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at ASU)

Boosting mental health through haircuts: ClipDart recreates barbershop, salon experience for Glendale older adults

GLENDALE – ClipDart is working to boost mental health for vulnerable community members through the power of quality haircuts. The nonprofit recreates an authentic barbershop and hair salon experience by bringing skilled barbers and hair stylists to people who can’t access these kinds of services.

David Rodriguez cuts Daniel Holguin’s hair, left, while Moraima Robledo gives Maria Castillo, right, a haircut at the Glendale Community Center on April 8, 2024. (Photo by Sam Ballesteros/Cronkite News)

Social equity: Critics say Arizona’s cannabis program did ‘exact opposite’ of what voters intended

PHOENIX – Arizona legalized recreational marijuana and established a social equity ownership program. Critics say the state failed to establish a fair program. We explain how it happened.

Alicia Deals, left, checks in on her colleague, who goes by K.T., while he sorts and packs online orders, on June 3, 2024, at the Cookies dispensary in Tempe. (Photo by Stella Subasic/Cronkite News)

Thousands of college-bound Arizona students still in financial aid ‘limbo’ in wake of FAFSA snafus

WASHINGTON – Five months after the Department of Education rolled out a long-delayed new FAFSA, thousands of students still haven’t completed the form and many still await word on their college aid awards. College administrators are optimistic the problems will unwind through the summer, but Arizona rates remain far below the national average and the same time last year.

Brielle Giesemann, a high school coordinator for the Be A Leader Foundation, helps a student navigate the FAFSA during a FAFSA drive in 2018. (File photo by Stephanie Morse/Cronkite News)