Last place? ASU dismisses skeptics who predict poor Big 12 finish
LAS VEGAS – Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham attended his first Big 12 Football Media Day. Picked to finish last in the conference, the Sun Devils and Dillingham say they have improved in the offseason and hope to prove critics wrong.
‘Something to prove’: ASU men’s basketball rebuilds for Big 12 transition with high-profile recruits, transfers
TEMPE – After a disappointing season, ASU men’s basketball revitalizes its roster with top-tier recruits and transfers, aiming for a successful debut in the Big 12 Conference under Coach Hurley’s leadership.
Customs and Border Protection data shows sharp drop in use of force, but accuracy is questioned by migrant advocates
WASHINGTON – After record high use-of-force reports by CBP, the number of incidents has steadily decreased. Advocacy groups have historically had doubts about the accuracy of the data, citing concerns of undercounts and falsehoods.
Nostalgia meets nightlife: Phoenix’s Cobra Arcade Bar, Stardust Pinbar highlight retro gaming resurgence
PHOENIX – Phoenix nightlife is thriving with retro gaming spaces such as Cobra Arcade Bar and Stardust Pinbar. Firebird Pinball repairs and restores arcade and pinball machines and has seen an increase in interest in nostalgic games.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.