From New Zealand to Phoenix Rising: Footballers play abroad to pursue pro soccer goals
CHANDLER - New Zealand does not have a professional men’s soccer league. How two Phoenix Rising players sought out opportunities abroad to keep their dream alive of playing professional soccer.
Poverty rate climbed in 2020, but pandemic assistance blunted losses
WASHINGTON - The U.S. poverty rate rose from 10.5% to 11.4% last year, reversing years of steady declines, but that increase in poverty was offset by pandemic relief funds and other benefits, according to new Census Bureau data.
Following tragedies, Central High School finds comfort in its football community
PHOENIX - Coping with the losses of a player’s younger brother and the team’s former captain in the past four months, the Central High football team now uses the field as its sanctuary.
Phoenix Rising at midseason: Experts weigh in on expectations, challenges
PHOENIX – Phoenix Rising has reached midseason with 41 points in their 20 games. They sit comfortably atop their division but still face road tests and a battle for top seed and home-pitch advantage in the USL playoffs.
Child welfare systems face additional challenges during pandemic
Systems meant to deal with abused and neglected children are facing many new challenges in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which put many parents out of work and many families on the streets.
Surge in COVID-19 puts state on pace to hit 1 million cases next week
WASHINGTON - Arizona is on pace to record its 1 millionth COVID-19 infection within the next week, and health experts fear that kids in schools and the looming Labor Day holiday will only make matters worse.
From farm to table, immigrants feed America
Immigrants held together every sector of American life during the COVID-19 pandemic yet faced inequities and little help.
In rush to restore budget earmarks, Arizona lawmakers made modest asks
WASHINGTON - When Congress restored budget earmarks this year, 332 House members rushed in with $7.1 billion in special requests to fund local projects. Arizona lawmakers were part of that rush, but with requests that were relatively modest compared to the rest of the House.
Arizonans in Tokyo: Athletes with local ties to watch in the Tokyo Olympics
PHOENIX - Team USA has over 600 athletes competing at Tokyo 2020. Nineteen of those athletes hail from the state of Arizona. Here’s a list of the Arizona athletes you’ll see at the games.
‘We had to keep going’: After COVID setbacks, Navajo police chief looks forward
WINDOW ROCK – Navajo Police Chief Phillip Francisco reflects on a year of resilience after COVID-19 put the department’s limited resources to the test.
California’s college athletes eye their first payday under new NCAA rule
LOS ANGELES – The NCAA recently changed the collegiate game forever by allowing players the right to profit off their name, image and likeness.
Destination Mars: Elon Musk’s plan to colonize space starts with test flight this month
PHOENIX – In his quest to start a colony on Mars, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is launching his Starship into orbit this month to test whether it’s possible to send passengers safely into space and to other planets. NASA’s ultimate goal also is to explore Mars.
