Cronkite News Digest for Thursday, March 28

Here is your Cronkite News lineup for Thursday, March 28. If you have questions on news stories from the Phoenix bureau, please contact Managing Editor of Digital Julia Thompson at 602-496-5050 or julia.thompson.1@asu.edu, while questions about stories from our Washington bureau should go to Steve Crane at 202-684-2398 or steve.crane@asu.edu. Sports story questions can be directed to Paola Boivin at paola.boivin@asu.edu. Clients who want to use Cronkite videos should contact Allysa Adams at 480-580-5502 at aadams1@asu.edu for clean versions. If not linked below, stories promised for today, along with photos and links to multimedia elements, will post to our client site at cronkitenews.jmc.asu.edu/clients. Continue reading “Cronkite News Digest for Thursday, March 28”

Former users and experts debate whether kratom, an herbal substance, helps or harms those who take it

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  • 4 photos, video story available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Nicole Macias Garibay
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – When the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration first intended to categorize kratom, an herbal substance, as a “drug of concern” back in 2016, it was met with resistance causing it to withdraw that designation. Ever since, there has been an ongoing discussion about how kratom helps or harms people.

Continue reading “Former users and experts debate whether kratom, an herbal substance, helps or harms those who take it”

Where flower fields historically grew, the next generation of farmers cultivates south Phoenix

  • Slug: BC-CNS-South Mountain Farmers. 1,050 words.
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By Analisa Valdez
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Older Phoenix residents might recall memories of driving along Baseline Road in the late 1960s and the mile-long stretches of vibrant flower fields that once flourished at the base of South Mountain.

The Japanese Americans who immigrated to the area in the early 1900s started farms that quickly grew into iconic agricultural staples in the South Phoenix area. According to Kathryn Nakagawa, daughter of the original Nakagawa flower field owner, seven main Japanese American families were the driving force behind the booming, blooming businesses on Baseline. They persisted even after the families faced incarceration in internment camps during World War II, until slowly selling their farmlands off in the early 2000s.

Despite the era of the Japanese flower farms having come to an end – the hundreds of acres of floral fields having now been replaced by blocks of housing and urban development – the environment at the base of South Mountain continues to offer plentiful opportunities for the next generation of farmers.

Continue reading “Where flower fields historically grew, the next generation of farmers cultivates south Phoenix”

Affordable Care Act celebrates 14th anniversary following jump in enrollment, continuing political discord

  • Slug: BC-CNS-ACA Anniversary. 460 words.
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By Vanessa Pimentel
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – On Tuesday morning, health care advocates and others gathered at the Valle del Sol Community Health Center in central Phoenix to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.

The Affordable Care Act is a comprehensive health care reform law enacted in March 2010 and is sometimes known as ACA or “Obamacare.” During the 2024 open enrollment period, a record 21.3 million people across the country selected an ACA Health Insurance Marketplace plan. The number of Arizonans covered by the ACA rose more than 110,000 during the year, to 348,055, also a record.

Despite its increasing adoption, the ACA continues to be a controversial topic in the political arena.

Continue reading “Affordable Care Act celebrates 14th anniversary following jump in enrollment, continuing political discord”

Tohono O’odham Nation receives grant to expand internet connectivity

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By David Ulloa Jr.
Cronkite News

TOHONO O’ODHAM NATION – In a vibrant building adorned with murals on the grounds of Tohono O’odham Community College, students gather in a classroom around a U-shaped table. Here, under the guidance of Marvin Carmen, the course instructor, they learn the fundamentals of email composition. With focused attention, they absorb Carmen’s instructions on writing recipients in the “To” section, crafting subjects for their messages and formatting mock emails for practice.

Continue reading “Tohono O’odham Nation receives grant to expand internet connectivity”

Tribes, feds spar before Supreme Court over who pays for health care

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By Ian McKinney
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – The San Carlos Apache said Monday that the federal government owes it $3 million for health care services, one of two tribes arguing before the Supreme Court for more support from the Indian Health Service.

But attorneys for the government argued that allowing tribes to claim additional overhead costs for the health care they provide their members would strap the system, and end up siphoning away money for care of Native Americans in other tribes. Continue reading “Tribes, feds spar before Supreme Court over who pays for health care”

Phoenix-area Black businesses face challenges with start-up capital

EDs: An early version of this story included an incorrect photo credit. The caption below has been corrected, but clients who used the previous version are asked to run the correction found here.

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Black Businesses. 520 words.
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By Huston Dunston Jr.
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – There is a small but growing number of Black-owned businesses in Arizona. One of the challenges that they face is getting the money to start.

Brownstone Spa in Phoenix is owned by Stacy Best-Nervis. The spa has customized services for men and women of color, who often experience skin issues that are not easily identified due to the absence of training and expertise at other facilities and esthetic schools, according to the spa’s website. It says the business offers skin consultations, body treatments, customized facials and advanced treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion and dermaplane treatments.

When asked about challenges in starting her business, Best-Nervis said “gaining capital and getting your finances together” was tough. “As a Black-owned business, there are stats that show it is harder for us to get capital.” She started her business five years ago and said she’s proud she can provide services in the skin care industry for those who haven’t been able to get proper care or treatment.

According to the State of Black Business 2022 report, there were 1,019 Black-owned businesses in greater Phoenix, or 1% of employer firms. The report said it would take almost 5,000 more Black-owned businesses in the area for the number to match population representation.

Continue reading “Phoenix-area Black businesses face challenges with start-up capital”

$1.2 trillion budget bill, racing against shutdown, funds more border security

EDS: UPDATES lede and second graf to reflect early-morning Senate vote. No other changes. Will not be led.

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By Ian McKinney
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Lawmakers have approved a $1.2 trillion package of budget bills that includes funding for 42,000 new beds in migrant detention facilities and for the hiring of an additional 22,000 Border Patrol agents.

The House voted 286-134 for the bill early Friday afternoon and the Senate approved it 74-24 shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday – stopping a government shutdown that was scheduled to take effect at midnight Friday if no budget had passed. President Joe Biden has said he will sign a bill as soon as Congress gets it to him.

The bill passed the House despite substantial opposition from Republicans, who said it was rushed through and contained what they called giveaways to Democrats. Rep. Eli Crane, R-Oro Valley, called the measure “a complete disaster.” Continue reading “$1.2 trillion budget bill, racing against shutdown, funds more border security”

‘Downwinder’ renewal left out of massive budget bill rushed through Congress

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By Lillie Boudreaux
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The $1.2 trillion budget package that Congress was working to pass Friday included everything from protection for gas stoves to restrictions on payments to the Chinese government.

What it didn’t include was an extension for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which compensates people who lived downwind from nuclear test sites and developed cancer as a result.

Family members of such “downwinders,” like Cullin Pattillo of Mohave County, said they felt “disgust” at Congress’ lack of action. Continue reading “‘Downwinder’ renewal left out of massive budget bill rushed through Congress”

Mobile maternity care clinics work to expand prenatal care accessibility

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Inequitable Prenatal Care. 1,420 words.
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By Mia Milinovich
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Minority communities without access to adequate prenatal care often suffer high maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates. In Arizona, approximately 1 in 6 infants in 2022 was born to a woman who didn’t get adequate prenatal care.

Mobile maternity care clinics are making a difference by bringing prenatal care into communities where it’s needed. These maternity care clinics, on wheels, connect expectant mothers to accessible and timely medical services.

Continue reading “Mobile maternity care clinics work to expand prenatal care accessibility”

Feds award Intel $8.5 billion; money to expand Chandler, other chip plants

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By Lillie Boudreaux
Cronkite News

CHANDLER – President Joe Biden announced the award of $8.5 billion to chipmaker Intel on Wednesday, along with $11 billion in loans that will help the semiconductor manufacturer expand operations in Arizona and three other states.

The grant, the largest to date under the CHIPS and Science Act, will let Intel upgrade current facilities in Chandler and construct what the company says will be two “leading edge” facilities there, making it the largest chipmaking location in the country when it opens in late 2025. The Chandler project is expected to create 3,000 manufacturing jobs along with 7,000 construction jobs. Continue reading “Feds award Intel $8.5 billion; money to expand Chandler, other chip plants”

Biden y Trump logran victoria en elecciones de preferencia presidencial en Arizona 

  • Nombre: CN-BiTrAZ. 531 palabras.
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Por Maria Garcia
Cronkite Noticias

PHOENIX — El presidente Joe Biden y el expresidente Donald Trump obtuvieron la victoria en las elecciones presidenciales de preferencia este martes en Arizona. Los votantes tuvieron la primera oportunidad de seleccionar formalmente al candidato que representaría a su partido.

Continue reading “Biden y Trump logran victoria en elecciones de preferencia presidencial en Arizona “

‘Smokus Pocus’ cannabis-themed magic show aims to destigmatize marijuana use

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By Donovan Growney
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – With the benefits of cannabis legalization still being debated throughout the country, one traveling magician is trying to destigmatize its use.

Ben Zabin brought his “Smokus Pocus” show to Phoenix earlier this month as part of his nationwide tour.

Zabin described the show as projecting a laid back and humorous atmosphere that includes “pretty crazy stuff” with bongs, lighters and jars of weed. Though recreational cannabis was legalized in Arizona in 2020, Zabin said that his show helps to destigmatize the use of cannabis and empower cannabis users nationwide.

Continue reading “‘Smokus Pocus’ cannabis-themed magic show aims to destigmatize marijuana use”

Home away from home: Third spaces reemerging for community engagement, social development following COVID-19 impact

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By Analisa Valdez
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – There’s something that occurs in a coffee shop when a series of individuals preparing for their day cross paths in a shared space. A man stops inside for a bite to eat, a woman keeps to herself and studies diligently in the corner, one barista wipes off tables while the other takes orders, and a young woman on the porch sketches in her notepad. While these people only interact partially with one another, what they’ve essentially created in this unassuming coffee shop is what is known as a “third space.”

In sociology, a third space is defined as a place outside of the traditional first spaces – like a person’s home or place of residency – and away from second spaces – like work or school – to create an environment where attendance doesn’t feel like a requirement or chore. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these spaces closed, keeping people in isolation even after the major lockdown protocols had expired. Much of the population sequestered themselves in their homes.

Continue reading “Home away from home: Third spaces reemerging for community engagement, social development following COVID-19 impact”

Despite lingering challenges, Trump, Biden cruise to victories in Arizona

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By Lillie Boudreaux
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump cruised to victory in Arizona’s presidential preference election Tuesday, easily outdistancing challengers despite an organized protest vote and former challengers who were still on the ballot.

In early returns, Biden had 89.7% of votes from Democrats, far ahead of the 3.5% for challenger Marianne Williamson. She had been pushed as an alternative by groups calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, who hoped to send a message to Biden over his administration’s support for Israel.

Trump, meanwhile, had 76.7% of the Republican vote compared to 19.8% for Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor – and Trump’s former United Nations ambassador – who dropped out of the race two weeks ago after winning only a handful of delegates in early primary states. Continue reading “Despite lingering challenges, Trump, Biden cruise to victories in Arizona”

Voters hit the polls for Arizona presidential preference election

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Presidential Preference. 690 words.
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By Donovan Growney and Vanessa Pimentel
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes encouraged voters Tuesday to participate in the state’s 2024 presidential preference election, despite the parties’ nominees being all but decided.

Starting at 6 a.m., the polls opened for Arizonans to vote for who they want the presidential nominee to be for their respective parties. While President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are the presumptive nominees for the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively, several candidates in each party were still listed on the ballots.

Continue reading “Voters hit the polls for Arizona presidential preference election”

Organizations assist Native American voters as election year ramps up

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By John Sanders
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – As voters headed to the polls Tuesday to vote in the presidential preference election, Native Americans in Arizona continued to work within a system that has challenged their ability to vote for decades. With new legislation affecting the upcoming election in November, the challenge just got harder for Native Americans looking to exercise their voting rights.

In 2021, 19 states enacted 33 laws that target voting rights, which the Brennan Center For Justice characterized as restrictive legislation. Organizations around the country have been assisting people affected by these laws.

Continue reading “Organizations assist Native American voters as election year ramps up”

State officials warn of potentially ‘explosive’ wildfires this summer

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By Martin Dreyfuss
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Forestry officials said Arizona is on the verge of a volatile wildfire season, and they urged state residents to be prepared and to take steps now to head off the worst of it.

“The first day of any firefight starts with the actions and efforts that we do today,” said Aaron Casem, the prevention officer at the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

He was speaking at a news conference Monday where state officials said a wet winter spurred excessive growth of vegetation that has the potential to become a “heavy fuel load” for fires as the state dries out this summer. Continue reading “State officials warn of potentially ‘explosive’ wildfires this summer”

Presidential nominees already picked, but Arizona voters still have options

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By Reagan Priest
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Joe Biden and Donald Trump have already locked up their parties’ presidential nominations, but that doesn’t mean Arizona voters won’t have a choice when they cast ballots Tuesday in the state’s presidential preference election.

The question is how many voters exercise that choice.

Democrats angry with Biden’s stance on Gaza are urging a protest vote to show their displeasure, while Trump critics can pick from eight other – former – GOP candidates whose names are still on the ballot. Continue reading “Presidential nominees already picked, but Arizona voters still have options”