Here is the Cronkite News lineup for Monday, March 9. Please contact Steve Crane in the Washington, D.C., bureau at 202-684-2398 or steve.crane@asu.edu or Steve Elliott in the Phoenix bureau at 602-496-0686 or steve.elliott@asu.edu if you have questions on news stories. Please contact Christina Leonard at christina.leonard@asu.edu or 602-496-5241 with questions on business stories. Please contact Brett Kurland at bkurland@asu.edu or 602-496-5134 with questions on sports stories. Stories promised for today along with photos and links to multimedia elements will move on our client site at cronkitenews.jmc.asu.edu/clients.
NOTE: The news bureaus will resume production Monday, March 16. Here are sports stories planned for today.
TODAY’S NEWS
IN SPORTS
Danny Granger finally arrives
PHOENIX – It has been over two weeks since a crazy NBA trade deadline. One of many players the Suns acquired was verteran forward Danny Granger. He has finally reported to the team and hopes to get 100% healthy, with an eye on the future.
Slug: Sports-SunsGranger. About 500 words. By Nick Shaw
Video story by Nick Lamoureux planned
ETA: By 5 p.m.
WEEKEND SPORTS
New Coyotes celebrate their first victory in Arizona
GLENDALE – John Moore and Klas Dahlbeck came to Arizona just before the NHL trade deadline, but it wasn’t until last night that they picked up their first victory in a Coyotes uniform, snapping a 10-game losing streak for the team. Moore and Dahlbeck talk about what it’s been like coming to Arizona, breaking the losing streak, and being able to get more minutes in Arizona than in their former cities.
Slug: Sports-CoyotesEndStreak. About 500 words. By Justin Cabrera
Video story available, photo available
Suns make “smart” moves at U.S. Airways Center
PHOENIX – The Suns have made several improvements via smart technology at U.S. Airways Center, trying to make the arena one of the most technologically advanced arenas in the NBA.
Slug: Sports-SunsArenaTech. About 500 words. By Nick Smith
Photo available
Sun Devils’ NFL Draft hopefuls showcase their skills at pro day
TEMPE – Receiver Jaelen Strong and other ASU football stars try to impress NFL scouts at the school’s annual pro day, in preparation for the NFL Draft that begins on April 30.
Slug: Sports-ASUProDay. About 500 words. By Nick Shaw
Photo available
WEEKEND SPECIALS
Lawmaker, students push bill to make copper an official symbol of Arizona
PHOENIX – What started as a class project by an Oro Valley school students and could wind up making copper an official state symbol. Arizona already has a state gemstone (turquoise) and state fossil (petrified wood), but Jennifer Royer, a teacher at Copper Creek Elementary, has been working with students for three years to promote a place for copper as state metal. They approached their state senator, Republican Steve Smith of Maricopa. The result: Smith’s SB 1441, which has passed the Senate and won unanimous approval Thursday from the House Government and Higher Education Committee.
Slug: Honoring Copper. 440 words. By Kelcie Grega.
Photo, video story and interactive quiz available.
Bill would allow dyslexic kids exemptions from Move on When Reading law
PHOENIX – Under Arizona’s Move On When Reading law, as of this school year third-graders whose reading scores fall “far below” average on a statewide assessment won’t advance to fourth grade. Saying that could discourage children with dyslexia, a state lawmaker wants to provide students with the learning disability an opportunity to move on regardless. “Kids feel like they’re just dumb, and they aren’t dumb. They are quite brilliant,” said Sen. Kelli Ward, R-Lake Havasu City.
Slug: Move On-Dyslexia. About 600 words. By Summer Pauli.
Photo and video story planned.
Groundbreaking outside State Capitol for memorial honoring fallen firefighters
PHOENIX – At the groundbreaking Friday for a memorial honoring firefighters killed in the line of duty, Gov. Doug Ducey said firefighters should be honored in every way possible. “Every day courageous men and women charge into danger in selfless defense of people and property. They risk their own lives to save those perfect strangers,” he said. “That kind of heroism is unique and un-repayable.” The monument will be outside the State Capitol building in Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, near memorials to 9/11 and World War II.
Slug: Firefighter Memorial. 425 words. By Mackenzie Concepcion.
Photos and video story available
Tempe hockey retailer expands from online to physical space
TEMPE – Sauce Hockey started in a Tempe garage with six T-shirts, two hats and a website.
The hockey lifestyle clothing retailer has since become an international company with offices in the U.S. and Canada. Six months ago, Sauce expanded from a digital-only retailer to setting up a physical store in its offices above World of Beer on Mill Avenue. It’s an unusual business move – one that experts say goes against the current. But the owners said it is a first step toward a larger vision.
Slug: BIZ-Sauce. 800 words. By Will Sowards.
Photo available
GOP lawmakers push bills aplenty aiming to boost state sovereignty vs. federal control
PHOENIX – Republicans legislators are once again pressing legislation aimed at asserting Arizona’s authority over federal land and dictates from Washington. One of the bills would allow authorized state employees to enforce off-highway vehicle regulations on any land. Another would prohibit the state of local governments from using any resources to enforce, administer or cooperate with any Environmental Protection Agency changes involving “waters of the U.S.” Of at least seven bills related to state sovereignty, perhaps none goes as far as HB 2321, authored by Brenda Barton, R-Payson, which calls for the federal government to transfer title to all public lands in Arizona by Dec. 31, 2019.
Slug: Sovereignty Bills. About 900 words. By Rebecca Brisley.
Sidebar: The bills.
Photos.video story available.
Inspectors find dead rodent, undated food at some Cactus League ballpark eateries
PHOENIX – Spring training fans: Before you bite into that hot dog or sip that lemonade, you might want to check out the place you bought it from first. Of the nine ballparks Maricopa County officials visited during the past two years, inspectors found at least one violation at an eatery in the majority of them. The violations ranged from finding a dead rodent in the kitchen to witnessing an employee wipe down a counter with a dirty cloth. However, many individual ballpark vendors passed health inspections without any major problems and earned “A” grades from the county’s environmental services department.
Slug: BIZ-Ballpark inspections. 700 words. By Amelia Goe.
Sidebars: Spring training stadiums; types of inspection violations.
Story map available. (Embed code with story)
Photos available.
Legislature poised to send Washington messages on Keystone, carbon, more
PHOENIX – Conservatives in the Arizona Legislature can’t change anything about the Keystone XL pipeline that would transport oil from the tar sands of Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Or the Endangered Species Act. Or federal rules on reducing carbon emissions. But that isn’t stopping them from trying to send a message in the form of several memorials – postcards of sorts that share the Legislature’s sentiments on issues.
Slug: Memorial Messages. 680 words. By Samantha Shotzbarger.
Bill would create driver’s licenses complying with REAL ID – for a price
PHOENIX – City Councilwoman Kate Gallego flew to the nation’s capital last week to discuss the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to flooding in her district. But she couldn’t enter FEMA headquarters until someone shipped her passport from home. That’s because Arizona is one of the few states with driver’s licenses that don’t meet standards set by the REAL ID Act of 2005, which aims to make identification more resistant to fraud by would-be terrorists and others. A state lawmaker wants to give Arizonans the opportunity to obtain licenses that comply with REAL ID – if they pay for them.
Slug: REAL ID. 875 words. By Karla Liriano.
Sidebar: REAL ID implementation stages.
Photo and video story available.
Latest Obamacare challenge at Supreme Court could affect 155,000 Arizonans
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard the latest challenge to Obamacare – one that could affect the federal health insurance assistance that more than 155,000 Arizonans currently receive, depending on how the court ultimately rules. King v. Burwell challenges federal tax credits for people who got their insurance in one of the 34 states – like Arizona – that don’t have their own state-run marketplace. One Arizona health care expert said the court’s decision could be a “game-changer” for the state if it causes people to lose their assistance. But opponents of the Affordable Care Act say this could be a chance to “unwind as much of Obamacare as possible.”
Slug: BC-CNS-Scotus Obamacare. 910 words. By Jessica Boehm.
File photos available.
Outgoing state health director reflects on six years at agency’s helm
PHOENIX – Will Humble’s first years as head of the Arizona Department of Health Services focused as much on keeping the agency running amid state funding cuts as improving public health in Arizona. As he prepared to leave the post Tuesday, Humble said his proudest accomplishments assembling diverse groups of stakeholders to improve regulation, responses to cardiac arrest and the behavioral health system. “Some of the biggest and most important accomplishments are the things that nobody’s heard of,” Humble said in an interview with Cronkite News.
Slug: Humble Departs. 700 words. By Samantha Incorvaia.
Photo available.
Technology: ASU opens biomimicry center
PHOENIX – Imagine looking back to nature to find the future of technology. That’s exactly what Arizona State University’s new Biomimicry Center wants to do. Officially launched Tuesday, the center is a joint collaboration between ASU and Montana-based Biomimicry 3.8, a consulting and training firm that works in the field. The center will offer the first master’s degree in biomimicry and will serve as a hub for research and teaching coordination.
Slug: BIZ-Biomimicry. 600 words. By Will Sowards.
Photos available.
Forest community of Williams facing dwindling water supply
WILLIAMS – It’s September, and John Moore gazes out across the Santa Fe Reservoir, his wide-brimmed, felt cowboy hat tilted back so he can see. In the clear, calm water of the reservoir is the reflection of Bill Williams Mountain, the town’s namesake. Wildflowers line the banks of the reservoir. It would be easy to think nothing’s wrong. Moore, who owns a hotel, bar and restaurant in town, has been mayor of Williams for seven years, and he has lived there for 28 years. Never has he seen the reservoir – one of five that provide water to the town of 3,000 people – so low. And never has he been so worried because years of drought coupled with a collapsed municipal well have brought the town uncomfortably close to running out of water. In February, the town went into level four water restrictions, the highest level of restrictions that prohibits the use of water for anything other than public health or emergencies.
Slug: Williams Water. 2100 words. By Kristen Hwang.
Video story available on Vimeo,
State out to certify more Tai Chi instructors to help reduce falls among elderly
PHOENIX – Patricia Burns said she began Tai Chi because she was suffering from lower back problems in middle age. “I was looking for something to do that was low-impact. This fit the bill and I started doing it,” she said. The Arizona Department of Health Services is looking to certify more Tai Chi instructors to help prevent falls among Arizona’s aging population.
Slug: Tai Chi-Falls. 475 words. By Mackenzie Concepcion.
Sidebar: About tai chi.
Photo available, tai chi video available on YouTube.
Bill advancing to eliminate quotas for traffic tickets
PHOENIX – A bill advancing at the state Legislature would prohibit law enforcement agencies from establishing quotas for traffic citations or determining officers’ ranks or assignments based on the number of citations issued. Groups representing police officers support the change, but a lobbyist for an association of state police chiefs says there are no quotas in Arizona and that the bill would usurp local control.
Slug: Ticket Quotas. 750 words. By Karla Liriano.
Sidebar: About the bill.
File photo planned.
State lawmaker proposes a lieutenant governor for Arizona
PHOENIX – Given Arizona’s history of turnover in the governor’s office, the state would benefit from having a lieutenant governor who runs on the same ticket, a state lawmaker says. Arizona is among a handful of states that doesn’t have a lieutenant governor.
Slug: Lieutenant Governor. 710 words. By Sophia Kunthara.
Sidebar: The bills.
File photo available.
New tech trend: Gamification injects gaming into everyday life
PHOENIX – Have you ever watched “The Walking Dead” while following the bonus features on your tablet? Or had a computer program train you how to do something at work? What about taking a quiz on Facebook or BuzzFeed? If so, you’ve been “gamified.” Schools, companies and other organizations are using gamification to connect teachers, students, workers and other audiences to information and advertising. A couple Arizona companies are helping the industry grow through their own custom-built gamification software options.
Slug: BIZ-Gamification. About 550 words. By Will Sowards.
Photo and slideshow available.
What’s hot in Arizona hospitality this year? Experts share 2015 trends
PHOENIX – With guests returning to hotels and resorts, industry leaders are adding new features to create vibrant guest experiences across the state. Experts share hospitality trends for 2015. They include: One Scottsdale resort encourages its spa guests to make their own custom-blended body lotions. A Lake Havasu City resort recently added a family package to attract multi-generational travelers. And attendants armed with tablets now allow guests at a Sedona resort to check in curbside.
Slug: BIZ-Hospitality. 1,000 words. By Amelia Goe.
Photos and story map available (embed code with story).
Goldwater report: Arizona has among most burdensome licensing requirements in U.S.
All kinds of professions – barbers, electricians, taxicab drivers – need government-issued licenses to work in Arizona. But obtaining those licenses isn’t necessarily easy. Some licenses cost as much as $209, and some require as long as a year of training, according to a new report from the Goldwater Institute. Arizona has among the most burdensome licensing requirements in the United States, the report said. The result: Fewer low-income workers launch their own businesses here.
Slug: BIZ-licensing. 550 words. By Amy Edelen.
THE WEEK’S NEWS
Census Bureau: Percentage of Arizonans on food stamps dropped from 2012 to 2013
PHOENIX – A drop in the percentage of Arizonans receiving food stamps from 2012 to 2013 likely points to an improving state economy, a public policy expert said. Chris Herbst, an associate professor in Arizona State University’s School of Public Affairs, noted that Arizona’s unemployment rate dropped during that period. A U.S. Census Bureau report released this week estimated that in 2013 13.5 percent of Arizona households – 323,000 in all – had received benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the previous 12 months. That placed the state right at the national average.
Slug: SNAP Recipients. About 500 words. By Hunter Marrow.
Sicebar: Rates by year; maximum benefits.
Photo and Google Fusion map available.
Report: Arizona ranked high for number of renewable-energy industry jobs in 2014
WASHINGTON – Arizona was fifth-highest in the nation for the number of clean-energy jobs posted in 2014, driven by strong numbers in the first half of the year, according to the latest report by Environmental Entrepreneurs. The report – which does not track actually hiring but the number of renewable-energy job announcements instead – said Arizona companies announced plans to hire 3,402 in the first half of last year, enough for fifth place even with no job announcements in the second half of the year. Most of those jobs came from a single solar-power project near Yuma.
Slug: BC-CNS-Renewable Jobs. 400 words. By Miranda Leo.
Sidebar: Top 10 states, job numbers.
File photo available.
Giffords says “now is the time” to fight for bill closing gun-sales loophole
WASHINGTON – Former Rep. Gabby Giffords returned to Washington Wednesday to throw her support behind a bill to require background checks for firearms bought online and at gun shows. “Now is the time to come together to be responsible – Democrat, Republican, everyone. We must never stop fighting,” Giffords said. The Democrat was at a 2011 event in Tucson when a gunman opened fire, killing six and wounding 13, including Giffords, who has since fought for “responsible” gun laws. Bipartisan sponsors of the bill said they were optimistic, even though a similar bill in the last Congress had 188 co-sponsors but was never brought up for a vote.
Slug: BC-CNS-Giffords’ Plea. 630 words. By Kristen Hwang.
Photos, video story available.
Justices split in hearing on Obamacare challenge that could have broad implications
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court appeared split Wednesday as justices questioned lawyers in the most recent challenge to Obamacare, a lawsuit that says the federal government should not be allowed to offer financial help to some insurance customers. Loss of that subsidy could affect millions nationally and more than 155,000 Arizonans who currently receive the benefit. Challengers said the tax credits should not be available in states like Arizona that have not established state-run health insurance exchanges – the strict wording of the law. But Justice Anthony Kennedy, a potential swing vote, asked them whether eliminating the federal benefit would have the effect of coercing states into setting up marketplaces. Eds: Can run with BC-CNS-Court Rally.
Slug: BC-CNS-ACA Arguments. 520 words. By Jessica Boehm.
Photos, video story available.
Protesters on both sides of Obamacare case sing, shout to make opinions known at court
WASHINGTON – Dozens of protestors on both sides of the Obamacare debate turned out on an overcast Washington morning Wednesday to make their opinions heard, as justices inside the court heard arguments in the case of King v. Burwell. Medical professionals faith leaders and regular citizens who could be affected by the outcome of the case were all in attendance, with one side playing pop music and the other shouting through a megaphone. Some protestors came from as far as Texas or Indianapolis to make noise in a debate that could affect possibly millions of Americans. Eds: Can run with BC-CNS-ACA Arguments.
Slug: BC-CNS-Court Rally. 620 words. By Miranda Leo.
Photos available,
Two Arizona cities named among Top 20 hardest working in U.S.
PHOENIX – A recent survey indicates some Arizonans may be among the hardest working people in the country. Seven Arizona cities appeared on WalletHub’s list of “Hardest Working Cities in America” for 2015. But only Gilbert and Scottsdale ranked in the Top 20.
Slug: BIZ-Hard Working. 400 words. By Carina Dominguez.
CDC: Death rate from heroin surges across U.S. between 2000 and 2013
PHOENIX – The nation’s rate of deaths from heroin overdoses rose four-fold between 2000 and 2013, according a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the report doesn’t offer data for Arizona – and state officials say they’re unable to provide a figure – the CDC said the problem is worsening across the West. Experts and advocates say there’s no doubt that Arizona is part of that trend.
Slug: Heroin Deaths. 420 words. By Mackenzie Concepcion.
File photo, infographic available.
Congress votes to fund Department of Homeland Security
WASHINGTON – The House ended months of contentious debate Tuesday and approved a “clean” Department of Homeland Security budget for the rest of this fiscal year that does not try to overturn President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration. Partisan wrangling over previous versions of the budget – which would have blocked funding for the president’s actions to protect more than 4 million immigrants from deportation – had already taken the DHS to the verge of shutdown last week, with another deadline this weekend. Rep. Martha McSally, R-Tucson, was one of 75 Republicans who joined all Democrats to pass the clean bill on a 257-167 vote. But critics said the budget allowed an unconstitutional overreach by the president.
Slug: BC-CNS-DHS Finally. 610 words. By Kristen Hwang.
File photo available.
Lawmakers have questions about request to authorize U.S. military force in Syria
WASHINGTON – House members had questions Tuesday about the White House’s request to use military force against the Islamic State, with some wondering if the authorization didn’t go far enough and others asking if the U.S. was working with the wrong partners. Rep. Martha McSally, R-Tucson, a veteran of Air Force missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, expressed concerns during a House Armed Services Committee hearing with what she saw as arbitrary limitations on the use of ground troops.
Slug: BC-CNS-Syria Force. 610 words. By Miranda Leo.
Photos available.
Lawmaker seeks 1,000-foot buffer between marijuana-production facilities, homes
PHOENIX – Citing the case of a medical marijuana-cultivation facility approved for a site directly across a canal from homes in north Phoenix, a state lawmaker is proposing minimum 1,000-foot buffer from houses and 1,320 feet from schools and places of worship.
Slug: Medical Marijuana. 545 words. By Kelcie Grega.
Photo, video story available.
Both sides questioned by Supreme Court justices in Arizona redistricting case
WASHINGTON – A divided Supreme Court grilled both sides Monday during arguments in the Arizona Legislature’s lawsuit seeking to overturn the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission as unconstitutional. Lawmakers said the commission, approved by voters in 2000 in an attempt to take politics out of the redistricting process, went too far by cutting the Legislature completely out of the process, in violation of the Constitution. While Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor asked whether lawmakers even had the right to sue over a voter-approved measure, while Justice Antonin Scalia challenged the commission’s claim that the voters could, in effect, stand in for the legislature.
Slug: BC-CNS-Scotus Redistricting. 720 words. By Miranda Leo.
Photo, video available.
Businesses in Flagstaff welcome winter storm
FLAGSTAFF – The winter storm rolling through Flagstaff on Monday may have closed public schools and forced offices to work with skeleton staffs, but it’s a welcome treat for many Flagstaff businesses. The northern Arizona city relies on its winter economy, officials said. And so far, it’s been mostly dry. Business leaders expect this storm to bring a bump to revenues, tax collections and hotel occupancy.
Slug: BIZ-Snow. 550 words. By Meryl Fishler and Carina Dominguez.
Sidebar: Flagstaff tourism by the numbers.
Photos available.
Activists decry incarceration of transgender immigrant seeking asylum
PHOENIX – Activists turned out in pouring rain Monday to protest the detention of a transgender Guatemalan woman at an all-male prison in Florence. They contend that Nicoll Hernández-Polanco, who is seeking asylum because of persecution in her home country, is enduring sexual abuse and should be removed from the facility.
Slug: Transgender Immigrant. 490 words. By Julian Lopez.
Photo, video story available.
Federal officials reject Arizona’s construction worker safety plan
PHOENIX – Federal officials have rejected an Arizona construction worker safety plan, saying it doesn’t go far enough to protect employees. Residential construction sites must now follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety standards when it comes to fall protection. The state can create new requirements of its own, but one federal official said that’s not likely to happen. One construction industry representative called the federal regulations unnecessary, and he said following those guidelines could cause more harm than good.
Slug: BIZ-OSHA. 550 words. By Carina Dominguez.
Photo, timeline available. (timeline embed code included with story)
Diamondbacks event calls attention to developmental disabilities
SCOTTSDALE – While high schoolers Michael Watts and Justin Muir played in a forest made of swim noodles, Eric Robinette grabbed the microphone to belt out a song. To call attention to National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March, the Arizona Diamondbacks converted part of their spring training facility into a space where kids could experience the benefit of working in teams to refine their motor skills – and having fun in the process.
Slug: Awareness Month. 400 words. By Julian Lopez.
Photo, video story available.
THE WEEK IN SPORTS
Coyotes embrace rebuilding
SCOTTSDALE – The Arizona Coyotes unloaded their roster at the NHL trade deadline, shipping away veterans Keith Yandle, Antoine Vermette and Zbynek Michalek. The Coyotes have embraced their need to rebuild their roster, and with the draft as deep as it is this year, there exists a reward for finishing last this season.
Slug: Sports-CoyotesFuture. 600 words. By Justin Emerson.
Video only:
Suns reward seventh graders with trip to NYC
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns are sending 10 seventh graders to New York for winning a contest about sharing what they thought was a “Symbol of Freedom”. The story will show the students artwork, as well as two students explaining what freedom means to them.
Slug: Sports-SunsFreedom. About 1:30. By Avery Feyrer.
Video only:
Coyotes have high hopes for future after busy trade deadline
SCOTTSDALE –The Arizona Coyotes had a busy weekend as they dealt Zbynek Michalek, Keith Yandle and Antoine Vermette at the NHL trade deadline. They’re looking forward to rebuilding and being competitive again.
Slug: Sports-CoyotesDeadline. About 1:50. By Nick Lamoureux.
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