Nearly a third of teacher slots vacant for this school year, highest in eight years

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Teacher Shortage,590 words.
  • Photo, graphic available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Adrienne Washington
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Nearly one-third of teaching positions in Arizona public and charter schools were still vacant one month into the school year, according to a new report, the most in eight years of data on school vacancies.

The Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association report for the 2023-24 school year said that 29.7% of teaching positions were still vacant in September, up from 26.6% at the same time last year. That translated into 2,230 vacant teaching positions through the first few weeks of this school year.

The report also said that 53.2% of teachers in the classroom this year do not meet the state’s standard certification requirements, but are allowed to teach under an alternative pathway. Continue reading “Nearly a third of teacher slots vacant for this school year, highest in eight years”

‘Eternally complex problems’: Bipartisan advocates talk affordable housing

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Affordable Housing,1140 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Alyssa Bickle
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – A bipartisan group of housing reform advocates, from current and former state lawmakers to government leaders, gathered last Thursday to talk about the lack of affordable housing in Arizona and solutions.

The event was organized by nonpartisan nonprofit Arizona Talks with the aim of facilitating civil dialogue about affordable housing. Most of the speakers touched on how the issue is a personal one and requires bipartisan solutions.

“We all have a housing story, even if you are unsheltered, we all understand the importance and value of housing,” said Joan Serviss, who leads the Arizona Department of Housing. Continue reading “‘Eternally complex problems’: Bipartisan advocates talk affordable housing”

Bringing heat to the Mullett: Partnership between Sun Devils and Coyotes gives hockey a new energy

  • Sports-Coyotes ASU-Hockey Relationship, 1,400 words.
  • 2 photos available.

By Chase Beardsley
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The packed 5,000-seat Mullett Arena in downtown Tempe houses two Arizona hockey organizations.

Both teams feature a raucous student section on game nights, with many young fans rocking mullets – natural or wig – while wearing their team’s sweaters and heckling opposing goalies or chanting in unison.

Arizona State’s hockey program and the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes are sharing Mullett Arena while the Coyotes try to negotiate construction of their own new home. Continue reading “Bringing heat to the Mullett: Partnership between Sun Devils and Coyotes gives hockey a new energy”

Cronkite News Digest for Wednesday, Oct. 4

Here is your Cronkite News lineup for Wedmesday, Oct. 4. 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. 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 Wednesday, Oct. 4”

Biggs, Crane join Democrats in historic vote to oust McCarthy as speaker

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Speaker Silenced,680 words.
  • 2 file photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Renee Romo and Alexandria Cullen
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Arizona Reps. Andy Biggs and Eli Crane were among the eight conservative Republicans who voted with all House Democrats Tuesday to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the first time in history a sitting speaker has been removed.

The 216-210 vote could paralyze the House – it took 15 ballots for Republicans to elect McCarthy speaker earlier this year – at a time when Congress has a little more than six weeks to pass a fiscal 2024 budget or face another potential government shutdown. Continue reading “Biggs, Crane join Democrats in historic vote to oust McCarthy as speaker”

Smoke from the Salt River landfill fire could cause health problems

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Salt River Fire. 390 words. By Deanna Pistono.
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails and captions below).

By Deanna Pistono
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – A fire that broke out at a landfill at about 4 p.m. Saturday on the Salt River Indian Reservation, near N. Beeline Highway east of Scottsdale, had been reduced to a smolder by Tuesday afternoon.

After firefighters were done combating the blaze, said Chuck Kmet, emergency manager for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, a green waste contractor was hired to help further manage the remaining smolder.

Though the flame has been stifled, the lingering smoke may cause or exacerbate various health concerns, one expert said.

Continue reading “Smoke from the Salt River landfill fire could cause health problems”

Playing with fire: Arizona high school football coaches double as firefighters

  • Sports-Firefighters and Football, 2,700 words.
  • 5 photos available.

By Sabrina McClain
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – For some, the pressure of working as a first responder is overwhelming.

But for others, running toward danger instead of away from it is a life mission.

No matter the time of day, firefighters are ready to stop at any moment of the day to serve their community. And some of them are even willing to accept more pressure to serve their communities in a different way. Continue reading “Playing with fire: Arizona high school football coaches double as firefighters”

Beating the heat: Arizona athletic trainers, sports medicine physicians take steps to protect athletes

  • Sports-Arizona Heat Effect, 1,400 words.
  • 5 photos available.

By Cody Marmon
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Few things go together as well as peanut butter, chocolate milk … and the brutal Arizona heat.

As the Valley recovers from what has been its hottest summer ever measured – Phoenix broke its own record in July with a 31-day streak of temperatures above 110 degrees – experts continue to search for the best ways to keep athletes safe as the mercury rises.

From treats such as the peanut butter and chocolate milk, which have side benefits that help athletes stave off the heat, to modernized gadgets like heat stress monitors, athletic trainers have evolving options to help combat the relentless summer days in the desert. Continue reading “Beating the heat: Arizona athletic trainers, sports medicine physicians take steps to protect athletes”

Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Wildcats set stage for electric 2023-24 season at Red-Blue Showcase

  • Sports-Arizona Basketball Scrimmage, 1,000 words.
  • 5 photos available.

By Addison Kalmbach
Cronkite News

TUCSON – A sea of red-clad students and fans entered historic McKale Memorial Center with a sense of anticipation as they came to get their first glimpse of the 2023-24 Arizona Wildcats Friday at the annual men’s basketball Red-Blue Showcase .

The aroma of freshly popped popcorn, the chill of cool air conditioning and the bass thump from the song “Sandstorm” electrified the eager crowd that is anxiously awaiting the start of the college basketball season.

Few fan bases compare to a sold-out college basketball crowd at the University of Arizona. The Old Pueblo rallies around all UArizona athletics but especially the hoops program. Continue reading “Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Wildcats set stage for electric 2023-24 season at Red-Blue Showcase”

Calor extremo en Phoenix conduce a problemas de salud

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was translated from English to Spanish using ChatGPT. A Cronkite News editor reviewed the translations. Find the original story here.

NOTA DEL EDITOR: Este reportaje fue traducido del inglés al español usando ChatGPT. Un editor de Cronkite News revisó las traducciónes. Encuentra el artículo original aquí.

  • Nombre: CN-CalorX. 1429 palabras
  • 5 fotos disponibles

Por Deanna Pistono
Cronkite Noticias

PHOENIX – Cerca de la intersección sur de la avenida 11 y al oeste la calle Jefferson en Phoenix, el calor es intenso. Para aquellos que viven a lo largo de la calle en tiendas de campaña y refugios improvisados, este calor puede volverse mortal.

Continue reading “Calor extremo en Phoenix conduce a problemas de salud”

Arizona veterans, state agencies battle over bingo machines deemed illegal under state gambling laws

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Veteran Bingo. About 600 words. By Reagan Priest.
  • Photos available (thumbnails and captions below).
  • Video available.

By Reagan Priest
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona veterans groups say state agencies are unfairly cracking down on electronic bingo cards, while state agencies say agents are only conducting inspections to prevent the use of illegal bingo machines.

At a news conference at the Arizona Capitol on Monday, several members of local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts were joined by Republican Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli, who said the departments of Revenue, Gaming, and Liquor are conducting raids and harassing organizations for their use of bingo technological aids.

Bingo technological aids, or BTAs, are electronic bingo cards that assist bingo players with disabilities and have been legal since 2017. The state says these organizations are not being penalized for using BTAs, but for using bingo gambling machines, which resemble slot machines and can be played without other players present.

Continue reading “Arizona veterans, state agencies battle over bingo machines deemed illegal under state gambling laws”

Supreme Court to hear appeal over expert testimony in Yuma drug case

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Witness Rejection,600 words.
  • File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Renee Romo
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court will hear the appeal of an Arizona man who said his right to confront his accuser was violated when the expert witness who tested the drugs in his case was replaced by another expert.

Jason Smith was convicted in part on the testimony of Greggory Longoni, who testified using reports filed by Elizabeth Rast, the Arizona Department of Public Safety forensic scientist who tested the drugs in Smith’s case. Rast had left the department before Smith’s case came to trial. Continue reading “Supreme Court to hear appeal over expert testimony in Yuma drug case”

ASU’s Kenny Dillingham praises success of Shedeur Sanders entering Colorado week: ‘Doesn’t surprise me’

  • Sports-ASU Prepare for Colorado, 600 words.
  • Photo available.

By Thomas McDonald
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham didn’t want to talk much about Colorado coach Deion Sanders at Dillingham’s weekly Monday media availability, insisting that he is focused on his own team as the Sun Devils prepare to host Colorado Saturday at Mountain America Stadium.

But while Dillingham avoided the “Coach Prime” hype, he didn’t hesitate to hype another Sanders – Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the coach’s son. Dillingham knows plenty about the younger Sanders, whom he recruited.

“Seeing him put it together here in college, it doesn’t shock me,” Dillingham said. “He is an older version of what that 17-year-old was.” Continue reading “ASU’s Kenny Dillingham praises success of Shedeur Sanders entering Colorado week: ‘Doesn’t surprise me’”

Despite promise in second half, Arizona Cardinals grounded vs. San Francisco 49ers

  • Sports-Cardinals React to 49ers Loss, 800 words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Jordy Fee-Platt
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The Arizona Cardinals led at halftime in each of their first three games, but inconsistent play down the stretch produced a 1-2 record.

After falling behind by 18 Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, the Cardinals found themselves needing to flip that script to beat the San Francisco 49ers on the road. While the Cardinals rallied, it was too much to ask against a 49ers team that many consider a Super Bowl contender.

The 49ers immediately came out firing on all cylinders offensively and never looked back in a convincing 35-16 win that dropped Arizona to 1-3. Continue reading “Despite promise in second half, Arizona Cardinals grounded vs. San Francisco 49ers”

‘We’ve got the best team in the league’: New-look Phoenix Suns enter 2023-24 season with big-time expectations

  • Sports-Phoenix Suns Media Day, 600 words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Alfred Smith III
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – How much of a new-look team are the new-look Phoenix Suns? Consider this: Devin Booker is the only player remaining from the organization’s run to the 2021 NBA Finals.

That was less than three years ago.

“We think we’ve got a great team,” said Mat Ishbia, the owner of a team that believes it can hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy in June. “I think we’ve got the best team in the league, but obviously we’ve got to play it out.” Continue reading “‘We’ve got the best team in the league’: New-look Phoenix Suns enter 2023-24 season with big-time expectations”

Los Angeles farmers markets team up with health department to fight food insecurity and support communities

  • Slug: BC-CNS-LA Fights Food Insecurity. 750 words. By Taylor Ens.
  • 3 photos available (thumbnails and captions available below).

By Taylor Ens
Cronkite News

LOS ANGELES – Every Thursday, people come to the Central Avenue farmers market at E. 43rd Street in downtown Los Angeles to find fresh produce from local growers – bright red tomatoes, vibrant broccoli and crisp cauliflower. The prices might discourage some low-income customers from shopping there, but this market is different.

At this farmers market, run by Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles (SEE-LA), some low-income people can afford to buy fresh fruits and vegetables that could help make their homes more food-secure, thanks to a special program called Market Match.

Continue reading “Los Angeles farmers markets team up with health department to fight food insecurity and support communities”

50,000 federal workers, military, in Arizona spared as shutdown averted

EDS: WRITES THRU Friday walkup story to reflect Saturday’s approval of stopgap measure to avert a shutdown, changes tenses throughout. adds details on how Arizona delegation voted on the continuing resolution.

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Shutdown Economy WRITETHRU,940 words.
  • File photo, video story available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Renee Romo
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Congress approved a stopgap measure to keep the government open with just hours to spare Saturday night, heading off a shutdown that would have meant the loss of a paycheck for close to 50,000 federal workers and active-duty military in Arizona – and they’re not the only ones who would have felt the pinch.

Government contractors stop getting paid in a shutdown, small businesses could lose sales as nervous consumers cut spending and anyone who needs a government service, from processing a passport application to visiting a national park, would feel the shutdown firsthand. Continue reading “50,000 federal workers, military, in Arizona spared as shutdown averted”

Cronkite Noticias 29 septiembre 2023

Saludos cordiales,

Aquí encontrarán un listado de los reportajes de Cronkite Noticias del día 29 de septiembre de 2023. Los medios de comunicación que deseen utilizar los videos de Cronkite Noticias los pueden encontrar en versiones limpias. Los guiones y el resto del material puede descargarse aquí en Dropbox. Los reportajes de hoy, junto con sus fotografías y enlaces a elementos multimedia también se distribuirán en nuestro portal de internet para nuestros clientes en cronkitenews.jmc.asu.edu/clients.

Continue reading “Cronkite Noticias 29 septiembre 2023”

The Sweet Spot: Basketball fever, a – literal – charity drive, a new kind of two-way player

  • Slug: Sports-The Sweet Spot. Runtime 19:12.
  • Downloadable audio here. (Note: Some web browsers may not support media download)

[Music bed under] 

YATES: This is The Sweet Spot where we take a closer look at the week’s biggest sports stories in Arizona. I’m Benjamin Yates, and welcome to our fourth episode of the Sweet Spot. We are excited to have everyone listening in to the show.

[Music fade in/under] Continue reading “The Sweet Spot: Basketball fever, a – literal – charity drive, a new kind of two-way player”

CN2Go Weekly Update: Extreme heat affecting people living in ‘The Zone’

  • Slug: BC-CNS-CN2Go Weekly Update. Runtime 12:57.
  • Downloadable audio here. (Note: Some web browsers may not support media download)

[Music bed under] 

CN2Go Host: This is Cronkite News 2 Go. I’m your host, Kiersten Edgett.

[Music fade in/under]

CN2Go Host: On today’s show we talk about Biden’s visit to Arizona on Thursday, the recent record breaking heat’s effect on those experiencing homelessness, water levels in the greater Phoenix area, and how NASCAR Accelerator Charities allowed drivers to do laps around their famous race track. Continue reading “CN2Go Weekly Update: Extreme heat affecting people living in ‘The Zone’”