State officials warn of potentially ‘explosive’ wildfires this summer

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Wildfire Season,530.
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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”

Maricopa County, First Place conduct mock election for voters with disabilities ahead of presidential primary

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Disabled Voting Accommodations. 565 words.
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By Jack Orleans
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – A mock election to help voters with various physical or mental disabilities was held Feb. 27 by the Maricopa County Recorder’s Elections Office and Vote The Spectrum, an initiative launched by a Phoenix nonprofit to register 10,000 individuals with autism or intellectual or developmental disabilities.

“We’ve done 250 vote registrations as of today, and that means that we’ll get additional people out there voting,” said Monica Murray, a member of the Maricopa County Special Elections Board.

Those boards provide services to people whose various disabilities make voting difficult.

Continue reading “Maricopa County, First Place conduct mock election for voters with disabilities ahead of presidential primary”

Phoenix banks on wheels try to make banking more accessible, provide financial education

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Mobile Banking. 820 words.
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By Naomi DuBovis
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – For some, going to the bank is a regular errand, but for others, it’s a difficult and sometimes impossible task. That’s why some programs bring the bank to the customer instead of making the customer come to the bank.

With portions of Arizona’s population having limited or nonexistent access to banking services, financial institutions are working with nonprofits to help. Bank branches on wheels is one tool they’re trying out to provide financial education and get more people signed up for bank accounts.

According to data compiled by economic justice nonprofit Prosperity Now, 17% of Phoenix households were underbanked in 2021 compared to 14% of households nationwide. Underbanked households have a bank account, but they rely primarily on cash and alternative financial services like payday loans to manage their money.

Continue reading “Phoenix banks on wheels try to make banking more accessible, provide financial education”

Pac-12 post-mortem: Coaches, players weigh in on final conference tournament

  • Slug: Sports-Death of Pac-12 Tournament, 1,200 words.
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By Scott Sandulli
Cronkite News

LAS VEGAS – Eleven years ago this month, Mick Cronin, then the men’s basketball coach at the University of Cincinnati, sat at a postgame presser offering his thoughts on participating in the final Big East Tournament.

After an unfathomable collapse for one of the nation’s premier basketball conferences, Cronin expressed his shock at what would be the first domino to fall in modern-day conference realignment.

“This is the greatest tradition in college athletics: this tournament,” Cronin said. “The fact that we’re sitting here and this is the last Big East Tournament is beyond ridiculous.” Continue reading “Pac-12 post-mortem: Coaches, players weigh in on final conference tournament”

Care to dance? Arizona, GCU prepare for first round of NCAA men’s basketball tournament

  • Slug: Sports-NCAA Tournament Bracket, 1,253 words.
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By Brett Lapinski
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – It’s that time again. The most anticipated Sunday in college basketball has passed, and roughly two and half weeks of iconic games, breakthrough performances, Cinderella stories and millions of busted brackets lie ahead. The 2024 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament is officially here, and Selection Sunday has left us with plenty of storylines to ensure some madness this March.

With the Valley hosting the Final Four on April 6 and the title game April 8, two teams have a shot to represent the Grand Canyon State. The University of Arizona and Grand Canyon University are the only teams from Arizona in this year’s tournament and both find themselves nestled into the West Region of the tournament.

“I feel good,” Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd said Sunday. “ I think we’re well-rested. I know we’re definitely healthier than we were last year. I think we’re ready to be in attack mode.” Continue reading “Care to dance? Arizona, GCU prepare for first round of NCAA men’s basketball tournament”

Cronkite News Digest for Monday, March 18

Here is your Cronkite News lineup for Monday, March 18. 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 Monday, March 18”

Gila River Indian Community rejects states’ plan for Colorado, works with feds

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  • Slug: BC-CNS-GRIC Water,660.
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By Alex Hager
KUNC

The Gila River Indian Community said it does not support a plan backed by three states for managing the Colorado River’s shrinking water supply, and is instead working instead with federal officials to develop its own proposal for water sharing.

Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said Wednesday at a meeting of policy experts and water scientists in Tucson that his tribe would not go along with the plan unveiled a week earlier by the Lower Basin states – Arizona, California and Nevada. Continue reading “Gila River Indian Community rejects states’ plan for Colorado, works with feds”

Pool Fence Safety Program aims to raise awareness, reduce drownings

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By Lauren Kobley
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Brandi Stoll is an Arizona native who grew up swimming in pools and was familiar with pool safety. When she became a mother, she knew the risks and how to keep her children safe around the pool, but her world changed in July 2021 when she found her almost-2-year-old daughter face down in her family’s pool.

Drowning is a leading cause of death for children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2023, there were 133 water-related incidents reported in Maricopa and Pinal counties, 50 of which involved children 5 and under, according to data from Children’s Safety Zone, which tracks Arizona data. Of those 50 incidents, 12 resulted in fatalities. Continue reading “Pool Fence Safety Program aims to raise awareness, reduce drownings”

GCU women’s basketball upset in the WAC semifinals by Stephen F. Austin comeback in Las Vegas

  • Slug: Sports-GCU WBB Loses, 700 words.
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By Jesse Brawders
Cronkite News

LAS VEGAS – In a record-breaking season for the Grand Canyon University women’s basketball team, one team in conference play proved unsolvable in two previous matchups: Stephen F. Austin.

The Ladyjacks won in the Valley 59-54 in late January, and most recently held down home court in an 85-77 bout in Nacogdoches, Texas.

History reared its head yet again during the WAC women’s basketball tournament, as the No. 2 Lopes fell to the No. 3 Ladyjacks 66-63 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Continue reading “GCU women’s basketball upset in the WAC semifinals by Stephen F. Austin comeback in Las Vegas”

Arizona Cardinals sign six free agents with defensive upgrade a priority

  • Slug: Sports-Cardinals Free Agents, 1,040 words.
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By Aaron Decker
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The Arizona Cardinals have been active participants in the free agency process this NFL offseason, and Thursday, the team officially signed six players to their roster.

Most of the newest players will fill holes on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, outside linebacker Mack Wilson Sr., and defensive linemen Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols were all signed to three-year deals.

The new offensive additions include running back DeeJay Dallas, who inked a three-year deal, and offensive lineman Jonah Williams, who signed a two-year contract. Continue reading “Arizona Cardinals sign six free agents with defensive upgrade a priority”

Arizona Pro Day draws in scouts, coaches from 31 NFL teams for final in-person evaluation of promising prospects

  • Slug: Sports-University of Arizona Pro Day, 700 words.
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By John Busker
Cronkite News

TUCSON – After a 10-3 season and a victory in the Alamo Bowl over Oklahoma, Arizona football has some highly regarded talent in April’s NFL draft. And it seems NFL teams agree, with almost every team sending coaches and scouts to view the talent on display run drills and test Thursday at Arizona Stadium for the University of Arizona’s Pro Day.

Personnel from 31 of 32 NFL teams attended, as well as scouts from two CFL teams. The only team not in attendance was the LA Rams.

The prize of this UArizona class is offensive tackle Jordan Morgan. Morgan was First-Team All-Pac-12 this past season at left tackle for the Wildcats, only allowing two sacks in his 787 snaps played this season. Continue reading “Arizona Pro Day draws in scouts, coaches from 31 NFL teams for final in-person evaluation of promising prospects”

On the hunt: Revamped Arizona Rattlers return hungry for IFL title in 2024

  • Slug: Sports-Rattlers preview. 495 words.
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By Mason Byers
Cronkite News

MESA – The Arizona Rattlers are entering another season of arena football, and they are looking to earn the title once again. The last time they won a championship was in 2017, the first season they joined the Indoor Football League. They earned a trip to the big game in 2019 and 2021, yet failed to bring home another trophy.

Rattlers coach Kevin Guy, in his 15th season, has had lots of success bringing four championships to Arizona. Guy knows how to build a championship contender and is confident in the group for this season.

“We have had a great training camp,” Guy said. “Guys seem to be focused, I like this group of guys.”

Continue reading “On the hunt: Revamped Arizona Rattlers return hungry for IFL title in 2024”

Making the madness: An inside look at the NCAA’s tournament bracket-building

  • Slug: Sports-NCAA MBB Bracketology,1424 words.
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By Lucas Gordon and Jesse Brawders
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The busiest day of the year for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball tournament’s media coordinator David Worlock is the Monday after Selection Sunday. Between coordinating travel plans for teams and getting media credentials prepared for journalists, Worlock does not get much sleep once a bracket is released.

In 2016, in all the craziness, Worlock received a furious call from a Maryland fan after the Terrapins were matched up with South Dakota State in the first round.

This fan left a long voicemail full of obscenities letting Worlock know that the bracket is rigged and that the committee purposefully matched the two teams together with the intention of Maryland losing. Continue reading “Making the madness: An inside look at the NCAA’s tournament bracket-building”

Oumar Ballo, Arizona Wildcats cruise past USC to Pac-12 Tournament Semifinals

  • Slug: Sports-Arizona Men,730.
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By Jesse Brawders
Cronkite News

LAS VEGAS – In college basketball, teams have to take games in March one game at a time. The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats have embraced that motto, as they swiftly put away the No. 9 USC Trojans Thursday afternoon in the Pac-12 Men’s Tournament quarterfinals.

During the regular season, Arizona (25-7; 15-5 Pac-12) and USC (15-18; 8-12 Pac-12) each won on home soil, with USC beating the Wildcats just last week 78-65, in the final game of the regular season before the Pac-12 Men’s Tournament for both teams.

But the Wildcats tend to turn it up in Las Vegas, where they are now 6-1 against the Trojans all-time with their only tournament loss to USC in their previous matchup in 2019, when the Wildcats fell 78-65 in the first round. Continue reading “Oumar Ballo, Arizona Wildcats cruise past USC to Pac-12 Tournament Semifinals”

Black Americans three times more likely to face kidney failure than whites

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Kidney Disparities,1210.
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By Leah Mesquita
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — Angela Beatty had no idea that her high blood pressure could cause her to go into kidney failure.

As a Black American, Beatty is part of a racial group that is far more likely to experience kidney failure than other racial groups. Black Americans also experience high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease at higher rates, which can all contribute to the development of kidney disease.

“It’s a silent killer,” said Dr. Mandip Kang, a nephrologist at the Southwest Kidney Institute. “Majority of patients don’t develop any symptoms until the kidney function is in the 20-30% range.” Continue reading “Black Americans three times more likely to face kidney failure than whites”

ASU men’s basketball loses big to Utah in Pac-12 conference era finale

  • Slug: Sports-ASU Men,920.
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By Jayla French
Cronkite News

LAS VEGAS — A season riddled with highs and lows came crashing down Wednesday in the 2024 Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Tournament. And with it shattered Arizona State’s chances of grabbing a shot at attending the Big Dance.

In a late night first round game, Utah, seeded sixth, cruised to a 90-57 victory, handing the 11th-seeded Sun Devils their first loss in the last three matchups against the Utes this season. Utah advanced to play No. 3 Colorado, while the Sun Devils’ mercurial season came to a depressing end. Continue reading “ASU men’s basketball loses big to Utah in Pac-12 conference era finale”

Human composting? Bill would allow natural decomposition as burial option

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Natural Decomposition,1040.
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By Sadie Buggle
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — There may soon be a new option in Arizona funeral care: human composting.

The process, also called natural decomposition, converts human remains into soil and gives grieving family members the opportunity to plant trees and gardens using their loved one’s remains.

“It’s really pretty simple. It’s exactly what happens when leaves fall from the trees and become one with the ground,” Brie Smith, chief operating officer of Return Home, said. “We’re just letting nature take its course, and then (people) are able to move through their grief in this most beautiful, meaningful way.” Continue reading “Human composting? Bill would allow natural decomposition as burial option”

Coconino official says improvements needed to federal wildfire assistance

  • Slug: BC-CNS-Wildfire Fallout,710.
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By Ian McKinney
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – The nine wildfires that have swept through Coconino County since 2010 have led to the loss of more than 130 buildings, the issuance of more than 25,000 evacuation orders and the release of 4.1 million metric tons carbon into the atmosphere.

And that’s just the start of the problems, Coconino County Deputy Manager Lucinda Andreani told a Senate panel Thursday.

Andreani was one of several witnesses who called for improvements in the way federal agencies respond to crises like wildfires, during the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing titled “A Nation on Fire.” Continue reading “Coconino official says improvements needed to federal wildfire assistance”

Rocky Mountain high: Colorado’s hitting soars during spring training

  • Slug: Sports-Rockies Hitting,1180 words.
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By Brett Lapinski
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – It’s been a tale of two seasons for the Colorado Rockies’ bats thus far through spring training. Outside of finishing fourth in the MLB in both doubles and triples, the Rockies finished the 2023 season on the outside looking in for every positive major hitting statistic with zero top-15 marks.

Nearly six months later, the Rockies have done a complete 180 at the plate.

Contradictory to the current weather in Denver, their home base, the Rockies’ bats have been blistering through their first 19 Cactus League games, sitting top 10 in nearly every hitting stat they struggled in last season. As a team, the Rockies are currently slashing .279/.358/.450 compared to .249/.310/.405 at the end of 2023. Continue reading “Rocky Mountain high: Colorado’s hitting soars during spring training”