Halloween puede ser divertido para algunos, pero desafiante para otros, especialmente para aquellos con demencia

by Paola Boivin

Lizeth Adriana Calderon

PHOENIX – Halloween es una festividad divertida y espeluznante para muchos, pero para aquellos que padecen de demencia, puede ser aterradora. Halloween puede causar sobrecarga sensorial e interrumpir la rutina de las personas con demencia, dijo Shannon Lindemer, psicómetra sénior del programa de salud pública Nosotros Comprometidos a Su Salud.

La sobrecarga sensorial ocurre cuando el cerebro se ve abrumado por demasiada información de los cinco sentidos: vista, olfato, gusto, tacto y oído.

Continue reading “Halloween puede ser divertido para algunos, pero desafiante para otros, especialmente para aquellos con demencia”

Phoenix mayoral candidates Kate Gallego, Matt Evans tout crime approaches as election nears

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Phoenix Mayor Crime. 800 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).
  • Graphic available here.

By Aaron Stigile
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Statistics say violent crime in Phoenix is not dramatically increasing, and it has actually decreased over a multiyear time span, with some monthly dips and jumps.

Nationwide trends are somewhat similar; data from the FBI released in June showed that reported violent crime decreased nationwide by 15.2% from January to March in comparison to the same time period in 2023.

Continue reading “Phoenix mayoral candidates Kate Gallego, Matt Evans tout crime approaches as election nears”

All 3 Cochise County Board of Supervisors seats are on Nov. 5 ballot

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Cochise County. 530 words.
  • File photo (thumbnail, caption below).

By Owen Alfonso
Special for Cronkite News

BISBEE – Though the presidential and congressional races will be a priority for many Arizonans come November, Cochise County residents will also vote on local offices, including the Board of Supervisors.

Arizona’s most southeastern county, sharing borders with New Mexico and Sonora, Mexico, is home to roughly 125,000 Arizonans in rural towns like Tombstone, Sierra Vista, Douglas and Naco.

Continue reading “All 3 Cochise County Board of Supervisors seats are on Nov. 5 ballot”

Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships celebrates sport and high fashion in record numbers

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-Scottsdale Polo Championship, 720 words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – At the center of WestWorld, thumping hooves against the ground couldn’t be heard over the cauldron of nonstop activities. There was blaring live music, lavish fashion and dog shows, unique concession stands and a fleet of motor vehicles – all colliding for a single extravagant festival.

The 13th annual Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships attracted a record-breaking turnout, with spectators from all corners of Arizona gathering to partake in the day’s lineup and watch the 10 best polo teams across the U.S. compete for the right to hoist the Molina Cup.

Though the sport has been around for centuries, polo moved to a new level in Arizona in 2011, when the championship matches started at WestWorld of Scottsdale with 2,500 people in attendance. Since then, popularity surrounding the event has grown tremendously, with 12,469 attendees present Friday for the first day of competition. Continue reading “Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships celebrates sport and high fashion in record numbers”

Halloween can be fun for some but challenging for others, especially those with dementia

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Halloween Dementia. 450 words.
  • File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Lizeth Adriana Calderon
Special for Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Halloween is a fun, spooky holiday for many, but for those living with dementia, it can be frightening. Halloween can cause sensory overload and disrupt the routine for people with dementia, said Shannon Lindemer, senior psychometrist with public health program Nosotros Comprometidos a Su Salud.

Sensory overload happens when the brain gets overwhelmed by too much information from the five senses: sight, smell, taste, touch and sound.

Continue reading “Halloween can be fun for some but challenging for others, especially those with dementia”

Maricopa County boosts transparency to counter misinformation ahead of 2024 election

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Election Misinformation. 550 words.
  • File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Jamie Montoya
Special for Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Maricopa County is ramping up transparency and education efforts in response to growing election skepticism.

Maricopa County is the nation’s second-largest voting jurisdiction and represents more than 60% of Arizona voters.

Continue reading “Maricopa County boosts transparency to counter misinformation ahead of 2024 election”

Profit vs. principles: Sports and politics collision creates controversy, opportunity

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Globalization of Sports, 1,800 words.
  • Photo available.

By Doyal D’angelo
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Killings, kidnappings, violent oppression of political opposition, torture and censorship are just a few human rights abuses that officials in the Rwandan dictatorship are either credibly accused of committing or failing to investigate.

Paul Kagame, the Rwandan dictator who helped lead his country out of its horrid genocidal past, has been in power since 2000 and with no end to his reign in sight – yet the NBA is doing business with him.

As part of a widespread effort to expand his league’s global reach, Adam Silver and his team met with Kagame in Kigali in 2018 and advised him to build a new facility, BK Arena, that would host the first Basketball African League game in 2021. Continue reading “Profit vs. principles: Sports and politics collision creates controversy, opportunity”

Arizona State women’s basketball joins improved Big 12 Conference with fresh energy, high expectations

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Big 12 WBB, 660 words.
  • Photo available.

By Dane Palmer
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – As the 2024-25 Big 12 women’s basketball season tips off, a new era of college sports begins, marked by transfers, new rivalries and high expectations.

With the conference’s expansion bringing in four new programs – Arizona State, Arizona, Utah and BYU – the level of competition has never been higher. The revamped Big 12 looks to grow in more ways than from just adding schools, with improved ratings, engagement and international experiences all on the checklist for commissioner Brett Yormack.

Yormack has big aspirations for the expanding conference, which now features 18 teams spread across 10 different states. Continue reading “Arizona State women’s basketball joins improved Big 12 Conference with fresh energy, high expectations”

Cronkite News Digest for Thursday, Oct. 31

by Paola Boivin

Here is your Cronkite News lineup for Thursday, Oct. 31.

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, Oct. 31”

Rebounds and turnovers: GCU men’s basketball eyes improvements, looks to defend WAC title

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-GCU MBB Preview, 1,070 words.
  • Photo available.

By Brenden Paul
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – As the clock struck 7 p.m. before the ring ceremony began, the student section known as the Havocs started singing “Be Ready” by Sovereign Grace Music in complete unison and without music, engulfing Global Credit Union Arena with their voices.

The Havocs’ impromptu celebration carried Grand Canyon University’s men’s basketball team into its emotional Western Athletic Conference championship ring and banner reveal ceremony Tuesday night, a reminder of the Lopes’ accomplishments from last season and what they have on the line this year.

It’s safe to say GCU fans are more than ready for the start of college basketball season. However, the Lopes have work to do to live up to the hype expected from the Havocs this season.  Continue reading “Rebounds and turnovers: GCU men’s basketball eyes improvements, looks to defend WAC title”

Transfer trio: GCU roller hockey championship team boosted by newcomers from Bethel University

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-GCU Roller Hockey, 860 words.
  • Photo available.

By Brenden Paul
Cronkite News

PEORIA – Kawena Lee was awakened by teammate Zach Hoffman while taking a nap on his couch with the news that Bethel University’s roller hockey team had folded due to financial issues.

“I’m all lethargic and drowsy from my nap still, and (Hoffman) says, ‘Did you hear about the news?’ I said no, and he told me to check my email because Bethel just closed their roller hockey program,” Lee said.

One year removed from making the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) semifinals, members of the Bethel University Wildcats, located in McKenzie, Tennessee, suddenly needed new places to play for the 2024-25 season, and a trio of players found a home in the desert with Grand Canyon University. Along with forwards Lee and Hoffman, defenseman Josh Little also joined the movement to Arizona. Continue reading “Transfer trio: GCU roller hockey championship team boosted by newcomers from Bethel University”

Plain language for ballot initiatives: Why it matters

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Ballot Initiative Language. 550 words.
  • Photo available.

By Sona Gevorgyan
Special for Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Ballot initiatives allow citizens to vote on new laws. As a result, voters have a direct say in how the government operates.

In Arizona, voters will have a say on key issues like abortion access, immigration and the state minimum wage through the 13 propositions on their ballots. Research has shown ballot wording impacts voters’ decisions.

According to a 2019 study published in the journal Electoral Studies, simple ballot language can lead to an incomplete representation of initiatives.

Continue reading “Plain language for ballot initiatives: Why it matters”

Arizona Cardinals return home to test momentum vs. heartbroken Chicago Bears

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: Sports-Arizona Cardinals Bears, 700 words.
  • Photo available.

By James Morel
Cronkite News

TEMPE – On any given Sunday, the unusual can happen. Last Sunday, in something you’d see in a movie, the Chicago Bears were stunned by a last-second Hail Mary, while further south, the Arizona Cardinals jubilantly celebrated following a game-winning field goal.

The two teams, on contrasting paths, meet Sunday in a clash at State Farm Stadium, though the Cardinals know any ounce of momentum soared out the window when they touched down back in Phoenix.

“We got our work cut out for us, it’s going to be a big-time challenge,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters Wednesday. Continue reading “Arizona Cardinals return home to test momentum vs. heartbroken Chicago Bears”

How Maricopa County counts millions of ballots

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Counting Ballots. 560 words.
  • File photo (thumbnail, caption below).

By Eddie McCoven
Special for Cronkite News

PHOENIX – With more than 2.4 million registered voters in Maricopa County and the increasing number of allegations around election integrity, counting ballots for the 2024 presidential election is no easy task.

Maricopa County Deputy Elections Director Jennifer Liewer said the county goes to “extensive lengths” to make sure all legal votes are counted.

“Our systems, our personnel, our workers are all trained to ensure that we do not disenfranchise voters,” Liewer said. “We want you to know that if you are a legally registered voter in Maricopa County, that your ballot will be cast.”

Continue reading “How Maricopa County counts millions of ballots”

Well, well, well: Taxpayers pay the price for oil and gas wells leaking methane as multiple entities work to plug them

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Orphaned Wells. 965 words.
  • Photo, map available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Gabrielle Wallace
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Many oil and gas wells across Arizona with no known owners leak methane into the environment, which tribal, state and federal agencies are responsible for cleaning up.

These wells – referred to as “orphaned” – are often not properly maintained and can lead to surface and groundwater contamination causing pollution, health issues and threats to wildlife.

Continue reading “Well, well, well: Taxpayers pay the price for oil and gas wells leaking methane as multiple entities work to plug them”

On-call maternity care in rural Arizona boosted by AHCCCS funding

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: AHCCCS Funding. 550 words.
  • File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).
  • Voiceover available.

By Lizeth Adriana Calderon
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Roughly a fifth of expecting and new mothers in Arizona receive little to no prenatal care, which can lead to poor health outcomes for mothers and their children, according to the March of Dimes report from last year.

Overall the health of mothers and infants in the U.S. is on decline, partially because more than a third of Americans live in maternal care deserts, according to the subsequent March of Dimes report. A maternity care desert is an area where access to reproductive health care is limited or women face other obstacles in their ability to access care.

Continue reading “On-call maternity care in rural Arizona boosted by AHCCCS funding”

Religious groups recruit volunteers to provide peaceful presence at Arizona polls

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Religious Poll Watchers. 590 words.
  • File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Tony Gutiérrez
Special for Cronkite News

Following reports of armed “poll watchers” at Arizona polling places during the last several election cycles, two groups have launched initiatives inviting people of faith to help promote peace at the polls.

Faiths United to Save Democracy is actively recruiting “poll chaplains” to serve at various poll locations, while the Arizona Faith Network, in partnership with Election Protection Arizona, is inviting people of faith to be “peacekeepers.” Medina Moore, voting rights organizer for the Arizona Faith Network, said both groups support each other in their missions.

Continue reading “Religious groups recruit volunteers to provide peaceful presence at Arizona polls”

Election Day essentials: The do’s and don’ts for spotting disinformation

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Spotting Disinformation. 490 words.
  • File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Ana Burk
Special for Cronkite News

PHOENIX – In this era of social media, a seasoned political reporter shares key strategies for identifying disinformation during election season.

The American Psychological Association reports that over the past few decades, people’s attention spans have decreased due to constant distractions from phones and other devices. People tend to only read the first line of a story, or watch the first few seconds of a video.

Continue reading “Election Day essentials: The do’s and don’ts for spotting disinformation”

Maricopa County officials confident but wary of threats ahead of Election Day

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Maricopa County Election Security. 700 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Aaron Stigile
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Rallies outside of Maricopa County offices, threats and intimidation directed toward election workers and false election conspiracy theories spread by politicians are all problems Maricopa County officials have had to deal with in the past.

Now, officials are preparing security measures and fighting back against misinformation in the run-up to Nov. 5.

Continue reading “Maricopa County officials confident but wary of threats ahead of Election Day”

Arizona Senate candidates Kari Lake, Ruben Gallego targeting younger voters

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Senate Young Voters. 800 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Nash Darragh
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – With just a week to go until Election Day, all eyes remain on the swing state of Arizona. The state’s 11 electoral votes have been increasingly sought after by both Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris over the past few months.

But Republican Kari Lake and Democrat Ruben Gallego are also aiming to secure the final undecided votes from a generation that is voting for the first time.

Continue reading “Arizona Senate candidates Kari Lake, Ruben Gallego targeting younger voters”