CORRECTION to Oct. 10 story about bed shortages

by Julia Thompson

EDS: Clients who used the Cronkite News story slugged SMI Patient Care that moved Thursday, Oct. 10, are asked to run the following correction. The errors occurred in grafs 6, 7 and 25 of the original. A corrected version of the story has been posted here.

An Oct. 10 Cronkite News story about bed shortages and inadequate care for severely mentally ill patients included incorrect information about the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System. AHCCCS does not have responsibility for opening or licensing new facilities related to mental health treatment. Also, information about an involuntary hold for Jane Jepson’s son, Nick, was not correct. Nick was placed on a 72-hour involuntary hold at the Urgent Psychiatric Center at what was then Phoenix Memorial Hospital.

‘Hungry’ for redemption: Phoenix Country Day girls volleyball seeks third title in four years

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports–Phoenix Country Day Volleyball, 1,000 words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Sebastian Mondaca Sepulveda
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – It was one loss. One loss in a season otherwise stuffed with wins. One measly, soul-crushing loss from last November that should be a distant, fuzzy memory.

But not for Phoenix Country Day, which has one of the most dominant girls volleyball teams in the Valley’s 2A region. Part of that success comes from Kat Glaeseman, the team’s coach who brought in a new identity for the squad when she took over the program.

Between 2021 and Thursday night, Phoenix Country Day had won 57 and lost five matches in the regular season, while winning two state titles in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, the Eagles had their best year yet, going undefeated with a 17-0 record in the regular season. However, after reaching the 2A finals for a third consecutive season, Phoenix Country Day suffered an upset, losing to Trivium Preparatory Academy, marking the Eagles’ lone defeat that year. Continue reading “‘Hungry’ for redemption: Phoenix Country Day girls volleyball seeks third title in four years”

Heart of the defense: ASU’s clutch linebacker room fuels team’s remarkable 5-1 start

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports–ASU Football Linebackers, 1,000 words.
  • 4 photos available.

By Tucker Sennett
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The legendary coach Bill Parcells once said, “I like linebackers. I collect them. You can’t have too many good ones.” As the heartbeat of a defense, they are arguably the second-most important position on a football team.

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham, defensive coordinator Brian Ward and linebacker coach A.J. Cooper did their best to emulate the great Parcells by building a position group that has excelled in a number of ways in the 2024 season.

A perfect example of that excellence came in the Sun Devils’ 27-19 upset win over No. 16 Utah last Friday, which raised ASU’s record to 5-1, its best start in years. After being suspended for targeting the week before, junior linebacker Keyshaun Elliott had to watch the defense he normally leads from the sideline for the first half. Luckily for the Sun Devils, the depth of the group shined bright. Continue reading “Heart of the defense: ASU’s clutch linebacker room fuels team’s remarkable 5-1 start”

‘We’re still here to stay’: Indigenous Peoples Day festival gives Arizona Native communities visibility

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: Indigenous Peoples Day. 1,000 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Marshall Baker
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – “Indigenous Peoples Day is a day to embrace all Indigenous people everywhere,” said Deeanna Talley, who goes by Nanibaah. She is the lead singer for Earth Surface People, an Indigenous music collective in Arizona. Her group headlined the mainstage for Indigenous Peoples’ Day Phoenix Fest in downtown Phoenix, a festival celebrating Native culture and artists in and around the Phoenix area.

“For me, I love it. It means so much to me,” Talley said. “It doesn’t limit anyone to a country, to a tribe, whether you’re half Native or mixed. … It’s to embrace every single person from every walk of life, that’s still here as a result of genocide.”

Continue reading “‘We’re still here to stay’: Indigenous Peoples Day festival gives Arizona Native communities visibility”

Donald Trump opposes U.S. funds for massive Phoenix chip factory, could scrap deal with Taiwan semiconductor giant if elected

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Trump Chips Taiwan. 1,090 words.
  • File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Phineas Hogan
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – The federal government promised billions to a Taiwanese semiconductor giant to bring thousands of high-paying jobs to Phoenix. Former President Donald Trump is critical of the funding, and if elected, he could claw back the subsidies – putting those jobs at risk.

“Taiwan took our chip business,” he said in a June interview that roiled the stock price of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, arguing that Taiwan is “immensely wealthy” and the U.S. shouldn’t be “giving them billions of dollars to build chips.”

Continue reading “Donald Trump opposes U.S. funds for massive Phoenix chip factory, could scrap deal with Taiwan semiconductor giant if elected”

Number of electric vehicles in Arizona has tripled, outpacing charging station installation

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: EV Charging Stations. 660 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Kelechukwu Iruoma
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Electric vehicle sales have increased in Arizona faster than installation of charging stations.

The number of EVs registered in the state has tripled in the last year and a half to 89,798, according to the Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center. California has 1.2 million EVs, the most of any state. Arizona ranks 10th.

State and federal officials are scrambling to make sure the infrastructure catches up.

Continue reading “Number of electric vehicles in Arizona has tripled, outpacing charging station installation”

Can Phoenix Rising FC clinch a playoff berth at home? Memphis 901 match looms large

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports–Phoenix Rising Review, 780 words.
  • Photo available.

By Cooper Burns
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Just two weeks remain in the United Soccer League’s regular season, and with only a handful of games left to play, the playoff picture is going from murky to clear. One notable team has yet to lock themselves into the playoffs.

That’s right, 2023 USL champion Phoenix Rising FC is still looking to punch their ticket to the playoffs.

Not having clinched a spot with two games remaining may sound the alarm bells in some quarters. But despite the season’s ups and downs, Rising still has a very good shot of making the playoffs. Continue reading “Can Phoenix Rising FC clinch a playoff berth at home? Memphis 901 match looms large”

Vanden Bosch twins take a page from father’s NFL playbook to power Brophy College Prep football

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports–Vanden Bosch Twins, 700, words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Jalen Weathers
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The 2024 high school football season has been nothing short of competitive in the AIA, and Brophy College Prep is at the center of it all. Ranked the No. 2 team in the Arizona 6A division, the 5-1 Broncos are in the midst of a fierce start thanks in part to key contributions from twin brothers Case and Bastian Vanden Bosch.

The dynamic duo benefits from Kyle Vanden Bosch’s 12 years of NFL experience, which he shares with his sons to make them better football players as the special team’s coordinator for the Broncos. But more than statistics, Kyle is focused on the character of his sons as teammates.

“I’m just proud of them for who they are,” Kyle said. “I told them from when they were little that you will get respect based upon how hard you work in life. Neither one of them is perfect. They make mistakes, but they’re tough. And they show a certain level of toughness on the football field.” Continue reading “Vanden Bosch twins take a page from father’s NFL playbook to power Brophy College Prep football”

ASU beach volleyball serves up skills for local youth through ‘Building Brilliant Futures’ in first Tempe event

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–ASU Beach Volleyball Event, 670 words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Shouts of excitement and bursts of sand filled the air at the Sun Devil Beach Volleyball Facility. The Arizona State beach volleyball season might not begin until February, but the athletes didn’t need competitors on the other side of the net to help push their sport last Wednesday.

As Sun Devils junior Tori Clement tossed volleyballs to her teammate Samaya Morin, Kastyn Hoffman helped an assembly of kids with their serving technique during a session of “Building Brilliant Futures,” a program created by Beach Nation Volleyball to reach out to underprivileged youth in multiple communities throughout the U.S.

“I hope that by being a role model for the kids here right now, they can follow by example and fill in those shoes when they get older,” Clement said. “These sessions help hone their skills, and learn about teamwork. The lessons learned can apply this to many different aspects of their life. They can really grow their game, make themselves better athletes, better friends and better leaders.” Continue reading “ASU beach volleyball serves up skills for local youth through ‘Building Brilliant Futures’ in first Tempe event”

Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic too costly for Arizona patients on Medicaid, until obesity leads to diabetes

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Ozempic Medicaid. 925 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Madeline Nguyen
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – For 14 years, Jesse’s mind spiraled. So did his weight. The medications he took for schizophrenia drove his weight up until he nearly hit the 300-pound mark.

His mom wanted to get him on a weight-loss drug like Trulicity or Ozempic. But in Arizona, as in most states, Medicaid doesn’t cover GLP-1s for obesity alone. The family struggled even to afford air conditioning.

Continue reading “Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic too costly for Arizona patients on Medicaid, until obesity leads to diabetes”

Arizona Department of Education launches STOP-IT Task Force to raise awareness about dangers of fentanyl

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: STOP-IT Fentanyl Initiative. 575 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Sienna Monea
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona’s Department of Education has introduced an initiative aimed at tackling the growing threat of fentanyl in schools. The School Training Overdose Preparedness and Intelligence Taskforce (STOP-IT) is educating students and school staff and working to prevent fentanyl-related incidents statewide.

Fentanyl overdoses have become a critical issue in Arizona, particularly among young people.

Continue reading “Arizona Department of Education launches STOP-IT Task Force to raise awareness about dangers of fentanyl”

‘He’s only scratching the surface’: Former coaches say Marvin Harrison Jr. will bring his winning tradition to Cardinals

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Marvin Harrison Jr. Past, 2,500 words.
  • 4 photos available.

By Grace Del Pizzo
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – On every level, Arizona Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has taken the game of football by storm. He famously excelled at Ohio State, winning the 2023 Biletnikoff Award as the most outstanding receiver in college football. Before that, he was a three-time state champion at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia.

Oh, and his father – and namesake – happens to be a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Expectations have never been anything less than sky-high for Harrison. Now the world is watching as he makes his mark in the NFL, bringing his track record of success with him. Continue reading “‘He’s only scratching the surface’: Former coaches say Marvin Harrison Jr. will bring his winning tradition to Cardinals”

Caitlin Hogan leads Arizona Wildcats’ revival of women’s hockey in Tucson

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Arizona Women’s Hockey, 1,200 words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Anne-Marie Iemmolo
Cronkite News

PHOENIX — When Caitlin Hogan, a lifelong hockey player and Division I standout, saw that the University of Arizona was building a women’s hockey program, she reached out to offer her expertise to the burgeoning team in any way she could.

By the time Hogan contacted the school to extend her services, its national search for a hockey coach was already underway. But after Troy Vaughn, the director of campus recreation, and Chad Berman, the men’s ice hockey coach, met with Hogan, the hunt was over.

“She (Hogan), by far and away, rose to the top,” Vaughn said. Continue reading “Caitlin Hogan leads Arizona Wildcats’ revival of women’s hockey in Tucson”

In Costa Rica and elsewhere, U.S. ‘Safe Mobility’ program for migrants is unknown, underused

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Costa Rica Migration Policy. 1,725 words.
  • Photos available.

By Christopher Lomahquahu
Cronkite Borderlands Project

PASO CANOAS, Costa Rica – Migrant advocates in this small town on the Panama-Costa Rica border say their country has become the United States’ “tercera frontera” – its third border – a place where the U.S. hopes to slow migrants from continuing north.

The Costa Rican government, however, has implemented a busing system that actually speeds migrants northward, while relatively few are able to enroll in a system designed by the U.S. government to stem the flow of people headed to the U.S. border.

Continue reading “In Costa Rica and elsewhere, U.S. ‘Safe Mobility’ program for migrants is unknown, underused”

Enter Jeff Sims: Veteran ASU quarterback poised to take over for injured Sam Leavitt

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports–ASU Quarterback Change, 520 words.
  • Photo available.

By Tucker L. Sennett
Cronkite News

TEMPE – After taking a hard hit in Arizona State’s win over Utah and sustaining a rib injury, redshirt freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt will not play Saturday against Cincinnati, ASU coach Kenny Dillingham announced Wednesday.

Senior quarterback Jeff Sims will take his place as the starter for the 5-1 Sun Devils on the road against the 4-2 Bearcats.

“We brought him in to compete to start,” Dillingham told reporters after ASU’s practice. “Now (Sims), who’s started a crap-ton of games, gets to go start again. To me, there’s not much drama.” Continue reading “Enter Jeff Sims: Veteran ASU quarterback poised to take over for injured Sam Leavitt”

Snail mail, checks and flip phones: This journalists’ fantasy football league is keeping it old school for 46 years

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Fantasy Football Old School, 860 words.
  • 2 photos available.

By Dane Palmer
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The first sign of this fantasy football league’s uniqueness is the walk commissioner Mark Armijo makes to his mailbox every August. Inside sit the $75 entry fee checks required of each participant. Venmo? PayPal? In this league, that’s blasphemous.

Fantasy football – a game in which members are general managers of teams they’ve drafted, often for money – has become a way to unite friends and family, as well as claim glory by way of bragging rights or prize. One group of friends with connections to the Arizona Republic have done just that for 46 years in the most old school of ways: no apps, no fantasy programs, just old-fashioned pen, paper and emails. Lots of emails.

“I still have a flip phone, I’m still living in the 20th century,” said Mark Armijo, commissioner of the Republic Football League. “I’m so attuned to our league that I don’t understand any other fantasy apps.” Continue reading “Snail mail, checks and flip phones: This journalists’ fantasy football league is keeping it old school for 46 years”

Phoenix Rising FC faces tough road ahead on cusp of USL postseason berth

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Phoenix Rising FC, 740 words.
  • Photo available.

By Sebastian Mondaca Sepulveda
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – After suffering its third straight loss last Friday, Phoenix Rising FC’s season was in jeopardy. Interim coach Diego Gómez was unable to propel his team to a needed victory, and everything looked dim for the club.

Despite the loss to Monterey Bay FC in front of Rising’s dejected but loyal fanbase, Gómez had a couple of words to share heading into Wednesday’s crucial matchup on the road against rival New Mexico United.

“Win,” Gómez said. “We need to win on Wednesday. We need to shake it off and push. The most important thing right now is our mentality and continue to work after this.” Continue reading “Phoenix Rising FC faces tough road ahead on cusp of USL postseason berth”

After 2022, tribal involvement in the Arizona’s State Fair’s Native American Rodeo waned

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Native American Rodeo. 1,110 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Marshall Baker
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The Arizona State Fair is one of Arizona’s longest-standing traditions, dating back almost 30 years before statehood. Starting all the way back in 1884, it’s one of the largest fairs in the United States, bringing in over 1.4 million visitors in 2023.

The Native American Rodeo is part of the rich tradition of the fair, with spectators and competitors from tribal nations across the country. It celebrates the Indigenous peoples who heavily influenced the history of Arizona. It is one of the most popular events among Indigenous communities at the fair, but there are questions surrounding their involvement with all aspects of the rodeo.

Continue reading “After 2022, tribal involvement in the Arizona’s State Fair’s Native American Rodeo waned”

Former Phoenix City Council member Michael Nowakowski runs to lead constituents of District 7

by Julia Thompson

EDS: Cronkite School journalists profiled candidates for Phoenix City Council and the Maricopa County sheriff race. You can find all the profiles here. 

By Carlos Rene Castro
Special for Cronkite News

  • Candidate name: Michael Nowakowski
  • Political affiliation: Democrat
  • Position sought: Phoenix City Council in District 7
  • Career: Vice president of communications for the Cesar Chavez Foundation

Continue reading “Former Phoenix City Council member Michael Nowakowski runs to lead constituents of District 7”

JD Vance visits Arizona’s 2 largest metro areas in bid for Hispanic voters

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: Vance in Arizona. 810 words. By Brianna Chappie.  
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Brianna Chappie
Cronkite News

MESA – God, conservative values, immigration and Donald Trump.

Those were the main talking points at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Mesa on Wednesday, where former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, made his second appearance in Arizona after attending a Tucson rally earlier in the day.

Continue reading “JD Vance visits Arizona’s 2 largest metro areas in bid for Hispanic voters”