‘It’s not just a movie’: Hispanic Heritage Month screening of ‘Spare Parts’ honors STEM heroes

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Chandler Hispanic Heritage Film. 720 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Sienna Monea
Cronkite News

CHANDLER – To mark Hispanic Heritage Month, the city and the Chandler International Film Festival screened the 2015 film “Spare Parts” on Sunday. The film, based on a true story, follows four Arizona high school students who defied the odds to win a national robotics competition.

The event was also a chance to celebrate the people who inspired the film. The screening featured a red carpet, appearances by local community leaders and a Q&A session with the film’s director, Sean McNamara; its writer, Elissa Matsueda; one of the four students, Lorenzo Santillan; and the original robotics coach depicted in the film, Fredi Lajvardi.

Continue reading “‘It’s not just a movie’: Hispanic Heritage Month screening of ‘Spare Parts’ honors STEM heroes”

Local baseball community honors late Rich Alday in golf tournament to support Pima baseball

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-Rich Alday Tournament, 670 words.
  • 2 photos available.

By Tom Forbes
Cronkite News

TUCSON – Anyone who knew Rich Alday had nothing but kind remarks about the former Pima Community College baseball coach. People described his amiable nature, fair and measured approach with his players and the family atmosphere he created on the diamond in the midst of fierce competition.

Those values translated into three NJCAA World Series appearances from 1974 to 1989 for the Aztecs before Alday became the head coach at the University of New Mexico from 1990 to 2007. He carried the same traits to Albuquerque, where he left his mark as the winningest coach in program history with 515 victories. He returned to Pima for one last season in 2017 before retiring.

While the Pima County Hall of Famer died in 2021 at age 71, his unmatched legacy still lives today through his numerous accolades and the Rich Alday Memorial Golf Tournament, which held its fourth annual event last Saturday at El Rio Golf Course to fundraise for the upcoming baseball season. Continue reading “Local baseball community honors late Rich Alday in golf tournament to support Pima baseball”

Notre Dame and Brophy football rivalry carries more respect than animosity

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-St. Mary’s Brophy, 625 words.
  • Photo available.

By Fletcher Anderson
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – For decades, the Catholic high school battle in the Valley revolved around Brophy and St. Mary’s. With their roots and history tied together, at one point the schools merged during the Great Depression. Once Brophy reopened in 1952, a rivalry was born. The two battled back and forth for generations, with campuses just miles apart. Fans and athletes bickered about mascots, school colors and even engaged in territorial spats over which side commanded certain watering holes along Central Avenue.

But over the years, as Brophy grew bigger and bigger, the rivalry began to diminish. After 2012, the schools mostly stopped playing each other in football. However, a new rivalry has emerged, with Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale filling the hole left by St. Mary’s, which gradually fell off the sports scene as the seasons changed.

On Friday, what is now called the Holy Bowl is set to be played for the fifth time in as many years, between Notre Dame Prep and Brophy. This Catholic school series started in 2020, and has developed into not just a rivalry, but a coming together between the two. Continue reading “Notre Dame and Brophy football rivalry carries more respect than animosity”

Sens. Mark Kelly and Ted Cruz join forces to cut red tape on U.S. semiconductor projects

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Kelly Cruz Microchips. 570 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Miguel Ambriz
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – In an election year, cooperation between Republicans and Democrats tends to be rare.

But this week, Sens. Mark Kelly and Ted Cruz, an Arizona Democrat and a Texas Republican, together succeeded in pushing through a measure to cut red tape that delays new U.S. semiconductor factories.

Continue reading “Sens. Mark Kelly and Ted Cruz join forces to cut red tape on U.S. semiconductor projects”

Why Douglas? Kamala Harris picks relatively quiet Arizona border city to blunt Donald Trump’s attacks

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Harris Border Douglas. 775 words.
  • Photos available.

By Mia Osmonbekov
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Douglas on Friday, her first border visit as the Democratic presidential nominee and only her second as vice president.

In June 2021, she spent over 4 hours in El Paso, far from the migrant crisis hotpots at the time.

Douglas is also not the focus of Republican attacks about the current administration’s record on border security, which could help explain why her campaign picked it.

Continue reading “Why Douglas? Kamala Harris picks relatively quiet Arizona border city to blunt Donald Trump’s attacks”

Arizona voters are concerned about climate change, but Kamala Harris and Donald Trump both support some fossil fuels

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Climate Election. 1,260 words.
  • Photo available.

By Aaron Stigile
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – More heat and wildfires and less rainfall are among the risks of climate change in Arizona, and some voters are looking to the November presidential election for climate action.

However, it’s hard to define how Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump plan to take on these challenges.

Continue reading “Arizona voters are concerned about climate change, but Kamala Harris and Donald Trump both support some fossil fuels”

CORRECTION to Sept. 25 story on stalled RECA compensation program

by Julia Thompson

EDS: Clients who used the Cronkite News story slugged RECA Rally that moved Wednesday, Sept. 25, under a WASHINGTON dateline are asked to run the following correction. The error occurred in graf 6 of the original. A corrected version of the story has been posted here.

WASHINGTON – A Sept. 25 Cronkite News story about a federal compensation program known as RECA should have stated that “downwinders” from the Nevada nuclear test site were eligible for $50,000, while uranium workers were eligible for $100,000.

Uncharted waters: Herbie Behm ready to defend NCAA title, navigate new changes with ASU Swim and Dive

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-ASU Swimming Behm, 780 words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Tucker L. Sennett
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Things have significantly changed on the pool deck of the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center for the Arizona State swim and dive program. Legendary coach Bob Bowman went to Texas. Leon Marchand and his five Olympic golds went professional.

Luckily for the program, new coach Herbie Behm and a cast of remaining talented swimmers have ASU poised for a successful first season in the Big 12 in the wake of those changes.

“Now that we’ve had a lot of success, it’s different goals and different things we’re trying to reach, but still kind of who we are is very much the same,” Behm said. Continue reading “Uncharted waters: Herbie Behm ready to defend NCAA title, navigate new changes with ASU Swim and Dive”

‘Bridge between the generations’: Miss Navajo Nation merges traditional and modern Diné customs

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: Miss Navajo Nation Significance. 2,735 words.
  • Video and audio available.
  • 21 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Brianna Chappie
Cronkite News

Editor’s note: This article contains images of animal slaughtering.

PHOENIX – By 7 a.m. on a Monday in early September, hundreds of people – some of whom had come out as early as 3 a.m. and traveled from states thousands of miles off – had gathered in the small town of Window Rock to watch the first day of the Miss Navajo Nation pageant. The building where the event took place was filled to capacity almost as soon as attendees were allowed in, and hundreds more set up lawn chairs behind a roped off area to watch the pageant.

Continue reading “‘Bridge between the generations’: Miss Navajo Nation merges traditional and modern Diné customs”

Navajo and other radiation, uranium mine survivors demand action on stalled RECA compensation program

by Julia Thompson

EDS: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described compensation eligibility for people who lived downwind from the Trinity nuclear test in New Mexico. The story below has been corrected, but clients who used previous versions are asked to run the correction found here.

  • Slug: RECA Rally. 930 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Gabrielle Wallace
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – People exposed to radiation from atomic bomb tests and uranium mines rallied Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol – along with tribal leaders – to demand action on a stalled compensation program.

“They gave the ultimate sacrifice when it was needed. We should reward the people who didn’t question what needs to be done,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.

Continue reading “Navajo and other radiation, uranium mine survivors demand action on stalled RECA compensation program”

California combats climate change: New legislation and ExxonMobil lawsuit take on plastic pollution

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: California Plastic. 585 words.
  • File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Emery Davis
Cronkite News

LOS ANGELES – California is taking climate-saving efforts to the next level with a full ban on plastic bags and a state lawsuit against natural gas giant ExxonMobil.

Gov. Gavin Newsom approved new legislation Sunday prohibiting stores from providing plastic bags starting in 2026.

Continue reading “California combats climate change: New legislation and ExxonMobil lawsuit take on plastic pollution”

Phoenix Rising FC set for showdown against former coach Danny Stone, Orange County SC

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Rising Preview Stone. 910 words.
  • Photo available. Graphics available.

By Cooper Burns
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – After Saturday’s decisive 4-0 win, Phoenix Rising FC turn the page to arguably their biggest game of the season. On Wednesday night, Rising face their rivals, Orange County SC, in a matchup with playoff implications.

The game is packed with storylines as both teams compete for the final two spots in the Western Conference, but none bigger than facing former Phoenix Rising coach Danny Stone, who was named interim coach of Orange County SC on Aug. 30.

Stone, an assistant coach for Phoenix Rising from 2021-23, helped guide the team to its first USL championship title last season. On Jan. 18, he was promoted to Rising coach after Juan Guerra left for Major League Soccer. Continue reading “Phoenix Rising FC set for showdown against former coach Danny Stone, Orange County SC”

Shaughn McDonald brings valuable Big 12 insights as assistant to ASU women’s volleyball

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-ASU Volleyball Big 12. 834 words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Anne-Marie Iemmolo
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Arizona State women’s volleyball assistant coach Shaughn McDonald stood near the end line of the court during a team practice, helping players perfect the form on their serves ahead of the Sun Devils’ upcoming game.

At times during the team scrimmage, McDonald paused play to direct the team to be more aggressive or correct players’ positions on the court. McDonald, a former libero for the Saint Francis Red Flash men’s volleyball team, has endless experience on the court and in the coaching zone.

Last year, he was the director of operations and technical coordinator for the Houston Cougars, one of ASU’s new Big 12 opponents. This year, McDonald uses his prior experience to help the Sun Devils adjust to their new conference and competition.

“This conference (Big 12) has retained a lot of really good players, so I do feel fortunate to have a little bit of insight into what those players and those teams do,” McDonald said following a recent team practice.

Continue reading “Shaughn McDonald brings valuable Big 12 insights as assistant to ASU women’s volleyball”

On vibrant Hispanic Heritage Night, Phoenix Rising explodes with 4-0 win to keep playoff hopes alive

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Rising Hispanic Heritage, 700 words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Sebastian Mondaca Sepulveda

Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Every time Phoenix Rising FC scored a goal, red smoke filled the sky, adding more color to an evening that was as festive as it was meaningful.

The goals came early and often – it was the first four-goal game this season for Phoenix, which had eight shots in the first 30 minutes – as the organization celebrated its annual Hispanic Heritage Night with a 4-0 victory against San Antonio FC Saturday at Phoenix Rising Stadium. The victory, which helped the defending USL champions keep their postseason hopes alive, also highlighted the importance of bringing in the culture within the community and the love of the sport.

Hispanic Heritage Month honors the diverse heritage of American citizens whose ancestors originate from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The celebration has grown since its origins as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson, expanding into a full month under President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

Continue reading “On vibrant Hispanic Heritage Night, Phoenix Rising explodes with 4-0 win to keep playoff hopes alive”

Life after football: Arizona State alums Juan Roque, Steve Campbell reflect on challenges after competition

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Life After Football, 1,860 words.
  • 2 photos available.

By Dylan Ackermann
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Heading into the 1997 NFL Draft, former Arizona State offensive tackle Juan Roque felt superhuman.

Selected in the second round, 35th overall, by the Detroit Lions after leading Arizona State to an 11-1 record and a Rose Bowl appearance, the two-time first-team All-Pac-10 selection and consensus All-American was certain his best days were still ahead of him.

What many Lions fans remember as one of the most unforgettable Thanksgivings ended up being just as memorable for Roque, although for very different reasons.

Continue reading “Life after football: Arizona State alums Juan Roque, Steve Campbell reflect on challenges after competition”

Conservationists say cattle grazing on federal lands in Arizona has pushed a threatened garter snake closer to extinction

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: Cattle and Snake. 1,105 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Kelechukwu Iruoma
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon Society are accusing federal agencies of allowing livestock grazing that has put the northern Mexican garter snake at risk.

The rare wetland snake has lost 90% of its habitat in the past century and was declared threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2014.

The two groups sued the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on July 11, asserting that livestock grazing on federal lands along the Big Sandy River in western Arizona is pushing the garter snake toward extinction.

Continue reading “Conservationists say cattle grazing on federal lands in Arizona has pushed a threatened garter snake closer to extinction”

Arizona has seen growth in clean energy jobs under Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, at a cost Republicans call wasteful

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: Green Energy Jobs. 915 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Amelia Monroe
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – The nation’s first solar-powered cobalt processing facility will break ground next year in Yuma County, a $300 million project subsidized by a big federal investment in climate-friendly projects.

The plan is one of two dozen projects underway in Arizona catalyzed by the Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Joe Biden in August 2022. The law set aside $370 billion to promote clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Continue reading “Arizona has seen growth in clean energy jobs under Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, at a cost Republicans call wasteful”

ASU tuition surcharge, cuts in response to state budget reflect lower Arizona higher education spending

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: ASU Budget Cuts. 785 words.
  • File photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Aaron Stigile
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona State University announced measures on Monday to deal with higher education budget cuts passed by the state Legislature. They include a tuition surcharge, cuts to programs such as the Arizona Teachers Academy and the Arizona Promise Program and the closing of its Lake Havasu center. Thousands of students and employees are expected to be affected.

The tuition surcharge is a $350 additional payment for full-time on-campus students in spring 2025. Part-time on-campus students will pay a proportional charge.

Continue reading “ASU tuition surcharge, cuts in response to state budget reflect lower Arizona higher education spending”

After Mesa Mayor John Giles endorses Kamala Harris, some Arizona LDS members follow suit

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Republicans Defecting. 985 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Nash Darragh
Cronkite News

MESA – Election season is in full swing. Arizona is one of the most important states in this year’s presidential “race to 270.” The purple state contains 11 electoral votes that could make or break either campaign for former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris. Republicans in Arizona who are publicly switching their support to Harris could have an impact.

“I remain registered as a Republican because I think it most closely identifies with where I’m at politically,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles, who has endorsed Harris. “There are absolutely things about the Biden-Harris administration that I have policy differences with. I think the fearmongering from the Trump campaign about Vice President Harris being a socialist or calling her Comrade Harris, you know, those are way overblown. I think she’s demonstrated that when it comes to governing and when it comes to problem solving, she will do that. She will compromise, and she’ll work with Republicans, and she’ll govern from the middle.”

Continue reading “After Mesa Mayor John Giles endorses Kamala Harris, some Arizona LDS members follow suit”

Defensive anchor Mary Shroll keys ASU women’s volleyball hot start entering inaugural Big 12 campaign

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports–ASU Volleyball Streak, 900 words.
  • Photo available.

By Jalen Weathers
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The Arizona State women’s volleyball team is off to a strong 11-1 start this season. Ranked No. 14, the team’s only loss was to Nebraska, which jumped from No. 5 to No. 2 in the national rankings this week.

Other than that blip, the Sun Devils have been dominating, sweeping eight of their 12 opponents.

A vital part of ASU’s success is libero Mary Shroll. Continue reading “Defensive anchor Mary Shroll keys ASU women’s volleyball hot start entering inaugural Big 12 campaign”