• Slug: BC-CNS-Abortion Reversal,720 words.
• File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Renee Romo
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – A federal appeals court said a group of Arizona physicians can challenge the state’s ban on abortions for genetic abnormalities, a law the doctors say could land them in jail because it is impermissibly vague.

The ruling Monday by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reverses a lower court that had dismissed the suit, saying the physicians did not have standing to sue after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right to an abortion that was recognized in Roe v. Wade.

But the circuit court said the physicians can sue. It agreed that the doctors have been harmed by the law, the so-called Reason Regulations, because they are “over-complying with the laws because it is unclear what conduct falls within the laws’ grasp.” Continue reading “Physicians can challenge genetic-abnormality abortion ban, court rules”

EDS: This is a partner story from KUNC. If you choose to use it, please fill out this form to help their tracking.

• Slug: BC-CNS-River Reprieve,870 words.
• 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Alex Hager
KUNC

A wet winter and a temporary water conservation agreement have eased some pressure on Colorado River policymakers, which is reflected in a new Bureau of Reclamation proposal that says the risk of critically low reservoirs remains but is “much lower.”

The bureau’s Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, released this week, outlines water management plans until 2026 and reflects a shift away from short-term crisis management toward a more permanent rewrite of rules for how the river is shared. Continue reading “River reprieve: Wet winter, conservation deal ease Colorado planning for now”

• Slug: Sports-The Sweet Spot. Runtime 17:09.
• Downloadable audio here. (Note: Some web browsers may not support media download)

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TSS HOST: This is The Sweet Spot, where we take a closer look at the week’s biggest sports stories in Arizona. I’m Brandon Tran and welcome to yet another dose of weekly sports stories from across the Valley!

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HOST: On today’s show, we are going to look at some of the similarities and differences between the 2023 and 2001 Diamondbacks World Series teams, as well as how sports card businesses have benefited from this year’s World Series matchup. We also have a mid-season update on the Arizona Cardinals, an overview of the dominance of Centennial football and a recap of the first ever AIA organized sanctions girls Flag Football playoffs. Continue reading “The Sweet Spot: Diamondbacks rise, Cardinals fall, Centennial dominates and flag football arrives”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Medical Relief,1060 words.
• 6 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Angelina Steel
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Millions of dollars worth of medical supplies sit tucked away in a warehouse on W. 14th Street in Tempe. Among them are eight large pallets filled with medical relief supplies waiting to be shipped to the Middle East.

This warehouse is the Phoenix distribution center for Project C.U.R.E., an organization that was founded in 1987 in Colorado to address the staggering shortage of medical resources around the world. Its most recent project: sending medical supplies that could provide emergency relief to civilians in the middle of the Israeli-Hamas conflict. Continue reading “Local organization donating millions of dollars worth of medical aid to the civilians caught in the Israel-Hamas conflict”

• Slug: BC-CNS-House Makeover,700 words.
• File photo, video story available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Alexandria Cullen
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Arizona lawmakers voted on party lines Wednesday as the House elected a new speaker, ending three weeks of what one representative called “weeks of political paralysis and dysfunction” in Congress.

The 220-209 vote to elect Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., also ended three weeks of GOP division that began with the ouster of then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was voted out by all Democrats and eight Republicans – including Arizona Reps. Andy Biggs of Gilbert and Eli Crane of Oro Valley.

But Biggs and Crane joined all other House Republicans to elect Johnson, who said “let’s get back to work” – just three weeks before the next potential government shutdown and with pressing demands for aid to Israel and Ukraine. Continue reading “Arizona lawmakers vote on party lines to elect speaker, get back to work”

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TSS Host: This is The Sweet Spot where we take a closer look at the week’s biggest sports stories in Arizona. I’m Alex Chenevey and thank you for tuning into the show.

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TSS Host: On today’s show we’ll tell you how business has been booming due to the Diamondbacks’ success in the MLB Playoffs. Then we’ll talk about state records being broken in high school football and the ever-growing sport of Pickelball in the Valley. Lastly, a look at high school marching band, and how 23 bands gathered in Flagstaff for a competition. Continue reading “The Sweet Spot: Making the most of DBacks run, making music and breaking records”

• Slug: BC-CNS-CN2Go Weekly Update. Runtime 10:34.
• Downloadable audio here. (Note: Some web browsers may not support media download)

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

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CN2Go Host: On today’s show we talk about Debbie Lesko’s announcement that she will not be running for re-election, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix’s recently-opened Mental Health Ministry, and how some veteran organizations have been left in limbo over a criminal case relating to bingo games and technology. Continue reading “CN2Go Weekly Update: Phoenix Catholic church expands its Mental Health Ministry”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Migrant Monuments,710 words.
• Photo, video story available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Alexandria Cullen
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Tohono O’odham Chairman Verlon Jose told a House panel Wednesday that while migrants crossing his reservation are causing problems, those are overshadowed by problems from the construction of the border wall meant to stop migration.

“Construction of a wall on federal lands near our reservation also interferes with the flow of scarce, vital water resources on which plants and wildlife depend. Our tribal members rely on these plants for food, medicine and cultural purposes,” Jose said in his testimony.

His comments came during a House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing on the federal government’s recent decision to use Floyd Bennett Field, a National Park Service site in Brooklyn, as an emergency housing site for some of the thousands of migrants who have recently been shipped to New York from the border. Continue reading “Tohono O’odham official says immigration is a problem – but so is the wall”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Homeless Mesa,740 words.
• 2 photos, video story available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Adrienne Washington and Renee Romo
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Mesa Mayor John Giles told a Washington seminar Thursday that he no longer has to fight to make people understand the seriousness of homelessness, but that the fight to solve the issue is ongoing.

“I remember saying homelessness is an issue in Mesa, Arizona,” Giles said during the seminar. “I no longer feel like I need to say that, because I think most people have come to realize it’s not an issue, it’s the issue in our communities.”

Giles’ comments came at a Bipartisan Policy Center forum with mayors from across the country on city approaches to ending the cycle of homelessness. The mayors agreed that long-term solutions are needed but that – it’s complicated. Continue reading “Giles, other mayors say ongoing homelessness issue needs ongoing solutions”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Lesko Leaves,830 words.
• 2 file photos, video story available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Renee Romo
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Declaring Washington “broken,” four-term Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Peoria, made the surprise announcement Tuesday that she will serve out her current term but will not seek reelection next year.

The announcement shocked political observers who said Lesko’s departure opens the door to what will likely be a crowded, and costly, GOP primary to replace her in what has been called a solidly Republican district.

“It’s going to be one of the most watched races in the state, all of a sudden,” said Paul Bentz, senior vice president of research and strategy for Highground Inc. “This is a pretty shocking announcement that creates a very competitive race that a lot of people are going to jump into.” Continue reading “Heated race likely to succeed Lesko, who will leave ‘broken’ Washington”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Israel Palestine Rallies,1100 words.
• 8 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Kate Duffy and Angelina Steel
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Hamas, which the U.S. State Department has designated a terrorist organization, launched an attack on Israel this past Saturday. More than 1,200 were dead as of Wednesday, according to media reports, and Israel on Sunday declared war on Hamas.

Hamas governs more than 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Founded in 1987, Hamas has called for the elimination of Israel, which was founded in 1948 as a safe haven for Jews fleeing persecution.

Amid news of death and violence in this latest Israel-Hamas war, the diverse communities of Arizona State University have expressed both grief and support for Israelis and Palestinians. The first ASU event took place on the Tempe campus on Wednesday evening, and drew students and others together to grieve for lost loved ones and show solidarity for Israel. On Thursday at 11 a.m., a group marched through the Tempe campus to show their support for Palestinians. Continue reading “Hundreds gather at ASU events with opposing views of Israelis, Palestinians”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Space Dirt,700 words.
• 4 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Lux Butler
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – A University of Arizona scientist joined NASA officials Wednesday to unveil the results of a successful multiyear mission to a near-Earth asteroid that returned last month bearing what they called “scientific treasure.”

OSIRIS-REx set multiple records on its seven-year trip to the asteroid Bennu, where it collected four times as much material as planned – material including carbon and water-bearing clay that could hold clues to the development of Earth. Continue reading “Arizona expert marvels at ‘scientific treasure’ from 7-year asteroid mission”

• Slug: BC-CNS-Senate Shakeup,830 words.
• File photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Renee Romo
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Kari Lake’s expected entrance Tuesday into the already-crowded field seeking to unseat Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., sets the stage for what one analyst said has the potential to be “the greatest race in United States Senate history.”

Lake, the failed 2022 Republican nominee for governor, has not officially announced her intention to run for Senate, instead promising to make a “huge announcement” at a campaign rally Tuesday. But she filed a statement of candidacy for the Senate race late last week with the Federal Election Commission.

“It’s going to be the Grand Slam, the World Cup, the World Series, the Super Bowl of U.S. Senate races with Kari Lake getting into the race,” said Jason Rose, an Arizona-based political consultant. Continue reading “Likely Lake entry into Arizona Senate race sets up ‘Super Bowl’ of elections”

EDS: An earlier version of this story attributed a statement in the 15th graf to the wrong source. The story below has been corrected, but clients who used previous versions are asked to run the correction found here.

• Slug: BC-CNS-Unwinding Medicaid,870 words.
• File photo, graphic available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Oakley Seiter
Cronkite News

PHOENIX– For the past six months, the nation has been undergoing a Medicaid “unwinding,” wherein millions of individuals who were enrolled in Medicaid health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic are being disenrolled because their current income makes them ineligible.

States are now removing people from their enrollment systems because the enhanced federal funding that paid for expanding Medicaid during the COVID-19 pandemic, is ending.

The state agency that handles Medicaid payments to Arizona residents is the Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). On April 1, AHCCCS began the process of running all 2.5 million Arizonans enrolled on Medicaid through federal databases that verified a certain number of people were still eligible to stay on Medicaid automatically. Continue reading “AHCCCS reaches out to recipients, community to help with Medicaid ‘unwinding’”

EDS: An earlier version of this audio and script included a mispronunciation and misspelling of Nate Solmon’s name and an incorrect job title for Joseph Currie in the story about water catchments. The audio and script below have been corrected, but clients who used previous versions are asked to run the correction found here.

• Slug: BC-CNS-CN2Go Weekly Update. Runtime 8:54.
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CN2Go Host: This is Cronkite News 2 Go. I’m your host, Deanna Pistono.

[Music fade in/under] Continue reading “CN2Go Weekly Update: Salt River landfill fire smoke may pose health problems”

• Slug: Sports-The Sweet Spot. Runtime 12:30.
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TSS Host: This is The Sweet Spot where we take a closer look at the week’s biggest sports stories in Arizona. I’m Austin Hepola and welcome to your weekly intake of Sports stories from across the Valley. Continue reading “The Sweet Spot: The Suns take shape, the Wildcats take a loss, Mountain Pointe takes in transfers”