Author: Adnan Alam

Midpoint checkup: Cardinals bolstered by elite running game, but defense must prove itself

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Cardinals Midpoint, 750 words.
  •  Photo available.

By Doyal D’angelo
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The Arizona Cardinals have had a peculiar season up to the halfway mark. In Week 4, Jayden Daniels and Kliff Kingsbury made their return to the Southwest and embarrassed the Cardinals 42-14 on their home turf. It was not a pretty scene and a microcosm of the team’s ailments up to that point.

The offense was efficient in the pass game but mostly failed to generate significant yardage. The defense was getting run all over to the tune of 216 yards and four touchdowns, allowing a score on every drive.

This loss pushed the Cardinals to 1-3 on the season, and it seemed that general manager Monti Ossenfort’s comments about undergoing a rebuild would come to fruition. Continue reading “Midpoint checkup: Cardinals bolstered by elite running game, but defense must prove itself”

Donald Trump has promised mass deportations, but public support is mixed

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Deportation Trump Mandate. 1,190 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnail, caption below)

By Mia Osmonbekov and Kelechukwu Iruoma
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – President-elect Donald Trump made mass deportations his signature campaign promise, and in his victory speech Wednesday, he asserted that voters gave him “an unprecedented and powerful mandate.”

Does that mandate extend to rounding up and expelling 11 million undocumented immigrants?

Continue reading “Donald Trump has promised mass deportations, but public support is mixed”

Disconnect on abortion rights cost Kamala Harris, as voters backed ballot measures but not the candidate who supported them

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Abortion Measures Harris. 890 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).
  • Embeddable graphic available.

By Amelia Monroe and Madeline Nguyen
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Ten states considered measures to protect or expand abortion rights on Tuesday. Voters approved seven of those proposals, including one in Arizona that overturned a 15-week ban and enshrines abortion access in the state constitution.

Democrats were counting on these ballot measures to propel their presidential nominee and other candidates.

Continue reading “Disconnect on abortion rights cost Kamala Harris, as voters backed ballot measures but not the candidate who supported them”

Bakersfield lawsuit continues as Kern River water management that left fish dead comes under fire

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Kern River Dewatering. 1,080 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Emery Davis
Cronkite News

LOS ANGELES – Thousands of dead fish have been left behind in the waterbed where the Kern River sometimes flows through Bakersfield – not due to drought but to maintenance by the city water department that added to accusations of mismanagement.

Those claims were brought to Superior Court in a 2022 lawsuit by multiple environmental advocacy organizations. In October, Bakersfield argued against the claims, asserting it is not solely responsible for the dewatering of the Kern River.

Continue reading “Bakersfield lawsuit continues as Kern River water management that left fish dead comes under fire”

Diamondbacks prospect Tommy Troy’s focus, trust translate to successful Fall League stint

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Diamondbacks Tommy Troy, 1,050 words.
  •  3 photos available.

By Sean Brennan
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Growing up, Gino Groover’s parents told him there is a small amount of truth to any joke. So whenever the Arizona Diamondbacks’ No. 9 prospect gives middle infielder Tommy Troy a hard time for working too hard, a small amount of seriousness is sprinkled in.

“I’d be like,‘Dang Tommy, you’ve been swinging for a minute,’” Groover said. “I always tell him, ‘Save some good swings for the game.’”

Troy, the Diamondbacks’ No. 5 prospect and 2023 first-round draft pick, is usually a good sport, not only because he and Groover have spent nearly all of their short minor league careers together, but because Troy also knows it’s true. Continue reading “Diamondbacks prospect Tommy Troy’s focus, trust translate to successful Fall League stint”

Former Arizona State baseball commit Termarr Johnson returns to Tempe with Team USA

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Arizona Fall League Johnson, 800 words.
  •  File photo available.

By Jalen Weathers
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The USA men’s baseball Premier12 team visited Phoenix Municipal Stadium recently to face Arizona State in a tune-up game as the U.S. prepared for the upcoming World Baseball Softball Confederation Championship.

But for infielder Termarr Johnson of Team USA, it was much more than just an exhibition game.

Johnson committed to play at ASU in 2021 before the Pittsburgh Pirates made him the fourth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. He had been projected as high as No. 1 overall due to his exceptional play at Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta and at the MLB High School All-American Showcase. Continue reading “Former Arizona State baseball commit Termarr Johnson returns to Tempe with Team USA”

Did the CFP disrespect the Big 12? First poll reveals little love for BYU

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-CFP Rankings BYU, 750 words.
  •  Photo available.

By Fletcher Anderson
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – One of the strongest messages to come out of Tuesday’s initial College Football Playoff ranking was the committee’s lack of respect for the Big 12, with its current leader ranked lower than many expected, despite an undefeated record.

BYU was slotted in at No. 9, despite a strong resume of ranked wins over No. 13 SMU on the road, and No. 19 Kansas State. Compared to teams ahead of the Cougars, only Georgia and Oregon have two or more ranked wins based on the committee. Over half of the top 9 have zero as of week 10. All of the teams ahead of BYU, besides No. 8 Indiana, would be considered “traditional” football powers.

The Cougars ranking “really came down to more of an eye test,” said Warde Manuel, the director of athletics at Michigan and current CFP selection committee chair. Continue reading “Did the CFP disrespect the Big 12? First poll reveals little love for BYU”

White Mountain Apache members participate in ‘Ride to the Polls’ movement

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Ride to the Polls. 685 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Brianna Chappie
Cronkite News

WHITERIVER – Kaia Aiello, 20, sat on top of her horse, Amoureux, Tuesday and prepared to lead a group to the only polling location in this small town on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation so they could cast votes in the 2024 presidential election.

Aiello is a field organizer for Arizona Native Vote, a nonprofit organization that seeks to amplify Indigenous voices in rural communities throughout Arizona, including on Hopi and Navajo land and the three other federally recognized Apache nations in Arizona.

Continue reading “White Mountain Apache members participate in ‘Ride to the Polls’ movement”

Voters in Navajo Nation face polling issues on Election Day; Apache County extends voting hours

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Navajo Nation Elections. 1,215 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Marshall Baker
Cronkite News

NAVAJO NATION – On a brisk Tuesday election morning, thousands in the Navajo Nation lined up at precincts and chapter houses to cast their votes in the general and Navajo Nation elections. As ballots were counted and numbers updated throughout the day, the overall feeling was excitement, but there was still uncertainty among voters as voting came to an end.

Supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump set up camp outside voting sites and provided donuts, coffee and many campaign flyers to help spread their respective messages.

Continue reading “Voters in Navajo Nation face polling issues on Election Day; Apache County extends voting hours”

Arizona statewide ballot measures 2024 guide: Voters decide on 13 propositions

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Ballot Measures Roundup. 1,050 words.
  • Photo available.

By Hayden Larkin
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona voters have been swarmed with a plethora of ballot measures. The two most controversial proposals got the lion’s share of attention: Proposition 314, to expand immigration enforcement, and Proposition 139, to codify abortion rights in the state constitution.

But the other 11 proposals would also impact the people of Arizona. Here’s a breakdown of what voters are weighing in on:

Continue reading “Arizona statewide ballot measures 2024 guide: Voters decide on 13 propositions”

Senate fight between Ruben Gallego and Trump ally Kari Lake tests MAGA appeal against Democrats’ growing hold on Arizona

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: U.S. Senate. 1,090 words.
  • Photo available.

By Phineas Hogan
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – In a showdown between MAGA and Democrats, Arizona voters faced a choice Tuesday between Donald Trump-backed Kari Lake and Phoenix Congressman Ruben Gallego for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat.

The race is one of a handful of tossups nationwide that will determine control of the Senate.

Continue reading “Senate fight between Ruben Gallego and Trump ally Kari Lake tests MAGA appeal against Democrats’ growing hold on Arizona”

Proposition 314 would let police in Arizona arrest undocumented immigrants, stoking fears of racial profiling

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Prop. 314. 1,470 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Mia Osmonbekov and Kelechukwu Iruoma
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – One of the most closely watched fights in Arizona on Election Day is over a ballot measure giving state and local police the power to arrest undocumented immigrants – the latest volley in a decades-long effort by conservatives dissatisfied with federal enforcement.

Critics have warned that Proposition 314 would lead to racial profiling and harassment of migrants and U.S. citizens alike. Many have viewed it as an attempt to revive the controversial 2010 Arizona law known as Senate Bill 1070, which was largely struck down in court.

Continue reading “Proposition 314 would let police in Arizona arrest undocumented immigrants, stoking fears of racial profiling”

Arizona abortion initiative Proposition 139 mobilizes advocates, highlights tension over reproductive rights

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Prop. 139. 1,070 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Amelia Monroe and Macy Markham
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – A battle over abortion rights in Arizona came to a head Tuesday. Proposition 139 would codify the right to abortion through fetal viability – roughly nine weeks beyond the state’s current 15-week ban.

Opponents call it radical. Backers say the 15-week ban endangers women with complications later in pregnancy and have demanded a return to the more expansive rights ensured for decades by the U.S. Supreme Court.

By midnight, with half of Arizona’s votes counted, the yes votes held a healthy lead.

Continue reading “Arizona abortion initiative Proposition 139 mobilizes advocates, highlights tension over reproductive rights”

Arizona’s 2024 presidential election: Harris and Trump battled for crucial swing state

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Arizona Presidential. 1,200 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Grace Monos and Gabrielle Wallace
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Four years ago, just over 10,000 votes separated the winner and loser in Arizona’s presidential race. The state is one of seven battlegrounds destined to decide the outcome in 2024, too.

Polls remained tight until the end between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

By 12:30 a.m. MST Wednesday, Trump led Harris 267 to 214 in the electoral count on the quest to 270 with all but two of the swing states called in Trump’s favor by the Associated Press. Some major television networks called the race in favor of Trump, and he declared victory to a room full of supporters at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

Arizona had not yet been called, and the margin between the two candidates in the state remained razor thin with about half the state’s votes counted.

Continue reading “Arizona’s 2024 presidential election: Harris and Trump battled for crucial swing state”

Arizona Reps. Juan Ciscomani and David Schweikert fight to keep U.S. House seats against Democrats Kirsten Engel and Amish Shah

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: U.S. House Arizona. 650 words.
  • File photo available.

By Madeline Nguyen and Miguel Ambriz
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Two of the nation’s most competitive congressional races are in Arizona, with Democrats trying to unseat seven-term Rep. David Schweikert of Fountain Hills and first-term Rep. Juan Ciscomani of Tucson.

The contests were among the Democrats’ best opportunities to pick up seats in their bid to flip control of the House, where Republicans have held a razor-thin majority.

Continue reading “Arizona Reps. Juan Ciscomani and David Schweikert fight to keep U.S. House seats against Democrats Kirsten Engel and Amish Shah”

Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump: 2024 election betting markets take off in U.S.; Arizona opts out

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Presidential Election Betting. 1,020 words. By Brenden Paul.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Brenden Paul
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – As voters went to the polls on election day and early ballots continued to come in, most Americans were able to legally wager on the outcome of the presidential election for the first time.

However, not in Arizona.

Continue reading “Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump: 2024 election betting markets take off in U.S.; Arizona opts out”

Adrian Del Castillo in line for designation to key role for Arizona Diamondbacks in 2025

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Diamondbacks De Castillo, 1,100 words.
  •  Photo available.

By Tyler Bednar
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Adrian Del Castillo is a name Arizona Diamondbacks fans could get used to hearing in 2025. After making his MLB debut and playing 25 games last season, Del Castillo is in a prime position to play a larger role next season.

The rookie appeared in 24 of his 25 games at catcher, after Gold Glove winner Gabriel Moreno entered the injured list, and hit .313 with four home runs, five doubles and 19 RBI. Del Castillo’s .893 on-base plus slugging percentage was 46 percent better than the league average.

While Del Castillo didn’t appear in any games as the designated hitter last season, the position could be open in 2025 and he would appear to be a good fit. Continue reading “Adrian Del Castillo in line for designation to key role for Arizona Diamondbacks in 2025”

Prop. 314: Arizonans at odds over authorizing local police to tackle immigration

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Prop. 314 Border Photos. 470 words.
  • 6 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Gabriel Garza
Cronkite News

NOGALES, AZ – Working directly at Arizona’s border, Nogales Mayor Jorge Maldonado believes local police should not have to deal with immigration.

“If they want to fund me for resources, might as well give it to people who do that job,” he said. “Ours are not trained to do immigration.”

In a meeting with Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication students, Maldonado expressed his opposition to Arizona Proposition 314, which would authorize local law enforcement, under “probable cause,” to detain and deport individuals entering the state outside lawful ports of entry.

Continue reading “Prop. 314: Arizonans at odds over authorizing local police to tackle immigration”

Arizona LGBTQIA+ high school, college students say their ‘lives could change’ with presidential election

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: LGBTQ Students Politics. 1,225 words.
  • File photo available.

By Aaron Stigile
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – When Avery changed their name, it was a moment their life changed for the better. Their mom told them to hop on a surprise Zoom call, and Avery joined to an interesting sight.

“I saw the guy in the robes and with a gavel, and I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, this is probably a thing that involves me,’” said Avery, who is a transgender nonbinary high school student in Arizona.

The judge proceeded to change their name.

Continue reading “Arizona LGBTQIA+ high school, college students say their ‘lives could change’ with presidential election”

Phoenix Suns, NBA amplify Hispanic culture in Dia de los Muertos celebration and Mexico City Game 2024

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-NBA Hispanic Culture, 2,200 words.
  •  Photo available.

By Connor Moreno and Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – As Spanish music and vibrant accompanying lights filled Footprint Center throughout a 103-97 Phoenix Suns victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday, the Suns and their fans celebrated more than just a win.

The game was played on the Suns’ ninth annual Dia de los Muertos night, celebrating a Mexican holiday that shows respect and appreciation for the dead. The Suns Dance Team members wore face paint depicting a calavera – sugar skulls – and performed alongside folklórico dancers at halftime.

Theme nights like these are part of a larger effort by the Suns and the NBA to embrace Hispanic culture – and appeal to the league’s growing Hispanic fan base. Continue reading “Phoenix Suns, NBA amplify Hispanic culture in Dia de los Muertos celebration and Mexico City Game 2024”