Here is your special Cronkite News Super Bowl lineup for Saturday, Feb. 11. If you have questions on news stories from the Phoenix bureau, please contact Managing Editor for Digital Julia Thompson at 602-543-4610 or julia.thompson.1@asu.edu, while questions about stories from our Washington bureau should go to Steve Crane at 202-684-2398 or steve.crane@asu.edu. Sports story questions can be directed to Paola Boivin at paola.boivin@asu.edu. Clients who want to use Cronkite videos can find clean versions, and scripts, for download in a Dropbox – if interested, contact Allysa Adams at 480-580-5502 at aadams1@asu.edu for access. Stories promised for today, along with photos and links to multimedia elements, will post to our client site at cronkitenews.jmc.asu.edu/clients.
TODAY’S NEWS
Super Bowl 57 to be won in the trenches, tried and true
PHOENIX – Two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is in the third Super Bowl of his six-year career while Jalen Hurts – a 2022 MVP finalist – is new to the stage. First-team All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce and second-team All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown could be keys in a potential back-and-forth contest. But while the offenses for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles are among the league’s highest-scoring, the outcome of Sunday’s Super Bowl could be determined in the trenches. “That combination right there – the O-lines versus the D-lines – it ends up being the kind of thing that wins or loses games,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.
Slug: Sports-Super Bowl Preview. 1,140 words. By Noah Furtado and Spencer Gustafson.
Photo available.
Backyard Bowl: Olympian, Eagle, Brophy alum Devon Allen returns home for Super Bowl
PHOENIX – As a member of the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad, Devon Allen won’t be in pads for Super Bowl 57. He’ll be in street clothes Sunday at State Farm Stadium. But he’ll still be living a dream, returning for the game to the hometown where his athletic career got its start as a track team star and a three-year varsity football player at Brophy College Prep. That led to the 2016 and 2020 Olympics and getting to the NFL. Allen says it’s like a storybook story.
Slug: Sports-Prodigal Player. 1,930 words. By Hayden Cilley.
3 photos available.
On heels of pandemic, Valley hospitality industry eyes potential windfall from Super Bowl 57
PHOENIX – Although the COVID-19 pandemic created significant challenges for the hospitality industry that have carried over into 2023, restaurants and hotels are grateful for the economic boost Super Bowl 57 is expected to bring.
Slug: Sports-Super Bowl Economics Hospitality. 780 words. By Jake Seymour and Ciaran Doyle.
Photo available.
NFL shines spotlight on local brands and artists ahead of Super Bowl
TEMPE – Inspired by vibrant orange-and-purple Arizona sunsets and local Native American tribes, four local brands were able to put their work on display at an NFL retail pop-up shop providing a once-in-a-lifetime platform. Local artist Ashley Macias, Elias Jade with Elias Jade Not Afraid, Jeremy Davis with Manor and Jared Yazzie with OXDX produced limited edition Super Bowl 57 products that were on display, and for sale, at the league-sponsored pop-up shop at the Showcase Room in Tempe.
Slug: Sports-Super Bowl Pop-up. 650 words. By Bennett Silvyn.
3 photos available.
$20 million on line after PGA Tour gave WM Phoenix Open designated event status, elevating purse
SCOTTSDALE – The WM Phoenix Open is regularly the PGA Tour’s highest-attended tournament, and this year it will also offer one of the Tour’s largest paydays after it was selected as a “designated event,” a tag that comes with an elevated purse of $20 million. This weekend’s open will be the first full-field event of the season, with the increased purse and the winner taking home $3.6 million.
Slug: Sports-Phoenix Open Elevated Purse. 988 words. By Harrison Campbell.
Photo available.
Calmer conditions lead to lower scoring after second round of WM Phoenix Open
SCOTTSDALE – Friday morning at TPC Scottsdale started off with breezes reminiscent of a tough first round that began with a frost delay and ended with frustrated golfers from Thursday. For those including Rickie Fowler, who had to finish their first round on Friday morning, things were still difficult. But he was able to dress for a milder day for his scheduled full round later. “I had some cold weather gear on for the finish this morning and ran in and shed a few layers,” Fowler said. “So it was definitely a lot nicer for the second round.”
Slug: Sports-WM Open Round 2 Conditions. 981 words. By Nicholas Hodell.
Photo available.
SUPER BOWL COVERAGE
Officials warn shoppers of fake Super Bowl merchandise
PHOENIX – From NFL jerseys and hats to Super Bowl rings and more, counterfeits abound, and officials are warning consumers to be on the lookout ahead of Super Bowl 57. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security annually intercept tens of thousands of counterfeit sports goods worth tens of millions of dollars, fakes that deprive legitimate businesses. Officials encourage consumers to buy only from reputable businesses and be on the lookout for shoddy merchandise.
Slug: BC-CNS-Intercepting Fakes. 460 words. By John Brown.
2 photos, video story available.
Clouds may steal the sunshine on Super Bowl Sunday
PHOENIX – Despite the Valley’s reputation for warn and sunny weather, travelers may have to deal with rain on the day of the Super Bowl. After a cooler-than-normal start to the year, Arizona has seen a warming trend in recent days, with temperatures expected in the 70s Saturday. It will still be warm Sunday, but a weather system moving in will bring clouds and a very small chance for light, scattered showers in the evening and over night. If so, it would be only the second of Arizona’s four Super Bowls to see rain.
Slug: BC-CNS-Super Weather. 900 words. By Payton Major.
2 photos, videos on the game forecast, the WM Open forecast, weather history and impact available.
Photos: Arizona Super Bowl events include music, parties, experiences, more
PHOENIX – The Super Bowl is more than just a football game for its host city. The Valley has been alive with events over the past week, and not just in Glendale, where the 2023 Super Bowl is set to be played Sunday at State Farm Stadium, but at parties, concerts and happenings in Scottsdale, downtown Phoenix and more.
Slug: BC-CNS-Super Events. 150 words/Photo essay. By Emily Mai and Susan Wong.
7 photos available.
Unprecedented times: Super Bowl plus legalized sports betting could equal good fortune for Arizona
PHOENIX – The Super Bowl is widely known in the sports world as a “gambler’s dream.” However, this year’s Super Bowl is in Arizona, the first state with legalized betting to host the big game. The effect on Arizona and its economy could be huge.
Slug: Sports-Arizona Super Bowl Betting. 1,095 words. By James Dalpino.
2 photos available.
Superb Bowl Sundays: Arizona has knack for delivering the goods in big game
PHOENIX – If history means anything, the city of Glendale is in for a wild ride when the Super Bowl returns to Arizona. This year’s Super Bowl will mark Arizona’s fourth time hosting the big game – and the three previous games in the Valley produced remarkable storylines and wild heroics after the NFL pulled the 1993 Super Bowl from Sun Devil Stadium over Arizona’s refusal to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a state holiday. After a state-wide referendum passed in November 1992, the NFL awarded the state the 1996 Super Bowl.
Slug: Sports-Arizona Super Bowls. 2,890 words. By Joe Eigo.
3 photos available.
Super deals: Affordable events to attend leading up to the Super Bowl
PHOENIX – As the average ticket cost for the 2023 Super Bowl reaches $5,000, here are events fans on a budget can attend during the week leading up to the big game.There are two big ones that cost just $20, and others are free of charge. The first bargain is the Super Bowl Experience presented by Lowe’s, considered one of the premier events of Super Bowl week. The interactive fan experience will be staged at the Phoenix Convention Center in downtown Phoenix and will be open through Feb. 11.
Slug: Sports-Affordable Super Bowl Events. 900 words. By Bennett Silvyn.
3 photos available.
Super Bowl brings traffic headaches. Here’s what you need to know.
PHOENIX – Super Bowl and Phoenix Open fans are flooding into the Valley, bringing inevitable traffic jams. Drivers should allow extra travel time and note a few high-traffic and lane-closure areas, transportation officials said, particularly in downtown Phoenix around events at the Phoenix Convention Center, Footprint Center and Margaret T. Hance Park. The Arizona Department of Transportation plans to stop all construction-related road closures and road work through Wednesday, Feb. 15, to help fans travel to and from both the Waste Management Phoenix Open in north Scottsdale and football-related events in Phoenix, Glendale and neighboring cities.
Slug: BC-CNS-Super Bowl Traffic. 580 words. By Abigail Scott.
Photo, graphic available.
Heavy limbs come from the NAU coaching tree, including Andy Reid, who leads Chiefs in Super Bowl 57
PHOENIX – When Larry Kentera took over as football coach at Northern Arizona University in 1985, few could have predicted that Kentera’s staff would produce four future NFL coaches: Bill Callahan for the Oakland Raiders, Brad Childress for the Minnesota Vikings, Marty Morhinweg for the Detroit Lions and Kansas City coach Andy Reid, whose Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s Super Bowl. Kentera, who turns 99 in April, still looks back at his coaching tree at NAU with a sense of pride.
Slug: Sports-Super Bowl NAU Coaching Tree. 600 words. By Caleb Jones.
4 photos available.
Chiefs or Eagles? WM Phoenix Open field enters Super Bowl predictions
SCOTTSDALE – As the Super Bowl and the WM Phoenix Open converge in Arizona, some participants in this year’s Open were ready for golf with a side of football. When asked this week, most competitors at the Phoenix Open and the Annexus Pro-Am chose to go with the Philadelphia Eagles, including Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, MLB legend Alex Rodriguez and former quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. “I am good friends with both the Kelce brothers,” Fitzpatrick said of brothers who play for the Eagles and Chiefs. “Jason’s got the beard, but Travis is cool. I’m going to have to go with my beard brother though and go with the Eagles.”
Slug: Sports-Golfer Super Bowl Predictions. 550 words. By Lucas Gordon.
Photo available.
From quirky designs to sentimental homage, Super Bowl logos have changed dramatically
PHOENIX – On Jan. 12, 1969, Lamar Hunt won in two significant ways when his American Football League’s New York Jets upset the National Football League’s Baltimore Colts in the game that officially would be referred to as the “Super Bowl” for the first time. With the name came a need for a representation of it, something to put on media guides, advertisements and beyond. The first design principle of the naming of the games and their logos came from Hunt himself when he insisted that Roman numerals dignified the event. This change would also be applied to the previous games, which were renamed “Super Bowl I” and “Super Bowl II” retroactively.
Slug: Sports-History of Super Bowl Logos. 1,384 words. By Aidan Richmond.
18 logos available.
Snap, hold, kick and pray: NFL special teams are simply complex
SCOTTSDALE – Over the last five decades, the football world has seen some of the biggest moments and nail-biting games come down to a field goal. Those include last-second heroics as well as deflating kicks that sail wide left, wide right or even come up short of the crossbar, leaving fans to grouse, “I could’ve easily made that.” While it doesn’t look all that hard on TV, especially with how smoothly the process of snap, hold and kick is executed by any special teams units in the NFL during the regular season, in reality it’s one of the more complicated aspects of the game.
Slug: Sports-Chiefs Special Teams. 1,224 words. By Spencer Gustafson.
2 photos available.
‘Woo!’: Kansas City Chiefs revved up for Super Bowl 57 on Opening Night
PHOENIX – If last Sunday’s arrival of the Super Bowl teams at Phoenix Sky Harbor was the snap and hold, then Monday’s Super Bowl 57 Opening Night presented by Fast Twitch kicked off the week of festivities. Thousands of fans and media members gathered at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix to see the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs in the same room together, and to gauge the temperature of the NFC and AFC champions leading into the game of the year.
Slug: Sports-Chiefs Media Availability. 1,101 words. By Spencer Gustafson.
4 photos available.
A taste of Philly: Where Eagles fans can find cheesesteaks, water ice and watch Super Bowl 57
PHOENIX – As the big game approaches, the best of Philly food can be found at multiple restaurants throughout the Valley. Some restaurants are going all out to avoid running out of ingredients while also preparing to create a comfortable viewing experience on Sunday.
Slug: Sports-Arizona Philly Restaurants. 637 words. By Kaitlyn Parohinog.
4 photos available.
A path back to the Super Bowl: Eagles remade in Nick Sirianni’s image
PHOENIX – The Philadelphia Eagles are approaching the end of a campaign that included a franchise-record 14 regular-season wins and two dominant playoff victories as the NFC’s No. 1 seed en route to being the favorite in Sunday’s Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs, a team playing in their third big game in four seasons — and somehow, the Eagles’ identity remains closely reminiscent of its embodiment during their unprecedented 2017-2018 Super Bowl run. Or that’s how Jason Kelce sees it.
Slug: Sports-Eagles Media Availability. 968 words. By Noah Furtado.
4 photos available.
Touch down! Eagles, Chiefs land in Phoenix for Super Bowl 2023
PHOENIX – The Eagles have landed. The Chiefs, too. The much anticipated Super Bowl 57 between Philadelphia and Kansas City became more real last Sunday afternoon when both teams landed at Sky Harbor International Airport. The Chiefs arrived first, many stepping onto the runway in colorful garb. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes sported a Louis Vuitton hoodie and sunglasses.
Slug: Sports-Super Bowl Teams Landing Photo Essay. 172 words. By Cronkite News.
9 photos available.
From airports to Old Town, Super Bowl’s presence will be felt throughout Valley
PHOENIX – On Feb. 12, Arizona will host its fourth Super Bowl, the third for State Farm Stadium. Experience is helping the Valley prepare for the surge of travelers and event-goers. The day after the 2015 Super Bowl set a single-day record for passengers traveling through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, with about 175,000, said Tamra Ingersoll, the airport spokesperson. It anticipates a similar situation in 2023. “Feb. 13, the day after the big game, will likely be the busiest day of the year,” she said.
Slug: BC-CNS-Super Bowl Effect. 927 words. By Aidan Richmond.
Photo available.
$7,000 a night? Short-term rental prices skyrocket for Super Bowl 2023 weekend
GLENDALE – Looking for a three-night stay near State Farm Stadium, walking distance to the Super Bowl? How about something cozy near Old Town Scottsdale, party central for the big game and a short drive to the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament? Or the ideal spot is in a high rise near downtown Phoenix, halfway between the stadium and Scottsdale, a short walk to the NFL’s Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center? With out-of-towners pouring into the Valley for the big game, just about any location is going to come with a hefty price tag.
Slug: BC-CNS-Super Bowl Rentals. 893 words. By Egan Adler.
Photo available.
Court says law limiting signs near Super Bowl events violates free speech
WASHINGTON – A Phoenix law letting the Super Bowl host committee accept or reject signs around the “NFL Experience” zone downtown is an unconstitutional infringement of free speech rights, a Maricopa Superior Court ruled. Judge Bradley Astrowsky also ordered the city to act within 48 hours on any sign application submitted by Bramley Paulin, the business owner who sued because he could not post commercial signs on his property near the heavily trafficked zone. Astrowsky said a City Council attempt to fix the problem by changing the law last week came so late that, without a court order, the city could sit on Paulin’s application until “well after the Chiefs or the Eagles are handed the Vince Lombardi Trophy.” Contact Steve Crane with questions.
Slug: BC-CNS-Super Sign. 900 words. By Alexis Waiss.
2 photos available.
Hospitality, tourism and sports industries come together before the Super Bowl to fight human trafficking
PHOENIX – Up to 150,000 people are expected to visit the Valley for Super Bowl 57, and It’s a Penalty is using the exposure to bring awareness to human trafficking and gather the hospitality, tourism and sports industries to raise awareness and continue the fight against trafficking. In addition to work by nongovernmental organizations such as It’s a Penalty and Where Hope Lives, the state of Arizona’s Human Trafficking Council has provided education on trafficking to more than 50,000 people since its inception in 2014.
Slug: BC-CNS-Super Bowl Human Trafficking. 1,120 words. By Kylie Werner.
5 photos available.
Field of work: State Farm Stadium undergoes final preparations for Super Bowl Sunday
GLENDALE – From fresh green grass to brand new turf, playing surfaces have been a focus of NFL headlines this season, and State Farm Stadium workers have the task of making the field for Super Bowl 57 pleasing to viewers while keeping players safe. And with all eyes on the biggest game of the year, the crew feels good about where they are. Playing surfaces took the spotlight during the 2022 Super Bowl, when L.A. Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr. turned upfield to catch a pass on SoFi Stadium’s artificial turf and collapsed in a heap from what was later revealed to be a torn ACL.
Slug: Sports-Super Bowl Stadium Prep. 957 words. By Bennett Silvyn.
2 photos available.
Students lead way during NFL Green’s Super Kids-Super Sharing initiative
PHOENIX – The NFL’s environmental program, NFL Green, has left a lasting impact in the Phoenix area in the lead-up to this year’s Super Bowl. On Thursday, NFL Green’s Super Kids-Super Sharing program gathered students from the Phoenix area at the Salvation Army Kroc Center to donate sports equipment, games, school supplies and books in good condition.
Slug: Sports-Super Kids Donations. 780 words. By Nicholas Hodell.
3 photos available.
Super Bowl 57: The teams are set, and so are betting lines, ticket prices
PHOENIX – Now that the teams are determined for Super Bowl 57 in Glendale, fans have an idea of what else to expect, namely exorbitant ticket prices and a betting line that suggests this game is up for grabs. The Kansas City vs. Philadelphia matchup is only part of the story.
Slug: Sports-Super Bowl Clarity. 1,250 words. By Spencer Gustafson.
Photos available.
WEEKEND SPECIALS
Minority groups may face fewer opioid addiction treatment options
LOS ANGELES – The opioid epidemic has touched all races, but when it comes to seeking treatment, some minority groups are at a distinct disadvantage, a panel of experts said at a recent online forum. People in predominantly white communities have more access to take-home treatments like buprenorphine while those who live in heavily minority communities usually must rely on clinics that dispense methadone, making it harder to recover. “There’s real racial inequity,” said one expert at the forum.
Slug: BC-CNS-Opioid Addiction Shift. 610 words. By Karina Romero.
File photo, graphic available.
No contest: WM Phoenix Open holds up just fine against Super Bowl
SCOTTSDALE – Not every PGA Tour stop would welcome its tournament coinciding with the Super Bowl. The WM Phoenix Open embraces it. “Adding the Super Bowl clearly adds an element of more people in town, more media in town, more eyes on our market,” said 2023 WM Phoenix Open tournament chairman Pat Williams. “The world truly will be focused on metro Phoenix this weekend.” The tournament regularly draws the largest galleries on the PGA Tour, making it the ultimate people-watching event. And it isn’t just about golf at the TPC Scottsdale during tournament week.
Slug: Sports-Phoenix Open Super Bowl. 759 words. By Ray Belkora.
Photo available.
Season of change: A year that defined ASU alum Darren Woodson
PHOENIX – Held to ASU’s modified enforcement of Proposition 48, Darren Woodson couldn’t play or practice with the program as an academically ineligible walk-on during the 1987-88 season — before he became a three-year starter, before he won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys, and before he was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was a transformational year, to say the least.
Slug: Sports-Woodson Hall of Fame. 1,587 words. By Noah Furtado.
5 photos available.
From encephalitis to PGA Tour debut: Brett White’s miraculous comeback leads to WM Phoenix Open
SCOTTSDALE – Brett White has had the fortune, or misfortune, to learn the game of golf twice. After battling a debilitating brain infection nearly six years ago, he has defied the odds to make his first PGA Tour start at the WM Phoenix Open. White was diagnosed with encephalitis, commonly known as swelling in the brain. The symptoms of this infection impaired White’s ability to talk or walk. The disease affects about one in 200,000 people each year in the U.S., according to WebMD. “This gave me some perspective to how fast life can change,” White, 29, said. “It gave me some perspective about why I’m playing a game I love. It definitely changed me and matured me.”
Slug: Sports-Phoenix Open White. 781 words. By Aaron Healy.
File photo available.
THE WEEK’S NEWS
DASH bus expansion will connect to more entertainment, shopping, housing
PHOENIX – Leave those walking shoes at home. The Downtown Area Shuttle Circulator (DASH) route is expanding to connect riders with more entertainment, shopping and housing in downtown Phoenix north to Roosevelt Street. And riders can have a say: The Public Transit Department posted an online survey that lets the public weigh in on four different route proposals that will double the length of the Capitol to downtown shuttle when it opens. But the survey closes Friday.
Slug: BC-CNS-DASH Expansion. 450 words. By Grace Mack.
7 photos available.
HomeBase Surprise tackles rising homeless youth population in Arizona
SURPRISE – Expanding its reach beyond Phoenix, Native American Connections has opened a second transitional housing facility and program for homeless youth in Surprise. The HomeBase Youth Services center officially opened last week with seven residents already settled in, demonstrating the dire need for youth emergency housing. The facility, previously used as a retirement home, can house up to 40 young men and women and officials expect to help between 100 and 200 youth experiencing homelessness in the facility’s first year.
Slug: BC-CNS-HomeBase Opening. 850 words. By Lauren Kobley and Samia Salahi.
10 photos available.
Legislature takes ‘long overdue’ vote to lift cap on school spending
PHOENIX – The Arizona Senate and House have overridden the aggregate expenditure limit for the second year in a row, which will allow school districts to spend their Legislature-appropriated funds this year. The Senate voted 23-7 Wednesday, one day after the House voted 46-14 to lift the limit, well over the two-thirds vote needed to pass in both chambers. Without the exemption – which was also required last year – school districts around the state would have had to cut nearly $1.4 billion by April 1 analysts said. “There’s no way you can trim that much expense without impacting daily operations for most districts,” one school official said.
Slug: BC-CNS-Education Expenditure Cap. 980 words. By Kylie Werner.
File photo available.
Arizona lawmakers agree to disagree on Biden’s border, fentanyl plans
WASHINGTON – Arizona lawmakers agreed with President Joe Biden’s call in his State of the Union address Tuesday to secure American borders and fight fentanyl trafficking, but they disagreed on how to get there. It was just one of many areas where Republicans and Democrats in the state’s congressional delegation, even when they agreed on a topic, appeared to view the state of the union through different lenses. Despite calls for bipartisanship, lawmakers could not even get through the speech without partisan, and sometimes angry outbursts, that evolved into a give-and-take between the president and the chamber. Contact Steve Crane with questions.
Slug: BC-CNS-SOTU Arizona. 1,060 words. By Alexis Waiss.
2 photos available.
Guesting game: State of the Union guests make political, personal points
WASHINGTON – A college student and a professional sports agent don’t share much in common, but two of them will share a seat in the House gallery Tuesday for the State of the Union address as guests of Arizona lawmakers. They are just two of the Arizonans who will be on hand for President Joe Biden’s speech as guests of state delegation members or of first lady Jill Biden. They range from a college student to a college chancellor, from a business owner to tribal leaders, in a tradition that can have both personal and political overtones. Contact Steve Crane with questions.
Slug: BC-CNS-SOTU Guests. 950 words. By Alexis Waiss.
2 file photos available.
Arizona freshman Ciscomani tapped for Spanish rebuttal to Biden
WASHINGTON – House Republicans tapped Freshman Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Tucson, to deliver the Spanish rebuttal to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address Tuesday, a move analysts say further cements his status as a rising GOP star. But at least one Democratic analyst called it little more than an effort by party leaders to show “they’re not just the party of older white men.” Rebuttals to the State of the Union have been given for speeches go back decades and there has been a Spanish response since at least 2011, but Ciscomani is only the second freshman picked for what can be a high-profile assignment. Contact Steve Crane with questions.
Slug: BC-CNS-SOTU Ciscomani. 740 words. By Alexis Waiss.
2 file photos available.
Threatened narrow-headed garter snake gets help from the Phoenix Zoo
PHOENIX — Declared threatened nearly a decade ago, the narrow-headed garter snake is getting new life and help from scientists at the Phoenix Zoo, where 40 of the the snakes were born last year as part of a conservation program. It was by far the most since the program began in 2007, and zoo officials hope 2023 will be another successful year. The aquatic snake, native to central and eastern Arizona and to western New Mexico, has been in decline for decades in the face of competition from invasive species and loss of habitat.
Slug: BC-CNS-Snake Assist. 660 words. by Sarah Min Heller.
5 photos available.
THE WEEK’S AUDIO STORIES
CN2Go Weekly Update: Drought creates uncertainty for Colorado River tourism
A blind skateboarder defies stereotypes and hits the rails. Plus, the ongoing drought has people who make a living on Colorado River tourism worried about the future.
Slug: BC-CNS-CN2Go Weekly Update. Runtime 6:44 . With Roxanne De La Rosa.
Audio briefing available.
New transmission line will increase energy reliability in Arizona and California
The Ten West link is a 125-mile transmission line that will make it easier to send solar and wind energy between Arizona and California. The line will run from Tonopah, AZ, to Blythe, CA. Vice President Kamala Harris and Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs say Ten West Link will bring more jobs, but Tonopah Community Council President James Hoodenpyle disagrees.
Slug: BC-CNS-Ten West Link Audio. TRT: 3:16. By Amber Victoria Singer.
Audio, photo available.
CN2Go weekly update: Capitol protest, residents cry foul over peacocks and new power lines in West Valley
Drag performers voice opposition to Arizona bill that would ban shows, California residents unhappy with peacock neighbors and Vice President Kamala Harris travels to Tonopah to break ground on a renewable energy transmission line. A summary of this week’s news.
Slug: BC-CNS-CN2Go Audio. Runtime: 12:34.
Audio briefing available.
THE WEEK IN SPORTS
O Canada! Nick Taylor, Adam Hadwin weather conditions at WM Phoenix Open
SCOTTSDALE – Despite the promise of sunny conditions, weather played a factor on the first day of the 2023 WM Phoenix Open. Morning tee times at TPC Scottsdale were delayed due to frost on the ground, pushing back all groups for almost two hours and forcing play to be suspended until Friday morning. Excitement was still felt throughout the course, as fans watched the best golfers in the world compete at one of the PGA Tour’s most high-profile events. The weather didn’t seem to bother some less familiar names, including, not surprisingly, a pair of Canadians. After the first day, Canadian golfers Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin held the lead, each shooting a 5-under 66.
Slug: Sports-Phoenix Open Canadians. 980 words. By James Dalpino.
Photos available.
Despite a busy preseason, ASU softball eyes WCWS run as 2023 season begins
TEMPE – The Arizona State softball team’s Jazmine Hill and Yannira Acuña were named to Softball America’s preseason top 100 rankings ahead of the 2023 season, but don’t ask them about it. The standouts only want to focus on the season – which opens Thursday against California State University, Northridge and San Diego State – and making a second consecutive run at the Pac-12 championship and Women’s College World Series. “If it was up to me, I wish there were no rankings,” said Hill, a senior outfielder. “Obviously it pushes me to work harder and prove people wrong, but I think those rankings are biased.”
Slug: Sports-ASU Softball Preview. 600 words. By Kade Cameron.
Photo available.
Phoenix Suns acquire Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets
PHOENIX – In the dead of night, Mat Ishbia and company made a dramatic move. On his first day on the job, the new Suns and Mercury owner pulled off arguably the biggest trade in Phoenix sports history. With Ishbia’s blessing, Suns general manager James Jones worked a trade for future Hall of Fame forward Kevin Durant and brought back former Suns swingman T.J. Warren. The Brooklyn Nets received Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-round picks in 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029 and the right to swap picks in 2028 in return.
Slug: Sports-Suns Kevin Durant. 600 words. By David Bernauer.
File photo available.
A-Rod in a Cardinals jersey? Pujols with a pitching wedge? Celebrities compete in WM Phoenix Open
SCOTTSDALE – Celebrities have invaded the Valley as both the WM Phoenix Open and the Super Bowl have taken center stage. On Wednesday, a handful of those celebrities joined the top golfers in the world for the Annexus Pro-Am at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. Athletes Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Michael Phelps, Larry Fitzgerald, Carli Lloyd and J.J. Watt joined entertainers including Jason Aldean and Chris Lane for the star-studded event. The PGA Tour stop has built up quite the reputation and is a magnet for celebrities not afraid to showcase their golf skills. “I’m really excited. I really wanted to play in this event for a while now,” Pujols said.
Slug: Sports-Phoenix Open Celebrity Pro-Am. 646 words. By Joe Eigo.
4 photos available.
New Suns, Mercury owner Mat Ishbia always dreamed of the NBA. Now, he’s finally made it.
PHOENIX – Mat Ishbia always thought he would make it to the NBA. His dreams started in the mid-’90s during backyard battles against his brother Justin. “Mat was Magic Johnson,” Justin said. “I was Larry Bird.” At 5-feet-10, Ishbia was no Magic. Still, he later would attend Johnson’s alma mater, Michigan State, as a walk-on with the men’s basketball team, where he was part of the 2000 national championship team coached by Tom Izzo. He averaged only 2.4 minutes a game and scored 28 total points in three seasons. “When I realized I wasn’t good enough to be in the NBA, (I thought) maybe (I could) own a team,” Ishbia said during Wednesday’s introductory press conference at the Footprint Center.
Slug: Sports-Suns New Owner. 746 words. By David Bernauer.
2 photos available.
Like father, like son, like daughter: Basketball a family affair for Millennium’s Amundsens
GOODYEAR – Basketball is in the Amundsen family’s blood, and it has taken the trio to Millennium High School, where they are fighting for the chance to play in the 5A state championships. Daughter Mia is going for her fourth state championship with the girls basketball team, and son J.T. hopes he and his father, Ty, who coaches the boys basketball team, can win their first state title together.
Slug: Sports-Amudsen Family. 689 words. By Haley Smilow.
3 photos available.
Paralyzed from waist down, Danny Fik defies odds in wheelchair sports
PHOENIX – Wheels grinded against the concrete before reaching a halt as two wheelchairs collided. Upon sacking the opposing quarterback, one man let out a thunderous celebratory scream. Danny Fik, an offensive lineman and defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the USA Wheelchair Football League, made the phenomenal defensive play to help shut out the Los Angeles Rams, 7-0, in Wednesday’s championship game at Camelback Ranch.
Slug: Sports-Danny Fik Wheelchair Sports. 936 words. By Remy Mastey.
2 photos available.
Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball riding six-game streak, rounding into NCAA Tournament form
TUCSON – The Arizona Wildcats defeated the Oregon State Beavers Saturday to win their sixth straight game and are in contention for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The team is playing some of its best basketball of the season and it couldn’t come at a better time. There is just more than a month of basketball ahead for the Wildcats before the Pac-12 and NCAA tournaments in March.
Slug: Sports-Arizona Basketball. 572 words. By Caleb Jones.
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Valley’s boxing reputation grows as Emanuel Navarrete defeats Liam Wilson in thrilling scrap
GLENDALE – The Valley has emerged as a hotspot for boxing, with Phoenix hosting an increasing number of major boxing events over the last year, including three cards headlined by title fights. That trend continued Friday as Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete defeated Liam Wilson for the vacant WBO junior lightweight title in front of a spirited crowd at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. While last week’s fights took place in front of a reduced capacity crowd, the stands were full and animated as Navarrete became the 10th Mexican boxer in history to win a world title in three weight divisions.
Slug: Sports-Arizona Title Fight. 1,237 words. By Harrison Campbell.
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Jaden Rashada highlights Kenny Dillingham’s first signing class at ASU
TEMPE – A year ago, in what would be the last offseason of the Herm Edwards era, the Arizona State football recruiting class ranked last in the Pac-12 and 103rd in the country after National Signing Day. After this year’s signing day last week, new head coach Kenny Dillingham and his staff built a class ranked ninth in the conference and 47th overall, per 247 Sports. The class was highlighted by one of the highest-rated high school commits in recent history, four-star quarterback Jaden Rashada, who broke the news of his plans to join ASU on Twitter.
Slug: Sports-Rashada ASU. 564 words. By Paul Schulz.
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Fiery freshman Luke Potter energizes Arizona State men’s golf team
PHOENIX – During a relaxed Friday afternoon practice in preparation for the Southwestern Invitational, the sounds of swinging golf clubs ricocheted off the red rock formations standing above Thunderbirds Golf Complex at Papago Golf Course. Arizona State freshman golfer Luke Potter interjected with yells and air punches to rattle the facility and usher in a new wave of energy to a mellow ASU men’s golf team. Since joining the Sun Devils, Potter’s fierce competitive spirit has also helped him become a staple for the team. “With his confidence, I knew he’d make friends quickly,” his high school golf coach, Casey Sovacool, said. “I don’t think he’d turn down a social scene.”
Slug: Sports-ASU Golfer Luke Potter. 1,066 words. By Kade Cameron.
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Diamondbacks’ Ronnie Gajownik ready for historic role as first female manager at High-A
PHOENIX – On April 6, Ronnie Gajownik will make history when she walks out of the Gesa Stadium third base dugout in Pasco, Washington, to present the Opening Day lineup for Oregon’s Hillsboro Hops. Gajownik was named manager of the Hops, the High-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Jan. 20, making her the first female manager at the High-A level. “It’s definitely going to be a roller coaster of a lot of good emotions,” Gajownik said. “I’m definitely going do my best to hold it in, but there’s definitely going to be excitement, happiness and gratitude.”
Slug: Sports-Diamondbacks Historic Hiring. 752 words.
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Ice breakers: Arizona High School Hockey Association brings new community, awareness to hockey in Valley
TEMPE – The AHSHA was started to allow high school athletes to participate in high level hockey competition across the state. However, the AIA has not sanctioned it due to equipment costs and limitations with how many schools have participated. With the league gaining traction, hockey in the desert is thriving more than ever.
Slug: Sports-AHSHA Hockey. 2,000 words. By Lauren Hertz.
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After tackling anxiety, finding sobriety, Beljan sets sites on Phoenix Open qualifier
PHOENIX – Pro golfer Charlie Beljan has had many career-defining moments, none more impactful than when he played in the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. In the second round of the tournament, Beljan started experiencing shortness of breath and a high heart rate, which caused him discomfort throughout the day. The cause was discovered to be anxiety. Now here he is, hoping to place in the top 3 at Monday’s Waste Management Qualifier at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club.
Slug: Sports-WM Qualifier Beljan. 995 words. By Aaron Healy.
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