Valley Suns hold first tryouts, marking new horizon for Phoenix basketball

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports–Valley Suns Tryout. 625 words.
  • Photos available.

By Connor Moreno
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Hundreds of players from varying basketball backgrounds gathered Saturday at the Tempe Sun Devil Fitness Complex, hoping to become part of a new era of Phoenix basketball.

The Valley officially adopted a new hoops darling – the G League Valley Suns – in February and open tryouts commenced with Phoenix Suns general manager James Jones among those in attendance.

“Phoenix at its core is a basketball town,” said Brendan Sabean, the new team’s general manager. “So to add another entity, and team in general, to the Valley will bring a cool environment for people to come watch games and watch some good hoops.”

Continue reading “Valley Suns hold first tryouts, marking new horizon for Phoenix basketball”

Half-million mixed-status families in Arizona will face vastly different realities under Trump or Harris immigration policies

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: Mixed-Status Families. 955 words.
  • File photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Mia Osmonbekov
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – Fear for his undocumented parents haunted Mario Montoya throughout his childhood in Mesa. Sometimes it turned to outright terror, like the time his mom got into a car crash.

“One of my first thoughts was … what if the police asked for her immigration status?” said Montoya, 26, who now studies law in Seattle. “What if I don’t see her again?”

Continue reading “Half-million mixed-status families in Arizona will face vastly different realities under Trump or Harris immigration policies”

“We need to speak out and speak loud”: People of color battle targeted disinformation

by Julia Thompson

EDS: All elements are available for download here. 

By Eliana Alzate
News21

Note: Story has a strong focus on Hispanic communities.

AUSTIN, Texas – Disinformation has surged in the U.S. and beyond and become an especially powerful threat during election years. Experts say immigrant communities and people of color are particular targets, as bad actors exploit political fears and ideologies and find these voters where they congregate – on messaging apps such as WeChat and WhatsApp.

 

‘He mauls people’: Inside Cam Skattebo’s career game to push Arizona State past Mississippi State

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Cam Skattebo ASU, 685 words.
  • 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

TEMPE – To say Cam Skattebo had a good game is an understatement.

Skattebo was the fulcrum of the Arizona State offense against Mississippi State, rushing for 262 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 33 carries. He also caught three passes for 35 yards.

Skattebo’s 262 rushing yards are the second most in school history and earned the senior running back Associated Press national player of the week honors. He saved his best highlight for last, breaking off a 39-yard run that allowed Arizona State to set up in victory formation and run out the clock for a 30-23 win in front of more than 45,000 fans at Mountain America Stadium. Continue reading “‘He mauls people’: Inside Cam Skattebo’s career game to push Arizona State past Mississippi State”

Big 12 reveals tiebreaker procedures to determine 2024 conference championship teams

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Big 12 Tiebreaker Championship, 450 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Chase Clemens
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – On the eve of Week 2 games for Arizona and Arizona State, the schools learned more about how their new conference will crown its champion.

The Big 12 announced its new tiebreaking policy Friday, which determines who will play in the conference title game if there is a tie.

Both teams are 1-0 and host games Saturday night. The Widcats face Northern Arizona and the Sun Devils will take on Mississippi State.

Continue reading “Big 12 reveals tiebreaker procedures to determine 2024 conference championship teams”

Grass is greener? NFL’s field surface dilemma still a concern as 2024 season kicks off

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-Phoenix Mercury Resurgence, 830 words.
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).
  • Graphic available
  • Graphic available
  • Graphic available

By Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The NFL has always claimed that it prioritizes the health and safety of its players above everything else. Yet, as the 2024 season begins Thursday night, a topic that has concerned participants for years continues to linger. 

 The field-surface debate seems to grow louder with each passing season, sometimes with each passing down. Gruesome lower-extremity injuries appeared to consistently transpire on synthetic turf surfaces more often than natural grass in 2023, according to data from Sharp Football Analysis.  

Among the group of injured players, none was more notable than New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who tore his Achilles tendon four snaps into his Jets’ debut on Sept. 11. His injury occurred at New Jersey’s MetLife Field, which uses a synthetic turf surface.  Continue reading “Grass is greener? NFL’s field surface dilemma still a concern as 2024 season kicks off”

Year of change: From last place to playoff berth, Phoenix Mercury beginning to find their stride

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Phoenix Mercury Resurgence, 830 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Aya Abdeen
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – One year ago, the Phoenix Mercury were a train wreck on an 11-game, season-ending losing skid that curtailed their consecutive postseason streak since 2012, with Diana Taurasi and other key players sidelined due to injuries.

Fast forward to September, and the organization appears re-energized following an offseason overhaul that saw only three players returning, along with the installation of a new coaching staff. The team’s energy on and off the court has improved thanks to the additions of Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and Kahleah Copper, bolstered by the playoff and championship experience from the duo of Brittney Griner and Taurasi.

It is also clear there is still work to do. A tough loss Thursday to the Washington Mystics that saw no starters come to the postgame interview room afterward suggests the Mercury are still trying to right the ship. Continue reading “Year of change: From last place to playoff berth, Phoenix Mercury beginning to find their stride”

Republicans and Democrats work to restore voter trust and faith in democracy

by Julia Thompson

EDS: All elements are available for download here. 

  • Slug: News21-Fractured-Rebuilding Trust. 2,712 words. Note: An abridged version of 1,028 words is also available.
  • With 9 photos.

By Romie Avivi Stuhl
News21

Note: This story has strong Arizona ties.

WOODRUFF, Wis. – For two and a half hours on a rainy Thursday evening, Kathy Bernier did what she’s spent the past year doing: trying to restore faith in America’s electoral systems – and, along with it, faith in democracy. It was all part of her work as Wisconsin state director of Keep Our Republic, one of several initiatives nationwide working to rebuild public trust in elections. The initiatives range from cross-partisan groups working in the battleground states of Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan and Wisconsin to off-the-record meetings of conservatives in Republican strongholds such as Utah, Indiana and Texas. Don Henninger, the Republican co-lead of another Carter Center network, the Arizona Democracy Resilience Network, puts it this way: “It’s not an aisle anymore. It’s a canyon.”

Apache trout, Arizona’s state fish, dropped from endangered species list after 50-year comeback

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: Apache Trout Delisted. 635 words.
  • Photos available.

By Kelechukwu Iruoma
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland declared Wednesday that Arizona’s state fish, the Apache trout, will be removed from the endangered species list – a conservation success story decades in the making.

“After more than 50 years of devoted efforts among federal, state, tribal and nongovernmental organizations, the incredible recovery of the Apache trout reminds us of the transformational power that collaborative conservation efforts – grounded in Indigenous knowledge – can have on fish and wildlife,” Haaland said at an announcement event in Mesa.

Continue reading “Apache trout, Arizona’s state fish, dropped from endangered species list after 50-year comeback”

Former ASU WR Brandon Aiyuk’s gamble pays off with San Francisco 49ers

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-Brandon Aiyuk Extension, 630 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Patrick Holleron
Cronkite News

TEMPE – Former Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has evolved into one of the top NFL wide receivers, much like first-year Arizona State wide receivers coach Hines Ward accomplished during his playing days. Now, with a fresh four-year, $120 million extension from the San Francisco 49ers, Aiyuk is also one of the top-earning players at his position like Ward. 

Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers came to terms on a four-year, $120 million extension last week, according to NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Aiyuk’s new deal includes $76 million in guaranteed money. The deal comes as the NFL season opens this week, with the 49ers hosting the New York Jets Monday night.

Aiyuk is now one of the NFL’s top 10 highest-paid wide receivers, trailing only Amon-Ra St. Brown, A.J. Brown, Cedee Lamb and Justin Jefferson in average salary per year. Continue reading “Former ASU WR Brandon Aiyuk’s gamble pays off with San Francisco 49ers”

Risk and reward: Sportsbooks cash in on rise of women’s sports betting, but at what cost?

by Shemar Woods
  • Slug: Sports–Women’s Sports Betting. 1212 words.
  • Photos available
  • 2 graphics available.

By Anne-Marie Iemmolo
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – When sportswriter Jim Turvey arrived at his in-laws for dinner, he was shocked to hear his non-sports-centric relatives discussing Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark.

The WNBA rookies rivaled each other at LSU and Iowa in a memorable championship game in the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball tournament, with a rematch the following April that drew a women’s college basketball record of 12.3 million viewers in the women’s Elite Eight. Clark and Reese’s high-profile matchups and competition have spiked growth in women’s basketball.

“It’s truly broken through to everyone and anyone. Unless you’re living under a rock, you know about women’s sports and women’s basketball in particular,” Turvey said. Continue reading “Risk and reward: Sportsbooks cash in on rise of women’s sports betting, but at what cost?”

Proposition 139: What the Arizona ballot initiative would mean for abortion access

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Prop 139 Explainer. About 880 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Macy Markham
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – In November, Arizona voters will decide on a state constitutional amendment, Proposition 139, that would guarantee access to abortion up to the point of fetal viability.

That would mark a major shift. The state currently bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy – roughly nine weeks before the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb.

A group called Arizona Abortion Access collected 577,971 signatures, well over the 383,923 required to get the measure on the ballot. Continue reading “Proposition 139: What the Arizona ballot initiative would mean for abortion access”

304 yards for receiver Tetairoa McMillan casts attention on Arizona football, new coach Brent Brennan

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Arizona Football McMillan, 620 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Saleh Awwad
Cronkite News

TUCSON – For a half Saturday, it appeared Arizona wasn’t quite ready for the Big 12 Conference as the Wildcats struggled against New Mexico in the debut of coach Brent Brennan.

Before the night was over, however, the Wildcats demonstrated that the offensive firepower of sophomore quarterback Noah Fifita and junior wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan will be all that the team’s new conference can handle as the Wildcats gave Brennan his first victory at the helm.

With a handful of NFL scouts in attendance, McMillan – affectionately known to his teammates and UA football fans as “T-Mac” – hauled in 10 passes for a school-record 304 yards, scoring four touchdowns as the Wildcats trounced the Lobos, 61-39. Continue reading “304 yards for receiver Tetairoa McMillan casts attention on Arizona football, new coach Brent Brennan”

‘Our No. 1 job is to make sure that they’re safe’: America confronts election intimidation

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: News21: Increasing Intimidation. 3,485 words.
  • 7 Photos and 1 video available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Peggy Dodd, Pierce Gentry, Shelby Rickert and Olivia Talkington
News21

Editor’s Note: This story contains graphic language from threatening voicemails and emails sent to election officials across the U.S.

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. – Exactly seven days had passed since the 2020 presidential election when Tina Barton sat down at her desk and saw the blinking light on her office phone.

It had already been a week from hell for the city clerk of Rochester Hills. Her office was responsible for administering an election that had grown increasingly contested, especially in her home state of Michigan. At one point, she’d worked for 36 hours straight.

She picked up the phone and hit the flashing button. A voice rang out that she would never forget.

Continue reading “‘Our No. 1 job is to make sure that they’re safe’: America confronts election intimidation”

‘Be yourself’: Quarterback Sam Leavitt proves experience isn’t everything in strong ASU debut against Wyoming

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-ASU Quarterback Follow, 600 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Tucker Sennett
Cronkite News

TEMPE – In an era when some college quarterbacks are as old as 25 – hello, Utah’s Cam Rising – Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt is just a young pup. However, in his first collegiate start against the University of Wyoming, the native of West Linn, Oregon, proved age is just a number.

“I wasn’t too nervous going into this game,” the 19-year-old redshirt freshman said after Saturday’s 48-7 victory over the Cowboys. “That’s a testament to the coaching staff and the team.”

The Sun Devils as a whole showed few nerves while pummeling Wyoming 48-7 in their season opener at Mountain America Stadium. Continue reading “‘Be yourself’: Quarterback Sam Leavitt proves experience isn’t everything in strong ASU debut against Wyoming”

Golf after dark: Grass League ushers in new era with primetime professional, amateur tournaments under the lights

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Grass League Golf, 1,540 words.
  • 4 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Jack Reeves
Cronkite News

TEMPE – The World Series, Super Bowl, World Cup, Olympics, and the Rose Bowl all have something in common. Yes, they are among the world’s most famous sporting events, but one unique feature ties them together: each event is played under the lights.

While that may seem obvious, not all sporting events benefit from playing under the lights, especially in golf. Countless golf tournaments have been postponed due to darkness, requiring an early morning finish. But what if there was a way to play not just a few extra holes, but an entire round during primetime hours?

Enter the Grass League. Established in February, the startup league has brought a new vision to the game loved worldwide. Continue reading “Golf after dark: Grass League ushers in new era with primetime professional, amateur tournaments under the lights”

Phoenix lawyer tapped by Biden would be second South Asian federal judge in Arizona – after older sister, an appeals court judge

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Biden Judge. About 450 words.
  • File photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Lauren Bly
Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden will nominate Phoenix lawyer Sharad Desai to the federal bench, the White House said Wednesday, making him the second South Asian federal judge in Arizona – after his older sister.

Biden named Judge Roopali Desai to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which handles cases from nine western states, in 2022.

Continue reading “Phoenix lawyer tapped by Biden would be second South Asian federal judge in Arizona – after older sister, an appeals court judge”

Seismic shifts: New CFP director Richard Clark visits Fiesta Bowl, reflects on 12-team playoff

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-CFP Format Clark, 1,100 words.
  • 3 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Doyal D’angelo
Special for Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – Richard Clark, the newly appointed College Football Playoff executive director, is not going to reinvent the wheel under his new title, even as the landscape of not only college football, but also all of college sports, is shaping and shifting like never before.

“Right now, there’s a lot of change already, and it’s exciting,” Clark said Tuesday at Fiesta Bowl headquarters. “I think people are going to see things that they never imagined in what happens during this playoff.”

Part of the change is the novel 12-team CFP playoff format that Clark is inheriting, which he is preparing extensively for with training and the reliance on his selection committee to make the proper choices. Continue reading “Seismic shifts: New CFP director Richard Clark visits Fiesta Bowl, reflects on 12-team playoff”

Arizona archer Eric Bennett prepares for fifth Paralympics, this time with family by his side

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Paralympic Archer Bennett, 750 words.
  • Photo available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Sydney Lovan
Special for Cronkite News

PARIS – Full-time teacher by morning, Paralympic athlete by afternoon and a father always, Team USA archer Eric Bennett is embarking on his fifth Paralympic Games with his sights set on a prize bigger than the gold medal: his family in attendance to watch him shoot.

Bennett, a Surprise native and graduate of Northern Arizona University, began practicing archery when he was 7 and quickly found a passion for the sport until he lost his right arm at 15, when a drunk driver hit the car in which he was a passenger. It wasn’t until about 10 years later that he started shooting again, this time with help from his father.

“When I realized that I could shoot again, that’s when a fire was lit, and I had gotten my love back,” said Bennett, who is set to compete in the recurve Para Archery event beginning Thursday in Paris. Continue reading “Arizona archer Eric Bennett prepares for fifth Paralympics, this time with family by his side”

Minimum salaries, max effort: The unseen financial hardships of Phoenix Mercury and WNBA players

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-WNBA Salary Minimum, 1,400 words.
  • 2 photos available (thumbnails, captions below).
  • graphic available.

By Joshua Heron
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – On June 27, Liz Dixon sat on a furniture top in the Verizon 5G Performance Center hallway, discussed the difficulties of living on a WNBA minimum contract and knew she was vulnerable on the one-year, $64,154 deal that offered little to no security and stability.

Five days later, the Phoenix Mercury waived the forward.

“One of the hardships is teams can get anybody under minimal contracts,” Dixon said. “You’re already paying me less than everybody else, but what if one day they don’t need you? They’ll want somebody else they can get. They can get another vet at the exact same price as a rookie. So it’s more like, ‘Hey, even though I am making the minimum payment, am I still needed? Am I still an asset to them?” Continue reading “Minimum salaries, max effort: The unseen financial hardships of Phoenix Mercury and WNBA players”