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”

Lake está por debajo del desempeño de Trump en Arizona, lo que beneficia al demócrata Gallego

by Julio Cisneros

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was translated from English to Spanish using ChatGPT. A Cronkite News editor reviewed the translation. Find the original story here. See any errors? Please let us know. Contact julio.cisneros@asu.edu.

NOTA DEL EDITOR: Este reportaje fue traducido del inglés al español usando ChatGPT. Un editor de Cronkite Noticias revisó la traducción. Encuentra el reportaje original aquí. ¿Ves algún error? Por favor, déjanoslo saber. Contacta a julio.cisneros@asu.edu.

  • Nombre: CNLakeTrump. 1438 palabras.
  • 2 fotos disponibles

Por Phineas Hogan
Cronkite Noticias

WASHINGTON – Kari Lake ha mostrado un desempeño consistentemente inferior al de Donald Trump en Arizona, una actuación débil que augura problemas para los republicanos que esperan obtener el escaño senatorial vacante del estado.

Continue reading “Lake está por debajo del desempeño de Trump en Arizona, lo que beneficia al demócrata Gallego”

Ready for primetime: Girls flag football on rise in Arizona with Cardinals backing

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Girls Flag Football Arizona, 500 words.
  • Photo available.

By James Morel
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Over the last year, girls flag football has drawn attention around the world after the International Olympic Committee announced it is among the sports that will be added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, school districts across the U.S. are adding the sport, with nearly half a million girls from the ages of 6 to 17 playing flag football, a 69 percent increase since 2019, according to the National Federation of High School Associations.

Few states have embraced the sport more enthusiastically than Arizona. Last year, 57 high schools in the state offered flag football. This season, more than 100 schools are participating at the 6A, 5A and 4A levels, according to the Arizona Interscholastic Association. Continue reading “Ready for primetime: Girls flag football on rise in Arizona with Cardinals backing”

Welcome to the Big 12: Hostile road environment rattles Arizona State football in loss to Texas Tech

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–ASU Football Follow, 600 words.
  • Photo available.

ByTucker L. Sennett
Cronkite News

TEMPE – After a lack of discipline, several errors from special teams and other issues piled up in Arizona State’s loss to Texas Tech in its Big 12 Conference debut, the Sun Devils have a chance to reflect on what went wrong and look ahead and what’s to come.

The Sun Devils entered their first bye week with a 3-1 record after the 30-22 loss in Lubbock, Texas, and have already matched last season’s win total. They had their chances on Saturday but dug a hole too deep to escape.

“You’re two to three plays away from … us being undefeated,” said ASU coach Kenny Dillingham. “That’s every season, for every team, forever.” Continue reading “Welcome to the Big 12: Hostile road environment rattles Arizona State football in loss to Texas Tech”

Cardinals ready to move on after loss to Lions against familiar faces

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Arizona Cardinals Reflections, 700 words.
  • Photo available.

By Keller Brown
Cronkite News

TEMPE – After an explosive victory over the Los Angeles Rams in their second game of the season, the Arizona Cardinals sputtered offensively in a home loss to the Detroit Lions.

By Monday, the Cardinals were already looking ahead to the Washington Commanders, who visit State Farm Stadium next, and when they did, they might have noticed some faces familiar to Valley football fans.

Jayden Daniels, the Commanders quarterback and the second overall pick from last year’s NFL Draft, returns to the desert after playing his first three collegiate seasons at Arizona State. Daniels transferred to Louisiana State following his 2021 campaign and went on to win the 2023 Heisman Trophy before declaring for the NFL Draft. Continue reading “Cardinals ready to move on after loss to Lions against familiar faces”

It was good to hear your voice: Popularity of Suns broadcaster Al McCoy spanned generations

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–Suns Al McCoy Memories, 1,000 words.
  • Photo available.

ByDoyal D’angelo
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Al McCoy was the iconic voice of the Phoenix Suns for 51 years and is a beloved figure in Arizona sports.

But those who knew him best say that he was just as beloved as a person – someone who cared about the welfare of others.

Julie Fie, the former vice president of basketball communications for the Phoenix Suns, recalls living “parallel lives” in the NBA world with McCoy as two proud Iowans. While most Arizonans got to listen to McCoy over the airwaves, Fie heard his voice up close. Continue reading “It was good to hear your voice: Popularity of Suns broadcaster Al McCoy spanned generations”

‘It needs to continue’: LA’s Little Tokyo ‘endangered’ designation spotlights community’s need for help

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Little Tokyo Endangered. 660 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Emery Davis
Cronkite News

LOS ANGELES – Following Little Tokyo’s designation as one of America’s most endangered historic places, the area is looking to return to its flourishing past.

Throughout its 140 years, Little Tokyo has faced many challenges, including racial discrimination and cultural erasure. However, it continued to celebrate thriving legacy businesses and provide a safe haven for Asian culture.

Continue reading “‘It needs to continue’: LA’s Little Tokyo ‘endangered’ designation spotlights community’s need for help”

Innovation can be a challenge for museums. Here’s how 3 in Arizona are trying to bring in visitors

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Museum Foot Traffic. 1,690 words.
  • Photos available (thumbnails, captions below).

By Jalen Woody
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Arizona changes every day. The state’s count of new buildings and people grows daily. As the state changes, so do the museums, which are challenged by a constantly changing city with new possibilities, tastes and people.

Museums in Arizona continue to change their tactics to draw in new audiences. These attractions are expensive to run but must continue to innovate what they have. Otherwise they risk the chance of losing their core audience.

Continue reading “Innovation can be a challenge for museums. Here’s how 3 in Arizona are trying to bring in visitors”

Advocates work to ensure citizens not fluent in English have equal access to elections

by Julia Thompson

Note to CN clients: This story includes Arizona material.

By Celia Frazier
News21

LAS VEGAS – In the heart of Las Vegas’ Chinatown, residents gather for a celebration of the annual Dragon Boat Festival. Some stop in to grab shiny, red packages of premade zongzi.
Others grab flyers decorated with a colorful dragon boat and something else: a QR code taking them to information about how to vote – all translated into Chinese. As demographics shift, advocates from Nevada and Arizona to Alaska are fighting to make voting accessible for citizens who speak different languages. But challenges remain – from the cost of translating materials to outright resistance to the idea.

 

Track titans: Two Arizonans among inductees into 2024 USA BMX Hall of Fame class

by Shemar Woods
  • Slug: Arizonans BMX Hall of Fame. 945 words.
  • No photos.

By Brenden Paul
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – Kim Hayashi rose to dominance thanks to her “go big” jumping style. Now she’ll “go big” into the USA BMX Hall of Fame this weekend in Tulsa, Oklahoma, alongside fellow Arizonan Debbie Kelley.

Hayashi and Kelley will be two of the eight members inducted into the USA BMX Hall of Fame Class of 2024, as voted on by over 500 BMX experts, including current Hall of Famers, BMX historians and selected members of the BMX media.

“It’s pretty humbling. It feels like a huge honor,” said Hayashi, 38, who lives in Chandler. “Especially when you look at the women’s side, there’s not a lot of female names up there (at the Hall of Fame). To see some of the people that I looked up to, some of the people that were my heroes, and seeing my name next to theirs is a huge honor.”

Continue reading “Track titans: Two Arizonans among inductees into 2024 USA BMX Hall of Fame class”

Is this it? Diana Taurasi’s potential last Phoenix Mercury home game an emotional affair

by Shemar Woods
  • Slug: Sports–Taurasi Final. 1,156 words.
  • Photos available.

By Connor Moreno
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – The outcome of Thursday’s Phoenix Mercury regular-season finale against the Seattle Storm at Footprint Center didn’t matter.

The playoff-bound Mercury lost 89-70, but scenes from the stands suggested otherwise. Handmade signs in the crowd reading, “DT, we’re NOT ready” and “If this is it, I might cry” perfectly evoked the collective feeling of fans attending what could have been Mercury guard Diana Taurasi’s last home game.

As the Mercury’s ‘If this is it’ campaign implied, the night was supposed to be a celebration, a chance to honor the greatest player to grace the WNBA. But the night was an emotional rollercoaster. Fans were just as prepared to say goodbye as they were ready to chant, “One more year!” every chance they could.

Continue reading “Is this it? Diana Taurasi’s potential last Phoenix Mercury home game an emotional affair”

Friendship, fierce competition drive ASU men’s golfers Josele Ballester and Preston Summerhays in NCAA title chase

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports–ASU men’s golfers. 1,421 words.
  • Photos available.

By Dylan Ackermann
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – On the course, Arizona State men’s golfers Josele Ballester and Preston Summerhays aren’t exactly best friends.

Like true brothers, they argue, compete, and strive to outdo each other in everything and anything they do.

From the moment they step off the Thunderbirds Golf Complex in Phoenix, they return home, either retreating to their respective rooms or gathering around the television, continuing life as the No. 6 and No. 7 amateur golfers and roommates of nearly four years.

“It’s kind of funny because I love Preston so much but I want to beat him so bad every day,” Ballester said. “We always get those kinds of healthy but funny conflicts on the course. It’s great because it’s healthy competitiveness and that’s what you need.”

Continue reading “Friendship, fierce competition drive ASU men’s golfers Josele Ballester and Preston Summerhays in NCAA title chase”

As civic knowledge declines, programs work to engage young people in democracy

by Julia Thompson

By Delaney Chase and Emily Richardson
News21

Note: This story has a strong Arizona focus.

NEW YORK – With studies showing a decline in civics education and knowledge across the U.S., programs from Arizona to New York are working to engage the next generation in democracy. In New York, high school students who gathered this summer for “Democracy Camp” were asked to consider a question: “What is my role in an ideal democracy?” In Arizona, Camp O’Connor takes seventh and eighth graders on a five-day journey through the workings of government. “There’s space to be better,” says one young voter.

 

CLARIFICATION to story about unspent federal aid for homeless students

by Julia Thompson

EDS: Clients who used the Cronkite News story slugged Homeless Money Unspent that moved Wednesday, Sept. 18, under a WASHINGTON dateline are asked to run the following clarification. A corrected version of the story has been posted here, and grafs 14 and 15 have been updated.

WASHINGTON – Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that the Leona Group, which operates 28 charter schools in Arizona, declined to comment on the record.

 

Hispanos tienen alta probabilidad de padecer Alzheimer

by Julio Cisneros
  • Nombre: CN-HisAlzh. 765 palabras.
  • 3 fotos disponibles

Por Nicollette Valenzuela
Cronkite Noticias

PHOENIX – Arizona es el hogar de 151,500 personas de 60 años o más que tienen la enfermedad de alzhéimer, según las estadísticas de 2024 publicadas por la Asociación de Alzheimer. Estas cifras han causado preocupación en las autoridades médicas y estatales que buscan encontrar formas de ayudar a quienes padecen la enfermedad.

Continue reading “Hispanos tienen alta probabilidad de padecer Alzheimer”

More migrants are coming from outside the Americas, but Donald Trump’s claims of ‘military invasion’ by China are unfounded

by Julia Thompson
  • Slug: Who Crosses Border. 880 words. By Mia Osmonbekov.
  • File photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

WASHINGTON – Republicans have been warning that “military-aged” men have been crossing the Southwest border in threatening droves since President Joe Biden took office – especially from adversaries such as China and Russia.

“It’s like a military invasion,” former President Donald Trump said at a rally in Tucson last week. “We are being conquered and we are being occupied by a foreign element. And you know, if you think about it, China has a 5 million man army.”

Continue reading “More migrants are coming from outside the Americas, but Donald Trump’s claims of ‘military invasion’ by China are unfounded”

Championship fever? Basha Bears charging toward football state title under coach Chris McDonald

by Paola Boivin
  • Slug: Sports-Basha High Football, 630 words.
  • 3 photos available.

By Ethan Desjardine
Cronkite News

CHANDLER – At Basha High School, nothing draws a larger crowd than when the Bears play under the Friday night lights at Jim Wall Stadium. The stands are packed with a few thousand fans, and as the Bears enter the field, the crowd’s roar is deafening.

The fans expect success, and the Basha Bears under coach Chris McDonald have been one of the best success stories in all of Arizona high school football over the past few years.

Not surprisingly, the Bears are off to a hot start in 2024 and have talent on both sides of the ball. Continue reading “Championship fever? Basha Bears charging toward football state title under coach Chris McDonald”

Another magic moment? Phoenix Rising FC looks to replicate 2023 championship run

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Sports-Phoenix Rising Postseason, 1,000 words.
  • Graphic available.
  • Photos available.

By Cooper Burns
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – On a cold November night in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, in 2023, history was made in the United Soccer League. In a memorable match that still resonates with Valley soccer fans, Phoenix Rising defeated the Charleston Battery for the team’s first USL title.

Throughout the 2023 season, Rising was one of the best teams on paper statistically behind striker Daniel Trejo, Manuel Arteaga and Dariusz Formella – and that was just on the offense. Likewise, the defense was stacked with goalie Rocco Rios Novo, alongside defenders Darnell King and Eddie Munjoma.

While Rising had a talented roster, the team had to navigate through one of the deepest USL leagues in recent memory and finished the regular season in sixth place. Continue reading “Another magic moment? Phoenix Rising FC looks to replicate 2023 championship run”