Sports and Culture in the Valley

RAF 06 Athletes are making their way and showcasing representation in wrestling

UP and UP looking to lead ASU to bring Ship Wrek for Monster Energy Music Festival.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is making sound and headed to Super Bowl LX but he's one that the New England Patriots need to watch out for.

Rock band Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers, a local staple born out of the 90’s Tempe grunge scene, is ringing in the new year with the upcoming launch of their ninth album “Hell to Breakfast,” in March–their first new album in almost nine years. 

A car-dependent city, like Phoenix or Houston, is designed mainly for driving with wide, fast roads, spread-out buildings and few safe or convenient places to walk, and people rely on owning a car to get around, according to Saadaoui’s research paper, “Does Car Dependence Make People Unsatisfied With Life? Evidence From a U.S. National Survey.”

Phoenix residents Carman Arias, Dolores Rios-Herrera, and coach Dion Black use Block Watch grants to fight crime by building community. From benches to block cleanups to youth sports, each leader works to engage neighbors despite low participation. Their efforts aim to deter gang activity, strengthen trust, and give local kids safer paths forward.

As Chandler works to connect residents with stable jobs, The Doughnut Peddler Bakery has become an unexpected workforce engine offering hundreds of entry-level positions and promoting employees from within. With local employers in logistics and hospitality also expanding hiring, workforce advocates say culture, training, and access are shaping the region’s job landscape as cities push to help workers find long-term, sustainable employment.

For 15 years King Wong’s was a neighborhood staple in central Phoenix, known for Maria Chen’s hospitality and loyal regulars. COVID forced changes in ownership and service, leaving customers feeling the loss. Now under Cliff and Martha Lopez, the restaurant has been refreshed and revived: new décor, younger staff, and returning patrons signal a hopeful comeback for this beloved local eatery.

After months of fierce pushback from residents, Phoenix City Council unanimously approved a bill that brings multifamily housing into historic neighborhoods — a move many say puts profit ahead of affordability.

Arizona’s booming solar industry is now powering the state’s fastest-growing energy consumer: AI data centers. With tech facilities projected to use up to 16.5% of Arizona’s electricity by 2030, utilities are racing to expand storage and infrastructure. Experts say solar gives Arizona a major advantage but leaders warn rising demand could raise costs for families unless clean-energy investments keep pace.

Black homeownership in Arizona remains far below the state average, with only about one-third of Black households owning homes compared to 69% statewide. Rising prices, high down-payment demands, and credit barriers continue to shut many out of the market. Buyers and experts say that even as competition cools, the structural hurdles: affordability, access to credit, and financial readiness, still make homeownership feel out of reach.

Reporter: Zion Kanyana PHOENIX-When Arizona lawmakers raised the business property tax exemption this year, they said it would give small business owners room to grow. But for entrepreneurs like Jai Bashir, that promise feels distant.  Bashir runs Jaiccessories, an African-inspired jewelry and accessory brand rooted in Phoenix. She mainly sells through pop-up shops at community events, while the majority of her sales come from her online store.  “When I first heard about the

At the Great Arizona Puppet Theatre, generations of creativity come to life. Artistic director Gwen Bonar, who grew up backstage among master puppeteers, now leads the storied theatre her parents founded. Families packed the auditorium for The Little Engine That Could: a 30-minute show celebrating self-belief. As arts funding shifts, Bonar keeps the theatre thriving with updated stories, community outreach, and passion for puppetry.