Sports and Culture in the Valley

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.

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

Arizona’s new Healthy Schools Act bans artificial dyes and additives like Red 40 and brominated oils from school meals, aiming to fight rising childhood obesity and diabetes. As districts race to adjust menus, nutrition directors say the biggest challenge isn’t cost, it’s education and implementation.

The end of the government shutdown means the reinstatement of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for 12% of Arizonans, 855,273 to be exact. 

After the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill, residents of Arizona have taken to public town halls this summer, hosted by Arizona Democrats like Sen. Mark Kelley and Rep. Ruben Gallego, to speak out against the large incoming cuts to state Medicaid funding.

A misdemeanor was charged to a man due to a suspended license.

Three events that made up Drag U Downtown’s yearly Pride Week Celebration have been abruptly postponed by ASU's EOSS

Small business owners spoke out in a recent city council meeting about their ongoing struggles after pandemic-era support ended

A committee created in order to not retain two Arizona Supreme Court Justices are on the line for the 2024 Arizona Election.

Kamala Harris Visit Phoenix Ahead of the Election to Encourage Latino Voters to the Polls.

Jill Biden Visits Arizona in October Reproductive Freedom Bus Tour for the Harris-Walz Campaign