Sports and Culture in the Valley

“Benches, Block Parties, and Better Futures: Inside Phoenix’s Grassroots Push Against Neighborhood Crime

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.

Culture

Natalia Velador Carrillo

Dec 12, 20254 min read

Beyond the Green Label, a Distraction from Sustainability

After learning her school was secretly trashing its recycling, ASU student Olivia Moran lost faith in sustainability efforts an experience echoing nationwide concerns as greenwashing rises in the U.S. While Phoenix officials stress education and transparency, experts argue that misleading “green” claims distract from deeper problems of resource use and environmental injustice. Still, students and advocates say small, informed actions can drive real change.

Macie Logan

Dec 5, 20255 min read

Chandler Employers Open New Paths to Stable Jobs

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.

Culture

Arzo Yousofzai

Dec 5, 20253 min read

Growing Hope: Tempe’s New Food Forest Tackles Hunger and Builds Community

Tempe’s new Food Forest is transforming former parking spaces into an edible landscape designed to fight food insecurity and teach residents to grow food in small spaces. With desert-adapted plants, rainwater harvesting and hands-on workshops, the project gives hope to families especially apartment dwellers seeking sustainable, affordable ways to grow their own produce. Organizers say it’s a model for resilience in a changing climate.

Arzo Yousofzai

Dec 5, 20252 min read

A Phoenix Comeback: King Wong’s Reopens Under New Owners

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.

Culture

Annamarie Walters

Dec 2, 20252 min read

El Grito: A celebration of Mexican Independence, Heritage and Culture in Phoenix.

At Phoenix’s El Grito celebration, families shouted “¡Viva!” in unison as music, dancing, and tradition filled the night. But beneath the joy, leaders like Councilmember Betty Guardado acknowledged fear in the community amid federal immigration policies. With roots in resilience and cultural pride, the annual event aims to unify Mexican and Latino residents, support local businesses, and honor heritage in a city where nearly 42% of residents are Hispanic.

Natalia Velador Carrillo

Dec 1, 20253 min read

Where Tech Meets Sun: Arizona at the Crossroads of AI and Clean Energy

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.

Politics

Courtney Smith

Nov 30, 20252 min read

Priced Out: Why Black Homeownership in Arizona Still Lags Behind

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.

Politics

Zion Kanyana

Nov 30, 20252 min read

A Boost for Some, Not for All: Why Arizona’s Tax Exemption Misses Micro-Entrepreneurs

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

Politics

Zion Kanyana

Nov 30, 20252 min read

Strings of Tradition: A Family’s Journey in Arizona Puppetry

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.

Culture

Takell Woods

Nov 26, 20253 min read

Trivia Nights Light Up The Desmond’s Downtown Crowd

Every Tuesday night, The Desmond transforms into downtown Phoenix’s liveliest trivia hotspot. With dim lights, pop hits, and spirited competition, regulars and ASU students alike crowd in for drinks, laughs, and a shot at cash prizes.

Takell Woods

Nov 26, 20252 min read

Justice in Balance: Inside a Phoenix Courtroom’s Split Outcomes

In a Phoenix courtroom, two men faced justice on the same day, one paying a $463 fine for careless driving, the other fighting to dismiss a DUI case tied to a passenger’s death. Judge Lenore Driggs’s courtroom revealed how Arizona’s justice system balances fairness and efficiency, where one man’s case ends swiftly, and another’s hinges on constitutional rights and time.

Rona Yousufi

Nov 24, 20253 min read

Billions in Vouchers, Failing Grades: Arizona’s Education Funding Crisis

As Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program surpasses $1 billion, critics warn the state’s school voucher expansion is draining resources from struggling public schools. Despite record spending, Arizona ranks near the bottom in education performance and funding. Advocates say the state’s priorities favor choice over equity, leaving teachers and students to make up the difference.

Aidan Booker

Nov 24, 20253 min read

New Arizona Law Aims to Clean Up School Lunches by 2026

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.

Politics

Kaneeshka Jakkula

Nov 24, 20253 min read

Trump’s $100000 H-1B Visa Fee Ignores Local Employers and Tech Workers

When President Trump’s new decree slapped a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions, shockwaves hit Arizona’s tech and university communities. At ASU, international students fear job offers will vanish, while local employers brace for stalled innovation. As confusion spreads from Silicon Valley to Tempe, Arizona finds itself caught between protecting workers and preserving its global talent pipeline.

Rona Yousufi

Nov 24, 20253 min read

Inside the Phoenix Convention Center’s Green Revolution

Hidden beneath the sparkle of crystals and the flutter of monarch butterflies, the Phoenix Convention Center is leading downtown’s sustainability movement. From LED lighting that saves millions to composting 64 tons of organic waste with city partners, the center proves green innovation can thrive in urban spaces.

Macie Logan

Nov 24, 20253 min read

DOECHII CREATES PHOENIX INTO A CLASSROOM OF CONFIDENCE

Doechii is LIVE from the swamp in Phoenix Arizona curating a confident stage for her fans and bringing along Dallas artist, Kal Banx to spread love and community.

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