2016 in Review: Top Stories of the Year

2016 was without a doubt a big year in news. Whether it be good, bad, uplifting or heartbreaking, there were headlines that definitely stood out from the rest. And that’s why we’ve created this list, to take you on a quick trip back to 2016 and the biggest news that took place around the world.

Donald Trump wins the 2016 Presidential Election 

The country’s presidential election was the biggest hot topic of the year by far. With a heated campaign trail leading up to November 8th, the country voiced their vote and elected business mogul Donald Trump to become the 45th president of the U.S.  Trump will take his Oath of Office on January 20th and sworn in as president.

Hillary Clinton becomes first woman nominated for president by a major party

Despite losing the presidential election to Trump, Hillary Clinton made history in 2016 by becoming the first woman to be the nominee of a major political party. The former Secretary of State fell short to her Republican rival during the election, failing to obtain the necessary 270 votes in the electoral college. She did, however, receive a plurality of the national popular vote.

Hillary Clinton at a March campaign rally at Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix. Her campaign announced a new commitment of funds and rallies in the state, giving Democrats hope that Arizona could be in play this Election Day. (Photo by Ben Moffat/Cronkite News)

Paul Penzone beats Joe Arpaio for Maricopa County Sheriff

Moving forward with politics, the elections where a hot topic on our state as well. After holding the position of Maricopa County Sheriff for more than two decades, Joe Arpaio lost his seat to Democrat Paul Penzone. A former Phoenix police sergeant, Penzone will be sworn in to office the first week of January and will take the helm as the top law enforcement officer in Maricopa County, the state’s largest county.

“There’s a new Sheriff in town,” someone yells from the crowd gathered at the Democratic watch party. Paul Penzone will replace Joe Arpaio as Sheriff of Maricopa County. (Photo by: Ally Carr/Cronkite News)

Fidel Castro Dies at the age of 90

Speaking of changes in leadership, Cuba was shaken this year with the death of the former leader Fidel Castro at the age of 90. His death was announced November 24th by Castro’s brother and the nation’s president on Cuban TV. Fidel Castro governed the Republic of Cuba as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976 and then as President from 1976 to 2008.

static.snopes.com

“El Chapo” Guzmán Captured

2016 started with all eyes on Mexico, and the capture of the world’s most wanted fugitive, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán. The news was confirmed by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto via Twitter, who wrote, “Mission accomplished: We have him. I want to inform the Mexicans that Joaquin Guzman Loera has been detained.” The 57-year-old drug kingpin now finds himself behind bars just across from El Paso, Texas at the Altiplano Federal Prison in Mexico.

abcnews.com

Chicago Cubs win the World Series

Moving into the world of sports, the Chicago Cubs made history by taking home the World Series title, their first since 1908. The Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians in seven games of the 2016 World Series, marking their first appearance since 1945 and their first win in more than a century. Standing out from the rest was Venezuelan player Miguel Montego, who had two of the biggest hits of the game. He currently lives in Paradise Valley with his wife and two kids.

Chicago Cubs celebrate after Game 7 of the Major League Baseball World Series against Cleveland Indians (abcnews.com)

Peyton Manning retires

The NFL closed a chapter in 2016, saying goodbye to one of its best players. Peyton Manning announced his retirement back in March with the perfect ending to his career, helping the Denver Broncos to victory on Super Bowl 50. Manning’s 18 year career led him to be considered one of the greatest passing quarterbacks of all time, named NFL’s most valuable player a record five times and holds the NFL record for career touchdown passes and career passing yards, achieved in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Denver Broncos Blog – ESPN.com

Death of Muhammad Ali

But there was also mourning in the world of sports, with the death of the legend Muhammad Ali. The boxer and civil rights champion died back in June at a Scottsdale hospital, where he had already spent days being treated for respiratory complications. He was 74, and had also been battling Parkinson’s disease for more than 30 years. Muhammad Ali is remembered as one of the most significant and most celebrated sports figures of the 20th century.

Mexican icon Juan Gabriel dies 

It was a sad year for the music industry, losing several of its beloved icons. In 2016, the world mourned the loss of Juan Gabriel. The Mexican superstar passed away August 28th at the age of 66. “El Divo de Juarez” died in Santa Monica after a massive heart attack. In 2009, the Latin Grammys announced the singer had sold over 100 million albums in his career, becoming Mexico’s bestselling artist of all time.

Debbie Reynolds dies, day after daughter’s death

The news of Carrie Fisher’s death shook the world, and left us even more stunned when a day later, it was followed by the death of her mother Debbie Reynolds. Fisher, the notorious actress who portrayed Star War’s Princess Leia, died December 27th. She suffered a massive cardiac episode aboard a Los Angeles Plane. Only one day after, her mother Debbie Reynolds, best known for her role in “Singin’ in the Rain,” died following what different media outlets describe as a “severe stroke.”

Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds will have a joint funeral and be buried together at the Hollywood Hills’ Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

The CDC’s battle with the Zika virus

2016 was the year that the CDC found itself in a tough battle with the mosquito-borne illness, the Zika virus. Early in January, it activated its Emergency Operations Center to help fight it, after a widespread outbreak in North and South America was linked to a dramatic increase in the number of babies born with microcephaly. Today, the CDC continues to recommend that pregnant women not travel to areas with Zika. If they do travel, it is recommended that they speak with their healthcare provider about the risks. More information can be found at www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/.

cdc.gov

Orlando Nightclub shooting

June 12th, 2016 is a date that will for a long time be embedded in our minds. The date when Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old security guard opened fire at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people and injuring 53 others. The hate crime was deemed the nation’s worst terror attack since 9/11. Mateen was shot and killed by Orlando Police Department officers after a three-hour standoff. His body is now buried in an unmarked plot at a Muslim cemetery in southern Florida.

npr.org