Arizona's Morning News

On today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about a decline in overdose deaths in the past year. Sharpe discusses his own struggles with addiction and how he was able to overcome them.

The 19 second video features Youtube's cofounder Jawed Karim in front of two elephants at the San Diego Zoo. It is credited as being one of the most important online videos ever created.

Governor Katie Hobbs signed an executive order to help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate back into society. Outdoor Channel star Tommy Gomes joins the show to share his journey from prison to television.

A public mourning period is underway as millions around the world grieve the death of Pope Francis. ABC News Correspondent Ines de La Cuetara joins the show from Rome to discuss the latest at the Vatican.

ABC News Correspondent Jim Ryan joins the show to talk about a reported decline in overdose deaths over the past year.

Back on this day in 1970 the first ever Earth Day was celebrated. The holiday was created to help advocate for enviromental practices. 

On today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about Arizona's teacher shortage. Sharpe expresses how lower pay deters potential educators.

Shira Tanzer reports on the Arizona teacher shortage. She provides why there is a shortage and possible solutions.

Ines De La Cuetara joins the show to talk about her time in Rome as the world remembers the late Pope Francis. She also discusses what the next steps to deciding the next pontiff. 

On this day in 2016, music icon Prince was found dead in Paisley Park, his Minnesota home and recording studio. The world famous recording artist created more than 30 albums and won seven Grammy awards over a 40-year career. Learn more in today's KTAR timeline brought to you by Beatitudes Campus. 

We spoke to Fr. John R. Muir this morning who serves as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Phoenix. We are getting his reaction to the death of history’s first Latin American pontiff, Pope Francis, who passed away Monday at the age of 88. Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement. 

Gov. Katie Hobbs on Friday vetoed a Republican-backed bill intended to support the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Senate President Warren Petersen joins us this morning and says his proposal aims to ensure that Arizona is a “partner and not an obstacle” where President Donald Trump’s immigration efforts are concerned. 

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran native living Maryland, was deported in March to a mega-prison in his home country of El Salvador. We are getting the latest this morning from ABC's Karen Travers. She says according to the Trump administration, Abrego Garcia's alleged MS-13 affiliation makes him ineligible to return to the United States. 

This month's Community Spotlight focuses on America First Credit Union Charitable Foundation. The foundation's director, Amber Greenwell, joins the show to talk about how the nonprofit is working to improve the lives of people in the Valley.

The Phoenix Police Department faces federal oversight after a years-long investigation. Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Thomas Galvin joins the show to discuss why he's asking the U.S. Attorney General to end the probe.

Chuck Todd, host of the Cuck ToddCast breaks down what's happening in D.C., including plans from several Democratic lawmakers to travel to El Salvador to seek the release of a recently deported man.

 Investopedia Editor in Chief, Caleb Silver joins the show to talk about our current economic outlook and whether "stagflation" is right around the corner.

On this day in 1790, American statesman, printer, scientist, writer, and inventor Benjamin Franklin died in Philadelphia. Not only was he a great inventor, he was one of the Founding Fathers and helped draft up the Declaration of Independence, and was one of it's signers. Learn more in today's KTAR timeline brought to you by Beatitudes Campus. 

In today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about how St. Mary’s Food Bank usually provides turkeys and hams to those who need them during the winter holiday season. However, they say Arizona families are still in need. With eggs becoming harder to come by and increasing in price, they are looking to alternatives. He also talks about Rep. Leo Biasiucci, R-Lake Havasu City, who earned support from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for his bill that would have restricted SNAP recipients from buying soda. 

St. Mary's Food Bank is known for collecting and distributing food, including turkeys and hams. We are joined this morning by Jerry Brown, Director of Public Relations for St. Mary's, who tells us about this week's food distribution and the community needs they are seeing at the moment. 

The Mandarin immersion program at Gavilan Peak School in Anthem is being phased out due to low enrollment, a recurring issue in recent years. The minimum enrollment for an immersion class is 20. However, KTAR Reporter Shira Tanzer, finds that fewer than 10 prospective students are interested in the Mandarin program for the upcoming school year. 

Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has been placed on administrative leave as part of a leak investigation. This is part of a growing controversy over leaks at the U.S. Department of Defense. Joining us with new developments is ABC's Chris Boccia. 

Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a bill that would have restricted SNAP recipients from buying soda with their benefits. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Leo Biasiucci, R-Lake Havasu City, had earned support from U.S. Secretary of Health Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 

On this day in 1962, Walter Cronkite began anchoring the CBS evening news. Cited as "the most trusted man in America", Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. began with a series of newspaper reporting jobs. Cronkite quickly became one of the top American reporters, reporting on World War II where he was one of eight journalists selected to fly with bombing raids over Germany. Learn more in today's KTAR timeline brought to you by Beatitudes Campus. 

In today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about how Arizonans are thinking twice about jumping into homeownership. This comes as many experts say there are multiple factors anyone thinking about taking the plunge need to consider.