Arizona's Morning News

Back on this day in 1976 the first "Muppets" episode premiered. As the show gained popularity, many of the characters appeared in movies and shows alongside celebrities.

On today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about his 2025 NFL Predictions. He believes Taylor Swift will be the half time performer at the Super Bowl, but the Chiefs won't play. 

The Cardinals begin the 2025-26 NFL season Sunday. Arizona Sports' Tyler Drake joined the show for Cardinals Coffee Talk to discuss players, strategies and playoff hopes.

From new Epstein file drama to a potential new name for the Department of Defense, politics did not slow down this week. Political Analyst, Chuck Todd, joined the show to break down the impacts of the latest D.C. headlines.

Back on this day in 2002 Kelly Clarkson won the first season on "American Idol." The artist would go on to sell millions of records and have a successful music career from the hit TV show based of the UK version, "Pop Idol."

On today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about car seat safety. He says this issue is a problem bigger than Arizona, but there are resources like fire departments to help properly install car seats.

ABC 15 is doing a feature investigating DCS after several child fatalities and severe abuse cases. Jennifer Kovaleski, ABC 15 reporter, says the most shocking thing she has learned in her reporting is how long these issues have been in the child care system.

Nearly two thirds of child car deaths are due to improperly installed car seats according to AAA. Todd Keller with the Phoenix Fire Department joined the show to discuss how parents can prevent these deaths and injuries.

Back on this day in 2009 it was Michael Jackson's funeral. It was held at the Staple Center in Las Angelos and more than 200 people were invited. He was laid to rest in a gold coffin at Glendale's Forest Lawn Memorial Park. 

On today's episode of the sharper point commentary, Jim discusses the possibility of him buying a Powerball ticket and why buying one goes against his values.

A new report shows the labor force lost about 1.2 million jobs that were help by immigrants after mass deportation efforts. Danny Seident, CEO and President of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, joined the show to talk about how this impacts Arizona. 

President Trump has been talking about sending National Guard troops to Chicago, despite the City's mayor saying he doesn't need military support to lower violent crime. Karen Travers, ABC News White House correspondent, says the President said troops would go to the city, but gave no timeline. 

Back on this day in 1969 ATM's makes its public debut. The idea of Automatic Teller Machines was credited to Don Wetzel after coming up with the idea while standing in line at the bank.

On today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about an inmate from the Lewis State Prison who was released years before the end of his sentence after filing his own fraudugulent paperwork. He says this incident brings awareness to the gaps within the system making prisons less safe.

The Wizard of Oz is offering an unique experience at The Sphere in Las Vegas. Mike Dobuski, ABC News Correspondent, joined the show to talk about the use of drones, AI and other technology used to produce to make this interactive production.

An inmate forged his own release documents and was on the run for several weeks before getting caught. KTAR Legal Analyst, Barry Markson, joined the show to discuss how this could happen.

A recent study showed that Arizona's air quality is the equivalent of smoking 99 cigarettes a year. Danny Ashton, HouseFresh Founder, joined the show to talk about what contributes to the state's rating and which cities and states are more or less polluted.

Back on this day in 2005 Hurricane Katrina made landfall. The category four storm was one of the most devasting storms in Alabama history with a mandatory evacuation for the whole city of New Orleans and over up to $150 billion in damages. 

On today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about the latest polling of Republican Arizona gubernatorial candidates, Karrin Taylor Robson and Andy Biggs. He says the polling shows Robson ahead of Biggs. Both candidates have the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

Political Analyst, Chuch Todd, joined the show to comment on the Federal Reserve's Lisa Cooks lawsuit and the National Guard in D.C. He says poltical parties are missing what voters want when it comes to the handling and messaging of violent crime.

Back on this day in 1963 Martin Luther King Jr delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech. He gave the speech in front of about 250,000 people gathered in support of equal rights at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

On today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about school violence. He says school violence has been on the rise and education is the only way to prevent and improve these situations.

Elenee Dao, ABC 15 reporter, joined the show to talk about Arizona school safety. She says schools see a rise in teen violence in September, but there is no clear reason why.

ABC News Crime and Terrorism Analyst, Brad Garrett, joined to talk about the mass shooting at a Minneapolis church Wednesday. He believes some of the shooter's rage started in school which is why Robin Westman cited other mass shooters in his video and shot at a school.

Tina Tambor, senior housing analyst, joined the show to talk about a recent a Cromford report that says housing prices will decline in the next six months. She says lower prices marks the beginning of the end of the buyers market seen since last November in Phoenix.