KTAR News 92.3 Reporter Stories

The current state of the Valley's housing market highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated income inequality. A market expert breaks down how we got here and who's been left behind. 

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has finished long-term efforts to clean up polluted soil and groundwater near 16th Street and Camelback Road.

If you want to fly domestically after May 7th you will need a Real ID or passport. TSA spokerperson Patricia Mancha says the decision was made to standardize identifications following security analysis of the September 11th terror attacks. 

Head to AZMVDnow.gov to make an appointment to get your Real ID. 

The Drowning Coalition of Arizona is hoping to see fewer drownings this year, compared with the 18 child deaths last year. President Jay Arthur says that's why they're starting education campaigns early this year. He says most drownings occur during non-swim times so consider installing high latches or alarms on doors to keep children inside. 

KTAR and Fulton Homes remind you that two seconds is too long to take your eyes off kids near water. To learn more go to KTAR.com/watersafety.

There might be one positive to take away from the tanking markets. Your gas prices might get a lot cheaper soon. 

The United Cerebral Palsy Clinic in downtown Phoenix just completed renovations that nearly doubled the size of their facility to 3,000 square feet. The expansion will allow UCP to increase their speech therapy program and mobility training program, helping little ones with disabilities learn how to speak and talk. 

Nearly 1.7 million people came to watch cactus league gamesthis year, which is an increase of more than 65-thousand fans compared to last year.

Nearly 1.7 million people came to watch cactus league gamesthis year, which is an increase of more than 65-thousand fans compared to last year.

Nearly 4,000 Arizona voters switched to the "Other" party in March. Why are so many heading away from partisanship? KTAR's Shira Tanzer reports.

The organizers behind this year's Arizona Gives Day on Tuesday are urging the community to support nonprofits that have been impacted by federal funding cuts and revoked grants.

Michael Morefield with AZ Impact for Good, the organization behind the yearly event, said many nonprofit leaders are worried they won't get financial support they have relied on for years.

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management is prepared for what is expected to be a busy fire season. Fire Officer John Truett explains the probability of ignition is way up due to drought and dry brush. He says most wildfires are human caused and urged everyone to do their part to prevent a forest fire. 

Patrick De Haan with Gas Buddy says Arizona fuel prices could jump $0.15-$0.30/gallon in the next week or two.

Tracey Fejt with the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona says if you can't afford a pool fence, you could get a high door with a latch or alarm on your back door. She says there have already been four non-fatal drownings this year, before swimming season has begun. 

The League of Cities and Towns would like to see the Arizona Starter Homes Act amended before it's voted on in the state House. Legislative Director Tom Savage says he'd like to see some affordability requirements, such as making the starter homes deed restricted for Arizona residents. He fears Wall Street investors will buy up the properties and use them as rentals. 

A tactical broadcast device helps the blind and low vision community experience Phoenix Suns games like never before. The tablet sits on your lap and uses haptics and vibrations to communicate to the user what is happening. It even vibrates to reflect how many points were scored and includes an audio broadcast too. 

The erroneous conviction bill passed unanimously in the Arizona House, but has now stalled in the Senate. It would have provided restitution for state inmates who have been wrongfully convicted and exonerated. It also included resources for therapy, financial literacy and education. 

The Phoenix Elementary School District #1 has voted to close down Heard and Dunbar campuses in its district, as it faces a a budget shortfall and declining enrollment.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne wants to focus on punitive measures to lower the state's chronic absenteeism rate, with Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan joining that push.

New research shows the impact of artificial intelligence on our energy and water supply. University of California, Riverside Professor Shaolei Ren explains AI data centers use huge amounts of energy, and then water is needed to cool down those data centers, taxing both resources. 

The Arizona Space Summit brought together local and national economy and business leaders to map out how to turn Arizona into a major player in the growing space sector. KTAR's Shira Tanzer reports. 

It's long been thought of as the safest way to travel, but a series of high profile plane crashes including a mid-air collision that claimed the lives of 67 people has some wondering whether it's safe to fly.

One in 100 babies will be born with a congenital heart defect and 25% won't make it to their 1st birthday. Valley mom Vanessa Orihuela lost her daughter Daphne at just nine days old. She's helping the Children's Heart Foundation raise money to research for a cure. 

Aaron Gunches has been executed by lethal injection, more than two decades after kidnapping and killing Ted Price. We hear from media witnesses and Price's sister, who says justice is served.

KTAR News Reporter Shira Tanzer explains how new requirements for Canadians entering the United States could have long-term impacts on Arizona's tourism industry.