KTAR News 92.3 Reporter Stories

The cities of Tempe and Chandler are recruiting local barbers to become mental health advocates, part of a national effort to reduce the stigma around mental health. We learn more from Tim Burch with Tempe. 

ASU has been chosen as the site for a national semiconductor lab. Executive Vice President of Knowledge Enterprise Sally Morton explains the facility will create microchip prototypes to take ideas from the lab to the fab. She says it will bring together national stakeholders for advanced chip packaging. 

A national lab for semiconductor advanced packaging is setting up shop at ASU's Research Park. President Michael Crow tells the Mike Broomhead Show ASU will be the hub for microchip research, development, and prototyping. He says bringing the chips supply chain to the U.S. is a matter of national security. 

Following a New Year's Eve incident in Hawaii that left several people dead and at least 20 injured from an amateur firework display, The Arizona Burn Center is treating six victims from the island. 

The state's pandemic-related learning loss program, the "Achievement Tutoring Program," unexpectedly ended despite AZ Superintendent of Public Intruction Tom Horne saying it would last into 2025. 

The state's pandemic-related learning loss program, the "Achievement Tutoring Program," unexpectedly ended despite AZ Superintendent of Public Intruction Tom Horne saying it would last into 2025. 

There's a growing need for foster care advocates across metro Phoenix, and now is the time to make a difference, according to CASA of Arizona volunteer Lawrence Falvey. Volunteers are trained citizens appointed by the court to investigate the circumstances of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. These dedicated advocates play a crucial role in ensuring the safety, well-being, and long-term stability of foster children.

Following the implementation of a policy that allows for automatic ESA expenditure approvals under $2,000, state schools' chief Tom Horne and Governor Hobbs are at odds. We hear more from Horne and public school advocate Beth Lewis.

Following the implementation of a policy that allows for automatic ESA expenditure approvals under $2,000, state schools' chief Tom Horne and Governor Hobbs are at odds. We hear more from Horne and public school advocate Beth Lewis.

2024 has seen the highest eviction rates in the Phoenix Metro area since 2008, according to local nonprofit Family Promise of Greater Phoenix. Its new community, Legacy Village, will add several small apartments made of repurposed ocean containers to the Valley's affordable housing supply.

The Mesa Unified School District uses several robots to help out with faculty duties on campuses. Blake Anderson with "TinyMobileRobots" says more schools are becoming open to this technology.

The US Dept. of Justice has announced their findings of a civil rights investigation into the AZ Dept. of Child Safety.

The DOJ claims DCS has not correctly accommodated children with disabilities.

Pancreatic cancer rates - and deaths - are trending in the wrong direction, especially when compared to other forms of the disease. Division Chief for Cancer Medicine at Banner MD Anderson Dr. Mundappa Kundranda tells KTAR there are a few things you can do if you're concerned about having pancreatic cancer. 

There's a new light show to explore this holiday season in Phoenix. That's the Tianyu Lights Festival at Calemback Ranch. Instead of lighting up Santa light sculptures, it highlights animals, plants and mythological creatures through visual, cultural and light effects.

A Phoenix man has spent 25 years behind bars, 20 of those for a crime he says he didn't commit. Joseph Fuentes was serving time for a federal drug conviction when he claims he was framed for a murder in prison. The Arizona Justice Project says his last shot at freedom is to be granted clemency from President Joe Biden. 

The Morrison Institute at ASU recently released a report on teacher retention in Arizona, as requested by a task force under the office of Governor Katie Hobbs. 

We learn more about that survey from research director Alison Cook-Davis. 

The grim, stark exterior of a correctional facility seems like the polar opposite of a winter wonderland — but one nonprofit wants to spread holiday cheer to the Pinal County Detention Center. Good News Global President Jon Evans says his nonprofit will distribute around 600 goodie bags with food, candy, and inspiring books to inmates and correctional officers on Christmas Eve.

With friends and family arriving in town for the holidays, Dr. Bryan Kuhn with Banner Poison and Drug Information Center urges you to talk about medication and other potential risks that may be coming with them. 

It appears the nearly two-year moratorium on executions in Arizona is over. The governor's commissioner failed to complete his report, so the state prison director did his own, recommending they double the medical staff that carries out executions. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has begun the process to seek a warrant to execute Aaron Gunches, who was convicted of murder 20 years ago. 

San Tan Charter's varsity football team has seen improved grades and relationships since implementing a "no phones" policy last April. Head Coach Chase Cartwright says the student athletes put their phones in a cell phone locker while at school to help eliminate distractions. The team now has an average GPA of 3.45. 

Last night the south Phoenix Roosevelt School District voted to close down five district schools in an effort to save money and boost enrollment at remaining campuses. 

It passed 4-1, we hear from district board President Shelley Jackson and board member Lawrence Robinson. 

Last night the south Phoenix Roosevelt School District voted to close down five district schools in an effort to save money and boost enrollment at remaining campuses. 

It passed 4-1, we hear from district board President Shelley Jackson and board member Lawrence Robinson. 

Tempe is implementing strict enforcement of its urban camping ordinance as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision and the passage of Proposition 312. That has Austin Davis with "AZ Hugs" concerned people in need will not seek help. 

ASU will use a $100 million CHIPS Act award to fund the SHIELD USA project. It will fund substrate research for advanced microchip packaging, technician training and courses to expose students to careers in the semiconductor industry. Advanced packing is used in technologies like artificial intelligence, self-driving cars and drones. 

This marks the final report from KTAR Senior Reporter Jim Cross, after a storied career and more than 25 years at Arizona's News Station.