KTAR News 92.3 Reporter Stories

Latino students are becoming a larger percentage of Arizona K-12 students each year; a trend advocates say is due to the rise of school choice in Arizona.

A Valley teenager is being recognized for his courage at the Arizona Crime Victims' Rights Award Ceremony. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell says this year's Legacy of Courage Award winner is Alex Rodriguez. He testified against his dad after his sister died from abuse when they were just kids. Mitchell says Rodriguez achieves justice for his sister because of his strength. 

Two men who immigrated to the U.S. from Iran and became citizens talk about the deep struggle of holding two identities amid the Iran war.

One says he can't shake a feeling of "guilt" being in the U.S. as his home country is bombed and he worries about his family back home.

Governor Hobbs has announced a new search tool for childcare- including adding $3 million in grants to childcare providers.

President Trump headlined Turning Point Action's "Build the Red Wall" rally at Dream City Church in Phoenix on Friday, April 17. 

April’s KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos’ Pay Tribute to a Teacher award went to Rachel Winstead, a Humanities teacher at Metropolitan Arts Institute in Phoenix.

Kaitlin Moriarty is a teacher at Peralta Elementary School in Maryvale. She also has two learning disabilities that help her relate to struggling students.

Speaking Wednesday at Semafor World Economy 2026, Kelly said there’s growing fear among Americans that AI will replace them, and Congress needs to find ways to prioritize people over profits. 

APS will no longer disconnect service for nonpayment if it's 95 degrees or hotter. The state's largest electricity utility will pay a $7 million settlement over allegations it violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes says an APS customer died from extreme heat in May 2024 after APS remotely turned off her power for nonpayment when it was 99 degrees out. 

APS has agreed to use $1 million from the settlement for bill credits to eligible customers at risk of disconnection. 

Arizona elected officials are taking a stand against a federal education tax credit program on both a state and federal level.

The first semiconductor cleanroom open to students in grades K-12 is now open at trade school West-MEC in Phoenix.

Around a third of Arizona K-12 students are chronically absent each year, missing more than 10% of the school year. Using motivations like field trips might be a tactic that can turn those numbers around.

Five Arizona high school seniors were surprised with a $20,000 check for their future college or postsecondary education plans.

College students may be selecting different majors based on the increase of artificial intelligence in the workforce and the classroom.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoed three education bills this week, including one that would have required transparency when it comes to school district superintendent wages.

The Mexican government demands ICE be held accountable as 14 Mexican nationals have died in detention facilities since January 2025. Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix Jorge Mendoza Yescas says they're pursuing legal action, are in communication with diplomats and are looking into human rights violations. 

Changes to federal dietary guidelines promote more whole foods like fruits and vegetables, as well as more protein, over carbohydrates and processed foods. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tells the Mike Broomhead Show the goal is to cut down on chronic disease and curb obesity. 

Musician will.i.am, known for being the frontman of the Black Eyed Peas, is an Arizona State University professor this semester, teaching a course called The Agnetic Self.

Prop 123 has been expired for nearly a year, and now renewal efforts are putting a pause on state budget negotiations.

Four elementary schools in the Valley are competing in the final of the Read to the Final Four contest, and for one school, this will be the final buzzer.

New multifamily housing in Mesa called the Pomeroy achieved LEED Silver certification, meaning it was designed with energy and water efficiency in mind. President of Green Ideas Building Science Consultants Charlie Popeck says the building has a 40% reduction in domestic water use, 76% decrease in irrigation demand and reduced overall energy use by 27%. 

Nine local school districts are still in an ongoing legal battle with trade school district East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), saying EVIT is trying to change language in the agreement while keeping more than $7 million from students.

Last night the Phoenix Union High School District voted to change the name of Ceaser Chavez High School. Community and board members brought up some concerns regarding upcoming graduation dates and the cost of a name change.

Students in the Phoenix Union High School District are working to solve business challenges for the third-largest cable television provider in the U.S.

 It's the last month of the Arizona legislative session, and more education bills including one that impacts abortion instruction are moving through the Senate