KTAR News 92.3 Reporter Stories

A new Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) ballot initiative has been submitted to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, aiming to get ESA accountability in front of voters on the November ballot without an income cap for voucher users.

Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee is looking to make some changes to the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) marketplace system to avoid misuse of taxpayer dollars.

The American Cancer Society has lowered the screening age for colorectal cancer to age 45. Honor Health General Suergon Dr. Vanitha Vasudevan says it's because they're seeing more younger patients with this type of cancer. It's now the leading cause of cancer death in people under age 50. 

State legislators gathered at the capitol today to promote two bills that would provide firearm education in schools.

Phoenix City Councilwoman Laura Pastor says she stands with the survivors who have come forward about being sexually abused by late civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, including his ally at the United Farm Workers Dolores Huerta. Pastor says UFW will continue to organize and fight for better protections for farm workers. 

The council will vote on a measure next week to rename Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day and change the names of buildings and streets named after him. 

The Arizona Senate approved multiple education bills Wednesday, including one that would ban teachers from discussing or sharing any material deemed to be antisemitic and a bill that would require adoption practices to be shared when sex education is taught.

The Phoenix Union High School District is considering a possible renaming of Ceaser Chavez high school after sexual abuse allegations.

Arizona’s school voucher program is a subject of recent controversy, with different numbers being used to describe the amount of fraud.

The Phoenix Union High School District has passed a climate resolution that tracks the district's impacts on the environment.

Arizona’s postsecondary attainment levels have been steadily rising, but is it enough to cover the state’s job openings?

Last night Peoria Unified voted to close 2 elementary schools and move a high school to a 7-12 model.

The Arizona Capacity and Efficiency Initiative (ACE) will look for ways by streamlining how the state buys goods and services, cutting duplicate spending, and using AI to help the government operate more efficiently

Arizona teachers and union advocates gathered at the state Capital Wednesday afternoon to speak out against legislative bills that could restrict classroom content.

Chandler has secured $1 million in federal funds to construct a new well. Mayor Kevin Hartke says this will allow the City to reduce its reliance on Colorado River water. The groundwater comes from the East Valley aquifer and is expected to be online by 2029. 

The Scottsdale Unified School District is moving forward with the next phase of a plan designed to fix the district’s budget and repurpose empty schools.

Senate Bill 1424 is sponsored by Arizona Senators Wendy Rogers (R) and Mark Finchem (R). 
It would require public and charter schools to teach students about accident prevention and safety involving guns yearly, focusing on safe gun storage, what to do if a student finds a gun and risks associated with handling guns.

A new bill at the Arizona Legislature hopes to allocate $1 million for the Older Blind Independent Living Program. National Federation of the Blind Arizona says this would help get through the waitlist of seniors with low vision as the population is expected to double by 2030. 

Arizona State University’s new project opens the door for conversation about the ethical use of artificial intelligence among educators, who in turn will present the discussion to their respective classes.

The Arizona Department of Education is now referring school voucher fraud charges to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office as well as the Arizona Attorney General.

A new education program called Permission Granted is working to clarify state policy and how it could be applied in the classroom.

Arizona parents with children on the autism spectrum are scrambling to find new applied behavioral analysis therapy after the two largest providers were dropped by the state's Medicaid program known as AHCCCS. There is a class action lawsuit asking AHCCCS to reverse the decision. 

A man in Florence ICE detention died on Monday after his tooth ache turned into sepsis. His brother believes this could have been prevented. 

The Arizona Department of Education is now referring ESA fraud charges to MCAO instead of Attorney General Mayes, with the first criminal charges issued. 

A new ballot referral could impact and limit how Arizona teachers’ unions could operate. House Bill 2040 could restrict school districts from using public money and resources to support an organization like a union.