KTAR News 92.3 Reporter Stories

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. 

Arizona's U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly spoke at a town hall in south Scottsdale about how potential cuts to Medicaid would impact Arizona. Senator Gallego said if people lose their health insurance, they'll wait to get care until it is absolutely necessary, which means more costly treatment and burdens emergency rooms. 

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is sharing some reminders as many travelers head to the airport for Spring vacation plans.

A voter resolution in the state House would use the firing squad to execute death row inmates. Sponsor State Rep. Alexander Kolodin says the federal judge who was hired by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to review death penalty procedures recommended Arizona bring back the firing squad. Kolodin adds Arizona has a history of botched lethal injection executions. 

A bill passed by the state House would activate the Emergency Alert System when an Indigenous person of any age goes missing. State Rep. Teresa Martinez explains Amber Alerts protect minors, Silver Alerts protect seniors and this would protect anyone who disappears under suspicious circumstances, Native or not. 

Arizona vacation rental hosts gather at the State Capitol this week to tout the impact on the state's economy. Short term rentals generate $500 million in tax revenue for the state and local governments. Real estate agent and host Dana Avellar says vacation rentals allow Arizonans to bring in extra income.

Attorney General Kris Mayes hosted a town hall and invited federal workers, grant receipents and community members in general impacted by the Trump Administration's federal downsizing to share their views. Mayes says stories from Arizonans may be used in lawsuits against against the administration. 

State Senator Eva Burch plans to step down from her office next week. She says it's too difficult to accomplish anything in the minority caucus and was struggling to make ends meet because legislators' pay is so low. She hasn't ruled out running for another office and wants to continue to make change in Arizona. 

A new local non-profit works to help the formerly incarcerated reintegrate into society. Arizona Village Network Founder Khalil Rushdan explains the non-profit helps the recently released find employment, housing or seal their record. Rushdan was wrongfully incarcerated for 15 years for a murder he didn't commit and is trying to create the support system he needed upon his release.