KTAR News 92.3 Reporter Stories

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

Arizona schools could see lawsuits over bullying in public schools under a bill approved Tuesday by the state House Education Committee.

As the Environmental Protection Agency works to repeal the 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding, Arizona is taking legal action to try and stop it. Without the rule, the EPA would no longer be allowed to limit greenhouse gases from vehicles, power plants and oil and gas facilities. The Trump administration calls it a necessary step to prioritize energy affordability and economic growth. 

Independent candidate for Arizona governor Hugh Lytle submitted over 6,000 signatures today, more than 3X what he needs to qualify for the November ballot. He says it's unfair Independent candidates must gather more signatures than a Democrat or Republican running for office but is confident he has more than enough. 

Lytle Represents the Arizona Independent Party, formerly the No Labels Party. However, a state bill would prevent the word "independent" from being used in the name of new political parties to avoid confusion. 

Read on Arizona, a statewide nonprofit that aims to raise Arizona’s third-grade reading levels from 36% to 72% within the next four years, is receiving an $8.4 million federal grant.

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.