KTAR News 92.3 Reporter Stories

The Peoria Unified School District Governing Board voted to replace governing board president Heather Rooks Tuesday night amid the district’s ongoing teacher sexual misconduct case.

Tonight the Peoria Unified School District will hold a special meeting that could replace governing board president Heather Rooks over a request that MCAO look into mandated reporting in the case of two teachers' sexual misconduct allegations.

The Phoenix Scholar House is now open, offering single parents working towards a college degree an affordable housing option.

Kelly Melrose, who teaches geometry and coaches softball at Camelback High School in Phoenix, was the June 2025 recipient of the Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos Pay Tribute to a Teacher award.

Jean-Pierre Thompson won Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos' Pay Tribute to a Teacher in March. How did he end up using that money?

High schoolers across Arizona are graduating with career and technical education skills like farming, nursing and engineering. 

A Scottsdale kindergarten teacher was arrested Tuesday after it discovered he accessed child sexual abuse material on one of his personal devices, authorities said.

Students at trade school West-MEC in Surprise are playing a role in the security of their community, upgrading a golf cart from the City as a learning experience.

A booming real estate trend, which started in Arizona, is at risk of grinding to a halt over a bill in Congress aimed at tackling housing affordability.

Arizona budget proposals began early this year, but the latest GOP budget proposal includes millions of dollars in education funding cuts.

Beck Peoria unified update

A group of Valley parents launched a nonprofit to take over their children’s school charter after the former charter holder fell into financial disarray.

The proposed ICE detention facility is less than 3 miles from three Dysart schools. Students and community members are concerned about school safety and financial risk for the district.

Students at ASU Preparatory Academy stepped in as mission control to speak to a NASA astronaut as they wrapped up their year-long unit on space.

3D-printing has become common among children, with YouTube tutorials on how to craft everything from pencil holders to shoes. Now kids are using machines to make 3D-printed weapons, and that’s creating an issue when it comes to school safety.

Mother's Grace is holding its yearly fundraiser with Prada at Scottsdale Fashion Square. The non-profit supports mothers and their children dealing with an acute life event like a medical diagnosis, natural disaster or loss of a loved one. 15% of all proceeds go directly to support the charity from now until Monday when you mention Mother's Grace at checkout. 

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.