KTAR News 92.3 Reporter Stories

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.

Grand Canyon University is partnering with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Arizona for an industry-funded 11-week manufacturing course that could end in a job offer with TSMC. 

Only 36% of Arizona third graders are reading proficiently, according to the Arizona Progress Meter.

Did the school voucher program becoming universal make it harder for students with special needs to access funding and services? Parents and disability experts say it has.

House Bill 4037 would create a tax credit for families whose students are not participating in public schools or the school voucher program.

A new scholarship focuses on helping minority students attend college- or finish high school.

The Peoria Unified School District Governing Board heard from the community Thursday night ahead of the potential closure of two K-8 schools.

Arizonans are taking care of their lungs but harming early childhood education funding in the process. This is because Arizona’s early childhood agency is completely funded by the state’s tobacco tax.

Two Arizona education lawmakers are working to pass legislation that would limit teachers’ ability to protest during school hours with the threat of diminished funding for public schools.v

U.S. Egg is making its comeback. After a kitchen fire forced the longtime Tempe breakfast spot to shut its doors in October 2024, the restaurant is finally reopening this Wednesday — now sporting a full renovation, brand‑new equipment and a refreshed dining room ready to welcome regulars back in.

(Photo courtesy of U.S. Egg/via Facebook)

A local school for neurodiverse students is opening up students’ confidence on the basketball court – and beating typical teams.