KTAR News 92.3 Reporter Stories

The U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is investigation Arizona State University over Title VI practices relating to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

The Arizona Cardinal’s 5th annual Civics Matters trip departed Sky Harbor Airport Wednesday morning, taking 280 high school students from 55 high schools across the state to Washington D.C.

Arizona is ranked 18th in the nation when it comes to racial equality in the classroom.

This summer schools across the Valley are offering free meals to kids under 18.

During the latest ABOR meeting the board of regents approved four new academic centers at ASU. 

The Peoria Unified School District received a search warrant asking for documents related to the case of Haley Beck and Angela Burlaka’s alleged sexual misconduct with a student. 

Following up our reporting on the 2026 point-in-time count results...We hear directly from two fathers currently homeless with their families and those involved in providing help. But one street advocate named Austin Davis wants the governor to declare a state of emergency over family homelessness to spur funding for shelter, calling the current situation a crisis.

The Deer Valley Teacher's Union is calling for the resignation of a board member after she appeared to do a Nazi salute during a board meeting. 

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced the conviction of Amanda Elizabeth Maestas for theft of ESA money.

A mother and her son were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement near a Tempe school Tuesday and taken to a detention center in Texas, officials said.

Arizona was named the new National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME) Southwest regional node, receiving funding to organize and support education and pathways for the microelectronics industry in the state.

A judge has blocked Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller from entering into a 287(G) agreement, which allows local authorities to enforce federal immigration law. Pinal County Sheriff Ross Teeple already has one for his department and works with ICE daily. Teeple calls Miller's actions political theater, while Miller says he wants one so he can get violent criminals off the streets. 

Native, Latino and first-generation students can face unique challenges when it comes to applying for college.

ASU is launching a new semiconductor training program with TSMC, offered accelerated five-week training options with a guaranteed interview at the end.

 ASU will soon be offering bachelor's degree options to California community college students.

Arizona is one of 24 states suing the U.S. Department of Education over a rule that limits student loans for graduate students in multiple healthcare fields.

University of Arizona students reacted to former Google CEO's commencement speech about A.I. with boos.

The poll, which surveyed 996 voters in Arizona from May 5-7, found 90% were concerned about rising fuel prices, including 75% of Democrats and 54% of Republicans who were “very concerned.”

Arizona Senate President Warren Peterson blamed Peoria Unified School District administration for the alleged mishandling of the case where two teachers were allegedly involved in sexual misconduct with a student, calling district actions a “failure”.

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is partnering with mental health organization Cartwheel to offer counseling and clinical care services to local students.

Tempe residents will have the chance to vote in favor of a sales tax increase that would help fund the city’s preschool programs

Carol Nigut is graduating from the University of Arizona Saturday with a Master of Legal Studies degree. She’s also 73 years old.

May’s KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos’ “Pay Tribute to a Teacher” award went to David Solano, a 4th grade teacher at Palm Lane Elementary School in Maryvale.

Tom Horne and Kimberly Yee faced off in the battle to be Arizona's next Superintendent of Public Instruction, touching on ESAs and teacher pay.

The Kyrene School District is giving teachers a 4% raise next year as the district closes 6 schools.

Drug overdoses were down nationally last year, while here in Arizona they saw a 17% uptick, according to CDC data. Dr. Martin Celaya with the Arizona Department of Health Services says 90% of overdoses had polysubstance use, with the most popular combo being meth and fentanyl. He says in some cases folks don't their drugs are laced. 

Last night Teresa Leyba Ruiz and Brett Newby, two Democratic candidates aiming to be Arizona's next state schools chief, debated topics like the ESA program and teacher retention.

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell joins the Mike Broomhead show to discuss recent sexual misconduct by Peoria school teachers.

 A Phoenix Children’s Hospital graduating student explains how the One Darn Cool School has helped her get an education while battling an illness.

Superintendent Tom Horne explains the importance of mandated reporting in Arizona statute amid the Peoria case of teachers teaching involved in sexual misconduct with a student.

Wednesday night the Democratic candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction, Teresa Ruiz and Brett Newby, will debate. 

Actor and conservation activist Harrison Ford addressed Arizona State University undergraduates at the Tempe school’s spring commencement ceremony Monday night.

Students graduating across the Valley this week speak about their challenges and what they overcame to get to graduation week.

Arizona is seeing a dangerous trend involving a cartel crime network targeting cargo in transit. The group most often targets trains carrying high-value merchandise, such as Nike shoes, leaving California. 

Arizona is one of ten states selected by the U.S. Department of Labor for a new youth apprenticeship initiative that aims to double the number of apprentices in the state.

May 11 kicks off graduation week! Here's a preview of all the universities in the Valley graduating students.

A Tempe school librarian is transforming the library into a community gathering space for his students. 

Canvas has now been restored following the site being hacked on Thursday

Kelly Nelson, a special education teacher at Kyrene Aprende Middle School in Chandler, was the August 2025 recipient of the Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos Pay Tribute to a Teacher award.

Peoria Unified former governing board president Heather Rooks tells AZEN about Tuesday night's meeting replacing her as president, as well as giving an update on the case of sexual misconduct by 2 teachers.

The East Valley Institute of Technology filed an injunction order against nine school districts this week, requesting the Maricopa County Superior Court freeze a portion of taxpayer dollars.

The Fiesta Sports Foundation is celebrating teacher appreciation week by handing out goody bags and a major check to every school in the Balsz School District.

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.