KTAR News 92.3

07/06/2025

Residents near a wildfire on tribal land in eastern Arizona remained under evacuation orders Saturday evening as the blaze is slowing, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Fire covered 10,814 acres with 42% containment as of 8:30 p.m., according to the Navajo Department of Emergency Management. The reported size as of Fourth of July morning had been 10,787 acres, a response crew of 599 seeing little growth.

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said Saturday on Facebook that “no further growth is expected” but community members should expect “a noticeable increase in smoke” due to the ongoing response crew efforts.

Gov. Katie Hobbs paid a visit to the Oak Ridge Fire Incident Command post on Saturday as well to discuss the coming recovery phase.

Full story here: https://ktar.com/arizona-wildfire-news/oak-ridge-fire-evacuations/5722996/

Photo Credit: Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren Facebook photo

07/06/2025

Two people were injured after a fire broke out in a Phoenix apartment on Saturday night, authorities said.

Fire crews responded to a call near 17th Avenue and Camelback Road at around 10:30 p.m., according to the Phoenix Fire Department.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a fire on the second story of the apartment.

A man was taken to a hospital in critical condition, according to authorities. A woman was also taken to a hospital in stable condition. No firefighters were injured.

Photo credit: Phoenix Fire Department

07/05/2025

The Valley's own Novel Ice Cream comes in at No. 1 on Yelp's 2025 list of the nation's best ice cream shops.

Read more: https://ktar.com/arizona-business/phoenix-best-ice-cream-shop/5724686/

07/05/2025

The southbound direction of the Loop 101 Pima Freeway in Scottsdale closed on Saturday due to a crash.
Read more: https://ktar.com/arizona-traffic/loop-101-southbound-crash/5725164/

07/05/2025

A man who violently attacked homeless people living at a Phoenix park was sentenced to 19 years in prison, the MCAO announced Saturday.

Read more: https://ktar.com/arizona-news/crimes-against-homeless-19-phoenix/5725151/

07/05/2025

A Texas sheriff says the deaths from flash flooding in central Texas has risen to 27 people as search efforts continue for more than two dozen children from a girls’ camp and many others.

The destructive fast-moving waters along the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes before dawn Friday, washing away homes and vehicles.

Some 27 people remained missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the river, said Dalton Rice, Kerrville’s city manager. An unknown number of people at other locations were still unaccounted for, he said Saturday.

Read more: https://ktar.com/national-news/texas-floods-search-continues/5725126/

(Photo by Julio Cortez/AP)

07/05/2025

A man was charged Wednesday in connection to a deadly attempted carjacking incident in Arizona on Monday, authorities said.

A man was charged Wednesday in connection to a deadly attempted carjacking incident in Arizona on Monday, authorities said.

07/04/2025

President Donald Trump signed his "Big, Beautiful Bill" outside the White House on the Fourth of July.

Flanked by Republican legislators and members of his Cabinet, Trump signed the multitrillion-dollar legislation outside the White House, and then banged down the gavel that House Speaker Mike Johnson gifted him that was used during the bill’s final passage Thursday.

Fighter jets and a stealth bomber streaked through the sky over the annual White House Fourth of July picnic as Trump and first lady Melania Trump stepped out onto the White House balcony.

Read more: https://ktar.com/national-news/trump-signs-bill-white-house-july-4/5724908/

(Photo by Evan Vucci/AP)

07/04/2025

A Silver Alert was issued on Friday for a 59-year-old man last seen in south Phoenix who has a medical condition that causes confusion.

Samuel Hatcher was last seen at around 6 a.m. near 16th Street and Baseline Road, authorities said.

He is 5-foot-8 and weighs 200 pounds and has a bald head, gray beard and brown eyes. Hatcher was wearing a black T-shirt and black pants.

Anyone with information on Hatcher’s whereabouts is asked to call 602-684-5522.

Link to story: https://ktar.com/arizona-news/silver-alert-man-south-phoenix/5724890/

Photo Credit: Arizona DPS photo

07/04/2025

More pets are lost around Independence Day than any other time on the calendar. To prepare for the weekend’s explosive fun, the Arizona Humane Society has a few tips to keep your pets safe and in your care.

- Tag your pets
- Know location at all times
- Keep their focus with loud noises

Full story here: https://ktar.com/arizona-news/arizona-humane-society-4th-of-july/5724840/

Photo Credit: Arizona Humane Society photo

07/04/2025

In June, KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos’ Pay Tribute to a Teacher award went to Janina Perez, a Laveen teacher.

In June, KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos’ Pay Tribute to a Teacher award went to Janina Perez, a Laveen teacher.

07/03/2025

Authorities issued a Silver Alert for an 82-year-old man who was last seen in Mesa on Thursday.

Authorities issued a Silver Alert for an 82-year-old man who was last seen in Mesa on Thursday.