Arizona's Morning News

On this day in 2016, music icon Prince was found dead in Paisley Park, his Minnesota home and recording studio. The world famous recording artist created more than 30 albums and won seven Grammy awards over a 40-year career. Learn more in today's KTAR timeline brought to you by Beatitudes Campus. 

We spoke to Fr. John R. Muir this morning who serves as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Phoenix. We are getting his reaction to the death of history’s first Latin American pontiff, Pope Francis, who passed away Monday at the age of 88. Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement. 

Gov. Katie Hobbs on Friday vetoed a Republican-backed bill intended to support the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Senate President Warren Petersen joins us this morning and says his proposal aims to ensure that Arizona is a “partner and not an obstacle” where President Donald Trump’s immigration efforts are concerned. 

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran native living Maryland, was deported in March to a mega-prison in his home country of El Salvador. We are getting the latest this morning from ABC's Karen Travers. She says according to the Trump administration, Abrego Garcia's alleged MS-13 affiliation makes him ineligible to return to the United States. 

This month's Community Spotlight focuses on America First Credit Union Charitable Foundation. The foundation's director, Amber Greenwell, joins the show to talk about how the nonprofit is working to improve the lives of people in the Valley.

The Phoenix Police Department faces federal oversight after a years-long investigation. Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Thomas Galvin joins the show to discuss why he's asking the U.S. Attorney General to end the probe.

Chuck Todd, host of the Cuck ToddCast breaks down what's happening in D.C., including plans from several Democratic lawmakers to travel to El Salvador to seek the release of a recently deported man.

 Investopedia Editor in Chief, Caleb Silver joins the show to talk about our current economic outlook and whether "stagflation" is right around the corner.

On this day in 1790, American statesman, printer, scientist, writer, and inventor Benjamin Franklin died in Philadelphia. Not only was he a great inventor, he was one of the Founding Fathers and helped draft up the Declaration of Independence, and was one of it's signers. Learn more in today's KTAR timeline brought to you by Beatitudes Campus. 

In today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about how St. Mary’s Food Bank usually provides turkeys and hams to those who need them during the winter holiday season. However, they say Arizona families are still in need. With eggs becoming harder to come by and increasing in price, they are looking to alternatives. He also talks about Rep. Leo Biasiucci, R-Lake Havasu City, who earned support from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for his bill that would have restricted SNAP recipients from buying soda. 

St. Mary's Food Bank is known for collecting and distributing food, including turkeys and hams. We are joined this morning by Jerry Brown, Director of Public Relations for St. Mary's, who tells us about this week's food distribution and the community needs they are seeing at the moment. 

The Mandarin immersion program at Gavilan Peak School in Anthem is being phased out due to low enrollment, a recurring issue in recent years. The minimum enrollment for an immersion class is 20. However, KTAR Reporter Shira Tanzer, finds that fewer than 10 prospective students are interested in the Mandarin program for the upcoming school year. 

Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has been placed on administrative leave as part of a leak investigation. This is part of a growing controversy over leaks at the U.S. Department of Defense. Joining us with new developments is ABC's Chris Boccia. 

Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a bill that would have restricted SNAP recipients from buying soda with their benefits. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Leo Biasiucci, R-Lake Havasu City, had earned support from U.S. Secretary of Health Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 

On this day in 1962, Walter Cronkite began anchoring the CBS evening news. Cited as "the most trusted man in America", Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. began with a series of newspaper reporting jobs. Cronkite quickly became one of the top American reporters, reporting on World War II where he was one of eight journalists selected to fly with bombing raids over Germany. Learn more in today's KTAR timeline brought to you by Beatitudes Campus. 

In today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about how Arizonans are thinking twice about jumping into homeownership. This comes as many experts say there are multiple factors anyone thinking about taking the plunge need to consider. 

The battle continues over Arizona's controversial school voucher program. Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne, joins us this morning to talk about ESA funding changes and new regulations on cell phones in school. 

Many Arizonans put the American dream of homeownership on hold as prices and mortgage rates skyrocketed in recent years. KTAR's Colton Krolak reports on whether now is a good time to buy a home. 

A lawyer for the Maryland man and alleged gang member who was deported in error to El Salvador has said that it might take a contempt order to prompt the U.S. government to return him from that country. ABC's Karen Travers joins us with more this morning. 

On this day in 1947 Jacki Robinson became the first African American MLB player. Exactly 50 years later in 1997, Robinson's number, 42, was retired by MLB. 

In today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about Tax Day and the pressures people face. About one-third of Arizonans have not filed their taxes or extensions yet. 

Scottsdale Unified School District is reporting a bus driver shortage. Shira Tanzer reports the pros and cons of possible solutions proposed.

Todd Sanders joins the show to update you on the latest economic dashboard. He tells the show how Arizona is shaping up and what's to come. 

Balin Overstolz continues coverage in KTAR's housing series. He reports the comparisons of communities and markets across the Valley. 

Jim Ryan joins the show to talk about tax returns. Today is the deadline to file federal taxes, what is it that you need to know? 

In today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about how tariffs will impact Arizona's semiconductor industry and how they could actually help.

ABC News radio reporter Jim Ryan talks all things Tesla--from protests and vandalism to how some owners are trying to hide the fact that they're driving the electric cars.

ABC White House Correspondent Karen Travers joins the show to share the latest on President Trump’s tariff plans and offer insight into how the Valley’s semiconductor industry could be affected.

On this day in 1912 the Titanic set sail for her first and last journey. Carrying over 2000 passengers, the "unsinkable" ship hit an iceberg and sank four days later. 

In today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about the man indicted yesterday on animal abuse charges after MCSO found several dead and sick dogs. He also spoke out about backyard breeders and the benefits of adopting.  

ABC-15 Meteorologist, Jorge Torres, joins the show to talk about the expectations for the Valley's triple degree heat. With highs in the 90's this week there is a chance Phoenix hits triple digits. 

Jim Rounds, local economist, joins the show to talk about the impact of delayed tariffs. He also discusses how people should approach potential tariffs in the future.

ABC White House Correspondent, Karen Travers, joined the show to share the latest information about the Trump Administration's decision to delay tariffs by 90 days. This includes the details of the remaining tariffs on China. 

On this day in 1860, the world's first recording of the human voice is created. Nearly two decades before Alexander Graphm Bell's first phone call, Édouard-Léon Scott patented the phonautograph. Scott had looked to the invention of photography and wondered if something similar could be done with sound waves. Learn more in today's KTAR timeline brought to you by Beatitudes Campus. 

In today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about how Interim Chief Michael Sullivan has withdrawn his candidacy for the permanent position of being Police Chief for Phoenix PD. Executive Assistant Chief Dennis Orender was named Acting Police Chief in the wake of Sullivan stepping down. Orender will not be a permanent candidate, according to officials. 

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen has asked the Trump administration to rescind the Department of Justice’s report on the Phoenix Police Department. Petersen joins us to talk about his letter to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon. 

The Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked an order for the Trump administration to return to work thousands of federal employees. ABC's Peter Charalambous lets us know it’s the third time in less than a week that the justices have sided with the Republican administration and what this could mean for other key rulings. 

On this day in 1983, with a live audience joining him, David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty disappear. In front of a group of 20 tourists, and millions of home viewers, the statue disappeared as onlookers gathered a mere 200 feet away - right before their eyes. Learn more in today's KTAR timeline brought to you by Beatitudes Campus. 

In today's Shaper Point Commentary Jim Sharpe talks about the legacy of Pat Tillman. Pat's Run is this upcoming weekend, but it is more than a race for the people coming. The Arizona legend continues to impact people through the Pat Tillman Foundation. 

U.S. Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona joins the show to talk about President Donald Trump's tariff plan. This comes after the President's severe tariffs against virtually all U.S. trading partners continued to roil world markets on Monday. However, U.S. stocks rose Tuesday morning in a burst of investor optimism as the Trump administration signaled plans to negotiate with some countries.

KTAR's Colton Krolak joins us to share how Asian and European markets rebound after posting significant losses on Monday driven by President Donald Trump's global tariffs campaign, with U.S. futures also rising slightly after a day of turmoil on Wall Street. However, markets this morning appear to be opening higher after days of tariff turmoil. 

Some experts are saying Wall Street could soon be moving towards another bear market as the Trump administration’s tariff blitz fuels fears. ABC's Brian Clark says this includes the fears over whether added taxes on imported goods from around the world could sink the global economy. 

Pat Tillman Foundation CEO Dr. Katherine Steele joins the show this morning to discuss this Saturday's Pat's Run. She tells us more about how the foundation continues Tillman's legacy by giving back to the Arizona community.

On this day in 2001, NASA launched the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, which was contracted out to Lockheed Martin and had an expected cost for the entire mission of $297 million. It was on that crisp April morning Odyssey was launched on a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Learn more in today's KTAR timeline brought to you by Beatitudes Campus. 

In today's Sharper Point Commentary, Jim Sharpe talks about how President Trump has remained defiant as global markets continued plunging after his tariff announcement last week. He asks what it will take for those in the White House to change course, especially if tariffs start hurting the American people and push us into a recession. 

President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs will raise the likelihood of a recession and hike prices for an array of goods, including coffee, bananas, laptops and toys, according to multiple analysts. However, some are interested to see if the price of gas will start to drop after these new tariffs are implemented. KTAR's Colton Krolak joins us to share how 15 states are now paying $3 a gallon or less for gas. 

Forbes magazine released its newest list of the world’s richest people and it includes 15 Arizonans. That's two more Arizonans making an appearance on the list over last year's and three more than the list published two years ago.