About
Balin Overstolz-McNair is a multimedia reporter at KTAR News who began as an intern in 2022 before earning a full-time position in 2023.
A graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Balin was born in South Carolina and has lived in Arizona since 2005. He covers a wide range of topics but is particularly drawn to stories about homelessness, social solutions and life in the Southwest.
Expertise
- General news reporting
- Homelessness and housing issues
- Education reporting
- Election coverage
Experience
- Multimedia Reporter at KTAR News (2023–Present)
- Intern and Anchor at KTAR News (2022–2023)
- High school journalist at the Coyote Chronicle
Education
- Arizona State University – Bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communication
Achievements & Awards
- First-generation college graduate
- Multiple Dean’s List honors
- Arizona Broadcasters Association Scholarship recipient
- Contributed to KTAR News’ regional Edward R. Murrow Award-winning newscast
- Instrumental in KTAR receiving a grant to fund a dedicated education reporter role
Social Media Profiles
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jul 8, 2025Arizona beekeeper spreads hive safety awareness after deadly swarm in Scottsdale
A local beekeeper wants to spread awareness about hive safety in light of the recent fatal bee attack in north Scottsdale.
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ARIZONA HOMELESSNESS NEWS | Jul 2, 2025Tempe approves event restrictions over objections from advocates for homeless people
New Tempe event permitting rules were approved unanimously despite objections from advocates for people experiencing homelessness.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jul 1, 2025USPS to close down sole post office in Paradise Valley
The United States Postal Service has informed Paradise Valley leaders it plans to close the town's sole post office by the end of September.
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ARIZONA HOMELESSNESS NEWS | Jun 27, 2025Valley nonprofit emphasizes need for compassion in helping unhoused
The founder of a Valley nonprofit emphasizes the need for compassion as the organization works every week to help people experiencing homelessness.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jun 13, 2025St. Mary’s Food Bank sees more Valley seniors, families struggling with food insecurity
Seniors and families across the Valley are having a hard time keeping their pantries stocked due to the rising cost of living.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jun 11, 2025Arizona police departments arrest over 70 alleged child predators in crackdown
Seventy-two alleged child predators were arrested in a statewide collaborative effort called Operation Safe Online Summer that took place in April.
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ARIZONA WATER WATCH NEWS | May 13, 2025Phoenix is sinking into the ground due to groundwater pumping, new report says
The city of Phoenix is sinking, according to a new report released last week. One of the main reasons for this is the pumping of groundwater.
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ARIZONA BUSINESS | May 6, 2025Phoenix repurposing old Kmart into Innovation 27 workforce and education center
Construction will soon begin to repurpose an old Phoenix Kmart building into a workforce and education center called Innovation 27.
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ARIZONA REAL ESTATE & HOUSING NEWS | Apr 15, 2025Real estate experts explain where housing growth is happening in Arizona
For years, lawmakers and real estate experts have been saying that Arizona needs to bolster its housing supply to address the growing issue of affordability.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Apr 14, 2025Arizona Department of Education says school district may lose federal funding over DEI policies
The Kyrene Elementary School District could have $1.5 million dollars of federal funding withheld due to its diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
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ARIZONA WATER WATCH NEWS | Apr 11, 2025Environmental officials clean up contaminated groundwater aquifer in central Phoenix
The contaminated groundwater in a central Phoenix block of land was recently cleared up after over 25 years, according to state officials.
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ARIZONA POLITICS NEWS | Apr 4, 2025Arizona Democratic leaders hear community concerns about Trump administration
Attorney General Kris Mayes and U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton met with community members on Thursday to hear their concerns about the Trump administration's actions.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Mar 27, 2025State schools chief, Maricopa County sheriff call for police to look into truancies
Education and law enforcement officials in Maricopa County believe punitive measures could crack down on chronic student absenteeism.
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ARIZONA POLITICS NEWS | Mar 21, 2025Bernie Sanders, AOC warn Tempe crowd about threat of US becoming an oligarchy
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned a Tempe crowd about the threat of the U.S. becoming an oligarchy.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Mar 20, 2025Ted Price’s loved ones share feelings after his killer’s long-awaited execution
Ted Price's loved ones shared their feelings after his killer was put to death Wednesday in Arizona's first execution since 2022.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Mar 11, 2025Legendary Valley high school football coach hands off championship legacy to his son
Richard Taylor, a legendary Valley high school football coach, has retired, handing off a 30-plus-year legacy to his son.
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SILENT WITNESS | Feb 28, 2025Silent Witness takes on murder case of 2020 Valley father
The Gilbert police department is teaming up with Silent Witness to solve a 2020 murder case that left a family without a father and a community reeling.
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ARIZONA POLITICS NEWS | Feb 26, 2025Arizona lawmakers want to help veterans access psychedelic treatments
Some Arizona lawmakers hope to send a bill that would fund clinical trials of a psychedelic drug that could help veterans to Gov. Katie Hobbs.
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ARIZONA BORDER AND IMMIGRATION NEWS | Feb 19, 2025Trump administration immigration policies stoking fear in Arizona education community
Members of the Arizona education community are drumming up concern about the impact of Trump administration immigration policies on students and their families.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 7, 2025Chronic absentee rate for Arizona students remains far above pre-pandemic level, study finds
A new report found one-third of Arizona public grade school students are chronically absent from school, which is double the absence rate before the pandemic.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 31, 2025ASU Republican group calling for deportations on campus receives backlash from fellow students
An ASU Republican group is urging students to report suspected undocumented migrant peers to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, drawing backlash from fellow students.
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ARIZONA HOMELESSNESS NEWS | Jan 30, 20252025 Maricopa County point-in-time homeless count another chance to help those in need
City officials gathered on Tuesday for the 2025 Maricopa County point-in-time homeless count to acquire data for federal funding.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 23, 2025Horne highlights school safety, teacher retention, more in annual State of Education address
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne delivered his annual State of Education speech this week, touching on 15 different initiatives his department has recently or is currently overseeing.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jan 17, 2025The Haven opens in Phoenix, providing solutions for unhoused seniors
A new shelter for unhoused seniors in Phoenix is now taking in occupants after it was converted from a closed-down hotel.