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 | Oct 24, 2023St. Vincent de Paul ahead on initiative to house people in metro Phoenix
St. Vincent de Paul is a year into its initiative to house 2,025 people in the Valley by the end of 2025 and is on pace to finish early.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Oct 13, 2023Arizona education, business leaders form commission to bridge education-to-workforce gap
Horne formed the Arizona Education Economic Commission, which will work to boost the state’s education-to-workforce pipeline.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Oct 12, 2023EMD Electronics $39M investment brings jobs to Chandler
A new EMD Electronics gas and chemical delivery facility is fully operational in Chandler following a $39 million investment.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Oct 5, 2023Maricopa County eviction rates surge, could break October record
Maricopa County evictions are continuing to rise this year and could break the record at the end of October.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 22, 2023Phoenix City Council passes long-awaited short-term rental restrictions
The change effectively moves the city from a list-keeping registration process to one where the city will give out licenses to allow property owners to operate short-term rentals.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 8, 2023Backyard guesthouses legalized in Phoenix, addressing affordable housing shortage
The Phoenix City Council voted 8-1 to legalize auxiliary dwelling units, also known as ADUs, as what is intended to be another tool to create more affordable housing in the Valley.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 6, 2023Arizona school districts continue to offer dual language courses despite legality
As top state officials go back and forth on the legality of dual language courses in Arizona, many districts continue to offer the classes to their students.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 25, 2023Valley advocate for people experiencing homelessness helps a family at a time with shelter
A Valley advocate for people experiencing homelessness is running a short-term shelter that hosts one family at a time, while they secure long-term housing or shelter services.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 24, 2023‘I carried all five of those!’: Washington mother gives birth to quintuplets at Phoenix hospital
A Washington mother who gave birth to five newborn babies in Phoenix in June is set to return home this week.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 16, 2023Valley ice shop ‘Mahalo Made’ raising money for families impacted by Maui fire
A Valley-based shaved ice shop is collecting donations to send directly to loved ones in Hawaii affected by the wildfire disaster on the island of Maui.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jul 28, 2023Valley innovators usher in new way to create shelter space with shipping containers
St. Vincent de Paul can now give 20 homeless individuals in Phoenix their own dorm-style rooms thanks to an innovative style of housing that utilizes shipping containers.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jul 10, 2023Real estate expert: Phoenix allowing guesthouses on existing properties ‘a good move’
The City of Phoenix has moved forward with a plan that will allow “auxiliary dwelling units,” commonly known as guesthouses, to be added to existing properties with a single-family home.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jun 20, 2023Valley nonprofit UMOM working to help women, families experiencing homelessness
Ashley Abbott, a case manager at UMOM, says their goal is provide a wide array of services that help adults, especially women, get back on their feet.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jun 14, 2023Without a Home: Valley youths experiencing homelessness face distinct hurdles
Groups like Homeless Youth Connection help Valley high schoolers experiencing homelessness get over the finish line and graduate.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jun 2, 2023ASU to establish medical school as part of wider health initiative
Arizona State University will establish its own medical school amid an ongoing shortage of health care workers across the state.
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ARIZONA NEWS | May 26, 2023Valley officials give tips for spending Memorial Day weekend at lakes near metro Phoenix
County officials have a message for those planning to spend their Memorial Day weekend at any of the lakes near metro Phoenix.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Feb 24, 2023Advocate helping those experiencing homelessness in metro Phoenix through poetry, expression
Austin Davis believes an approach of expressing love and comfort are necessary to improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 30, 2022Arizona mother makes stunning recovery from near death in 2017 Las Vegas shooting
Arizona mother Jovanna Calzadillas was struck in the head by a bullet during the nation's deadliest mass shooting in Las Vegas.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 12, 2022Downtown and south Phoenix to connect with major investment
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced millions in funding for Arizona from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and grant money at a Phoenix event Thursday.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jul 15, 2022Iconic Tempe restaurant The Chuckbox celebrates 50 years in business
The Chuckbox, downtown Tempe's oldest restaurant, is celebrating 50 years in business this month.