Jim Sharpe has worked in and around the media since he was an Arizona high school student. He’s been a talk show host; a program director; a media liaison and consultant for political campaigns; and an award-winning journalist (including being awarded Reporter of the Year). He’s worked in major markets like Los Angeles and tiny towns like Page, Arizona — and in far-flung places like Iraq: where, as an embedded reporter during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he survived a roadside bombing while on a U.S. Army patrol north of Baghdad. You can hear Arizona’s Morning News weekdays from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m.
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JIM SHARPE | Jun 30, 2020The perfect pandemic sitcom is ‘Ducey in the Middle’
After Monday's actions, it's apparent Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey will not be able to please everyone with his coronavirus response, writes KTAR News host Jim Sharpe.
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JIM SHARPE | Jun 26, 2020Phoenix’s hottest day seared into memory, even from afar
It's OK to celebrate the anniversary of Phoenix's hottest day, 122 degrees in 1990, writes KTAR News host Jim Sharpe. Just don't say “I love the heat!"
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JIM SHARPE | Jun 25, 2020Scottsdale councilman should wear a mask — so I can’t hear him
Regardless of what Scottsdale City Councilman Guy Phillips meant, his "I can't breathe" utterance made Arizona and other anti-mask protesters look bad, KTAR News host Jim Sharpe says.
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JIM SHARPE | Jun 24, 2020
Is the race to erase racism causing a pandemic of pandering?
KTAR News host Jim Sharpe can't help but wonder if hypervigilance against racism is leading to a pandemic of pandering.
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JIM SHARPE | Jun 18, 2020Gov. Ducey did what Dems demanded, so they should consider quiet
Now that Gov. Doug Ducey listened to Arizona Democrats on mask policy, KTAR News host Jim Sharpe hopes the state's coronavirus response can remain free of politics.
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JIM SHARPE | Jun 16, 2020COVID-19 and Arizona Gov. Ducey’s local control double standard
Arizona school districts will be allowed to mandate masks, which makes KTAR News host Jim Sharpe wonder why Gov. Doug Ducey won't let local governments do the same.
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JIM SHARPE | Jun 12, 2020
The rights and privileges of a face mask order
KTAR News host Jim Sharpe proposes a way of getting Arizonans to wear face masks for the sake if public health without violating individual rights.
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JIM SHARPE | Jun 9, 2020Scientists don’t flip-flop — that’s the job of politicians
KTAR News host Jim Sharpe won't be mad at scientists if he misses out on experiences while following their latest coronavirus-related advice.
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JIM SHARPE | Jun 5, 2020
Be careful when wishing for a GOP convention in Arizona
KTAR News host Jim Sharpe wonders if the cost of keeping a Republican National Convention safe if it moves to Arizona would outweigh what the state would gain.
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JIM SHARPE | Jun 4, 2020If only there was a 911 that just calls the good cops
KTAR News host Jim Sharpe agrees with an NAACP lawyer who believes there are reasonable ways to change law enforcement that makes it easier to keep good cops and get rid of the bad ones.
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JIM SHARPE | Jun 2, 2020Will kids learn anything at school besides COVID-19 caution?
KTAR News host Jim Sharpe is skeptical about whether kids who return to school in the fall following a long layoff will actually be able to learn anything outside of COVID-19 caution.
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JIM SHARPE | May 27, 2020Scottsdale’s YOLO attitude is a (business) killer
Selfish behavior by businesses and patrons puts us all at risk of another shutdown, write KTAR News host Jim Sharpe.
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ARIZONA NEWS | May 22, 2020Remembering lost futures on Memorial Day
As we start to see glimpses of our future after coronavirus, Memorial Day is the necessary reminder that we are lucky to have a future, KTAR News host Jim Sharpe writes.
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JIM SHARPE | May 21, 2020
Praying for back-to-school peace (and quiet) this fall
The just-released CDC guidelines on how to reopen schools means they won't reopen the way most of us parents are hoping, writes KTAR News host Jim Sharpe.
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JIM SHARPE | May 12, 2020Unemployment is appropriate for Arizona’s DES management
KTAR News host Jim Sharpe believes the Arizona Department of Economic Security dropped the ball at the worst possible time.
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JIM SHARPE | May 11, 2020Please, diners (sick or not), don’t sue restaurants over coronavirus
KTAR News host Jim Sharpe says to not sue Arizona restaurants that reopen for dine-in service during the coronavirus outbreak for multiple reasons.
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JIM SHARPE | May 8, 2020Coronavirus complacency and the possibility of a ‘second wave’
KTAR News host Jim Sharpe says the feelings of partial normality that come with our slow reopening might create a complacency that could end up being the enemy of continuing to open further.
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JIM SHARPE | May 5, 2020
‘Decisive Doug’ is waaay better than ‘Downer Ducey’
Jim Sharpe criticized Gov. Doug Ducey's contentious and awkward press conference last week. But the KTAR News host applauds Ducey's relaxed and reassuring appearance Monday.
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JIM SHARPE | Apr 29, 2020Sharpe: The benefits of Major League Baseball being back
It wouldn't be a dream season, but MLB actually discussing opening up our local Field of Dreams — Chase Field — in a month or so would be a dream come true.
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JIM SHARPE | Apr 27, 2020
Post-lockdown education in Arizona: New normal vs. old school
Arizona schooling will look different in the aftermath of the coronavirus, but some parts of the new normal will be better than the old normal, writes KTAR News host Jim Sharpe.
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JIM SHARPE | Apr 22, 2020The good, the bad and (yes, even) the funny of coronavirus
KTAR News host Jim Sharpe offers his rundown of the good, bad and even funny parts of the coronavirus outbreak.
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JIM SHARPE | Apr 17, 2020
Please, politically distance from the COVID crazies
The people who protest Arizona’s stay-at-home order might find themselves stuck inside even longer if they don't keep their wits about social distancing, writes KTAR News host Jim Sharpe.
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JIM SHARPE | Apr 15, 2020
Daydreams of normality nixed by a new nightmare
We all need to sit tight for a little while longer, let the scientists do their thing and insist that our elected leaders get massive testing in place, writes KTAR News host Jim Sharpe.
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JIM SHARPE | Apr 14, 2020When we can say ‘all clear’ is more important than whom says it
As the coronavirus outbreak continues with no immediate end in sight, it's a matter of when and not who that is important in reopening the country, Jim Sharpe writes.