About
Jeff Vinton is an editor and reporter for KTAR.com. A Colorado native, Vinton is an Arizona State University graduate and has covered news and sports in the Valley since 2019. After graduating from ASU in 2015, he began his professional career in television in Macon, Georgia, working as a multimedia news producer. After three years in the South, Vinton moved back to the Valley, where he has covered politics, monsoon season, a World Series, a Super Bowl, multiple Waste Management Phoenix Opens, while spending much of his career on breaking news watch. Vinton has written for The Arizona Republic, Pick Six Previews, 13WMAZ and 12News.
Expertise
Sports and news writing
Video editing
Social media management
News judgement
Copy editing
Still and Video photography
Education
Arizona State University — bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications
Minor in religious studies
Achievements & Awards
3-time Rocky Mountain Southwest Emmy Award Winner
Best Evening Newscast
Best Live Sports Program (2x)
Georgia Association of Broadcasters GABBY Award Winner
AA-TV Best Sports Play-By-Play Broadcast
Social Media Profiles
X: @j_vinton52
Instagram: @J_Vinton52
Facebook: Jeff Vinton KTAR
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ARIZONA NEWS | Dec 15, 2025911 callers in Phoenix can now ask for help from behavioral health services
The city of Phoenix announced Monday that people who call 911 will now be asked if they need behavioral health services, along with police or fire.
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ARIZONA BORDER AND IMMIGRATION NEWS | Dec 12, 2025Arizona Democrats call for investigation after pepper spray incident involving Rep. Grijalva, ICE
A week after Arizona U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva said she was pepper-sprayed during an ICE raid, a request has been made for an investigation.
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ARIZONA TRAFFIC | Dec 12, 2025Here are the freeway restrictions Valley motorists will need to watch for this weekend
While no metro Phoenix freeways are scheduled to be closed this weekend, there are some lane restrictions that motorists will need to watch for.
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ARIZONA BUSINESS | Dec 11, 2025BNSF continuing push to build $3.2B railway hub in Wittmann as resident vows to fight it ‘until the end’
Laura Deaver, an opponent of the proposed $3.2 billion BNSF railway hub in Wittmann, told KTAR News the project and the town "cannot coexist."
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ARIZONA NEWS | Dec 10, 2025WWE legend Nikki Bella ‘honored’ to be named grand marshal of 2026 Fiesta Bowl Parade
WWE legend Nikki Bella, an alumna of Scottsdale's Chaparral High School, was named the grand marshal of the 53rd annual Fiesta Bowl Parade.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Dec 9, 2025Judge rules in favor of Arizona’s side in lawsuit against Trump administration’s ‘Wind Order’
The "Wind Order," which was issued by President Donald Trump and called for the development of wind energy to be halted, was ruled unlawful.
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ARIZONA TRAFFIC | Dec 9, 20252 killed, 2 injured in 3-vehicle crash that closed portion of Loop 303 in West Valley
Two people were killed in a three-vehicle collision that happened on northbound Loop 303 near Bell Road in Surprise on Tuesday afternoon.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Dec 8, 2025Suspects in Arizona check washing scheme arrested
Two men have been arrested in connection with an alleged check washing scheme that affected victims in Yavapai and Coconino counties.
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ARIZONA BORDER AND IMMIGRATION NEWS | Dec 8, 2025Arizona AG Mayes says Trump administration is ‘abandoning’ fight against drug trafficking
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes criticized the Trump administration, saying it has abandoned the drug trafficking fight to focus on immigration.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Dec 5, 2025Suspect arrested after allegedly being linked to multiple deadly shootings in Phoenix
Adalberto Cordova Torres was arrested Thursday in connection with two deadly shootings and a shooting that damaged a home in Phoenix last month.
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ARIZONA TRAFFIC | Dec 5, 2025Construction, parade, festival will tie up roadways across Valley this weekend
Headed out this weekend to go shopping or attend holiday events? Here are some freeway and road closures to watch out for.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Dec 4, 2025Tempe police arrest California man accused of sexually exploiting 13-year-old girl
Daniel Martinez, 23, was arrested in November and is accused of sexually exploiting a 13-year-old Tempe girl after meeting her online.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Dec 4, 2025Check your tickets: West Valley Fantasy 5 lotto player wins $368,000 jackpot
Someone in the West Valley won the jackpot in Wednesday night's Fantasy 5 drawing, as a ticket sold in Laveen is now worth $380,000.
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ARIZONA BUSINESS | Dec 4, 2025Frontier Airlines adding 6 new flights from Phoenix for spring break
Frontier Airlines announced Thursday that it will offer nonstop flights from Phoenix to six new destinations next year, just in time for spring break.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Dec 4, 2025Ex-boyfriend indicted for allegedly murdering Avondale teen, attempting to kill her mother
Emilio Rivera, 18, was indicted in late November for allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend, 17-year-old Rhiana Kemplin, and attempting to kill her mother.
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ARIZONA BUSINESS | Dec 3, 2025Harbor Freight to open 40th Arizona tool store in Sunnyslope
Harbor Freight will open a new store in Phoenix's Sunnyslope neighborhood early next year. It will be the company's 40th store in Arizona.
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ARIZONA RESTAURANT NEWS | Dec 3, 2025Iconic Phoenix steakhouse Durant’s sets reopening date under new ownership
After being closed for most of 2025 due to renovations, iconic Phoenix steakhouse Durant's has announced when it will welcome diners once again.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Dec 2, 2025Valley man accused of murdering his girlfriend in November
Virgil Lee Lindsey, 64, has been booked into jail on a murder charge related to the death of his girlfriend, 66-year-old Lilly Jean Fields.
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ARIZONA RESTAURANT NEWS | Dec 1, 2025Over Easy to open 19th breakfast, brunch restaurant this weekend in north Phoenix
Breakfast and brunch restaurant Over Easy is set to open its 19th location on Saturday near Dove Valley Road and I-17 in north Phoenix.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Dec 1, 2025Glendale police identify 2 people killed in crash Friday
Glendale police said Jaslin Avila and Cynthia Garcia Morales were killed in a crash near Bell Road and the Loop 101 Agua Fria Freeway.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Nov 26, 2025Phoenix officer indicted after allegedly going 50 mph above speed limit before crash while on duty
A Phoenix police officer is facing charges after allegedly going 50 mph above the speed limit before a rollover crash in March.
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ARIZONA ELECTION NEWS | Nov 21, 2025Arizona AG Kris Mayes to take fake electors case to state Supreme Court
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes will go before the state Supreme Court to appeal a ruling that sent the fake electors case back to a grand jury.
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ARIZONA TRAFFIC | Nov 21, 2025Here’s what Valley drivers need to know about road closures this weekend
ADOT has good news for early Thanksgiving travelers and people in Gilbert will need to watch for road closures on Saturday morning.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Nov 21, 2025Police find no evidence of shots being fired at Queen Creek High School after report from student
Police said they were unable to find any evidence of shots being fired at Queen Creek High School after a report from a student.