Mike Russell is KTAR's resident outdoorsman. His passion for the outdoors is the engine behind KTAR's hit show Get Outdoors with Mike Russell. Get Outdoors focuses on the world of hunting, fishing, camping and conservation. Mike's special features, The Outdoor Minute and the KTAR Timeline, can be heard each weekday on two of Arizona's highest rated shows, Arizona's Morning News and Arizona's Evening News. Mike hurries home each night to his amazing wife of 11 years, Jodi, and their two children Jillian (9) and John (7). His 95 pound puppy, Champ, is always there to greet him as well. The thought of loading up the truck for some fishing, hunting and camping keeps Mike motivated throughout the week. When he can't hit the lake or get out on a hunt, well, let's just say that none of us want to see that.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Mar 3, 2016All about that bass: Man’s 16-pound catch makes waves in bass fishing community
After a man named Greg Springer fished a 16.3 pound bass in a California lake last week, it got me thinking: Why isn't shore fishing utilized more?
-
ARIZONA ELECTION NEWS | Mar 2, 2016Super Tuesday showed Republicans, Democrats don’t care what people want
As the dust settles from Super Tuesday, one major fact stands out: Both the Republicans and Democrats have no interest in what Americans actually want.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 29, 2016Instagram bomb threat from student needs to be taken seriously, given punishment
After a 12-year-old girl posted a bomb threat toward her school on Instagram, the school needs to take action and show students this action is not acceptable.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 26, 2016New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s support of Trump shows strength in his campaign
We are one step closer to a Trump v. Sanders election after New Jersey governor and former presidential candidate Chris Christie showed his support for the billionaire on Friday.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 24, 2016Apple should not comply with FBI orders to create ‘backdoor’ software
In the FBI v. Apple legal battle over creating software to open a backdoor into the cell phone of one of the San Bernardino shooters, I'm siding with Apple.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 24, 2016
How to know when it’s time to replace your fishing line
When you're working your way through your gear, you may find some old fishing line. How do you know when to get rid of it?
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Feb 23, 2016Active shooting situation drills should focus on preparing staff, not worrying students
Statistically, schools are the safest place for children. I do not think they should have to concern themselves with active shooting situation drills, since the real-life event will most likely never happen to them.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 18, 2016Phoenix Suns have finally rid themselves of the cancer that was Markieff Morris
For Phoenix Suns fans, Thursday's news of the team trading Markieff Morris either marked the end of an era or the hopeful reemergence of a team burdened by a long and rough losing season.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 16, 2016Sports Illustrated plus-size cover model paints men into a corner
"Sports Illustrated" has painted men into a corner. It appears that we have three options for a cover model but we don’t. We have one!
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 12, 2016Gun owners must properly secure their weapons at all times to prevent tragedies
After Friday's shooting at Independence High School in Glendale, Arizona, left two 15-year-old girls dead, KTAR News' Mike Russell argued gun owners must be vigilant in securing their weapons at all times.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 11, 2016Here’s a tip for cleaning out your man’s ‘Man Cave’ this Valentine’s Day
Planning on cleaning out your man's "Man Cave" for Valentine's Day? KTAR News' Mike Russell has one tip for you: Don't.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 11, 2016Don’t turn your personal sickness into the next office plague, stay home instead
Just because ugly sicknesses are umping from cubicle to cubicle, from office to office. doesn't mean you have to be the one to spread them. Stay home if you feel ill, KTAR's Mike Russell argues.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 10, 2016Trump v. Sanders is becoming a greater possibility for the 2016 presidential election
After Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders swept their respective parties in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, is there a possibility that the two formerly overlooked candidates could make it to November?
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 8, 2016Did you go to work Monday? Give yourself a Super pat on the back
If you dragged your tired, hungover, nacho-ridden self to work on Monday, good for you! As for the rest of you: The Super Bowl is not an excuse to call in!
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 5, 2016Are the security measures for the Super Bowl 50 too excessive?
For those going to Super Bowl 50, don't be surprised by the amount of security measures that will take place.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 4, 2016Phoenix debate over satanic invocation is sad day for America
The Phoenix City Council's refusal to allow a satanic invocation at a meeting shows a lack of Constitutional understanding and is a sad day for America.
-
ARIZONA ELECTION NEWS | Feb 2, 2016So what did we learn from the Iowa caucuses?
Ladies and gentlemen, we are off and running! The Iowa caucuses have come and gone. So what did we learn?
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Feb 1, 2016Get Outdoors product review: Hybrid Light
The Hybrid Light is a solar-powered flashlight that every outdoorsman should consider adding to their gear.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Jan 29, 2016The evolution of Barbie will shed a positive light on diverse body types for young girls
There should be much praise given to Mattel, who announced the creation of a new, more inclusive line of Barbies this week in order to represent a myriad of body types and give young girls a more realistic example of what "real" is.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Jan 28, 2016Calm down! It’s a good thing Donald Trump skipped a debate
It’s time to calm down. Donald Trump skipping a Republican presidential debate is a good thing, both for the party and America.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Jan 27, 2016Distraction, persuasion will turn your child’s grief over a lost pet into joy for a new one
KTAR News' Mike Russell discusses the lengths he went to in order to turn his daughter's grief over her dead guinea pig into joy for new fish in the sea -- and outsmarted jolly ol' Santa Claus along the way.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Jan 27, 2016Get Outdoors Rookie Camp with Bruce St. James: Deep sea fishing
This month, I picked on Bruce St. James. He had his first sport fishing -- aka deep-sea fishing -- experience on a recent trip to Guatemala.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Jan 26, 2016Parents: Do not feel bad about participating in your child’s extracurricular activities
Parents, don't feel guilty about taking the time to help your child build a Pinewood Derby car or sell some Girl Scout cookies, we're here to support them in all their extracurricular activities! As parents, it's what we do.
-
UNCATEGORIZED | Jan 22, 2016Anger over Phoenix-area high schoolers depicting racial slurs is wrongfully directed
KTAR News' Mike Russell argues that we shouldn't get mad at the six Phoenix-area high school girls who likely depicted racial slurs with T-shirts, but instead at the society that glorifies and gives attention to "stupid" people and their actions.