Serena O’Sullivan is a Phoenix-based news reporter and content editor at KTAR News since 2023. Serena’s career includes roles as a reporter for Arizona Republic, Phoenix New Times and the Phoenix Business Journal. A Cronkite School graduate and SPJ award finalist, she also worked as a digital content coordinator, social media manager and freelance feature writer. Serena covers stories on politics, crime, policing, technology, education and more.
Expertise
- News writing
- Copy editing
- Radio reporting
- Project management
- Content strategy
Education
Arizona State University – Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor in communications
Achievement & Awards
- First-generation college graduate
- Wrote cover story for Phoenix New Times in 2023
- Wrote cover story for Phoenix Business Journal in 2019
- Contributed to KTAR News’ regional Edward R. Murrow Award-winning newscast in 2024
Social media profiles
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ARIZONA NEWS | May 13, 2026Arizona fugitive captured after faking cartel kidnapping, fleeing during trial
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that a fugitive accused of staging a cartel kidnapping hoax had been arrested.
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ARIZONA WILDFIRES | May 13, 2026From alert to evacuation warning: How Wickenburg residents experienced the Jones Fire
Wickenburg residents gathered at a community meeting Tuesday night to share community resources and learn about efforts to fight the Jones Fire.
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ARIZONA NEWS | May 12, 2026Man who stole merchandise for Arizona retail theft ring gets 6.5-year prison sentence
A booster for an Arizona retail theft ring involving roughly $10 million in stolen goods was sentenced to prison, authorities announced Tuesday.
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ARIZONA NEWS | May 11, 2026Arizona man who faked his own cartel kidnapping to make up for gambling losses is at large
After a grand jury convicted a Prescott man of faking his own cartel kidnapping to get money from his employer, he fled halfway through his trial.
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT | May 11, 2026For Arizona stroke patients, Barrow Neurological Institute offers care when every second counts
This month, KTAR’s Community Spotlight is highlighting the work Barrow Neurological Institute does to help stroke survivors in Arizona.
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ARIZONA NEWS | May 10, 2026SAFE Alert canceled after 70-year-old Mesa man located safe
Authorities on Sunday have canceled a SAFE Alert for a 70-year-old Mesa man. He has been located safe after he went missing Monday.
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ARIZONA NEWS | May 8, 2026Clash between Mark Kelly, Pete Hegseth over retired veterans’ free speech rights advances
U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly said his lawsuit against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth could decide the future of First Amendment rights for retired veterans.
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ARIZONA WEATHER NEWS | May 8, 2026Arizona’s monsoon season projected to be wetter than usual, but not enough to end the drought
Arizona should get a wetter-than-normal 2026 monsoon — plus a wetter fall and winter, according to the NOAA.
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ARIZONA BORDER AND IMMIGRATION NEWS | May 7, 2026Andy Biggs pushes for $72B budget reconciliation package to fund ICE through 2029
Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs hopes the GOP's new budget reconciliation package will pass and fund ICE and Border Patrol through 2029.
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ARIZONA NEWS | May 7, 2026What Operation Desert Dawn’s discovery of 31 missing kids reveals about Phoenix-area runaways
Finding missing children through initiatives like Operation Desert Dawn is often difficult, according to Arizona's Acting U.S. Marshal Van Bayless.
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ARIZONA BUSINESS | May 7, 2026Glendale auction house to sell famous 26-pound gold nugget
The Boot of Cortez, a historic nugget of gold, is up for auction in Glendale. Here's how to sign up for bidding, which opens at $1 million.
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ARIZONA NEWS | May 6, 20263rd brother suspected in fatal Phoenix shooting arrested 4 months after fleeing hospital
The third brother suspected of being involved in a fatal Phoenix shooting in January was arrested on Monday, police said.
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ARIZONA BUSINESS | May 6, 2026Why dozens of Spirit Airlines jets are parked near Goodyear Airport
Spirit Airlines recently went out of business, but you might see rows of jets with the company's livery parked near Goodyear Airport. Here's why.
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ARIZONA BORDER AND IMMIGRATION NEWS | May 6, 2026ICE will ‘flood’ cities that limit immigration enforcement, Tom Homan says in Phoenix speech
Border czar Tom Homan threatened to "flood" cities with ICE agents if they refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
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ARIZONA NEWS | May 5, 202688-year-old sexual assault suspect extradited from Nigeria to Arizona
An 88-year-old sexual assault suspect was extradited from Nigeria to Arizona, according to the Phoenix Police Department.
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ARIZONA REAL ESTATE & HOUSING NEWS | May 5, 2026Waitlist for new Chandler affordable housing project to be filled through lottery
A new affordable housing waitlist is now open in Chandler for Villas on McQueen, a development near McQueen Road and East Trails End Place.
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ARIZONA BORDER AND IMMIGRATION NEWS | May 5, 2026Tom Homan slams those who call ICE agents Nazis during speech at border expo in Phoenix
Border czar Tom Homan condemned comparisons between ICE officers and Nazis during a fiery speech in Phoenix on Tuesday.
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ARIZONA NEWS | May 5, 2026US Marshals find 31 missing Arizona children during Operation Desert Dawn
A three-week initiative called Operation Desert Dawn led to the discovery of 31 missing Arizona children, authorities said.
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ARIZONA BUSINESS | May 5, 2026Discount retailer Burlington sets opening date for new store in Avondale
Discount retailer Burlington Stores set an opening date for a new location in Avondale.
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ARIZONA NEWS | May 5, 2026Paramedic accused of taking fentanyl without clearance from Phoenix Fire Department
A paramedic with the Phoenix Fire Department has been accused of stealing fentanyl from two fire stations, according to initial reports.
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ARIZONA NEWS | May 4, 2026Dog kills rabid bobcat, saving owner during attack north of Prescott
Dog kills bobcat: A German shepherd in Yavapai County saved its owner’s life during a dangerous encounter with a wild animal.
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ARIZONA ELECTION NEWS | May 4, 2026Tempe City Council considers putting 0.5% sales tax on ballot
A 0.5% Tempe sales tax could be on one of your future ballots. City officials say it would stabilize the city's budget. Here's what you should know.
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ARIZONA WILDFIRES | Apr 29, 2026Maricopa County, Phoenix parks implementing fire ban May 1
The parks and recreation departments for Phoenix and Maricopa County are putting their fire ban for parks and mountain preserves in place May 1.
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ARIZONA WATER WATCH NEWS | Apr 29, 2026Court ruling could spare Chandler residents $1.7M a year in taxes for undelivered water
Chandler residents may be one step closer to ending about $1.7 million a year in property taxes paid to RWCD for water they don't get.