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
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Mar 10, 2026Authorities release preliminary report on deadly DPS helicopter crash in Flagstaff
Authorities released a preliminary report on February's helicopter crash in Flagstaff that killed a DPS pilot and a trooper/paramedic.
-
ARIZONA RESTAURANT NEWS | Mar 10, 2026Buckeye’s Verrado Marketplace adds bakery, brewery, 2 restaurants to lineup before opening
Officials behind the upcoming Verrado Marketplace shopping center recently announced another wave of restaurants joining the development.
-
ARIZONA BORDER AND IMMIGRATION NEWS | Mar 10, 2026Surprise mayor wishes DHS would provide ‘liaison’ so city is updated on ICE facility
Preparing residents for the upcoming ICE detention facility has been hard due to a lack of communication from DHS, the Surprise mayor says.
-
ARIZONA RESTAURANT NEWS | Mar 9, 2026Oro Brewing Company changes plan, reopens in downtown Mesa
The award-winning Oro Brewing Company in downtown Mesa has reopened after announcing closure plans earlier this year.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Mar 9, 2026Arizona lottery players win $2M in Mega Millions, hit Fantasy 5 jackpot
One Arizona lottery player won a $2 Mega Millions prize over the weekend. Another hit the Fantasy 5 jackpot for the second time in a week's span.
-
ARIZONA POLITICS NEWS | Mar 9, 2026Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoes bill that would have created a license plate for the late Charlie Kirk
Gov. Katie Hobbs on Friday vetoed a bill that would have made a memorial license plate honoring the late Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Mar 6, 2026Mesa elementary teacher wins Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos’ Pay Tribute to a Teacher award
A Mesa teacher is March's winner of Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos’ Pay Tribute to a Teacher award, sponsored by Your Valley Toyota Dealers.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Mar 6, 2026Former Arizona school district employee pleads guilty to stealing public funds
A former Yuma Elementary School District employee has been convicted after stealing almost $86,000 in public funds, authorities said.
-
ARIZONA TRAFFIC | Mar 6, 202612-year-old dies days after being injured in 5-vehicle crash on East Valley freeway
A 12-year-old boy has died from injuries sustained earlier this week in a five-vehicle crash on an East Valley freeway, authorities said Friday.
-
ARIZONA REAL ESTATE & HOUSING NEWS | Mar 6, 20269-bedroom ‘Casa de Ninos’ estate in Paradise Valley sells for $20M
Click through our gallery to see a Paradise Valley mansion with nine bedrooms known as "Casa de Ninos" that recently sold for $20 million.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Mar 5, 2026Arizona woman accused of endangering dogs charged with 22 counts of animal cruelty
An Arizona woman has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after deputies rescued multiple dogs from unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Mar 5, 2026Phoenix man sentenced to 10 years for attempting to lure teen
A Phoenix man was sentenced to 10 years for trying to lure a minor for sexual exploitation, according to authorities.
-
UNITED STATES NEWS | Mar 5, 2026President Donald Trump replacing Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social Thursday that he was replacing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Mar 4, 2026Scottsdale police arrest unhoused husband and wife on child sexual exploitation charges
Scottsdale police arrested an unhoused husband and wife on Tuesday on child sexual exploitation charges involving videos of an infant girl.
-
ARIZONA REAL ESTATE & HOUSING NEWS | Mar 4, 2026Tempe’s long‑awaited 104‑unit affordable housing project finally opens
Looking for affordable housing in Tempe? La Victoria Commons just hit the market with 104 low-rent units.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Mar 3, 2026Motorcyclist dead after collision with utility pole in Phoenix
A man died after his motorcycle struck a large wooden utility pole in Phoenix on Monday night, authorities said.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Mar 3, 2026Mesa park installs permanent memorial for slain 14-year-old Emily Pike
Mesa officials, tribal leaders and community members met at Mesa's Fitch Park to honor 14-year-old Emily Pike with a permanent memorial Monday.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Mar 2, 2026Mexican wolf population in Arizona, New Mexico grew by 33 in 2025
Arizona and New Mexico wildlife agencies recently reported that the population of endangered Mexican gray wolves grew by 33 wolves last year.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Mar 2, 2026Ticket worth $330K sold at grocery store in southern Arizona
A lucky Arizona player bought a ticket that matched the $330,000 Fantasy 5 jackpot in Friday’s drawing.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Feb 27, 2026Former Phoenix police officer pleads guilty to 2 counts of sexual abuse while on-duty, reports say
A man who worked as an officer with the Phoenix Police Department from 2019 to 2022 has pleaded guilty to on-duty sex crimes, reports say.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Feb 26, 2026Eastern Arizona gas station sells $100,000 Powerball ticket
One person in Globe won a large payout — $100,000 — in Wednesday’s Powerball drawing, lottery officials said.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Feb 26, 2026Cindy McCain stepping down from World Food Programme to focus on health after stroke
After two years, Cindy McCain is stepping down from her role as executive director of the World Food Programme.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Feb 26, 2026Glendale man arrested for allegedly molesting 11-year-old girl
A 34-year-old Glendale man was recently arrested on molestation and sexual abuse charges, according to authorities.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Feb 26, 2026Coolidge High School sports teams ineligible for postseason for 1 year after racism allegations
Coolidge High School’s entire athletics program has been ruled ineligible for postseason play for the next year following racism allegations.