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 | Jan 29, 2026After deaths of 3 girls known to DCS last year, director says agency is moving in right direction
The Arizona DCS director tells of reforms designed to prevent tragedies like those of murdered girls Rebekah Baptiste, Emily Pike and Zariah Dodd.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jan 29, 2026Grand Canyon plans to partially reopen North Rim after last year’s devastating Dragon Bravo Fire
Parts of the Grand Canyon's North Rim closed due to safety concerns related to the Dragon Bravo Fire last year. They could reopen in May.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Jan 29, 2026Phoenix teacher wins Bruce & Gaydos’ teacher tribute for teaching math, empathy, leadership
The first Pay Tribute to a Teacher winner of 2026 is Dustin Thomas, who teaches ninth and 10th grades at Camelback High School in Phoenix.
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ARIZONA TRAFFIC | Jan 28, 2026Phoenix deploying 17 speed-monitoring cameras to roadways across city
Seventeen photo safety cameras designed to monitor speed will go up around Phoenix streets on Feb. 23, 2026, according to city officials.
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ARIZONA BORDER AND IMMIGRATION NEWS | Jan 27, 2026Protestors rally outside Zipps Sports Grill after DHS investigation, condemn ICE activity in Phoenix
Community organizers and activists gathered outside a Zipps Sports Grill in Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon to demand an end to federal immigration raids.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jan 27, 2026Former Mesa pizza shop supervisor gets life in prison for murdering man he saw as romantic rival
A 31-year-old Mesa man has been sentenced to natural life in prison for murdering his coworker in 2023, authorities announced Tuesday.
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ARIZONA TRAFFIC | Jan 27, 2026ADOT completes $24.9M improvement project on highway east of Payson
Drivers along a 22‑mile stretch of State Route 260 east of Payson now have more room to maneuver, ADOT said in a Tuesday announcement.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jan 27, 2026Phoenix man dies after car falls onto him during repairs
A man died after a vehicle rolled onto him while he was repairing it on Sunday night in Phoenix, authorities said.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jan 26, 2026Arizona woman sentenced to 15 years in prison for fatal child abuse involving fentanyl
An Arizona woman was sentenced last week to 15 years in prison for child abuse resulting in death, authorities announced Monday.
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ARIZONA BORDER AND IMMIGRATION NEWS | Jan 26, 2026Arizona GOP leaders voice anger at Attorney General Kris Mayes over her recent ICE comments
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes' recent comments about ICE agents angered state Republicans, one of whom called for her resignation.
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ARIZONA TRAFFIC | Jan 26, 2026Pickup truck driver dead after head-on collision with Valley Metro bus
A man is dead after the pickup truck he was driving crashed into a Valley Metro bus head-on early Monday.
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ARIZONA BUSINESS | Jan 23, 2026Assisted living home owners barred from operating future facilities in Arizona
Arizona’s top prosecutor recently reached a settlement with a Mesa elder care facility she accused of elder abuse and consumer fraud.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jan 22, 2026FBI offers $25K for any help finding those responsible for Maleeka Boone’s death
A $25,000 reward is now being offered for information that helps investigators determine what happened to Maleeka Boone, a Navajo Nation girl.
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ARIZONA RESTAURANT NEWS | Jan 22, 2026Raise a toast! Arizona has 12 James Beard Award semifinalists in 2026
Twelve Arizona chefs and restaurants were recognized as 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists, according to the list released on Wednesday.
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ARIZONA ELECTION NEWS | Jan 21, 2026Mark Kelly says he’s considering a presidential run in 2028 amid Pentagon probe
While the Pentagon chief is considering demoting Arizona U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, the senator is weighing a run in the 2028 presidential election.
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ARIZONA TRAFFIC | Jan 21, 2026Residents from several Valley cities come together for 19th annual Regional Unity Walk in Tempe
Watch out for potential road closures around Tempe during the 19th annual Regional Unity Walk on Saturday afternoon.
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ARIZONA HEALTH NEWS | Jan 21, 2026Arizona AG announced settlement with SimonMed over billing practices
Arizona AG Kris Mayes announced a settlement with medical imaging service provider SimonMed in a lawsuit accusing the it of delaying refunds.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jan 21, 2026Teenage girl dead after vehicle strikes her in Phoenix
Detectives with the Phoenix Police Department are investigating an incident in which a vehicle fatally struck a teen girl on Tuesday night.
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ARIZONA BUSINESS | Jan 21, 2026Mesa Gateway Airport breaks record with over 2M passengers in 2025
Mesa Gateway Airport surpassed two million passengers in 2025, setting a new all‑time record since commercial flights began there in 2007.
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ARIZONA BORDER AND IMMIGRATION NEWS | Jan 20, 2026Maricopa County leader supports Sheriff Jerry Sheridan’s comments on potential ICE conflicts
Thomas Galvin, a Maricopa County supervisor, voiced his support of Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan after the latter's ICE comments.
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ARIZONA HOMELESSNESS NEWS | Jan 20, 2026Volunteers needed for 2026 Point in Time homelessness count in metro Phoenix
The Maricopa County Association of Governments will host the 2026 Point in Time homelessness count on Jan. 27 before the sun rises.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jan 20, 20261 critically injured in hatchet attack in Avondale, suspect arrested
The Avondale Police Department said a man was critically injured after a hatchet attack in the area of Pacific Drive and First Street on Saturday.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jan 19, 2026Maricopa County detention officer accused of sexually abusing 11-year-old girl
A Maricopa County detention officer has been arrested and accused of child sex crimes relating to an 11-year-old girl, Buckeye police said.
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ARIZONA NEWS | Jan 19, 2026Police investigating after man found dead with gunshot wound in Phoenix home
Police are asking for the community’s assistance in a deadly shooting investigation related to a Saturday morning incident in the Ahwatukee area.