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 ELECTION NEWS | Sep 2, 2025Arizona Senate president threatens to sue secretary of state over elections manual
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen on Monday sent a letter to Secretary of State Adrian Fontes regarding the 2025 election manual draft.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 2, 2025Tempe City Council canceled after threat, rescheduled
A rare safety threat abruptly canceled Tempe’s city council meeting last Thursday. The meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 29, 2025Mesa man sentenced to 19 years in prison after killing his girlfriend who was pregnant with twins
A 38-year-old Mesa man named Michael Foster, who murdered his pregnant girlfriend who was expecting twins, was recently sentenced to prison.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 29, 2025Mayes orders Arizona’s top education official to end automatic ESA approval of requests under $2K
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes accused Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne of enabling fraudulent ESA purchases in a letter.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 29, 20251 dead, 1 injured after early morning collision in Phoenix
A 28-year-old man named Jose Gallegos is dead after a collision that took place around 3:15 a.m. in Phoenix, according to police.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 28, 202516-year-old suspect charged with first-degree murder after Maryvale High School stabbing
A grand jury has indicted the 16-year-old suspect in a Maryvale High School stabbing that took place on Aug. 19, 2025, authorities said.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 27, 2025Lawmaker accused of bringing box cutter to Maryvale High School to ‘test’ security system
The Phoenix Union High School District accused Democratic State Rep. Lydia Hernandez of trying to bring a box cutter to Maryvale High School.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 27, 2025Silver Alert in Mesa canceled after 85-year-old man with dementia is found
A Silver Alert for 85-year-old Ascencion Olea-Torres was canceled on Wednesday night, nearly 12 hours after the alert was issued.
-
ARIZONA RESTAURANT NEWS | Aug 26, 2025Sweetgreen entering Arizona market this fall with 2 restaurants
Sweetgreen, a healthy food chain, will officially enter the Valley market with two new restaurants this fall, one in Phoenix and one in Scottsdale.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 26, 2025Phoenix lands in top 5 for economic growth in US, study finds
Two Valley cities ranked in the top 10 of a recent economic study examining how the U.S. economy grew between 2019 and 2023.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 26, 2025Former teacher says Phoenix district concealed safety issues before deadly school stabbing
A former teacher with the Phoenix Union High School District, where the Maryvale stabbing took place, discusses the rise in campus violence.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 25, 2025Educators at 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste’s school describe contacting DCS before her death
Educators at Empower College Prep said they are changing procedures after 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste died despite DCS reports they filed.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 25, 2025Man dies at hospital after being stabbed in west Phoenix
The Phoenix Police Department broke news on Monday of a man dead after a stabbing that took place last week. Here are the details.
-
ARIZONA REAL ESTATE & HOUSING NEWS | Aug 25, 2025Arizona attorney general sues 2 business owners over alleged real estate scam targeting seniors
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is suing two business owners, along with 50 entities they controlled, over accusations of foreclosure fraud.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 22, 2025Arizona AG accuses mobile home park of endangering residents with insufficient AC
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has sued the owners and operators of a Tucson mobile home park over alleged endangerment.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 19, 2025Scottsdale project launches platform to connect volunteers with opportunities
Finding volunteer opportunities in Scottsdale just became easier thanks to a new platform from Blue Zones Project Scottsdale called Volunteer Zone.
-
ARIZONA HEALTH NEWS | Aug 18, 20252025 Give-A-Thon Stories of Hope: Lifesaving testimonials you can help write
Phoenix Children's and KTAR News are teaming up for the 2025 Give-A-Thon to support kids with critical health needs like Cassidy and Abel.
-
ARIZONA RESTAURANT NEWS | Aug 18, 2025Bottoms up: SanTan Spirit House opening at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
SanTan Spirit House will open in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport's Terminal 4 on Thursday, according to a Monday announcement.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 15, 2025Man left dead in hospital after hit-and-run in Phoenix
A man died after a hit-and-run on Thursday night that took place shortly before midnight, according to the Phoenix Police Department.
-
ARIZONA HEALTH NEWS | Aug 15, 2025KTAR News, Arizona Sports host 17th annual fundraiser for Phoenix Children’s
This year's Phoenix Children’s Give-A-Thon week seeks to raise money to help children in need across Arizona. It's the event's 17th year.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 14, 2025Man sentenced to 8 years for assaulting girlfriend, crashing SUV into family’s Buckeye apartment
MCAO said on Monday an abusive boyfriend who assaulted his girlfriend and crashed into a family's apartment was sentenced to prison.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Aug 13, 2025HOA fines Peoria man for having colored porch lights in honor of first responders
A Peoria man said he received an HOA violation for porch lights he set up honoring Arizona's first responders.
-
ARIZONA TRAFFIC | Aug 13, 2025Watch out, drivers: Transition ramps from eastbound Loop 101 to I-17 closing for two weeks
A two-week closure of Loop 101 Agua Fria Freeway ramps to Interstate 17 in north Phoenix will start on Friday and end on Aug. 29 at 5 a.m.
-
ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Aug 13, 2025ASU welcomes record number of military-connected students this fall
ASU projects a rise in military-connected students enrolling for the fall 2025 semester. One of its campuses saw a 22% increase in veteran students.