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 | Sep 17, 2023Phoenix gets $10 million grant to plant more trees, cool the city and fight the heat
The United States Forest Service gave Phoenix $10 million for tree-planting efforts to promote equitable cooling throughout the Valley.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 16, 2023Scottsdale wildlife sanctuary reveals winning names for 2 mountain lion cubs
A Scottsdale wildlife sanctuary released the official names of its two mountain lion cubs, which the public voted on, Friday.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 16, 2023Number of children in Arizona DCS care falls to lowest level in 15 years
The number of children in out-of-home care dropped to a 15-year-low, Arizona DCS announced on Thursday. In 2008, there were 19,000 kids.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 16, 2023Federal judge strikes down 2 Arizona voting proof-of-citizenship laws
U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton struck down two Arizona laws that expanded requirements for voters to prove their citizenship status.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 15, 2023Chandler shooting injures 15-year-old boy, police say
A teen boy was injured after a shooting at Pima Park in Chandler Friday afternoon, officials said.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 15, 2023Arizona gets over $3M to help victims of gender-based violence
Arizona won over $3 million in funding to prevent gender-based violence, the Department of Justice announced on Wednesday.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 12, 20231st built-to-rent community with a net-zero energy design opens in central Phoenix
An eco-friendly developer said Arcadia Views Lofts is the "first-ever net zero energy built-to-rent community" in a Friday announcement.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 11, 2023West Valley city wins innovation award for program that helps people experiencing homelessness
The city of Glendale won a national award earlier this week for its work on the Glendale Homeless Solutions Alliance, an announcement said.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 9, 2023Seafood restaurant Buck & Rider opens East Valley location
A new Buck & Rider restaurant opened in the East Valley on Sunday. It's the third location after others in Scottsdale and Phoenix.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 9, 2023Upscale townhome rental community opens in Surprise near the Loop 303
Families looking for an upscale townhome rental in Surprise should know about the new Sierra Verde community from Mark-Taylor Residential.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 8, 2023Horne rebuts Gov. Katie Hobbs’ accusation that he’s holding Arizona school funding money hostage
Gov. Katie Hobbs and Superintendent of Public Education Tom Horne publicly disagreed over COVID-19 education relief funds on Friday afternoon.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 8, 2023Explore new eateries and low prices this 2023 Fall Arizona Restaurant Week
Over 180 Valley eateries are lifting the lids off meals you can buy through limited-time deals this 2023 Fall Arizona Restaurant Week.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 5, 2023Ruben Gallego introduces bill to curb foreign water use in Arizona
U.S. Rep Ruben Gallego filed a new bill, the Domestic Water Protection Act of 2023, to protect Arizona's water supply from foreign producers.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 5, 2023Phoenix to get $10M for 2 new affordable housing projects
The Phoenix City Council voted to accept $10 million in funding to launch two new affordable housing projects during an Aug. 28 meeting.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 4, 2023Truck’s lithium-ion battery bursts into flames near Tempe facility
A lithium ion battery in a truck triggered a fire in Tempe on Monday evening at the Arizona Lithium facility, fire officials said.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 4, 2023Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board votes to expand trail closures on excessively hot days
The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board voted Thursday evening to expand trail closures on excessively hot days throughout the year.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 4, 2023Maricopa Community Colleges get $1.5 million for students in need
The Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars Program renewed its commitment to financially support needy community college students in July.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 3, 2023Arizona man injured, others detained after shots break out during west Phoenix house party
An Arizona man suffered from multiple gunshots wounds while at a west Phoenix house party early Sunday morning, officials said.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 3, 2023Border Patrol rescues 2 people from mountain brushfire near Tucson
Arizona officials announced Thursday they had rescued a woman from a mountain brushfire near Tucson earlier this week.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 3, 2023Brave bystanders detain jewelry thief in Old Town Scottsdale, police say
A group of brave bystanders detained a suspected jewelry thief in Old Town Scottsdale at around 11:30 a.m. on Friday, police said.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 3, 2023ADOT reveals 2 winners for its annual Safety Message Contest
ADOT revealed the two winners for its seventh annual Safety Message Contest Friday. Here are the two messages you'll see on Valley freeways.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 3, 2023Maricopa county invests $2M to bolster local opioid treatment programs
Maricopa County will invest $12 million in local organizations that provide opioid treatment programs, officials said.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 3, 2023Almost 50 new homes available for sale in Buckeye near the I-10
A national homebuilder announced Friday it added a new home community with 49 houses for sale to Village at Sundance in Buckeye.
-
ARIZONA NEWS | Sep 2, 2023Former Arizona man pleads guilty to fraud, aggravated identify theft in federal court
A former Arizona man pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identify theft in federal court on Tuesday, authorities said.