About
Shira Tanzer is the education solutions reporter for KTAR News 92.3 FM. She joined KTAR in 2021 and previously worked as a reporter for Cronkite News, the Jewish News, and interned at ABC15. Shira has lived in Arizona since 2013 and brings a strong focus to local education issues in her reporting. She’s also passionate about hockey, music and horseback riding. In 2024, she earned her degree from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.
Expertise
- Education reporting
- Broadcast journalism
- Arizona local news
Education
- Arizona State University – Bachelor’s degree in Journalism (2024)
Certifications
- FAA Remote Pilot’s License
Achievements & Awards
- Reporter and anchor for Cronkite News
- Intern at ABC15 in Phoenix
Social Media Profiles
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ARIZONA ELECTION NEWS | Oct 8, 2026What’s on your ballot: Prop 320 would force certain schools to spend more in classrooms
Supporters say the ballot measure would increase teacher pay, but opponents say districts would lose local control and be forced to cut important services.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 7, 2026Here are all the Phoenix-area schools closed since 2024 or scheduled for closure
Over two dozen Valley campuses were shut down or repurposed in recent years, and more are scheduled to end operations in the future.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 7, 2026Arizona expands aerospace and defense training with new $6.4 million facility
The $6.4 million Future48 facility at Chandler-Gilbert Community College will train up to 1,000 students a year for Arizona aerospace and defense jobs.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 6, 2026Scottsdale Unified approves closure of two schools amid declining enrollment
The governing board voted 3-2 to shut down Copper Ridge K-8 School and Laguna Elementary School after the 2026-27 school year.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 6, 2026Higher education could bring Arizona $11.1 billion in economic gains, report finds
A Helios report estimates the gain if 60% of Arizona’s 2026 high school graduates earn a degree or certificate to help meet workforce needs.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 5, 2026ASU program helping local businesses cut costs gets five-year expansion
The Department of Energy is providing $13 million to ITAC centers at universities around the country, including here in Arizona.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 2, 2026Scottsdale Unified broke open meeting law during school closure process, prosecutors say
The district's board will vote Oct. 6 on closures. Parents say the committee overlooked financial data and alternatives to shutting down area schools.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Oct 1, 2026Peoria Unified governing board members clash over teacher sex scandal
The current and former board presidents failed to find much common ground during an exclusive joint interview.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 30, 2026Peoria Unified School District faces new claim accusing Haley Beck of grooming
A former Centennial High School student is seeking $7 million from the district for failing to protect him from exploitation.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 29, 2026State lawmakers want ABOR to investigate what happened to ASU hockey player
Rep. Matt Gress and Sen. Hildy Angius want the board to hire an independent investigator to get answers about the incident that left Matthew Mayich on life support.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 25, 2026UofA fraternity suspended after allegedly forcing new members to eat live goldfish
The Tucson school told Sigma Tau Gamma it "presents a substantial risk to members of the university community."
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 24, 2026Would Prop 320 increase teacher pay or cut funding from schools?
Proposition 320 would require districts with 7,500+ students and those in Maricopa and Pinal counties to spend 60% on classroom instruction.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 24, 2026AZ Department of Education receives $5M federal grant to train special education teachers
The funding will expand Arizona's teacher apprenticeship program, providing classroom experience and mentorship for future special education teachers.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 22, 2026Parents ask Scottsdale Unified Governing Board to choose least impactful school closure option
The board is considering three closure options involving seven district schools after reporting the total capacity for the schools at 7,194 students, while only 3,296 are currently enrolled.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 22, 2026What’s on your ballot? Prop 318 would restrict transgender athletes in Arizona schools
The measure known as the Protect Girls’ Sports in Arizona Act would require K-12 schools to designate sports teams on the basis of biological sex.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 17, 2026School board protest halts business in Phoenix district
Two Cartwright members are using a school board protest to block agendas, leaving votes on safety, lunches and contracts in limbo.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 17, 2026Apache Junction offers a la carte public school classes for ESA families
The FLEX program lets ESA students take individual public school classes, join lunch periods and access sports or electives in Apache Junction.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 15, 2026Arizona superintendent hopefuls debate ESAs, education funding and teacher pay
Kimberly Yee and Teresa Leyba Ruiz agreed that the Empowerment Scholarship Account program needs guardrails, teacher pay should be raised and AI should be permitted in the classroom with limits.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 14, 2026Sen. Ruben Gallego unveils 4-part plan to restore America’s public education system
The Arizona Democrat wants to increase education access, improve teacher retention, protect funding and create new workforce pathways.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 10, 2026Scottsdale Unified School District weighs more closures as enrollment declines
District officials presented three potential plans involving seven schools during the latest board meeting.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 8, 2026ASU named 1 of 8 schools to train manufacturers in new nationwide initiative
The Foundry School is a State Department initiative that aims to develop the next generation of manufacturing workers.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 4, 2026Republican candidate Andy Biggs wants to expand ESA options for rural and disadvantaged students
Biggs said he also has plans to improve public schools, including addressing campus infrastructure issues if he becomes governor.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 2, 2026U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling praises Arizona’s workforce pathways
Sonderling was impressed with how West-MEC works with local companies to make sure students are trained with the same equipment and systems they will use in their future careers.
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ARIZONA EDUCATION NEWS | Sep 2, 2026ASU is helping kids in a juvenile detention center get a head start on college degrees
The new ASU program allows students with a high school diploma or GED to complete college-level courses.