AZ Political Podcast: KTAR’s Jim Cross on Arizona’s political power

PHOENIX — This week on the AZ Political Podcast, I get to grill a man known for being a tough interview … actually, that’s just me trying to hype things up — because my guest this week is a guy I’m very comfortable conversing with because he’s been my friend and colleague for more than two decades: KTAR Senior News Reporter Jim Cross.

Jim and I spend a few minutes talking about how much things have changed in his almost three decades of covering Arizona politics — and surprisingly, how they’ve also stayed the same in some ways.

I love that I get to tap the wealth of institutional knowledge that Jim hides under his cowboy hat (which he wears proudly on camera at my behest). But the best part of that, for me, is that doing so gives others a true understanding of why Jim was inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

I have to admit, though, I’m disappointed in one part of my performance as an interviewer: I wasn’t able to get Jim to answer one particular question. Or, more correctly, I wasn’t able to get him to answer, “Will you not retire, Jim?” with the answer I wanted — a “yes.”

Sadly, Jim Cross’ last day at KTAR is scheduled for Dec. 6. That is, unless I can dig up some dirt on him juicy enough to blackmail him into staying.

If you know of any such info, email me at jim@ktar.com.

AZ Political Podcast is available at KTAR.com, the KTAR News app and everywhere you get your podcasts.

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