Ryan Heinsius
@ryanheinsius.bsky.social
News Director & Managing Editor, KNAU Arizona Public Radio. @knauazpubradio.bsky.social. www.knau.org. Reporting for NPR
An Arizona lawmaker has a plan to increase legislative pay for the first time since 1998 while also imposing term limits in the state House and Senate.
State lawmaker wants Legislative pay hike in exchange for term limits
An Arizona lawmaker has a plan to increase legislative pay for the first time since 1998 while also imposing term limits in the state House and Senate.
www.knau.org
December 9, 2025 at 9:21 PM
An Arizona lawmaker has a plan to increase legislative pay for the first time since 1998 while also imposing term limits in the state House and Senate.
Arizona health officials are continuing to recommend that all newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth despite a new recommendation from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel.
Arizona health officials continue to recommend hep B shot for all newborns
Arizona health officials are continuing to recommend that all newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth despite a new recommendation from a Centers for Disease Control and Preven...
www.knau.org
December 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Arizona health officials are continuing to recommend that all newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth despite a new recommendation from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel.
Officials at Grand Canyon National Park have suspended all overnight hotel stays because of a major break in the pipeline that brings drinking water to the South Rim.
Grand Canyon hotel stays paused following water pipeline break
Officials at Grand Canyon National Park have suspended all overnight hotel stays because of a major break in the pipeline that brings drinking water to the South Rim.
www.knau.org
December 2, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Officials at Grand Canyon National Park have suspended all overnight hotel stays because of a major break in the pipeline that brings drinking water to the South Rim.
Republican state Sen. John Kavanagh plans to introduce a bill that would remove legal penalties for county supervisors who fail to canvass elections.
Lawmaker wants to remove legal penalties for officials who don't certify election results
Republican state Sen. John Kavanagh plans to introduce a bill that would remove legal penalties for county supervisors who fail to canvass elections.
www.knau.org
December 1, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Republican state Sen. John Kavanagh plans to introduce a bill that would remove legal penalties for county supervisors who fail to canvass elections.
In his latest Canyon Commentary, Scott Thybony describes a major turning point in the life of novelist Willa Cather as she was transformed by the human footprint of Walnut Canyon and less by the grand landscape.
Scott Thybony's Canyon Commentary: The Water Trail
A landscape’s dramatic features can overwhelm first-time visitors. But sometimes the places that exist on a more human scale can have a greater impact. In his latest Canyon Commentary, author Scott Th...
www.knau.org
December 1, 2025 at 4:45 PM
In his latest Canyon Commentary, Scott Thybony describes a major turning point in the life of novelist Willa Cather as she was transformed by the human footprint of Walnut Canyon and less by the grand landscape.
Attorney General Kris Mayes will continue to pursue the 11 Republicans who falsely claimed to be the state’s legally elected electors during the 2020 presidential race.
Mayes files appeal to US Supreme Court in Arizona fake elector case
Attorney General Kris Mayes will continue to pursue the 11 Republicans who falsely claimed to be the state’s legally elected electors during the 2020 presidential race.
www.knau.org
November 21, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Attorney General Kris Mayes will continue to pursue the 11 Republicans who falsely claimed to be the state’s legally elected electors during the 2020 presidential race.
The cost of wildfire recovery on public lands mostly falls to agencies like the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. Several western U.S. senators have requested more federal help after a devastating fire year.
Arizona senators urge more funding for wildfire recovery on federal lands
The cost of wildfire recovery on public lands mostly falls to agencies like the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. Several western U.S. senators have requested more federal help after a de...
www.knau.org
November 21, 2025 at 5:55 PM
The cost of wildfire recovery on public lands mostly falls to agencies like the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. Several western U.S. senators have requested more federal help after a devastating fire year.
The small town is known for its polygamist history under the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A recent measles outbreak marks Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah again.
Ex-FLDS town grapples with the second largest measles outbreak in the country
The small town is known for its polygamist history under the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A recent measles outbreak marks Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah again.
www.knau.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:35 PM
The small town is known for its polygamist history under the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A recent measles outbreak marks Colorado City, Ariz., and Hildale, Utah again.
Arizona will provide billions in taxpayer money to help fund several new initiatives aimed at providing alternate drinking water sources for the state.
State water finance board approves funds for desalination and other projects
Arizona will provide billions in taxpayer money to help fund several new initiatives aimed at providing alternate drinking water sources for the state.
www.knau.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Arizona will provide billions in taxpayer money to help fund several new initiatives aimed at providing alternate drinking water sources for the state.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office says a man was rescued and another man remains missing after a flash flood in Cordes Lakes Tuesday afternoon.
Cordes Lakes man missing after flash flood
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office says a man was rescued and another man remains missing after a flash flood in Cordes Lakes Tuesday afternoon.
www.knau.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:26 PM
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office says a man was rescued and another man remains missing after a flash flood in Cordes Lakes Tuesday afternoon.
Former Republican lawmaker Austin Cole Smith pleaded guilty to criminal charges for forging signatures on nominating petitions during his 2024 campaign.
Former Arizona Republican lawmaker pleads guilty to charges for forging petition signatures
Former Republican lawmaker Austin Cole Smith pleaded guilty to criminal charges for forging signatures on nominating petitions during his 2024 campaign.
www.knau.org
November 17, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Former Republican lawmaker Austin Cole Smith pleaded guilty to criminal charges for forging signatures on nominating petitions during his 2024 campaign.
Hopi voters this week overwhelmingly elected Lamar Keevama as their new chairman. It's the first time in eight years that the tribe will have new leadership.
Lamar Keevama wins election for Hopi chairman
Hopi voters this week overwhelmingly elected Lamar Keevama as their new chairman. It's the first time in eight years that the tribe will have new leadership.
www.knau.org
November 15, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Hopi voters this week overwhelmingly elected Lamar Keevama as their new chairman. It's the first time in eight years that the tribe will have new leadership.
Grand Canyon National Park officials will close the North Rim for the season Friday afternoon ahead of possible snow.
Grand Canyon officials to close North Rim Friday
Grand Canyon National Park officials will close the North Rim for the season Friday afternoon ahead of possible snow.
www.knau.org
November 13, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Grand Canyon National Park officials will close the North Rim for the season Friday afternoon ahead of possible snow.
Coconino County health officials are warning those who visited the Flagstaff Mall last Thursday that they may have been exposed to measles.
Measles case confirmed at Flagstaff Mall
Coconino County health officials are warning those who visited the Flagstaff Mall last Thursday that they may have been exposed to measles.
www.knau.org
November 12, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Coconino County health officials are warning those who visited the Flagstaff Mall last Thursday that they may have been exposed to measles.
Officials in Mohave County say a 65-year-old man slipped and fell 130 feet to his death last week in the western portion of the Grand Canyon.
Man dies after slipping and falling in western Grand Canyon
Officials in Mohave County say a 65-year-old man slipped and fell 130 feet to his death last week in the western portion of the Grand Canyon.
www.knau.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Officials in Mohave County say a 65-year-old man slipped and fell 130 feet to his death last week in the western portion of the Grand Canyon.
Since 2021 Flagstaff photographer Dawn Kish has been documenting the reemerging Glen Canyon as the water levels at Lake Powell have dropped. She was inspired by Tad Nichols who photographed the canyon in the 1950s before it was dammed.
Photographer Dawn Kish rediscovers Glen Canyon in new exhibit
Since 2021 Flagstaff photographer Dawn Kish has been documenting the reemerging Glen Canyon as the water levels at Lake Powell have dropped. She was inspired by Tad Nichols who photographed the canyon...
www.knau.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Since 2021 Flagstaff photographer Dawn Kish has been documenting the reemerging Glen Canyon as the water levels at Lake Powell have dropped. She was inspired by Tad Nichols who photographed the canyon in the 1950s before it was dammed.
Fire managers throughout northern Arizona conducted numerous prescribed burns Tuesday, creating visible smoke that impacted Flagstaff and other local communities.
Prescribed burns create thick smoke in Flagstaff area
Fire managers throughout northern Arizona conducted numerous prescribed burns Tuesday, creating visible smoke that impacted Flagstaff and other local communities.
www.knau.org
November 4, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Fire managers throughout northern Arizona conducted numerous prescribed burns Tuesday, creating visible smoke that impacted Flagstaff and other local communities.
The Trump administration is initiating formal meetings with tribes in the Southwest as it considers revoking a 20-year ban of oil and gas development across of hundreds of square miles of federal land surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
Trump administration considers revoking ban on oil and gas development near Chaco historical park
The Trump administration is initiating formal meetings with tribes in the Southwest as it considers revoking a 20-year ban of oil and gas development across of hundreds of square miles of federal land...
www.knau.org
November 4, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The Trump administration is initiating formal meetings with tribes in the Southwest as it considers revoking a 20-year ban of oil and gas development across of hundreds of square miles of federal land surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park.
The Environmental Protection Agency has begun the cleanup of uranium mine waste in the Lukachukai Mountains near Four Corners on the Navajo Nation.
EPA begins uranium mine cleanup near Four Corners
The Environmental Protection Agency has begun the cleanup of uranium mine waste in the Lukachukai Mountains near Four Corners on the Navajo Nation.
www.knau.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:39 PM
The Environmental Protection Agency has begun the cleanup of uranium mine waste in the Lukachukai Mountains near Four Corners on the Navajo Nation.
Wells Spicer was a frontier lawyer who led a grueling expedition in the Grand Canyon and also happened to play pivotal roles in two most famous court cases in the American West. Scott Thybony tells his story in this month's Canyon Commentary.
Scott Thybony's Canyon Commentary: The curious case of Wells Spicer
Wells Spicer was a frontier lawyer who led a grueling expedition in the Grand Canyon and also happened to play pivotal roles in two most famous court cases in the American West. Scott Thybony tells hi...
www.knau.org
October 31, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Wells Spicer was a frontier lawyer who led a grueling expedition in the Grand Canyon and also happened to play pivotal roles in two most famous court cases in the American West. Scott Thybony tells his story in this month's Canyon Commentary.
Gov. Katie Hobbs is allocating $1.8 million left over from federal COVID funds to provide at least some help to the nearly 900,000 Arizonans who won’t be getting food stamp benefits in November.
Hobbs allocates federal COVID funds for coming SNAP lapse
Gov. Katie Hobbs is allocating $1.8 million left over from federal COVID funds to provide at least some help to the nearly 900,000 Arizonans who won’t be getting food stamp benefits in November.
www.knau.org
October 29, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Gov. Katie Hobbs is allocating $1.8 million left over from federal COVID funds to provide at least some help to the nearly 900,000 Arizonans who won’t be getting food stamp benefits in November.
A man from Flagstaff and another man from Canada were injured in a lightning strike Wednesday near the summit of Humphreys Peak near Flagstaff.
Two injured in lightning strike on Humphreys Peak
A man from Flagstaff and another man from Canada were injured in a lightning strike Wednesday near the summit of Humphreys Peak near Flagstaff.
www.knau.org
October 23, 2025 at 1:58 AM
A man from Flagstaff and another man from Canada were injured in a lightning strike Wednesday near the summit of Humphreys Peak near Flagstaff.
On Monday Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren submitted his state of the nation address in written form, marking the fifth time he did not deliver the speech in person to tribal lawmakers.
Nygren delivers state of the nation speech in writing
On Monday Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren submitted his state of the nation address in written form, marking the fifth time he did not deliver the speech in person to tribal lawmakers.
www.knau.org
October 21, 2025 at 10:16 PM
On Monday Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren submitted his state of the nation address in written form, marking the fifth time he did not deliver the speech in person to tribal lawmakers.
Multiple chapters on the Navajo Nation were impacted by recent flooding from a tropical storm that caused dams to fail and cut off access to homes and farmlands for residents.
Major flooding washes out roads, strands residents on Navajo Nation
Multiple chapters on the Navajo Nation were impacted by recent flooding from a tropical storm that caused dams to fail and cut off access to homes and farmlands for residents.
www.knau.org
October 16, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Multiple chapters on the Navajo Nation were impacted by recent flooding from a tropical storm that caused dams to fail and cut off access to homes and farmlands for residents.
AI-powered cameras are the newest thing in fire detection on Arizona’s Coconino National Forest. Some greet the technology with optimism. But others worry about the future of the human fire lookouts who have kept watch for decades.
Arizona now has AI-powered cameras for fire detection. Where does that leave human lookouts?
AI-powered cameras are the newest thing in fire detection on Arizona’s Coconino National Forest. Some greet the technology with optimism. But others worry about the future of the HUMAN fire lookouts w...
www.knau.org
October 3, 2025 at 9:36 PM
AI-powered cameras are the newest thing in fire detection on Arizona’s Coconino National Forest. Some greet the technology with optimism. But others worry about the future of the human fire lookouts who have kept watch for decades.