Ryan Heinsius
@ryanheinsius.bsky.social
News Director & Managing Editor, KNAU Arizona Public Radio. @knauazpubradio.bsky.social. www.knau.org. Reporting for NPR
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.
Four people have died after heavy rain caused flooding in central Arizona including three in the rural 19th-century mining town of Globe where floodwaters forced people to seek safety on their rooftops.
4 dead after heavy rain triggers flooding in Globe
Four people have died after heavy rain caused flooding in central Arizona including three in the rural 19th-century mining town of Globe where floodwaters forced people to seek safety on their rooftop...
www.knau.org
September 29, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Four people have died after heavy rain caused flooding in central Arizona including three in the rural 19th-century mining town of Globe where floodwaters forced people to seek safety on their rooftops.
Crews have now fully contained the Dragon Bravo Fire nearly three months after it was ignited by lightning near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Dragon Bravo Fire reaches 100% containment, some areas to reopen
Crews have now fully contained the Dragon Bravo Fire nearly three months after it was ignited by lightning near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
www.knau.org
September 29, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Crews have now fully contained the Dragon Bravo Fire nearly three months after it was ignited by lightning near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The first white explorer to descend the Colorado River through Grand Canyon published an account of his journey 150 years ago. In this month’s Canyon Commentary Scott Thybony travels to the Vermillion Cliffs to see if he can match the view.
Scott Thybony's Canyon Commentary: Lost River
The first white explorer to descend the Colorado River through Grand Canyon published an account of his journey 150 years ago. In this month’s Canyon Commentary Scott Thybony travels to the Vermillion...
www.knau.org
September 26, 2025 at 8:52 PM
The first white explorer to descend the Colorado River through Grand Canyon published an account of his journey 150 years ago. In this month’s Canyon Commentary Scott Thybony travels to the Vermillion Cliffs to see if he can match the view.
The Dragon Fire that started on July 4 is now all but extinguished. But the 145,000-acre blaze has had significant impacts on local economies and questions remain about its initial management.
July 4 wildfire in Grand Canyon still burning, questions about response still unanswered
The Dragon Bravo fire continues to burn in remote pockets of the park. Federal officials have not yet provided details on their response to lawmakers.
www.knau.org
September 26, 2025 at 8:16 PM
The Dragon Fire that started on July 4 is now all but extinguished. But the 145,000-acre blaze has had significant impacts on local economies and questions remain about its initial management.
Officials at Grand Canyon National Park will reopen two popular North Rim viewpoints next week that were closed because of the Dragon Bravo Fire.
Grand Canyon officials to reopen two popular North Rim viewpoints
Officials at Grand Canyon National Park will reopen two popular North Rim viewpoints next week that were closed because of the Dragon Bravo Fire.
www.knau.org
September 26, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Officials at Grand Canyon National Park will reopen two popular North Rim viewpoints next week that were closed because of the Dragon Bravo Fire.
PRESCRIBED BURN: The Flagstaff Fire Department began a 15-acre prescribed burn Thursday morning on Observatory Mesa to reduce wildfire risk in the area. A smoke plume is visible from much of Flagstaff. (Image from the Mt. Elden Lookout camera, 10:30 a.m.)
September 18, 2025 at 5:38 PM
PRESCRIBED BURN: The Flagstaff Fire Department began a 15-acre prescribed burn Thursday morning on Observatory Mesa to reduce wildfire risk in the area. A smoke plume is visible from much of Flagstaff. (Image from the Mt. Elden Lookout camera, 10:30 a.m.)
President Donald Trump has vowed to do away with voting by mail, but some of his Republican allies in battleground Arizona are taking a more cautious approach.
Trump's call to end mail-in voting creates a dilemma for GOP candidates who benefit from it
President Donald Trump has vowed to do away with voting by mail, but some of his Republican allies in battleground Arizona are taking a more cautious approach.
www.knau.org
September 17, 2025 at 9:50 PM
President Donald Trump has vowed to do away with voting by mail, but some of his Republican allies in battleground Arizona are taking a more cautious approach.
Republican Rep. Paul Gosar has introduced bills in the U.S. House that would rescind the designations of two Arizona national monuments, including the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni–Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.
Gosar introduces legislation to nullify two Arizona national monuments
Republican Rep. Paul Gosar has introduced bills in the U.S. House that would rescind the designations of two Arizona national monuments, including the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni–Ancestral Footprints o...
www.knau.org
September 17, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Republican Rep. Paul Gosar has introduced bills in the U.S. House that would rescind the designations of two Arizona national monuments, including the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni–Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.
The Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District in Show Low has identified two firefighters killed Sunday in an ambulance crash as 31-year-old Brenna Kulikowski and 21-year-old Damon Thompson. Thompson was 15 days from finishing his first year with the district.
Three killed including two firefighters in ambulance crash near Show Low
Two firefighters and a third person were killed in a head-on crash on State Route 260 between Show Low and Heber-Overgaard Sunday night.
www.knau.org
September 15, 2025 at 11:41 PM
The Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District in Show Low has identified two firefighters killed Sunday in an ambulance crash as 31-year-old Brenna Kulikowski and 21-year-old Damon Thompson. Thompson was 15 days from finishing his first year with the district.
Tucson cyclist Matthew Riccitello is joining the French Decathlon CMA CGM team with big ambitions in 2026.
Promising Tucson cyclist Matthew Riccitello joins French team with Tour-winning ambitions
Tucson cyclist Matthew Riccitello is joining the French Decathlon CMA CGM team with big ambitions in 2026.
www.knau.org
September 15, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Tucson cyclist Matthew Riccitello is joining the French Decathlon CMA CGM team with big ambitions in 2026.
Two firefighters and a third person were killed in a head-on crash on State Route 260 between Show Low and Heber-Overgaard Sunday night.
Three killed including two firefighters in ambulance crash near Show Low
Two firefighters and a third person were killed in a head-on crash on State Route 260 between Show Low and Heber-Overgaard Sunday night.
www.knau.org
September 15, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Two firefighters and a third person were killed in a head-on crash on State Route 260 between Show Low and Heber-Overgaard Sunday night.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wants to cancel a public land management rule that sought to put conservation on equal footing with industry.
Trump administration wants to cancel Biden-era rule that made conservation a 'use' of public land
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wants to cancel a public land management rule that sought to put conservation on equal footing with industry.
www.knau.org
September 11, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wants to cancel a public land management rule that sought to put conservation on equal footing with industry.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang. She's a true believer in public radio’s ability to create enlightening and passionately crafted stories and of its importance in American civic life.
NPR’s Ailsa Chang is a true believer in public radio (and the power of 'earnest nerds')
All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang is a true believer in public radio’s ability to create enlightening and passionately crafted stories and of its importance in American civic life. She recently spoke with KNAU’s Ryan Heinsius.
www.knau.org
September 11, 2025 at 4:40 PM
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang. She's a true believer in public radio’s ability to create enlightening and passionately crafted stories and of its importance in American civic life.
A woman from the Valley died over the Labor Day Weekend after she fell off a 120-foot cliff along the Mogollon Rim near Forest Lakes at night.
Phoenix woman dies in fall from Cliff along Mogollon Rim
A Valley woman died over the Labor Day Weekend after she fell off a 120-foot cliff along the Mogollon Rim near Forest Lakes at night.
www.knau.org
September 5, 2025 at 9:54 PM
A woman from the Valley died over the Labor Day Weekend after she fell off a 120-foot cliff along the Mogollon Rim near Forest Lakes at night.