Phoenix is a weird place for media. If you've lived here long enough, you know the skyline isn't the only thing that’s constantly shifting. Between the sprawling desert heat and the chaotic political cycles, keeping up with the local narrative feels like a full-time job. At the center of it all is 12 News Arizona, the NBC affiliate (officially KPNX) that has been a staple in Valley living rooms since the 1950s. But honestly, most people have a bit of a skewed view of what the station actually does these days or how it operates in a world where everyone gets their "news" from a TikTok scroll.
You’ve probably seen the big "12" logo while grabbing coffee or heard the familiar voices of Mark Curtis or Tram Mai in the background while making dinner. It’s comforting. It’s consistent. Yet, the station is navigating a massive identity shift that mirrors the state of Arizona itself—balancing old-school broadcast tradition with a digital-first, "matter of facts" approach that doesn't always please everyone.
The Local Powerhouse with a Virginia Zip Code
One of the biggest misconceptions about 12 News Arizona is that it’s a small, homegrown operation. While the journalists are very much local—many of them have been here for decades—the station is actually a flagship property for TEGNA Inc. Based out of Tysons, Virginia, TEGNA is one of the largest broadcasting companies in the States.
Why does that matter? Because it changes the resources. When a massive monsoon hits or a wildfire breaks out in the High Country, 12 News isn't just relying on one news truck. They’re part of a massive network. However, that corporate backing sometimes makes locals suspicious. In an era of "fake news" shouting matches, people often wonder if the local slant is being dictated from a boardroom on the East Coast.
The reality is a bit more nuanced. TEGNA generally gives its stations a long leash on editorial content, but they’ve pushed a very specific brand of "investigative" journalism that looks different from the flashy, sensationalist style of the 90s. If you’ve noticed their segments feel a bit more "data-heavy" lately, that’s by design. They’re trying to survive the 2026 media landscape by being the adults in the room.
The Faces You Actually Trust (and the New Arrivals)
Let’s talk about the people. Because let’s be real, you don’t watch a channel; you watch a person.
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For years, the anchor desk was a sea of stability. But 2024 and 2025 brought some serious shakeups. The biggest story? Troy Hayden. If you follow Valley news, you know Hayden was a fixture over at FOX 10 for roughly 30 years. When he jumped ship to join 12 News, it was the local media equivalent of a star quarterback switching teams in the same division.
Currently, the evening lineup is a powerhouse of "seen-it-all" veterans:
- Mark Curtis: The guy is a Valley legend. He’s been through every political cycle and sports heartbreak Arizona has to offer.
- Caribe Devine: Usually the voice of reason during the 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. slots.
- Tram Mai: She handles the noon and 4 p.m. broadcasts and has a backstory that's actually incredible—fleeing Vietnam on the last plane out of Saigon.
- Troy Hayden: Now part of the evening rotation after his high-profile move.
When you have a team with over 100 years of combined experience, the reporting feels different. It’s less "look at this car crash" and more "here is why this legislative bill actually affects your taxes."
What Most People Get Wrong About the "12News+" Era
If you’re still waiting for the 6 p.m. broadcast to find out what happened today, you’re basically living in 2005. 12 News Arizona has pivoted hard toward their streaming platform, 12News+.
Basically, they realized that people in Gilbert, Chandler, and Peoria don’t want to wait for a scheduled time slot. They want to stream local weather on their Roku or Fire Stick while they're working out. This shift is where a lot of the confusion happens. People complain that the "TV" news feels shorter or more rushed. That’s because the "deep dives" are happening on the app and YouTube now.
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They’ve also doubled down on their "Verify" segments. In a state like Arizona—which has become ground zero for election conspiracy theories and intense political polarization—the station has taken a stance of being the "fact-checker." Whether you love it or hate it, they spend a lot of airtime debunking viral rumors. It's a risky move that has cost them some viewers but gained them a lot of credibility with the "just give me the facts" crowd.
The Weather Obsession: It’s Not Just Heat
We live in a desert. It’s hot. We get it.
But weather at 12 News is a whole different beast. Because Arizona’s geography is so diverse, they have to cover everything from the "Snow Drought" in the Intermountain West to record-breaking heatwaves in the Valley. In early 2026, we’ve already seen some weird patterns—mild temps starting the year followed by a "winter break" that brought record warmth across the country.
The 12 News weather team doesn't just tell you to wear sunscreen. They’ve been leaning heavily into the "Water Security" beat. With Governor Katie Hobbs making water rights a cornerstone of her 2026 State of the State address, the news team has had to become experts in groundwater basins and the Colorado River crisis. It’s not just "partly cloudy" anymore; it’s "will your well go dry in five years?"
Coverage Beyond the Valley
While the studio is at 200 E Van Buren St. in downtown Phoenix (sharing space with The Arizona Republic, though they are separate companies now), their reach is surprisingly broad.
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- The High Country: They keep a close eye on Prescott and Flagstaff, especially during fire season.
- The Border: 12 News is one of the few stations that consistently sends reporters down to the U.S.-Mexico border for more than just a 30-second clip.
- Sports: With the Diamondbacks making big moves (like bringing back Merrill Kelly on a 2-year deal) and ASU’s Kenny Dillingham signing a massive extension, the sports desk is constantly busy.
Why 12 News Arizona Still Matters in 2026
You’ve got a million ways to get news. You’ve got X (formerly Twitter), you’ve got Reddit, you’ve got that one neighbor who thinks they're an investigative journalist. So why tune into a legacy station?
Honestly, it’s about accountability. 12 News is a "Trust Project" news partner. That’s not just a fancy badge; it means they have to follow specific standards for transparency and sourcing. If they get something wrong, there’s a process for corrections. If a TikToker gets something wrong, they just delete the video and move on.
In a state like Arizona, where the political temperature is always at a boiling point, having a source that at least tries to be the middle ground is rare. They aren't perfect. No news outlet is. But they are one of the few institutions left that can actually get a sitting Governor or a CEO on camera to answer the tough questions.
Actionable Insights for Navigating Local News
If you want to get the most out of local coverage without getting overwhelmed by the 24-hour cycle, here’s how to do it:
- Download the 12News+ App: Stop waiting for the evening broadcast. Use the app to search for specific topics like "Arizona Water" or "Phoenix Housing" to see the full investigative pieces rather than the soundbites.
- Check the "Verify" Section: Before you share that "outraged" post on Facebook about a new law, search the 12 News Verify archives. They’ve likely already tracked down the original source of the rumor.
- Follow Individual Reporters: Journalists like Bianca Buono or the investigative team often post "behind the scenes" context on social media that doesn't make it to the final TV edit.
- Watch the Archives: 12 News has a massive YouTube library of Arizona history. If you're new to the state, watching their "The Archives" series is the fastest way to understand why Phoenix looks the way it does today.
Arizona is a complex, beautiful, and sometimes frustrating place to live. The media landscape here is no different. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a newcomer trying to figure out why everyone is arguing about the Ranegras Plain Groundwater Basin, 12 News remains the most stable lens through which to view the state. They've survived the transition from black-and-white TV to 4K streaming, and they’ll likely be here long after the next big tech platform fades away.