Christina Estes
KJZZ 91.5
Phoenix, AZ, United States
Contact Christina
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Christina:
University Presbyterian Church in Tempe will host Project Connect, a pop-up event providing services to people at risk of or experiencing homelessness on Tuesday.
A church in Tempe will host a daylong event Tuesday for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.It’s called Project Connect, a pop-up event that moves around the Valley. It offers many services that are provided at the Human Services Campus near downtown Phoenix where Amy Schwabenlender is executive director. → Read More
A runoff election for council Districts 6 and 8 will take place Tuesday in Phoenix
A runoff election for two council seats will take place in Phoenix on Tuesday.In District 8, which includes parts of downtown, east Phoenix and south Phoenix, attorney Kesha Hodge Washington is challenging incumbent Carlos Garcia. Washington is backed by the mayor while Garcia has the support of his more left-leaning colleagues on the council. → Read More
Anne Frank House VR: The Annex is latest addition to Arizona Jewish Historical Society's Holocaust exhibit in Phoenix
The Arizona Jewish Historical Society is offering people a unique virtual reality experience. For more than two years, Anne Frank and her family hid in an Amsterdam attic during the Nazi occupation. Her diary became the most famous first-hand account of Jewish life during World War II. Arizona Jewish Historical Society executive director Lawrence Bell said visitors can → Read More
Hotel industry tells Congress the U.S. needs more immigrants
The hotel industry says Congress can help its workforce shortage by attracting more immigrants.Despite most hotels boosting pay and benefits in recent years, 79% of hotels report staffing shortages, according to a new survey by the American Hotel and Lodging Association. → Read More
Goodyear leaders approve plan with Globe Corporation to attract retail, restaurants downtown
Goodyear has big plans for a chunk of land that’s sat vacant since the Great Recession.Residents call it the "old mall site," referencing a project that never happened due to the recession and changing market. It’s about 150 acres, stretching from Interstate 10 to Encanto Boulevard and 150th Drive to Bullard Avenue. → Read More
Phoenix city council approves contract to auction firearms forfeited as a result of court orders.
Some Phoenix leaders don’t like it, but the city will sell 1,400 firearms to the public. The handguns, rifles and shotguns were turned into police after courts ordered the owners to forfeit them. Arizona law requires cities to sell forfeited firearms or risk losing state funding.“I don’t think Phoenix should be forced into the business of selling weapons,” said Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari. → Read More
Phoenix says it diverted nearly 93% of waste from the landfill for certain Super Bowl events downtown.
Phoenix is marking a trash milestone after the city reached its goal of having a zero waste Super Bowl.In the trash industry, "zero waste" typically means diverting at least 90% away from landfills. For the 2015 Super Bowl, John Chan said Phoenix diverted 73% of waste. This year, he told a council committee it was close to 93%. → Read More
Phoenix is considering substantial changes to the way it charges people for water, including raising rates.
Phoenix is considering substantial changes to the way it charges people for water.Compared to five years ago, the city’s Water Services Department says it’s paying 35% more for raw water, 136% more for chemicals and 38% more in personnel costs. → Read More
Arizona Gov. Hobbs wants the border shipping containers used for housing
About 2,000 shipping containers used by former Gov. Doug Ducey to keep people out of Arizona could soon be used to house people. → Read More
Trees, growth and high-speed internet among Mesa mayor’s State of the City address
Mesa’s mayor thinks the city’s $63 million investment to bring Arizona State University downtown is paying off.During his State of the City address Tuesday, Mayor John Giles called the school’s Media and Immersive Experience Center, known as MIX, a catalyst for the downtown arts and innovation district. Next to the MIX center is a two-acre plaza for community events. → Read More
How will understaffed Phoenix police support Super Bowl events?
Phoenix taxpayers will contribute millions of dollars to support Super Bowl events.The city is preparing for more than 200,000 visitors at various downtown events through Sunday. Police Commander Brian Lee said providing adequate security means pulling department employees from other duties. → Read More
Phoenix is looking for feedback from residents as part of an ongoing community survey.
Phoenix is looking for feedback from residents as part of an ongoing community survey.It asks people to grade housing availability, wages, public safety, transportation and arts and culture. A few questions focus on homelessness, asking respondents where the city should devote resources. → Read More
The national Hotel Booking Index survey research commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and conducted by Morning Consult says 70% of business travelers are back or higher than pre-pandemic levels.
A new survey says 20% of business travelers plan to take more trips this year than they did before the pandemic. The findings are based on national Hotel Booking Index survey research commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and conducted by Morning Consult. → Read More
By using dedicated recruiters, staff to handle administrative tasks and incentives, Phoenix expects to speed up hiring process
Phoenix thinks it can cut the time it takes to hire new employees by 35% to 45%.For more than a year, the city’s Human Resources Department has been working to streamline the process from when a department head requests approval for a position to the day a new employee starts. Depending on the job, it can take more than 80 days. → Read More
Phoenix City Council approves plan to replace outdated plumbing fixtures at city facilities
Phoenix will add eight positions and eight vehicles to retrofit plumbing fixtures at city facilities.An internal audit found more than 90% of toilets at Phoenix parks and libraries, police and fire stations, and other city buildings are outdated, don’t meet current standards, and use significantly more water than modern fixtures. → Read More
Vestar to develop 40-acre mixed-use project in Laveen with historic vacant farmhouse to become restaurant
A major development coming to southwest Phoenix involves turning a 100-year-old farmhouse into a restaurant. Vestar, the company behind Tempe Marketplace and Desert Ridge Marketplace, will create the Laveen Towne Center at 59th Avenue and Dobbins Road. Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari, who represents the area, says local restaurateurs are excited about the vacant Hudson Farmhouse.“I → Read More
The Phoenix City Council is expected to vote Wednesday on leasing vacant property at Phoenix Goodyear Airport.
The Phoenix City Council is expected to vote Wednesday on leasing vacant property at Phoenix Goodyear Airport.Phoenix owns and operates the airport located about a mile southwest of Goodyear. The council will consider a 35-year contract with Burrell Aviation. The company plans to invest an estimated $40 million to build a cargo center that could include cold storage, dry → Read More
Phoenix Senior Lockbox pilot program could help older residents facing medical emergencies
A new program could help some seniors facing medical emergencies in Phoenix.The Senior Lockbox program is a way for emergency responders to gain access to homes when someone inside can’t open the door. The Phoenix Association of Realtors will donate one hundred lockboxes for a pilot program launching this month in Councilwoman Ann O’Brien’s district.“The lockboxes will contain → Read More
Tempe-based businesses that need help navigating social media can find support through Tempe Biz HUUB.
Tempe-based businesses that need help navigating social media can find support through a city resource center.It’s called Tempe Biz HUBB, a city-funded online program that offers mini-courses, expert advice and grant information at no additional cost. Two-hour social media training labs will take place on Jan. 10 and 17. They’ll begin with a virtual presentation followed by → Read More
Property owners who offer short-term rentals in Scottsdale must register with the city by Jan. 8
Property owners who offer short-term rentals in Scottsdale must register with the city by Jan. 8.Scottsdale estimates 5,000 properties in the city qualify as short-term or vacation rentals, but as of mid-December only about 500 had been licensed. Starting Jan. 9, short-term rentals without a license could be cited a minimum of $1,000. → Read More