Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

Former KJZZ News Director and long-time broadcaster, Al Macias Named to Arizona Media Association Hall of Fame

Tempe, AZ – August 28, 2023 … Al Macias, who served as both Managing Editor and News Director for KJZZ-FM, has been named to the Arizona Media Association’s Hall of Fame. During his nearly 12 years at KJZZ, the station earned over 30 Radio Television Digital News Association Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards.

While at the station, Macias collaborated with seven other stations to launch the regional Fronteras Desk, a reporting project that amplified coverage of border issues, immigration and the changing face of the Southwest. He also helped to oversee the news department’s expansion into both Mexico City and Hermosillo, Mexico, resulting in KJZZ becoming the only public radio station in the U.S. with international bureaus.

“We at KJZZ are very proud of Al’s contributions to both our station and the Arizona broadcasting community as a whole,” notes Jon Hoban, Vice President of the Division of Public Service at Rio Salado College.

Al Macias is an Arizona native who, after gaining a degree in broadcast communications from Arizona State University, began his career at KTVK, 3TV as a reporter and assignment manager. He continued in management at KPNX, 12News and KNXV, ABC 15, often mentoring new journalists. Al is a founding member and president of the Arizona Latino Media Association and adjunct professor at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School.

Al and four other honorees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Arizona Media Future and Awards Lunch on Jan 26, 2024.

KJZZ 91.5 FM is a listener-supported public radio station. The station features a commercial-free mix of local, national and world news, entertaining weekend shows, and classic jazz. KJZZ is a member station of National Public Radio (NPR), is a public service of Rio Salado College, and is licensed to the Maricopa County Community College District. The station broadcasts from the campus of Rio Salado College, in Tempe, Arizona.

The Arizona Media Association is the newly combined operation of the Arizona Broadcasters Association and Arizona Newspapers Association. The group represents more than 350 local media brands on radio, TV, print, and digital, investing in projects to futureproof Arizona local media and protect its critical role in community connection.

For more information contact: Nancy Dudenhoefer

Rio Salado Public Service Division Communications

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 480-239-6252