Jim Cross

Position: Senior News Reporter. Have been with KTAR since July 4, 1999.

More on what you do (at work): Interview newsmakers (for the most part), write, edit and broadcast breaking news reports live. I'm a frequent contributor to ABC Radio News where my reports can also heard on news that affects Arizona and the nation. Have been the station's wildfire expert/reporter since 2002.

Started covering wildfires in 1988 with the Eagle Bar Fire in Hells Canyon on the Idaho/Oregon border.

Attended the 2004 Arizona Wildfire Academy in Prescott and received my certification in basic wildland firefighting. In 2005, received my incident information officer certificate from the academy.

Family: Wife, daughter

Favorite food: Steak and shrimp, any food on campouts.

Favorite spots in Arizona: Pinetop-Lakeside, Alpine, Greer.

Favorite news memory: The Wallow Fire in eastern Arizona in 2011, which became the largest fire in state history. Rodeo-Chediski fire in June 2002 in eastern Arizona which is the second largest fire in Arizona. The 2007 Southern California Firestorm and being at Sky Harbor Airport when the first plane lifted off several days after 9-11. Seeing the American flag on the tail of the Salt Lake City-bound Delta airliner as it took off still gives me goosebumps.

Favorite movies: True Grit, both the 1969 John Wayne Classic and the remake with Jeff Bridges, which was outstanding, Lonesome Dove.

First job: Spinning records at KLER Radio Orofino, Idaho 1980.

First concert: KISS/Cheap Trick 1977 Spokane, WA Coliseum. Both bands are still lighting it up 32 years later.

#1 sports team: Washington State University Cougars, The University of Montana Grizzlies and Texas Rangers.

Outside interests: Sports, camping, fishing, traveling.