Mason Carroll

Reporter @AZFamily | Past: @KRCR7 @CBSEveningNews | @UTAustin Alumna | she/her

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

According to the city of Flagstaff, the consumer price index has risen by almost 3% in just a year. The city uses this to calculate the minimum wage, which will be rising to $18.35 in January.

However, local businesses said that this constant increase is hurting them:

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Governor Katie Hobbs visited both the northern and southern rims of the Grand Canyon to witness the economic recovery efforts in the region and to signal to Arizonans and potential tourists that the South Rim is still open to business:

https://t.co/LP3O1GBQTA

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Many people are heading to national parks or for outdoor activities to wrap up their summers.

For one Northern Arizona community, however, they’re still reeling from a lack of summer tourism as the prepare to head into their slow season:
https://t.co/7WbdFOxvex

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Arizona got hit with strong thunderstorms, bringing dust storms, winds, and lightning to our state. Up in the High Country, the rain is a very welcome sight because of the dry winter and now summer so far:

https://t.co/VNt8yJTShV

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Classic cars and Route 66 just go together. Now, almost a century later, these cars and their drivers are still getting their kicks on Route 66.

From classic Camaros to vintage Volkswagens, the Mother Road Classic Car Show in Flagstaff has it all:

https://t.co/OXDayAViwz

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Long before it sat vacant on Route 66, the El Pueblo Motor Inn played a pivotal role in World War II.

This is where the first Navajo Code Talkers were recruited, and now, 80 years later, the motel is up for sale:

https://t.co/swdqpIoEWa

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Finding an affordable place to live is getting more difficult, especially in the more rural parts of Arizona. This is impacting northern Arizona businesses, but tiny homes could be the solution:

https://t.co/u1KbEpOTjJ

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

The tourism industry brings in about a trillion dollars annually to the U.S. economy, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

However, tourism to the U.S. is down about 10%, especially international tourism. Many Arizona businesses rely on those tourism dollars:

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Last year, NAU made the playoffs for the first time in years. Now they are trying to build on that success and bring home a trophy.

Coach Brian Wright is going into his second year as head coach. Last year, he led the team to its first playoff appearance since 2017:

[Stayson Isobe @staysobe]

Appreciate @MasonCCarroll for coming out to @NAU_Football practice today!

Looking forward to getting the Lumberjacks on @azfamily. Phoenix media - you’re always invited up north!

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

The Dragon Bravo Fire has scorched approximately 105,415 acres as of July 31, and is 9% contained. Over 1,100 fire personnel are working to control the blaze.

Yesterday, I spoke with meteorologists at the National Weather Service about why fire conditions are so extreme:

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Up in Tusayan, the gateway to the Grand Canyon, it’s surrounded by forest. So fire insurance is usually a must. However, locals are reporting a 300% to 400% increase in fire insurance costs:

https://t.co/o1rhmeDBhY

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Unfortunately, with fires and floods, people in the High Country are no strangers to natural disasters. However, because of this, Coconino County officials said they are well-prepared to send out life-saving resources and messages:

https://t.co/YfvYq50N2y

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

When most people think of Route 66, they probably imagine vintage cars and neon lights, but that’s not always reflective of the reality that the Mother Road was back in the day.

A new gallery in Flagstaff aims to show the real, gritty, and human side of Route 66.

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Arizona health officials are concerned about a prairie dog die-off northeast of Flagstaff that could be the result of a bigger problem - the plague.

Coconino County is working to stop the spread, but warns it can be transmitted to people and pets:

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Summertime and heat mean more people will be looking to cool off in Arizona’s lakes and rivers, from rafting down the Colorado River to boating on Lake Powell.

However, many lakes, rivers, and reservoirs are currently low, impacting communities in northern Arizona:

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Snowflake-Taylor police are investigating after a married couple was found shot to death inside their northern Arizona home earlier this week.

The sister of one of the victims says the couple had been married just over a year and their family is devastated:

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Summer showers brought flooding in northern Arizona, leaving hikers stranded for hours near Havasupai Falls in the Grand Canyon. All of the hikers have safely made it out of the canyon:

https://t.co/NeQRp0E1jD

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Coconino County’s fire risk is higher than 96% of the U.S. This is one reason why fire insurance prices have skyrocketed. Now, it’s impacting homeowners, and Coconino County is trying to stop it:

https://t.co/Qkt6aIyWlJ

[Mason Carroll @MasonCCarroll]

Flagstaff is home to hundreds of local restaurants and bars, sits in the largest ponderosa pine forest in the world, and is a gateway to several national parks and monuments.

U.S. News recently ranked the city as one of the top 25 most underrated travel destinations in the U.S.