Jake García, a sports reporter and anchor for 12 News in Phoenix, is leaving the station.
"Ever since I started in local TV, it was a dream of mine and a goal of mine to get to report in Phoenix, Arizona, because this is the market that truly raised me," García said on July 26, at the end of "12Sports Locker Room," the evening show with Lina Washington and Cameron Cox.
García graduated from Arizona State and worked in several markets around the U.S., before returning to Phoenix two years ago. He noted that Phoenix was "always the end destination" and will be as he starts his next chapter as a faculty member at ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Today was my last day at @12News. Working here has been a dream, but
the dream has changed. Starting in August, I'll be teaching journalism at ASU as a member of the @Cronkite_ASU faculty. Truly appreciate @CamCox12 and @LWashingtonTV for this sendoff. pic.twitter.com/iMkXuyZLPS
— Jake García (@Jake_M_Garcia) July 27, 2026
"To me, this is something I wanted to continue making an impact and continue to feel emotionally fulfilled," García said. "Because this job right here is something you wake up every single day doing and you're excited to do it. It's one where you meet people out in the community and truly make an impact."
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Local TV sports journalist leaving Channel 12
