Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Michael Cooper
Magee Middle to merge with Sabino High, but students may be kept separate
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The Tucson Unified School District announced its fourth possible school closure on Thursday, Oct. 22. 13 News Education Solutions reporter Isabela Lisco first received a letter sent to Magee Middle parents informing them that the Tucson Unified School District is recommending the school consolidation with Sabino High. An hour later, the district confirmed that Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo will suggest that consolidation to the governing board.
Crews responding to serious injury crash at Kolb, Escalante
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Crews responded to a serious injury crash involving a motorcycle near Kolb and Escalante in Tucson on Thursday, Oct. 22. The Tucson Police Department said there will be road closures and restrictions for an “extended period of time.” The crash was reported around 11:45 a.m., and drivers are asked to avoid the area. Did you know 13 News has podcasts? Here's the link to see the lineup
Tucson USD announces second possible school closure
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the Tucson Unified School District announced the second school that has been selected to close. The district said Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo is recommending that Dunham Elementary consolidate with Marshall Elementary. The move, if approved by the district's governing board at the end of this year, will start in August 2027. On Monday, Oct. 19, the district said Trujillo will recommend that Hudlow Elementary consolidate into Sewell.
Man arrested after pregnant woman found shot to death in Vail
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - A man was detained after a woman was found shot to death inside a Vail home on Friday, Oct. 6. The Pima County Sheriff's Department said deputies were called to a home in the 17000 block of South Ridgerunner Drive for a reported domestic disturbance around 6:30 p.m. When they arrived, deputies said a 49-year-old man identified as Joseph Clark was leaving the home, and they detained him without incident. Inside the home, they found a woman and two young children.
Driver killed in Interstate 10 crash near Vail
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The Arizona Department of Public Safety says the driver of a commercial vehicle was killed in a crash on Interstate 10 near South Marsh Station Road Tuesday, Oct. 6. The AZDPS says the commercial vehicle drifted to the right side of the road before falling into a canyon. The vehicle and victim were recovered from the bottom near a ravine. The name of the driver has not yet been released. Did you know 13 News has podcasts? Here's the link to see the lineup
Motorcyclist suffers serious injuries in crash at Flowing Wells, Wetmore
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - A motorcyclist suffered serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash near Flowing Wells and Wetmore in Pima County late Monday, Oct. 5. The Pima County Sheriff's Department confirmed the accident happened around 8:30 p.m. The PCSD initially reported the motorcyclist suffered life threatening injuries, but told 13 News Tuesday morning, that individual's condition has now stabilized. It is the fifth serious crash 13 News has reported on since Friday. On Oct.
Portion of Kolb, Tanque Verde intersection back open following crash
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Authorities responded to a rollover crash near Kolb and Tanque Verde in Tucson on Thursday, Oct. 1. The Tucson Police Department said the northbound and eastbound lanes were closed from around 8 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. But there were no significant injuries, according to the TPD. Did you know 13 News has podcasts? Here's the link to see the lineup
TFD responds to four swift water rescues on Wilmot Road
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The Tucson Fire Department responded to four swift water rescues on South Wilmot Road in just over an hour on Tuesday, Sept. 29. The TFD said the calls came in at 2:29, 2:56, 3:32, and 3:41 p.m. In each case, the motorist drove into the flooded road and got stuck. The TFD said everyone was able to walk out with assistance, and there were no reported injuries. “(The) TFD reminds residents to never drive into flooded roadways or washes,” the TFD said in a release.
Mother, stepfather charged with abuse as search for Three Points teen continues
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The disapperance of a Three Points teen has led to the arrest of his mother and stepfather. Ryker Lee was reported missing around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22. As of 10 p.m. Wednesday, the 15-year-old Lee had not been found. The Pima County Sheriff's Department confirmed to 13 News that its Park Enforcement Search and Rescue team was in Three Points Wednesday and searching for the teen.
Tucson man accused of raping drunk childhood friend
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - A man allegedly sexually assaulted a drunk woman inside his Tucson home last week. Robert Sheldon Carpenter has been charged with one count of sexual assault following a Sept. 18 incident. As of Monday, Sept. 21, he was being held on a $25,000 bond. The victim said she was a childhood friend of Carpenter and had been staying at his one-bedroom apartment. She said while she shared a bed with the 24-year-old Carpenter, they had never been sexually or romantically involved.
Tucson man's murder conviction vacated over hospital room confession
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The Tucson man sentenced to life in prison for a triple-fatal crash that happened during a human smuggling operation in Cochise County will likely get a new trial. A state appeals court vacated the conviction of Erick Antonio Diliz, who was found guilty on three counts of first-degree murder, seven counts of aggravated assault, and one count of unlawful flight from law enforcement.
FEMA reimburses Pima County millions for housing migrants
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - A year-long battle is over after the federal government agreed to reimburse Pima County millions for the cost of housing migrants. According to a memo from Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher, FEMA has agreed to pay the county more than $3.5 million. That is some of the money the county spent to house migrants during the 2024 fiscal year.
Inmate captured after escaping from federal prison in Tucson
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - A violent inmate who escaped from the federal prison in Tucson on Wednesday, Sept. 2, has been apprehended. In a release, the U.S. Marshals Service says federal inmate James Casady Cangro ran into the desert after prison staff saw him near the visitor parking lot of the Federal Correctional Complex at 8901 South Wilmot Road Wednesday morning.
Man found guilty in fatal shooting on Tucson's south side
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - A man has been found guilty in connection with a fatal shooting on Tucson's south side in 2024. On Friday, Aug. 28, a jury found Jayden Betters guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. Oct.5. The Tucson Police Department said Betters shot and killed Adam Lee Arndt inside their home near Tucson Boulevard and Drexel Road on Aug. 2, 2024.
Opinion: Meta settlement is a victory, a warning and an opportunity
I made a mistake as a mentor. A decade ago while practicing law, I was appointed to represent a young man for stealing a cell phone at a concert. He was a decent kid, shy and good-natured, from a single-parent household and who mostly lacked direction. I took a liking to him, and we ended up hanging out some on the weekends, tossing a ball around or grabbing some food. I was proud that he never got in trouble again and prouder still when he graduated from high school.
Missing Pima County woman found safe
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - For the third time this year, a Pima County woman went missing but was found safe. The Pima County Sheriff's Department said 68-year-old Denise Kay Rose was last seen near Drexel and Palo Verde around 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 31. By 9 p.m., the PCSD said she was found safe. Arizona DPS said Rose suffers from a medical condition that causes her to become lost or easily confused. Rose went missing from the same area in January and July 2026, and was found safe each time.
Two of three suspects in fatal shooting of TPD recruit located
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Two of the three suspects in the fatal shooting of TPD recruit Carlos Ramirez have been located. The Pima County Sheriff's Department said the suspect was previously seen in surveillance footage walking away from the area of the homicide. Detectives are working to determine his involvement, and no arrest has been made. The first suspect arrested, 39-year-old Santiago Jorge Rogers, was found on Aug.
One dead following crash at Grant, Rosemont in Tucson
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - One person died following a two-vehicle crash at Grant and Rosemont in Tucson Monday, Aug. 17. A 13 News photographer at the scene said the accident involved a white car and a dark-colored pickup truck. The Tucson Police Department confirmed the fatality early Tuesday, A18. The TPD said the investigation is ongoing and more information will be released later. Are you streaming 13 News?
One detained after barricade situation at Marana home
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Marana Police responded to reports of a domestic dispute in the 6900 block of West Sauceda Drive on Aug. 14. The MPD said 22-year-old Patrick Chamblee was inside the home and armed with a firearm. Officers were able to get the family members outside of the home safely; however, Chamblee remained barricaded inside. Pima Regional SWAT assisted, and Chamblee was taken into custody after several hours.
One detained after barricade situation at Marana home
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Marana Police says one person has been detained following a barricade situation in Marana late Friday, Aug. 14. 13 News anchor Dan Marries confirmed the scene is a home in the 6900 block of West Sauceda Drive. That is near Silverbell Road and Continental Reserve Loop. The MPD says the individual was detained shortly after midnight, August 15. Are you streaming 13 News?
Man living in Tucson accused of killing girlfriend, fleeing country
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - The 20-year-old man accused of killing his girlfriend in Tucson after she planned to break up with him has been arrested in Germany after fleeing the country. The Tucson Police Department confirmed Varun Batchigari is in custody and awaiting extradition back to Pima County. Batchigari, who allegedly had a violent history, is facing charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of 19-year-old Julissa Rubi Salazar.
All Salad and Go locations to close for good on Wednesday
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Salad and Go announced it is closing all of its locations permanently on Wednesday, Aug. 5. The chain, founded in Gilbert in 2013, has seven locations across the Tucson area and 70 in Arizona and Nevada. The company said it filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Aug. 4.
Toddler killed, suspect arrested in Tucson crash at Country Club, Valencia
13 News Staff, Sean Mahoney, Michael Cooper TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - One man is facing a murder charge and authorities are looking for another driver following a high-speed crash at Valencia and Country Club in Tucson that killed a young child on Friday, April 10. It was the second high-speed fatal crash at that intersection in weeks, and nearby businesses are worried it will keep happening despite more speeding enforcement in the area.
Missiology And Archaeology
The intersection of missiology, ecclesiology, and archaeology holds the potential for a promising field of study in the areas of material culture, history, and faith. Such an intersection offers insights into the relationship between architecture, ritual development, missions, biblical studies, and indigenous civilizations.
Who Were The New Testament Deacons?
When we do theology in community, we mitigate these biases. Yet a community bias might emerge out of local cultural contexts, necessitating a larger hermeneutical community that includes brothers and sisters from different cultures participating in the process of missiological theology. It sounds like a daunting undertaking, and it is.
Thomas Jefferson’s White America
If I had a minor in my doctoral work it was historical theology. I’m particularly fascinated with how history is written. At times there appears a bias designed to propagate a particularly desirable narrative. At first, the writing of history might not be motivated by a bias, but after further reflections and the discovery of more historical sources, a clear bias emerges.
The Jesus of Christmas Present
Much will be said this Christmas about whether or not there was an actual inn or if He was born in the home of a relative. We’ll speculate about the star the Magi followed; was it a super nova? We’ll even wonder if the choir of angels was a unique alignment of the planets or winged beings hovering in a night sky. We might question whether or not Jesus was born on December 25th or if it is actually a Pagan holiday. I attempt to sort these things out in Unwrapping the First Christmas.
12 Days, 12 Quotes
Old Testament Prophecies about the Birth of the Eternal Christ A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.
Christians and the Israeli Nation-State
Several years ago, I was invited to address a group of seminary and university students on the subject of Christians and the Nation-State of Israel. What follows over the next couple blogs, is that address. Here is part 1: I approach this subject from a religious studies perspective. I am interested in how people perceive themselves and how various phenomena affect their identity. That being said, I have not given particular attention to the question of Israel.
Would Jesus Plant a Church?
Don’t you like dealing in hypotheticals? Those sometimes frustrating “what if” questions? Not too long ago, Mike Frost posed such a question, “If Jesus planted a church, what would it look like?” At first, I thought it was a brilliant question. However, the more I considered it, the more his question provoked a reaction. I began to ask, “Would Jesus ever actually plant a church?” He’ll certainly build the church. That was his promise to the disciples (Matt 16:18).
Disciples Multiply
Disciples Multiply July 29, 2023 Michael T. Cooper I occasionally wonder if we make discipleship too complicated. The systems we create exhibit a complexity that is foreign to the New Testament. For instance, I’m not certain what all goes into dropping plastic eggs from a helicopter on Easter morning in order to attract families to church, but such a stunt amounts to a strategy of shark jumping to ensure more butts in seats, bucks in the bank, and brains entertained each week.
Disciples Suffer
The story of Christianity, in many ways, is a story about suffering. But this is true about new movements generally. It doesn’t matter if they are social, political, or religious. Some suffer due to nefarious practices—The People’s Temple or the Branch Davidians for example. Others suffer simply because they are new and different from what the majority culture considers acceptable—Wiccans and Druids for example.
Disciples Learn
Formal theological education often receives criticism for being so intellectually minded that it is of no practical good. I get it. I’ve seen the blank stares of students that were more than evidence for caffeine deprivation.
Disciples are Respectful
While visiting a country in South Asia some years ago, a church planter and friend recounted an event to a group of us. We were meeting to encourage our top leaders as they faced new forms of government persecution. And what better way to encourage young leaders than reading an epistle written to a church planter: 2 Timothy. Timothy, in Ephesus, confronted challenging times as Christians were being led astray by false teaching. Paul, in Rome, imprisoned for declaring Jesus as the true anointed one.
Disciples Pray
Disciples Pray July 10, 2023 Michael T. Cooper I learned early on in my Christian life that the shortest verse in the Bible was “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). It wasn’t until studying Greek that I discovered that John 11:35 is three words, although one of them is a single letter definite article. The actual shortest verse in the Greek NT is 1 Thessalonians 5:17. ln English it is often translated with three words, “pray without ceasing” (ESV) although in Greek it is only two.
The Procrustean Church and Pastor
Procrustes, the maniacal son of Poseidon, violently forced strangers to lie in an iron bed. As the Greek legend is told, if the stranger’s limbs protruded over the bed, Procrustes amputated them. If the stranger’s body was too short, Procrustes stretched the limbs until he fit. In all cases, the forced conformity of the stranger’s body to Procrustes’ iron bed resulted in death.
Disciples are Godly
I was a relatively young and immature Christian when I attended the university. And, like many university students, I struggled about a career decision. As I recall, it was a particularly confusing time trying to figure out life. Not unique for certain as it’s a common human experience. So, naturally I called my old high school buddy David to ask what the Bible said about my career. He pointed me to a single verse that changed the trajectory of my future. No small task for sure.
Disciples Witness
Justin Martyr’s testimony about coming to Christ must be one of my favorite stories of the second century. In his Dialogue with Trypho, Justin relates his encounter with a venerable elderly man walking by the sea coast of Ephesus. The year was about 130 AD when the young philosopher found himself contemplating his search for meaning in the ancient Greeks.
Disciples Unite on Mission
I don’t know exactly why we do this. Perhaps its pride, ego, narcissism—that seems to be a popular word these days—our penchant to be admired. Sometimes its purely to show off. But if you get a group of guys together, eventually they begin to talk about their scars. Maybe gals do this too. I know that when our daughter enters such a conversation with her brothers that she easily stands her ground.
Disciples Prepare
When the kids were growing up, one of our favorite winter activities included pond hockey. In the cold northern Illinois months between November and February we were virtually guaranteed thick ice on the pond out back of our house. Some years were better than others. Nevertheless, we spent many hours on the ice as neighborhood kids and some parents would come to play at the Coopers. By the time the kids began High School, competition grew increasingly intense.
What Has Pastor to Do with Celebrity?
What Has Pastor to Do with Celebrity? June 17, 2023 Michael T. Cooper One of the hot button topics of contemporary evangelical Christianity deals with the nature of the church. In the still very young 21st century, both critics and advocates lend their voices to the conversation.
Disciples Encounter People
I grew up in a context familiar with the Ku Klux Klan. My first vivid memory of this nefarious organization came near the home of a relative. One evening while outside playing with my brother and cousins, the adults quickly and unexpectedly whisked us inside as a group of white hooded men arrived in the field next to us with a cross to burn. Thinking back to that childhood memory repulses and frightens me at the same time.
Knowing God’s Will
“What is God’s will?” I posed the question to Christopher as we were driving. His response was shocking and revealing. “We are Coopers. God’s will is for us to evangelize.” He nailed it! Not only did it cause me to rejoice that Loré and I must have done something right in our children’s discipleship, but his answer hammered the importance of our identity as disciples. Disciples are on God’s mission to tell others about Christ. In fact, it comprises the work of our first love.
What is a Disciple?
Some years ago, I sat in the office of a pastor discussing discipleship. His perspective echoed what I hear from many pastors: discipleship occurs from the pulpit. I get it. Throughout their four to six year seminary education, the prevailing model placed the attention on the person in front of the classroom. In essence, pastors become “disciples” of professors. Yet, such a puzzling comment begged for further probing even though I knew where the discussion would end.
More Americans Are Being ‘Wrongfully Detained’ and Held Abroad
Brittney Griner may have been the highest-profile American whose detention abroad was deemed wrongful by the U.S. State Department, but she was hardly the only one: The number of American citizens unjustly or wrongfully detained by foreign governments has risen sharply in recent decades, researchers have found. The State Department has not released an official tally of how many Americans are being unjustly held by state actors. But researchers working for the James W.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Michael
Contact Michael, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack