Photo Credit: Arizona Republic
Arizona journalism lost one of its most dedicated voices this week with the passing of Abe Kwok, a 36-year veteran of The Arizona Republic whose career embodied the grit and integrity that local news demands.
Kwok started at the Republic in September 1989, and in a profession marked by constant turnover, he was that rare creature: a lifer. He covered police, courts, city hall, and criminal justice before moving into digital journalism in 2000. Later, he served as deputy editor of the opinion pages, where his columns tackled Arizona’s most contentious issues with clarity and conviction.
His reporting touched some of Arizona’s biggest stories. He covered everything from local government dysfunction to higher education scandals, from election integrity battles to police accountability. His recent work investigating the University of Arizona Global Campus exposed how the institution misled students about costs and job prospects, leaving graduates drowning in debt. He wrote fearlessly about the Gilbert Goons, demanding accountability when local police seemed slow to act. He held elected officials’ feet to the fire on abortion access, redistricting, and election administrational; ways pushing for transparency and fairness.
Kwok’s commitment to journalism extended beyond his own work. He helped establish the John G. Carlton scholarship at the University of Arizona School of Journalism, honoring the Catalina High School teacher who inspired him and his brother Jackson to pursue truth-telling as a profession. The scholarship fund grew to over $55,000, supporting the next generation of Arizona reporters.
His final chapter was marked by cruelty and resilience. After suffering a stroke in October 2024, Kwok was fired by Gannett while still in a hospital bed…without even being told. The callousness sparked outrage and a grassroots campaign that forced the company to rescind the termination. He returned to work, still fighting, still writing.
Abe Kwok didn’t chase fame or accolades. He chased stories that mattered. He held power accountable. He gave voice to those the system failed. Arizona is better for his work, and journalism is poorer without him.
Rest in peace, Abe. Your byline mattered.