Latest from Autriya Maneshni
Wiggly workers: Arizona Worm Farm reduces food waste through vermicomposting
PHOENIX – The Arizona Worm Farm breeds red wiggler worms for vermicomposting and then sells that compost to help people start their own composting and repurposing food waste system.
Phoenix residents could see water bill increases coming soon
PHOENIX – The city of Phoenix is considering increases to its water rates in response to the ongoing drought and rising costs of labor, electricity and chemicals used to treat water and wastewater. Other Valley cities say their drought plans have not yet progressed to charging users more.
Phoenix again ranks among most polluted; people of color more likely to be exposed and develop health issues, report says
PHOENIX – The Phoenix metro area has been ranked as the fifth-most ozone-polluted city in the United States, according to the most recent State of the Air report from the American Lung Association. The report emphasized people of color are especially affected by air pollution and related health issues.
Buckeye high school installs weapons detectors in student-safety push
BUCKEYE – Verrado High School is one of the first schools in the Agua Fria Union High School District to install weapons detectors on campus. These detectors are calibrated to detect heavy metals such as firearms. Verrado is one of five schools within the district receiving detectors.
Cactus High students build a road-worthy electric vehicle
GLENDALE – As the world moves slowly away from fossil fuels, Cactus High School in Glendale is teaching automotive students how to build an electric vehicle from scratch.
It’s electric: ADOT planning a statewide network of EV chargers along interstates
PHOENIX – Thanks to federal funding, the Arizona Department of Transportation will receive millions to upgrade existing electric vehicle chargers and install new ones along interstate highways.
Arizona among the first in the nation to build a major electric vehicle infrastructure
The Federal Highway Administration approved ADOT’s plans for an EV charging network along interstate highways.
Hopi Tribe translates election material into Hopi language
The Hopi language is not a written language. However, the Hopi Tribe's election office wanted to make voting more accessible by translating election material from English to Hopi.
Arizona high school builds roadworthy electric vehicles
Cactus High School in Glendale is one of the first high schools in the state to implement an EV curriculum into its more traditional automotive program.
Why they’re thankful: Thanksgiving voices from the Valley
People around the Valley share what they are thankful for this holiday season.
Camelback’s Cholla Trail reopens, providing more access to the highest peak in Phoenix
PHOENIX – Cholla Trail on Camelback Mountain’s eastern slope, which closed in March 2020, reopened in September with safety improvements and new amenities. The landmark is Phoenix’s highest peak and carries with it decades of history.
Popular trail set to reopen on Camelback Mountain
Camelback Mountain’s Cholla Trail will reopen September 30th, after being closed for 2 years when a boulder pinned a hiker to the ground. The realigned trail features bathrooms, water fountains and bike racks.
Major Arizona freeways set to get influx of electric charging stations
ADOT is planning to use federal funding to develop charging infrastructure to support the growth of EV drivers.
NAU’s smart bike technology can detect damaged pathways
FLAGSTAFF – A Northern Arizona University engineering team has created a prototype sensor and network that can detect damage along bike paths and alert city officials to needed repairs.
Recycling solar panels is complicated. Here’s how one Yuma company does it.
YUMA – We Recycle Solar in Yuma is recycling solar panel waste, but there is more to be done to ensure a safe and eco-friendly process as solar power gains popularity worldwide and its waste grows.
A Yuma company works to keep dead solar panels out of landfills
An Arizona State University professor and a recycling facility in Yuma are finding ways to recycle solar panels sustainably.
Drop in Lake Powell could threaten power production as well as water supplies
PHOENIX – Lake Powell’s water levels have dropped below 3,525 feet for the first time in almost 50 years. The low level threatens to disrupt hydroelectricity produced by turbines in Glen Canyon Dam.
Backyard birds: Annual count uses citizen scientists to take snapshots of U.S. populations
MESA – Backyard biodiversity and citizen science collide at the Great Backyard Bird Count, when seasoned and fledgling birders take to their backyards, parks, nature preserves and the wilderness to share their sightings with scientists. For Arizona, the annual count gives us a snapshot of what species are here before migration starts this spring.
Sustainable aviation fuel helps airlines reduce carbon emissions
Many air carriers are turning to aviation fuel blended with biomass fuels to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. Southwest, American and United are among the airlines pledged to take this route.
