Latest from Kylie Werner
Valley food banks reimagine pantries to help seniors hit hard by inflation
Two Valley food banks are reimagining their pantries to help inflation-strapped seniors, expanding from traditional food boxes to market days, group meals, breakfast and takeout options. Their leaders know healthy meals support overall health and wellness.
New city comparison shows high UV exposure, sunshine hours and pollution contribute to poor skin health rating for Phoenix
PHOENIX – A new survey rates Phoenix as the worst in the country for skin health and fourth-worst in the world. Compare the Market, an Australian company that compares rates for health, auto and home insurance, evaluated 50 cities around the world for skin health. The comparisons were based on six factors including the intensity of ultraviolet radiation, sunshine hours, two types of particulates, nitrogen dioxide and ozone levels. Experts say there are ways Arizonans can protect their skin from environmental factors.
Some back-to-school events go beyond backpacks and pencils and offer health care, groceries for entire families
PHOENIX – Some back-to-school events have moved beyond notebooks and backpacks and try to help the whole family with health care, groceries and haircuts. “If parents or grandparents aren’t happy and healthy, they can’t help their kids,” one partner said.
Health care providers offer free help with chronic illnesses, not just urgent care, to people experiencing homelessness
PHOENIX – Valley health care providers who serve the homeless population agree that summer months are especially dangerous for those without shelter. But they add that chronic medical conditions and drug use contribute to the alarming increase in deaths among those experiencing homelessness.
Kamala Harris discusses commitment to Native communities during Arizona visit
LAVEEN – Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Gila River Indian Community Thursday. She addressed disparities facing Native communities.
Valley health care providers offer free HIV tests to reduce stigma and end epidemic
PHOENIX – Spectrum Medical Care and Walgreens teamed up on National HIV Testing Day to provide free HIV tests. Valleywise Health has provided free HIV testing in its emergency department since 2011. Both are working to remove barriers, break the stigma of HIV and end the epidemic.
Camp Not-A-Wheeze offers youth with asthma a normal camp experience while educating them on how to manage their chronic disease
HEBER – Camp Not-A-Wheeze is a summer camp tailored for youth with asthma to provide them a safe and educational experience. The camp provides a majority of its campers scholarships and arms them with information on how to manage their chronic disease.
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.
Arizona film tax credit expected to spur new production companies
PHOENIX – The Arizona film tax credit passed in 2022, and the Arizona Commerce Authority is in the process of reviewing comments to finalize the rules for the credit. The credit is encouraging the launch of new production companies in Arizona, such as Camelback Productions.
Arizona plans to sink more than $85 million into potholes, other repairs
PHOENIX – After a tough winter for roadways, the Arizona Department of Transportation is working to patch potholes and to resurface, repair and improve highways in Arizona. ADOT has pledged over $85 million for the effort.
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.
Kris Mayes, other AGs support FDA proposal to make donating blood easier for LGBTQ population
PHOENIX – Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined 21 other state attorneys general in supporting a Food and Drug Administration proposal that would make it easier for LGBTQ individuals to donate blood and plasma.
Navajo artist’s work featured on skateboard Forever Stamp
GLENDALE – The U.S. Postal Service unveiled the skateboard Forever Stamps to celebrate the community and culture the sport creates. It brought on Indigenous artists to design the stamps, one of whom was Arizona native and Navajo artist Di’Orr Greenwood.
Kesha Hodge Washington, Kevin Robinson claim victory in Phoenix City Council runoff elections
PHOENIX – Phoenix City Council races for districts 6 and 8 were decided in runoff elections Tuesday, with Kevin Robinson beating Sam Stone in District 6 to replace term-limited Council member Sal DiCiccio and challenger Kesha Hodge Washington claiming victory over incumbent Carlos Garcia in District 8.
School advocates worry about keeping counselors as federal funding set to expire
CHANDLER – Federal funding provided during the pandemic allowed some schools to bring on extra counselors. School counselors and advocates emphasize the importance of keeping them on to work with students and families even when the funding ends.
Homeless encampments would be torn down, people charged under Arizona Senate bill
PHOENIX – Under Arizona Senate Bill 1413, police officers would be required to tear down homeless encampments and charge the person or people living there with criminal trespassing. The bill passed the Senate Wednesday.
Legislature votes to lift cap on school spending for second year in a row
PHOENIX – The Arizona Senate and House have overridden the aggregate expenditure limit for the second year in a row, which will allow school districts to spend their Legislature-appropriated funds. Gov. Katie Hobbs said the action was “long overdue” and called the limit from 1980 an “archaic cap on school funding.”
Hospitality, tourism and sports industries come together before the Super Bowl to fight human trafficking
PHOENIX – Up to 150,000 people are expected to visit the Valley for Super Bowl LVII, and It’s a Penalty is using the exposure to bring awareness to human trafficking and convene the hospitality, tourism and sports industries to raise awareness and continue the fight against trafficking.
Gallego makes it official, announces a run for Sinema’s Senate seat
PHOENIX - Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, made it official Monday, formally announcing a long-anticipated challenge to Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a first-term senator who recently left the Democratic Party to become an independent.
