Latest from Lauren Kobley
Cracks in the blacktop: How Peoria maintains basketball courts in spite of Arizona’s environment
PEORIA – Outdoor basketball courts in the Valley face unique circumstances when it comes to weathering and climate, which Peoria officials and specialists have to keep up with.
A new intermediary: How AI may impact libraries, research and information retrieval
PHOENIX – Cataloging and research are major areas in librarianship that artificial intelligence can automate and potentially improve. But librarians are grappling with the impact of AI on the fundamental role of librarians, user privacy and information literacy.
The Prom Closet and Valley Girl Dresses offer prom shoppers free or affordable options
GLENDALE – The Prom Closet and Valley Girl Dresses offer Arizona students options for prom shopping. The average prom dress can cost upward of $400, and many students are searching for more affordable options.
Dreamscape Learn provides virtual learning experiences for ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest students
PHOENIX – Dreamscape Learn is collaborating with ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest to provide students with the first K-12 opportunity to use its new immersive virtual learning pod. Students can experience virtual realities from King Tut’s tomb to 30 meters below the ocean’s surface.
Maricopa County residents eligible for free pool fences through Pool Fence Safety Program
PHOENIX – Child Crisis Arizona, the Salt River Project and the 493 Firefighter Foundation aim to decrease childhood drownings through the 2024 Pool Fence Safety Program that provides free pool fences to eligible Maricopa County residents.
What Arizona and Maricopa County are doing to manage smoke, air quality
PHOENIX – The Maricopa County Air Quality Department and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality are working to maintain the health and prosperity of the environment and residents as it relates to air quality through no-burn days and prescribed-burn smoke dispersion.
With traffic fatalities on the rise, Phoenix looks for safety solutions
PHOENIX – Phoenix, which had the most traffic deaths in the state in 2022, is working toward eliminating traffic fatalities using its Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan.
Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture teaches next generation farmers sustainable practices
AJO – Sterling Johnson from the Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture is teaching the next generation of Indigenous farmers how to connect with the land and the culture through sustainable growing techniques.
Arizona Heart Association lobbies for bill mandating cardiac arrest emergency plans in schools
PHOENIX – Supporters from the American Heart Association lobbied at the Arizona Capitol in support of requiring emergency cardiac response plans in schools. Pyper Midkiff, a child who experienced cardiac arrest at age 12, spoke about her experience.
Our Ode to You nonprofit offers older adults in memory-care communities free therapeutic music, art programs
PHOENIX – Two Arizona high school seniors are using their talents to give back to older adult memory-care communities. Through free therapeutic music and art programs, Aani Nagaiah and Gage Samaddar are helping them evoke memories and de-stress.
‘We’re not just numbers, we’re not robots, we’re people’: Workers at Sky Harbor strike over job conditions
PHOENIX – SSP America employees at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport are on strike in hopes of obtaining safer and more equitable working conditions. UNITE HERE Local 11 filed unfair labor practice and discrimination charges against SSP America.
Phoenix nonprofit addresses need for children’s respite, hospice care
PHOENIX – One of three pediatric hospice homes in the United States, Ryan House provides respite, palliative and hospice care to children with chronic illnesses. The nonprofit addresses how to meet the needs of these children in a space with few solutions.
Arizona Gives Day collects donations to benefit over 1,000 nonprofits
PHOENIX – Amid rising inflation rates and costs, Arizona Gives Day raises funds for over 1,000 nonprofits statewide. Inflation is not only affecting the nonprofits but donors, too.
Phoenix community market creates space to support women entrepreneurs
PHOENIX - Heart and Soil People's Garden works to provide fresh produce for the south Phoenix community. The garden hosts monthly markets to support entrepreneurs, mostly women of color, and their businesses.
Maricopa County leads nation in population increase, surpasses 4.5 million
PHOENIX – Maricopa County remained the fastest-growing county in the nation with a population over 4.5 million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Pinal County saw the second-biggest gains in Arizona, adding 16,010 people.
Inner-city students receive new space to play
PHOENIX – Kaboom, a nationwide nonprofit, and Fairytale Brownies, a bakery in Phoenix, sponsored a new playground for Loma Linda School in Phoenix. The playground will help Kaboom reach its goal of ending play space inequity.
Native hoop dance coaches preserve history, tradition with new generation
PHOENIX – Indigenous intertribal hoop dance combines tradition and history with individuality and creativity. We tell the story of three dancers who are sharing their passion for the dance with the next generation.
HomeBase Surprise tackles rising homeless youth population in Arizona
SURPRISE – HomeBase, a transitional living facility for homeless youth, opens a second facility, this time in Surprise. The program works to combat the rising rate of unsheltered youth by offering them housing and education.
