🌱 39K Fentanyl Pills Seized + Phoenix Gun Violence Rates

Good morning, neighbors! It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Phoenix Daily — here to tell you all the most important things happening locally. Keep reading for the latest.

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First, today's weather:

A thunderstorm around the p.m. High: 99 Low: 83.

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Here are the top three stories in Phoenix today:

1. The Phoenix Police Department arrested a man for possession of 39,000 fentanyl pills during a traffic stop. The department was able to develop probable cause for the traffic stop since the individual was involved in illegal drug sales. $15,000 in cash was recovered during the traffic stop, as well. The man's identity was not included in the department's announcement. (KTAR.com)
2. Phoenix's retail space market has had the lowest rate of vacancy since 2007. The vacancy rate is a good metric of Phoenix's retail resilience during a time of national economic uncertainty. The average vacancy rate in the Valley is currently at 6.6 percent. It is usually at 8.8 percent. (The Business Journals)
3. Arizona saw a 30.4 percent increase in gun violence between 2015 and 2020. The state ranks 20th on a list of states ranked by gun violence rates. Kansas tops the list with a 49.7 percent increase during the same time frame. The Phoenix Police Department has reported 342 armed robberies in 2022, so far - a significant decrease compared to last year. Click for department reports. (Patch)

Today in Phoenix:

• Aikido in the Garden At Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix (7:00 AM)
• Wine Festival At FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel (11:00 AM)
• Phoenix Metro Chamber Foundation’s Bowling for Bach Fundraiser At Let It Roll Bowl & Entertainment (2:00 PM)
• Summer Jam At Afri-Soul (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Don't plan your weekend travel without first checking this list of local road improvement projects. Click to view the full list of projects through Monday. (North Central News)
• Phoenix has plenty of concerts this weekend. Click for the full list that includes Big Time Rush and Billy Idol. (Phoenix New Times)
• The Phoenix Fire Department shared photos of its Hazardous Material Teams responding to a gas leak. (Phoenix Fire Department via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you back in your inbox Monday morning with a new update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.