🌱 Big Cannabis Tries To Game Equity Program + Lunar Eclipse

Morning, Phoenix! Let's get you started this Thursday with everything you need to know going on today.

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First, today's weather:

Partly to mostly sunny. High: 82 Low: 56.

Here are the top stories today in Phoenix:

1. If you head outside tonight around 2 a.m., and look skyward, you can view the full frost moon bathed in a red glow, in the longest Full Blood Lunar Eclipse this century. The eclipse will last 3 hours, 28 minutes and 23 seconds. Skies in Phoenix tonight are expected to be partly cloudy, with a low of 55 degrees. Enjoy the view! (Phoenix Patch)
2. Valleywise Health, one of Phoenix's largest hospital systems, is pleading for those who haven't been vaccinated against COVID-19 to get their shots before the holidays are in full swing. As of Wednesday, Valleywise was caring for 40 COVID-19 patients, most of whom are not vaccinated. That's double the number of patients the hospital system was treating three weeks ago. The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 2,315 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 as of Tuesday, the largest number reported in the state since February. (Associated Press)
3. A lawsuit from a local civil rights group and a cannabis consulting company accuses Arizona of doing little to keep "social equity" marijuana dispensary licenses from going to giant cannabis companies. The 26 licenses are meant as a way for the state to give a helping hand to those most impacted by marijuana prohibition: People with prior marijuana charges and those who live in communities most impacted by its criminalization. (Phoenix New Times)

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Today in Phoenix:

• Jump Start — Ahwatukee Foothills YMCA. (10:30 a.m.)
• Arizona: The Beat Goes On with Marshall Shore. (1 p.m.)
• Scales Technology vaccination event for 5+ years. (3 p.m.)
• Exploring the Urban Forest Virtual Discussion. (5:30 p.m.)
• Community Council Meeting — Creighton School District. (5:45 p.m.)
• Governing Board meeting — Alhambra Elementary School District. (6 p.m.)
• Holiday Appetizers Cooking Class. (6 p.m.)
• 9th Annual Mayor's Arts Awards. (6:30 p.m.)

Phoenix Patch Notebook

• City of Phoenix: "We are starting to see holiday lights pop up in Phoenix. This 🎄 has been a familiar site for years in downtown. #holidaylights" (Facebook)
• City of Phoenix: "When you buy electric, you can calculate your cost savings by visiting phoenix.gov/electricvehicles. Use our calculator to see how much you could be saving for that vacation you've been dreaming of!" (Facebook)
• City of Phoenix: "Journey back in time and discover the story of the people who built the first canals in the Salt River Valley. Listen to learn why humans haven't really changed that much since generations ago. #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #PHX" (Facebook)
• City of Phoenix Water Services Department: "#DYK the city of #PHX has interactive maps that can tell you about road restrictions, properties for sale and if you live in the city's Green Organics pilot program? Find it all with the new #myPHX311 app. 📱 ➡️Download now: Phoenix.gov/APP" (Facebook)

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That's it for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with your next update! If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Caitlin Sievers

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Phoenix Daily? You can email me at caitlin.sievers@patch.com.