🌱 Limited Phoenix Housing Vouchers + WSJ Reporter Detained By PHXPD

Hello, everybody. It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Phoenix Daily — here to impart everything that's fit to print about what's happening locally.

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Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

1. Affordable housing vouchers in Phoenix are in short supply for local families, a challenge amplified by rising rent and inflation. The federally-funded Housing Choice Voucher program — previously known as Section 8 — currently has thousands of people waitlisted, according to Phoenix Housing Department Director Titus Matthew. Additionally, many residents who use the program have reported challenges in finding properties that accept the vouchers. (ABC 15)
2. A statue of the child who inspired the creation of the Make-A-Wish Foundation has been reported stolen from the organization's Phoenix headquarters. Security footage from the night of Jan. 3 captured two people taking the bronze statue of seven-year-old Christopher James Greicius. According to a Phoenix Police Department representative, the investigation is active; anyone with information is asked to contact authorities. (FOX News)
3. A Wall Street Journal reporter is demanding answers after he said he was wrongfully detained by Phoenix police. Markets reporter Dion Rabouin said he went to the Chase Bank near State Route 51 and Cactus Road to interview bank customers for a story he had been covering. According to Rabouin, he identified himself to authorities and said he would leave if needed, but the officer would not allow him to go — video footage showed the reporter being handcuffed and placed in the back of a police cruiser. The Phoenix Police Department's Professional Standard Bureau is expected to conduct an administrative investigation into the incident. (12 News)

Today in Phoenix:

• Borderlands’ P.O.W.W.O.W. at St. Mark Lutheran Church (8:00 AM)
• Arizona Wedding Show at the Phoenix Convention Center (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Did you know the average Arizona resident’s average monthly electric bill in 2022 increased by nearly 2.5 percent from the previous year? Learn more about where our state stands on power consumption and costs compared to the rest of the country in this new Ownerly data study. (Ownerly)
• The HoriZen Music & Arts Festival is coming up on Jan. 14 and 15 at Pemberton PHX! Click the link to learn about this "journey through music, yoga, healing, and more." (EventBrite)
• Have you been to the Phoenix Bat Cave Yet? Explore nature and the natural beauty of this fascinating cave! Find out when to go for the best time to see the bats. (The Travel)

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Events:

• Online discussion with Glendale divorce attorneys (January 15)
• Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (January 22)
• Le Creuset Factory to Table (February 2)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early Monday with a new update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.