🌱 Narcan Kits At Phoenix Libraries + Future Of Latino Cultural Center

Hey, friends! It's Tuesday in Phoenix and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and hot. High: 110 Low: 89.

Here are the top three stories in Phoenix today:

1. Phoenix libraries will now offer free Narcan kits to combat the city's rising opioid overdose rate, which saw 991 fatalities last year. The kits, containing two doses of Narcan nasal spray, gloves, and an informational pamphlet, aim to address over half of Maricopa County's overdose deaths occurring in Phoenix. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and firefighters launched the initiative yesterday (Aug. 14) and kits are available at all library locations. (FOX 10 News Phoenix)
2. The future of the proposed Phoenix Latino Cultural Center, initially approved in 2019 with a $12 million budget, is uncertain as it heads to a November special election with a new estimated cost of $21.6 million under a $500 million general obligation bond. Representing the interests of Phoenix's 42 percent Hispanic or Latino population, the center has sparked two decades of debate regarding its funding and location. Advocates, including several community members and local officials, express concerns about the chosen location near Margaret T. Hance Park, advocating instead for a site with deeper cultural and historical resonance for the Latino community. (The Arizona Republic)
3. Early Monday morning in a central Phoenix neighborhood near 12th Street and Maryland, police responded to a reported shooting and discovered a critically injured man, believed to be shot by his sibling during a dispute. The victim remains in the hospital in critical condition. As the investigation continues, no details regarding charges or motive have been made public. (Arizona's Family)

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Today in Phoenix:

Tuesday, August 15

• Momentum - Central Flow At Sutra Studios (12:00 PM)
• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night At Thunderbird Lounge (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Amid rising gas prices in Phoenix, Circle K will no longer be accepting Fry's fuel points. (12news.com KPNX)
• With expected dangerous temperatures over the next few days, the Phoenix Police Department warns residents to be aware of their dog's health in these extreme temperatures. (Phoenix Police Department via Facebook)
• Maricopa County is seeking public feedback on access to its cooling centers. Click here to take the survey (or complete it by phone at 602-506-6767), which is available until the end of the month. (Arizona's Family)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another 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.