🌱 Phoenix Cultivation Facility's Odor Issue + Safety Message Contest

Hello there, Phoenix. I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Record-tying temperatures. High: 118 Low: 91.

Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

1. Phoenix city officials have granted a struggling marijuana cultivation facility an additional six months to resolve its odor issues after an inspector detected lingering smells just before a public hearing on Jul. 13. The decision comes two months after the facility was initially instructed to address its marijuana potency problems. Trulieve, the operator of the facility, had sought a renewal of its annual use permit, but neighboring businesses expressed concerns about the "unpleasant" and "skunk-like" odors that have been disturbing the community for a year, in violation of Phoenix codes. (The Arizona Republic)
2. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has opened the seventh annual safety message contest, allowing Arizonans to showcase their creativity by submitting traffic safety messages for display on highway overhead message boards throughout the state. ADOT emphasizes the importance of safety and hopes these messages will encourage conversations about responsible driving. Contestants can submit their entries until Jul. 25, with the guidelines specifying that messages should be related to traffic safety, fit within three lines of 18 characters each, and exclude hashtags, phone numbers, website addresses, and emojis. The winners will be determined through public voting, and the top two messages will be featured on Arizona highway message boards. (KTAR.com)
3. The National Speech and Debate Tournament in Phoenix and Mesa broke records with its highest-ever attendance of competitors, coaches, and spectators. The tournament is the largest academic competition worldwide, as the National Speech and Debate Association proclaimed. Over 6,700 students from various middle and high schools participated in the event, showcasing their talents in events like poetry, debate, and dramatic interpretation. The tournament provided a platform for young individuals to express themselves, be heard, and engage in informed discussions, fostering personal growth and empowering their voices. (KJZZ)

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Today in and around Phoenix:

Friday, July 21

• Jamba Day Of Giving Benefiting Phoenix Children’s At Multiple Jamba Locations (All Day)
• Come On Barbie, Let’s Go Party At Verde At Cooley Station, Gilbert (5:30 PM)
• Summer Concert Series - Henry Kapono At Musical Instrument Museum Music Theater (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Tourism spending in Arizona soared to record-breaking levels in 2022, with tourists spending $28.1 billion throughout the year. The Arizona Office of Tourism predicts that tourism numbers will continue to rise in the coming years, contributing significantly to the state's economy and funding essential sectors like education and infrastructure. (KTAR.com)
• Looking for some fun this weekend? This list features the best concerts taking place in the Phoenix area this weekend, including Peso Pluma, Jason Mraz, and more. (Phoenix New Times)
• On Wednesday morning, Assistant Phoenix Fire Department Chief Tim Kreis was featured on The Mike Broomhead Show on KTAR News 92.3 to share safety messaging about the extreme heat and the toll it takes on first responders. Take a listen at the link! (Phoenix Fire Department via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow for 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.