🌱 Phoenix Heat Deaths Rising + AZ Students Get $2.3M In Scholarships

Good morning, neighbors. It's Friday in Phoenix and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Sunny and very warm. High: 103 Low: 76.

Here are the top three stories in Phoenix today:

1. Despite recent cooling temperatures in Phoenix, the death toll from the summer's extreme heat continues to rise. Maricopa County officials reported 202 confirmed heat-related deaths as of Sep. 9, surpassing last year's count of 175 during the same period. Fifty-one of this year's deaths occurred indoors, largely due to non-functioning air conditioners, and nearly half of all victims were individuals without stable housing. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
2. Phoenix-based nonprofit Education Forward Arizona has allotted over $2.3 million in scholarships and is offering mentoring and support services to over 500 Arizona students for the 2023-24 academic year. According to a press release, the organization is aiming to bolster post-high school education rates which, as of 2021, sat at 47.3 percent for recent high school graduates in the state, with markedly lower enrollment among Hispanic/Latino, African American, and Native American students. Rich Nickel, president and CEO of Education Forward Arizona, emphasized the potential benefits for the state in nurturing academic advancement, pointing to the current disparities reflected in the enrollment data. (Daily Independent)
3. A woman is in stable condition following an assault and stabbing incident near 27th Avenue and Glendale outside Ain't Nicks Tavern on Wednesday evening. Another individual narrowly escaped injury when one of the assailants reportedly fired several shots at them. Officials have apprehended 31-year-old Collette Teodorski in relation to the attack, while the other suspect remains at large. Phoenix police urge anyone with information to come forward. (FOX 10 News Phoenix)

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Today in and around Phoenix:

Friday, September 15

• Bucks For Kids Day - Phoenix Children’s Fundraiser At Dutch Bros Coffee (All Day)
• Art Battle Series At FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel (7:00 PM)
• Caifanes At Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, Maricopa (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Phoenix is among the five U.S. cities piloting a new Lyft feature that allows women and nonbinary individuals to request being paired with other women and nonbinary individuals as drivers and passengers. The Women+ Connect opt-in feature was announced this past Tuesday and is now available for local Lyft drivers and users. (The Arizona Republic)
• Crepe lovers rejoice! French-style café chain Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café has just announced plans to open three locations in Phoenix. The stores will be owned by married couple John and Sue Gilbert, who also own several Nothing Bundt Cakes stores. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
• Today is the last day to apply for the Phoenix Fire Community Assistance Program's Community Mental Health Awareness & Safety Task Force! The community-led task force will be responsible for "examining the mental health wellness and safety needs of Phoenix residents." Learn more here. (City of Phoenix, AZ USA via Facebook)

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• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (September 19)
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• Anime Wonder Festival: Aki 2023 (October 14)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! I'll be 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.