🌱 Phoenix Hit-And-Run + American Airlines Rally + Taylor Swift Course

Hi all. It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Phoenix Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in our community.

But first, today's weather:

Hot with sun and some clouds. High: 114 Low: 89.

From our partner:

For Phoenix resident Gary Yeager, 73, age really is just a number. Here's what he had to say about competing in the 2023 National Senior Games, presented by Humana.

Here are the top three stories in Phoenix today:

1. A hit-and-run incident in Phoenix on Aug. 14 left an unidentified woman dead after being struck near Indian School Road and 75th Avenue, police report. The SUV driver, identified as a teenage boy, was later located at a residence near 59th Avenue and Camelback Road. While no signs of intoxication were observed, authorities are recommending charges for leaving the scene of a fatal collision. (FOX 10 News Phoenix)
2. On Tuesday, Aug. 15, approximately 100 American Airlines workers rallied outside Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport's Terminal 4, demanding wage hikes, better job security, and conclusive contract negotiations. The employees, represented by Teamsters Local 104, expressed concerns over stagnant pay and potential job threats from automation and AI. In response, American Airlines stated they're engaged in positive talks with the union, emphasizing the protest didn't affect airport operations. (ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix)
3. Arizona State University will offer a new course this fall, "Psychology of Taylor Swift – Advanced Topics of Social Psychology," using Taylor Swift's lyrics to explore social psychology concepts. The course instructor, PhD student Alexandra Wormley, emphasizes that while the class draws on Swift's work, it isn't about personal opinions on the singer but about deepening understanding of social psychology topics like relationships, revenge, and social development. Wormley believes that relating course material to familiar subjects, like Swift’s lyrics, can enhance comprehension and retention in students. (The Arizona Republic)

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Today in Phoenix:

Thursday, August 17

• Vino And Vibes Featuring Live Acoustic Music By Shane Travis At Trevor's Liquor (7:00 PM)
• Summer Beers By Cider Corps At The Arizona Biltmore (7:00 PM)

From our partner:

Do you know an outstanding community leader in Phoenix? Nominate them here for a chance to be featured on Patch!

From my notebook:

• If you're looking for a way to help those who have been after by the wildfires in Hawaii, these Phoenix restaurants are raising money in support. (Phoenix New Times)
• Tuesday (Aug. 15) was City Hall Selfie Day! Click the link to view photos of some of the hardworking people within the Public Works Department. (City of Phoenix Public Works Department via Facebook)
• At the link, discover Arizona's Most Admired Companies of 2023, according to Az Business magazine and BestCompaniesAZ. A celebration dinner will be held on Thursday, Oct. 5, at Chateau Luxe in Phoenix to honor the winners. (Arizona Big Media)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Touch Of Class Alterations — (Visit website)
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Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (August 22)
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That's it for today! I'll see you around.

— 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.