🌱 Phoenix Skin Health Worst In U.S. + New Classroom Lockdown Kits

Hello all. It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Patch newsletter. Keep reading for the most important things happening around town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 107 Low: 86.

Here are the top three stories in Phoenix today:

1. A recent study by Compare the Market, an Australian insurance comparison firm, ranked Phoenix as the worst city in the U.S. and fourth globally for skin health, primarily due to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and sunshine hours. Dr. Karen Hastings, a dermatology expert at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, recommends wearing protective clothing, routinely applying sunscreen, and using retinol-infused moisturizers to mitigate skin aging and cancer risks associated with UV exposure. While Phoenix's ranking raises concerns, broader research aims to harness the immune system to better understand, treat, and potentially prevent skin cancers, though Dr. Hastings underscores that eliminating skin cancer risk altogether may be overly optimistic. (Chandler Arizonan)
2. In response to several prolonged lockdown incidents in 2022, the Phoenix Union High School District has invested in specialized classroom lockdown kits for its 2,200 classrooms, containing supplies like makeshift toilets, first-aid equipment, and sustenance for up to 30 students. The kits, purchased for around $162,000 from emergency preparedness company More Prepared, are designed to support students during extended emergencies and are set to arrive by September's end. Additionally, the district introduced a "perimeter support plan" this year, assigning teams from neighboring Phoenix Union schools to assist affected campuses during extensive lockdowns, ensuring student safety and aiding in coordinated responses. (The Arizona Republic)
3. Maricopa County is partnering with the Industrial Development Authority to provide down payment assistance to eligible homebuyers, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, in an effort to promote homeownership. The $500,000 program is set to aid at least 83 low-to-moderate-income families, requiring them to have an annual income below 80 percent of the area's median. Qualified recipients will be granted a forgivable seven-year loan, which diminishes monthly as long as they remain in their new home. (KTAR.com)

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Today in Phoenix:

Thursday, August 10

• Live And Local! Featuring Live Acoustic Music By Dave Clark At AC Hotel By Marriott Phoenix Biltmore (4:30 PM)
• Summer Beers With Huss Brewery Co. At The Arizona Biltmore (7:00 PM)
• Vino And Vibes Featuring Live Acoustic Music By Chris Garcia At Trevor's Liquor (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Do you have a library card? You can visit any of the Phoenix Public Library's 17 Valley locations to get a free library card, which can be used to enjoy books, audiobooks, online classes, magazines, music, and movies. To register for an eCard, click here. (Phoenix Public Library via Facebook)
• Unsure of how to recycle something? The City of Phoenix Public Works Department's Recycle Right Wizard can help take the guesswork out of recycling! (City of Phoenix Public Works Department via Facebook)
• Comedian Chris Tucker is bringing his standup act to Phoenix on Oct. 5 at the Arizona Financial Theatre. General on-sale begins tomorrow, Aug. 11, at 10:00 a.m. (Phoenix New Times)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday. I'll see you soon!

— 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.