🌱 Phoenix's Hottest Month On Record + Diaper Pilot Program Grant

Welcome back, Phoenix! I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and hot. High: 110 Low: 88.

Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

1. Phoenix experienced its hottest month on record in July 2023, setting a national benchmark for extreme temperatures. According to the state's climatologist, Dr. Erinanne Saffell, the city's average monthly temperature of 102.7 degrees surpassed the previous national record set by Lake Havasu in July 1996 by half a degree. The urban heat island effect in the Phoenix metro exacerbated the situation, hindering nighttime cooling. With August expected to follow the trend of being warmer and drier, concerns over extreme heat and its impacts continue to grow in the region. (Arizona's Family)
2. Phoenix-based nonprofit Wildfire Arizona has been granted $1.5 million by the Department of Health and Human Services to run a statewide Diaper Pilot Program, aimed at alleviating the financial burden of diaper costs for low-income families. Expected to serve roughly 8,000 families living at or below the federal poverty line, the program is not just about diapers but will also connect beneficiaries to services like job training, housing, and educational programs. As Assistant Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families January Contreras characterized it, the initiative is a "victory for families," and Phoenix city officials are prioritizing effective communication to ensure families are aware of the support available to them. (KJZZ)
3. After 18 years in its current location on Camelback Road, Stinkweeds, the iconic Phoenix record store founded by Kimber Lanning, is expanding. The store is adding 300 square feet of space for customers and merchandise, along with an additional 300 square feet of office space. The expansion comes as vinyl resurgence has transformed the store's business, leading to increased online sales and the need for more space to accommodate record buying, pricing, and order processing. The expansion will also allow Stinkweeds to host more in-store concerts, providing a better customer experience and preserving the store's unique and curated offerings. (The Arizona Republic)

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Today in Phoenix:

Wednesday, August 2

• St. Mary's Food Bank Food Distribution At David Crockett Elementary School (3:00 PM)
• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night At Simple Machine Brewing (6:30 PM)
• Embodiment - Connect To Astral Self At Sutra Studios (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Monday, the Phoenix Police Department released a Critical Incident Briefing (CIB) video related to a Jul. 17 officer-involved shooting. Click the link to watch the video (viewer discretion is advised). (Phoenix Police Department via Facebook)
• On Monday, the Phoenix Fire Department reported that 15 people were displaced after a fire near Central Ave and Baseline Road damaged four units at an apartment complex. However, no injuries were reported. Photos are available at the link. (Phoenix Fire Department via Facebook)
• The City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture's artist grant for emerging and mid-career Phoenix residents is returning! Register for today's (Aug. 2) Artists to Work Info Session here. (City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture via Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you all tomorrow for your next 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.