skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina s congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Myorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Future AZ Heat Waves More Likely: Elderly, Low-income and Kids Vulnerable

play audio
Play

Wednesday, August 26, 2009   

PHOENIX - Arizona will see hotter summers and more frequent heat waves due to global warming. That's the conclusion of a report from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the group Physicians for Social Responsibility. NWF Climate Scientist Amanda Staudt says low-income folks are the most vulnerable.

"Particularly people who are in poor health and the elderly often suffer the most. Heat waves can also exacerbate air pollution, so that puts children at risk, too."

The report names Phoenix as one of the 30 U.S. cities most at risk for heat waves. Staudt recommends more parks and trees in cities to reduce the urban "heat island effect," public cooling stations and weatherization programs for low-income homes.

Phoenix is taking such recommendations seriously, according to Mayor Phil Gordon. He says the city is working with Arizona State University in a project to reduce the heat island effect at Sky Harbor Airport, the largest expanse of concrete in the state. New city buildings are constructed built to be extremely energy efficient and emit less carbon, says Gordon. The new convention center generates its own solar energy; a new downtown park provides more shade and green space amid the concrete highrises.

"By replacing old structures with open grass areas; concrete that is pervious, that allows moisture to seep through as opposed to evaporate."

The city is investing millions of federal stimulus dollars to retrofit city buildings with more insulation, as well as energy-efficient windows and lighting. Gordon says stimulus money is also being used to weatherize more low-income homes.

"It's part of a program that should be, with the first phase, 1200 homes in the city. And we're optimistic that we will be receiving more grants to weatherize more homes."

On the federal level, the U.S. Senate is considering a cap-and-trade bill to impose mandatory nationwide, market-based limits on greenhouse gas emissions.



get more stories like this via email

more stories
A report from the Tennessee HealthCare Campaign recommended the federal government needs to strengthen 340B drug pricing and other federal negotiation mechanisms to make needed medicines more readily available and less expensive for hospitals to purchase and administer. (Spotmatikphoto/AdobeStock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …


Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…


Nearly 13 million Americans receive health coverage through unique plans under both Medicare and Medicaid. They are known as Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

Social Issues

play sound

A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …

More than six in 10 Americans favor keeping the abortion pill mifepristone available in the U.S. as a prescription drug, while over a third are opposed, according to a Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

New research shows more than six in 10 abortions in the U.S. last year were medically induced, and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto - D-NV - is …

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …

Social Issues

play sound

Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021