skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 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 Mayorkas.

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.

Heat Wave Testing Arizona Homeless Relief Effort

play audio
Play

Thursday, July 16, 2009   

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Arizona's recent extreme temperatures are straining the resources of cities, churches and nonprofit organizations as they work to provide heat relief to the state's growing homeless population. Tempe vice mayor Shana Ellis chairs a regional committee overseeing the effort. She says it's not just the days above 110 degrees, but also the 90-degree nights that cause dehydration - and worse.

"On the streets, people's bodies do not have a chance to cool off. People can get extreme heat illnesses when that low temperature doesn't really go low."

In 2005, the Phoenix area had at least 30 heat-related deaths in July alone. So far this year, Ellis says, there have been only two, but she cautions that water donations will be needed through September.

John Landrum, director of Salvation Army's Project HOPE, says hydration centers are handing out water faster than ever.

"We're encouraging people to take water with them so they can stay hydrated during the day. Not just one or two bottles here or one or two bottles there - we're asking them to take four or five bottles at a time."

Landrum says they have other needs, in addition to water, such as sun block and hats.

"They need bus tickets, outer light clothing, neckerchiefs. People think of water when they donate, but other items are needed just as much."

Ellis, chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments Committee on Homelessness, says all 76 Phoenix-area hydration stations are stocked with bottled water, but that may change as the extreme heat continues.

"We are giving that water out quite quickly, so we definitely are accepting donations for the next few months."

A map of donation locations is available at www.mag.maricopa.gov.





get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

play sound

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

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…

 

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