Community Corner

🌱 Airport Launches Self-Driving Cars + Metal Dinosaurs Remain Mystery

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Phoenix.

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Miranda Fraraccio, Patch Contributing WriterVerified Patch Staff Badge
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(Patch Media)

Morning, friends! It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Daily. Let's get this weekend started off right, with a quick dive into the most important things happening these days in town.

But first, today's weather:

High clouds and cool. High: 61 Low: 45.

Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

  1. In preparation to host the Super Bowl, Sky Harbor International Airport is planning to offer its first self-driving ride service. The service has been using Waymo vehicles to connect airport terminals to downtown Phoenix since November to test the service. The new service was announced by Mayor Kate Gallego on Friday. "The future is here," Gallego said. "Phoenix is the first airport anywhere in the world to have autonomous service bringing people to our airport." (KVOA Tucson News)
  2. Phoenix city officials said it was unaware of plans to install metal dinosaur sculptures along a stretch of Ninth Avenue. The stretch was formerly the site of the city's largest homeless encampment. The city said that they believed the construction was due to a gas line installation. (Phoenix New Times)
  3. Musician Kelly Clarkson was announced as the host for the 12th annual NFL Honors awards show. The show will be hosted at Symphony Hall in Phoenix on Feb. 9; however, public access has not been announced. According to a spokesperson, Clarkson will be the first woman to host the show. (Arizona's Family)

Today in Phoenix:

  • Arrowhead Farmers Market At Arrowhead Towne Center (9:00 AM)
  • Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade At North Central Avenue & West Montebello Avenue (10:00 AM)
  • Elf Extravaganza At Desert Ridge Marketplace (11:00 AM)
  • Santa Soirée At Uptown Plaza (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Give back to the community for the holidays and help people in need. Homeless shelters in the Phoenix area are seeking donations of winter clothing to keep the homeless warm. (Arizona's Family)
  • Looking to get your photos with Santa still this holiday season? Check out this list of five places to go in Phoenix to catch Santa before Christmas! (AZ Big Media)
  • It's the last weekend before Christmas! Here's a list of the biggest events happening this weekend in the Phoenix area, including Zoo Lights, the Downtown Phoenix Farmer's Market, and Cirque du Soleil's "Twas the Night Before Christmas." (KTAR.com)
  • The holiday and winter season can be tough for many people. If this time of year isn't the best for your mental health, check out this advice from a Phoenix-area mental health expert and learn about local mental health resources to help. (FOX 10 News Phoenix)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you around.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.

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