Community Corner

🌱 AZ Senate Passes 15-Week Abortion Ban + 'Graffiti Busters'

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

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Nicole Fallon-Peek, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
(Patch Media)

Happy Thursday, Phoenix! Let's get you all caught up on what's happening locally to start today off on an informed note.

First, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 69 Low: 44.

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Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

  1. On Tuesday (Feb. 15), the Arizona Senate currently controlled by Republicans voted to outlaw abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. This vote comes ahead of a highly anticipated U.S. Supreme Court decision that could bring significant changes to abortion availability in the United States. Democrats responded to the ban stating it violates Roe v. Wade and will disproportionally impact poor and minority women. (Associated Press)
  2. This February is the city of Phoenix's eighth annual Graffiti-Free Phoenix Awareness Month in which residents can help in the fight against graffiti in the community. The annual event is hosted by the Neighborhood Services Department and focuses on encouraging locals to help report graffiti so it may be removed. (12news.com KPNX)
  3. According to a federal report, Arizona is No. 11 out of all 50 states for the difference in life expectancy between men and women. While Arizona's life expectancy is exactly on par with the national average at 78.8 years, men have a life expectancy of 76.1 years and for women, it's 81.6 years. This means there is a 5.5-year disparity between men and women. For life expectancy, Arizona ranked near the middle of the states at No. 22. (Phoenix Patch)

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Today in Phoenix:

  • 45th Annual Greek Orthodox FDF 2022 At Sheraton Phoenix Downtown (All Day, Feb. 17-20)
  • Leo Kottke And Dave King At Musical Instrument Museum (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Virginia Tarango, 44, was hit and killed on the night of Jan. 29 while she rode her bike near 4300 W. Cypress St. police said. Now, Phoenix PD is asking for the public's help in finding the drivers of two cars that hit her. (Phoenix Patch)
  • The Black History Mural Project was created to honor influential Black pioneers and bring awareness to faces and names you may not know. Visit Downtown Phoenix to check out these beautiful tributes to Black history! (Facebook)
  • If you're looking to gain a greater appreciation of the Black experience in America through film, consider reviewing this collection curated by Kanopy for Black History Month. View films like "Strange Fruit" for free with your Phoenix Public Library card. (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for another update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.

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