Good afternoon. Temperatures should stay steady from Friday through the weekend, with sunny or mostly sunny conditions. Expect highs in the mid-to-upper 80s.
🌵 A state crackdown on fraudulent behavioral health providers created “pure chaos” for patients.
Since May, Arizona has suspended Medicaid payments to more than 250 providers. Many patients were left without treatment and forced to navigate confusing options to find care. The situation has particularly affected Native Americans.
🌵 Arizona has begun auctioning off the shipping containers used by former Governor Doug Ducey to build a border wall.
Construction of the barrier was halted in 2022 following a federal lawsuit. Ducey agreed to stop construction after the government committed to building a permanent wall to close gaps near the Morelos Dam west of Yuma. Starting container bids are $2,000, and the first sold containers went for roughly double that. The auction closes on Nov. 14.
🌵 The city hopes to build transit-friendly affordable housing at the corner of Speedway and Stone.
The city is using $3 million in federal aid to buy the lot, and plans to begin working with surrounding neighborhoods on the project next year. Officials also hope the complex will help revitalize Anza Park across the street.
🌵 The University of Arizona is forming a new environmental justice center.
The center, backed by a 5-year, $10 million EPA grant, will help implement environmental and energy justice projects in marginalized and underserved communities throughout the western U.S. and Hawaii.
🌵 Lastly, it’s the 34th annual All Souls Procession weekend.
There are public events scheduled all weekend, culminating with the main procession Sunday at 6:00 p.m. The procession follows Grande Ave. from Speedway Blvd. to Congress St., ending near MSA Annex in the Mercado District.