Good morning, Mesa.

Mesa will honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan.

19 with a parade at 11 a.m. in downtown Mesa followed by a community festival at The Plaza from 12 to 4 p.m.—the event features marching bands, vendors, and an awards ceremony recognizing community contributions.

Registration is underway for Mesa Parks and Recreation's spring 2026 sports programs for adults, youth, teens and adaptive recreation (including pickleball, ice skating and more).

Local residents can sign up online, by email, mail or in person, while non-residents will begin registering on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 8 a.m.

KoMiCo celebrated the opening of its new semiconductor equipment cleaning and coating facility in Mesa yesterday, as local leaders marked the 125,000-sqft project with 50 initial jobs and plans for more than 200 additional jobs in the coming years (a $60 million investment).

Aldi plans to open 180 new stores in 2026, including its first spots in Colorado and Maine plus 10 new stores for the Phoenix area.

The discount chain is investing over $9 billion to boost its regional presence.

Paper cranes honor Japanese American internees from WWII camps on tribal lands, as KJZZ's Emily Mai demonstrates folding steps * a tribute to local history that guides viewers in preserving this important legacy.

A RAND study finds nearly 71% of ESA participants are private or homeschooled students, and enrollment reached almost 99,500 as of today.

The report, funded by Walton Family Foundation, notes rising spending on private schools and education services and suggests targeted outreach to help low-income families use vouchers.

Xanadu, a 2½-year-old yellow Labrador, joins Gilbert Fire as its only accelerant detection dog, having trained at the ATF National Canine Training Center to help locate ignitable liquids at fire scenes across the area.

The Interior Department released five proposals for managing the Colorado River, which may lead to water cuts for Arizona if states fail to reach a conservation plan by Feb.

14. A final decision will come by Oct. 1 and public comment is accepted through early March.

Dr. Joseph Sirven of KJZZ advises Mesa residents to pay close attention to small changes in family members’ speech and behavior that might signal early neurological issues.

His commentary, published yesterday, suggests that spotting these signs early can sometimes save a life.

Today at 4:30 p.m., the Mesa Design Review Board meets at City Hall (20 E.

Main St.) to review the look and landscaping for a planned 195,000-sqft data center on 101 acres north of Elliot Road and east of Crismon Road, which will be the sixth building for NTT Data Centers.

Arizona Balloon Classic

4-9 p.m. — Wild Horse Pass Stadium — Entrance fees may apply — Experience stunning hot air balloon displays and delicious food at this family-friendly event.

Copper State Beer Festival

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Riverview Park — Tickets required — Celebrate craft beverages and food with 100+ vendors and lively activities.

Mesa Business Networking Chapter

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — The HUB Grill and Bar — Guests can attend up to two times for a fee — A structured networking event focused on fostering real relationships among local professionals.

Big Patio Party with Live Music

4-7 p.m. — Pedal Haus Biergarten — Free entry — Enjoy indie pop tunes from People Who Could Fly while relaxing on a spacious patio.

January 2026 Winter Event

All Day — Bell Bank Park — Competitive event — Top teams compete in a high-level national environment during winter.

Mesa Arizona Business Networking

11:30 a.m. — The HUB Grill and Bar — $25 drop-in fee after two visits — Engage with local entrepreneurs in a relationship-driven networking chapter.

Big Patio Party with The Hourglass Cats

4-7 p.m. — Pedal Haus Brewery — Free entry — Enjoy live music while sipping on craft brews in a spacious outdoor setting.

Mesa Arizona Business Networking

11:30 a.m. — The HUB Grill and Bar — $25 drop-in fee after two visits — Connect with local entrepreneurs and business owners in a structured networking chapter.