Good morning, Mesa.

The Arizona Humane Society warned Mesa pet owners about scams where callers claim missing pets need emergency treatment + payment, noting that it never asks for payments over the phone and advising families to contact law enforcement if such calls occur.

Nine East Valley districts filed a response on March 16 in Maricopa County Superior Court opposing EVIT’s claim to retain extra state funds for satellite CTE programs; they argue that EVIT, with its central Mesa campus, must follow state law to fairly pass funds to schools.

Mesa Public Schools is working with Bezos Academy & Polaris Academy to offer full-day preschool for 180 children and lease space for a private K–12 school for autistic students.

The district is adapting to challenges from declining enrollment, budget pressures, and state education funding issues.

Mesa Youth Climate Action Fund received the Crescordia Award on March 21 at Arizona Forward's Environmental Excellence Awards, with Mayor Mark Freeman accepting on behalf of the City—honoring 18 youth-led projects in 2025 that drove local environmental progress.

An ASU study shows rising heat is cutting the time adults can do moderate activities, with those under 40 limited to 50 hours yearly and older adults to 900 hours, as Arizona faces extreme heat warnings and record temperatures near Martinez Lake (challenging cooling infrastructure in our area).

The inaugural SkyFire Environmental Film Festival begins Friday, March 27 and runs through Sunday, March 29 in Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa.

The three-day festival will feature 100 films (selected from over 200 submissions) that explore climate action, food systems, conservation, and community resilience while tickets are available online.

An EPA ruling lets businesses in the Phoenix-Mesa area avoid new air quality costs because more than 80 percent of the region’s ozone comes from out-of-state sources.

The ruling was announced March 24 and is expected to ease extra regulatory fees for local companies.

64-year-old Dennis Coyle—who has Arizona ties—was released by the Taliban on March 24 after over a year in detention and is now on his way home as his family expressed deep gratitude to officials and advocates who helped secure his freedom.

Child Crisis Arizona is offering free lockable pool fences to qualifying homeowners in Mesa (for households with children 6 and under) to help reduce the risk of drowning.

Families can apply until April 5.

Randy Bennett, a Mesa native with 25 years leading Saint Mary’s, was named ASU Men’s Basketball head coach on March 23, replacing Bobby Hurley after 11 seasons.

Stella Standingbear Concert

8–11 p.m. — Nile Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience an enchanting night of music and cultural storytelling with Stella Standingbear.

The Ravi Shankar Ensemble Performance

7:30-9 p.m. — Piper Repertory Theater — Tickets available — Experience a multi-generational collective of world-class musicians dedicated to the legacy of Ravi Shankar.

Big Patio Party: Live Music Featuring Taide

4-7 p.m. — Pedal Haus Brewery — Free entry — Experience the electrifying sounds of The Taide Band fusing reggae, rock, and hip-hop live in the heart of Mesa.

Sweet Pill Live at Nile Theater

6-9 p.m. — The Nile Theater — Tickets available — Experience an energetic night with Sweet Pill's emotive emo/pop-punk performance.

Into the Woods

7:30 p.m. — MCC Performing Arts Center — Ticket cost varies — Experience the magical journey of wishes and consequences in this enchanting musical by Sondheim.

Hail the Sun Concert

6-8 p.m. — Nile Theater — Cost varies — Experience the progression of post-hardcore music with Hail The Sun in a vibrant live show.

Chris Conley Live Performance

6:30-9:30 p.m. — The Nile Coffee Shop — Cost info not provided — Enjoy an evening with the New Jersey sextet who have charted over three million sales worldwide since their reformation.

Hadestown

Times Vary — Ikeda Theater — Tickets start at $62 — Experience the award-winning musical that intertwines love stories from myth with captivating songs.

He Is Legend

6-9 p.m. — The Rosetta Room — Tickets from $40 — Enjoy an unforgettable live performance by He Is Legend in Mesa, AZ.

Mesa Arizona Business Networking

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — The HUB Grill and Bar — $25 drop-in fee after two visits — Join a structured networking group focused on building reliable referral relationships.