Good morning, Mesa.

Artist Alessandra Vertrees will live at the Grand Canyon for a two-month residency to research her Arizona roots and explore local ingredients, connecting her family history from Williams with food storytelling through recipe mapping (highlighting the region’s culinary heritage).

Mesa Public Schools board discussed policies for conflicts of interest and financial records related to fundraising and auditing at its Aug.

13 meeting. Kacey King explained the changes while member Sharon Benson raised concerns about potential redundancies affecting district employment.

Research by UC Merced shows heatwaves drive nearly 42% of wildfire burn areas across the West by drying vegetation and increasing lightning ignitions (fire behavior lasts longer at night).

Fire managers may use the study to plan for hotter, longer-lasting fire events in Arizona.

Banner Health clinicians in the metro are voting on a union as they allege unpaid work and no patient caps have increased their workload.

Approximately 250 providers at 31 clinics will return ballots by early September, with counts set for Sept. 2.

Starting Aug. 25, Cancer Support Community Arizona will offer in-person and virtual groups for cancer patients and families at HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center (1301 S.

Crismon Road) in Mesa. Programs include sessions for adults and youth designed to provide emotional support, according to a release.

Maricopa County confirmed 81 heat-related deaths by Aug.

18 in 2026 (up from 35 last year) as early record heat created dangerous conditions; officials warned residents to use cooling centers and call 211 for help.

A 155,597 sqft industrial building is planned south of North Greenfield Road and East McDowell Road to serve as ER2's new headquarters, consolidating Phoenix and Mesa operations.

The 8.7-acre site (reviewed on Aug. 11) had its landscaping plans discussed at the Mesa Design Review Board meeting.

Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star Ketel Marte was placed on the restricted list after missing Monday’s game in Boston — manager Torey Lovullo said he is dealing with a personal issue, and his roster spot was filled by infielder Jose Fernandez.

Big 12 schools will wear Monster Energy patches as part of a $20M deal when ASU opens its season in about three weeks in Tempe against Morgan State.

The deal (averaging $1M per school) is the conference’s first conference-wide sponsorship.