🌱 Man Arrested In 'The Zone' + Laura Pastor Running For Congress

Hey, Phoenix! I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 94 Low: 71.

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Here are the top three stories today in Phoenix:

1. During a homeless outreach operation in downtown Phoenix's "The Zone" encampment, a man was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly threatening an outreach worker with a knife. According to a joint statement from the Phoenix Police Department and the Office of Homeless Solutions, the incident occurred while the city and its partners were offering indoor shelter or treatment beds to individuals in the area of 12th Avenue between Washington and Jefferson Streets. Despite efforts by police officers and crisis intervention team officers to persuade him to comply, the man refused to leave his tent, leading to the use of a chemical irritant and his subsequent arrest. 32 out of the 43 people engaged during the operation accepted the offered services. (KTAR.com)
2. Phoenix City Councilwoman Laura Pastor, daughter of the late Congressman Ed Pastor, has announced her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's third Congressional District, previously represented by her father. Running on a platform focused on moving Arizona forward, Pastor joins a crowded field of candidates, including state Sen. Raquel Terán and Phoenix City Councilmember Yassamin Ansari. With a reputation for advocating for marginalized residents and questioning city staff, Pastor's campaign ad highlighted her commitment to healthcare, education, and problem-solving, while paying tribute to her father's legacy as a dedicated public servant. (The Arizona Republic)
3. Phoenix Children's Hospital and UnitedHealthcare failed to reach an agreement, resulting in the hospital no longer accepting UnitedHealthcare and leaving 17,000 children without coverage. The negotiations broke down over Phoenix Children's demand for a 30 percent price increase, as they believe it is necessary to maintain the quality of care. Families relying on the hospital for their children's treatment face uncertainty and stress, as the expiration of coverage occurred at midnight on Jun. 1. (Fox10)

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Today in and around Phoenix:

• Grief and Loss Retreat With Timothy Ringgold, MT-BC, At Franciscan Renewal Center (4:00 PM)
• Rhythmic Nights Featuring DJ Jaffy, At REVOLU Modern Taqueria + Bar (6:00 PM)
• Frequency - Unguided Meditation, At Sutra Studios (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Phoenix will voluntarily reduce Colorado River usage by 30 percent to combat low reservoir levels. (Subscription: The Arizona Republic)
• Authorities in Phoenix are seeking the public's assistance in locating the individuals linked to the death of Desiree Rivas. Detectives are investigating the shooting incident that occurred on May 14, where Rivas was fatally shot while leaving a graduation party near 91st Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road. The FBI, in collaboration with Silent Witness, is appealing for information from the community and has offered a $10,000 reward to aid in identifying the suspects. (12News)
• The Phoenix Art Museum and the University of Arizona Center for Creative Photography have appointed Emilia Mickevicius, PhD, as the Norton Family Assistant Curator of Photography. (Broadway World)
• On Jun. 7 at 12:00 p.m., the Phoenix Human Relations Commission is inviting residents to attend a webinar, Unlearning Antisemitism, which will examine anti-Jewish myths and stereotypes, their impacts on society, and strategies to identify and respond to antisemitism. Register here. (City of Phoenix, AZ USA via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.