Excessive Heat Warning in effect for 11 Arizona counties
The Excessive Heat Warning will affect parts of Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, Pinal, Yavapai and Yuma counties.
Excessive Heat Warning issued for 9 Arizona counties
According to the National Weather Service, the heat warning goes into effect at 10 a.m. on August 24 and is set to expire at 8 p.m. on August 28. The warning covers most of the Valley, including Ahwatukee, Avondale, Buckeye, Cave Creek, Chandler, Deer Valley, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Queen Creek.
Gyms aim to open in Phoenix, Tucson as virus cases ebb
State guidelines drafted by Christ’s department say gyms can reopen at 25% capacity once a county hits moderate transmission rates but must commit to implementing strategies to prevent the spread of the virus. Gyms are also urged to use a reservation system. Bars and nightclubs also can open at 50% occupancy levels, but only if they convert to restaurant service and implement stringent health department guidelines. Bars with no food service must remain closed.
Bringham Fire burns over 23,000 acres in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
A 39-mile stretch of a scenic highway in a sparsely populated part of eastern Arizona is closed due to a lightning-sparked wildfire burning in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
Arizona sees 8th coronavirus death as cases surpass 500
The Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed that 508 cases have now been reported. More than half are in Maricopa County. All but two eastern counties — Gila and Greenlee — now have cases.
Arizona's unemployment rate unchanged at 4.9 percent
Arizona seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9 percent in June as the labor force increased by nearly 10,400 from the previous month while the state's economy lost 44,600 nonfarm jobs.