PHOENIX — Happy Monday! Our Extreme Heat Warning continues, and the longer it goes, the more dangerous it can be. Make sure you don't forget to continue hydrating and taking frequent breaks if you have to be outside.
We're staying on top of the latest happenings from across the Valley, state, and our nation for Monday, August 24; here’s what you need to know as you start your day:
From Meteorologist Jorge Torres - Isolated morning showers, then more extreme heat
Extreme Heat Warnings stay in effect through Saturday, although today's high is the coolest of the week. We're calling for a high of 108º in Phoenix under partly cloudy skies with a slight chance of a morning shower.
The latest into the investigation of two former PHX cops accused of violent traffic stop
Two Phoenix officers under criminal investigation for a violent and unreported traffic stop have been arrested and fired, the Phoenix Police Department announced Saturday.
ABC15 first confirmed the arrests of Officers Luis Vasquez Jr. and Antonio Felix through multiple sources.
Police say Officers Vasquez Jr. and Felix stopped a vehicle on Aug. 5 at around 11:30 p.m. in the area of 19th Avenue and Broadway Road and proceeded to use force on a man and woman.
The traffic stop was not reported, and there was no body-worn camera activation, according to the Phoenix Police Department.
Both officers face several felony charges.
High school district employee arrested after alleged misuse of security footage
A Tempe Union High School employee was arrested and booked into Tempe City Jail following an investigation into apparent inappropriate use and download of security video footage, according to the Tempe Police Department.
Authorities say they were notified by a security supervisor alleging the footage was being misused after an audit of employee Antony Cruz's video activity.
Investigators are trying to determine the scope of the activity and any potential victims who were impacted.
See the statements released by Tempe Union superintendent Dr. Stacia Wilson in the link above.
New shade canopies coming to downtown Phoenix
Anyone who has worked up a sweat walking to a ball game, concert, or dinner in downtown Phoenix could soon get some relief.
Downtown Phoenix Inc. plans to install six manufactured shade canopies along Jefferson and Washington streets using grant funding from Arizona Public Service.
“Jefferson and Washington Streets are two of the highest traffic streets downtown,” said R.J. Price with Downtown Phoenix Inc.
However, Price said planting additional trees along the two corridors is not a viable option because the existing light rail and underground infrastructure prevent crews from digging.
Instead, Downtown Phoenix Inc. will use the APS funding to build canopies at some of the hottest and busiest pedestrian locations downtown.
Arizona couple says rainy day interview was a sign while waiting to adopt
A Missouri couple caught in a rare Phoenix rainstorm last November says the moment — captured in an on-street interview — turned out to be far more meaningful than they ever expected.
Grady and Erin were in Arizona waiting for their adoptive son to be born when they were stopped for an interview during one of the Valley's rare rain events. Phoenix gets an estimated 36 days of rain a year, making even a few sprinkles newsworthy.
"We decided we needed to do something to fill our mind while we're waiting for baby to be born," Erin said.
The couple was in the middle of a nine-month adoption process. They later used the interview as part of the birth announcement for their son, Matthias.
"Maybe this is what we needed, the rain!" Grady said.
After the interview, Grady and Erin waited more than a week for Matthias to be born before bringing him home to Missouri to meet his big sister, Ruby.
