Imagine being able to connect to reliable, high speed hotspots all around Pima County; for free. Thanks to Pima County Public Library in partnership with Cox, there are now 70 available hotspots that are completely free. Fifty more will be released during mid- July 2022. These hotspots can be found all over Pima County in places such as libraries, Boys & Girls clubs, parks, and community centers.

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 This July is going to be plastic free. Plastic Free July started in 2011. It means that this July we should be using less plastic. This can help stop the amount of pollution. Anyone can do the challenge of Plastic Free July.

Nine percent of plastic has been recycled. The other 91% is in landfills and oceans. Plastic Free July was invented by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz. According to plasticfreejuly.org,  “Rebecca believes that as individuals, by changing our relationship with plastic and challenging our consumption, together we can work towards a world without plastic waste.”

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 “In the Desert Every Drop Counts” is the City of Phoenix phrase to invite us to be more careful in the ways we use water.

What things can you do to not waste water?

For example, each time you brush your teeth, you should turn off the faucet while brushing. This way, you don’t waste about 16 liters of water a minute. I just learned this from the City of Phoenix website.

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 Did you know that at your local Lowe’s and Home Depot stores you can obtain a wood project every month? And best of all, it’s free! Find someone at Customer Service who will give you a kid’s workshop kit to make at home. You will need your own hammer, Phillips screwdriver, and paint. The stores will provide everything else including instructions.

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 You are driving on the freeway and approach a semi-truck; but as you look closer, you see there is NO DRIVER! What would you do if you saw that? It might become the future of driving, and may be sooner than you think.

TuSimple is a provider of autonomous freight semi-truck solutions, and has said its technology will be operational by 2024, according to Forbes. (TuSimple has its headquarters in San Diego, and offices in Arizona and Texas).

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Young Reporters had the chance to interview wildland firefighter Andrea McKenna. She is in her sixth season as a wildland firefighter and engine boss, and has been an EMT since 2014. McKenna shared many of the tools and techniques that firefighters use.

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 The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit organization that grants the wishes of children with severe illnesses. World Wish Day is April 29. It is the anniversary of the first wish ever granted.

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Steven Hoffen’s short documentary film has earned wins and nominations in over 70 film festivals around the world, and it will be part of the upcoming Phoenix Film Festival! The festival runs March 31– April 10 at Harkins Scottsdale 101. Find information at phoenixfilmfestival.com.

 Steven’s film is about making peace, and growing plants (hydroponics)! I had the privilege of interviewing Steven about his film, “Growing Peace in the Middle East.”

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 On Dec. 1, I spent my school day in my school gym, waiting on the bleachers with 27 people and once in a while being called up to the microphone to spell a word. It was my school level spelling bee, and after being given the word, ‘fonda,” which in simple terms is an inn, I became one of the two BASIS Oro Valley School Spelling Bee Champions. Ela Adhikari, an 8th grader, was the other champion.

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 Do you know what’s been keeping firefighters alive? Garrett Morgan and his inventions. He made belt fasteners, traffic lights and more.

Morgan was born on March 4, 1877, in Paris, Kentucky. His parents, Elizabeth Reed and Sydney Morgan, were both originally slaves. Morgan was the seventh child of 11. He attended Branch Elementary and had a private tutor. After Morgan graduated from 6th grade, he dropped out of school. He moved to Ohio in search of employment.

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