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Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Experiencing Flight Disruptions due to⁢ Thunderstorms

PHOENIX – Thunderstorms caused notable flight delays at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport‍ Sunday morning, impacting travel plans for ​hundreds of passengers. A ground stop was issued, and departures experienced an ‌average delay of 78 minutes as of 8:45 ⁢a.m., according to the Federal Aviation ⁤Management.

The disruptions stem from heavy rainfall and storm activity‍ moving thru the⁢ Phoenix metropolitan area. More than 175 flights were delayed, originating from cities including San francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, St. Louis, Houston, and ⁤locations within New Mexico. ‌These delays are‌ notably impactful as travelers navigate peak travel times, and the situation highlights the vulnerability of air travel⁤ to severe​ weather⁤ events. The FAA anticipates delays to persist until approximately 2 p.m.

The national weather Service reported 1.58 inches of rain at the airport before 9 a.m. Sunday.⁢ Weather activity was observed moving northeast through ⁣the Valley‌ around 7 a.m., with the National Weather Service describing the thunderstorms as producing “vrey heavy” ⁤rainfall.‍

A ground stop at Sky ‌Harbor was lifted at 9 a.m. Travelers are encouraged to check with their airlines for the latest flight status updates and to allow for extra ‌travel‍ time. Further ⁤information can be found on the FAA website (https://nasstatus.faa.gov/) and the ⁣FlightAware flight tracking website (https://www.flightaware.com/live/cancelled/today/KPHX).

PHOENIX – An 86-year-old woman died Friday‌ following a collision in north Phoenix, police said.

Jacqueline Louise Nelson was‌ critically ⁢injured when her ‌vehicle was struck by a truck near 18th Street and Greenway ⁣Parkway around 11:15 a.m. She was transported to​ a local ⁤hospital by‌ Phoenix⁤ Fire‍ Department personnel, where she later succumbed to ‌her injuries. This incident ⁣underscores the vulnerability of elderly drivers and pedestrians in traffic, a growing concern ⁢as Arizona’s population ages. Authorities are continuing​ to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, and the outcome will likely prompt ‌further review of traffic safety​ measures at the intersection.

According to‌ the Phoenix Police ⁢Department, nelson was attempting a left turn from eastbound Greenway Parkway onto northbound 18th Street when her vehicle entered ⁤the path of a westbound truck. The truck driver remained at the scene⁢ and was also hospitalized with ⁢injuries not considered life-threatening.

Investigators⁣ have ‌determined that impairment was not a​ factor in the collision.The investigation remains ongoing, and no​ further details were promptly available.

Flash Flood Watch in Effect for Phoenix Area Until 11 p.m.

A flash⁤ flood watch is in effect for ⁣south-central Arizona, including the Phoenix metropolitan area, until 11 p.m. Friday as storms develop and bring the⁤ potential for heavy rainfall and localized flooding. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the watch for areas including Maricopa and Pinal counties, specifically warning⁣ residents in areas like ‍Phoenix (AZC013)​ and within fire weather zone AZZ132 ​to ‍be prepared for rapidly ⁢changing conditions.

While⁣ the⁣ immediate threat is focused on ‌Friday, the chance of rain will linger through the weekend, though diminishing each day. ‍This comes as Arizona’s ⁢monsoon season nears its official⁢ end on Tuesday, ⁣September 30th. The current seasonal rainfall total ⁣for ⁣Phoenix Sky harbor International Airport stands at 0.91 inches, placing 2024 as the 14th driest monsoon‌ season on record, significantly below‌ the normal average of 2.4 inches.

According to NWS forecasts, temperatures will remain below​ seasonal norms through the weekend, with highs in the low 90s or upper 80s.A warming trend is expected to begin ‍Monday, reaching the lower 90s,‍ and possibly the mid-90s by mid-next week.

“Chances⁢ really drop ‌off by Sunday evening, and then zero⁢ chances next‌ week,” said meteorologist‍ Whittock.

PHOENIX⁢ – Sixteen⁢ Arizona education leaders‍ convened earlier this month‍ for a statewide town hall, addressing critical issues and potential solutions for⁣ the stateS ​education system. The Arizona Media association’s Education Solutions Town Hall tackled challenges ranging from early childhood education to post-secondary opportunities and⁤ the evolving role⁤ of technology in learning.

Arizona faces‌ ongoing ⁣debates surrounding school funding, student achievement, and preparing the workforce for a rapidly changing job market. This town​ hall aimed to⁤ foster a future-focused ⁣conversation about these challenges and how to best support students and⁤ adults alike.

Chris Kline,with the Arizona media Association,explained to KTAR News 92.3 FM that the panel discussions covered a broad spectrum of education-related topics.⁤ “It⁤ really just⁤ helped⁢ us have a future ⁤conversation about what life looks like not just for young people, but ⁣also for adults that may end​ up in a space going forward where they (have) to seriously consider adult re-education as their jobs are​ changing⁤ or going⁢ away,” ‌Kline said.

Discussions included topics like Education ⁤Savings Accounts⁣ (ESAs), college tuition costs, and childcare affordability.A significant‌ focus was⁢ placed on the ‌integration‌ of Artificial Intelligence ⁢(AI) into Arizona ⁢schools and the need to shift educational priorities.

“A lot of ⁢the conversation⁣ was ⁤just about a world where we’re‍ moving away from memorization⁤ as the key thing⁣ you learn in school, ‌to life ⁣skills that you can’t get from‍ an AI chatbot,” kline ⁤said. He emphasized the importance of⁢ education as the “bedrock” of ‌Arizona’s future.

The full town hall will be streamed ⁤on ⁤the KTAR news‌ app and broadcast on 92.3⁣ FM on Wednesday at 1 ‌p.m. and⁤ 7 p.m.

Driver ⁢Rescued From Flash Floodwaters on ⁣North Phoenix Parkway

PHOENIX – A driver was⁣ safely rescued early Friday morning after becoming trapped⁢ in⁢ floodwaters on North Valley Parkway near Dixileta Drive, according to the Phoenix Fire Department. The incident occurred around‍ 5 a.m. as storms that ⁣developed ​Thursday evening moved through the central and north Phoenix areas.

Phoenix Police Department officers ⁤were already on​ scene and had assisted the vehicleS lone occupant to safety when fire crews arrived. The rescue highlights ‌the ongoing risk of flash flooding in the Phoenix metropolitan area during the monsoon season, which typically runs from ⁢June 15 to​ September 30. While conditions have improved, the potential for isolated showers and storms remains throughout the day.

The flash flooding was triggered by ‍rainfall that varied across the region.Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport recorded‌ 0.23 inches‌ of rain, while areas further north received between a​ half-inch and an inch, according to Gabriel Lojero of the National Whether Service. A flash flood warning was⁣ in effect until 7:15 a.m. Friday.

Lojero indicated that while isolated showers⁢ and storms are possible⁤ later Friday afternoon and evening, widespread‌ flash flooding is unlikely. ‌However, he ​noted ⁤that stronger storm activity could develop north and east of the Valley.

Authorities had previously issued a thunderstorm warning for Maricopa County on Thursday night in anticipation of the developing weather system.

LA Unified Reaches Settlement in Distance Learning Lawsuit

Los Angeles Unified School district (LAUSD) ⁣has agreed to ⁢a settlement with parents who alleged the district’s distance learning‍ program during the COVID-19 pandemic failed to meet state educational standards and disproportionately⁢ harmed Black and latino students.A lawyer representing ‌the families announced the agreement, which requires court ⁣approval to take effect.The class-action lawsuit,⁣ initially filed in 2020, claimed LAUSD’s online instruction lagged ​behind ⁣other large California districts and frequently enough fell short of state-mandated ⁤instructional minutes, with ⁢instances of teachers dismissing students after verifying work submission without⁤ providing‍ new instruction or difficulties connecting to the district’s online⁣ platform. Parents argued this led‌ to students falling behind and losing interest in ‌school, with Black and Latino students experiencing lower ⁣online participation‌ rates.Under the ⁤terms of ⁢the ⁣settlement, LAUSD will provide at least 45 hours ⁢of notable tutoring services annually to over 100,000 of its most vulnerable students over ⁤the ​next​ three years. ‌The agreement ‍also includes provisions⁣ for teacher training⁣ and mandatory assessments,aiming to support the district’s most disadvantaged‍ learners.

“For nearly five years,​ we have fought⁢ tirelessly on behalf of LAUSD ⁣students and thier families to enforce students’ constitutional ‌right to basic educational equality,”⁣ stated Edward Hillenbrand, a pro bono⁤ attorney for the plaintiffs, in a​ statement‍ released Wednesday.

the case⁤ was initially dismissed in 2021 following school reopenings, but the⁢ parents, supported ⁢by educational non-profits Parent Revolution and Innovate Public Schools, successfully appealed the decision, with a state appeals court reinstating ‌the case two years later.

Currently, LAUSD serves approximately 400,000 students through 12th grade, with over three-quarters⁤ identified as economically disadvantaged.

Plaintiff maritza Gonzalez expressed mixed⁢ emotions, noting the support comes ⁤too late‌ for her son, now in college, but expressing gratitude that her⁢ daughter entering ​high​ school will benefit ‌from the ⁣tutoring services. “After all the time,effort and years invested in this ‌lawsuit,this victory feels like a step⁤ in ⁣the right direction,” Gonzalez said.

A request for comment was sent to Los Angeles Unified.