EXTREME HEAT

Steadily rising temperatures are part of what the American Medical Association and others have declared a public health crisis, affecting everything from mental health to physical health to social wellbeing.

Extreme heat is in the forecast for much of Arizona today. An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for the interior of the Grand Canyon, and popular Phoenix hiking trails are closed for public safety.

Heat associated deaths in Maricopa County have hit a half-year record with 17 such fatalities reported through the first week of July and many more under investigation.

Phoenix firefighters rescued a group of hikers from Camelback Mountain during peak heat Thursday. They said they were filming a reality TV show and trying to "get closer to God."

The Arizona Public Service utility company is accepting applications for the APS Community Tree program. It awards grants for tree-planting projects in vulnerable communities, including low-income areas, Title I schools, non-profit organizations and neighborhood watch associations.

The National Weather Service says Phoenix is on track to finish a warmer-than-usual November. If temperatures hit at least 80 degrees Tuesday, meteorologists say the city will have had 25 days at 80 degrees or higher.

Soaring temperatures fueled by climate change are making it harder to live in some of the nation's fastest-growing cities, such as Phoenix and Las Vegas.…

Human rights groups are calling on the Biden administration to consider the effects of climate change-driven heat on migrants when designing the…