Phoenix Rebrand: RB Interiors is relaunching as Studio Ladner, with designer Rachel Brown Ladner keeping her 23-year design approach while tying the new name to her marriage and expanding her Southwest reach. Christian Sci-Fi Spotlight: Kenneth Bliss’ YA novel “The Prodigy and the Telepath” blends psionic powers, grief, and faith in a story about what strength looks like when power can’t fix heartbreak. Local Politics & Culture Clash: A newly unveiled Charlie Kirk statue outside Turning Point USA’s Phoenix HQ was vandalized with red paint days after its anniversary installation, prompting vows to restore it and renewed debate over polarization. Education & Choice: A report highlights elite parents turning to robot-powered homeschools, arguing traditional classrooms waste kids’ time while tech-led learning offers more control. Community & Heritage: “Tierra y Vida” brings Mexican and Chicano perspectives to a Phoenix gallery this fall, centering culture, family, identity, and land. Sports Development: A Phoenix trainer says young basketball players are held back by overexposure and ranking-chasing, not lack of talent. Learning Data Watch: Leading Edge Academy Queen Creek’s enrollment shows 80 Hispanic/Latino students in 2025-26, down 11.1% year over year. Public Health Reminder: With tick-borne illnesses surging, lawmakers push for stronger research, prevention, and education. Design for the Road: A Route 66 mapping project lets people explore all 2,199 miles from home via an interactive visualization.