Good morning, Yuma.

Yuma Crossing National Heritage is hosting the Bridal & Quinceanera Open House at Colorado River State Historic Park on April 6 starting at 6 p.m. Local talent will showcase their businesses while the public can meet vendors, sample food, and try photobooths.

The 32nd Children's Festival of the Arts will be held downtown on April 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.—the free event will offer over 50 arts and crafts booths, live performances by local dance studios and music groups, and food vendors.

Hundreds of Yuma workers are facing unexpected job loss, and a two-day layoff recovery event is underway to offer support—Andrea Turisk will share details tonight on assistance for those affected.

Arizona Western College unveiled MATABOT, a personal assistant robot, on March 19 to help students and staff at the San Luis Learning Center by offering in-class support—its features include autonomous navigation, facial recognition and voice interaction.

The City of Yuma has filed a complaint against Yuma County—responsible for the flood control work at Ray Smucker Park—and its contractor after parts of the park were closed and plants died during construction.

Mayor Doug Nicholls said the city is not acting adversarially and expects the park to be restored once an open session vote is held under Arizona’s Open Meeting Law.

Local doctors in Yuma say that if Medicaid funding is cut, hospitals may have to reduce important programs like psychiatry training (which covers newborn, mother, and cancer care) and they urge lawmakers to protect these services when Congress meets again.

Arizona Western College will host a free mental health forum open to the public on Saturday, March 29 at 9 a.m.—the forum will address mental health challenges faced by young people in Yuma and provide needed resources.

Yuma County Early Childhood Education Conference

7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Arizona Western College — Free entry — Engage in hands-on professional development for early childhood educators with sessions in English and Spanish.