Good morning, Yuma.

Local businesses and community leaders gathered for the ATHENA Awards today in Yuma as five local women were nominated—Wendy Lobeck McKay received the award in recognition of her leadership in business, agriculture, and volunteer work with the Yuma Humane Society.

H-2A visa workers are a key part of Yuma agriculture, harvesting winter lettuce and various crops for local farms.

They earn $17.51 hourly and have long served farms like Amigo Farms, ensuring fresh produce reaches local grocery stores.

Dr. Hikmet Budak, director of AWC Agriculture, was named to the editorial board of in silico Plants (an open-access journal from Oxford University Press) on April 16.

He will oversee the Genetics and Genomics section, a move that boosts the college’s profile in plant science.

NAU Yuma hosted its third annual Student Research Symposium recently.

Students presented research on topics from food insecurity to youth homelessness, and local Dr. Stephanie Parra opened the event urging them to use their personal experiences for community solutions.

Eight of 16 northbound lanes opened at the busy San Luis Port of Entry in a testing phase aimed at easing traffic from Mexico, but local business owners and pedestrians report continued delays due to ongoing construction (all lanes will open by spring, 2029).

On Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m., Comité de Bienestar handed over eight homes in San Luis as part of USDA Rural Development’s Self-Help program, celebrating with families and community members who helped build their own houses.

The program supports low-income families in achieving homeownership.

Dive Deeper Pool School 2026

6-8 p.m. — Acme Pool & Spa Care — Free entry — Learn essential tips for pool maintenance to keep your pool sparkling clean this season.

Jazz Nights at Julieanna's

6-9 p.m. — Julieanna's Steak and Seafood — Enjoy live jazz music while indulging in an exceptional dining experience by Chef Eddie Guzman.

1st Annual Autism Awareness Community Event

4-7 p.m. — Public Safety Training Facility — Free entry — Engage with the community and support autism awareness initiatives.