Let $G$ be a split connected reductive group over a finite field of characteristic $p > 2$ such that $G_\text {der}$ is absolutely almost simple. We give a geometric construction of perverse $\mathbb {F}_p$-sheaves on the Iwahori affine flag variety of $G$ which are central with respect to the convolution product. We deduce an explicit formula for an isomorphism from the spherical mod $p$ Hecke algebra to the center of the Iwahori mod $p$ Hecke algebra. We also give a formula for the central integral Bernstein elements in the Iwahori mod $p$ Hecke algebra. To accomplish these goals we construct a nearby cycles functor for perverse $\mathbb {F}_p$-sheaves and we use Frobenius splitting techniques to prove some properties of this functor. We also prove that certain equal characteristic analogues of local models of Shimura varieties are strongly $F$-regular, and hence they are $F$-rational and have pseudo-rational singularities.

We show that any Kawamata log terminal del Pezzo surface over an algebraically closed field of large characteristic is globally $F$-regular or it admits a log resolution which lifts to characteristic zero. As a consequence, we prove the Kawamata–Viehweg vanishing theorem for klt del Pezzo surfaces of large characteristic.

For a characteristic-$p\gt 0$ variety $X$ with controlled $F$-singularities, we state conditions which imply that a divisorial sheaf is Cohen–Macaulay or at least has depth $\geq $3 at certain points. This mirrors results of Kollár for varieties in characteristic 0. As an application, we show that relative canonical sheaves are compatible with arbitrary base change for certain families with sharply $F$-pure fibers.