Thursday, August 28, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1868, Navajo Agent Theodore Dodd issued Santa Fe merchant Lehman Spiegelberg the first license to trade at Fort Defiance and across the Navajo Nation reservation.

The storms on Monday put a multimillion-dollar dust storm detection system to the test along I-10 between Eloy and Picacho Peak. The system is designed to warn travelers and lower speed limits. See how it performed here.

Later this afternoon, keep an eye on your inbox for a special story from our founder. It's about his dad, Grandpa Jim, and the life-changing difference a simple pair of hearing aids made. We can't wait to share this heartfelt message with you.

Learn about these 11 weird little hacks Costco shoppers should know about, courtesy of today's sponsor, FinanceBuzz.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Jewelry, Gift Cards Among Voucher Spending

State records revealed that many Arizona parents spent state school voucher money on unapproved items such as diamond rings, lingerie, electronics, and gift cards.

The Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program was expanded in 2022, and a paperwork backlog last November led to automatic approval of requests under $2,000, resulting in 1.2 million requests totaling $124 million.

The expanded pool led to greater misuse, prompting the state to suspend 400 scholarship accounts, send some to collections, and consider referring cases to the state Attorney General for prosecution.

The data release exposed some parents' personal information, prompting the state Department of Education to issue an apology.

Prison Murders Focus of Legislative Hearing

Arizona prison director Ryan Thornell testified before a state legislative panel amid a surge in inmate violence, including nine homicides this year, three of them allegedly committed by notorious inmate Ricky Wassenaar.

A major focus of the hearing was Wassenaar's relocation from a maximum-security cell to the general inmate population only months before the murders, given his history includes a prison hostage standoff more than 20 years ago.

Thornell defended the move, saying Wassenaar "had gone a lengthy period of time—several years—without infractions, without outward negative behavior."

Elsewhere in the hearing, former prison officials criticized the corrections department's leadership and decision-making. Lawmakers said they will continue investigating and issue a report on prison safety.

Group Pushes to Cap Healthcare CEOs' Pay

A group of Arizona health care workers plans to collect signatures this fall for a 2026 ballot initiative to cap hospital executive pay at $458,640, citing high CEO salaries as a driver of rising medical costs.

With support from SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, the group pointed to the salaries of executives at Banner Health, Mayo Clinic, and CommonSpirit Health as examples of excessive pay.

Members of the group say they aim to make health care more affordable and free up revenue to boost pay for lower-level health care staff. The proposed ballot measure does not specify how companies should use the savings.

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Do you shop at Costco?

Discover insider ways to keep more money in your pocket with these smart tips from today's sponsor, FinanceBuzz.

Stretch your dollar every visit! Look for asterisks on price tags—those deals won't return. Shop Costco.com for online-only savings, and let the Costco Savings Booklet automatically apply discounts at checkout.

Plus, decode price endings: .79, .49, and .89 mean manufacturer savings, while .88 or .00 signal deep markdowns or clearance.

Shop smarter, spend less, and make Costco work harder for your budget.

➤ Tucson: Democratic candidate Adelita Grijalva and Republican Daniel Butierez faced off in a final debate ahead of the Congressional District 7 election on Sept. 23. (Watch)

➤ Lake Pleasant: Monday's monsoon capsized a sailboat, forcing two first-time sailors to swim to shore as a storm-chasing photographer called 911 for help. (Watch)

➤ Douglas: A group of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus, and officials urged residents to use repellent and eliminate standing water to prevent breeding. (Watch)

➤ Statewide: Arizona leaders paid tribute to the late U.S. Sen. John McCain's legacy seven years after his death. (More)

➤ Mesa: Police conducted a search of a Hells Angels Motorcycle Club clubhouse for undisclosed reasons. No one was taken into custody. (Watch)

➤ Tubac: Four Tubac Fire District firefighters and a Type 3 engine are headed to the San Bernardino National Forest to assist with fire operations. (Photo)

➤ YouTube TV and FOX reached an agreement on a short-term contract extension that will give YouTube TV subscribers continued access to sports and other programming. (More)

➤ Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is featured in a new Powerade commercial, adding yet another brand to his $3.1 NIL portfolio. (More)

➤ Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas broke her WNBA record for triple-doubles in a season, securing her seventh Tuesday night. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | U.S. Open

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➤ Cracker Barrel locations in Arizona and other states are scrapping their new logo that removed "Uncle Herschel" and going back to the original design after customer backlash. (See Statement)

➤ Tucson reported job gains this summer in mining and education, but a rise in overall unemployment due to declines in government jobs and weaker retail and housing. (Report)

➤ Golden Oak Barbecue & Taproom, a joint venture between Nicky's Barbecue and Oro Brewing Company, will open this summer or fall in downtown Phoenix. (More)

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Love shopping at Costco?

You know the thrill of saving—but you could be keeping even more money in your wallet. From hidden price-tag codes to secret markdowns and online-only deals, these simple hacks show you how to cut costs on every trip—no coupons required.

➤ A Chandler coffee shop owner rescued a couple caught in Monday's dust storm during their wedding photos, inviting them inside for an impromptu reception with drinks, music, and a first dance. (Watch)

➤ University of Arizona researchers are exploring how black-tailed prairie dogs, through their vegetation-eating and burrow-building activities, could be used in wildfire prevention strategies. (More)

➤ Olympic swimming record-holder Amy Van Dyken will kick off the new season of the Amazing Arizonans podcast, discussing her career, broadcasting, and life after a paralyzing ATV accident. (More)

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