Jumat, 26 Juni 2026

Passion

Christoffers

Flowers & Gifts

❧

Featured Arrangement

Passion.

Deep purples. Hot pinks. Magenta and burgundy at the center of a glass vase.

Passion is the arrangement we built for the days that matter most — anniversaries, apologies that need real weight, declarations that should not be missed. The flowers vary with the season. The temperament does not.

“My wife of 30 years said Christoffers' Passion is the most beautiful bouquet she has ever seen, and she's seen quite a few over the years. It is spectacular.”

Ralph J. · Five-star review

Three Sizes

Standard

$175

Oldest Inmate Executed, Driver Messes Up, and Apollo's Long Journey

Friday, June 26, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1740, Fort Mose in St. Augustine was stormed during the War of Jenkins’ Ear. Founded by the Spanish as a refuge for those fleeing enslavement in British colonies, it was the first free black settlement in North America.

In Florida, strange weather is practically a way of life. Today's Around Florida section features dramatic video of lightning striking a tree near a house. Have a wild weather story of your own? Hit reply and share it with us!

In moments like these, it's easy to feel helpless watching tragedy unfold from afar. But together, we can make a real difference. Today, we're partnering with Convoy of Hope to support families devastated by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. If you're able, please consider joining us in providing urgently needed relief to those who have lost so much.

Florida Executes Its Oldest Inmate

Florida executed Dusty Ray Spencer, 74, on Thursday for the 1992 stabbing death of his wife, Karen, at their Orange County home. He died at 6:10 p.m., the oldest inmate put to death in the state since 1976 and the ninth this year.

Court records show he threatened to kill Karen weeks earlier, then beat and stabbed her as her teenage son tried to intervene. His lawyers argued his age and liver disease made the injection cruel and unusual.

The Florida Supreme Court rejected his appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court denied a final appeal hours before the execution.

Alligator Alcatraz Closes

Florida is closing Alligator Alcatraz, the Everglades immigration detention center built in days last summer, Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Thursday.

He said the site was always meant to be temporary and that about 21,000 people were deported through it, calling the mission proof that the state is safer. President Trump, who toured the facility, joined DeSantis in casting it as central to deportation efforts.

The state had already emptied the tents in June, citing hurricane-season risk in the Everglades. Immigration advocates said the camp was never safe or humane, and detainees reported trouble reaching lawyers.

Jacksonville Man Charged in Drone Plot

A Jacksonville man is among 12 people charged in what prosecutors call the largest drone-smuggling operation ever aimed at federal prisons.

The indictment alleges six drones dropped contraband, including drugs, phones, and saw blades meant as weapons and escape tools, into 10 prisons across eight states at least 38 times since September 2023.

Prosecutors say the ring ran from a former Macon, Georgia, day care center nicknamed "The Lab." A federal drone-detection system helped crack the case.

James Phillips, 51, a former inmate, allegedly used a smuggled phone to time drops and faces up to five years. The 12 defendants are in federal custody pending initial appearances.

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Rush critical aid to survivors in Venezuela

You've seen the reports. The devastating death toll and massive destruction after earthquakes in Venezuela. More than 180 people are dead, 1,500 are injured, and numbers are sure to rise. You can be part of the urgent response.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground in the disaster zone, providing emergency food, clean water, and critical supplies to those who need them most. More support is needed.

We'll be matching the first $4,000 donated. Please help now!

Two powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 collapsed buildings and trapped people in the rubble. Families with missing loved ones cling to hope as rescue teams work around the clock. Urgent needs include food, water, and other essentials.

Since 1994, Convoy of Hope has served more than 350 million people affected by disasters, hunger, and crises. They are ranked by Forbes among America’s Top Charities. You can give with confidence.

The Flyover will match every dollar of the first $4,000 donated. Your compassionate gift will bring hope and help to families who have lost everything.

➤ Statewide: A massive plume of Saharan dust is drifting toward Florida, bringing hazy skies, colorful sunsets, and slightly lower rain chances over the next several days. (More)

➤ Statewide: Florida launched a new Spectrum Alert system to help quickly locate missing children with autism spectrum disorder, expanding the state's emergency alert network with specialized notifications for high-risk cases. (More)

➤ Titusville: Police Chief John Lau was fired Wednesday after refusing a drug test following a rollover crash Tuesday night in an unmarked Titusville police SUV. (More)

➤ Hobe Sound: Police arrested a 24-year-old man after he allegedly crashed into a local water treatment plant Wednesday night, fled the scene saying, "I messed up," and disrupted water service to hundreds. (More)

➤ Martin County: A powerful lightning strike caught on camera prompted officials to remind residents that a single bolt can ignite fires, damage property, and endanger lives. (See Lightning Strike)

➤ Naples: Peppercorn, the abandoned Florida panther cub nursed back to health at Naples Zoo after rescuers found her at just 8 weeks old, weighing less than 3 pounds, will soon help educate the public about panther conservation. (See Peppercorn)

Enjoy reading Flyover Florida? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ The Tampa Bay Lightning, who traded their first-rounder, won't pick until No. 58 on Saturday. The Florida Panthers won't pick in tonight's first round at all, having dealt both their first-round selections to Ottawa in the Brady Tkachuk deal. (More)

➤ Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $48 million and $25 million guaranteed. (More)

➤ Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and the team still aren't “anywhere close” on an extension, according to a recent report, setting the stage for his potential free agency next summer. Mayfield has said his deadline is the start of training camp, which opens July 30. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | WNBA | Golf

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➤ Elon Musk purchased Jacksonville-based APR Energy, a power-generation company serving data centers, utilities, and industrial operations, according to a May Federal Trade Commission filing. (More)

➤ Miami-based Stratos Ventures launched with more than $50 million to invest in Israeli defense technology startups while helping them expand into the U.S. market through South Florida. (More)

➤ Sporting JAX released a preliminary site plan for a 150-acre mixed-use development centered on a proposed 15,000-seat soccer stadium as nearby residents raised concerns about its impact on the surrounding neighborhood. (More)

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➤ Are you taking one of these 9 "memory erasing" prescriptions? You may think your memory loss is just a sign of getting older, but one of these 9 drugs could actually be damaging your brain... If you're over the age of 60, your brain could be at risk. (More)

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Double Your Impact. Earthquake Recovery.

Earthquake survivors in Venezuela need your help. Two powerful earthquakes have devastated communities across the country. Buildings have collapsed, families have been displaced, and lives have been upended. More than 180 people are dead, and 1,500 are injured, with numbers sure to rise.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground now, supplying food, clean water, and essential relief. Please support these efforts with your gift today!

The Flyover will match the first $4,000 donated for double impact.

This means your quick response can help twice as many families recover.

Please give now and bring hope where it’s needed most.

➤ More than 1,000 veteran athletes age 55 and older will compete in the National Veterans Golden Age Games in downtown Tampa from June 27 to July 2, with events free and open to the public. (More)

➤ Kennedy Space Center will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with a monthlong “Celebrate USA” series in July featuring themed weekends highlighting the Space Shuttle, Apollo, Artemis, and aviation. (More)

➤ Apollo, a Marion County family’s dog missing since April, was found more than 1,000 miles away on Long Island after a microchip scan reunited him with his owners. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ The world's first trillionaire held the title for less than two weeks. What knocked him back down to mere billionaire? (Press Play)

➤ A federal judge just blocked a major piece of the President's mail-in voting overhaul, and it comes down to one constitutional question. (Hear the Ruling)

➤ It nearly went extinct, until one Missouri farmer admitted she'd been quietly growing it all along. Meet summer's most star-studded fruit. (Take a Bite)

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Yesterday's Results:

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Traffic congestion: 42%
Aggressive drivers: 38%
Other: 9%
Road construction: 8%
Lack of public transit: 3%

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Border Ruling, Big Air, and New Canadian Consulate

Friday, June 26, 2026

On this day in 1990, six firefighters died when the Dude Fire blew up in the Mogollon Rim country northeast of Payson amid record statewide heat and a three-year drought. The wildfire reshaped how wildland firefighters train and deploy on dangerous terrain.

Wildfires are again a threat this summer, including the Sycamore Fire north of Globe, which spread to more than 10,000 acres. You can check the status of the state's current wildfires here.

Today, we're partnering with Convoy of Hope to support families devastated by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela. If you're able, please consider joining us in providing urgently needed relief to those who have lost so much. In moments like these, it's easy to feel helpless watching tragedy unfold from afar. But together, we can make a real difference.

Court Backs Border Controls

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 Thursday that foreign nationals stopped by agents on the Mexican side of the border do not have a right to gain entry by simply claiming asylum.

The ruling clears the way for the Trump administration to possibly revive the metering policy once used at ports in Arizona and elsewhere to limit illegal immigration.

Writing for the majority, Justice Samuel Alito said a person stopped on the Mexico side has not legally arrived in the U.S. and therefore cannot claim the right to asylum screening. In dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that Congress intended protections to extend to anyone at the doorstep of the U.S.

The court also ruled Thursday that noncitizens in the U.S. under temporary protected status are not shielded from deportation once their TPS protections expire.

Laser Strikes Bring 10-Month Sentence

A Buckeye man was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison after admitting he pointed laser lights at F-35 fighter jets training near Luke Air Force Base in Glendale.

William Wilson, 56, of Buckeye, pleaded guilty to pointing red and green laser lights at the jets between September 2024 and January 2025. Multiple pilots reported their vision was affected.

Wilson said he believed the aircraft were spy planes and he was frustrated they were flying close to his home. During the investigation, a surveillance plane captured footage of Wilson in his backyard pointing laser devices toward the plane.

Laser strikes on aircraft remain a safety threat nationally, but were down 14% last year, with Arizona ranking fifth in the nation with 574 reported cases.

County Issues $6M in Tax Refunds

More than 630 Pima County property owners will receive a combined $6 million in tax refunds for properties that were overtaxed over recent years.

The release of the funds follows the June 12 resignation of county Treasurer Brian Johnson, who had challenged the county assessor's findings of excess valuations.

Assessor Suzanne Droubie said the errors were found when her office was transitioning to a new tax valuation software. County Supervisor Matt Heinz said Johnson overstepped his authority and that the final decision on valuations rested with the assessor.

The county has launched a search for a treasurer to replace Johnson, who cited "urgent changes" in his personal life for leaving before his term ends in December 2028.

Flying together with our sponsor

Rush critical aid to survivors in Venezuela

Convoy of Hope is on the ground in the disaster zone, providing emergency food, clean water, and critical supplies to those who need them most. More support is needed.

We'll be matching the first $4,000 donated. Please help now!

Since 1994, Convoy of Hope has served more than 350 million people affected by disasters, hunger, and crises. They are ranked by Forbes among America’s Top Charities. You can give with confidence.

The Flyover will match every dollar of the first $4,000 donated. Your compassionate gift will bring hope and help to families who have lost everything.

➤ Glendale: Big Air, a roughly 31,000-square-foot indoor trampoline park with obstacle courses, slides, and a competition arena, opens this weekend. (More)

➤ Flagstaff: A Fire Weather Watch takes effect across much of northern Arizona today through Sunday evening, with winds and low humidity pushing wildfire danger into the critical range. (More)

➤ Tucson: This year's Día de San Juan Fiesta took place at Mission Garden, continuing a nearly 30-year tradition of offering prayers for summer rain. (More)

➤ Metro Phoenix: Health officials confirmed Maricopa County's 16th measles case of the year, with a public-exposure alert issued for anyone who traveled through Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor on June 17. (More)

➤ Pima County: County supervisors approved $170,000 to fund GED classes at the county jail after Sheriff Chris Nanos moved to cut the 35-year-old program. (More)

➤ Maricopa County: County supervisors unanimously approved a 2026 election plan as early voting opened, with Recorder Justin Heap absent amid an ongoing feud over who administers local elections. (More)

Enjoy reading The Arizona Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

➤ Arizona guard and Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley was taken No. 50 by the Toronto Raptors in the second round of the NBA draft. (More)

➤ Arizona Cardinals radio play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch will not return for the upcoming season after accepting an offer for an expanded role at ESPN. (More)

➤ The WNBA suspended Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas for a game after she hit Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark in the throat in Wednesday's matchup. (More)

➤ The Arizona Diamondbacks dropped 40-year-old first baseman Carlos Santana from the roster after he hit .083 in eight games and missed more than two months with a strained adductor. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | WNBA | Golf

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➤ The Agritopia neighborhood in Gilbert began offering its first community classes at its pavilion, with a bouquet-making workshop first up. (More)

➤ Small businesses near the new Buc-ee's in Goodyear braced for increased competition, with one gift shop optimistic that its niche products and loyal customer base will help. (More)

➤ Canada celebrated the opening of its consulate in downtown Phoenix with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week. Nearly $6 billion of imports and exports are exchanged between Arizona and Canada each year. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Double Your Impact. Earthquake Recovery.

Convoy of Hope is on the ground now, supplying food, clean water, and essential relief. Please support these efforts with your gift today!

The Flyover will match the first $4,000 donated for double impact.

This means your quick response can help twice as many families recover.

Please give now and bring hope where it’s needed most.

➤ A narrow slice of the Valley known as the "magic zip code" continues to attract homebuyers by offering a rare combination: a Scottsdale mailing address, Paradise Valley school boundaries, and the lower tax rates of the city of Phoenix. (More)

➤ Dr. Larry Grogin, a 71-year-old endurance athlete with Parkinson's who is running 100 marathons in 100 days across the country, passed through Arizona this week. (More)

➤ A Phoenix man visiting the small city of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, faces charges for allegedly taking a construction excavator on a drunken joyride and causing about $40,000 in damage to a restaurant and hotel. (More)

➤ The legal fight over a $12.8 million lottery ticket sold at a Phoenix Circle K became more complicated, with a court filing naming two additional possible claimants. (More)

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➤ The world's first trillionaire held the title for less than two weeks. What knocked him back down to mere billionaire? (Press Play)

➤ A federal judge just blocked a major piece of the President's mail-in voting overhaul, and it comes down to one constitutional question. (Hear the Ruling)

➤ It nearly went extinct, until one Missouri farmer admitted she'd been quietly growing it all along. Meet summer's most star-studded fruit. (Take a Bite)