Jumat, 31 Juli 2026

Warthogs' Last Flight, Mitchell Remembered, and Jobless Rate Up

Friday, July 31, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1930, construction was completed on Mansfeld Junior High School in Tucson, pictured here.

Fishing is challenging enough without the Valley's summer heat. State fish and wildlife officials recommend heading to the cooler waters of the Rim Country and Flagstaff area. Details here.

Today's sponsor, PuriProduce, offers a simple, chemical-free way to help clean your fruits and vegetables, giving you added peace of mind with every meal.

Family Admits $2.2M Pandemic Fraud

Three Phoenix family members pleaded guilty to federal charges tied to nearly $2.2 million in stolen COVID-19 relief loans.

Mohammed Maio, 43, and his parents, Souzan El-Sayed, 66, and Abukar Maio, 70, filed false Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications between May 2020 and March 2024 for businesses with no employees.

Prosecutors said the money went to personal enrichment, including multiple real estate purchases, rather than payroll relief. Separately, Maio, a convicted felon, also admitted directing his mother to buy a firearm for him in 2021.

Sentencings are scheduled for Sept. 28 and Oct. 5.

Harry Mitchell Dies at 86

Harry Mitchell, the Tempe High School civics teacher who became a mayor, state senator, and congressman, has died at 86.

His son, Mark, announced the death, calling his father a man who taught the family to live fully and serve faithfully.

Mitchell taught at Tempe High for nearly three decades and served 24 years on the city council, 16 of them as mayor. He served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007-2011.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

A-10 Warthogs Bid Farewell

Two A-10 Warthogs made a final pass over Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on Wednesday, ending nearly five decades in Tucson.

The jets are headed to Moody Air Force Base in Georgia, with an inactivation ceremony expected in September.

The subsonic attack jet first arrived in 1976 and became the base's primary platform for training, maintenance, and contingency operations dating back to the Gulf War.

On Wednesday, pilots flew the tight turns that make the Warthog effective in close support of ground troops. Retired crews gathered to watch.

Don't Miss the Stories That Break After Breakfast
The news doesn't stop after your morning edition, and now you don't have to miss it. Flyover Updates delivers the day's biggest breaking news and developing stories straight to your phone via text, keeping you informed in just a minute or two.

But don't just take our word for it. Here's what readers are saying:

"I truly appreciate the daily Flyover Updates. Nearly all of the Update messages I have received thus far have covered engaging topics with excellent content. The articles are clear, concise, and comprehensive, effectively highlighting the main points of each subject. Articles written in the style of the Flyover Updates make it easy for me and others to remain focused throughout." — Jim S.

"I love it! It made my afternoon! Keep it coming." — Matthew S.

Sign up today and get breaking news and developing stories delivered straight to your phone.

Flying together with our sponsor

Fresh fruits and vegetables are a healthy choice, but recent headlines about parasites and contaminants have many families taking a closer look at how they clean their produce.

PuriProduce uses a simple water-based cleaning process designed to help lift surface residues from fruits and vegetables without harsh chemicals. Give yourself extra peace of mind before every meal and help your family enjoy cleaner, fresher produce with every bite.

LEARN MORE

➤ Tucson: The police officer who shot and wounded the fleeing gunman after the July 19 mass shooting in downtown was identified as Tanner Wolverton, a seven-year department veteran. (More)

➤ Statewide: Arizona's overdose death rate was roughly twice the national average last year, with one addiction specialist pointing to an unsafe drug supply and extreme heat as factors. (More)

➤ Nogales: More than 200 early ballots that vanished in the mail before the primary turned up at an Amazon Returns facility and were never delivered. (More)

➤ Statewide: Arizona's new optional ID check for mail ballot drop-offs drew about 23,000 users in Maricopa County and more than 6,000 in Pima. Maricopa officials credited it in part for faster counting; Pima officials said it added steps. (More)

➤ Tucson: Nearly six months after 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home, the Pima County Sheriff's Department says complex DNA and digital evidence analysis continues. (More)

➤ Paradise Valley: A helicopter crew hoisted Oscar-winning former Disney animator Glen Keane, 72, off a ridge atop Mummy Mountain after he was unable to proceed due to difficult terrain. (More)

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

I read the same headlines you do, and there are mornings that the news industry looks like it's coming apart. But then I look at what The Arizona Flyover team builds every single day, publishing facts over the spin, and I've never been more sure that we're on the right side.

The Arizona Flyover will always be free, but producing it isn't. If you rely on us for news without noise and believe fact-first journalism is worth fighting for, will you help us hit our milestone of 6 million readers? I'd appreciate it very much.

Give $10
Give $25
Give $50
Give $100

Thanks for reading every morning,

Cole

➤ Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said the quarterback competition between Cutter Boley, Mikey Keene, Cam Dyer, and Jake Fette will carry into fall camp. (More)

➤ Arizona men's basketball will open the Maui Invitational against Colorado State on Nov. 23. The Wildcats, coming off a 36-3 season and a Final Four run, are the marquee draw in the eight-team field. (More)

➤ The Arizona Diamondbacks will use a closer-by-committee approach over the coming games after the recent struggles of closer Paul Sewald. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Golf

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Experience the comfort of natural movement with Grounded Footwear barefoot shoes. Featuring a wide toe box, flexible zero-drop design, and lightweight construction, they help your feet move the way nature intended while providing all-day comfort for walking, errands, travel, and everyday wear. (LEARN MORE)

➤ The state's jobless rate rose to 4.9% in June, continuing a months-long increase. (More)

➤ Waymo restarted freeway rides in metro Phoenix after software updates addressing how its driverless cars handle construction zones. (More)

➤ A supplier matchmaking expo drew about 600 smaller firms to Scottsdale to meet buyers, including Northrop Grumman and Intel. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Are you paying more for car insurance than you need to? Car insurance rates change more often than many people realize. If it's been a while since you compared your options, you could be missing out on savings. With this quick tool from Money.com, you can start by entering your ZIP code to see what options may be available in your area. Complete the short questionnaire to see personalized options based on your vehicle and coverage needs. (Check Your Options)

Flying together with our sponsor

Protect you and your family. Give your fruits and vegetables a deeper clean with PuriProduce. Using a simple water-and-salt cleaning cycle, this compact, hands-free device helps clean produce in just minutes, no scrubbing required. Perfect for busy kitchens, it makes meal prep quicker, easier, and more convenient.

LEARN MORE

➤ Builders offered a look inside the Iceplex under construction at Tucson's Mosaic Quarter. The three-rink site anchors the sports and entertainment development's first phase. (Watch)

➤ Valley cooling centers report lines forming before doors open as the heat wave continues, with highs of 115 to 116 degrees forecast today through Sunday. (More)

➤ The state transportation department opened its Safety Message Contest for a 10th year, inviting the public to submit highway sign slogans. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Keep your phone or tablet at the perfect viewing angle with GoDonut, the compact stand built for work, travel, cooking, streaming, and video calls. Its sturdy, portable design fits most devices and makes hands-free viewing effortless wherever you go. Perfect for home, office, or on the go. (LEARN MORE)

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 father who gave his son the rifle used in Georgia's deadliest school shooting has been sentenced in a first-of-its-kind case. (Hear Details)

➤ Coordinated cyberattacks on dozens of Minnesota water plants are reportedly under investigation for possible ties to Iran. (Hear Episode)

➤ Belgian authorities say an intern inside NATO's top military command is suspected of spying for an unnamed foreign power. (Listen Now)