Monday, August 3, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1918, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Casa Grande Ruins a national monument, preserving the four-story "Great House" built by the Hohokam near present-day Coolidge.

Nothing says Arizona monsoon season quite like a waterfall roaring back to life. Sycamore Falls is flowing again after recent storms, and as we report below, the rare seasonal spectacle is drawing visitors to one of northern Arizona's most fleeting natural attractions.

What's the most beautiful place you've visited in Arizona? We'd love to hear about the scenic spot that left the biggest impression on you.

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Biggs Names Kerr as Running Mate

Republican gubernatorial nominee Andy Biggs named former state Sen. Sine Kerr as his running mate Friday, the first time an Arizona gubernatorial candidate has selected a running mate for lieutenant governor.

Kerr, a Buckeye dairy farmer who represented Maricopa and Yuma counties in the state Senate from 2018 to 2025, most recently served as Arizona state executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency after a 2025 appointment by President Donald Trump. Biggs said she has the respect of farmers, ranchers, and policymakers statewide.

This November marks the first time Arizona voters will elect a governor and lieutenant governor together, and the lieutenant governor will become first in the line of succession, replacing the secretary of state.

Biggs is challenging incumbent Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, who has until Sept. 4 to name her own running mate. Hobbs has not made a pick and has said she is open to choosing a Republican.

New Rules Meet Arizona's Extreme Heat

With triple-digit heat gripping Arizona, new heat-safety guidelines for outdoor workers are now in place, urging employers to provide water, shade, and rest breaks on the job.

Ironworkers Local 75 coordinator Aaron McDonald said crews working atop metal structures can face temperatures approaching 140 degrees, and several ironworkers at a major Arizona construction project have suffered heat illness in recent weeks.

Some labor advocates say the guidelines lack real teeth and want a mandatory standard with penalties, like those in California and six other states.

The guidelines grew out of a task force Gov. Katie Hobbs convened that focused on water, shade, rest, heat training, and worker acclimatization.

Abducted Newborn Found Safe Near Winslow

An 11-day-old boy abducted from the West Valley city of Surprise was found safe near Winslow, nearly 200 miles away, after a statewide search.

The Navajo County Sheriff's Office received a statewide alert after the abduction and, with Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers, stopped the suspect's vehicle near Winslow hours later, finding the infant unharmed. A deputy was later photographed feeding the baby a bottle.

Surprise police said the child's father, who does not have custodial rights, had taken the child without permission. Investigators have not announced whether any charges will be filed.

The infant was taken to a hospital as a precaution and was awaiting reunification with his mother. The sheriff's office thanked the Arizona Department of Public Safety and said it was grateful for the safe outcome.

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➤ Tucson: A group of performers and fans called Save Old Tucson is seeking to take over the lease of the historic Old Tucson western theme park after operator American Heritage Railways declined to renew its lease, leaving Pima County to seek a new leaseholder. (More)

➤ Ajo: The National Park Service closed all roads to Quitobaquito Springs ahead of construction of a secondary border wall near the endangered species habitat. (More)

➤ Phoenix: The city broke ground on the USS Phoenix Cold War Monument at Steele Indian School Park, a decades-in-the-making tribute built around 65 tons of salvaged parts from the decommissioned submarine USS Phoenix. It is expected to open in about a year. (Read Story)

➤ Navajo Nation: Preston Tolth, the only person convicted in connection with the 2021 disappearance of Navajo weaver and grandmother Ella Mae Begay, was arrested on a burglary charge in Phoenix weeks after an early prison release, a violation that could return him to federal custody. (More)

➤ Chandler: With classes back in session, a resident is urging drivers to stop for extended school bus arms on Pecos Road near Alma School, saying too many cars blow past the signals. A Chandler Unified bus driver called the near-misses heart-stopping. (More)

➤ Show Low: ADOT completed two US 60 improvement projects near Show Low, adding 3 miles of passing lanes and rehabilitating 16 miles of pavement to improve safety and traffic flow. (More)

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➤ The Phoenix Mercury swung a huge trade early yesterday morning, landing five-time WNBA All-Star Kelsey Plum from the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Monique Akoa Makani and two draft picks. It is just the fourth time in league history an All-Star has been traded midseason. (More)

➤ Former Arizona State safety and 2025 All-Big 12 selection Myles Rowser is exploring a possible return to college football after a federal court ruled that high school class of 2022 players are eligible for an extra year. (More)

➤ Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Jordan Lawlar is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment next week, according to manager Torey Lovullo. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Phoenix metro visitors spent a record $13.4 billion in 2025, or about $36.6 million a day, according to a Tourism Economics report. The region welcomed 47.7 million visitors, and their spending generated a total economic impact of $23.6 billion. (See Report)

➤ Select Specialty Hospital–Tucson East, a 28-bed facility on the Tucson Medical Center campus, has closed and laid off 99 workers. Parent company Select Medical says it is trying to relocate some staff to its other Tucson and Phoenix-area locations. (More)

➤ The Collective on Ocotillo, a $20.1 million medical office condominium project, has broken ground in Queen Creek, one of metro Phoenix's fastest-growing communities. Developed by Mesa-based A.T. Craft, it will offer healthcare providers space to buy or lease and is expected to open in early 2027. (More)

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➤ The 38th Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering brings more than 40 cowboy poets, musicians, and storytellers to Yavapai College in Prescott Aug. 6-8, with three nights of performances and two days of free daytime sessions celebrating Western heritage. (See Details)

➤ Recent monsoon storms have revived Sycamore Falls, a seasonal 70-foot waterfall in the Kaibab National Forest near Williams that flows only after significant rainfall. Reaching the overlook takes about a 10-mile drive on unpaved forest roads followed by a short walk. (See Photos)

➤ A Scottsdale home has hit the market for $8,755,000, offering 6,493 square feet with six bedrooms and eight bathrooms for buyers shopping at the top of the Valley's luxury market. (See Photos)

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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:

➤ A gunman killed three people and wounded seven others at a newly opened In-N-Out Burger in Twin Falls, Idaho, before taking his own life. (Hear More)

➤ Wind-driven wildfires around Spokane, Washington, have destroyed more than 600 structures and forced tens of thousands from their homes in what the mayor calls the region's worst natural disaster. (Listen Now)

➤ A crime network tied to Iran is recruiting European teenagers as hitmen over social media, then abandoning them when they're caught. (Tune In)