Rabu, 21 Oktober 2026

Census Rules, Mom Fights Back, and Preseason No. 5

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1972, Congress authorized the Hohokam Pima National Monument, protecting the site of the ancient Hohokam village of Snaketown near Sacaton.

Which fast food chain is the best? McDonald’s? Chick-fil-A? Panda Express? All three made this year’s list of America’s best and worst fast food chains. One of them sits near the very top. One is tied for dead last. Ranked by more than 16,000 customers on food quality, order accuracy, and value. A champion that held the crown for 11 straight years just lost it, and the new No. 1 had never been ranked before this year. On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, Ayla counts down the five best and five worst fast food chains in America. Where does your favorite rank? Let us know after you listen. Tune in here!

When is the right time to retire? Later today, watch for a message from our partner, Fisher Investments, with a free retirement planning guide.

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.

Census Limits in Focus

A Census Bureau proposal to exclude illegal immigrants and many other noncitizens from the 2030 apportionment count is drawing mixed reactions, with a Tempe city leader citing possible cuts in federal funding.

The proposed rule would count only U.S. citizens and green-card holders in dividing U.S. House seats, excluding international students, temporary workers, refugees, and illegal immigrants.

The bureau argues “illegal aliens (among others) should not be included in the apportionment count, as they are not true inhabitants, members of the body politic, or persons with a ‘usual residence’ in the United States due to their lack of a sufficient tie and allegiance to the United States.”

Earlier this year, Arizona Republicans proposed that the state conduct its own citizen-only count for legislative redistricting, arguing that counting noncitizens skews the maps.

Storms Threaten Region

Forecasters issued a flood watch for much of Arizona as a strong weather system is expected to bring heavy rain and thunderstorms today and Thursday.

In metro Phoenix, the watch runs from 8 p.m. today through 5 p.m. Thursday. Forecasters said severe storms could bring winds topping 60 mph, large hail, and an isolated tornado.

Up north, the watch begins this morning for Flagstaff, Sedona, Camp Verde, and Tuba City, with flash flooding possible in creeks, dry washes, and burn scars.

Southern Arizona’s heaviest rain could hit Pinal, Graham, and Greenlee counties, where some spots may top an inch.

Schools Top State Rankings

U.S. News & World Report ranked Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies as the state's top elementary school and second-best middle school this year.

Arizona College Prep in Chandler topped the middle school list. The rankings are based on state math and reading test scores along with student demographics.

Other highly ranked elementary schools include Weinberg Gifted Academy and Knox Gifted Academy, both in Chandler. You can see the full list of elementary school rankings here.

You can find middle school rankings here.

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➤ Buckeye: A mother fought off an intruder inside her home and in her driveway in a struggle caught on security cameras. A 20-year-old Goodyear man was arrested. (Watch)

➤ Phoenix: The Valley of the Sun YMCA, the Phoenix Suns, and the Phoenix Mercury unveiled plans for a $60 million, three-story, 55,000-square-foot downtown YMCA hub combining sports, workforce training, and housing, set to open in 2029. (More)

➤ Tucson: Tucson Medical Center completed a $27 million renovation of its emergency department, one of the state's busiest. (More)

➤ Statewide: Arizona agriculture officials urged residents to report suspicious wounds on livestock, pets, and wildlife after New World screwworm was confirmed in a horse and a calf in Grant County, New Mexico, roughly 10 miles from Arizona. (More)

➤ Prescott: A 30-year-old local man, suspected of fatally shooting a dentist in Mexico who couldn't treat him immediately, was killed in a shootout with Mexican police, authorities said. (More)

➤ Scottsdale: Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West historic home will stay closed until further notice after a Brazilian visitor was killed by wind-blown roofing material during a tour Friday. (More)

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➤ Arizona men's basketball received a No. 5 ranking in the AP preseason poll, the highest of six Big 12 teams in the Top 25. (More)

➤ Former Arizona State hockey coach Greg Powers will receive a buyout of more than $1.3 million, paid in three installments through 2028. (More)

➤ No. 25 Arizona football hosts Iowa State for homecoming at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, to air on ESPN2. The Wildcats hold a 62-40-5 homecoming record. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NCAAF | NHL | Soccer

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➤ German airline Lufthansa will launch the first-ever nonstop flights between Phoenix Sky Harbor and Munich on Aug. 3, with service three times weekly. (More)

➤ U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, and Eli Crane asked the Pentagon to consider opening some of its roughly 3.12 million acres in Arizona to copper mining, citing national security needs. (More)

➤ Former minor league pitcher Joe Jones helped broker KNCT Athletics' lease of a Tempe baseball training facility. (More)

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➤ Thirty-eight Arizona veterans and 18 guardians are spending three days visiting Washington, D.C., on a trip sponsored by veteran-owned Semper Fi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. (More)

➤ Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, when Arizonans can drop off unneeded, unwanted, or expired medications at collection sites. (More)

➤ A stretch of Congress Street in downtown Tucson will close to vehicles starting at 5 p.m. Halloween night in a pilot program aimed at pedestrian safety. The Sun Link Streetcar will keep running. (More)

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