Rabu, 05 Agustus 2026

Hobbs Case, No Sour Grapes, and a Bear Den

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said her investigation into alleged pay-to-play claims involving Gov. Katie Hobbs is near its end, but would not say whether the governor will ever be interviewed.                
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Top Stories

Article Icon 1  Mayes Says Hobbs Probe Ending

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said her investigation into alleged pay-to-play claims involving Gov. Katie Hobbs is near its end, but would not say whether the governor will ever be interviewed.

The case examines whether Sunshine Residential Homes, a group home operator, won a nearly 60% rate increase after donating roughly $400,000 to Hobbs' campaign, inaugural fund, and political party.

The investigation has become a political flashpoint in the governor’s race. Republican nominee Andy Biggs has made the probe a centerpiece of his campaign, running ads accusing Hobbs of awarding a lucrative state contract to a donor. Hobbs denies wrongdoing.

Mayes, who faces a November re-election challenge from Republican state Senate President Warren Petersen, said investigators have been asking to interview Hobbs for most of the year.

Article Icon 1 Coin Flip May Decide Council Seat

A Gila Bend Town Council seat is possibly headed for a tiebreaker decided by a game of chance.

Athena Guerrero and Jesus Rubalcava each received 67 votes for a seat on the five-member council in the July 21 primary.

If the tie holds after this week's recount, state law allows the seat to be decided by a coin flip, a card cut, or another method of chance.

In 2009, a Cave Creek council race ended with the cutting of cards. The challenger pulled the king of hearts to beat the incumbent's six of hearts.

Article Icon 1UFC, WWE Among First Events

TKO Group announced the first events in its three-year deal to bring UFC, WWE, Professional Bull Riders and Zuffa Boxing to Desert Diamond Arena and State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

TKO, which owns UFC, WWE and PBR, signed the deal in May and said Tuesday its first dates are Noche UFC on Sept. 12 and the WWE Royal Rumble in February.

The previously announced PBR World Finals will take place May 20-23, 2027, at Desert Diamond Arena. PBR has held other events at the arena for more than a decade.

UFC chief Dana White, WWE's Nikki Bella and Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill traveled to Arizona on Tuesday to participate in the formal announcement.

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The Flyover

It only takes one piece of your data to find you.

Your phone number can lead to your address, relatives, workplace, and more.

That information is often sold online by data brokers, making it easier for scammers, stalkers, or strangers to know far more about you than they should.

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Around Arizona

Prescott: Karen Northcutt, the 62-year-old Dewey woman who once ran Prescott Area Habitat for Humanity, was sentenced to 62.5 years in prison for stealing about $826,000 from the charity. (More)

➤ Flagstaff: County and federal officials are thinning 1,500 overgrown acres near Snowbowl to lessen the wildfire and post-fire flooding risk. (More)

➤ Tucson: The Pima County Sheriff's Department released the text of two ransom notes in the Nancy Guthrie missing person case, hoping the public can provide information on the author. (More)

➤ Sedona: Slide Rock State Park's swimming area will stay closed through September over runoff and debris risk from the Pocket Fire. The rest of the park remains open. (More)

Camp Verde: Out of Africa Wildlife Park reopened Saturday with limited tours after July flash flooding damaged roughly 50 acres. (More)

➤ Peach Springs: Young members of the Hualapai Tribe are training as reporters through Walapai Media's youth radio club to cover the community. (More)


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Arizona Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired outfielder Lars Nootbaar from the St. Louis Cardinals just before the MLB trade deadline. (More)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker will release a 240-page book in September chronicling the creation of his Nike signature shoe and his lifelong obsession with sneakers. (More)

The Arizona Cardinals announced themed home games for the 2026 season, highlighted by a Legends game honoring franchise alumni, a Salute to Service game, and a Fan Appreciation regular season finale. (More)

Circa Sports was awarded an Arizona sports betting license in partnership with the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and is targeting an early 2027 launch. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Tennis | Little League Softball World Series

Flying together with our sponsor

Keep unwanted pests out without messy traps or harsh chemicals. Riddex plugs into a standard wall outlet and uses electromagnetic technology designed to help drive away rodents and crawling insects throughout your home. It's an easy, low-maintenance solution that works continuously to help keep your living space more comfortable. (LEARN MORE)

Arizona Business

An Arizona winemaker said the state's vineyards aren't reporting the same sales challenges as those in California, where growers are pulling out and burning grapevines as U.S. wine sales slide. (More)

Canadian travel to the U.S. fell an estimated 25% last year, with Arizona absorbing part of the drop in spending, the Canadian government said. (More)

A 22-year-old opened a used bookstore in Tempe stocked with classics, betting Gen Z wants books. (More)

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A broken furnace or air conditioner can cost thousands to replace, and homeowners insurance typically won't cover normal wear and tear. A home warranty from American Home Shield helps protect your budget by covering major home systems and appliances for less than $1 a day. Right now, new customers can claim 50% off from one of Money's top-rated providers. Claim 50% Off →

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Scammers don’t just guess your number. They buy personal information from data brokers, companies selling your phone number, home address, relatives’ info, and more online.

That’s how a random scam call can turn into phishing, impersonation, identity theft or someone knowing more about you than they should.

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Et Cetera

Arizona Game and Fish researchers crawled into a black bear den near Flagstaff, capturing rare video for a statewide study tracking bear populations. (More)

Forecasters expect a strong El NiƱo, and NOAA's outlook now tilts Arizona toward a wetter fall and winter. (More)

Walmart and Crayola gave teachers at two Phoenix-area schools full lounge makeovers plus thousands in gift cards and supplies, just as classes resume. (Watch)

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CoQ10 fuels every cell, from your brain to your muscles. As you age, or if you take statins, your CoQ10 levels can plummet up to 40% — leaving you tired, foggy, and drained. Click here to discover the right form of CoQ10 you need to support your today. Learn more

The Flyover Podcast

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:

One of the world's richest investors swears by a rule critics call dangerously aggressive for retirees. (Hear Details)

Rising costs are forcing a record number of young professionals back into their parents' homes. (Hear Episode)

The death of a young woman at a New York med spa is exposing a booming and largely unregulated industry. (Listen Now)

The Poll

Which TKO event would you like to attend?

  1. PBR World Finals
  2. Noche UFC
  3. WWE Royal Rumble
  4. Other
  5. None

 

Previous Results:

If you won a $748 million Powerball jackpot, what would you do first?

  1. Give some or all away: 32%
  2. Invest it: 22%
  3. Pay off the house: 16%
  4. Travel the world: 11%
  5. Other: 11%
  6. Keep working anyway: 8%
Arizona Trivia

Which family homesteaded the apple farm that became Slide Rock State Park near Sedona?

Show me the answer

The Arizona Flyover

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Top Texas Hospitals, SpaceX Posts Big Loss, and Gen Z Moving In

Houston Methodist Hospital is the No. 1 hospital in Texas in U.S. News & World Report's new Best Hospitals rankings.
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The Roundup

Article Icon 1Abbott Activates Panhandle Wildfire Resources

Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management on Tuesday to activate additional state wildfire resources ahead of rising fire danger in the Panhandle.

The Texas A&M Forest Service says August is typically the state's peak wildfire month, with the greatest concern over the next several days in the Panhandle and North Texas.

Deployed assets include Forest Service firefighters, more than 10 federally contracted firefighting aircraft, and Texas National Guard Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters equipped for firefighting.

"Local responders will continue to have full access to state personnel, equipment, and aircraft to protect lives and property," Abbott said. The Forest Service raised the state's Wildland Fire Preparedness Level to Level 2 last week.

Article Icon 1Professors Sue A&M over Teaching Limits

Four Texas A&M System professors and a national faculty group filed a federal lawsuit Monday night challenging system restrictions on teaching about race, gender, and sexuality.

The policy, adopted after regents ordered a systemwide course audit last fall, bars courses from advocating "race or gender ideology" and requires presidential approval for non-core classes covering those topics.

The suit argues the policy is unconstitutionally vague and violates the First Amendment, citing the removal of Plato's writings on gender and the shutdown of A&M's women's and gender studies program.

System spokesman Chris Bryan called the lawsuit meritless and said the system will "vigorously defend" its policies. "The A&M System remains focused on the important work of supporting our students," he said.

Article Icon 1Houston Methodist Tops Texas Hospital Rankings

Houston Methodist Hospital is the No. 1 hospital in Texas in U.S. News & World Report's new Best Hospitals rankings.

U.S. News evaluated 589 Texas hospitals, and 38 earned Best Regional Hospital recognition. UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas ranked No. 2, a tie with Baylor University Medical Center.

Houston-area hospitals claimed seven of the top 10 spots, including Houston Methodist campuses in Sugar Land, The Woodlands, and Willowbrook.

Houston Methodist also made the national honor roll for the 10th time and has now been ranked in at least one specialty for 34 straight years.

Flying together with our sponsor

The Flyover

It only takes one piece of your data to find you.

Your phone number can lead to your address, relatives, workplace, and more.

That information is often sold online by data brokers, making it easier for scammers, stalkers, or strangers to know far more about you than they should.

Incogni helps remove your personal information from these databases and keeps removing it automatically.

Get 55% off with code FLYOVER

Around Texas

➤ Pecos County: Justin Wright, 28, confessed to crimes that cleared 24 theft investigations across Howard, Glasscock, and Pecos counties, including 15 vehicle burglaries and six stolen firearms, Big Spring police say. He was identified with help from a Crime Stoppers tip and license plate readers. (See Details)

➤ Lampasas ISD banned all energy drinks and caffeine pouches on its K-12 campuses, citing American Academy of Pediatrics guidance. Students with open cans will be asked to toss them. Unopened drinks will be confiscated. (See Details)

➤ Harlingen: Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty is asking Gov. Greg Abbott to sign extradition paperwork for Christian Castro, an ICE officer jailed in Cameron County since May on charges tied to a January Minneapolis shooting. Abbott's office says it can't comment on pending extraditions. (More)

➤ Fort Worth: Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare cleared the commissioners' courtroom on Tuesday after attendees clapped during a meeting on proposed voting site reductions. Former state Rep. Lon Burnam was arrested. The plan would cut the number of Election Day polling locations from 316 to 176. (See Details)

➤ Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux fired two officers and two 911 call center employees after Monday's disciplinary hearings. The terminations stemmed from conduct violations, a DUI arrest in Mesquite, and excessive absences. (More)

➤ Houston: Three mothers are suing Texas and three school districts under the state's religious-freedom law to remove Ten Commandments posters from classrooms. A Harris County judge is scheduled to hear their restraining order request on Friday, before students return to school. (See Details)

➤ Fort Stockton: The Department of Public Safety is seeking the Good Samaritan who used a belt as a makeshift tourniquet on a driver whose arm was severed in a June 24 rollover on I-10 in Pecos County. Trooper Monte Jackson then applied his department-issued tourniquet, which EMS credits with saving the driver's life. (More)


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Texas Sports

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that Mark Cuban is a candidate for minority ownership if they were to ever sell any stake in the franchise. Jones called Cuban someone who "loves the game" and praised what he did for the Mavericks during his two decades running the team. (More)

Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre became the first signature athlete for Guardian Caps, the padded helmet shells designed to reduce concussions. Pitre began wearing one in games last season after suffering a concussion in Week 9. (More)

FC Dallas opens Leagues Cup play tonight against Mexican club Queretaro FC at Mansfield Stadium. Dallas hasn't won since beating Colorado back in May and has scored just two goals in three games since the MLS World Cup break. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Tennis | Little League Softball World Series

Flying together with our sponsor

Keep unwanted pests out without messy traps or harsh chemicals. Riddex plugs into a standard wall outlet and uses electromagnetic technology designed to help drive away rodents and crawling insects throughout your home. It's an easy, low-maintenance solution that works continuously to help keep your living space more comfortable. (LEARN MORE)

The Business Of Texas

➤ SpaceX posted a $541 million loss in its first quarterly report as a public company, less than half what analysts expected, as revenue jumped 92% to $7.8 billion. Shares have fallen by roughly half since the June IPO that briefly made Elon Musk a trillionaire. (More)

➤ Texas awarded a $2.42 million Skills Development Fund grant to Workforce Solutions Permian Basin to train 1,486 healthcare workers at 18 rural hospitals and an urgent care center, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday. (See Details)

➤ La PanaderĆ­a operators in San Antonio paid $45,000 in back wages and penalties after a federal investigation found the bakeries employed a 13-year-old and let a 15-year-old work overnight, along with minimum wage and overtime violations at three locations. (See Details)

➤ KRIS 6 News in Corpus Christi is reportedly laying off more than a dozen employees, including anchors, producers, and photographers, as parent company E.W. Scripps shifts to an AI-powered newsroom model to cut costs. The layoffs take effect Aug. 18. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

A broken furnace or air conditioner can cost thousands to replace, and homeowners insurance typically won't cover normal wear and tear. A home warranty from American Home Shield helps protect your budget by covering major home systems and appliances for less than $1 a day. Right now, new customers can claim 50% off from one of Money's top-rated providers. Claim 50% Off →

Flying together with our sponsor

That scam call wasn’t random.

Scammers don’t just guess your number. They buy personal information from data brokers, companies selling your phone number, home address, relatives’ info, and more online.

That’s how a random scam call can turn into phishing, impersonation, identity theft or someone knowing more about you than they should.

That’s why I recommend Incogni. It removes your personal information from these databases and continues to do so automatically.

Get 55% off with code FLYOVER

Et Cetera

Texas is the nation's top moving destination for Gen Z and ranks second for Millennials and Gen X, according to U-Haul's 2026 Midyear Migration Report. Dallas-Fort Worth led the country for Millennial arrivals, with Houston, Austin, and Brownsville-McAllen also among the top metros. (See Report)

The Perot Museum plans a $90 million expansion with a four-level parking lot, new entrance, covered walkway, and event space, according to July 29 filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. (See Details)

San Angelo veterans received about 50 donated laptops Tuesday through a partnership coordinated by West Texas Counseling & Guidance, improving their access to job applications, training, and online services. (See Details)

Whataburger turns 76 this month with app-only birthday deals, including 76-cent menu items each Wednesday and a buy-one-get-one Whataburger on National Whataburger Day, Aug. 8. (See Deals)

Flying together with our sponsor

Statins May Be Helping… and Hurting. Statins are meant to protect your heart — but they can also block something your body desperately needs.
CoQ10 fuels every cell, from your brain to your muscles. As you age, or if you take statins, your CoQ10 levels can plummet up to 40% — leaving you tired, foggy, and drained. Click here to discover the right form of CoQ10 you need to support your today. Learn more

The Flyover Podcast

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:

One of the world's richest investors swears by a rule critics call dangerously aggressive for retirees. (Hear Details)

Rising costs are forcing a record number of young professionals back into their parents' homes. (Hear Episode)

The death of a young woman at a New York med spa is exposing a booming and largely unregulated industry. (Listen Now)

The Polling Station

Do you know any Gen Z or Millennials who have moved to Texas from out of state for the first time in the last year?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. I am one!
 

Yesterday's Results:

What's your favorite kettle?

  1. Kettle corn: 37%
  2. Tea kettle: 23%
  3. Ma/Pa Kettle: 20%
  4. Kettledrum: 7%
  5. Other kettle?: 7%
  6. Kettlebell: 6%
Texas Trivia

What prominent San Antonio landmark was built for the 1968 international exhibition known as the HemisFair?

Show me the answer

The Texas Flyover

Join The Texas Flyover

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