Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Arizona Organic Act, creating the Territory of Arizona and abolishing slavery within its borders.

History will come to life in downtown Apache Junction on Saturday as the Lost Dutchman Days Parade arrives with a restored stagecoach, classic cars, and floats for this year’s Wild West Wonderland theme.

Did you know that the team that makes The Arizona Flyover also produces a national publication called The Flyover? Click here to sign up and stay up to date with the latest national headlines—without the bias of legacy media outlets.

If you invested $100 in 1965 in gold, what would it be worth by the end of 2025? What about real estate and stocks? On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown breaks down a new analysis with the answer. Which choice turned pocket change into a small fortune, and which one barely budged? Watch to learn more.

Today’s sponsor, The Consumer Gift Guide, highlights the winter must-haves Americans are turning to as Arctic air and dangerous cold drive a surge in demand for smart, practical seasonal essentials.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Tourists in Mexico Shelter in Place

Arizonans visiting Mexico were among those told to shelter in place as cartel violence erupted across the Mexican state of Jalisco following a military operation that killed a top cartel leader.

The unrest disrupted travel to Mexico, with flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor canceled or diverted as airlines suspended service to Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and other affected cities.

In the military operation, Mexican forces killed cartel leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, triggering retaliatory attacks that set vehicles ablaze, blocked roadways, and sparked armed confrontations.

Law enforcement officials called the operation, aided by U.S. intelligence, a major blow to organized crime, with Arizona elected officials saying the violence underscores the importance of fighting cartels.

Salt River Horses Face Relocation

The state approved a new five-year contract to reduce the Salt River wild horse herd from 274 animals to a target population of 120 by 2030.

The phased plan calls for removing about 25 horses annually through 2029 to reduce roadway collisions, drought-related forage shortages, overgrazing, and impacts to riparian habitat.

The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group called the agreement bittersweet but necessary, saying it will carry out the removals humanely through gradual relocation and fertility control.

Removed horses will be transferred to vetted sanctuaries or adopted under agreements prohibiting resale or slaughter. Once relocated, they cannot return to the Salt River herd.

Iran World Cup Team to Train in Tucson

The Kino Sports Complex in Tucson was selected as the Iran national soccer team’s training site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will host the team beginning in early June.

“We’re excited to be a part of another international, world-class athletic competition,” sports complex director Sarah Horvath said.

The complex previously hosted a World Baseball Classic Qualifier in 2025.

The Iran team will train at the complex for Group G matches in June in Los Angeles and Seattle and, if the team advances, could continue to train at the site through the Round of 32.

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Cold Weather Drives Surge in Demand for Winter Must-Haves

As Arctic air sweeps across the country, many are rethinking how they prepare for extreme cold. This winter weather checklist breaks down the must-have essentials people rely on to get through snow, ice, and dangerously low temperatures.

LEARN MORE

➤ Avondale: A gas station employee and a group of movers helped police safely recover a missing toddler at a Phoenix QuikTrip after recognizing her from an Amber Alert, leading to a suspect’s arrest. (Watch)

➤ Pima County: More than three years after a video of him running down the street in only his boxers went viral worldwide, a jail escapee was captured in Mexico. (Watch)

➤ San Carlos: Two people were airlifted to Valley hospitals in stable condition after a small plane crashed northeast of San Carlos late Saturday. (Photo)

➤ Statewide: Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed nine Republican bills seeking to add new food stamp and Medicaid requirements as Arizona faces potential federal penalties over an elevated error rate. (More)

➤ Phoenix: The city reinstated photo speed enforcement cameras, launching with a 30-day grace period before fines begin March 25. (See Locations)

➤ Tucson: A U.S. Air Force staff sergeant and his spouse were indicted after allegedly pocketing more than $11 million in a medical equipment resale scheme. (Watch)

➤ Arizona men’s basketball rose two spots to No. 2 in this week’s AP poll, behind the Duke Blue Devils. (Poll)

➤ NBA star James Harden wore Arizona State-themed Adidas shoes in his game on Sunday as an ode to his alma mater. (Photos)

➤ The Arizona Cardinals raised $2 million in the team’s inaugural Charity Climb event to benefit Barrow Neurological Foundation, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, Special Olympics Arizona, and other groups. (More)

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➤ Are you ready for Christ’s second coming? Unearth important historical and Biblical facts about the island of Patmos and three of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation by watching The 7 Churches of Revelation: Times of Fire. This critically acclaimed documentary is brought to you for free by RevelationMedia.

➤ The Phoenix Zoo continues to plan for a safari-style conservation park near Sahuarita that could house giraffes, rhinos, and endangered native species. (More)

➤ Frasher’s Tavern in Old Town Scottsdale unveiled The Old Town Baseball Experience, a 2,000-square-foot exhibit featuring more than 1,000 pieces of Arizona baseball memorabilia. (Photo)

➤ Mesa leaders are considering charging landing fees at Falcon Field Airport that could bring in $2.6 million a year, a first for an Arizona general aviation airport. (Watch)

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➤ The self-cleaning, bacteria-killing water bottle everyone’s talking about. UVBrite transforms ordinary water into purified, germ-free hydration at the press of a button. Using hospital-grade UV-C LED technology, it eliminates 99.99% of bacteria and viruses while keeping drinks hot or cold for up to 12 hours. Safe water — anywhere you go. (LEARN MORE)

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Cold weather doesn’t stand a chance.

Discover the smartest winter gadgets of the season: from heated gloves and car essentials to snow-ready tools that make icy mornings easier. These practical finds are designed to keep you warm, safe, and comfortable all winter long. Upgrade your cold-weather routine before the next freeze hits.

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➤ Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park revealed on the TODAY show that its newborn pygmy hippo has been named Jellybean, a name that received 81.3% of the votes in a candy-themed fan poll. (Watch)

➤ Visitors have until Saturday to see Dressed in Prescott: What We Wore at the Sharlot Hall Museum, featuring historic garments including a 1900 silk dress worn by preservationist Sharlot Hall. (More)

➤ Lake Havasu City will close McCulloch Boulevard between Mulberry and Smoketree avenues from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursday for the Havasu Hot Rodz Car Show. (More)

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➤ Do you wake up with yellow gunk in your eyes? (Read This). That may not be “just sleep.” Some experts warn it could signal hidden toxins affecting your vision. A simple 12-second technique is now being used to help restore and safeguard vision. Find Out All About It.