Friday, April 24, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1997, Arizona Governor J. Fife Symington signed a bill clearing the way for the start of construction on Tempe Town Lake later that year.

We asked for your favorite Route 66 memories, and here’s one of the many great responses that stood out: “As a 15-year-old on a driving vacation with my parents in 1961, we stopped for gas. There was a slot machine in front of the run-down gas station. I had never seen one. I put a nickel in it and won 18 nickels. The owner admonished my dad for me playing, but I got to keep the winnings.” —Gary, Phoenix

Today’s sponsor, Cytonics, is a pioneering biotech company developing a potential first-ever cure for osteoarthritis, offering investors a rare opportunity to get in early ahead of its next phase of clinical trials.

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.

GOP Readies State Budget Proposal

Republican state lawmakers are working to finalize a budget proposal that aims to protect education and public safety while trimming some agencies’ spending by up to 5%.

The budget cuts would target departments outside public safety through hiring freezes, unfilled positions, or delayed programs.

The GOP-backed budget would continue funding for the ESA school voucher program.

The Republican proposal would not renew Proposition 123, likely a key sticking point with Gov. Katie Hobbs. The voter-approved supplemental funding for K-12 schools expired last year.

3D-Printed Weapons Emerge in Schools

An investigation spotlighted 3D-printed weapons in Arizona schools, including cases involving students as young as 10.

The report by Arizona State University-based newsroom The Beam also noted how 3D printers and online design files enable students to create knives, guns, and other weapons.

No laws or age restrictions govern the 3D printing of weapons in Arizona. One case cited involved a fifth-grader bringing a 3D-printed butterfly knife to an elementary school campus.

The investigation also found inconsistent school responses and gaps in policies and communication with parents.

Phoenix Among Most Polluted Cities

A report from the American Lung Association ranks the Phoenix metro area among the most polluted in the nation.

You can see pollution grades for Arizona counties here.

Nationally, the Valley placed fourth-worst for ozone pollution, with 54.8 unhealthy days and an F grade, worse than last year.

For particle pollution, the Valley ranked 28th-worst for short-term spikes and 20th-worst for year-round pollution.

“Unfortunately, too many people in the Phoenix metro area are living with unhealthy levels of ozone and particle pollution. This air pollution is causing kids to have asthma attacks, making people who work outdoors sick and unable to work, and leading to low birth weight in babies,” American Lung Association spokesperson Melissa Ramos said.

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The Next-Gen Treatment Targeting a $560 Billion Disease

It’s one of the world’s most common diseases, with over $560 billion spent managing its symptoms each year. But soon, its 500+ million patients may finally be able to do more than that.

Because an emerging biotech called Cytonics may have discovered what soon could be osteoarthritis’ first and only cure.

They successfully completed Phase 1 FDA trials on 10,000 patients with zero adverse effects. Now, Cytonics is gearing up for Phase 2 clinical trials on a version designed for global scale.

Potential medical breakthroughs like this are rare. Even rarer? You can invest in Cytonics at the pre-clinical stage. Become a Cytonics shareholder by 4/25 for exclusive early-stage bonus stock guarantees.

➤ Nogales: A South Tucson woman was arrested at the port of entry after allegedly trying to smuggle an RPG tube, 20 rifles, and other weapons into Mexico. (Photos)

➤ Page: Officials plan major upstream water releases to maintain power generation at depleted Lake Powell, including draining as much as a third of Flaming Gorge Reservoir’s water. (More)

➤ Sedona: Starting May 1, Slide Rock State Park will close entry when parking is full and will also no longer allow vehicles to wait along Highway 89A. (More)

➤ Tucson: Police are considering deploying drones as first responders, allowing them to arrive ahead of officers to assess scenes and improve response times. (More)

➤ Maricopa: The city began issuing bonds to fund its share of a $400 million SR 347 widening project, allowing construction to start sooner. (Watch)

➤ Phoenix: The city council voted 8-1 to raise trash collection fees, increasing monthly costs by $14 over three years starting this July. (More)

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➤ The Arizona Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night. Rounds two and three take place today. (See Full Draft)

➤ Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker criticized the officiating in the team’s most recent loss, calling referee James Williams “terrible” and “bad for the integrity of the sport.” (More)

➤ Arizona sports fans picked Chase Field in Phoenix as their top choice for the venue where they would want their ashes spread, a nod to Arizona Diamondbacks fans’ love of the ballpark. (More)

➤ Former Saint Mary’s point guard and assistant coach E.J. Rowland will join Arizona State’s basketball staff under Randy Bennett. (More)

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➤ Why doctors are calling Berberine “Nature’s Weight Loss Secret”. In a 12-week study, participants taking berberine lost 5 pounds and 3.6% body fat. Research shows it reduces appetite, blocks new fat cell formation, and activates a key metabolism-regulating enzyme called AMPK—all without prescriptions or dangerous side effects. Learn More

➤ The $675 million Arro mixed-use project in downtown Phoenix expects to break ground by early 2027, anchored by two towers, one of them the state’s tallest. (More)

➤ A Chandler startup is launching commercial sales of its air suspension wheels for mining trucks after successful testing. (More)

➤ Paradise Valley restaurants LON’s at The Hermosa and El Chorro ranked No. 1 and No. 2 on Ranking Arizona‘s 2026 patio dining list, based on public voting. (List)

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➤ Spring is here—time to blast away months of dirt and grime without the hassle. The HydroX5 Pressure Washer delivers powerful, cordless cleaning that’s up to 5× stronger than a standard hose, making it easy to refresh patios, driveways, cars, and outdoor furniture in minutes. Lightweight and portable, it lets you clean anywhere—no cords, no heavy equipment—so you can enjoy a spotless home all season long. LEARN MORE

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They’re Challenging Big Pharma at a $560 Billion Game

Big Pharma companies spent billions trying to cure osteoarthritis. An upstart biotech called Cytonics may have actually done it.

Their first-gen therapy has already been used to treat 10,000+ patients successfully.

Now, after completing Phase 1 FDA trials, Cytonics is gearing up for a Phase 2 clinical trial for “CYT-108”, their next-gen drug candidate that’s 200% more potent and built for global scale.

The opportunity? 500m+ people deal with osteoarthritis worldwide, with no treatment that can actually stop it. It’s a $560b market in total. It’s also why Cytonics has raised $25m from over 7,000 investors.

And you can join them ahead of Phase 2 trials. Invest in Cytonics by 4/24 to earn up to 18% bonus stock.

This is a paid advertisement for Cytonics Regulation CF offering. Please read the offering circular at https://cytonics.com/
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee of performance. Past performance does not predict future results. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal.

➤ Scottsdale seniors showcased their singing, dancing, and comedy talents during the 23rd annual Entertainment Extravaganza. (Watch)

➤ NASA astronaut Jessica Meir sent a recorded message from the International Space Station to a class of third-graders in Sierra Vista, encouraging the students to study hard and pursue their own dreams. (Photo)

➤ Safford’s Spring Festival returns today and tomorrow with wine tastings, live music, food trucks, and new drink sampling events in downtown. (Event Details)

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➤ After Harvard’s latest brain discovery, you no longer have to lose your memory. We are born with “memory protein.” After 50, it decreases, leading to mental decline. The solution is a song that reactivates it – boosting memory, eliminating brain fog, and sharpening thinking. 7-minute brain song reactivates your “memory protein”