Sunday, May 10, 2026

Happy Mother’s Day! On this day in 1863, the Pioneer Mining District on Lynx Creek was formed after five members of the party led by Capt. Joseph Walker discovered gold along Lynx Creek near Prescott.

As temperatures are heating up around the state, so are the deals at Valley resorts! Check out how much you can save on your next staycation in today’s Top Stories.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown shared new concerns about what heavy AI use may be doing to our brains. Researchers are warning about a trend they call “cognitive surrender,” but is AI really making us worse thinkers? More importantly, how can we avoid falling into the trap ourselves? Listen here.

Today’s sponsor is American Veterans Center. They’re reminding us that Memorial Day is a time to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served our country. This year carries even more significance as America approaches its 250th birthday. The American Veterans Center is leading one of the most meaningful ways to honor that legacy.

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.

A Wetter Summer is On The Way

On a Mother’s Day when Phoenix is baking at 106°F, forecasters are delivering some good news: Arizona’s 2026 monsoon season is shaping up to be wetter than normal.

The National Weather Service’s climate prediction center, AccuWeather, and the Old Farmer’s Almanac all agree that above-normal rainfall is on the way, with AccuWeather projecting nearly the entire state could see 150% of normal precipitation. A shifting Pacific pattern is expected to funnel extra moisture into Arizona when monsoon season kicks off in late June.

That’s welcome news for the state where drought has persisted since 1994 and the Colorado River remains severely strained. Arizona State Climatologist Erinanne Saffell says the rains help vegetation and soils—though she noted it’s winter precipitation that is “the big deal” for refilling reservoirs.

A wetter monsoon should also ease the above-average wildfire risk built up through a record-hot spring, though forecasters warn dry thunderstorms can still spark fires without delivering enough rain. For Arizonans, this forecast is just the news the state needed.

Hobbs Budget Veto Cuts Tribal Health, Water

Arizona’s budget standoff is hitting tribal communities directly: Gov. Katie Hobbs’ veto of all 17 state budget bills has stalled funding tied to water rights, health care, schools, food aid, and wildfire response for the state’s 22 federally recognized tribes.

Hobbs vetoed the $17.9 billion package on May 5, calling the Republican-passed plan “unbalanced and reckless.” Republicans, who passed the budget on party-line votes, countered that Hobbs’ proposals were fiscally irresponsible and called on her to resume negotiations.

The vetoed bills would not renew a $3 million grant for a dialysis center at Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado, or $100,000 that had helped unlock more than $222 million in federal Medicaid matching funds for traditional healing services.

With no deal in sight, tribal leaders say the prolonged impasse has turned a political dispute into a concrete service crisis for communities whose lands span roughly 28% of Arizona.

Staycation Deals Around The Valley

Yes, it’s hot outside but summer’s triple digit temperatures mean some hot deals at local resorts throughout The Valley and the savings are real. Here’s a roundup of some reduced-price staycation opportunities.

The Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass is offering rates starting from $299 plus a $100 daily resort credit on June-September stays. The Arizona Biltmore is celebrating America’s 250th with a rate of $250/night—complete with a $25 resort credit and free parking—that runs through May 15, but is offering more packages and discounts throughout summer.

Royal Palms Resort and Spa is offering its Tranquil Days, Summer Stays with 20% off accommodations plus a $50 daily resort credit. Meanwhile, the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa is launching a Stay, Play & Repeat package with $100 in resort credit per night covering everything from the surf simulator to the spa.

More summer deals for properties including The Wigwam, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort & Spa, Sanctuary Camelback, The Boulders Resort & Spa, The Phoenician Scottsdale, and more can be found here.

This year’s National Memorial Day Parade, hosted by Honorary Grand Marshal Gary Sinise, is set to be the largest in its history. It stands as a powerful tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms.

What makes this event even more meaningful is how it is funded. The American Veterans Center receives no federal funding for the parade. It is made possible entirely by private citizens who believe in honoring those who served.

Your support helps bring this national moment of remembrance to life while also funding year-round efforts to preserve veterans’ stories, educate future generations, and produce documentaries that highlight the true cost of freedom.

If honoring our veterans matters to you, this is a meaningful way to take part.

➤ Phoenix: Phoenix police arrested a man on Friday following an incident outside the federal courthouse downtown, temporarily closing a nearby road. (More)

➤ Tucson: The city cut off water to the contractor building the Project Blue data center after crews were caught illegally using city drinking water for dust control. (More)

➤ Navajo Nation: A truck hauling uranium ore collided with a vehicle last week near the community of Shonto. Police confirmed no radioactive material was released and there is no threat to public health. (More)

➤ Casa Grande: At least six Union Pacific freight cars derailed near Casa Grande on Friday. The railroad company, which is the oldest operating Class I railroad in the U.S., is investigating; no injuries were reported. (Watch Video)

➤ Phoenix: A woman was arrested after police say she intentionally ran over and killed a man she met through a dating app, fleeing the scene in his SUV. (More)

➤ Sedona: The Sedona Heritage Museum received a national honor for preserving the Schuerman Homestead, the last intact home built by one of Sedona’s founding pioneer families. (More)

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➤ No. 25 Arizona State softball took down No. 4 Texas Tech 4-0—one of last season’s national finalists—to win the Big 12 Conference Championship yesterday. (More)

➤ Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt recorded his first MLB hit in his debut game against the New York Mets on Friday. (See Highlight)

➤ The Arizona Cardinals have officially signed 2026 No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love to his rookie deal, worth $53 million guaranteed—the most in NFL history for a running back. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

Beyond the parade, your contribution supports programs that record oral histories from veterans across generations, host conferences connecting young cadets with firsthand accounts of service, and produce television specials that keep these stories alive.

As we approach America’s 250th birthday, there is a unique opportunity to ensure these sacrifices are never forgotten.

Consider making a gift today to support the National Memorial Day Parade and its mission.

➤ Arizona Restaurant Week kicks off May 15 with more than 250 restaurants statewide offering three-course prix fixe menus for $33, $44, or $55 per person through May 24. (More)

➤ Payson’s Mountain Open Golf Tournament at Payson Golf Club brought together more than 20 teams and raised $20,000 to support local initiatives benefiting students, families, and public safety across Rim Country. (More)

➤ Cochise College’s Small Business Development Center is offering a free five-week DreamBuilder entrepreneurship program open to aspiring and early-stage business owners in the Sierra Vista and Bisbee region. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Elon Musk’s latest venture is making headlines nationwide after reportedly receiving White House clearance and expanding across all 50 states. Some analysts believe this new currency initiative could surpass the impact of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI combined. Discover why investors are calling it one of the biggest opportunities of the decade — before the rollout gains even more momentum.