Thursday, May 14, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1933, University of Arizona officials cut 66 teaching positions and reduced salaries up to 15% as Tempe also faced cuts. This photo shows a group of faculty members in the 1930s.

Arizona’s got talent: from a 102-year-old veteran creating military-inspired art to a student whose painting will hang in the U.S. Capitol. Have a talent of your own? Reply to share.

Scientists say one small part of the brain holds the key to memory, navigation, and long-term cognitive health, but many Americans are unknowingly letting it weaken. The good news? A few surprisingly enjoyable activities may help protect your brain before real decline begins. Tune in to The Flyover Podcast as Ayla Brown shares three simple habits researchers say could help keep your brain sharper for years to come. Listen here.

Later today, you’ll receive a message from our partner, Incogni, about how data brokers collect and sell personal information and how to remove it from hundreds of sites automatically.

Today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz, is sharing practical money-saving strategies designed to help retirees cut unnecessary expenses, stretch their monthly budgets further, and focus more on enjoying retirement instead of worrying about rising everyday costs.

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.

ESA Voucher Program Audit Flags Spending

A new report from the Arizona Auditor General’s Office found issues in 34% of reviewed transactions within the state’s billion-dollar ESA voucher program, including unallowable purchases and missing documentation.

In a sample of 63 transactions, auditors flagged 25 for concerns tied to $86,599 in potentially improper spending, which Superintendent Tom Horne defended the program, calling it only a tiny fraction of the program’s annual budget.

Auditors also found $654 million in purchases under $2,000 were automatically approved, allowing expenditures on items such as food, drinks, dashboard cameras, and bathroom accessories.

The report arrives as ESA accountability becomes a major issue in Arizona’s superintendent races and a proposed ballot measure seeking stricter voucher program rules.

USDA Offers Aid for Flooded Farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will offer low-interest emergency loans to farmers impacted by last fall’s floods in and around Gila County.

Officials say area farmers can seek assistance through Sept. 8 for losses involving livestock, feed, fencing, barns, and other agricultural damage. Here’s how to apply.

Arizona Agriculture Director Paul Brierley said the loans are intended to help farmers recover financially and remain operational after the storms.

Flooding hit the Globe area last September and again in October, causing widespread damage that communities are still recovering from.

Amazon Adds 30-Minute Delivery to Phoenix

Amazon is expanding its new Amazon Now delivery service to Phoenix, offering groceries, household essentials, and other items in 30 minutes or less.

The service is already available in cities including Atlanta, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Seattle, and is now rolling out to dozens of additional markets across the country.

Delivery fees start at $3.99 for Prime members and $13.99 for non-members, with additional fees for orders under $15.

Flying together with our sponsor

Retirement should be about your bucket list, not your grocery list. Finding extra room in your monthly budget doesn’t require a total lifestyle overhaul—just a few strategic moves.

The experts at FinanceBuzz have identified several simple ways to trim the fat and keep your savings where they belong: with you.

Check out this list

➤ Wickenburg: Residents shared chaotic evacuation stories after the human-caused Jones Fire destroyed multiple RVs and displaced about 25 people before reaching 23% containment yesterday morning. (More)

➤ Pima County: Supervisors declined to remove Sheriff Chris Nanos over perjury allegations tied to past sworn testimony, instead referring the matter to the state attorney general. (Details)

➤ Pinal County: Supervisors and County Attorney Brad Miller are headed to court Friday over disputes tied to his office’s ICE partnership and county resources. (More)

➤ Quitobaquito Springs: Tribal leaders are raising concerns about the sacred spring near Ajo after a nearby O’odham site was damaged during border wall construction. (Watch)

➤ Phoenix Valley: ADOT will begin a three-year, $192 million freeway project on the I-10/Loop 101 interchange in the West Valley tomorrow night, with southbound Loop 101 closures planned through the weekend. (Map)

➤ Tombstone: Mayor Dusty Escapule was hospitalized after his truck collided with a van Tuesday morning, prompting a two-hour closure of East Fremont Street. (More)

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➤ NAU women’s golf saw its NCAA postseason end early after a back injury left the Lumberjacks without enough players to finish the regional tournament. (Details)

➤ A Chandler couple reflected on the “unreal” experience of owning So Happy, the horse that finished ninth in this year’s Kentucky Derby. (Photo)

➤ Brandon Clarke, a former Desert Vista High School star who went on to play seven NBA seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, has died at 29. (Watch Report)

➤ Tanque Verde High School claimed the first softball state championship in school history with a 10-0 mercy-rule win over Yuma Catholic High School. (Watch)

➤ Costco food courts in Arizona are expected to add the retailer’s new “massive” chicken tenders within the next few months after the item debuted at locations in Illinois. (More)

➤ Former Spirit Airlines aircraft are being moved to airports in Goodyear and Marana after the airline’s collapse, with Arizona’s dry air expected to help prevent deterioration. (Watch)

➤ Knightwerx has relocated its headquarters from California to Scottsdale as the military drone maker looks to expand hiring and manufacturing operations in Arizona. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

You’ve worked hard for your retirement; now make sure your money is working just as hard for you. Stretching your budget doesn’t have to feel like a sacrifice. With a few effortless adjustments from the expert advice of FinanceBuzz, you can breathe easier knowing your finances are optimized for the long haul.

LEARN MORE

➤ Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa has opened Riptide, a nearly 10-story attraction billed as Arizona’s tallest water slide, featuring a 65-foot drop and speeds nearing 45 mph. (Watch)

➤ Baby Gambel’s quail chicks are flooding into Tucson Wildlife Center, where caregivers are fostering nearly 200 birds separated from their families during hatching season. (Watch)

➤ A serial red-light runner with out-of-state plates has been captured more than 60 times on Tempe traffic cameras but has yet to be cited as police attempt to identify the driver. (Watch)