Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, a landmark law tied to western expansion, eventually including the Arizona Territory.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Amy Hess shared why researchers say two to three cups of coffee a day may quietly support one of the body’s hardest-working organs. Dietitians say growing evidence suggests coffee could help reduce inflammation and protect this vital organ from long-term damage. Listen here!

Later today, you’ll receive a message from our partner, Fisher Investments, with a free guide on seven retirement income strategies for investors with $1 million or more. It’s a simple way to compare your options

If you’re trying to be more thoughtful about the media you consume, social media probably isn’t the best place to get your news. Most platforms are designed to provoke reactions, not encourage perspective. That’s why some of us read The Pour Over. It delivers the news in a balanced, easy-to-read format while incorporating a Christian perspective that many readers appreciate.

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.

Arizonans Revved Up for Holiday

Nearly 1 million Arizonans are expected to travel over the Memorial Day weekend, a record figure driven by demand even as gas prices rise.

Nationally, AAA projects 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday and Monday, making it the busiest Memorial Day travel period in history.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is bracing for heavy passenger volume through the long weekend, with American Airlines reporting one of its busiest years in a decade.

Armed Bank Robber Caught

A man armed with an AR-style rifle robbed a Chase Bank near Phoenix’s Biltmore Fashion Park on Monday afternoon, firing a shot into the ceiling before fleeing.

No injuries were reported inside the bank or during the subsequent police pursuit, which ended when officers used a grappler device to stop the suspect’s vehicle on I-17.

The thief left the bank with an unknown amount of cash and drove off in a small box truck, which was tracked by a police air unit until his capture, authorities said.

The FBI plans to file federal charges in the case.

What’s Middle Class?

A study found that the income qualifying as “middle class” in Arizona varies dramatically by region, and the range keeps shifting.

Part of a nationwide study, the analysis pegs the middle class at two-thirds to twice the local median income, with the numbers looking different depending on the city. Some examples:

Chandler: $73,523 to $220,568
Gilbert: $83,312 to $249,936
Scottsdale: $69,929 to $209,786
Mesa: $57,053 to $171,160
Phoenix: $56,831 to $170,492
Glendale: $50,474 to $151,422
Tucson: $40,322 to $120,966

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If you’re tired of the shouting matches on your timeline, you’ll love The Pour Over. It’s a politically neutral newsletter that summarizes the biggest headlines without the partisan spin. Instead of rage-bait, you get clear reporting paired with biblical reminders.

Delivered three times a week, it’s the “steady hand” 1.5 million believers use to navigate a noisy world. It’s news for people who care more about the eternal than the temporary. Try it free today—it’s easier to unsubscribe than it is to sign up.

➤ Flagstaff: Overland Expo West drew crowds from around the world for three days of camping, off-road vehicles, and outdoor gear showcases. (Photo)

➤ Phoenix: Arizona Public Service customers packed a state regulatory hearing to protest the utility company’s proposed 14% rate increase. (More)

➤ Florence: A Pinal County sheriff’s deputy known for coaching and mentoring young athletes was surprised with a $5,000 community award during youth football practice. (More)

➤ Yuma: Crews removed an unoccupied vehicle from a canal near Eighth Street after it was discovered fully submerged Sunday morning. (Watch)

➤ Northern Arizona: Restrictions on outdoor burning, campfires, and fireworks expanded across Apache, Navajo, and Coconino counties as wildfire danger increases. (More)

➤ Statewide: Candidates running for statewide offices and Congress are set to face off in debates and forums ahead of the primary election on July 21. (Schedule)

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➤ The Arizona Rattlers beat the New Mexico Chupacabras 61-15 in the Indoor Football League midseason tournament semifinals, setting up a Rattlers vs. Vegas Knight Hawks championship game on Sunday. (More)

➤ Arizona men’s basketball will play three exhibition games in Lithuania in August, including one against the country’s senior national team. (More)

➤ Tucson’s Salpointe Catholic and Canyon del Oro won Arizona high school softball state titles on Monday. Salpointe beat Mica Mountain 4-2 for the 4A crown, while CDO edged Mountain View 4-3 to take the 5A title. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB | NCAAB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ Graduation season is fueling spending on retailers, photographers, and event businesses as families shell out hundreds to thousands of dollars to celebrate seniors. (Watch)

➤ Dignity Health plans to build a 300,000-square-foot outpatient medical campus as part of the Arizona Cardinals headquarters development in north Phoenix. (More)

➤ Single-family home sales in the Phoenix area were up 4.7% year-over-year in April, but fewer pending sales point to ongoing challenges, according to real estate agents. (More)

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➤ Little Miss BBQ in Phoenix was named the No. 1 barbecue restaurant in the U.S. by Yelp Elite Squad reviewers. (More)

➤ A technical issue involving an AI name-reading system caused delays and incorrect graduate announcements during a Glendale Community College graduation ceremony, leaving students and families frustrated. (Watch)

➤ Prescott Frontier Days seeks former competitors, rodeo queens, and champions from years ending in “6” for this year’s Old Timers Reunion at the World’s Oldest Rodeo that runs from June 29-July 5. (More)

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