School Board Member Under Fire

A Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) board member is facing widespread calls to resign after raising her arm in a Nazi salute and saying “Heil” during a Tuesday, May 26 board meeting.

Kimberly Fisher made the gesture at the close of the meeting, reportedly during a dispute over meeting scheduling. Video of the moment quickly spread across social media, drawing immediate condemnation.

The Deer Valley Education Association called the salute “horrifying and disgusting” and demanded Fisher step down. Parents, educators, and community leaders joined the chorus of calls for her removal on social media throughout Thursday.

Fisher has since defended the gesture in a Facebook Live video posted after the meeting, calling the board president a “dictator.” DVUSD serves over 30,000 students in the north Phoenix area.

New Academy Breaks Ground in Apache Junction

A new tuition-free classical academy is coming to the East Valley. Great Hearts Academies broke ground May 28 on Great Hearts Blossom Rock in Apache Junction, its 25th Arizona campus and first ever outside Maricopa County.

Signaling a demand for school alternatives, the tuition-free K-5 classical academy will open in fall 2027 within the Blossom Rock master-planned community, built on land donated by developer Brookfield Residential—a partnership co-founder Dan Scoggin called a network first in Arizona.

“Children can walk to the school. This is going to be one of our most residentially embedded community schools,” said Scoggin. The ground-breaking ceremony featured students in kid-sized hard hats and shovels, reflecting whom the school serves.

The academy promises classical, screen-free education emphasizing reading, Latin roots, Socratic dialogue, and character formation, with two teachers in every K-5 classroom.

A $15 Bet Turns into Millions at Gila River Casino

A casino guest in the East Valley won nearly $1.5 million on a single $15 slot machine bet last week, transforming a modest wager into a life-changing payout.

The guest was playing the “Frankenstein” slot machine in the newly opened Light & Wonder room at Gila River Resorts & Casinos’ Lone Butte location near Chandler when the jackpot triggered.

The exact prize totaled $1,471,464, ranking among the top three jackpots ever recorded at Gila River Resorts & Casinos, according to officials at the casino operator.

Blake Katsnelson, chief operations officer at the casino, called the win a fitting debut for the new gaming room. “Moments like this are what make what we do so rewarding. Jackpots of this size change lives, and being part of that is something we never take for granted,” said Katsnelson.

The jackpot adds to a milestone year, with more than $256.8 million awarded across the company’s four properties in 2026.

➤ Scottsdale: Water and sewer rates are going up after the city council voted on increases tied to Colorado River supply uncertainty—Scottsdale draws about 70% of its water from the river. (More)

➤ Statewide: Tribal agricultural operations across Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes generate more than $750 million in annual economic output, according to a new University of Arizona analysis. (More)

➤ Flagstaff: The city is navigating rising costs and slowing job growth in 2026, but consumer spending has remained resilient enough to keep the local economy from stalling. (More)

➤ Prescott: The former executive director of Prescott Area Habitat for Humanity was convicted of stealing $826,000 from the nonprofit, which she used to pay for her mortgage, vehicles, a credit card, and other items. Sentencing will be held on July 6 at the Yavapai County Superior Court. (More)

➤ Statewide: Two people pleaded guilty in a federal labor exploitation case linked to Colt Grill restaurant locations in Arizona and Alabama, where workers were exploited at multiple sites. (More)

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➤ Three Arizona natives made USA Basketball’s U18 roster this week—nearly a quarter of the team. The group is headlined by five-star guard Adan Diggs out of Millennium High School. (More)

➤ Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew has already road-tripped to Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon in his RV since signing with Arizona. He’s fly-fishing in Greer next. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said at OTAs that “the game makes sense” to rookie quarterback Carson Beck. Presumed starter Jacoby Brissett remains in a holdout over his contract. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NHL | MLB | Soccer | NCAASB | NCAAB | WNBA | Golf

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China’s 60% Grip on Lithium Is Breaking

A domestic lithium producer backed by General Motors just announced plans for its second U.S. facility. This Utah project will sit atop approximately 2.4 million tons of lithium. Now, investors can claim an early-stage stake. 

Here’s the bigger picture.

China controls 60% of the world’s lithium. But as demand for high-tech innovations like AI and EVs continues to grow, America needs its own reliable supply fast. The window to profit from what comes next is open.

America holds the world’s 5th-largest lithium reserves, and they’ve barely been touched. EnergyX is changing that with patented technology that recovers up to 3X more lithium than conventional methods.

In a world reliant on lithium for batteries, electric vehicles, and grid storage, a domestic lithium supply is critical. Invest in EnergyX today.

➤ Flagstaff will host its Route 66 Centennial Celebration—honoring 100 years of the iconic highway on June 6, in downtown Flagstaff with classic car shows, historical reenactments, live music, and family-friendly activities. (More)

➤ Payson’s annual Pups in the Pines expo is happening today at Green Valley Park—the event features K9 officer demos, Tonto Rim Search and Rescue showcases, and dog athletes in Disc, Flyball, and Agility competitions. (More)

➤ Southern Arizona leaders are racing to build a workforce pipeline for a manufacturing boom—with healthcare, mining, and aviation industries expanding faster than current programs can produce skilled workers. (More)

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