Sunday, June 21, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1936, Yuma resident A.J. Eddy developed and pioneered the first home evaporative cooler, providing a critical invention for comfortable desert living.

Happy National Arizona Day! June 21 is celebrated annually as National Arizona Day, recognizing the Grand Canyon State’s rich history, diverse landscapes, and culture. Not to be confused with Arizona Statehood Day (which is on Feb. 14), this state celebration, National Arizona Day, is an additional day to recognize the natural wonder and amazing abundance the “Grand Canyon State” has to offer.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla Brown broke down why dogs are suddenly showing up everywhere and what the law actually allows. More and more owners are bringing their pets along on daily errands. Ayla explained which dogs the law really recognizes as service animals and why so few people are willing to say no to the unregistered furry friends. Plus, join the discourse in our YouTube comment section, which has gotten the most comments we’ve ever had. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Splash Spotless Cleaning Products, is here to upgrade your spring cleaning routine with a hands-free foam toilet cleaner that tackles stains and odors without scrubbing—just pour, let it foam, and flush for a fresh, sparkling bathroom.

Extreme Heat-Related Deaths at Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon National Park is warning visitors of extreme heat expected early next week, after three hikers died in recent heat-related incidents in the inner canyon.

The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat watch from midday Monday through Tuesday, forecasting temperatures that could reach or exceed 110°F at the canyon’s low-elevation Phantom Ranch.

Two hikers, ages 67 and 68, were found dead June 16 on the North Kaibab Trail. A third hiker, 72, died June 12 on the South Kaibab Trail.

Officials urged visitors to avoid midday hiking. Much of the western U.S. faces above-average temperatures and elevated fire danger, including a wildfire that forced evacuations near Sedona.

$10M in Opioid Settlement Funds

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced on Thursday $10 million in opioid settlement funds for reentry programs across rural counties, aimed at helping people transition back into communities after incarceration.

The money will go to five county sheriff’s offices—Coconino, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, and Yavapai—each receiving $2 million to strengthen and expand existing coordinated reentry planning services.

The funds, drawn from the state’s opioid settlement share, must be spent by June 30, 2027. Each office will submit quarterly financial and programmatic reports to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of funds.

Mayes said the investment seeks to break the cycle of addiction and incarceration, giving Arizonans “a real shot at recovery, stability, and a second chance.”

Best Places to Start a Business in Arizona

A new study from online business lender OnDeck ranks Arizona’s best ZIP codes for launching a business in 2026, naming Phoenix’s 85016 in Maricopa County the top spot.

Researchers analyzed nearly 10,000 U.S. ZIP codes with populations above 10,000, scoring each on 13 small-business metrics, including average revenue, business density, corporate tax rates, cost of living, and broadband speed.

Maricopa County dominated the rankings, taking seven of the top 10 places. Coconino County’s Flagstaff area placed second and fourth, while Yavapai County also made the list.

The rankings reflect data current as of February 2026. OnDeck emphasized that location strongly influences whether a startup survives its critical first year. You can find the full study here.

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➤ Scottsdale: Local defense and space robotics startup Crow Industries, headquartered in Scottsdale, is working with the U.S. Army to test unmanned ground vehicles with officials evaluating autonomous technology for future military operations. The exercises examine mobility, safety, and battlefield capabilities of robotic systems. (More)

➤ Coconino County: A wildfire north of Sedona, known as the Pocket Fire, prompted evacuation orders in Oak Creek Canyon and forced the closure of State Route 89A as firefighters worked to contain the rapidly growing blaze. Officials urged residents and visitors to leave affected areas while crews deployed ground and air resources to protect nearby communities. (More)

➤ San Carlos Reservation: San Carlos Lake officials closed the reservoir indefinitely after a massive fish kill wiped out about 100% of the fish population, citing drought-driven low water levels and public health concerns from decomposing fish. (More)

➤ Phoenix: A house fire in Phoenix’s Maryvale neighborhood critically injured six people and prompted an emergency response from firefighters Saturday morning. Authorities transported victims for medical treatment and continued investigating the cause of the blaze. (More)

➤ Pima County: County officials and the operator of Old Tucson Studios are negotiating a possible new lease agreement as officials seek to secure the site’s long-term future. The discussions follow years of redevelopment efforts and aim to maintain tourism and entertainment operations at the historic attraction. (More)

➤ Valleywide: Waymo pulled thousands of robotaxis from service after vehicles made errors during a Phoenix freeway closure. The company said it updated software and reviewed operations following incidents involving navigation near restricted road areas. (More)

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➤ The Cactus Bowl will return to Arizona State University for the first time in 11 years next college football season. The bowl had previously been moved to the Diamondbacks’ Chase Field, which will be undergoing renovations during the next bowl season. (More)

➤ Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll bolstered his case to become a starter at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game with a clutch eighth-inning bases-clearing triple on Friday, propelling Arizona to a 9-5 victory. (Watch Video)

➤ The Arizona Cardinals partnered with Gridiron Air to fly 140 coaches and athletes to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | College World Series | U.S. Open | WNBA

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➤ The Arizona Humane Society marked its 69th year of animal rescue efforts and promoted a special adoption campaign aimed at helping more homeless pets find permanent homes. The program also highlighted Father’s Day and the growing popularity of “cat dads.” (Watch Video)

➤ The 45th Annual Prescott Bluegrass Festival is underway in downtown Prescott with free live music, featuring regional and local bluegrass acts, vendors, camping, raffles, and community events. The Prescott Chamber of Commerce organizes the festival, which bills itself as the largest free bluegrass festival of its kind in the western U.S. (More)

➤ The Annual Cowpunchers Reunion Rodeo, scheduled for June 27-28, will bring working ranch cowboys, livestock families, and spectators to Williams for traditional rodeo competitions rooted in ranching culture. Events include wild horse races, bronc riding, roping contests, and family-oriented competitions. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ A strong market helped retirement savers reach a major milestone. (Hear More)

➤ Washington launched a new UFO task force and promised more answers. (Listen Now)

➤ JD Vance revealed the wardrobe expectations inside President Trump’s White House. (Podcast Available)