Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1852, Commodore Perry Owens was born. Named after a naval commander, the legendary Apache County sheriff was a key figure in the Owens-Blevins shootout.

We’re blaming the heat. We failed to include iced tea in Monday’s Poll on favorite drinks to cool off. (See the results below.) To make up for that, today’s Poll asks about your favorite AriZona tea flavor. Did you know the New York company’s founder—seeking a brand identity that evoked a healthy and warm lifestyle—originally wanted Santa Fe but switched because the name didn’t look right on the can? Get the full story here.

Do you know which of your daily habits actually controls your dreams? That coworker from years ago who suddenly showed up in your dream last night, or that random worry that turned into a whole storyline while you slept. Well, scientists just finished one of the largest dream studies ever, and it turns out none of that is random. In today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, Ayla shares the five things this study uncovered about what your dreams are really made of, including one thing that’s been hiding in people’s dreams for years without them realizing it. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is helping pet owners prepare for unexpected veterinary expenses with affordable coverage options that can provide reimbursement for covered accidents, illnesses, and more.

Lieutenant Governor Debuts On Ballot

Arizonans will elect a lieutenant governor for the first time this November, filling an office voters created in 2022.

Currently, the secretary of state is next in line, even when that officeholder belongs to the opposing party.

Gov. Katie Hobbs and challenger Andy Biggs each have until Sept. 4, or 60 days before Election Day, to name a running mate. Neither has announced a pick.

The governor-lieutenant governor candidates will run on a joint ticket. Arizona voters approved the structure to smooth continuity if a governor leaves office.

Storms Follow Record Power Demand

Storms rolled across metro Phoenix before dawn Tuesday, bringing thunder, lightning, and scattered rain.

Power went out for thousands, and lightning sparked palm tree fires in Gilbert and central Phoenix. Flights briefly halted at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The rain interrupted a heat wave that on Friday drove major utilities to all-time peak usage, with Arizona Public Service hitting 9,053 megawatts and Salt River Project reaching 9,072.

An extreme heat warning runs through Sunday, with highs of 115 degrees to 118 degrees forecast by the weekend.

Homebuilders Complete Mega Merger

Berkshire Hathaway closed its purchase of Scottsdale-based Taylor Morrison, creating one of the nation’s largest site-built homebuilders.

Taylor Morrison CEO Sheryl Palmer, one of the few women leading a major home builder in the U.S., will continue in her role and also oversee the integration with Berkshire’s Clayton Properties Group.

Berkshire paid $72.50 per share in the $8.5 billion deal, including debt, that took Taylor Morrison private after 13 years on the New York Stock Exchange.

Taylor Morrison delivered nearly 13,000 homes across 12 states last year.

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➤ Cibola: A road bridge over the Colorado River collapsed Monday from damage caused by the Island Fire, which had burned several thousand acres near the California line. (More)

➤ Mesa: Three train cars went off the track early Tuesday, closing a busy stretch of road. No injuries were reported. (More)

➤ Casa Grande: Banner Health said labor and delivery will continue at its hospital after Sun Life Health announced it was leaving, easing fears of hour-long drives for expectant mothers. (More)

➤ Yuma: The sudden closure of a family medical clinic involved in an alleged Medicaid fraud scheme left patients scrambling for routine and non-emergency care, with another provider stepping in to absorb some of the demand. (More)

➤ Tempe: A city investigation into a social media comment officials labeled a threat unmasked a longtime online critic of Tempe government, raising First Amendment concerns. (More)

➤ Gilbert: An annual report found the town’s water meets all state and federal quality standards, while flagging two wells for PFAS detection, amid Colorado River supply uncertainty. (More)

➤ Glendale: Glendale Elementary School District warned that declining enrollment could force school closures and layoffs in coming years, with officials weighing options. (More)

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➤ The Arizona Diamondbacks reportedly are not looking to trade Ketel Marte after the star second baseman erased nearly his entire Instagram feed, sparking speculation of a possible rift. (More)

➤ Junior hockey teams with the USHL are set to come to Prescott Valley and Phoenix for the 2027-28 season as part of a westward push by the league. (More)

➤ Arizona State hired Ryan Vanhoy as its track and field and cross country director. Vanhoy earned Big West Conference coach of the year honors eight times at Cal Poly. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Tennis | WNBA

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➤ The University of Arizona logged a record year for invention disclosures, a measure of how much campus research is moving toward commercial use. (More)

➤ Sixteen venues in downtown Tucson will begin sharing real-time ID scanner data to flag disruptive patrons, a system that operators say improves safety across bars and restaurants. (More)

➤ Two high school students in the Valley launched a water bottle company, drawing $190,000 in investment from a group that includes former Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald. (More)

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➤ Phoenix has broken 10 overnight heat records since May. (More)

➤ Tom Horne said he plans to open a charter school, following his reelection loss to State Treasurer Kimberly Yee in last week’s primary. (More)

➤ Banner Health joined a small group of U.S. systems trained in single-incision robotic surgery, which promises faster recovery and less pain than multiple cuts. (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. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Your dreams follow hidden rules, and scientists just uncovered what actually controls them every night. (Hear Details)

➤ Air Force One has scrapped its decades-old look for new colors. (Hear Episode)

➤ Birds are struggling to stay hydrated in extreme heat, and you can help by adding this one common freezer staple to your feeder. (Listen Now)