Jon Kyl Dies at 84

Former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, an Arizona Republican who served nearly three decades in Congress, died Wednesday night at 84.

His family said complications from a neurological disease caused the death, nine months after he withdrew from public life, citing a dementia diagnosis.

Kyl served in the U.S. House from 1987 to 1995, then the U.S. Senate until 2013, rising to minority whip. He returned briefly in 2018 when Gov. Doug Ducey appointed him to John McCain’s vacant seat.

Colleagues called Kyl a dedicated statesman. The Kyl Center for Water Policy at ASU’s Morrison Institute bears his name. Memorial services will be announced later.

Storms Swamp Roads

Monsoon storms on Wednesday flooded streets, damaged a school, triggered multiple water rescues, and closed the Grand Canyon’s North Rim.

In Mesa, lightning struck Red Mountain High School’s transformer and emergency generator, and flooding damaged hallways and the outdoor cafeteria. Classes were relocated elsewhere on campus.

Scottsdale Fire Capt. Dave Folio said the storms dropped nearly 3 inches of rain on the northern part of the city. State troopers used a four-wheel-drive vehicle to push disabled cars clear. In Mesa, crews rescued drivers near Higley Road.

In the area of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, Highway 67 closed about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday between Lindbergh Hill and the North Rim developed area. Floodwaters also hit the North Rim Campground and areas along Bright Angel Creek.

Playoff Hopes Fade

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ postseason hopes narrowed this week, with a 4-3 loss to Miami on Wednesday pushing them further back in the National League Wild Card race.

The Diamondbacks host the New York Yankees beginning today in their final home series, with a 2001 World Series reunion planned Saturday.

Arizona entered Thursday’s action 3.5 games behind San Diego in the hunt for a wild-card spot, with nine to play. Wins this week by the Cubs, Phillies, and Padres made their path to the playoffs even harder.

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➤ Grand Canyon: Human remains found this week were identified as those of Timothy Smith, the hiker missing since an Aug. 29 flash flood, his wife said. (More)

➤ Gilbert: The town council approved more than $99 million in projects for Gilbert Regional and Desert Sky parks, adding sports fields, playgrounds, and gathering spaces. (More)

➤ Statewide: Notices of suspension accuse behavioral health clinics owned by Shining New Light and Karing Heart of nearly $4 million in Medicaid billing fraud. (More)

➤ Statewide: State Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, who chairs the Senate Government Committee, subpoenaed Gov. Katie Hobbs and state Attorney General Kris Mayes to testify Sept. 29 about pay-to-play allegations involving a group-home contractor. (More)

➤ Tucson: Federal prosecutors accused Ruffin Alford III, 48, of keeping $104,013 in Social Security benefits paid into his dead mother’s account. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison. (More)

➤ Three Points: A group of residents said they will keep fighting Repsol’s proposed 500-megawatt solar project, which would cover more than 5,500 acres near Robles Junction. (More)

➤ Payson: State and tribal authorities made multiple arrests in an anti-child-trafficking operation at Mazatzal Casino on Aug. 21 and 22. (More)

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➤ Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur credited his defense for the team’s 26-14 season-opening win, though he said the unit still has room to improve. (More)

➤ Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks hosted a basketball camp in Mesa for children ages 6 to 16, trading his edgy on-court persona for a role as a mentor to young players. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the Suns signed center Duop Reath to a one-year deal after Mark Williams tore a shoulder labrum and had surgery that will sideline him for months. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | College Football | MLB | WNBA | Golf | Soccer

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➤ Spectrum completed its takeover of Cox’s Phoenix-area operations, offering eligible internet customers a free year of mobile service if they activate a new unlimited line. (More)

➤ A capital partner for homebuilder Lennar paid about $60 million for 444 residential lots on 132 acres near the growing TSMC Phoenix campus. (More)

➤ Researchers say Arizona’s data centers are not driving the Colorado River cuts. (More)

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➤ Tucson geologist Suzanne Morrison and fiancee Ilana Brin built a community around rocks and minerals through their shop Raining Rocks, a passion Morrison traces to her love of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum after she moved to the state as a child. (More)

➤ A Mesa resident responded to Wednesday’s flooding by riding a jet ski through a neighborhood, a scene captured on video. (More)

➤ Phoenix steakhouse Durant’s made The New York Times’ 2026 list of 50 favorite restaurants in America. The paper also published the restaurant’s shrimp cocktail recipe. (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. 

➤ New research revealed just how many Americans are carrying medical debt despite having health insurance. (Listen Now)

➤ Princess Diana’s brother took aim at King Charles in a new memoir that has drawn a rare rebuttal from Buckingham Palace. (Hear Story)

➤ Uber was ordered to pay $40 million to the family of a woman killed after her driver abandoned her on a freeway. (Hear Details)

Have you ever collected rocks as a hobby?

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Previous Results:

How does this monsoon season compare to past years as the Sept. 30 end date nears?

1. Seems more severe: 33%
2. Typical: 32%
3. Seems less severe: 28%
4. Other: 7%

In which state did Jon Kyl grow up in a farming district represented by his congressman father?

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