Flood and Wildfire Test Businesses

Businesses that depend on Grand Canyon visitors say this is their hardest year, as the park recovers from the deadly Aug. 29 flash flood that also destroyed about 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline that supplies the South Rim.

The flood compounds damage from last summer’s Dragon Bravo Fire, which burned nearly 150,000 acres and destroyed the North Rim’s historic Grand Canyon Lodge. Visitation fell from 4.9 million in 2024 to 4.4 million in 2025, a drop experts tie partly to the fire.

Stoney Ward, general manager of Buck Wild Hummer Tours, said he expected a rebound this year but instead is having the company’s slowest year ever, and layoffs are possible.

Hotels inside the park remain closed, and water stations along the Bright Angel Trail are turned off. Officials hope to begin pumping water from Bright Angel Creek to a new treatment plant by Nov. 16, with water reaching hotels and residents by Thanksgiving.

ASU Releases Hockey Findings

Arizona State University released its initial review of the Aug. 20 workout that left hockey player Matthew Mayich on life support.

The report traces the events nearly minute by minute. According to the review, coaches sought permission for former Green Beret Timothy Ziesel to speak to players but never submitted his training plan to the school’s strength and conditioning staff.

The university plans to convene a panel of outside experts to recommend policies on outdoor workouts, emergency response, and outside consultants. 

ASU police are investigating the matter separately and will send their findings to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

  NASA Chief Visits

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman visited Honeywell in Glendale on Tuesday to see Arizona-built technology that will help return astronauts to the moon, as the U.S. aims for a lunar landing by 2028.

The company supplies critical guidance systems that tell spacecraft where they are and where to go. “We are very much in the midst of a second space race,” Isaacman said.

Honeywell provided the full navigation and guidance system for the rocket that launched this year’s Artemis II mission and is supplying 14 product types for Artemis missions through Artemis V. Local teams are now developing life-support systems that remove carbon dioxide and supply clean air for long-term stays on the lunar surface.

U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Bullhead City, who met with Isaacman and Honeywell leaders, also noted that minerals mined in Arizona are used in products for space missions.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Scottsdale: Parents urged the school district to choose the least disruptive of three school closure options. The seven schools under review have room for 7,194 students but enroll 3,296. (More)

➤ Statewide: Republican governor candidate U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs pledged to incrementally eliminate the state income tax if elected, arguing the move would ultimately increase state revenue. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, Biggs said he doesn’t support the war in Iran, breaking with President Trump. “I think the administration knows where I am. But they’re fighting it out. And you and I both know, even as a member of Congress or as a governor, that ends up being outside my reach to deal with,” Biggs said. (More)

➤ Tempe: Tempe Tavern closed after 15 years, following a second deadly crash linked to patrons drinking at the bar. The bar’s attorney said the closure was planned earlier and blamed authorities for harassing the establishment. (More)

➤ Yuma: Arizona State University and Arizona Western College launched a partnership offering a three-year degree to fast-track aspiring teachers into local classrooms. (More)

➤ Peoria: The city council approved a $104 million contract with Vidler Water Company for about 176,000 acre-feet of long-term storage credits from La Paz County, as the city expects its Central Arizona Project allocation to drop by about 7,000 acre-feet next year. (More)

➤ San Tan Valley: Nurse practitioner Rita Ntusa Anagho, 54, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for a scheme in which her addiction treatment clinic billed the state Medicaid agency more than $69 million and collected nearly $55 million. (More)

Enjoy reading The Arizona Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

➤ The Arizona Diamondbacks finished 45-36 in home games this season, their best home record since 2017. Announced home attendance fell about 4% from last season to 2,288,586. The team continues to battle for a final wild-card spot in its final road series. (More)

➤ The Arizona Cardinals placed cornerback Will Johnson on injured reserve with a neck injury that could end his season and promoted former starter Starling Thomas V from the practice squad. (More)

➤ Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker ranked 20th in ESPN’s annual NBA player rankings, the first time in seven years he’s fallen outside the 10-19 range. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Soccer | NHL

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Skip the guesswork. The Hume Body Pod gives you real fat, muscle, and metabolism numbers in seconds. No gym, no lab, no nonsense. Right now Flyover readers get 50% off with code LOOT50. If you’re serious about getting healthier, this is the tool that actually tracks it.

➤ A delegation of more than 30 Arizona business, economic development, and legislative leaders wrapped up a four-day trade mission to Ireland that included a stop at Intel’s Irish campus. Trade between Arizona and Ireland topped $850 million in 2025. (More)

➤ Grocery and convenience store employment in Arizona was down about 2% in early 2026 from a year earlier, roughly four times the national decline, while total wages fell about 3.3%, according to a study. (More)

➤ The 2026 Cactus League season generated nearly $807 million in economic activity and almost $496 million for Arizona’s gross domestic product, the highest figures in more than 20 years of measurement, according to an ASU study. A record 1.7 million fans attended league games. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days are coming October 6–7, bringing Prime members deals across everything from electronics and household essentials to holiday gifts and kitchen favorites. DealWatchdogs has rounded up some of its favorite early offers so you can start shopping before the event officially begins and find savings worth grabbing.

Flying together with our sponsor

Can Your Gut Brew Alcohol? Surgeon Warns YES!

In a stunning new video that’s beginning to go viral…

Prominent gut expert and former surgeon Dr. Steven Gundry sheds light on a strange phenomenon known among industry experts as “Drunken Gut.”

Believe it or not, it’s when poor gut health conditions can lead to your body “brewing” its own alcohol.

If you struggle with severe bloating, fatigue, weight gain, or even find it hard to concentrate, Dr. Gundry says these are warning signs that something is dangerously wrong.

Which is why he’s urging everyone to check for these signs immediately.

➤ Reid Park Zoo in Tucson will offer $1 admission to first responders and up to five family members on Saturday for Public Safety Appreciation Day. (More)

➤ FoodieLand will return to Phoenix Raceway in Avondale Friday through Sunday with 78 food vendors, 58 shopping vendors, and music. Tickets start at $12.57 and must be bought online. (More)

➤ An Iron Man-inspired doctoral student at Northern Arizona University is developing a lighter, adjustable robotic ankle brace for people with cerebral palsy. (More)

➤ Phoenix ranked 20th among the nation’s 100 largest cities for vegans and vegetarians in a new WalletHub study. Chandler (25th), Tucson (31st), Scottsdale (43rd), and Mesa (49th) also made the top 50. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The Real Reason Skin Starts To Thin After 50 (It’s Not What You Think). Remember when bruises faded fast and skin bounced back? New research shows a particular deficiency impacts strength and dark spots too—and you don’t have to accept paper-thin, discolored skin as the “new normal.” Unfortunately, most people don’t know that thinning, aging skin is often caused by this. Learn More

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. 

➤ Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants stormed one Spanish city, which still hasn’t recovered. (Hear Details)

➤ Dolly Parton’s estate has accused her nephew of escalating threats, asking a court to keep him away from its operations. (Listen Now)

➤ Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to prison again in New York, capping a six-year legal saga over his overturned conviction. (Hear Story)

Would you visit the Grand Canyon this fall?

1. Yes
2. Already have
3. Trip planned
4. No

Previous Results:

How would you rate the job market in your area?

1. Steady: 55%
2. Weak: 28%
3. Strong: 17%

What percentage of Arizonans report Irish ancestry?

Show me the answer