Friday, April 3, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1967, Old Tucson Studios finished building sets for the Western TV series The High Chaparral, which aired from 1967 to 1971.

From egg hunts to a Chandler skate party and a Clarkdale train ride, here is what’s happening across Arizona this Easter weekend. Test your holiday food knowledge in Trivia.

Tune into The Flyover Podcast for more on the woman found missing nearly 32 years after her disappearance as a teenager in Arizona, also one of today’s Top Stories. Listen here.

Today’s sponsor, Fisher Investments, is offering a free guide to help you build a smarter retirement plan that accounts for inflation, rising costs, and long-term financial security.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Arizona Ends Chavez Holiday

Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill officially repealing Cesar Chavez Day, vowing to honor farmworkers in other ways.

The move follows reports that surfaced in mid-March that the late labor leader allegedly sexually abused young girls and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta.

Last week, the Phoenix City Council unanimously voted to remove Chavez’s name from city facilities, parks, libraries, and streets and begin a citywide renaming process.

Other cities have already renamed the March 31 holiday, including San Luis, Tempe, and Tucson.

Final Four Buzz Builds

Arizona and Michigan enter the Final Four as the last No. 1 regional seeds ahead of their matchup Saturday in Indianapolis, Indiana, with early betting lines listing Michigan as a slight favorite.

In Tucson, businesses are gearing up for large viewing parties, adding seating and staff. Police plan a bigger presence and possible street closures near the University of Arizona campus and downtown.

The Wildcats and Wolverines have rolled through the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in different ways, with Arizona leaning on its inside game and free throws and Michigan bringing defense, pace, and versatility.

Analysts expect one of the most evenly matched games of the tournament, with the frontcourt battle possibly deciding the outcome. The winner will play for the national title on Monday night.

Missing Girl Found Alive After 30+ Years

Authorities said privacy concerns are behind their decision to release limited details after a woman was found alive nearly 32 years after disappearing as a 13-year-old.

Christina Marie Plante vanished in May 1994 from what is now Star Valley near Payson after leaving home to walk to a nearby horse stable.

Despite extensive searches by law enforcement and volunteers, the case went cold and was entered into national missing persons databases.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office reopened the case using unspecified modern techniques, saying only that, “Out of respect for Christina’s privacy and well-being, additional details will not be released at this time.”

Flying together with our sponsor

Is your retirement plan prepared for the unexpected? It isn’t just about saving enough—it’s also about making sure your savings last. Over that time the steady effects of inflation can significantly reduce your purchasing power, especially as costs for essentials like healthcare continue to rise. What seems like a comfortable nest egg today could fall short tomorrow without a forward-looking strategy.

A successful plan requires a clear objective that accounts for your goals, time horizon and the impact of rising costs. Fisher Investments’ free guide, The 15 Minute Retirement Plan, can help you define your goals, understand these challenges and build a tailored strategy designed to support the retirement lifestyle you’ve worked for.

➤ Grand Canyon: A federal appeals court upheld the creation of a national monument near Grand Canyon National Park, rejecting state and local challenges to a ruling that shields nearly 1 million acres from new mining. (Watch)

➤ Statewide: Queen Creek, Buckeye, Goodyear, and Maricopa were named to HGTV’s list of top up-and-coming cities, recognized for growth, affordability, and quality of life. (List)

➤ Phoenix: A federal judge sanctioned an attorney after AI-generated fake legal citations appeared in filings tied to a discrimination case involving the Phoenix Suns. (Watch)

➤ Marana: Students at Legacy Traditional School raised money through school events to send a 96-year-old Korean War veteran on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. (Watch)

➤ Maricopa County: Election officials tested new early voting options in a mock election as Arizona prepares to expand in-person early ballot verification. (Watch)

➤ Kingman: Residents can submit pro and con arguments about a proposal to double the mayor’s term to four years, set to appear on the July 21 primary election ballot. The arguments will appear in a pre-election voter guide. (Details)

➤ Eastern Arizona College beat New Mexico Junior College 57-51 to win its first NJCAA Division I women’s basketball championship. (More)

➤ The Phoenix Suns showed strong interest in Michigan State’s Tom Izzo to be the team’s head coach last offseason, with Izzo saying he “talked seriously” with Suns owner Mat Ishbia. (More)

➤ Arizona basketball commit Caleb Holt won co-MVP honors at the McDonald’s All-American Game on Tuesday in Glendale. (More)

➤ Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said parting ways with former quarterback Kyler Murray was “good for both.” (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ A New Detox Tea Is Generating Buzz… See Why. What if your daily tea could do more than just warm you up? The Akemi Detox Tea is getting attention for its simple approach to supporting digestion, reducing bloating, and helping people feel lighter throughout the day. See what the buzz is about.

➤ Godfather’s Pizza returned to Arizona after nearly two decades, opening a new Queen Creek location aimed at tapping Midwest transplants familiar with the brand. (More)

➤ Tucson outdoor retailer Miller’s Surplus will close after 75 years, with a liquidation sale underway. The store’s owner, a World War II veteran, thanked the community for its support. (Watch)

➤ The Verde Valley is fueling Arizona’s wine industry growth through new vineyards, expanded tasting rooms, increased production, and a steady rise in tourism. (Watch)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Do you shop on Amazon? If so, you might be missing out on huge savings and a chance to earn extra cash on every purchase you make. These 16 different hacks could help you save money, earn cash, cancel unwanted subscriptions, and much more. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

It’s essential to ensure your financial strategy can support the future you imagine. A major challenge many investors face is underestimating how long their retirement will actually last. At the same time, inflation can reduce the value of your money over time, making it harder to cover expenses like healthcare, which often rises faster than other costs.

This is why having a tailored investment strategy is so critical. A plan designed for your specific goals, time horizon and cash flow needs can help you navigate these risks. The 15-Minute Retirement Plan from Fisher Investments walks you through these key considerations. It can help you define your objectives and understand the trade-offs needed to build a resilient retirement plan.

➤ Volunteer pilots with Above & Beyond USA gave dozens of disabled Arizona children flights out of Deer Valley Airport as part of an annual event. (Watch)

➤ The Patagonia school district reported improved attendance, higher test scores, and better teacher retention two years after switching to a four-day school week. (Watch)

➤ Tucson police arrested a suspect in the theft of two pythons from Desert Pet, charging her with organized retail theft and burglary as officers search for a second suspect. (Watch)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ A recent report warns that men in certain U.S. areas may be at higher risk of urinary issues linked to toxic mineral buildup, including enlarged or inflamed prostate. Thousands have already reported severe symptoms. New data suggests a geographic link—check the map now to see if your area could be affected.