Friday, June 27, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1881, a whopping 30,000 pounds of gunpowder exploded inside Zeckendorf’s store in Tucson, leveling nearby buildings and driving panicked residents into churches as they feared the end of the world.

Lions and tigers? Not exactly. Just bears. For the second time in a week, a bear was spotted in the Town of Oro Valley, caught on doorbell camera footage.

You’re now one of more than 50,000 readers starting the day with The Arizona Flyover. And we’re just getting started!

Today’s sponsor is Pacaso, offering a unique opportunity to invest in second homes through co-ownership, making luxury real estate more accessible than ever.

Don’t feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily. Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

Students Return Safely From Israel

Seventeen students from Arizona were part of a group evacuated from Israel as a safety precaution amid tensions with Iran, landing at Sky Harbor International Airport on Wednesday.

The students traveled to Israel for an educational visit on June 4, about a week before Israel and Iran began firing missiles at each other.

After the initial strikes, parents contacted Arizona’s two U.S. senators, who reached out to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and the Israeli Consulate General about getting them home.

Footage shows one of the students returning to his tearful family.

2,200+ Traffic Violations Filmed in First Weeks

More than 2,200 traffic violations were recorded in the two weeks since Tempe installed 14 red light cameras and deployed four mobile camera units in busy areas.

The fixed cameras captured 950 red-light runners and more than a dozen instances of speeding at intersections. The mobile cameras filmed more than 1,300 speeders.

Speeders will receive tickets with fines of up to $250, while those both speeding and running a red light will incur additional fines. Ticketed drivers can choose to contest their case in court, pay the fines, or attend driving school if eligible.

Exoskeleton Designs Shared Publicly

Northern Arizona University researchers launched OpenExo, an open-source framework for building robotic exoskeletons designed to assist people with physical disabilities.

The free OpenExo provides detailed instructions for creating single- or multi-joint exoskeletons, complete with design files, code, and step-by-step guides.

Scientists say the development of a wearable exoskeleton involves extensive trial and error, but the future is promising for a technology that can aid physically disabled people, including victims of spinal cord injuries and strokes.

“Exoskeletons transform ability. There is nothing more fulfilling than working on technology that can make an immediate positive impact on someone’s life,” NAU associate professor Zach Lerner said.

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How do you follow a record-breaking 2024? By strengthening your position even further.

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➤ Vail: A semi-truck spilled about 300 gallons of hypochlorite acid on I-10 early Wednesday, shutting down lanes and triggering a hazmat response. The liquid is most commonly used for cleaning and water treatment. (Details)

➤ Tempe: A federal grand jury indicted Iranian national Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, 40, and his wife, Linet Vartanniavartanians, 37, a U.S. citizen, following alleged threats to shoot immigration agents. (More)

➤ Gilbert: The school district approved a total ban on cellphones for K-8 students. (More)

➤ Phoenix: The city settled a 2022 wrongful death case for $2 million. Firefighters allegedly downplayed a boy’s seizure and advised pain meds instead of hospital transport. (Watch)

➤ Statewide: Gas prices remained stable despite tensions in the Middle East, with the statewide average at $3.26. (More)

➤ Tucson: A rattlesnake was captured for venom research after it bit a 72-year-old woman on Tuesday. (Photo)

➤ The Phoenix Suns will task former Charlotte center Mark Williams with helping improve the team’s defense. (More)

➤ The Arizona Diamondbacks have battled a wave of injuries this season, making it tough for manager Torey Lovullo to maintain consistent lineups. (More)

➤ Arizona State gymnasts Jada Mangahas and Emily White were named to an honorary academic team for a third year. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | PGA | LPGA

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➤ Summer heat waves are no joke—stay ahead of dehydration with LMNT. Zero sugar, science-backed electrolytes, and a new Lemonade Salt flavor that’s perfect for sweaty days. Flyover readers get a free sample pack! (More)

➤ Queen Creek led the Phoenix Valley in year-over-year population growth, driven by efforts to attract major employers. The town’s population has more than doubled to 84,000 over the past decade. (Watch)

➤ Claw Haus arcade opened in Chandler, featuring dozens of claw machines with prizes such as collectible toys. (Watch)

➤ Taquería El Califa offers authentic Mexican food at a series of pop-up events through Saturday in Glendale’s Westgate Entertainment District. (Watch)

Thank you to everyone who supported The Arizona Flyover yesterday—your generosity keeps us going. We rely on readers like you to power independent journalism, so if you haven’t yet, please consider chipping in today to help us keep bringing you the news without the noise.

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Notable Investors Are Buying This “Unlisted” Stock

When the team that co-founded Zillow and grew it into a $16B real estate leader starts a new company, investors notice. That’s why well-known firms like Maveron invested in Pacaso.

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Now, after 41% YoY gross profit growth last year, they recently reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

And you can join them as an investor for just $2.90/share.

This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving the ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the Nasdaq is subject to approvals.

➤ A man died and a firefighter was injured in a house fire on Wednesday afternoon in Phoenix. (Watch)

➤ Three sanitation workers helped rescue a driver after a rollover crash in Peoria. Dashcam footage recorded the incident. (Watch)

➤ A Queen Creek Costco employee stepped in to help a flustered mother after she spilled her bags and cold drink in the parking lot, and later brought her a fresh drink. (Photos)

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