Monday, April 27, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1898, Arizonans enlisted in the Rough Riders for the Spanish–American War. This photo shows the unit with Theodore Roosevelt.

Winslow or Flagstaff? The debate continues over what inspired the Eagles’ song Take It Easy, as locals in both cities claim a connection to the iconic “standing on a corner” lyric.

Today’s sponsor, Insurify, makes it easy to compare quotes from 120+ insurers in minutes and drivers can save up to $1,100 a year on car insurance with a fast, free, and hassle-free process.

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.

State Leaders React to DC Shooting

Arizona officials are reacting after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Surprise, was among those evacuated.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly praised law enforcement’s response, while Gov. Katie Hobbs called the incident “horrifying.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, said the shooting was a troubling reminder that “evil exists.”

Protesters Block Project Blue Site

Several dozen protesters gathered Friday at the Project Blue data center site near the Pima County Fairgrounds.

Deputies responded and moved protesters off the road, allowing trucks to leave the site with no arrests reported.

Site preparation work began last week on the 290-acre site north of the Pima County Fairgrounds.

Developer Beale Infrastructure’s plans call for up to 10 data center buildings totaling around 2 million square feet.

Salt River Tubing Returns

Salt River Tubing opened its 46th season Saturday, welcoming visitors back to float the waterway through Tonto National Forest.

The popular Mesa-area attraction offers online reservations and upgraded shuttles to reduce wait times.

New ownership that took over in 2023 has also increased cleanup efforts along the Lower Salt River.

Trips range from 90 minutes to 5 hours, with three route options available. Riders must be at least 8 years old and 4 feet tall.

Flying together with our sponsor

Stop overpaying for car insurance—Insurify makes it easy to find better coverage at a lower price in just minutes. Their platform lets you compare real quotes from 120+ top insurance companies side-by-side, so you can quickly see your best options without the usual hassle. Best of all, it’s completely free to use, and drivers who switch can save up to $1,100 per year on average.

With a fast, simple process and personalized results tailored to your needs, Insurify takes the guesswork out of shopping for insurance. There’s no pressure, no hidden fees—just smarter savings. Click now to compare quotes and see how much you could save today.

➤ Dewey-Humboldt: Dashcam footage shows a wrong-way driver’s car slowly rolling into a Yavapai County sheriff’s deputy’s patrol vehicle before the driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI. (Watch)

➤ Surprise: Hundreds protested a proposed ICE detention facility Saturday. An ICE spokesperson challenged the protesters’ motives and said the site was carefully evaluated. (Watch)

➤ Tusayan: The state transportation department named Grand Canyon National Park Airport as its 2026 Airport of the Year after a $12 million runway renovation. (More)

➤ Payson: A car crash investigation led state troopers to uncover fake IDs and more than $80,000 in gift cards, resulting in a fraud arrest. (Photo)

➤ Heber: Advocates sought a restraining order to stop a horse roundup after forest officials said the herd does not qualify for wild horse protections. (Watch)

➤ Flagstaff: The Barefoot Trail will reopen May 6 with new field trips, live music, and expanded group offerings after drawing more than 20,000 visitors last season. (More)

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

➤ Caleb Lomu became the first player from Gilbert selected in the first round of the NFL draft, with the offensive lineman going No. 28 to the New England Patriots. (More)

➤ Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson went No. 8 overall to the New Orleans Saints in the NFL draft, the first Sun Devil taken in the top 10 since Terrell Suggs in 2003. (More)

➤ Freshman guard Brayden Burries joined Koa Peat in declaring for the 2026 NBA draft, giving the Arizona Wildcats two one-and-done departures from its Final Four squad. (More)

➤ The Phoenix Suns are down 3-0 to defending champion Oklahoma City in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The teams play tonight in Phoenix. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Your Cutting Board is a Major Health Risk. Your cutting board could be harboring harmful bacteria like E. coli—and even shedding microplastics into your food. Grooves and cracks trap germs, putting your family at risk. Discover a safer, smarter solution with Tivano and keep your kitchen truly clean. (LEARN MORE)

➤ A French-inspired estate in Arcadia sold for a local record $17.1 million in cash after a bidding war. (More)

➤ Commercial gyms across Arizona and the U.S. are closing basketball courts in favor of weights, pickleball, and social media spaces, leaving locals with fewer places to play. (More)

➤ A proposed industrial park in Maricopa plans eight buildings totaling 97,000 square feet on 7.5 acres for manufacturing, distribution, office, and retail uses. (Site Plan)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ 22 Things To Cut When Living On Retirement (Many People Ignore #11) Retirement doesn’t mean your money has to feel stretched thin. A few smart adjustments could go a long way — and many of them are easier than you think. We put together a list of simple cutbacks that can free up more of your budget for the things that actually matter. Check out these offers from our partners below to get started.

Flying together with our sponsor

Stop overpaying for insurance—Insurify makes it easy to find better rates in minutes. Compare real quotes from 120+ top insurers side-by-side and see how much you could save—drivers can save up to $1,100 per year. It’s fast, free, and personalized to your needs, with no hassle or endless forms.

➤ The U.S. Postal Service will celebrate this year’s Route 66 centennial by releasing a Forever stamp collection featuring scenes from Arizona and the seven other states the highway passes through. (Photo)

➤ A list ranks White Mountains camping spots by views, access, and amenities, with Big Lake Campground among the standouts. (Rankings)

➤ A Bullhead City police officer briefly stopped Highway 95 to help a mother duck and her ducklings cross the road. (Watch)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Do you wake up with yellow gunk in your eyes? (Read This). 95% of vision problems aren’t caused by aging or genetics. A dangerous toxin may be slowly damaging your eyesight right now. This simple 12-second “eye detox” is going viral for restoring clear vision fast. See it before it’s taken down.