North Rim Marks Fire Anniversary

One year after lightning sparked the Dragon Bravo fire on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, businesses and park officials reflected on the event and discussed ongoing recovery.

The fire burned 145,504 acres and destroyed more than 100 structures, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge, before crews fully contained it in September.

Jacob Lake Inn owner Melinda Rich Marshall, whose property served as a fire staging area, called the loss life-changing. Historical society president Tom Sulpizio said some lodge cabins survived and could anchor rebuilding.

The National Park Service is restoring burned land and plans to help rebuild the lodge. A nonprofit established to assist with the lodge rebuilding said the project could cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

Phoenix Joins Water Share Program 

Phoenix City Council voted to participate in a program allowing Arizona cities to share water as Colorado River cutbacks loom.

The Secure Water Arizona Program (SWAP), to be run jointly by Phoenix and Tucson, aims to create an emergency water reserve and better connect cities willing to buy or sell water.

Water policy experts said the framework could reshape how cities across the state manage supplies, while also helping smaller communities avoid water shortages.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego called the voluntary effort “a practical program that will allow our state the flexibility to weather the uncertainties in the Colorado River Basin.” 

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➤ Tempe: Arizona State University ranks No. 2 among public universities nationwide for students using GI Bill benefits, with more than 20,000 military-affiliated learners enrolled. (More)

➤ Scottsdale: The city council approved an ordinance letting police classify problem short-term rentals as event centers, with fines for partygoers and possible license loss for owners. (More)

➤ Cottonwood: Mingus Union High School District’s governing board approved a performance-based pay plan for teachers. (More)

➤ Phoenix: State Historian Marshall Trimble reflected on the state’s frontier past and his own rise as an author. (More)

➤ Tucson: Mission Garden received a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The living agricultural museum operates on land farmed for more than 4,000 years. (More)

➤ Metro Phoenix: Giant palo verde beetles are making their annual appearance as monsoon season begins. Experts say the insects are harmless to people and healthy trees. (More)

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Which half of the summer do you prefer?

1. Up to July Fourth
2. After July Fourth
3. No preference

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever been to the Fox Tucson Theatre?

1. No: 77%
2. Yes: 23%

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ A banned Chinese underground church’s founder is suddenly free and on American soil, thanks in part to President Trump. (Hear Story)

➤ Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul, struck a parked car in California wine country and drove away, and now the 86-year-old could be facing charges. (Listen Now)

➤ A lavish party for a baby’s very first tooth has the internet asking whether modern parents have finally gone too far. (Podcast Available)

What was the last year Phoenix went without a 110-degree day?

Show me the answer