Monday, September 15, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1929, Jack Frye piloted the tri-motored Fokker plane Arizonan to a record altitude of 23,200 feet. This photo shows Frye at Phoenix Airport in 1928.

A public memorial for Scottsdale resident and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk will be held Sept. 21 at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium. In Top Stories, we cover his wife’s tribute honoring his life and pledging to continue his mission.

Learn about these 11 weird little hacks Costco shoppers should know from today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz.

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.

Erika Kirk Honors Husband’s Life

Erika Kirk, wife of Scottsdale resident and Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk, paid tribute to him in a speech this weekend, vowing to continue his conservative advocacy following his fatal shooting at Utah Valley University last week.

Kirk delivered her televised remarks for over 16 minutes, saying at one point, “I will never let your legacy die.”

Kirk’s death has sparked nationwide memorials and international gatherings, including a large rally in London this weekend.

Meanwhile, at ASU, a professor said conservative students feel unsafe on campus, leading a Turning Point USA student group to cancel its weekly meeting.

Records Highlight DCS Child Deaths

An average of 20 children per year have died while in Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) custody since 2018, records show.

In 2023, 19 children in custody died, followed by 14 in 2024. The average age of the children who died was 4.5 years, with 40% of the deaths occurring in Phoenix.

Recent high-profile cases, including those of Rebekah Baptiste, Emily Pike, and Zariah Dodd, have raised questions about the agency’s oversight and safety protocols.

DCS Director Kathryn Ptak said of the reports, “Any child dying in our custody is not acceptable.”

Prescott VA Earns Five-Star Rating

The Northern Arizona Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System in Prescott announced it earned a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the 2025 hospital quality ratings.

The score reflects performance in mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely, effective care.

In total, 77% of VA hospitals that received a rating earned four or five stars, with none receiving a one-star rating. More than 90% maintained or improved their 2024 scores.

Since January, the VA has reduced its benefits backlog by 37% and is processing claims 17.8% faster than in 2024.

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➤ Statewide: A new report warns that Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the Colorado River’s largest reservoirs, could fall to critically low levels by late summer 2026 if current water use continues. (Watch)

➤ Tucson: City councilmember Lane Santa Cruz faced backlash for an Instagram post about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, later removing it and denouncing all forms of violence. (Watch)

➤ Pinal County: Highway troopers arrested a driver on I-10 near Eloy after finding $187,000 in stolen copper inside his semi-truck. (Watch)

➤ Tempe: Nearly 70 elementary school families will receive $200 a month for three years under the Puente Project, a pilot program exploring the impact of additional income on student outcomes. (Watch)

➤ Yuma: Law enforcement safely detonated a suspicious package outside the Yuma County Detention Center, which is now being investigated as an act of terrorism. (More)

➤ Tempe: City council meetings will resume in-person at City Hall on Sept. 18 with heightened security following a recent social media threat. (More)

➤ The Arizona Cardinals improved to 2-0 with a 27-22 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, sparked early by a defensive touchdown on the third play of the game. (Watch)

➤ Arizona State football rolled past Texas State 34-15 on Saturday, finishing nonconference play with a strong win. (More)

➤ Arizona football is 3-0 for the first time since 2015 after a 23-17 win over Kansas State on Friday. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | WNBA | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Gila River’s Wild Horse Pass in Chandler ranked ninth on USA Today’s list of top casinos outside Las Vegas—the only Arizona casino to make the cut. (More)

➤ The Globe Planning and Zoning Commission approved a 4,559-square-foot Global Valley Medical Centre clinic on the US 60 commercial corridor. (More)

➤ A mansion in Phoenix’s Biltmore Estates sold for $9.5 million, the highest price ever in the luxury community. (More)

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➤ The Superstition Mountains’ rare “cougar shadow” appears twice a year and will be visible Sept. 14-20, best viewed about 30 minutes before sunset near 13th Avenue and Goldfield Road in Apache Junction. (Photo)

➤ A Marana dad with no golf experience took over the high school boys’ golf team after the sudden death of their longtime coach. (Watch)

➤ The Arizona State Fair kicks off Sept. 19, featuring rides, shows, concerts, and special promotions through Oct. 26. (More)

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