Saturday, May 16, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1930, outlaws torched a railway trestle near Globe to derail a Southern Pacific train, but the engineer raced the train through the flames to safety.

More than 40% of Tucson students have missed 10% or more of the school year, totaling 18 days or more across both semesters. What do you think should be done to keep kids in school? Or is it not that big of a deal? Hit reply to give us your take.

These are the three incredible benefits of drinking coffee in the morning that researchers say could have surprising effects on your long-term health. Your daily cup is reportedly doing far more than boosting energy, including helping protect one of your body’s most important organs. Tune in to The Flyover Podcast as Amy Hess breaks down the latest research on coffee’s unexpected health benefits and what you should know before your next sip. Listen here.

Today’s sponsor, Money.com, is helping homeowners unlock record levels of home equity by matching them with HELOC providers that could save thousands in rates and fees in under a minute.

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.

Trump Eyes Massive Colorado River Cuts

The Trump administration is preparing a 10-year plan to impose mandatory water cuts on Arizona, Nevada, and California from the overtaxed Colorado River.

The Bureau of Reclamation’s proposal would reset cutback levels every two years, leaving Arizona’s long-term water planning in limbo. Arizona officials are sounding the alarm, warning that the state could face larger reductions than it accepted under previous interstate agreements.

The federal shift toward short-term measures follows months of failed negotiations among the seven Colorado River basin states, which could not reach a consensus on shared cutbacks. The administration originally pursued a 20-year framework before pivoting to stopgap measures.

Arizona holds junior water rights under the Colorado River Compact, making it first in line for cuts before California. The Central Arizona Project, which carries river water to Phoenix and Tucson, serves nearly six million residents.

Hobbs Ends Budget Veto Standoff

Gov. Katie Hobbs lifted her month-long bill-signing moratorium earlier this week after Republicans entered into what her office called “good-faith” budget negotiations.

Hobbs had imposed the moratorium on April 13, declaring she would refuse to sign any legislation until Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature released their budget proposal and engaged in serious talks. The freeze left hundreds of pending bills in limbo, affecting nonprofits, businesses, and local governments waiting on key measures.

Republicans unveiled and passed their $17.9 billion spending plan in late April, but Hobbs vetoed it on May 5, calling it “unbalanced and reckless.” The Arizona House went into recess after the veto and isn’t scheduled to reconvene until June 1.

After a week of talks, Hobbs notified GOP budget leaders that the moratorium had been lifted, allowing stalled bills to move forward. A final budget deal has not been reached, and Arizona heads into summer without an approved state spending plan.

Court Clears Axon’s Scottsdale HQ Deal

A Maricopa County judge dismissed the legal challenge to a state law that stripped Scottsdale voters of the right to force a referendum on Axon Enterprise’s planned north Scottsdale headquarters campus.

Axon lobbied the Arizona legislature to pass the law, which preempted the city’s voter initiative process for the project. Opponents argued the measure violated the state constitution’s ban on “special legislation.” The judge ruled it constitutional.

The decision clears a major hurdle for one of the Valley’s most closely watched development projects—a sprawling campus on a large north Scottsdale parcel. Axon, which makes Tasers and police body cameras, says the expansion is critical to its growth.

Attorneys for the challengers said an appeal is likely. If the law survives, voters would have no path to block the campus through a referendum.

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Homeowners Are Quietly Tapping Record Equity

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The average homeowner now has about $315,000 in equity, and many are using a HELOC to consolidate debt, renovate, or cover major expenses.

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➤ Tucson: Chronic absenteeism in Tucson Unified School District has spiked to 44%, meaning nearly half of all students missed enough school days to significantly impact their learning. (More)

➤ Tempe: The City Council is weighing a sales tax increase that, if approved, would go to voters to fund public safety, transportation, and preschool education programs. (More)

➤ Statewide: Following a scathing audit report, a top Republican lawmaker said Arizona’s billion-dollar school voucher program concerns “should be addressed”—though Republicans stopped short of backing Democrat-led reform proposals. (More)

➤ Buckeye: Grand View Arizona, a new large-scale advanced manufacturing campus, is coming to Buckeye. Commercial brokers say the project could significantly shape West Valley industrial growth for years to come. (More)

➤ Northern Arizona: A study of Bartlett Dam and Horseshoe Dam has gained fresh urgency as Arizona communities grapple with water supply pressures tied to mountain forest runoff across the region. (More)

➤ Phoenix: Surveillance video captured the dramatic moment a roof gave way at a north Phoenix strip mall, collapsing suddenly with no reported injuries. (More)

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➤ Arizona, ASU, and Grand Canyon all opened NCAA softball tournament regional play yesterday. ASU headed to the College Station Regional as the Big 12 Tournament champion. (More)

➤ The Arizona Wildcats men’s tennis team made program history with their first-ever Elite Eight appearance before falling to top-seeded Wake Forest in the NCAA quarterfinals earlier this week. (More)

➤ Turkey’s national soccer team will use Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa as its FIFA World Cup training base, with a public fan community day set for June 8. (More)

➤ The Arizona Cardinals got their 2026 NFL schedule earlier this week with no primetime games, an opener at the Chargers, and analysts rating it among the toughest slates in the league. (More)

➤ The Arizona Diamondbacks open a three-game series at the Colorado Rockies tonight, looking to rebound after closer Paul Sewald blew a late lead against the Texas Rangers in a midweek 6-5 loss. (More)

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If you’re sitting on untapped home equity, Money.com says you may be able to turn it into cash for renovations, debt consolidation, or major expenses without touching your savings.

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➤ Arizona Restaurant Week runs through May 24 with more than 250 restaurants statewide offering three-course menus for $33, $44, or $55. (More)

➤ A milder weekend is on the way for Arizona. Forecasters say conditions are easing after weeks of near-triple-digit heat across the Valley, a brief reprieve before summer fully arrives. (More)

➤ Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters investigators are “getting closer” in the search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie. The Tucson-area woman has been missing for more than 100 days. (More)

➤ Ranking Arizona has released its annual list of the state’s top 10 production and custom home builders for 2026, a popular benchmark in one of the nation’s fastest-growing housing markets. (More)

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