Saturday, September 12, 2026

Good Morning! On this date in 1893, cattlemen and farmers of Cochise and Graham counties received warnings to go armed at all times as the Apache Kid—a fugitive blamed for a wave of raids, cattle rustling, and attacks across southern Arizona and northern Mexico—was believed to be in the area.

Just days after marking the one-year anniversary of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, we reflect on the current state of free speech on college campuses across America. See where three Arizona universities line up in a new 2027 College Free Speech report in today’s Top Stories.

Balance, strength, and the ability to get up off the floor fade quickly with age, and most people don’t notice until something as simple as standing up from a chair gets hard. Physical therapists say it doesn’t have to go that way. When asked which exercises they actually recommend to patients, the same six simple moves came up again and again. One of them you can do while waiting for your morning coffee. Join Christopher on The Flyover Podcast to find out which everyday movements could keep you strong, steady, and independent for years to come. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Doroni, is building the H1-X personal flying vehicle as interest in eVTOL technology grows across both the defense sector and the broader aviation market.

AG Sues L’Oréal over Product Linked to Cancer

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a consumer fraud lawsuit Friday against L’Oréal USA and its parent company, Softsheen, alleging the companies sold chemical hair relaxers without warning customers of possible cancer risks.

The complaint claims the products contained chemicals classified by federal agencies as known or probable carcinogens, including some linked to ovarian and uterine cancer.

Mayes said the relaxers were marketed primarily to Black women, with some aimed at children. She cited studies associating relaxer use with higher rates of uterine, ovarian, and other hormonal cancers.

Her office said L’Oréal knew or should have known of the risks. Consumers who believe they were affected can file complaints with the Attorney General’s Office at www.azag.gov/consumer.

Ex-Cardinals Player Sentenced in Dogfighting Case

A federal judge sentenced former Arizona Cardinals running back LeShon Johnson Thursday to five years in prison for running a large-scale, multistate dogfighting operation, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.

Johnson, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, also received three years of supervised release and a $30,000 fine after his conviction on six dogfighting-related charges.

Prosecutors said he operated Mal Kant Kennels, breeding pit bulls that had won fights and selling stud rights and offspring to other dogfighters. Authorities seized 190 dogs in 2025.

Johnson, who played for Arizona from 1995 to 1997, previously pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in Oklahoma in 2004.

AZ Colleges Rank among Top 32 for Free Speech

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) released its seventh annual College Free Speech Rankings Wednesday, rating 261 schools based on nearly 63,000 student survey responses, campus policies, and speech-related controversies.

All three ranked Arizona universities placed near the top. The University of Arizona ranked 27th, Arizona State University 29th, and Northern Arizona University 32nd, according to FIRE’s rankings site. Each holds a “green light” policy rating.

Arizona’s average speech climate grade of C- was among the nation’s best, though 47% of Arizona students reported self-censoring at least monthly.

Nationally, the University of Chicago ranked first and New York University last. FIRE said controversies following Charlie Kirk’s 2025 killing contributed to a campus climate it described as “dismal.” You can see the full nationwide rankings here.

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The Pentagon’s Got Their Eye on This Tech

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➤ Cochise County: Health officials confirmed two West Nile virus cases and one probable case Thursday, all in the Sierra Vista area. (More)

➤ Phoenix Metro: The Phoenix City Council voted unanimously to permanently rename the city’s Cesar Chavez holiday as Farmworkers Day, following sexual abuse allegations against the late labor leader. (More)

➤ Pima County: Federal officials plan a new Border Patrol station on an 87-acre Bureau of Land Management site along State Route 86 near Three Points, west of Tucson. (More Details)

➤ Statewide: Arizona homeowners met Thursday with state Rep. Junelle Cavero to seek contractor law reform after regulators revoked Sun State Pools’ license, citing dismissed complaints and capped recovery fund payouts. (More)

➤ Flagstaff: The city’s minimum wage will rise from $18.35 to $19 per hour on Jan. 1, 2027, reflecting an annual cost-of-living adjustment tied to a 3.40% consumer price index increase. (More)

➤ Safford: A small group gathered at Victory Fellowship for the Gila Valley’s first Truth Train convoy, a vehicle parade marking one year since conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death. (More)

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➤ Arizona State and Arizona each face a ranked opponent on the road today. The Sun Devils visit No. 10 Texas A&M in College Station, while the Wildcats take on No. 15 BYU in Provo. (See Schedule)

➤ Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will miss extended time with no return timetable, the team said. (More)

➤ Former Arizona State quarterback Danny White will host a two-day pickleball tournament and silent auction Sept. 25-26 in Mesa, with all proceeds benefiting the Pat Tillman Foundation. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | NCAAF | Soccer

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Up, Up, and A-Way to Get in On This Boom

Flying car company stocks are soaring on Wall Street. Archer went public at $1.7 billion. EHang IPO’d at $662 million. And Joby raised a whopping $1.6 billion when they went public.

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➤ Hondo Rodeo Fest and Hunkapi Farms are hosting Rodeo Without Limits in Scottsdale this weekend, a therapeutic riding and adaptive rodeo event providing individuals with special needs and cognitive or physical disabilities with a safe, supportive, and joyful hands-on rodeo and equine experience. (Watch Report)

➤ Flagstaff business owners expect a strong fall tourism season as autumn colors arrive, saying visitor spending sustains downtown even when wildfires and flooding disrupt travel to the area. (See Details)

➤ GSQ, the 150-acre mixed-use development in Goodyear, signed six new leases, adding Sephora, J.Crew Factory Outlet, Lovesac, Postino, Miel de Agave, and V’s Barber Shop. All are slated for a 2027 opening with the exception of V’s Barber Shop, which is opening this October. (More)

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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.

➤ Physical therapists say six simple moves may protect the strength and balance that age quietly erodes. (See Exercises)

➤ One surrogate’s refusal to end a pregnancy has escalated into a custody fight now before the U.S. Supreme Court. (Hear Story)

➤ Popular weight loss drugs have been linked to a rare brain disorder that can turn deadly without quick treatment. (Podcast Available)