THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1937, a road widening project began on Oracle Road in Tucson. This 1939 photo shows a southbound view of the road.

Days after temperatures soared, cold fronts and storm systems are expected to bring rain, wind, and high-elevation snow to close out the week.

Big Announcement: The Flyover Podcast is launching on April 28, and we need your help! Before we make episodes available to the public, we’re inviting our readers to join our focus group. You’ll get an exclusive first look (and listen) at episodes on YouTube starting this Monday, April 21, and you’ll have the chance to help shape the podcast by giving feedback to our hosts Ayla and Amy regarding content, format, delivery, and new ideas.

Your voice will be essential in helping shape the future of The Flyover Podcast. To help, just click HERE and click the subscribe button on the Flyover YouTube page (bottom left corner.) We’ll shoot you an email with a private episode link starting Monday, April 21. Thanks for your help!

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Student Pilots Sue United

Dozens of former student pilots filed a federal lawsuit against United Airlines and its Goodyear-based flight school, United Aviate Academy, alleging staff and equipment shortages resulted in minimal flight time. Watch the report.

The lawsuit also claims some students were expelled under the guise that they were progressing too slowly, when in reality United allegedly needed to reduce excessive enrollment numbers to maintain the school’s accreditation.

United issued a statement declining to comment on specific allegations while defending the pilot school, saying “we have the highest confidence in the rigorous curriculum and flight training program.”

In the lawsuit, 29 plaintiffs say they were misled into enrolling in a program promising intensive, one-year training leading to commercial pilot careers. Instead, they claim they were sometimes taught by fellow students and received minimal flight time.

Lawmakers Pass Stolen Valor Act

Arizona lawmakers passed a state version of the Stolen Valor Act, which would increase penalties for people who impersonate veterans for personal benefit. Gov. Katie Hobbs has said she will sign the bill into law. Watch the report here.

The bill breezed through the legislature in final voting, with the only votes against coming from state Sen. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, and state Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale.

Still, the legislation didn’t advance until after some finger-pointing and political maneuvering, according to the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Walt Blackman, R-Snowflake.

While a stolen valor law is already on the books at the federal level, the Arizona law imposes more stringent penalties.

Buford the Dog Rescues Boy

A heartwarming rescue unfolded in Seligman when a rancher’s dog named Buford rescued a missing 2-year-old boy who wandered away from his home. Watch.

The boy, Boden Allen, disappeared from his residence on Tuesday, prompting a 40-person search led by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. Sixteen hours later and 7 miles away, rancher Scottie Dunton located the boy on his property.

Dunton found the boy and dog standing together at the main gate of his property around 8 a.m., at which point the boy explained how the dog helped keep him safe and warm overnight and then led him to Dunton.

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➤ Statewide: The Arizona Game and Fish Commission unanimously rejected a petition to ban the use of dog packs to hunt wildlife. (More)

➤ Capitol: The state legislature passed a bill that sidesteps a public vote for the development of tech company Axon’s headquarters in Scottsdale. The bill now goes to Gov. Katie Hobbs for her consideration. (Video)

➤ Mesa: A former detective with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office pleaded guilty to killing his wife last year. (Video)

➤ Pima County: Former state representative Andrés Cano was appointed to the Pima County Board of Supervisors District 5 seat vacated by Adelita Grijalva. (Photo)

➤ Queen Creek: A baseball coach pleaded guilty to exploiting children in an online catfishing scheme that involved extortion and blackmail. (Video)

➤ Marana: An arson suspect cited finances and relationship issues as the reason he started a fire at a Marana church in 2024. (Video)

➤ Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll hit a grand slam in the team’s 10-4 win over Miami on Tuesday. (Watch)

➤ The Phoenix Suns are expected to offer a two-year, $150 million contract extension to star guard Devin Booker this offseason. (More)

➤ A purported image of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ new City Connect jersey was published on eBay. (Photos)

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➤ Medical marijuana sales were down nearly 10% in 2024, marking the second straight year of decline. The $1.3 billion of combined medical and recreational sales in 2024 was down 14% from 2022. (More)

➤ The co-owners of Roadhouse Cinemas in Tucson opened Roadies Lanes + Games + Gastropub in an adjacent building, which formerly housed Bed Bath & Beyond. The venue includes bowling, axe-throwing, and live music. (Video)

➤ Sam’s Club will remodel all of its 600 existing locations, including 12 Arizona stores. Two new locations are planned in Mesa and Tempe. (More)

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➤ Animal rights activists protested at the Phoenix Zoo, calling for the relocation of the zoo’s only elephant to an animal sanctuary. The group presented a petition with 20,000 signatures. (Details)

➤ Flagstaff will host a Drop-Off Day on April 26 to divert harmful waste from landfills, and a Fix-It Clinic on May 3 to repair common household items. (Details)

➤ A star party will take place on Friday at Catalina State Park as part of National Park Week. Telescopes will be provided. (Watch)

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