McMahon Presses Hobbs on Vouchers

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon pressed Gov. Katie Hobbs to opt Arizona into a federal school choice tax credit, citing her three vetoes.

Speaking at the East Valley Institute of Technology in Mesa, McMahon said 30 states have joined ahead of the January 2027 launch. She appeared alongside U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, who is challenging Hobbs for governor.

Hobbs’ office said she is waiting on federal rules and has taken no position.

Donors to scholarship organizations get a dollar-for-dollar federal credit of up to $1,700 under the Education Freedom Tax Credit, but only in participating states.

Candidates Address Police Forum

Gov. Katie Hobbs and challenger U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs answered public safety questions separately at an Arizona Police Association forum on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus.

The candidates discussed border security, Flock license plate readers, and other issues. You can watch a portion of the forum here.

Biggs said he would fully fund the Border Security Strikeforce created under former governor Doug Ducey and appoint a border czar, telling the audience state and federal agencies must coordinate.

Hobbs said border security is not a partisan issue, pointing to National Guard deployments and more than $200 million sent to local law enforcement.

Arizonans Remember Dolly Parton

Concert promoters, fans, and families around Arizona joined in remembering Dolly Parton, the country music icon who died Tuesday at 80.

Flags flew at half-staff Wednesday, and fans across the state shared memories of her music and her Arizona concerts.

Veteran concert promoter Danny Zelisko booked Parton’s 2014 Phoenix show at what is now Arizona Financial Theatre, and he called the night pure magic.

Her mark on the state included free books mailed by her Imagination Library to young Arizona children.

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➤ Maricopa County: Urgent care centers reported an uptick in Valley fever cases after a dry, dusty summer that spread more of the soil fungus behind the illness. (More)

➤ Hereford: A school bus driver who helped five students exit a burning bus called the experience the scariest moment of her career. (More)

➤ Flagstaff: Forecasters say a strong El Niño could bring one of the best snow seasons in years to Arizona Snowbowl this winter. (More)

➤ Wittmann: A group of residents called for the West Valley community to incorporate, saying a town government would help preserve its rural character. (More)

➤ Chandler: Omaha Steaks opened a local store, giving Arizonans a way to buy the mail-order brand’s cuts without paying for shipping. (More)

➤ Yuma: Residents on the border said they were on edge after the U.S. State Department issued a security alert for Mexicali over an unspecified criminal threat, suspending official travel and consular services. (More)

➤ Tucson: The Tucson Unified School District board took up a plan to close and consolidate campuses as enrollment declines. (More)

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➤ Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo apologized to Chicago Cubs skipper Craig Counsell after Arizona’s staff accused Chicago’s third-base coach of stealing pitches. MLB officials said the coach did nothing wrong. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks hope three-time All-Star Ketel Marte will return next week, roughly two weeks after his unexpected absence from the team. (More)

➤ Arizona State lost linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu for the season with a lower-body injury, the third Sun Devils defender ruled out before the opener. (More)

➤ Arizona Cardinals center and team captain Hjalte Froholdt signed a two-year extension. He started all 17 games at center last year. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | U.S. Open | Soccer | Little League World Series

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➤ Gas prices in the state averaged $4.55 a gallon this week, up nearly 10 cents in the past week and above the $3.36 recorded a year ago, according to AAA. (More)

➤ Aldi plans to open three more Phoenix-area stores in September and October, pushing the German grocer toward 50 Valley locations. (More)

➤ The state’s utilities are watching but not committing as the Trump administration promotes small modular nuclear reactors, a technology no U.S. commercial plant yet uses. (More)

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➤ Arizona-born residents can now pull up a digital birth certificate on their phones at state Motor Vehicle Division offices, a first-in-the-nation initiative. (More)

➤ A Mesa sixth grader won Super Bowl LXI tickets at a school assembly after completing an American Heart Association challenge on heart-healthy habits. (More)

➤ Phoenix hit a record high for the date of 115 degrees on Tuesday as extreme heat warnings stayed in place across much of Arizona. (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. 

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Do you have your original birth certificate?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Somewhere … maybe

Previous Results:

What’s your favorite Dolly Parton hit?

1. I Will Always Love You: 36%
2. Jolene: 13%
3. Coat of Many Colors: 13%
4. 9 to 5: 12%
5. Islands in the Stream: 12%
6. Here You Come Again: 9%
7. Other: 5%

Where did Valley fever get its name?

Show me the answer