Medical Plane Crash Kills Four

All four people aboard died when a medical transport plane that departed from New Mexico crashed while landing on Tuesday afternoon in the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona.

The names and hometowns of the victims were not immediately released. An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

The small plane was en route to pick up a hospital patient when it crashed and caught on fire near Chinle Municipal Airport around 12:40 p.m., creating a plume of black smoke.

“This is a tragic loss to the families of those on board and to the medical air and first responder community,” Navajo Nation police said in a statement.

ASU Powers Up Virtual Reality Tools

Arizona State University continues to expand the use of virtual reality tools in its teaching, adding chemistry classes to the biology courses launched last year.

The school’s Dreamscape Learn program allows students to tackle real-world problems by exploring them virtually before testing solutions in the lab.

In one lesson, for example, students use digital tools to design a water filtration system for a village.

The learning method appeals to otherwise uninterested students, and also aims to reduce the roughly 40% dropout rate in challenging STEM courses, said program spokeswoman Lisa Flesher.

Fossils Reveal Reptile Species

Fossils from the Petrified Forest National Park in northern Arizona reveal a previously unknown reptile species from the Triassic Period.

The findings point to a long-necked reptile that lived in swamps or small rivers, with a neck twice the length of its body and tail combined. In comparison, a giraffe’s neck makes up about one-third of its total length.

Now named Akidostropheus oligos, the species was found in the sandstone layer of the park’s Thunderstorm Ridge.

Researchers began exploring the Petrified Forest in 2010, finding another Triassic-era reptile in 2022. The Triassic period occurred 201 million to 250 million years ago, preceding the Jurassic Period.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ White Mountains: The state Game and Fish Department offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to an arrest following numerous poaching incidents in Nutrioso and Alpine. (More)

➤ San Tan Valley: Early returns showed a majority of local voters support incorporating the 100,000-person community as a town. (Track)

➤ Strawberry: A man was found safe days after he went missing during a retreat hike on Fossil Creek Trail. (Watch)

➤ Tolleson: Artificial intelligence-aided security cameras helped prevent eight weapons from being brought onto campuses last school year. (Watch)

➤ Oak Flat: A federal judge was scheduled to hear arguments from the San Carlos Apache Tribe and environmentalists aiming to block a copper mine project. (Watch)

➤ Green Valley: Dozens of residents voiced concerns over proposed transmission line routes to connect Santa Cruz County with Pima County’s energy grid. (Photo)

➤ Arizona Diamondbacks designated hitter Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a 103.9 mph fastball out of the park on Tuesday, the fastest recorded pitch hit for a home run. (See Play)

➤ Quarterback Kyler Murray and other Arizona Cardinals first-stringers will play against the Kansas City Chiefs in a preseason game on Saturday. (More)

➤ NBA.com ranked the Phoenix Suns as the third-worst team in the Western Conference for the upcoming season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Say goodbye to knee pain with Wellnee Pain Relief Patches—now available at a 70% discount! These fast-acting, natural patches deliver soothing relief directly to aching joints. Easy to apply and perfect for daily use. Don’t miss the limited-time sale—get lasting comfort and mobility today!

➤ Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Chandler earned Top 10 spots in a study ranking U.S. cities for middle-class earning potential, generally defined as salaries between $60,000 and $200,000. (List)

➤ State Farm Stadium in Glendale unveiled new food menu options for the upcoming football season, including Sonoran Style Fruit Cups and Birria Disco Fries. (Watch)

➤ Mesa Gateway Airport reported a record 2 million travelers in 2024. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Fight odors and boost freshness with OdorCrush Laundry Balls—eco-friendly, reusable laundry enhancers that eliminate unwanted smells and soften fabrics naturally. Safe for all machines and cost-effective over time. Make laundry day simple and effective—experience the fresh, clean scent that lasts. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

This method has been vetted by scientists from the University College Cork.

Their studies, made on 674 women dealing with deep wrinkles, dark spots and saggy skin clearly showed how, by simply doing this for 10 seconds in the mirror, they dramatically improved their appearance in less than a few weeks.

This odd method is so effective that scientists have deemed it to be 10 times better than retinol.

Just watch the video below and see how easy it is to look 10, 15 or even 20 years younger:

10X Better Than Retinol (With None Of The Side Effects!)

➤ A refurbished ADA 800 locomotive went on permanent display outside the Navajo County Courthouse in Holbrook. (Photo)

➤ Tucson resident Taylor Moore celebrated his 93rd birthday by hiking Tumamoc Hill, which he routinely treks three times per week. (Watch)

➤ World-renowned yo-yo performer Hunter Feuerstein of Chandler will compete in this week’s world yo-yo championship in Prague. (Watch)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Get custom shirts printed for less with AlliedShirts! Take advantage of the limited-time 55% off sale—perfect for teams, events, businesses, or personal designs. Enjoy high-quality prints, fast turnaround, and easy online ordering. Create the perfect shirt at an unbeatable price. Start customizing your shirts today!

Will the use of virtual reality become commonplace in education?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure

Previous Results:

Do you prefer city or rural living?

1. Rural: 49%
2. I like both: 30%
3. City: 21%

Which Scottsdale-born actress starred in the films Zombieland and Poor Things?

Show me the answer