Copper Production Starts

Florence Copper in Pinal County celebrated the start of commercial production, becoming the first new U.S. copper source since 2008.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin joined hundreds of community, government, and industry leaders to mark the occasion.

The plant will support about 800 direct and indirect jobs and produce about 85 million pounds a year at full capacity in 2027, raising U.S. refined copper output by roughly 5%.

Rather than digging an open pit, the operation uses in-situ recovery to dissolve copper underground through wells. The company says the process uses about 78% less water than open-pit mining.

U of A Pauses Fraternity Activities

The University of Arizona suspended six fraternities and froze activities for all 21 campus fraternities amid misconduct reports involving nearly half of them.

Dean of Students Chrissy Lieberman said the pause was ordered because her office is at capacity investigating allegations of physical assault, hazing, and drug and alcohol use.

Chapters deemed in good standing can resume after advisers meet with her, she said. In August, school president Suresh Garimella warned fraternity presidents that the school could take action.

Last month, Sigma Tau Gamma was suspended over allegations that new members were forced to drink heavily and take part in other hazing activities, including swallowing live goldfish.

Water Uses in Focus

Golf courses, data centers, and population growth are often cited for straining Arizona’s water supply, but an analysis found agriculture uses nearly three-quarters of the state’s water.

Farms use about 5 million acre-feet a year, with alfalfa accounting for about 1 million acre-feet and cotton a distant second, the analysis found.

Cities used about 1.5 million acre-feet in 2024, with nonresidential deliveries, a broad category that includes tech companies, rising to about 124 billion gallons (380,000 acre-feet) a year. As for residential use, the state estimates 70% goes to landscaping, pools, and other outdoor uses. 

Golf course water use is down in recent years and accounts for about 1.6% of statewide allocations, the analysis found.

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➤ Lake Havasu City: The 45th IJSBA World Finals, the personal watercraft racing championship held annually in Lake Havasu City, runs through Sunday. Admission is free. (More)

➤ Chandler: Chuck E. Cheese opened its new Adventure World, with 12,000 square feet of multilevel play space. (More)

➤ Gila River Indian Community: The state transportation department began the third phase of its multiyear project to widen I-10 between Phoenix and Casa Grande, adding lanes and rebuilding interchanges on an 11-mile stretch between Loop 202 and the Gila River. (More)

➤ Scottsdale: The school board voted 3-2 to close the Copper Ridge and Laguna campuses after the 2026-27 school year and redraw attendance boundaries, displacing about 700 students. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, a report lists the more than two dozen school campuses that have closed or been repurposed in the Phoenix area since 2024. (See List)

➤ Statewide: Attorneys for Medicaid fraud victims accused the attorney general’s office of granting $500,000 to a Native American recovery program allegedly tied to fraudsters. The program’s operator and the state attorney general’s office called the claims baseless. (More)

➤ Tucson: A judge declined to dismiss the deportation case against DACA recipient Karla Toledo ahead of a final hearing scheduled for March. (More)

➤ Buckeye: The DNA Doe Project identified remains found in the White Tank Mountains in 1982 as a Buckeye teen who vanished in the late 1970s. (More)

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➤ Five-star basketball recruit Darius Wabbington of Sunnyslope High in Phoenix committed to Indiana, choosing the Hoosiers over finalists Arizona and Illinois. (More)

➤ The Arizona Cardinals signed offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., the No. 10 overall pick in the 2020 draft, to add depth after losing Paris Johnson Jr. for the season. (More)

➤ Brian Kaplan will not return as the Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitching coach, according to a report. Arizona posted a 4.34 ERA during his two-season tenure, which ranked No. 22 in MLB. (More)

➤ Arizona Wildcats football will face former coach Rich Rodriguez and his run-heavy West Virginia offense this weekend. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NCAAF | WNBA | NHL | Soccer | NBA

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➤ Feeling tired, unfocused, or not quite like yourself? Keeps offers 100% online, clinician-prescribed testosterone replacement therapy for eligible men. Start with comprehensive lab testing, meet virtually with a licensed clinician, and receive a personalized treatment plan if appropriate. Getting started costs $49, including blood work and your consultation.  (LEARN MORE)

➤ Glendale-based mattress maker 3Z Brands, whose lines include Brooklyn Bedding, Helix, and Leesa, completed a 280,000-square-foot expansion of its factory, bringing its manufacturing headquarters to nearly 966,000 square feet. (More)

➤ Chandler-Gilbert Community College opened a $6.4 million facility next to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport that can train up to 1,000 students a year for aerospace and defense jobs. (More)

➤ Sanctuary Camelback Mountain resort in Paradise Valley returned to local ownership and plans to renovate all 110 rooms and casitas by September 2027. (More)

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Deep Sea? Deep Space? Don’t Sweat

What do underwater drones and lunar equipment have in common? Both must operate without air or electrical outlets.

It’s why Infinity’s already secured $60M+ in past and current contracts from NASA, the US Navy, and more to supply that power.

Their fuel cells can keep these machines running in the toughest environments. And this isn’t theoretical. In March, an Infinity-powered underwater drone traveled 1,257 miles without surfacing, roughly the distance from Los Angeles to Dallas. That same design’s even logged 2,600+ hours for a NASA Moon Base power program.

Now, Infinity’s scaling from prototype to production. And through October 15, you can join them and unlock 5% in guaranteed bonus shares.

Maximize your stake as an early-stage Infinity investor before this offer’s gone.

➤ Mesa Public Library will celebrate its 120th birthday by issuing a limited-edition Jimmy Eat World library card designed to look like a vintage concert ticket, available starting Saturday at all locations. (See Photo)

➤ Phoenix Children’s Hospital will sponsor this year’s Fiesta Bowl Parade, set for Jan. 2. Groups that want to march can apply through Oct. 16. (More)

➤ The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes donated about 4,000 dictionaries to third-graders in Chandler and the Gila River Indian Community. (More)

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➤ Coffee vs Hot Cacao vs Green Tea:  Which of these hot drinks was proven in a study boost stem cells by 220% in 30 days?  Billionaires drop 6 figures on stem cell therapy, but this hot drink costs 50 cents a day and boosts anti-aging stem cells improving heart health, blood pressure, and longevity.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. 

➤ One of the most popular glucose monitors failed an accuracy test against the gold standard. (Hear Which One)

➤ A new report breaks down which states Gen Z adults are leaving and where they’re landing instead. (Hear Details)

➤ Spain is mourning the 87-year-old woman whose eviction ignited nationwide protests and pushed the country toward early elections. (Listen Now)

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