Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1852, the Colorado River’s first steamboat, Uncle Sam, arrived in Yuma. This image shows a similar steamboat.

See how a family-run Christmas tree lot in Phoenix has thrived for 40 years despite challenges. Do you prefer real or artificial Christmas trees? Vote in today’s Poll.

🎁 Shopping for your loved ones? Skip the guesswork and use The Flyover Christmas Gift Guide, packed with the year’s smartest, most reliable picks.

If you’ve ever wished your generosity could stretch even further, today’s sponsor, Convoy of Hope’s Matching Challenge, allows every dollar you give right now to be doubled, helping to feed hungry families and bring hope around the world.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

State’s Gas Prices in Focus

A study conducted over Thanksgiving week shows that while gas prices dropped in most states, Arizona ranked fifth nationwide for the largest year-over-year increase, up 4.17%.

The price of regular unleaded in Arizona is the seventh most expensive in the country, averaging $3.30 per gallon.

Experts say the local increase is largely due to refining issues on the West Coast, including the shutdown of the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles that supplies Phoenix.

Colorado saw the sharpest year-over-year price drop at 8.7%, while Oregon and Alaska experienced the steepest increases.

Post-High School Degrees Lag

A study found that more Arizonans are getting at least an associate’s degree, but the numbers still aren’t enough to fill the state’s hiring needs.

The state’s two- and four-year colleges are turning out only about 25% of the graduates needed each year, with the difference filled by out-of-state workers, researchers said.

Currently, 49% of Arizonans have postsecondary credentials, short of the state’s goal of 60% by 2030, according to the Center for the Future of Arizona.

Experts said expanding two-year degrees, certificates, and community college programs could help close the gap.

Kelly Faces More Questions

U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly’s recent comments about the military remain a focus in Washington, D.C., with the retired U.S. Navy pilot pressed on whether he would defy orders if still in uniform.

Kelly did not respond directly but discussed a new report of a second strike on a suspected Venezuelan drug boat. In a separate interview, he said, “Going after survivors in the water, that is clearly not lawful.”

Trump administration officials defended the second strike as “well within (the commanding officer’s) authority and the law to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat … was eliminated.”

The ongoing focus on Kelly comes after he and other Democratic lawmakers released a video urging service members to defy unspecified “illegal orders,” a move President Trump labeled as possible sedition.

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Double the hope for families in need!

For a limited time, your generosity can go twice as far for families facing hunger and hardship.

Through Convoy of Hope’s $1 Million Delivering Hope Matching Challenge, every dollar you give will be doubled—up to $1 million—to strengthen programs that bring lasting change around the world.

Your matched gift:

· Provides daily meals for more than 639,000 children in the U.S. and 39 additional countries, ensuring they can learn, grow, and thrive.

· Equips vulnerable farmers with the tools, seeds, and training needed to provide for their families.

· Responds to disaster with immediate aid and long-term recovery.

· Empowers women with business start-up support, breaking cycles of poverty in their communities.

· Fuels efforts across Africa to combat severe food shortages, providing meals for tens of thousands of children and new income opportunities for their mothers.

Here’s your opportunity to make an even greater impact when it’s needed most. But the deadline to see your gift DOUBLED is Dec. 31, so please don’t wait!

Give today and your support will be doubled to feed the hungry and offer hope!

➤ Scottsdale: The city council today will discuss a proposal to shorten public comment time and reduce the number of speakers during meetings. (Watch)

➤ Lake Havasu: Keith Gensamer, 49, was arrested for allegedly starting a fire at Calvary Baptist Church on Sunday. (Watch)

➤ Phoenix: The city plans to repaint more than 5,000 crosswalks over the next seven years with high-visibility markings to improve pedestrian safety. (Watch)

➤ Tucson: A western screech owl that suffered a minor leg injury in a snap trap was treated and released by the Tucson Wildlife Center. (Photo)

➤ Goodyear: Police released an artificial intelligence-generated image of a man accused of firing a shot at a car last week, seeking the public’s help in identifying him. (Watch)

➤ Heber-Overgaard: Donors can purchase gifts through Dec. 12 as part of the Senior Angel Tree program, which supports seniors who live alone or have limited mobility. (More)

➤ Arizona men’s basketball remained No. 2 in the latest AP poll. (Poll)

➤ Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride caught his 302nd pass on Sunday, passing Jimmy Graham for the most receptions by a tight end in their first four seasons in the NFL. (More)

➤ Arizona State men’s hockey mounted a three-goal comeback to defeat Ohio State 4-3 in overtime—their third consecutive overtime win of the season. (More)

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➤ We tried it and it worked—the Ryoko WiFi Booster gives you fast, reliable coverage in every corner of your home. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, or working, it strengthens your signal instantly with easy plug-and-play setup. Stay connected everywhere with the powerful upgrade your WiFi has been missing. (LEARN MORE)

➤ A property owner scored a key win after Prescott City Council overturned years of vague permit denials and cleared the way for his downtown boutique hotel. (More)

➤ Camden Copper Square, a 332-unit downtown Phoenix apartment complex, sold to San Diego–based ColRich for $77 million. (More)

➤ A proposed 107-home development at the former Bashas corporate headquarters in Chandler drew the support of the city’s planning commission, despite neighbors’ concerns over traffic, safety, and the future of an iconic water tower. (Photo)

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Your gift doubled to save lives!

Every dollar you give to Convoy of Hope will be DOUBLED through the $1 Million Delivering Hope Matching Challenge — but only until Dec. 31.

Your donation—matched dollar for dollar up to the challenge total—delivers twice the impact:

Following Hurricane Melissa, Convoy of Hope has provided meals, clean water, and supplies such as generators, tarps, and tents to families recovering from the storm.

But the need is still great.

Please give by Dec. 31 to double your impact in helping disaster survivors. Your gift also provides nutritious meals for children, agricultural training, empowerment for women, and aid for Convoy’s response to the African hunger crisis.

Your generosity today means twice the hope, twice the transformation, and twice as many lives changed. Give now for 2x Impact!

➤ Glendale police doubled attendance at their annual Cops & Kids Christmas event, hosting 105 children with breakfast, gifts, and games. (Watch)

➤ Prescott Valley’s Stroll Through Valley of Lights begins at 6 p.m. today, featuring holiday lights, music, treats, and meet-and-greets with Santa. (Details)

➤ Pine residents can register to attend a free Firewise class on Dec. 9 to learn wildfire risk reduction and defensible space techniques for their homes. (Details)

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➤ Upgrade your kitchen with this ultra-durable Titanium Cutting Board from TIBO, designed to resist scratches, odors, and bacteria. Its sleek, non-porous surface protects your knives while offering unbeatable stability for everyday prep. Easy to clean and built to last, it’s the premium board serious home cooks swear by. (LEARN MORE)