Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1929, the Arizona Pioneers’ Historical Society held its annual meeting in new quarters under the University of Arizona stadium stands.

Ahead of New Year’s Eve fireworks celebrations, Pima Animal Care Center shared tips to help keep pets safe and stress-free during the holiday.

In today’s Flyover Podcast, Ayla Brown takes a closer look at pivotal U.S. Senate races across the country that could shape control of the chamber, breaking down the candidates and key dynamics to watch. Watch the episode here.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is urging readers to take a hard look at whether their retirement savings are truly prepared for rising healthcare costs, market volatility, and an uncertain economic future.

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.

Obamacare Premiums Climb

A study found monthly premiums for Affordable Care Act health insurance plans in Arizona will rise sharply for 2026, with silver plans—the state’s most popular—up 29%.

Bronze plans through the state’s Obamacare marketplace are projected to rise 33%, gold 20%, and catastrophic 19%, due to rising care costs and federal subsidy changes, the study found.

With subsidies and discounts, the average out-of-pocket ACA premium is expected to rise to $190 per month in 2026, up from $89 per month this year, the study found.

ACA insurance plans covered about 423,000 Arizonans this year.

Flagstaff Hikes Minimum Wage

Flagstaff’s minimum wage will increase to $18.35 from $17.85 on Thursday, and the city will also end the tip credit, meaning tipped workers will be paid the full minimum wage.

Tipped employees support the change, citing improved economic security, while some business owners said rising labor costs may force them to cut staff or raise prices.

The increase raises Flagstaff’s minimum wage to about $3 above the state’s minimum wage, which the city says is a reflection of the city’s higher cost of living.

City officials said they plan to monitor the changes and their impacts, and they invited the public to provide feedback.

Cardinals’ McBride Makes History

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride broke the NFL record for most catches in a season by a tight end on Sunday, hauling in his 117th reception. Watch the record-breaking catch.

The fourth-year player, who added two more catches in the game, has been one of the few bright spots on a struggling Cardinals team that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2021.

McBride also became the first tight end to record at least 110 catches in multiple seasons, and he set a franchise record by surpassing DeAndre Hopkins’ 115 catches in 2020.

“I’m proud of him. He shows up to work every day and battles,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said of McBride, whose catches this season lead other tight ends by a wide margin.

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Americans Greatly Underestimate Their Retirement Needs

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➤ Flagstaff: Amy Rose Lombardo said she remains undeterred in leading Northern Arizona University’s TPUSA chapter amid ongoing harassment and hostility after Charlie Kirk’s assassination. (Watch)

➤ Statewide: State lawmakers introduced two education bills aimed at improving school safety and requiring transparency in superintendent contracts and salaries. (More)

➤ Phoenix: A police officer was taken to the hospital Monday morning as a precaution after his vehicle rolled in a crash near I-17 and Bethany Home Road. No other injuries were reported. (Watch)

➤ Heber-Overgaard: The town plans a celebration of life event to honor retired Fire Chief William “Dee” McCluskey, who died Friday. (Photo)

➤ Holbrook: Truckee, a cattle dog that went missing after her owner let her go during a police chase, was found safe after two weeks of searching. (Photo)

➤ Casa Grande: The police department launched a text messaging-based service to enhance communication and transparency with residents. (Details)

➤ The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl donated more than $6 million to charities in Southern Arizona following this past weekend’s game between Miami (OH) and Fresno State. (More)

➤ A state lawmaker introduced a bill that would strengthen elements of the 2022 Save Women’s Sports Act, adding additional gender privacy measures in high school locker rooms as well as designating each sport “male,” “female,” or “co-ed.” (More)

➤ The NBA suspended Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams for one game following his on-court brawl with New Orleans guard Jose Alvarado this past weekend. (More)

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➤ Tucson’s economy is set for modest growth in 2026, led by health care, defense, tech, and service industries, according to Arizona State University economists. (More)

➤ Phoenix horse racing track Turf Paradise hosted a grand reopening to celebrate the start of its 70th season, under new management that plans upgrades. (Watch)

➤ KPPC Advanced Chemicals broke ground on a $120 million semiconductor chemical plant in Casa Grande, expected to create up to 200 jobs. (Details)

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➤ A Cave Creek family reunited with strangers who saved 71-year-old Jeff Zimmerman from a random, near-fatal attack. (Watch)

➤ Goodyear firefighters rescued a dog named Lucy after her head became stuck in a cinder block wall, returning her home unharmed. (Photos)

➤ Most Sierra Vista city departments will be closed on Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day, with trash pickup moved to Dec. 31. The ice rink will remain open. (More)

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➤ Scientists discovered that men with early prostate infection have this ONE thing in common…The tests done on 2,398 men revealed that the urine of those with early prostate problems had the same color…98% of the experts believe that this can put your life at risk. Watch this video presenting a simple 3-minute ritual which will quickly fix any prostate problems.