Debates Proceed Without Democrats

Republican Andy Biggs will take the stage with two minor-party challengers in tonight’s Clean Elections governor debate, which incumbent Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs declined to join for a second straight election cycle.

On Monday night, Hobbs’ running mate John Giles skipped the lieutenant governor debate against Biggs’ running mate Sine Kerr. You can watch the lieutenant governor event here.

Arizonans will elect a lieutenant governor for the first time on Nov. 3. Political consultant Stan Barnes said Kerr’s background as a Buckeye dairy farmer, along with her work on water policy in the state legislature, could increase Biggs’ support among rural voters.

Kerr has called the Democrats’ absence from debates disrespectful to voters, while the Hobbs campaign has said direct campaigning is more effective than debating.

Study: Phoenix No. 2 for Home Price Spike

Phoenix-area home prices outpaced inflation by 177% over the past 15 years, second only to Miami nationally, according to a Clever Real Estate study.

In January 2011, the median Phoenix home cost $109,000. By this past January, that figure had climbed to $445,000, nearly three times the roughly $161,000 it would have reached if it had simply tracked with inflation.

In other real estate news, builders are buying lots in bulk to secure future inventory, including Taylor Morrison’s $6.34 million purchase of 406 lots in Peoria near TSMC’s north Phoenix campus.

In Glendale, Buenas Apartments tenants face rent and fee increases of hundreds or thousands of dollars, as well as possible eviction if they do not pay within five days.

Biltmore Owners Buy Wrigley Mansion

The ownership group behind the Arizona Biltmore bought the neighboring Wrigley Mansion for $17 million and will operate both Phoenix landmarks together.

Henderson Park and its partners, including Biltmore operator Pyramid Global Hospitality, closed the deal to buy the private dining and event venue from Jamie Hormel and the Hormel family on Oct. 1.

The same group paid $705 million for the Biltmore in 2024.

Chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. completed the mansion in 1931 as a 50th anniversary gift to his wife, Ada. The Chicago-based couple used the mansion—the smallest of their five homes despite its 24 rooms and 12 bathrooms—as one of their winter homes. Wrigley died in the mansion in 1932 at age 70.

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➤ Chandler: An appeals court ordered a man resentenced in a 2021 road rage killing, ruling an AI-generated video of the victim shown at sentencing improperly influenced the judge. (More)

➤ Grand Canyon: The national park began trucking in water Sunday as a stopgap until its targeted Nov. 16 water service restoration, after a deadly August flash flood damaged its supply line. (More)

➤ Phoenix: A vendor mistakenly sent out 3,126 Maricopa County general election ballots six days early, officials said. Any filled-out ballots will be stored unopened until processing begins. (More)

➤ Mesa: A grand jury indicted state attorney general’s office investigator DuLance Morin on a negligent homicide charge in the February shooting death of Maria Lewis. (More)

➤ Yuma: AgTech LLC appealed the Arizona State Land Department’s decision to cancel its state land leases in Yuma County, arguing the state violated due process. (More)

➤ Sedona: The Larson family announced the sale of Larson Newspapers, publisher of the Sedona Red Rock News and The Journal, to Arizona-based Wick Communications after more than 60 years of ownership. (More)

➤ Payson: Tonto National Forest crews finished forest thinning work for the Dude Fire Restoration Project, reducing fuels across thousands of acres to protect nearby communities from wildfire. (More)

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➤ Torey Lovullo will return for an 11th season as Arizona Diamondbacks manager, agreeing to a two-year deal after an 86-76 season that left Arizona just short of the playoffs. (More)

➤ The NFL suspended line judge Jeff Seeman two games for his apparent use of profanity toward Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride after a disputed pass interference no-call in Sunday’s game. (More)

➤ Former Arizona Wildcats star Tetairoa McMillan had 14 catches for a career-high 192 yards and two touchdowns in Carolina’s 32-26 win over Detroit on Sunday. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | NHL | NBA | Soccer

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➤ Oro Valley launched a library of town-reviewed model home plans from local designers, letting residents build homes or casitas faster and at lower cost. (More)

➤ The 13-acre retail and restaurant development Black Mountain Marketplace continues to take shape in Cave Creek, with town officials expecting a significant boost to the sales tax base. (More)

➤ Arizona Public Service signed an agreement with the Navajo Transitional Energy Company that could keep the Four Corners Power Plant in New Mexico running until 2038. (More)

➤ A program at Arizona State University that helps industrial businesses cut costs won a five-year funding extension from the U.S. Energy Department. (More)

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➤ Cluster balloonist Jonathan Trappe landed in Show Low on Saturday beneath an Up-style collection of 94 helium balloons, completing a journey that began earlier in the day at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico. (More)

➤ A University of Arizona study found that cancer cells selectively target and erode Y chromosomes in men to allow tumor growth, advancing knowledge of how tumors grow. (More)

➤ The Arizona Humane Society seeks foster homes for six dogs rescued from a hoarding case at a Vrbo rental in an undisclosed city, where their owner left 14 sick, matted dogs behind. (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. 

➤ Your dog’s sleep twitches aren’t random, and researchers can now decode what’s behind them. (Listen Now)

➤ Amazon is issuing a new wave of refunds worth up to $200 after regulators accused it of deceptively enrolling Prime customers. (Hear Episode)

➤ Gen Z students are fueling a Catholic surge at nearly 60 college campuses, from Texas A&M to Silicon Valley. (Hear Details)

Have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon?

1. Loved it
2. Once was enough
3. I’d like to
4. No way

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Do you enjoy stargazing?

1. Once in a while: 54%
2. Love it: 34%
3. Not really: 12% 

After Arizona elects its first lieutenant governor this November, which four states will still not have one?

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