Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1917, the Nogales jail exceeded capacity as draft dodgers from several states were detained while attempting to reach Mexico.

Have you picked your retirement date yet? A new study says that choice may shape how long you live, not just how much you save. What happens to your odds if you work one more year? And does it matter whether you leave the job healthy or already sick? Ayla walks through what the researchers found on today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor is hear.com, offering the sleek, AI-powered Horizon IX hearing aid designed to deliver clearer, more natural sound with personalized technology you won’t find at big-box stores.

Special Counsel Named

Former state Supreme Court justice Andrew Gould will serve as special counsel for the state Senate’s investigation into pay-to-play allegations involving Gov. Katie Hobbs, state Sen. Jake Hoffman announced Monday.

Hoffman also moved the inquiry to the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by state Sen. David Farnsworth, R-Mesa, which will determine next steps.

Gould is currently a partner at Holtzman Vogel after leaving the bench in 2021 and losing the 2022 Republican primary for attorney general.

Mayes closed a two-year investigation into the allegations in August, saying her office found no evidence of a pay-for-play scheme. Hoffman says Mayes withheld the underlying evidence. Hobbs’ campaign calls the inquiry a political stunt.

Fuel Prices Keep Climbing

Arizona’s average price for a gallon of regular gasoline rose to $4.66 a gallon as of Monday, about a dollar higher than a year ago.

Diesel set a new state record of $6.44, a price that feeds into groceries and freight costs.

Motorists say they are canceling subscriptions and skipping full tanks. A water-truck builder said she is unsure how long her company can sustain the cost.

You can check the latest gas prices for your area here.

Concert Promoter Reflects on Career

Danny Zelisko reflected on his work booking concerts across Arizona since 1974 in a new episode of Amazing Arizonans.

The founder of Evening Star Productions said he’s booked more than 10,000 shows, from Dooley’s nightclub in Tempe to Pink Floyd and Paul McCartney at Sun Devil Stadium.

After Dolly Parton’s death last month, Zelisko recalled promoting her 2014 show at what is now Arizona Financial Theatre.

Zelisko now operates Danny Zelisko Presents and sells personal souvenirs collected over his long career at Danny Zelisko’s Closet.

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➤ Mesa: A couple can stay in their home after an HOA halted eviction and collection proceedings over an initial $977 debt, agreeing to negotiate a payment plan. (More)

➤ Pinal County: The county planning board delayed consideration of a proposed 500-megawatt battery storage and natural gas project in Hidden Valley, southwest of Maricopa. (More)

➤ West Valley: Cactus High School in Glendale welcomed seventh and eighth graders to campus under a new model giving earlier access to career programs. (More)

➤ Tucson: Southern Arizona Reptile Rescue seeks homes for baby tortoises turning up in yards across the city. (More)

➤ Wickenburg: Cancer survivor Lenny Ross wrote a book about his treatment, hoping it helps other patients navigate their own health journeys. (More)

➤ Phoenix: A city plan calls for more high-powered electric vehicle ports by 2030 and targets gaps in low-income neighborhoods. (More)

➤ Camp Verde: Out of Africa Wildlife Park and Sanctuary euthanized 21-year-old tiger Harmony after an age-related decline that included kidney disease. (More)

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➤ The Arizona Diamondbacks sit four games behind Philadelphia for the final National League wild-card spot with less than a week left in the regular season. (More)

➤ More than 50 girls play girls’ flag football at Highland High School in Gilbert, as the sport gains in popularity across the state. (More)

➤ Former Phoenix Suns guard Jimmer Fredette scored eight points in the final game to earn MVP honors at the FIBA 3×3 Phoenix Challenger in Glendale. (More)

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

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➤ The PPA Tour entered into a long-term partnership with Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, which will be renamed PPA Campus and host the tour’s professional pickleball operations. (More)

➤ Two health companies told state regulators they will cut more than 150 jobs combined in Scottsdale and Tempe, citing a product line sale and a manufacturing move. (More)

➤ Target will anchor the next phase of Laveen Park Place, replacing Harkins Theatres at a center that houses Sprouts, T.J. Maxx, and Michaels. (More)

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➤ MacAlpine’s Diner and Soda Fountain, billed as Phoenix’s oldest food joint, leans on scratch-made comfort food to keep its history alive. (More)

➤ A statewide survey found 63% of likely Arizona voters said they prefer leaders who develop practical solutions to the state’s biggest challenges, even if they don’t agree with them on every political issue. (More)

➤ Ellie Mae Smith, 15, of Surprise, won a Young Artist Academy Award, past winners of which include Jennifer Lawrence and Johnny Depp. (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.

➤ Researchers found the timing of your retirement may matter far more than just to your savings account. (Listen Now)

➤ Insiders at major AI companies are openly mocking viral warnings that the technology could wipe out humanity. (Hear Episode)

➤ The New York Times writer behind the 1619 Project now says her decade-long public school experiment may have cheated her own daughter. (Hear Details)