Saturday, September 12, 2026

Free Speech at AZ Colleges, Truth Train, and Flagstaff Fall Tourism

Saturday, September 12, 2026

Good Morning! On this date in 1893, cattlemen and farmers of Cochise and Graham counties received warnings to go armed at all times as the Apache Kid—a fugitive blamed for a wave of raids, cattle rustling, and attacks across southern Arizona and northern Mexico—was believed to be in the area.

Just days after marking the one-year anniversary of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, we reflect on the current state of free speech on college campuses across America. See where three Arizona universities line up in a new 2027 College Free Speech report in today’s Top Stories.

Balance, strength, and the ability to get up off the floor fade quickly with age, and most people don't notice until something as simple as standing up from a chair gets hard. Physical therapists say it doesn't have to go that way. When asked which exercises they actually recommend to patients, the same six simple moves came up again and again. One of them you can do while waiting for your morning coffee. Join Christopher on The Flyover Podcast to find out which everyday movements could keep you strong, steady, and independent for years to come. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Doroni, is building the H1-X personal flying vehicle as interest in eVTOL technology grows across both the defense sector and the broader aviation market.

AG Sues L'Oréal over Product Linked to Cancer

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a consumer fraud lawsuit Friday against L'Oréal USA and its parent company, Softsheen, alleging the companies sold chemical hair relaxers without warning customers of possible cancer risks.

The complaint claims the products contained chemicals classified by federal agencies as known or probable carcinogens, including some linked to ovarian and uterine cancer.

Mayes said the relaxers were marketed primarily to Black women, with some aimed at children. She cited studies associating relaxer use with higher rates of uterine, ovarian, and other hormonal cancers.

Her office said L'Oréal knew or should have known of the risks. Consumers who believe they were affected can file complaints with the Attorney General’s Office at www.azag.gov/consumer.

Ex-Cardinals Player Sentenced in Dogfighting Case

A federal judge sentenced former Arizona Cardinals running back LeShon Johnson Thursday to five years in prison for running a large-scale, multistate dogfighting operation, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.

Johnson, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, also received three years of supervised release and a $30,000 fine after his conviction on six dogfighting-related charges.

Prosecutors said he operated Mal Kant Kennels, breeding pit bulls that had won fights and selling stud rights and offspring to other dogfighters. Authorities seized 190 dogs in 2025.

Johnson, who played for Arizona from 1995 to 1997, previously pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in Oklahoma in 2004.

AZ Colleges Rank among Top 32 for Free Speech

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) released its seventh annual College Free Speech Rankings Wednesday, rating 261 schools based on nearly 63,000 student survey responses, campus policies, and speech-related controversies.

All three ranked Arizona universities placed near the top. The University of Arizona ranked 27th, Arizona State University 29th, and Northern Arizona University 32nd, according to FIRE's rankings site. Each holds a “green light” policy rating.

Arizona's average speech climate grade of C- was among the nation's best, though 47% of Arizona students reported self-censoring at least monthly.

Nationally, the University of Chicago ranked first and New York University last. FIRE said controversies following Charlie Kirk's 2025 killing contributed to a campus climate it described as “dismal.” You can see the full nationwide rankings here.

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The Pentagon’s Got Their Eye on This Tech

One of the biggest indicators for forward-thinking investors is where the US government puts their money. They move first on the technology they know is going to shape the future.

First, they bet big on jet engines. Then drones. Now? It’s flying cars. This August, the U.S. Air Force just signed a $142M deal for a flying car company building five-seater fleets. But our nation’s defense can’t stop there. Our nation’s most covert operations need smaller, personal aircrafts. And Doroni, the company positioned to lead the $100B personal eVTOL category, aims to capture this opportunity.

Their flying car, the H1-X opens the skies to all members of the military. Their SOULAI platform is so intuitive, you can pilot their aircraft after 25 hours of training. And its patented ducted fan system is designed to be safer than competitors.

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➤ Cochise County: Health officials confirmed two West Nile virus cases and one probable case Thursday, all in the Sierra Vista area. (More)

➤ Phoenix Metro: The Phoenix City Council voted unanimously to permanently rename the city's Cesar Chavez holiday as Farmworkers Day, following sexual abuse allegations against the late labor leader. (More)

➤ Pima County: Federal officials plan a new Border Patrol station on an 87-acre Bureau of Land Management site along State Route 86 near Three Points, west of Tucson. (More Details)

➤ Statewide: Arizona homeowners met Thursday with state Rep. Junelle Cavero to seek contractor law reform after regulators revoked Sun State Pools’ license, citing dismissed complaints and capped recovery fund payouts. (More)

➤ Flagstaff: The city’s minimum wage will rise from $18.35 to $19 per hour on Jan. 1, 2027, reflecting an annual cost-of-living adjustment tied to a 3.40% consumer price index increase. (More)

➤ Safford: A small group gathered at Victory Fellowship for the Gila Valley's first Truth Train convoy, a vehicle parade marking one year since conservative activist Charlie Kirk's death. (More)

Enjoy reading The Arizona Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

➤ Arizona State and Arizona each face a ranked opponent on the road today. The Sun Devils visit No. 10 Texas A&M in College Station, while the Wildcats take on No. 15 BYU in Provo. (See Schedule)

➤ Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and will miss extended time with no return timetable, the team said. (More)

➤ Former Arizona State quarterback Danny White will host a two-day pickleball tournament and silent auction Sept. 25-26 in Mesa, with all proceeds benefiting the Pat Tillman Foundation. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | NCAAF | Soccer

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Up, Up, and A-Way to Get in On This Boom

Flying car company stocks are soaring on Wall Street. Archer went public at $1.7 billion. EHang IPO'd at $662 million. And Joby raised a whopping $1.6 billion when they went public.

Luckily, 15k+ investors have found an early-stage opportunity to capture this boom: a private-stage company named Doroni.

They’re pioneering the $100B personal aircraft segment with their H1-X, the aircraft FOX Business called “the ‘flying car’ set to revolutionize personal air travel.”

And with Morgan Stanley projecting that the flying car industry will reach $9 trillion by 2050, the timing couldn’t be better.

Now, with 600+ preorders, they’re targeting commercial deliveries for 2028. And earlier this year, they reserved the Nasdaq ticker $DRNI. Invest in Doroni today and get up to 20% bonus shares.

This is a paid advertisement for Doroni Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.doroni.io

➤ Hondo Rodeo Fest and Hunkapi Farms are hosting Rodeo Without Limits in Scottsdale this weekend, a therapeutic riding and adaptive rodeo event providing individuals with special needs and cognitive or physical disabilities with a safe, supportive, and joyful hands-on rodeo and equine experience. (Watch Report)

➤ Flagstaff business owners expect a strong fall tourism season as autumn colors arrive, saying visitor spending sustains downtown even when wildfires and flooding disrupt travel to the area. (See Details)

➤ GSQ, the 150-acre mixed-use development in Goodyear, signed six new leases, adding Sephora, J.Crew Factory Outlet, Lovesac, Postino, Miel de Agave, and V's Barber Shop. All are slated for a 2027 opening with the exception of V’s Barber Shop, which is opening this October. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ You may have more home equity than you think. The average U.S. homeowner now sits on approximately $315,000 in equity, and most have never tapped it. Some are putting it to work: consolidating higher-rate debt, renovating, covering big summer expenses. Rates and fees vary widely by lender, so the trick is to compare before you commit. [Match with a HELOC lender in under a minute →]

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

➤ Physical therapists say six simple moves may protect the strength and balance that age quietly erodes. (See Exercises)

➤ One surrogate's refusal to end a pregnancy has escalated into a custody fight now before the U.S. Supreme Court. (Hear Story)

➤ Popular weight loss drugs have been linked to a rare brain disorder that can turn deadly without quick treatment. (Podcast Available)

Are you concerned about freedom of speech on college campuses?

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Flagstaff pines: 35%
Sedona red rocks: 19%
Mount Lemmon: 9%

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New State Fair Food, Texas Battles OSU, and Of Robots and Humans

Saturday, September 12, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1866, Lyne Taliaferro Barret drilled Texas’ first producing oil well to a depth of 106 feet near Oil Springs in Nacogdoches County. The well produced about 10 barrels of oil daily.

Come hungry, Texas. The 2026 State Fair is serving up Texas-sized favorites, global flavors, and inventive twists. Get all the details on the new food offerings in today’s Roundups.

Today’s sponsor, Doroni, is building the H1-X personal flying vehicle as interest in eVTOL technology grows across both the defense sector and the broader aviation market.

Thune's PAC Drops $32 Million on Texas

Texas PAC, a new super PAC tied to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., purchased roughly $32 million in broadcast TV ads Friday supporting Republican Ken Paxton's Senate campaign across four major Texas markets, according to tracking firm AdImpact.

It marks Senate Republicans' first general-election money in Texas after backing Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in the primary. Paxton trails Democrat James Talarico in public polling and has been heavily outspent, though President Donald Trump's operation and Elon Musk's PAC have come online in recent weeks.

Trump turned the Dallas convention stage into a fundraiser for Paxton, praising him as "our greatest attorney general" between jabs at his looks. The new PAC plans to run ads continuously through Election Day.

Brisket-Stuffed Twinkie Leads Fair Menu

The State Fair of Texas unveiled dozens of new foods for 2026, led by Deep Fried Ranch, the Pho Burger, and the Twinkle Twinkle Brisket Star, a hollowed Twinkie stuffed with smoked brisket, bacon, jalapeños, and cream cheese, then battered and fried.

Four new vendors join the grounds, including Chinese candied-fruit stand HGG Tanghulu and Polish comfort-food shop Pierogizilla. Fairgoers can also try this year's Big Tex Choice Awards winners, including the Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog and the Burger Chop Tater Tacos.

The fair, themed "Stars, Stripes, and Howdies," runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 18 at Fair Park in Dallas, where Howdy's is adding a value menu with smaller portions priced at six or eight coupons.

Longhorns Host No. 1 Buckeyes

No. 4 Texas welcomes No. 1 Ohio State tonight to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin for Week 2’s only matchup between ranked teams. Texas is a slight 1.5-point favorite for the 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

Both teams opened the season with lopsided home victories last week. Texas routed Texas State 59-7, producing 516 total yards as Arch Manning passed for 305 yards and four touchdowns, while Ohio State defeated Ball State 56-3.

The programs have met only five times, with Ohio State holding a 3-2 series lead after winning the past two meetings. The Buckeyes defeated the Longhorns 28-14 in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinal and 14-7 in last year’s season opener.

Heavy demand has pushed average ticket resale prices to between $800-$900, with typical entry prices between $450-$500. Earlier this week, one SeatGeek ticket was listed for more than $42,000.

Flying together with our sponsor

The Pentagon’s Got Their Eye on This Tech

One of the biggest indicators for forward-thinking investors is where the US government puts their money. They move first on the technology they know is going to shape the future.

This is your chance to get in at the private stage. Invest in Doroni today and get up to 20% bonus shares.

➤ East Texas: Tatum Mayor Michael Henry resigned after two years in office, citing “current circumstances” and saying the city needs leadership committed to accountability. (See Details)

➤ McAllen: DEA agents seized more than 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of cabbage during a joint federal and state investigation. (More)

➤ Palo Pinto County: The Ross Fire, Texas’ 15th-largest on record, reached 76% containment as crews gained ground and drought conditions worsened across North Texas, pushing Fort Worth from minimal to severe drought status. (More)

➤ Whitehouse: A water main break opened a sinkhole that partially swallowed a pickup and closed the intersection of Peggy Drive and Hagan Road as city crews worked on repairs. (See Details)

➤ Jacinto City: City leaders opposed a proposed AI data center as the company targeted October to begin redeveloping the site, while residents questioned officials and the developer during a Friday night town hall. (More)

➤ San Antonio: City Council unanimously confirmed and swore in Jesse Salame as police chief on Thursday, making the 27-year SAPD veteran the first city native to permanently lead the department in more than 20 years. (More)

Enjoy reading The Texas Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.

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➤ L

➤ Beyond No. 4 Texas’ showdown with top-ranked Ohio State, four other ranked teams from the state are in action: No. 10 Texas A&M hosts Arizona State, No. 13 Texas Tech visits Oregon State, No. 17 SMU welcomes UC Davis, and No. 22 Houston faces Southern. (See Schedule)

➤ The Dallas Cowboys open the 2026 season on the road against the Giants at 7:20 p.m. on Sunday, debuting a rebuilt defense led by coordinator Christian Parker, rookie safety Caleb Downs, and edge rusher Rashan Gary. (See Preview)

➤ Midland High graduate and incoming UTPB golfer Gilbert Lujan Jr. qualified as one of 28 amateurs for the Sept. 15-17 Curry Cup at Bethpage Black Golf Course in New York. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | NCAAF | Soccer

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ FREE Full-Size Tube. What if the biggest myth about joint discomfort is that it's "just part of getting older"? Thousands are discovering Rub On Relief and a different approach to soothing stiff, achy joints. For a limited time, Flyover readers can request a FREE full-size tube.

Flying together with our sponsor

Up, Up, and A-Way to Get in On This Boom

Flying car company stocks are soaring on Wall Street. Archer went public at $1.7 billion. EHang IPO'd at $662 million. And Joby raised a whopping $1.6 billion when they went public.

Luckily, 15k+ investors have found an early-stage opportunity to capture this boom: a private-stage company named Doroni.

They’re pioneering the $100B personal aircraft segment with their H1-X, the aircraft FOX Business called “the ‘flying car’ set to revolutionize personal air travel.”

And with Morgan Stanley projecting that the flying car industry will reach $9 trillion by 2050, the timing couldn’t be better.

Now, with 600+ preorders, they’re targeting commercial deliveries for 2028. And earlier this year, they reserved the Nasdaq ticker $DRNI. Invest in Doroni today and get up to 20% bonus shares.

This is a paid advertisement for Doroni Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.doroni.io

➤ Dave & Buster’s will celebrate National Video Games Day today by offering unlimited game play to the first 200 guests named Dave, Davy, David, Ann, Ana, Anna, Anne, Annie, or Buster who arrive before noon. (See Details)

➤ The new Champions Social Club at the former III Forks Steakhouse site in Dallas aims to build community by combining dining, games, cocktails, and networking in a “third space,” somewhere between home and work. (Read Story)

➤ UT Austin will lead a five-year, $30 million National Science Foundation center studying and analyzing how people and robots adapt to each other over time as the machines enter dorms, hospitals, and homes. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ You may have more home equity than you think. The average U.S. homeowner now sits on approximately $315,000 in equity, and most have never tapped it. Some are putting it to work: consolidating higher-rate debt, renovating, covering big summer expenses. Rates and fees vary widely by lender, so the trick is to compare before you commit. [Match with a HELOC lender in under a minute →]

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

➤ Physical therapists say six simple moves may protect the strength and balance that age quietly erodes. (See Exercises)

➤ One surrogate's refusal to end a pregnancy has escalated into a custody fight now before the U.S. Supreme Court. (Hear Story)

➤ Popular weight loss drugs have been linked to a rare brain disorder that can turn deadly without quick treatment. (Podcast Available)