Thursday, September 3, 2026

95 Immigrant Truckers Busted, Kirk Trial, and Arizona-Made Snacks

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2005, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who practiced law in Phoenix for 16 years, died at age 80 at his home in Arlington, Virginia.

Do you remember what evenings felt like when you were a kid? The whole family at the table by six, a phone call after dinner, maybe the sound of neighbors talking out on the porch. These are five after-dinner habits that once defined American life, and they've all but vanished or been replaced. Join Ayla on The Flyover Podcast as she counts down all five and takes you on a trip down memory lane. Tune in here!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Flyover readers, we raised $26,638 for Convoy of Hope’s Nepal flood relief efforts. Your support is making a meaningful difference for families affected by this disaster. If you haven’t had a chance to give, or would still like to participate, you can make a contribution here.

Later today, watch for a message from our partner, Incogni, about how much of your personal information may be available online and how to remove it before scammers or identity thieves can use it.

Today’s sponsor is Aerless Vacuum Travel Bags, helping fall travelers pack bulky sweaters, jackets, and layers while saving up to 60% of valuable luggage space.

Feds Arrest 95 Illegal Immigrant Truckers

Border Patrol agents in Arizona's Yuma Sector this month arrested 95 truck drivers who were in the U.S. illegally but held state-issued commercial driver's licenses, officials said.

The five-day operation from Aug. 10 to Aug. 14 produced 143 arrests in all, involving people from 18 countries, according to Customs and Border Protection.

Agents also broke up two human-smuggling attempts and seized a firearm, 74 pounds of methamphetamine, and 169 pounds of marijuana. Of the 95 drivers, 76 carried California licenses, six held New York licenses, and the rest held licenses from other states.

In May, a similar initiative called Operation Checkmate resulted in the arrest of 52 illegal immigrants, including 36 semi-truck drivers.

Hoover Dam Power at Risk

A federal report warns Hoover Dam could lose more than 70% of its expected generating capacity if projections for Lake Mead's future water levels materialize starting next year.

A reduction in available power would require Arizona utilities to acquire electricity from other suppliers. Currently, about 19% of the dam's firm power comes to Arizona.

The federal report weighs possible water levels and impacts for Lake Mead and Lake Powell over the next two years. Twelve of the dam's 17 turbines cannot run once the reservoir falls below 1,035 feet.

Leaders from across the West met in downtown Phoenix this week to discuss the water and power challenges facing the Colorado River basin, including new federal water-sharing rules.

Couple Donates $10M to U of A

Mary and Felipe M. Rodriguez pledged $10 million to the University of Arizona's new undergraduate program combining engineering and business, now named after the couple.

Felipe Rodriguez, who came to the U.S. from Nicaragua at 19, founded Aeronautical Systems Incorporated (ASI) in 1988 and remains its chief executive. Mary Barrett Rodriguez, a former teacher, oversees the company's charitable giving efforts.

"We see this gift as a partnership to build a bridge between two brilliant colleges, forging a new kind of leader who speaks both languages fluently," the couple said in a statement.

The combined program blends engineering design, software, artificial intelligence, and biomedical devices with business analytics, accounting, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

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➤ Metro Phoenix: A Utah judge ordered Tyler Robinson to stand trial and also left the death penalty available in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Phoenix-headquartered Turning Point USA. Robinson pleaded not guilty and is due back in court Oct. 23. (More)

➤ Tempe: Arizona State University began offering three-year bachelor's degrees in elementary and special education, a move the school says is a more accessible path into teaching. (More)

➤ Yuma: Dove hunting season opened this week and runs through Sept. 15, drawing thousands of hunters for one of the region's most anticipated annual events. (More)

➤ Phoenix: Police searched for thieves who stole 17 bronze plaques worth about $25,000 from St. Francis Cemetery on Aug. 12. Last week, other bronze items were taken from a nearby church. (More)

➤ Statewide: Republican superintendent nominee Kimberly Yee filed a complaint with the state attorney general alleging Democrat Teresa Leyba Ruiz used public school staff and students in campaign content. Leyba Ruiz called the complaint meritless. (More)

➤ Tucson: Voters will decide Proposition 421 on Nov. 3, a measure approving a new 25-year franchise agreement between Tucson Electric Power and the city. (More)

➤ Surprise: The city council voted to allow setbacks of 100 feet to 500 feet for renewable energy battery storage facilities, giving the city discretion over how far each project must sit from homes. (More)

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➤ Arizona State hockey player Matthew Mayich is unlikely to recover after collapsing during an Aug. 20 outdoor workout in Tempe, his family's attorney said. (More)

➤ Chandler High School's football team received new uniforms through a partnership between Patrick Mahomes and adidas. (More)

➤ Arizona Diamondbacks players and coaches settled their fantasy football draft order with dizzy bats and golf balls, a team-bonding exercise players devised amid the team's playoff push. (More)

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

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➤ A Scottsdale-based investor group acquired 60-year-old Phoenix pool builder Shasta Pools and plans to expand sales nationwide. (More)

➤ Coffee chain 7 Brew won a bankruptcy auction for 73 shuttered Salad and Go leases, 41 of them in Arizona, bidding $143.18 million and topping Dutch Bros. (More)

➤ The state chamber of commerce rolled out a tongue-in-cheek Arizona Offline Pledge challenging data center opponents to give up streaming, social media, and online banking. (More)

➤ The University of Arizona and a Taiwan university plan a chip research and workforce partnership, announcing the project at SEMICON Taiwan in Taipei. (More)

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➤ Entrepreneurs are growing Arizona snack brands, from pancake sandwiches to sweet-and-spicy chamoy candies. (Watch)

➤ The state will pause road construction closures for the Labor Day weekend travel period from Friday afternoon through late Monday night. (More)

➤ Arizona teens reported less drug use, fighting, theft, and gun carrying in the 2026 Arizona Youth Survey, which drew responses from 41,235 students at 264 schools. (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.

➤ Five after-dinner rituals every American once knew have gotten lost over a single generation. (See Rituals)

➤ The Lindsay Clancy murder trial has hit another wall, leaving jurors deadlocked and a mistrial looming. (Hear Details)

➤ Meanwhile, in the Charlie Kirk assassination trial, Tyler Robinson has pleaded not guilty and now faces a possible death penalty. (Listen Now)

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Edouard Flooding, Ross Fire Burns 90K Acres, and San Antonio's Pitmasters

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1834, the first Presbyterian missionary in Texas helped two Methodist preachers hold a camp meeting on Caney Creek, near present-day Kenney. Peter Hunter Fullinwider had ridden back from his Mississippi wedding that spring.

Later today, watch for a message from our partner, Incogni, about how much of your personal information may be available online and how to remove it before scammers or identity thieves can use it.

Today’s sponsor is Aerless Vacuum Travel Bags, helping fall travelers pack bulky sweaters, jackets, and layers while saving up to 60% of valuable luggage space.

Edouard Floods Roads, Knocks Out Power

Rescue crews pulled families out of high water across Southeast Texas on Wednesday as the remnants of Edouard dumped more than 20 inches of rain near the Tyler-Hardin county line.

Highway 787 near Saratoga sat under at least a foot of water, and the volunteer fire department conducted several rescues. "Stay home. Don't, don't drive around looking," Fire Chief Gary Flowers said.

In Livingston, deputies reached a woman and four children, including a baby, trapped in their mobile home after Choates Creek spilled over.

More than 53,000 customers were still without power Wednesday afternoon, most of them in Jefferson, Hardin, and Tyler counties. Judges in Polk and Hardin counties declared local disasters, and dozens of school districts called off classes.

U.S. 69 north of Kountze reopened as the water receded, but flood watches remained in effect from the upper coast into eastern Texas, with more rain possible through Thursday morning.

Tarrant County Cuts 92 Polling Sites

Tarrant County commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday to eliminate 92 Election Day polling places before the Nov. 3 midterms. The county will run 224 sites for its 1.3 million registered voters, down from 316 in the 2022 midterms.

County Judge Tim O'Hare said the plan saves about $1 million, keeps 54 sites above the state minimum, and averages 1.56 miles between Election Day locations. Some sites changed because buildings closed or failed disability-access rules.

The court's three Republicans backed the plan. Democrats Alisa Simmons and Roderick Miles Jr. voted no, with Miles saying, "Our population hasn't shrunk. Our electorate hasn't shrunk."

Dozens of residents spoke against the cuts during an hours-long meeting. An August session ended with the room cleared and a former state representative arrested on a charge of disrupting a meeting.

Cruz Calls Senate Race Effectively Tied

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz says the Texas Senate race between Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico is "effectively tied."

Public polling is mixed: Emerson College had Paxton up 47-46, a University of Texas poll had Talarico ahead 42-39, and Texas Public Opinion Research put Talarico up six.

Paxton told Fox News his own polling looks different, but that "we definitely have a close race." He hasn't said whether he'll accept Talarico's challenge to three fall debates.

President Trump, on Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's podcast, called Paxton a "good man" and said Texas would be "a disaster" under Talarico.

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➤ North Texas: The Ross Fire has burned just over 90,000 acres across Palo Pinto and Jack counties since Aug. 24, destroying 157 structures, including 25 homes. It's the second-largest wildfire in North Texas' recorded history. (See Details)

➤ Corpus Christi: The city council again rejected a $978.8 million desalination plant Tuesday, 5-3. Opponents cited cost and salty discharge into the bay. Gov. Greg Abbott's office called the project a "tremendous opportunity." The city projects a water emergency by 2028. (More)

➤ The Woodlands: The Houston City Council agreed never to annex the township, ending a shared regional projects fund in exchange for $50 million. Board chairman Brad Bailey called it a "win-win." Controller Chris Hollins called it a "fire sale." (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Texas hospitals expect to lose $27 million a day after the Trump administration withheld approval of about $9.8 billion in extra Medicaid payments. Federal regulators question how local governments tax hospitals. Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas' setup follows federal law. (More)

➤ Kerr County: President Trump said he's sending Texas $50.5 million for storm recovery, without saying which disaster it covers. His administration had not approved a major disaster declaration for July's flooding in Kerrville and 27 other counties as of late August. (More)

➤ Austin: Texas collected $4.62 billion in state sales tax in August, up 7.1% from a year earlier, with online shopping receipts up more than 20%. Comptroller Don Huffines said lawmakers should steer the extra money into property tax relief. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: Nearly four in 10 Texas homesteads now owe no school district property taxes after lawmakers raised the exemption to $140,000. Among homeowners aged 65 or older or those who are disabled, 61% owe nothing, up from about 44%. (See Report)

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➤ University of Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian said he opposes college teams taking back players who have been in NFL training camps. (More)

➤ Former Red Raider receiver Roy Alexander sued the NCAA to overturn a six-game betting suspension, saying his wagers, most under $12, never involved his own teams. The NCAA said it stands by its rules. (See Details)

➤ The Dallas Stars will stream locally on Amazon's Prime Video this season, one of six NHL teams in a multiyear deal that also covers pre- and postgame shows. Carolina, Anaheim, Columbus, Minnesota, and St. Louis are the others. (More)

➤ Allen High School's volleyball team held off 2025 Class 6A Division II state champion Southlake Carroll 25-15, 24-26, 26-24 to keep the No. 1 spot in the area rankings. Plano Prestonwood Christian tops the private school list. (See List)

Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | Soccer | NCAA Volleyball

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➤ Southwest Airlines will build one of its first four airport lounges at Austin-Bergstrom, with doors opening in late 2027. Only holders of the airline's Rapid Rewards credit card, issued by Chase, get in. (See Details)

➤ State insurance regulators warned companies that setting premiums based on how much a customer will tolerate, rather than risk, is illegal in Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott said the average homeowner's premium has climbed 79% in six years. (More)

➤ A data center proposed near Prosper drew a 7-0 recommendation to deny from the town's planning commission, after residents raised noise and water concerns. Developers say closed-loop cooling would conserve water. The Town Council votes Sept. 8. (See Details)

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➤ 2M Smokehouse's owners won the debut season of Food Network's Pitmasters and a $30,000 prize. Esaul and Grecia Ramos have run the southeast-side San Antonio joint since 2016, and they describe the split simply: "He's the smoke. She's the sugar." (More)

➤ Gibbons and lemurs are back on their island at Waco's Cameron Park Zoo after crews patched a leak in the lake. The Butterfly Garden reopened, too, with new paths, a fountain, and kids' sensory beds. (See Details)

➤ Baylor University ranked in the top 20% of universities worldwide in two global rankings, from U.S. News and research firm American Caldwell. It also climbed to No. 88 nationally, first in the Big 12 for a second straight year. (See Report)

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