Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Driverless Semis, World Cup Questions, and Champion Quilter

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1865, the federal government established the Colorado River Indian Reservation. This undated photo shows the agency headquarters in Parker.

Big announcement: We're launching The California Flyover on April 1st! We've had our eyes on The Golden State for a long time, and we're excited to add it to The Flyover family. Don't miss the first edition; click here to sign up!

Scam artists are stealing billions of dollars from Americans every year, and we want to ensure that Flyover readers are not prime targets! On today's The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown walks through the most common schemes, plus the FBI's best advice for staying alert before your money is gone. Tune in here!

Today's sponsor, Incogni, helps protect you from scam calls, phishing, and identity theft by removing your personal data from data brokers and continuously monitoring and deleting it as new threats emerge.

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.

Driverless Freight Rolls Into State

Driverless semi-trucks will begin hauling freight along a 1,000-mile corridor between Phoenix and Fort Worth as Aurora Innovation expands its autonomous operations.

Company officials say the continuously operating trucks can nearly halve delivery times, unlike human drivers who are limited to 11-hour shifts with 10-hour rest breaks. The company plans to operate more than 200 driverless trucks nationwide by the end of the year.

Ahead of the Arizona rollout, the company's fleet logged more than 250,000 driverless miles since its launch in Texas last year, with zero crashes attributed to its self-driving system.

The expansion is drawing mixed reactions, with some fleet owners touting lower costs and faster delivery, while veteran truckers question safety and warn of job losses.

Plan Targets Low Reading Scores

A new statewide literacy plan seeks to improve Arizona's lagging reading rates, with only 39% of third graders currently testing at a proficient level.

Led by Read On Arizona, the plan sets a goal of reaching 72% proficiency by 2030, in line with a state benchmark set by the Center for the Future of Arizona.

The plan focuses on more literacy coaches, proven classroom instruction, stronger teacher training, and expanded early learning access to move the needle.

Reading rates improved briefly after steep pandemic-era declines, but recent test results show progress has slowed, with chronic absenteeism and lingering learning gaps weighing on student performance.

Iran's World Cup Visit Uncertain

Iran's World Cup training plans in Tucson face uncertainty amid a joint U.S.–Israel military operation against the country.

The soccer team is slated to begin training in June at Kino Sports Complex, which was designated by FIFA in December 2024 as a potential World Cup team base camp due to its elite facilities and West Coast proximity. Iran selected the site late last month.

Now, with Iran's participation in doubt and travel restrictions complicating logistics, Tucson officials await word on whether the Iran team—or a replacement—will train at the site this summer.

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➤ Oro Valley: Dozens of veterans gathered at the Arizona Heroes Memorial to mark 35 years since Operation Desert Storm and honor the lives lost in the Gulf War. (Watch)

➤ Pima County: More than a month into the search for Nancy Guthrie, local authorities have assigned the case to a multi-agency task force with expanded federal involvement. (Watch)

➤ San Tan Valley: Seven town council hopefuls are working to collect the required 1,000 signatures ahead of the March 23 deadline for the July 2026 primary. (See Candidates)

➤ Santa Cruz County: The Patagonia Town Council and county supervisors will meet Wednesday to consider a community investment agreement with mining company South32. (Details)

➤ Pinetop-Lakeside: New Town Manager Kristi Salskov outlined priorities of reliable services, stronger operations, and open communication in a letter to the community. (See Letter)

➤ Gila River: The 2026 Ostrich Festival will begin March 13 at Rawhide Western Town & Event Center, headlined by Kansas, Jo Dee Messina, Vanilla Ice, and others. (More)

➤ Arizona men's basketball remained ranked No. 2 in the latest AP poll, trailing Duke. (See Full Poll)

➤ The Arizona Cardinals will likely release quarterback Kyler Murray, barring a last-minute trade, according to a league reporter. (More)

➤ Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado said he will play for Puerto Rico in this year's World Baseball Classic to honor his mother's heritage. He played on the U.S. team in the prior two tournaments. (More)

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➤ A Zipps Sports Grill hiring manager plans to plead guilty in an identity theft case connected to the hiring of illegal immigrants, facing possible prison time and his own deportation. (More)

➤ BNSF Railway started grading work on part of its planned $3.2 billion logistics park in Wittmann, as county officials await a revised development plan. (More)

➤ Construction is underway on the Marketplace at Tres Rios, a Fry's-anchored shopping center planned for 28 acres in Avondale. (Photos)

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➤ The Southern Arizona Nurse Honor Guard dedicated a memorial bench at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park to honor fallen nurses and provide a place for reflection. (Watch)

➤ Voting opened for the Champions of Change Awards, giving the public a say in which nonprofit and nonprofit leaders receive a share of a $10,000 grant. (Vote)

➤ Diana Upp won the 2026 Sedona Quilters Hall of Fame Award for her quilt "Octopus Nursery," now on display at the Sedona Arts Center. (Photo)

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Second Look Bill, Boating Season, and Gorge Gondolas

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2009, Coloradans began celebrating 303 Day. Named after the 303 area code, which originally covered the entire state, the unofficial holiday is held every March 3 to honor Colorado’s culture and community pride.

Big announcement: We're launching The California Flyover on April 1! We've had our eyes on The Golden State for a long time, and we're excited to add it to The Flyover family. Don't miss the first edition; click here to sign up!

Scam artists are stealing billions of dollars from Americans every year, and we want to ensure that Flyover readers are not prime targets! On today's The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown walks through the most common schemes, plus the FBI’s best advice for staying alert before your money is gone. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Incogni, helps protect you from scam calls, phishing, and identity theft by removing your personal data from data brokers and continuously monitoring and deleting it as new threats emerge.

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.

Buffs QB Killed in Car Crash

University of Colorado Buffaloes backup quarterback Dominiq Ponder died early Sunday in a single-car crash in Boulder County. He was 23.

According to the Colorado State Patrol, Ponder was driving a 2023 Tesla when he lost control on a curve and hit a guardrail and an electrical line pole, causing the car to roll down an embankment and catch fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement posted on X, head coach Deion Sanders wrote: "God please comfort the Ponder family, friends & Loved ones. Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let's pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence."

Ponder played in two games for the Buffaloes last season. The team was slated to begin spring practice on Monday.

Lawmakers Split Over 'Second Look' Bill

A Democrat-sponsored bill would give Colorado its own "second look" law, creating a resentencing pathway for certain prisoners who have served decades behind bars.

Senate Bill 26-115 would allow offenders older than 60, as well as those who committed a crime while younger than 21, to petition for a merit-based, one-time sentence reconsideration after they've spent 20 years in prison.

A judge could impose a new sentence no shorter than 25 years and no longer than the original term, which could result in release on parole. Life sentences without parole would be ineligible, and certain crimes, like sex offenses, would require prosecutors to agree. An analysis found 137 prisoners in the state would currently qualify.

Sponsors of the bill say it would incentivize good behavior and promote rehabilitation. Opponents argue it would undermine the finality of sentences and retraumatize victims.

The bill passed its first committee hearing last week in a 4-3 vote.

Rain, Snow Follow Record Heat

Denver's average temperature from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28 was 39.6 degrees, making it the city's warmest meteorological winter in 92 years.

March started off with more near-record heat, but a cold front arrives today, bringing cooler highs in the 40s and 50s and scattered showers to parts of the state.

About 2-6 inches of snow are expected above 10,000 feet. The Front Range will mostly see rain, with a storm track favoring northern Colorado. See a map here.

Highs are expected to rebound into the 60s tomorrow before a colder, more complex storm system develops late Thursday into Friday.

Flying together with our sponsor

Unknown Number Calling? It's Not Random

The BBC caught scam-call workers on hidden cameras as they laughed at the people they were tricking. One worker bragged about making $250,000 from victims. The disturbing truth? Scammers don't pick phone numbers at random. They buy your data from brokers.

Try Incogni here and get 55% off your subscription with code FLYOVER.

➤ Statewide: A new bill mirroring legislative efforts in seven other states would ban wage garnishment for medical debts. The practice is legal in all but a few states. (See Details)

➤ Pueblo: People gathered along the Pueblo Riverwalk on Saturday to release floating lanterns in a vigil honoring those impacted by the Feb. 17 pileup on Interstate 25, including the five people who died in the multi-vehicle crash. (See Details)

➤ Colorado Springs: The U.S. Air Force Academy is changing its access procedures "based on the current world situation." There will be heightened security measures for all visitors and employees. (More)

➤ Statewide: Children's Hospital Colorado reported a 7% increase in emergency department visits related to car crashes from 2024 to 2025. (More)

➤ Elizabeth: Police filed criminal charges against a juvenile for allegedly starting a brush fire that prompted residential evacuations on Friday. (More)

➤ Evergreen: A good Samaritan rescued a man who fell through the ice at Evergreen Lake, sprinting across the frozen surface and pulling him out of the water to safety. (More)

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➤ Former Rockies pitcher German Marquez said he's "excited to play with a team that wants to win" after signing with the San Diego Padres this offseason, a comment widely viewed as a jab at his former club. (More)

➤ Former NFL safety Vonn Bell is joining coach Deion Sanders' Colorado football staff. (More)

➤ Former Olympic skier and ex-CU Buffs star Jeremy Bloom founded Owl AI, which uses artificial intelligence to assist sports officials. The technology has partnered with multiple leagues and re-judged a controversial 2026 Olympic snowboarding event. (More)

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➤ A zero-waste, Colorado-based grocery store where all products are packaged by employees into pre-weighed reusable glass jars will appear on the March 11 episode of the business reality show Shark Tank. (See Details)

➤ A bill that would have required companies to post reportable emissions totals on their websites died in a bipartisan House committee vote last week. (More)

➤ Colorado State University's Fort Collins and Pueblo campuses are launching a joint bachelor's and master's degree in nursing this fall, aiming to address a shortage of registered nurses and medical education roles. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ TIBO is the revolutionary titanium cutting board that keeps your family safe by eliminating harmful bacteria and microplastics while keeping knives razor-sharp. With dual surfaces, built-in sharpener, garlic grater, and easy cleanup, it's the last cutting board you'll ever need! (SHOP NOW)

Flying together with our sponsor

Delete your personal data

Spam starts with your personal data being sold. Data brokers are profiting from your home address, SSN, phone number, and other personal information that doesn't belong to them. Incogni scrubs your personal info from the web. It takes three minutes to set up, tackles 420+ data brokers and people-search sites, and there's a 30-day money-back guarantee. Protect your data, your time, and your sanity. Get Incogni today and never look back.

Use code FLYOVER today for a 55% annual plan discount →

➤ The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park unveiled two new gondolas with see-through glass floors, giving visitors a straight-down view from 1,200 feet up as they glide 2,200 feet across the gorge. (See Video)

➤ Boating season began at a handful of state parks on Sunday, with other opening dates ranging from March 6 to April 1. (See List)

➤ The Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo runs June 4-7, with country music star Mitchell Tenpenny headlining on June 4. Tickets are on sale now. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Protect your eyes and drive comfortably with Glare Guard—the easy-on visor shade that instantly cuts harsh sun glare, reduces eye strain, and blocks up to 99.9% of harmful UV rays. Fits any car, installs in seconds, and makes every drive safer and clearer. Don't squint—get clarity on the road!