Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1920, Phoenix hosted a banquet to form an Arizona unit of the Boy Scouts of America. This circa-1934 photo shows U.S. Army Gen. John Pershing with scouts in Tucson.

Phoenix set a second straight daily heat record on Monday, this time topping a 56-year-old mark. Above-average temperatures are forecast through Christmas.

Later today: watch for a partner message from Elf Labs on why Disney's $1 billion AI deal matters, and what it could mean for you as an investor.

If you're watching how AI is reshaping entertainment and wondering where everyday investors fit in, today's sponsor, Elf Labs, shows how the game may be opening up beyond Hollywood's inner circle.

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.

Minimum Wage to Top $15

Arizona's minimum wage will increase by 45 cents on Jan. 1, rising from $14.70 an hour to $15.15 an hour.

With the adjustment, Arizona will join states such as Colorado, Maine, and Nebraska in reaching or surpassing $15 per hour. Twenty-seven states will see no change.

The increase is required under Proposition 206, passed by the state's voters in 2016, which established a schedule of hikes and tied future raises to inflation.

Since 2016, the state's minimum wage has nearly doubled, rising from $8.05 per hour before Prop 206 took effect.

Bill Would Lift Rural Speed Limits

A state lawmaker introduced a bill to remove daytime speed limits on certain rural interstates, allowing drivers to travel at speeds considered "reasonable and prudent."

Proposed by state Rep. Nick Kupper, R-Maricopa, the RAPID Act would keep an 80 mph nighttime cap.

The daytime exemption would only apply to passenger vehicles on qualifying highways, as determined by engineering studies and safety records.

Kupper said the bill aims to raise speeds where safe, while maintaining strict penalties for reckless driving. The bill would also require yearly reviews and a public education campaign.

WWII-Era Grenades Trigger Evacuations

Evacuations were lifted in downtown Globe on Monday after World War II-era hand grenades were turned in to the police department and safely secured.

Police said the evacuations were implemented "out of an abundance of caution," noting that old explosives can be unpredictable.

Barricades were erected and a significant police presence was in place while a U.S. Air Force bomb squad safely removed the munitions.

A resident discovered the grenades and brought two of them to the police station. Another grenade was found at the resident's home.

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What Disney's $1 Billion AI Deal Means for Investors

Disney just signed a $1 billion deal with OpenAI. The three-year licensing agreement will enable users to generate characters from Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar using AI.

But the real story today is the future of AI and IP, and how much legacy studios will pay to get in.

For as long as the $2 trillion entertainment industry can remember, IP deals like this one have been a walled garden for a handful of billion-dollar studios. Disney buys Marvel for $4 billion. Universal buys DreamWorks for $1 billion. Now Disney invests $1 billion into OpenAI. It's like a poker game where the minimum buy-in is the GDP of a small island nation.

But the game is now changing.

While Hollywood giants scramble for their place in the AI future, one $6 billion IP powerhouse team already owns over 500 trademarks and copyrights, including iconic characters such as Cinderella, Snow White, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Rapunzel, and many more.

Their use of AI and other next-gen patented tech is on another level. They're bringing their characters off the screen and into your living room with 3D holograms, headset-free VR, and AI-powered talking toys. And they're giving everyday investors access as they do it.

Note: This company is not affiliated with Disney.

They spent a decade building this portfolio. Now they have a team that has executed $6 billion in merchandising deals in their careers, and they have already earned $15 million in royalties for Elf.

Their proprietary interactive content, built on 12 cutting-edge tech patents, has just secured a $200 million TV distribution deal.

As giants like Disney reveal their cards, everyday investors finally have a seat at the table.

Invest in Elf Labs by tonight at 11:59 p.m. PST and get up to 25% bonus shares.

➤ Statewide: The Pentagon expanded its misconduct investigation into U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy captain, after he took part in a video urging service members to refuse unspecified "illegal" orders. (Watch)

➤ Pinal County: The county conducted a three-month summer cloud seeding experiment after a proposed statewide ban failed, saying salts were used in an effort to increase rainfall. (More)

➤ Goodyear: Residents will see higher utility bills starting next year after the city council voted 5-2 to raise water, sewer, and trash rates under a four-year plan. (More)

➤ Phoenix: Grand Canyon University regained nonprofit status after a years-long battle with the U.S. Department of Education, restoring student access to federal financial aid. (More)

➤ Bagdad: William Rubio of Kentucky was awarded the Carnegie Medal for heroism after rescuing a trapped Arizona truck driver from a burning tractor-trailer in January. (More)

➤ Yuma: The city named John Louser as its fire chief, following the retirement of chief Dusty Fields. (Watch)

➤ Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson was named a third-team AP All-American despite missing nearly the entire second half of the season with a hamstring injury. (More)

➤ Arizona Cardinals running back Bam Knight will likely not play this weekend after suffering a severe ankle sprain against the Houston Texans. (More)

➤ Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere accepted a job as an assistant coach for Michigan State next season. (More)

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➤ State Attorney General Kris Mayes joined a multistate lawsuit claiming Uber's subscription service overstated customer savings and made cancellations difficult. (More)

➤ Cigna and Tenet Healthcare remain locked in a dispute over reimbursement rates, with coverage for 413,000 Arizona enrollees of Abrazo Health set to expire this month. (More)

➤ Grand Canyon South Rim hotels will reopen today after completion of Transcanyon Waterline repairs. Water-saving measures will remain in effect. (Watch)

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The $4B Deal Everyday Investors Missed

In 2012, Disney acquired Lucasfilm for $4 billion—one of the most profitable entertainment deals ever made.

But everyday investors never had the chance to participate, missing the upside.

Elf Labs spent a decade securing over 500 trademarks and copyrights featuring Cinderella, Snow White, and other iconic characters to ensure that these dynamic changes.

The company is building a tech-powered character universe, using AI, immersive technology, and 12 patents to activate these globally recognized characters across entertainment, gaming, and consumer products—a market estimated to be worth over $2 trillion.

Analyst interest increased even before any national rollout, following multiple unsolicited offers exceeding $70 million.

And unlike the Lucasfilm deal, investors can get in while the company is still private.

Timing matters here—a limited allocation remains, and up to 25% bonus shares expire tonight.

Invest Now

Invest in Elf Labs by tonight at 11:59 p.m. PST and get 5% bonus shares.

This is a paid advertisement for Elf Lab's Regulation CF offering. Please read the offering circular at https://www.elflabs.com/

➤ A one-eyed rescue horse named Phoenix is making a difference at a Scottsdale therapy farm by working with blind babies and others with disabilities. (Watch)

➤ An Arizona Lottery player became a millionaire after matching five numbers in Monday's Powerball drawing. The $1 million ticket was sold at a Cave Creek Cobblestone Auto Spa. (More)

➤ Arizona was again named as having the highest per-capita rate of romance scams. Privacy experts say red flags include refusals to meet or talking about money early. (Details)

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