Thursday, January 1, 2026

Happy New Year! On this day in 1911, rising groundwater and collapsing silver prices brought an end to mining in Tombstone. This photo shows the Consolidated Mines in 1908.

As 2026 kicks off, we thank you for helping The Arizona Flyover reach nearly 80,000 readers in less than a year. Today isn't about breaking news. It's about the year that was. We're looking back at the biggest stories of 2025—first, the headlines that helped define the year (in chronological order), then a selection of editors' picks.

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March 4: TSMC Leads Tech Boom

The state's tech boom hit new heights in 2025, led by TSMC's March 4 announcement of a plan to increase its Arizona investment by $100 billion.

Other major companies also expanded or planted roots statewide.

TSMC's plans for new fabs and packaging facilities brought its planned U.S. spending to $165 billion, with local government rejecting some groups' opposition to its plans in Phoenix.

Arizona-based Axon grew its public-safety and AI operations, furthering the tech expansion despite an ongoing Scottsdale dispute over site plans.

Data centers stirred controversy over water and energy use, while Dutch Bros. and other companies' expansions reinforced Arizona's status as a top state for business in 2025.

March 12: Illegal Border Crossings Plunge

Illegal immigration remained a flashpoint in 2025, with a March 12 report finding record-low illegal crossings amid ongoing debate over federal enforcement methods.

Tensions rose after Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed Republican bills on immigration cooperation and enforcement limits.

The issue further escalated when GOP lawmakers filed ethics complaints against Democratic state Sen. Analise Ortiz for posting ICE activity alerts—a move critics deemed dangerous and supporters called a First Amendment right.

First-year congresswoman U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Tucson, whose delayed swearing-in drew national attention, joined a demonstration against illegal immigration arrests, claiming she was pepper-sprayed—a claim immigration agents denied.

June 25: Record Vetoes Show Divide

Arizona's political landscape in 2025 was defined by sustained partisan clashes, culminating with Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs breaking her previous veto record of Republican-led legislation on June 25.

The parties battled over education, state and federal policy, budget priorities, DEI restrictions, and health care measures.

In late November, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy captain, sparked more political fighting—along with an ongoing Pentagon and FBI review—after appearing in a video telling U.S. service members they can refuse unspecified "illegal orders."

July 4: Wildfire Adds to Extreme Weather

Arizona endured a year of extreme weather in 2025, marked by the damaging wildfire at the Grand Canyon that began on July 4, record heat, and severe storms and flash floods across the state.

The lightning-sparked Dragon Bravo Fire became one of the largest wildfires in the state's history, scorching over 145,000 acres and destroying the historic Grand Canyon Lodge along with more than 100 other structures.

Statewide, soaring summer temperatures led to multiple hiker deaths and air rescues, prompting trail closures and fire departments to deploy e-bikes for faster responses in rugged terrain.

In September, flash flooding from severe storms caused several deaths and widespread damage, particularly in Globe and Miami, leaving thousands without power, prompting evacuations, and stranding hikers as counties continue recovery efforts.

Sept. 10: Charlie Kirk Assassinated

The assassination of conservative advocate Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10 shook the nation and hit particularly hard in Arizona, home to Turning Point USA, the youth group Kirk founded at age 18 that now spans thousands of college campuses.

Tributes poured in from coast to coast, culminating in a massive gathering in Glendale where President Trump and supporters honored Kirk's life and legacy.

The tragedy led to tighter event security, increased scrutiny of online threats, and growing Republican anxiety about the country's direction, even as Turning Point USA pushed forward with Kirk's vision of youth-driven political engagement.

Posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on what would have been his 32nd birthday, Kirk's widow Erika—now CEO of Turning Point USA—pledged to carry on his mission by resuming campus tours and expanding the group nationwide.

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➤ An Anatolian Pyrenees named Buford made global headlines in April after rescuing a lost 2-year-old boy in Seligman who'd wandered seven miles through rugged wilderness. The loyal ranch dog stayed with the toddler overnight, guiding him safely until his owner, rancher Scottie Dunton, found them. Following the rescue, Buford received gifts from across the world and was named an honorary member of the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team.

➤ In April, former UFC champion Henry Cejudo made headlines in Phoenix after subduing a suspected drunk driver who crashed into a neighbor's home and assaulted the homeowner. In an interview, the pajama-clad Cejudo dismissed the driver as "not that tough." Days later, Cejudo's home was burglarized, with his first UFC championship belt and about $10,000 in camera equipment stolen. He offered a $10,000 reward for the belt and promised not to press charges if returned, but by year's end, it remained missing.

➤ A May birthday party in Eloy turned into a surprise wedding when childhood sweethearts Steve Gove and Judi Mutal reunited after 49 years apart. The pair, who first met as Seattle high school students in 1963, reconnected on Facebook in 2013 after decades of separate lives that had unknowingly kept them just miles apart. Following the secretly planned wedding, the two were crowned king and queen at a senior community's prom.

➤ A 32-year-old camper, Janelle Banda, survived a harrowing ordeal in June after falling several hundred feet at the Edge of the World campsite near Sedona while walking at night. Banda endured more than two days alone without food or water before being found by a Pinal County Sheriff's helicopter and airlifted to safety with sprained ankles, cuts, and bruises. Her family described the rescue as "nothing short of a miracle."

➤ A December campaign went viral in Arizona after influencer Jimmy Darts shared an encounter with an 86-year-old grandmother at a Walmart. After the grandmother helped him buy medicine despite her own financial struggles, Darts surprised her with cash and launched a GoFundMe on her behalf. Watch the full interaction. The fundraiser quickly gained traction and has since raised more than $82,000 from thousands of donors.

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