Friday, February 20, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1863, Congress approved a bill creating the Arizona Territory from the western portion of the New Mexico Territory. This map shows its 1870 boundaries.

Fierce winds and blowing snow battered northern Arizona on Wednesday, temporarily closing highways, causing crashes, and damaging infrastructure. You can see what conditions looked like here.

Today's sponsor, GoldCo, is helping retirement savers explore how physical gold and silver could potentially strengthen and diversify their portfolios amid growing economic and political uncertainty.

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.

Tobacco Decline Cuts Child Funds

Arizona's declining cigarette use has reduced revenue for state agency First Things First, which depends on a voter-approved tobacco tax to fund child care and early education programs.

Once totaling about $165 million a year, collections have fallen to under $90 million annually, impacting scholarships, child care access, and workforce participation.

A December 2025 report said the decline is driven by fewer smokers and the rise of untaxed vaping and nicotine products cutting into cigarette sales.

Gov. Katie Hobbs has signaled possible support for expanding the tax to vaping products.

Charlie Kirk Highway Bill Advances

The state Senate advanced a bill to rename Loop 202 after the late Charlie Kirk, sending the measure to the state House for consideration.

Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, introduced the proposal to rename the freeway the Charlie Kirk Highway in honor of the slain founder of Turning Point USA.

Loop 202 circles much of the Phoenix metro area, where Kirk lived and built the TPUSA youth organization.

Helicopters Test Drone-Killer Munitions

Apache helicopters tested a new munition to shoot down drones during a December live-fire test at the Yuma Proving Ground, broadening options to counter growing unmanned aircraft threats.

Crews used a 30mm explosive round that bursts near its target, scattering fragments that can take down drone swarms without a direct hit.

The round was developed by Army weapons engineers, building on proximity fuse technology first used in World War II.

Officials said the munition works with the Apache's existing cannon, requires no major aircraft changes, and is being fast-tracked for deployment.

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A New Era for Gold & Silver

For years now, many people in or near retirement have viewed precious metals through a single lens: wealth preservation. It was the "safe haven" you turned to when the rest of the market looked shaky.

But that era may have ended… with a new one emerging.

We have now entered a period of unprecedented momentum.

Gold charged past $5,000/oz.

& Silver skyrocketed past $100/oz.

For the first time in decades, the conversation for retirement savers seems to be shifting. It's no longer just about "holding the line"—it's about the potential growth these physical assets could bring to a diversified portfolio.

Why This Could Just Be The Beginning

While $5,000 gold and $100 silver are historic milestones, many seasoned market analysts suggest this move may just be getting started, even with the recent pullbacks.

Analysts report that gold has more room to run as geopolitics and central banks buying fuel gains. With the upcoming U.S. mid-term elections, political uncertainty may increase further. At the same time, persistent concerns about over-valued equity markets could reinforce portfolio diversification flows into gold.

Claim your FREE 2026 Gold & Silver Kit which reveals the latest market data and shows you exactly how to add physical metals as a hedge for your retirement strategy.

➤ Statewide: State senators advanced a proposal that would outlaw public warnings and tip-offs about pending and ongoing illegal immigration arrests, after a heated committee hearing. (Watch Report)

➤ Pima County: The reward fund in the Nancy Guthrie case climbed past $200,000, including an FBI offer of $100,000. (More)

➤ Flagstaff: Fraternity Delta Tau Delta shut down its Northern Arizona University chapter following hazing allegations related to a student's death in January. (Watch)

➤ Sacaton: The Gila River Indian Community is among the tribes with the most at stake in Colorado River talks, with potentially half its water supply at risk. (Watch Report)

➤ Safford: A 64-year-old Willcox man was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for robbing a Chase Bank in July. (Photo)

➤ Maricopa County: The county seeks public feedback on its draft Framework 2040 comprehensive plan aimed at guiding development, reducing heat impacts, and improving transportation in the coming years. (Give Feedback)

➤ No. 4 Arizona men's basketball bounced back from its first two losses of the season to beat No. 23 BYU. (More)

➤ Grand Canyon men's basketball beat San Diego State 73-63, becoming the first Mountain West Conference team to win at SDSU by double-digits since 2015. (More)

➤ Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said there's no timetable on a decision about quarterback Kyler Murray's future with the team. (More)

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➤ Phoenix-based swimming pool supplier Leslie's closed 80 stores and an Illinois distribution center as part of a restructuring aimed at cutting costs and stabilizing operations. (More)

➤ Aluminum Dynamics secured the final state permit needed to build a recycling plant in Benson, with state regulators saying they modified air quality requirements based on public feedback. (Watch)

➤ Navajo County leaders approved a major solar project near Snowflake, projected to bring significant tax revenue to area school districts, colleges, and public agencies. (Details)

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➤ Rare Unlimited Cash Back Match Turns Heads. If you're carrying credit card debt, a new 0% intro APR card could give you breathing room to pay it down. This top-rated card also offers 5% cash back—matched after your first year for up to 10% on qualifying purchases. (Learn More)

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New Era for Gold & Silver: Despite recent pullbacks, Analysts report that precious metals have more room to run as geopolitics and central banks buying, fuel gains. With the upcoming U.S. mid-term elections, political uncertainty may increase further. For the first time in decades, the conversation for retirement savers seems to be shifting.

It's no longer just about "holding the line"—it's about the potential growth these physical assets could bring to a diversified portfolio. Get the latest market insights and learn how to add physical metals to your retirement savings with the 2026 Ultimate Guide to Gold & Silver.

➤ An AI-aided robotic DroneDog is patrolling a warehouse in Waddell as part of a nationwide rollout. (Watch)

➤ Community donations totaling $300,000 helped Phoenix cancer patient Quinn Goodman secure a life-saving liver transplant. (Watch)

➤ The state transportation department announced 12 finalists in its Name-A-Snowplow contest, including Clearopathra and Scoopy-Doo, with public voting underway. (Vote)

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