Friday, February 6, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1899, Henry Ashurst—then the youngest member and speaker of the Arizona Territorial Legislature—introduced a bill establishing what's now Northern Arizona University.

Oatman's 36th annual Great Bed Races brought laughter and lively competition to Route 66 with teams racing rolling beds under sunny skies. Watch here.

This week, The Flyover team is in Colorado, meeting in person to plan how to make The Arizona Flyover even better in 2026. As a result, today and Saturday's editions will be intentionally more abbreviated, and we'll be back to normal on Sunday.

Today's sponsor is Brad's Deals, the site that helps you uncover hidden perks and savings—like lesser-known Amazon Prime benefits you might not even realize you're missing.

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.

DPS Helicopter Crash Kills Pilot and Trooper

A pilot and a trooper with the Arizona Department of Public Safety were killed Wednesday night when their Ranger helicopter crashed while responding to an active shooter situation in Flagstaff.

The helicopter was providing air support for police responding to reports of gunfire near Route 66, where a man exchanged gunfire with police. The man suffered non-fatal gunshot wounds and was taken into custody.

The identities of the pilot and the trooper were not immediately released.

The helicopter went down around 10:15 p.m., sparking a fire. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash.

Robotaxis Focus of D.C. Hearing

A U.S. Senate committee in Washington, D.C., held a hearing Wednesday to examine the safety of self-driving technology as autonomous vehicle operations expand in Arizona and beyond.

Tesla and Waymo executives defended their vehicles and systems as lawmakers pressed them on national safety standards, crash liability, and ways to reduce traffic deaths.

The technology's risks were highlighted recently when a Waymo car in Phoenix stopped on light rail tracks as a train approached, forcing a passenger to exit.

Waymo has operated its Phoenix fleet since 2020, while Tesla is approved to operate with safety drivers as it works toward full driverless service in the area.

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➤ Pima County: As the search intensifies for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, investigators found blood spatters outside her home and arrested Californian Derrick Callella for sending a fake ransom demand while posing as her abductor. (More)

➤ Kingman: Hobby Lobby secured a permit to remodel and open in a former 99 Cent Store on Stockton Hill Road. City leaders praised the project, noting Hobby Lobby was the third-most-requested retailer in a community survey, after Sam's Club and Costco. (More)

➤ Northern Arizona: Jim McCain, son of the late Sen. John McCain, was confirmed as a member of the Board of Regents in a unanimous vote of the state Senate. (See Photo)

➤ Tucson: Transplant Pizza, Mosaic Brewing, and Marana Serial Grillers permanently closed, with the ownership duo behind the ventures opting to focus on their two remaining restaurants. (More)

➤ Oro Valley: After a one-year absence, the Cruise, BBQ & Blues festival will return to Oro Valley Marketplace on Saturday with over 150 classic cars, a BBQ competition, and live music. (More)

➤ Navajo County: The county is seeking a replacement for County Recorder Timothy Jordan, who resigned after pleading guilty in a 2024 road rage case. (More)

➤ The Phoenix Suns traded Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis for Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to add depth and get under the luxury tax. (More)

➤ David Peralta, the longtime Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder known as the Freight Train, announced his retirement. (More)

➤ Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride expressed his excitement for new head coach Mike LaFleur and praised his track record of involving tight ends in the offense. (More)

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