FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — On Tuesday, Sept. 15, the United States Supreme Court ruled against an executive order instructing the United State Post Office (USPS) to only deliver ballots to voters on the approved mail-in ballot list.
This decision ensures that the vote-by-mail process will remain unchanged for the Nov. 3 General Election. Coconino County early ballots will be mailed on Oct. 7 to voters who are on the Active Early Voting List or have requested a ballot be mailed to them.
Free community showers
Free shower facilities are available to Grand Canyon residents until further notice. Residents are strongly encouraged to use these facilities whenever possible to reduce household water use and help conserve the park’s limited water supply. This week ADA showers were also placed at four locations throughout the park.
Are you curious about the Flagstaff Festival of Science?
The Festival is full of fascinating people, big ideas, and science you may not get to hear about during the event itself. Our Festival Insights blog gives you a closer look at the stories and science behind some of this year’s talks and activities.
Go a little deeper and learn more about the people, ideas, and science behind some of this year’s talks and events.
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Grand Canyon National Park today announced tentative dates for the restoration of water services to the South Rim residences and concessionaires within the park.
Based upon construction timetables, the National Park Service Incident Management Team projects the park will be able to start pumping water by Nov. 16 from the Bright Angel Creek intake to the new water treatment plan. The National Park Service estimates distribution from the new treatment plant to residents will begin by Thanksgiving, allowing concessionaires to begin a phased approach to providing services to overnight guests at that time. These dates are tentative and residents and concessionaires will be notified as construction is completed.
Whether you’re exploring a new passion or building on years of experience, Sedona Arts Center offers inspiring classes and workshops for every skill level. Learn from working artists in a welcoming, hands-on environment while exploring painting, ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, photography, mixed media, and more.
Join us in the heart of Sedona and discover where creativity can take you.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — The City of Flagstaff has begun replacing the City Hall roof. As part of the project, the contractor will place plywood on areas of the City Hall lawn for vehicular access, which is required before driving on park grounds, athletic fields and civic grass spaces. The plywood will be in place for approximately four weeks and will likely cause the grass beneath to die. The City expects to be able to install new sod in late May and early June of 2027, when turf becomes available in our region.
COCONINO COUNTY — Members of the Hispanic community gathered on Sept. 15 to celebrate the approval by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors of the official proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15). …
The proclamation includes:
… WHEREAS, the month encourages people to explore the incredible impact Latinas and Latinos have had on the United States, Arizona and Coconino County for generations; and
… WHEREAS, in recognition of the 2026 theme, “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” Coconino County acknowledges the transformative role of Hispanic Americans in driving progress, innovation and social change across fields such as science, art, politics, education and community activism; and
WHEREAS, we will continue to advocate for Hispanics/Latinos as representation matters. Latinos and Latinas continue to shape our nation as business owners, activists, artists, public servants and more. From serving in the US military to being champions in the fight for civil rights, Latinas and Latinos remain strong leaders and changemakers. …
The ceremony can be viewed on the County’s Youtube site at http://youtube.com/coconinocnty at the 26:30 mark
FLAGSTAFF — On the same evening the Coconino County Board of Supervisors was recognizing Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month, it seemed only fitting that the county also recognized and honored a local community leader who has worked hard to ensure that the contributions of the local Hispanic community are also remembered.
The Board of Supervisors honored Ruth Eaton, former chair and member of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) during a ceremony held at the board’s meeting room on Sept. 15.
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County recognized Sept. 15, 2026 as National Voter Registration Day during a ceremony held at the county’s First Floor Board Room. Coconino County Recorder Aubrey Sonderegger read the official proclamation.
The remarks can be seen on the county’s YouTube site at the 42.25 minute mark
On Sept. 14, the county posted the following announcement.
Pickin in the Pines Bluegrass Festival is three days of live music, jamming, camping, educational workshops, a band contest, community dance, kid’s activities and more!
Come down and have fun in the cool pines of Flagstaff at Ft. Tuthill County Park and Pepsi Amphitheater.
Every fall, parents ask themselves the same question: what can I really do to help my child succeed in school this year? The good news is that research points to a handful of everyday habits that make a real difference.
As a nonprofit with a focus on youth opportunity, here’s what we know works and where you can turn if your family needs extra support.
Get them to school – every day. It sounds obvious, but it matters more than people realize.
“FLG is excited to be a recipient of the SCASDP grant and eager to provide more connectivity to the northern Arizona region. More flight options create easier opportunities for travelers and stimulate economic growth throughout our community,” said Claire Harper, Airport Communications Manager. “The Small Community Air Service Development Program is unique in that it empowers communities to design solutions that reflect their specific air service needs and circumstances. FLG is ready to address northern Arizona’s air service challenges.”
Click below for the latest news updates from the:
Office Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes
Igniting a love of STEM in Tuba City
They say success is nothing without someone to share it with. That’s certainly true in Tuba City, a small community on the Navajo Nation: Whenever any of its citizens score a big win, the town always shows up to celebrate. That’s why, armed with $50,000 from the National Science Foundation, researchers at NAU’s Center for STEM Teaching and Learning aren’t just partnering with Tuba City educators to improve STEM learning opportunities. They’re also working with town leaders to brainstorm ways to celebrate the kids’ success, from public robotics challenges to parades.
At the recent annual conference of the League of Arizona Cities & Towns, APS President and CEO Ted Geisler reaffirmed the utility’s commitment to protecting reliability and rates for current APS customers while serving new companies and industries investing in the state.
The APS Pledge for Responsible Energy Growth comes at a time of increasing demand for centers that service cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other data-driven “extra-large customers.”
The pledge is built on three principals, Geisler said.
GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Grand Canyon National Park crews are assessing damage after an additional flash flood moved through Bright Angel Canyon Wednesday afternoon, damaging temporary water infrastructure being constructed as part of the park’s ongoing recovery from the Aug. 29 flood.
There were no reported injuries. With severe weather approaching and flash flood warnings in effect, the National Park Service had reduced the number of personnel working in the canyon. Crews remaining in the area were able to reach safety before the flood moved through. The affected area remains closed to public access.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Mango-Paget is seeking public input regarding the potential appointment of Renee Hatch to fill the current vacancy on the Willaims Unified District Governing Board.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The voter registration deadline for the November 3, 2026 General Election is Monday, October 5, 2026.
“Registering to vote and participating in elections is an important civic right that ensures your voice is heard. Now is the time to check that your registration is up to date and that you are ready for the upcoming General Election,” County Recorder Aubrey Sonderegger said.
To register to vote, an individual must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old by Election Day, reside within Coconino County and have no felony convictions, unless civil rights have been restored.
Efforts to restore the park’s water supply are advancing at the delta, where contractors used excavators to establish the footprint for the new water intake project. A wastewater treatment operator was also brought to Phantom Ranch to test the wastewater treatment plant as crews prepare to return the system to limited service.
On the South Rim, the water treatment plant contractor is preparing to begin startup and testing once the new delta intake is able to provide raw water to the plant. The contractor is coordinating closely with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality as testing and the process to return the plant to service move forward.
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest firewood permits are now available online via the Forest Service’s new e-permit system at https://epermits.fs2c.usda.gov/
Permittees must possess a printed physical permit while harvesting and transporting products. The permit does not need to be attached to the load or displayed on a vehicle dashboard.
Load tags will not be issued with online permits. Collection is limited to dead and down materials only, and permits are only valid for the specific forest they are purchased for.
Whether you’re exploring a new passion or building on years of experience, Sedona Arts Center offers inspiring classes and workshops for every skill level. Learn from working artists in a welcoming, hands-on environment while exploring painting, ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, photography, mixed media, and more.
Join us in the heart of Sedona and discover where creativity can take you.
ew year, healthier you
Campus Health Services isn’t just for students—it’s also for faculty and staff! Now is a great time to establish care at CHS, whether you’re looking to schedule annual physicals and immunizations, renew your prescriptions, explore preventive health resources or even access urgent care.
SEDONA — The temporary closure of Oak Creek that has been ongoing since July will be lifted on Thursday (Sep. 17, 2026), allowing for the public to access the creek and nearly all recreation sites along Oak Creek.
Under a new forest order, the West Fork watershed, its trail, and Call of the Canyon will remain closed until Oct. 1, 2026, since that specific watershed had a higher percentage of fire damage and still poses a higher flooding risk.
Oak Creek has been closed to the public since the start of the Pocket Fire in June and remained closed after the fire danger was gone, out of an abundance of caution prior to monsoon so that if any flash flooding occurred no one would be injured or caught in it.
In just under two weeks, the Flagstaff Festival of Science kicks off!
And the best part? All Festival events are FREE!
While most events are open to everyone, some do require advance registration. We don’t want you to miss out on something you’re excited about because registration filled up—or because you didn’t know you needed to sign up ahead of time!
There are 32 events that require advance registration, from a full moon hike in Picture Canyon to tagging a Monarch butterfly and more.
We’ve highlighted a small sampling of these events below, so take a look, find something that catches your curiosity, and register early!
South Rim Water Update — September 11, 2026
The August 29 flash flood caused extensive damage to water infrastructure in Bright Angel Canyon, including portions of the Transcanyon Waterline and the Bright Angel Creek intake. The South Rim remains under Stage 4 water restrictions and is relying on stored water while crews conduct repairs and advance temporary water-supply solutions. We know this has required significant adjustments in homes, workplaces and park operations, and we are deeply grateful to every resident, employee, business, partner and visitor who has helped conserve water during this difficult time.
