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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.

WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) are partnering to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health on nearly 14,000 acres of National Forest lands in northern Arizona. Through a new Good Neighbor Agreement (GNA), DFFM will administer forest restoration activities that help protect communities, strengthen water security for millions of Arizonans, conserve natural resources, and support the state’s forest products industry and rural economies.

FLAGSTAFF — THe City of Flagstaff Housing Division’s recruitment for 5 seats on the Housing Commission, including 3 community resident seats. Applications can be found at this link and are due September 23.
Want to help shape housing in Flagstaff?
The Housing Commission advises City Council on housing policies, needs, and programs in our community. The City of Flagstaff Housing Division is seeking Flagstaff residents (within City limits) with experience in building, real estate, development, or community issues.

Tynkertopia Logo
You’re invited to Tynkertopia’s
8th Birthday Bash!
We’re so excited to celebrate 8 years of Tynkertopia! Come join us for hands-on STEAM activities, outdoor games, cake, snacks, and drinks!
We’ll be partying from 2 to 4PM on Saturday, September 19th at Tynkertopia!
3330 Elder Dr, Flagstaff AZ 86004
See you there!

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz – Following this morning’s press release regarding the Flagstaff Minimum Wage effective Jan. 1, 2027, City staff identified the need to revise the calculation. After revising the calculation, the minimum wage will increase to $18.95 per hour Jan. 1, 2027, not $19.00 per hour as previously reported.
Set within the galleries and theater at Coconino Center for the Arts, NightVisions: Savor the Night Sky is a constellation of a chef-curated dinner, live music & dancing, musical theater, and stargazing.
Featuring:
Amber Hour social with cash bar celestial cocktails & mocktails
Harvest Moon Dinner served within the NightVisions: AMBER gallery exhibition. Catered by SOSTA, inspired by the texture and flavors of an autumn evening around the open fire.
Moonlit Melodies by Stargazer Collaborative Theater
Stargazing guided telescope experience by Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition
…and more!

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino County officials celebrated another successful County Fair with the local Hispanic community turning out for a variety of Latino-themed performances on Sept. 6 at the 77th annual Coconino County Fair.
“Thousands turned out to Get Your Kicks and Fair Fix at Fort Tuthill County Park this Labor Day weekend!” County officials stated. “Thank you to our incredible community, local businesses, and everyone who came together to make the 77th Annual Coconino County Fair one to remember. We hope to see you again next year!”
Entertainment on Sunday at the Main Stage included the morning dance performances by Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff, the afternoon performance by Banda La Excepcional and the evening concert by Grupo La Kana.

FLAGSTAFF — The City of Flagstaff commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a ceremony during the early morning hours of Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
“Today, we remember and honor the heroes of September 11, 2001, who showed incredible bravery and sacrifice. Flagstaff stands united in reflection, paying tribute to the lives lost and the resilience of our nation,” the city stated on its Facebook page.
The event included the presentation of the Colors and the display of hundreds of flags. The 9/11 Flag Memorial Field honors the 2,977 people who lost their lives on 9/11/2001.

PHOENIX – Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (on July 2, 2026) has launched a statewide PSA campaign reminding Arizona that voters in all 15 counties have the ability to sign up for BallotTrax, the real-time ballot status update system. In tandem, the Secretary has also launched a redesigned Arizona.Vote website, providing voters with an updated, user-friendly destination for official election information and voter services.

FALL-PAW-LOOZA
Flagstaff Mall
Join us for an exciting time at the FALL-PAW-LOOZA to support Shadows Foundation and their new adoption network, R-FAN!
Food, Bar, Games, Giveaways, Vendors, Cornhole Tournament, K9 Demonstration, Pet Adoptions, Live Music, Kids Crafts Hosted by Flagstaff Walmart Locations, and More!
Shadows Foundation R-FAN will have puppies available for adoption from 2-5pm!

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — On January 1, 2027, the minimum wage in the City of Flagstaff will increase from $18.35 to $19.00 per hour for all workers.
On November 8, 2016 the voters of Flagstaff wrote and passed The Minimum Wage Act as a citizen’s initiative (Proposition 414). Accordingly, the City’s minimum wage is adjusted annually by the change in the cost of living.

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County’s Sustainable Building Program invites the community to explore innovative, resilient living at the 22nd Annual Sustainable Building Tour on Saturday, October 3.
Presented as part of the Flagstaff Festival of Science, this year’s free event features a dual-track tour showcasing practical, inspiring strategies for building and living sustainably across northern Arizona. Attendees can choose between two distinct experiences, or explore both:
WILLIAMS — Kaibab National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations this month, beginning with Moonset Pit as soon as September 20, pending all required approvals. We estimate this work to continue through October as weather conditions allow. We use prescribed fires to help reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
There are numerous project areas across the forest in which crews may be working, including some in the Red Lake and Spring Valley areas, southeast of the Town of Tusayan, and the Jacob Lake and Demotte areas. Visit InciWeb for details and maps of planned burn areas.

Join us Sunday, September 13 at 1pm, to hear from two renowned artists sharing stories and reflections on Artist Hopid. Neil David Sr. and Ed Kabotie’s father, Michael Kabotie, were two of the founding members of Artist Hopid, a groundbreaking collective founded in 1973 by five visionary Hopi artists: Michael Kabotie, Delbridge Honanie, Terrance Talaswaima, Neil David Sr., and Milland Lomakema.

The 77th Annual Coconino County Fair was a great success!
Thousands turned out to Get Your Kicks and Fair Fix at Fort Tuthill County Park this Labor Day weekend! Thank you to our incredible community, local businesses, and everyone who came together to make the 77th Annual Coconino County Fair one to remember. We hope to see you again next year!

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — The City of Flagstaff is excited to announce the launch of its newly redesigned municipal website. The updated site features an improved design, enhanced navigation, and a more accessible experience for all community members.
The City encourages the community to visit and explore the refreshed site. While some information may look different or be located in updated menus, all previously available content is still available. Several new features, such as a calendar for City-sponsored events, have also been added.
Set within the galleries and theater at Coconino Center for the Arts, NightVisions: Savor the Night Sky is a constellation of a chef-curated dinner, live music & dancing, musical theater, and stargazing.
Stargazer Collaborative Theater will be performing musical selections inspired by the night sky, featuring performers Doug Riddle, Sarah Casey, DeLano Hays, Amelia Swann, AJ Maniglia, Taylor Salazar.
This fundraiser benefits Exhibitions & Programs at Coconino Center for the Arts, with opportunities to support Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition.
Limited capacity. Reservations close September 15.

COCONINO COUNTY — Students from dozens of local schools countywide participated in the 77th Annual Coconino County Fair held Sept. 4-7, 2026 at the fairgrounds at Fort Tuthill County Park, Flagstaff.
Public elementary, middle and high school; charter school and home-school students submitted a variety of entries, which filled the entire Schools exhibit building.
“We loved seeing student artwork from schools across FUSD on display at the Coconino County Fair this weekend!,” FUSD stated on its Facebook page. “A big shoutout to our talented student artists and the teachers who encourage their creativity every day. We’re so proud to see our students’ amazing work out in the community!”

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — The City of Flagstaff Public Works Department invites members of the public to participate in the 2026 Public Works Academy. The Academy is an immersive, eight-week educational experience designed to give residents a behind‑the‑scenes look at the essential services that keep our community running. Applications are due by Sept. 16, 2026.

Ready for duty
A hands-on program is preparing the next generation of law enforcement officers and park protection rangers. By combining academic instruction, physical training and real-world experience, NAU’s Law Enforcement Training Academy is giving students what they need to serve their communities and preserve public lands right after graduation.

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 — Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and eligible nonprofit organizations operating within the City of Flagstaff are invited to apply for the Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Incentive, a competitive grant program designed to support the growth, stability, and resilience of existing local businesses.
The City of Flagstaff has allocated $45,000 for the BR&E Incentive in FY27, with individual awards ranging from $2,500 to $30,000. Up to $15,000 of the total allocation may be awarded to eligible nonprofit organizations with a focus on economic development activities. The program also requires a 1-to-1 cash match; the amount requested must be matched by the applicant.

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Grand Canyon National Park continues response and recovery operations following the significant August 29 flash flood in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area. Search operations remain active, while crews continue infrastructure assessments, stabilization work and efforts to restore a reliable water supply to the South Rim.
The park now has a path forward to restore water service and, based on current progress, expects that work to take weeks, not months.
Crews are moving forward with construction of a temporary water intake at Bright Angel Creek to replace the intake destroyed by the flood. Engineers are in the canyon designing the temporary intake, the existing Transcanyon Waterline contract has been modified to support the work, and construction activities are beginning this week.

This Tuesday, September 8th, during their work session, City Council will discuss and provide direction to staff regarding their willingness to adopt the updated 2024 “Suite of Building & Fire Codes,” including a stronger Energy Code, at a date in the near future (see proposed dates below). International Energy Codes are released every three years, and the city adopts them every six years. The City of Flagstaff is currently using the 2018 Energy Code. Use of updated codes support safer, more durable and resilient communities.

Editor’s note: Given the constantly churning news cycle with stories on court cases possibly impacting mail-in ballots or reduction of polling places nationwide and other political issues, AmigosNAZ is launching this new weekly feature to help readers gather accurate information from local and state elections officials on the upcoming election. Future stories will include details on how to track your ballot, ballot drop off locations in Coconino County and other information. Please see links below for local and Arizona election resources.

SEDONA — The Northern Arizona premiere of “American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez” comes to Sedona for a one-week run (Sept. 3-10), starting with a screening at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 as part of the Sedona International Film Festival.
The opening night screening will be followed by a Q&A with director David Alvarado and producer Everett Katigbak. The Sundance audience favorite tells the story of Luis Valdez, the man who built El Teatro Campesino out of the fields of California and turned the figure of the pachuco and the history of the Zoot Suit Riots into influential American stage art.
Narrated by Edward James Olmos in character as El Pachuco, featuring Dolores Huerta. It began on a flatbed truck at the Delano picket lines, with farmworkers performing their own strike, before it ever reached a stage. A Mexican American story on the big screen, brought to Sedona by the festival that keeps this red rock town in love with film.

Get Your Kicks & Fair Fix at the 77th Annual Coconino County Fair! Celebrating 135 years of Coconino County, join us Labor Day Weekend, September 4-7, 2026, at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff.
Enjoy carnival rides, live bands every day, Friday through Monday, livestock shows, fine arts, food, games, and family fun for all ages.

Bright Angel Flash Flood Response and South Rim Water Conservation
Grand Canyon National Park continues response and recovery efforts following the August 29 flash flood in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area. Search, accountability, infrastructure assessment, and recovery work are ongoing under a Type II Incident Management Team.
Flash Flood Response and Search Efforts
At this time, 82 people have been rescued, two people have been recovered deceased, and one person remains missing. Search efforts for the missing hiker continue with park staff and partner agencies.
The flood caused extensive damage to trails, bridges, utilities, and other infrastructure in the inner canyon. Early assessments indicate that approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline and five to seven miles of the North Kaibab Trail have been severely damaged. Four bridges in the Box were severely damaged or washed away. Assessments are continuing, and these estimates may change as crews learn more about the extent of the damage.

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County’s Administrative Center, County Manager’s Office, County Attorney’s Office, Coconino County Superior Court, Flagstaff Justice Court and Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) office and clinic will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — Flagstaff’s City Hall offices at 211 W. Aspen Ave. will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of Labor Day. City Hall offices will reopen Tuesday, Sept. 8.
City of Flagstaff facilities that are also closed on Labor Day include:
Cinder Lake Landfill and Hazardous Products Center (6770 E Landfill Rd.)
Citizens Cemetery (1300 S San Francisco St.)
Downtown Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library (300 W. Aspen Ave.)
East Flagstaff Community Library (3000 N. Fourth St.)
Hal Jensen Recreation Center (2403 N Izabel St)
Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center (245 N. Thorpe Rd.)
Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) (1800 E Butler Ave.)

Flagstaff’s First Friday ArtWalk is a monthly celebration of creativity that brings downtown to life. Local galleries stay open late with special artist receptions and entertainment, so check out the gallery map to visit them all!
Join us for First Friday tomorrow, September 4, starting at 5pm! The 2026 ArtWalk season is generously underwritten by Dapper Dre, supporting Car-Free First Fridays with traffic closures on Aspen St. for art and performance activations.

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The NAU Review. The official news source for Northern Arizona University.
Sept. 3, 2026
We deliver top headlines to the Lumberjack community every Tuesday and Thursday during the academic year. For more, visit in.nau.edu/news.
A Navajo man pumps water from a tank into a barrel. Red rock mesas are in the background.
Identifying safe drinking water on tribal lands
A group of NAU researchers, led by analytical chemist Jani Ingram, sampled water in wells throughout the Navajo Nation to identify which wells contained safe drinking water and which contained dangerous levels of uranium. The work doesn’t just protect Navajo Nation residents’ health; it also provides them with data they can use to advocate for safer community resources.

Join us Sunday, September 6, as we celebrate MNA’s 98th birthday with a special presentation by Kristan Hutchison, MNA’s Exhibitions & Publications Manager. Discover the remarkable story behind the museum’s founding, then enjoy cupcakes as we celebrate MNA’s past and look ahead to the museum’s centennial in 2028!

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — Grand Canyon National Park continues response and recovery operations following the destructive August 29 flash flood that caused significant damage in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area.
Park staff and partner agencies are conducting damage assessments and beginning repair and stabilization work in areas where trails, bridges, utilities and other infrastructure were damaged or destroyed. Maintaining safe access for response personnel and keeping visitors out of hazardous areas is critical as this work continues.