FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A federally protected female Mexican wolf was found dead in an area near the northern Arizona city of Flagstaff, alarming environmentalists who worry someone may have deliberately killed the animal.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Arizona Game and Fish Department announced in a joint statement Friday that the animal known to biologists as Mexican wolf F2979 was found dead on Nov. 7. It was located outside the boundaries established along the Arizona-New Mexico border for managing the rarest subspecies of gray wolf in North America.

Officials did not release the cause of death except to say that it was “not related to agency management actions.” Up to $103,500 in reward money from state and federal agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations and private individuals, had been pledged for information “that leads to successful prosecution in the case,” they said.

If someone deliberately killed the wolf, “the full weight of the federal and state law should be brought to bear” against anyone responsible, Cyndi Tuell, Arizona and New Mexico director of the Western Watersheds Project, said in a statement.

Mexican gray wolves are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Killing a Mexican wolf can result in criminal penalties of up to $50,000, and/or up to one year in jail, seizure of firearms, vehicles, and buildings involved in the crime, along with a potential civil penalty of up to $25,000.

The state and federal agencies said in the joint release that the female wolf was first documented outside the government-designated “Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area,” located north of Interstate 40 near Flagstaff in the early summer of 2024.

The animal was captured, fitted with a GPS collar, and released back into the wild in July. DNA analysis revealed the female had left its pack, known as the Tu Dil Hil pack, in the the designated population area and was traveling on its own with another wolf.

Efforts to capture the pair and bring them back to the area had been underway. The other wolf’s whereabouts are unknown.

Federal regulations require the Fish and Wildlife Service to remove all Mexican wolves found roaming north of Interstate 40, even in cases in which the animal is causing no inconvenience or loss. Ranchers in New Mexico and Arizona, who have long complained that wolves are responsible for dozens of livestock deaths every year, are concerned about any expansion of the animals’ range.

Mexican gray wolves were first reintroduced into the Southwestern U.S. a quarter century ago. After a slow start, their numbers have grown in recent years to more than 250 in Arizona and New Mexico.

Houston and Arizona resume play out of each team’s second BYE week in hopes of making a final push for bowl eligibility. 

While Arizona is on a massive slide, losers of five straight, the passing game continues to put up big numbers. Can the group find answers against a surging Houston team that has won three of its last four and has an identity under dual threat quarterback Zeon Chriss. 

Here’s two player props for this Friday night showdown. 

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Zeon Chriss OVER 66.5 Rushing Yards

Chriss has injected life into this Houston offense, leading the team to three wins in four starts, and the loss was a game he left in the first half due to injury. 

The Louisiana transfer is limited as a passer, but he is dynamic as a runner, which has unlocked this Cougars offense. Chriss has run for at least 75 yards in two of four games and draws a favorable matchup against a limited Arizona defense against the run. 

The Wildcats defensive line gets little push, ranking 98th in defensive line yards with only 43 tackles for loss (102nd in the country), allowing nearly five yards per carry. 

With Chriss, who has been the team’s leading rusher in terms of usage, I imagine head coach Willie Fritz is going to continue to deploy him as a runner with a BYE week to prepare and Arizona doesn’t have the ability to pressure him in the backfield, so I envision we see limited negative gains from him. 

Noah Fifita OVER 243.5 Passing Yards

Fifita has seen his effectiveness fall off a cliff in a new scheme, but that hasn’t stopped the Wildcats from taking to the air this season. 

The sophomore quarterback is pushing the ball down the field far more often this season, averaging nine yards per depth of target while last season that was at less than eight. While that has led to far more turnovers this season, the group has been able to put up big numbers through the air. 

Fifita has cleared this number in six of nine games this season, including all but one game in Big 12. 

Houston has a fine pass defense, right around the national average at 79th in EPA/Pass, but the defense doesn’t get much pressure, 120th in sacks this season. If Fifita has time, I’m confident that he can hit some big plays and get the ball moving through the air. 

This prop has dropped down to adjust for a low total and that Houston can shorten the game on the ground, but I still like Fifita to get to his quota. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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PHOENIX, AZ — Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs wants the state to be an early adopter of commuter-friendly flying cars and air taxis, further positioning Arizona as a hub for advanced transportation technologies.

“In Arizona, we have been pioneers in innovation, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing, from the first integrated circuits to cutting-edge computing chips to autonomous cars,” said Hobbs in a statement released Wednesday. “Today, we take bold steps to explore opportunities for artificial intelligence and advanced air mobility and further solidify Arizona’s leadership in technology.”

Hobbs has tasked the Arizona Commerce Authority with taking the initial steps to make this science-fiction future a reality.

“When NASA and FAA kicked off their grand challenge around this topic, Phoenix-Mesa was one of the top 10 cities that they initiated their exploration around,” said Marisa Walker with the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Institute for Advanced Mobility. “There’s long been an understanding that probably is part of that first wave of communities that had the highest probability of moving this emerging technology forward.”

Walker says Arizona’s climate, experience with using new, transportation technologies and the state’s aeronautic and defense roots make it an ideal place for companies to manufacture and test flying cars.

She says since federal agencies are discussing how they will regulate these vehicles, it’s a great time for Arizona to establish itself as a hub for flying cars.

“We’re really at the brink. We’re poised really to take advantage of this, and so it’s in Arizona’s character to get in there,” Walker said.

The Arizona Commerce Authority estimates that while flying cars may not be fully operational for another decade, testing and manufacturing could begin sooner.

According to the Governor’s office, nationally, the market for advanced air mobility could reach $115 billion by 2035.

While flying cars may feel like a far-off fantasy, there are some already available for pre-order like Alef Aeronautics.

“It is a point-to-point vehicle,” Alef Co-Founder Constantine Kisly said. “You drive from your home, maybe like couple, couple 100 feet, 200 feet to the designated parking lot. You take off, you fly to your point of interest, your activities in the city, then you land, then you drive and park your car on the regular parking lot. So it’s almost no change to infrastructure.”

Kisly said his hope is one day this whole process will be automated, which is similar to Walker’s vision for people hauling flying cars the same way they request ride-shares now.