Arizona
Pilot Jessica Cox to be inducted into Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame
TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Jessica Cox, the world’s first licensed armless airplane pilot and a leading advocate for disability-led innovation, will be inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame on Friday, May 15, 2026. The induction ceremony, hosted by Rightfooted Foundation International in collaboration with the Pima Air & Space Museum, will take place at the museum from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cox’s recognition honors both her historic achievement in flight and her ongoing work expanding access and opportunity for people without arms. Through her leadership at Rightfooted Foundation International (RFI), Cox has championed mentorship, education and practical innovations that help aspiring pilots and families reimagine what’s possible in aviation and beyond.
“Saying I’m proud of her can’t fully encompass what I feel,” said Patrick Chamberlain, Cox’s husband and RFI’s Inclusive Engineering Director. “Jessica’s induction into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame recognizes both what she has accomplished and what she continues to do. She has helped shed light on the many pilots with disabilities in aviation and shown the world that disability does not mean inability.”
The 2026 induction class also honors two military aviators: Frank Schiel Jr., a Phoenix-born Flying Tigers veteran credited with seven enemy aircraft destroyed in World War II, and James K. Johnson, a Phoenix-born U.S. Air Force colonel and Korean War double ace credited with ten aerial victories.
The Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame, established in 1985 and housed in the Dorothy Finley Aerospace Gallery at Pima Air & Space Museum, pays tribute to Arizonans who have made significant contributions to aviation and aerospace history.
Federal and state officials imposed new fire restrictions across a large portion of central Arizona ahead of a weekend forecasted to bring hot, dry winds that could increase wildfire danger.
On Friday, May 15, Tonto National Forest enacted Stage 1 fire restrictions across the entire forest, while the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management announced similar restrictions for state trust lands in Gila, Maricopa, and Pinal counties.
The restrictions come as fire officials reported major progress on two wildfires in the region, potentially freeing up firefighting resources for future incidents. The Forestry Department announced that the Hazen Fire, which burned nearly 1,200 acres of dense tamarisk along the Gila River near Buckeye, had reached 100% containment. Meanwhile, the Jones Fire near Wickenburg, which prompted evacuations and was also fueled by tamarisk vegetation, was reported at 90% containment.
Tonto National Forest prohibited campfires and the use of wood-, charcoal-, or coal-burning stoves outside Forest Service-provided fire structures. Liquid petroleum or LPG stoves are still allowed if they can be switched off and are kept at least three feet away from overhead or surrounding flammable materials. Similar restrictions apply on state lands, except fires are permitted in developed campsites or picnic areas. The ban also extends to wildlife areas managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, state parks, and highway rights-of-way.
The National Weather Service forecasted high temperatures in the upper 90s across metro Phoenix through Saturday, cooling slightly into the upper 80s and low 90s by Sunday. In Arizona’s high country, forecasters warned of elevated fire danger due to low humidity and strong southwest winds, with gusts expected between 20 and 30 mph on Saturday and 25 to 40 mph on Sunday.
“Gusty winds, dry fuels, and low humidity will lead to critical fire weather danger with easier fire starts and uncontrollable spread of new or existing fires,” the agency said in its Friday afternoon briefing.
The weather service declared a red flag warning for the Tonto National Forest and for southern Gila County, effective Sunday. The agency’s Tucson office also put out a Sunday, May 17, red flag warning covering Santa Cruz, Cochise, Graham and Greenlee counties, and the far eastern parts of Pinal and Pima counties.
Beyond the fire prohibition, the Tonto’s restrictions ban recreational shooting except for legal hunting activity.
The Tonto fire restrictions are in place through Sept. 30 unless rescinded. The state order is in effect until further notice.
Brandon Loomis covers environmental and climate issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Reach him at brandon.loomis@arizonarepublic.com.
Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram.
Dozens of bright yellow jets once operated by Spirit Airlines are now sitting idle in the Arizona desert after being repossessed by leasing companies, according to aviation officials.
The aircraft are currently parked in a storage field following the shutdown of operations involving the planes. Industry experts say the jets were not owned directly by Spirit Airlines, but instead leased through outside companies that quickly moved to reclaim the aircraft.
One aviation contractor involved in the process said crews had only a matter of hours to coordinate the recovery effort and relocate the planes.
That process included hiring former Spirit pilots who had suddenly found themselves out of work to help ferry the aircraft to storage facilities in Arizona.
“The reason I’m empathetic to all this is because I’ve been in the same situation four or five times,” one aviation worker said. “I was with airlines that closed their doors overnight. I woke up the next morning not having a job. I’m worried about how I’m going to make my mortgage, how I can pay for health care. I have little kids.”
Officials say the future of the aircraft remains uncertain. Depending on what the leasing companies decide, the planes could eventually return to service with another airline, be dismantled for parts, or scrapped altogether.
Spirit Airlines has not announced whether the aircraft could return to operations.
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.
The 2026 NFL Draft is over, but the 2026 NFL schedule is here!
While Arizona Cardinals fans should be excited about Jeremiyah Love and all the new additions, the release of the regular season schedule turns a mere daydream of fall into a more concrete 17-game reality check.
The Cardinals finished last season 3-14, missed the playoffs, and now have a new path towards the postseason.
Shop Cardinals 2026 tickets
As a Cardinals fan, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to commune with your fellow fans and see State Farm Stadium in all its glory.
The first game of the NFL season is less than three months away, be the first to secure your tickets to see the Arizona Cardinals play this season.
Arizona Cardinals 2026 NFL schedule, tickets
- Week 1: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers – Sunday, Sept. 13 at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 2: Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks – Sunday, Sept. 20 at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 3: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers – Sunday, Sept. 27 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 4: Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants – Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 5: Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions – Sunday, Oct. 11 at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 6: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams – Sunday, Oct. 18 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 7: Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos – Sunday, Oct. 25 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 8: Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys – Sunday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 9: Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks – Sunday, Nov. 8 at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 10: Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Rams – Sunday, Nov. 15 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Kansas City Chiefs – Sunday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 12: Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Commanders – Sunday, Nov. 29 at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 13: Arizona Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Sunday, Dec. 6 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 14: BYE
- Week 15: Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Jets – Sunday, Dec. 20 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 16: Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints – Sunday, Dec. 27 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 17: Arizona Cardinals vs. Las Vegas Raiders – Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027 at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Week 18: Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers – TBD
Shop Cardinals 2026 tickets
Cardinals home opponents, tickets
The Cardinals will host the following teams at State Farm Stadium this season:
- L.A. Rams
- San Francisco 49ers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Denver Broncos
- Detroit Lions
- Las Vegas Raiders
- N.Y. Jets
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
Cardinals away opponents, tickets
The Cardinals will hit the road and take on the following teams during the regular season:
- L.A. Rams
- San Francisco 49ers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Dallas Cowboys
- Kansas City Chiefs
- L.A. Chargers
- New Orleans Saints
- N.Y. Giants
Shop Cardinals 2026 tickets
Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft pick
With the team’s first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cardinals selected Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 overall. Watch Jeremiyah Love play in person this year by buying your tickets now .
Shop NFL Draft Jerseys
-
News29 minutes agoSupreme Court is death knell for Virginia’s Democratic-friendly congressional maps
-
New York2 hours agoKataib Hezbollah Commander Accused of Planning Attacks on N.Y.C.
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoRip tides, high surf forecast for Los Angeles beaches this weekend
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoWhat time is Pistons Game 7 vs Cavs? Date, tickets in Detroit
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoSan Francisco prepares for Bay to Breakers run
-
Dallas, TX3 hours agoSouthwest lays off about 75 employees in latest restructuring move
-
Miami, FL3 hours agoMark Matthews Announces Commitment – Chooses Between Georgia, Miami, and Others
-
Boston, MA3 hours agoAliyah Boston Leaves Fever Game With Lower Leg Injury