Good morning, Maricopa.

Metro Phoenix offers a busy April with events for every interest—from a wine festival in Scottsdale on Sat, Apr.

4, family fun at the Maricopa County Fair on Apr. 3–5 and 9–12, to country music at AZ Talio Ranch from Apr. 9–12. Readers can check local schedules to plan their visit.

Metro Phoenix school districts have released final school dates and extra days off for the 2025-26 school year.

Most districts plan to end classes in late May while some schedule breaks in early April.

ASU scientists used LiDAR on three flights from Jan.

21 to mid-March to map the snowpack melt in the Upper Black River region, data that will help manage reservoirs for 2.5 million people. The study showed a wet fall boosted flow despite rapid snowmelt amid warming (hinting at unpredictable winters).

Sen. Gallego urged the IRS to raise the mileage reimbursement rate for business vehicles amid rising gas prices.

He said a higher rate, currently 72.5 cents per mile, would quickly help drivers like ride-share & food delivery workers.

Over 25,000 cases of pizza and focaccia bread sold at Trader Joe's in Maricopa were recalled due to possible metal fragments; the items have use-by dates from April 27 to Oct.

15 (recall initiated by Bakkavor) and shoppers should inspect labels before consumption.

Jose Fernandez powered the Diamondbacks with two homers in a 7-5 win over the Tigers on Tuesday night, Mar.

31, after being called up on Monday. The Venezuelan prospect turned his debut into a breakout moment—highlighting his rise from obscurity in Arizona.

Former Phoenix Suns star Amar'e Stoudemire was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 2026 class + an induction show will air on April 4 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Texas star Madison Booker will compete in the NCAA Final Four against UCLA Friday, Apr.

3 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. The Texas forward signed as the first NIL athlete in Kevin Durant+program at Texas and aims to lead her team to a championship.

During the Diamondbacks' home opener on March 30 at Chase Field, a shaky bullpen performance by Joe Ross and Ryan Thompson nearly cost an eight-run lead before Juan Morillo and others pitched scoreless innings + secured the win over the Tigers.