Good morning, Maricopa.

Arizona's public universities set records with nearly 238,000 students enrolled — including 88,000 online — as ASU celebrated over 21,000 graduates this spring.

State auditors said West-MEC ended a recent year with about $142 million but limited payouts to satellite programs and missed $10 million in enrollment funding for high schools that served 96% of students.

The audit flagged that restricted funds in July 2023 & an excessive general fund raised concerns, and West-MEC did not dispute the findings.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes reminded tenants of their rights under state law to get immediate repairs for air conditioners—especially when temperatures exceed 100°F—and urged them to notify landlords in writing since failure to act may allow them to end their lease, sue for damages, or deduct repair costs. This guidance is meant to ensure safe and habitable living conditions during the intense summer heat.

The Maricopa County Library District began a pilot program at its Queen Creek library on May 1 to let parents use a paper form to list specific book titles their children cannot check out.

Officials said the program will be evaluated over the summer for possible expansion while critics worry it may lead to broader restrictions on diverse viewpoints — a concern they say could signal future statewide controls — prompting careful review.

On May 15, a poultry farm in Maricopa County showed signs of bird flu and tests confirmed avian influenza on May 19—state officials quarantined the farm to contain the virus and reported that eggs produced after the outbreak as well as human infections have not been recorded.

Steward Healthcare, a large for-profit hospital system that once ran hospitals in our area, filed for bankruptcy last May after risky financial deals left it with $9 billion in debt—over 450 lawsuits and 83 patient deaths were linked to its operations before many hospitals were sold or closed. The bankruptcy shows how fast financial moves can hurt patient care and hospital services.

The Suns have picked four finalists for their next head coach—Johnnie Bryant, Jordan Ott, Chris Quinn and Sean Sweeney—and will name a new coach in the first week of June.

The team chose the candidates after focusing on their defensive skills.