The state recorded 7,023 new cases from June 1-7, nearly doubling the 3,559 new infections reported from May 25-31. The state’s highest daily case count to date was recorded on Friday, June 5, with 1,600 new infections. As of Saturday morning, Banner Health, the state’s largest health system, reached its capacity for patients requiring ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), Banner Health reported to the Arizona Surge Line, a statewide phone line that hospitals contact when they’re unable to provide the required care for a COVID-19 patient....

This past spring, the Arizona state Senate’s Republicans launched a highly criticized partisan audit of Maricopa County’s election results, based on Donald Trump’s groundless claims that the results were tainted by widespread fraud. That audit, conducted by Florida-based Cyber Ninjas, ultimately concluded that the county’s original tally was accurate, although election experts have said the company’s so-called audit was “laughable.” Bill Gates, a Republican who serves on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, warned that the “future of free and fair elections” is at stake as Trump and his conservative allies continue to promote misinformation about widespread voter fraud....

Earlier this week, the Biden administration resumed the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program, commonly known as “Remain in Mexico,” in which migrants present their cases in the U.S. and wait for their immigration court date in Mexico. However, under Title 42, the U.S. does not allow migrants to present their asylum cases at U.S. ports of entry, allowing only some who have entered customs processing to enter the program. This has resulted in hundreds of migrants in Arizona crossing illegally and later presenting themselves to authorities in an attempt to seek asylum by being placed into the MPP program....

Idalou Police Chief Eric Williams on Tuesday said Larry Lee Harris, 66, of Wilcox, Arizona, was arrested right after the incident and is being held at Lubbock County Detention Center. Williams allegedly followed the National Guardsmen convoy as they sought to bring COVID-19 vaccines between Lubbock and Matador, Texas. He tried running the three vans off the road and later told police he believed the vans contained a kidnapped woman and child....

The Wildcats were 302-109 in the stretch, and that included three Elite Eight appearances. Arizona did not participate in the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament because of a self-imposed ban, and the next coach could face more NCAA fallout in the future. MORE: SN’s way-too-early top 25 college basketball rankings for ‘21-‘22 It’s still a top job within the Pac-12. The Wildcats are still looking for that first Final Four appearance since 2001....

Ray Smith, the No. 4 small forward and No. 19 overall player in 247Sports’ composite rankings in the class of 2015, will not be able to take the court for coach Sean Miller and the Wildcats. MORE: NCAA Men’s Div. I champions over the years | Arizona picked to win Pac-12 again by media Smith was expected to make a huge impact for the Wildcats this season along with Allonzo Trier, a fellow freshman at Arizona....

The family of 10-year-old Scarlett Roth said she is lucky to be alive after she was attacked by the dogs near her home in Rushing Parker Hill, Whiteville Township. The girl was left with dozens of bite marks after she was set upon while walking on the dirt road. She said she tried to warn the neighbors that the dogs, which were reportedly behaving aggressively and running loose, were running towards her....

Republican candidates have been repeatedly asked about their previous comments questioning the legitimacy of the election and whether or not they would accept the results of their own if they lose. The focus on election denialism has forced some candidates to walk back remarks and others to walk a fine line when discussing the midterms. Hutchinson is no stranger to balancing support for the GOP while remaining firm that the party move on from former President Donald Trump, whom he has said “disqualified himself” for running again for the White House....

“The vast majority of patients that are in the hospital are not vaccinated,” Dr. Eric Bravo, the medical director of Baptist Health’s hospitalist program, told Newsweek on Wednesday. “I would say, I have not personally seen anybody in the ICU that’s been vaccinated.” On Tuesday, Arkansas’ COVID-19 hospitalizations reached its highest since January 27. The state’s department of health reported that 387 patients are in intensive care and 205 patients are on ventilators....

A week ago, the Ragin’ Cajuns ran all over Texas State, winning 34-10 as 2.5-point road underdogs, for their first cover in five games. ULL sits at 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS on the season. In its last outing, Arkansas State rolled over Georgia State while laying 10.5 points on the road. The Line: Arkansas State -3, Total: 56.5 Line movement: The spread and total have both been on the move since opening numbers were posted....

“So, bottom line, justice for Floyd and I hope they stop looting at some point,” said one of the armed citizens, in a video posted to Twitter by Max Nesterak of the Minnesota Reformer. Another armed man in the video made similar remarks, saying, “We definitely don’t agree with the looting, but we do agree with the cause for protests.” Protestors rallied in the streets again on Wednesday, marking the second day of protests after Floyd’s death following his arrest by officers from the Minneapolis Police Department....

Armstrong admitted this week that when his opportunity came, by way of an injury to Martinez, he wasn't as prepared as he should have been. Martinez is gone now, and so is co-backup Ron Kellogg III. Armstrong will head into preseason practice as the presumed starter, and the rising sophomore is using this spring to assert his ownership of the job. "I've worked as hard as I can because I know next fall, it's just going to be me," Armstrong said....

Instead of dutifully reporting on the extravagant special effects and adoring crowds on day one of the candidate’s triumphant 500-mile ride from San Diego to Sacramento, reporters were in a feeding frenzy from morning until night, once again over unsavory allegations from Schwarzenegger’s past. The day began with a report in the Los Angeles Times containing graphic allegations by several unnamed women claiming they had been groped or sexually harassed by Schwarzenegger on movie sets and other Hollywood settings as recently as three years ago....

On Tuesday, Arnott retired. He'll be best remembered for the Stanley Cup-winning goal for the New Jersey Devils in 2000. Arnott also played for Edmonton, Dallas, Nashville, Washington and St. Louis, but he'll be a Devil in the eyes of many. “I would like to thank everyone who helped me throughout my NHL career, including my family, friends, teammates and fans. Playing in the NHL was my dream, and I am very proud and appreciative of the fact I was able to play at the highest level for 19 years, with the best players in the world,” Arnott said....

It was evident how many empty seats there were at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night as the Gunners tackled champions elect Manchester City, and while some of these were doubtless caused by the inclement weather conditions, the Sky Sports pundit argued that it was indicative of the situation at the club. Arsenal, who lost the fixture 3-0, find themselves sixth in the Premier League standings, eight points from a Champions League spot next season, and having just been beaten by City in the League Cup final....

The Gunners boss reached that landmark on Wednesday with a 3-0 victory over West Ham. Ozil goes from scapegoat to saviour Midweek success at Emirates Stadium was Arsenal’s first in four top-flight outings and lifted them back into fifth place in the table, above Manchester United. Wenger may be facing some uncomfortable questions regarding his future in north London, but he can point to his record as justification for an extended stay....

The Spain international will be holding a Q&A and open conversation on February 5 with members of the Union on what it takes to reach an elite level and become one of the top one per cent of athletes in the world. Bellerin, who has a degree in marketing, is widely known to have interests off the field including business, fashion and philanthropy — recently donating £50 for every minute he played at the Under-21 European Championships to the victims of the Grenfell Tower Fire....

Arsenal had failed to win any of their previous three league games but took the lead after 23 minutes on Saturday through an Ozil volley from just inside the area. Subsequent chances to put the game away were wasted, leading to a nervy conclusion to the 1-0 triumph as Newcastle spurned opportunities to level. Wenger admitted it could have been a bigger win, but was happy to see Ozil play the pivotal role with a great strike....

The 28-year-old is one of his country’s finest sporting exports, having graced the very top of the game in Europe with the Gunners, Barcelona and Udinese. He is also a centurion at international level, with two Copa America titles helping to enhance his standing on that particular stage. Alexis revelling in international escape As a hero to millions around the world, Alexis has now been honoured with his very own tribute in the town square around where he grew up....

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners lost only one of their first 19 games to establish a five-point lead over Manchester City, and they have a game in hand over the reigning champions, who beat Wolves 3-0 on the same day with the help of a hat-trick by top-flight top scorer Erling Haaland. Although Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004 are in their own hands, City have some comfort in knowing that they will be able to close the gap when they play their main rivals for top spot home and away in the league during the remaining months....