The University of Phoenix (UOPX) wants to be acquired by the University of Idaho (UofI), but some Idaho officials are trying to kill the deal.

Why it matters: UOPX is one of the nation's largest for-profit, online platforms for adult learning, but it's previously come under scrutiny by the federal government for deceptive marketing tactics.

• The Idaho Board of Education approved the acquisition almost a year ago, but the state legislature this month asked the board to reconsider and threatened legal action if it doesn't.
• Idaho's attorney general is also attempting to block the deal in court.

The big picture: If the plan goes through, UofI would purchase UOPX for $550 million. The online institution would become a nonprofit school and share at least $10 million of its revenue per year with UofI under the terms.

• UOPX would maintain its faculty, staff, Phoenix campus and independent brand.

Catch up quick: UOPX has reorganized since its past issues came to light in the mid-2010s.

• Officials point to lower rates of student loan defaults and improved retention and graduation rates to illustrate UOPX's transformation.
• Critics are unconvinced.

Zoom out: Universities like UofI are pursuing partnerships with online schools to stave off the impending "demographic cliff," which could be catastrophic for school funding, the New York Times reports.

• Nationally, college enrollment is expected to peak next year and then fall as a result of lower birth rates.
• Schools like UOPX cater mostly to adult learners, a student population that's not expected to see the same decline.

Reality check: Other attempts to fold for-profit schools into public ones have run into major issues, including in Arizona.

• UofA's acquisition of Ashford University added $265 million to its operating budget last year, further complicating the university's financial issues, The Arizona Republic reported.
• Additionally, the Department of Education last week said it is in the process of ordering UofA to repay forgiven loan debt for Ashford students.

What they're saying: UOPX and UofI say their deal is different because UOPX is financially solvent and would continue to operate as an independently accredited, self-sustaining nonprofit.

What we're watching

An attorney general opinion that threatened to crack down on unlicensed sales of hemp-derived intoxicants like delta-8 THC could soon be moot thanks to legislation approved by the Senate this week.

Why it matters: The passage came days after Attorney General Kris Mayes issued an opinion stating that delta-8 can only be sold by entities licensed to sell cannabis.

• This bill would permit sales at other retailers like smoke shops that the opinion could threaten.

Zoom in: The proposal passed by the Senate Thursday with heavy Republican support and a handful of Democratic votes.

• It would prohibit sales to people under 21 and ban marketing to children.
• Licensing and regulation would be overseen by the Arizona Department of Agriculture, not the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), which enforces laws on medicinal and recreational marijuana.

What they're saying: Though Mayes' opinion is not legally binding, ADHS told Axios on Wednesday it recognizes the health risk such products pose and is "determining if and how this will affect enforcement."

Elsewhere at the Capitol this week…

🚧 After initially rejecting legislation requiring cities of at least 75,000 to allow duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, fiveplexes and townhomes on single-family-zoned lots, the House doubled back and approved the bill Tuesday.

• It now heads to the Senate.

🏡 Gov. Katie Hobbs has yet to sign or veto a high profile bill aimed at encouraging developers to build more starter homes, a decision that could come today.

There is more. Keep reading.

💰 The U.S. Department of Labor recovered more than $600,000 in unpaid wages for people who worked on the northwest expansion of the Valley Metro Light Rail system. (AZcentral)

🦫 Buc-ee's finalized its land purchase in Goodyear, clearing the way for the Texas-based travel center to open its first location in Arizona. (AZ Family)

🏈 The Arizona Cardinals traded receiver Rondale Moore to the Atlanta Falcons for quarterback Desmond Ridder. (ESPN)

• Free-agent receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown agreed to a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.

🏡 Restaurateur Sam Fox sold his Arcadia estate for $10.4 million. He plans to move to another home in the Valley. (Phoenix Business Journal)

Yavapai County is Arizona's most Irish county, according to Census data.

Zoom in: As of 2022, 14.2% of Yavapai County residents reported having Irish ancestry.

• Mohave County was second in the state with 12.2%.
• Gila County (11.7%) and Cochise County (9.9%) were the only other Arizona counties above the national average of 9.5%.

Between the lines: In Maricopa County, which has the majority of Arizona's population, 8.6% of people reported having Irish ancestry.

• That's a notch above the statewide percentage of 8.5, per the Census data.
• Maricopa County is also home to Phoenix's Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library.

If you're looking to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this weekend, we've got some suggestions for you.

41st St. Patrick's Day Parade & Faire

Catch the parade that starts at 10am at 3rd and Oak streets, then check out the fair at Margaret T Hance Park from 10am-5pm

• General admission $15, kids 12 and under are free.

Phoenix Official St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl

Check out the bars of downtown Phoenix, starting at The Kettle Black.

• Tickets $20, check in from 1pm-5pm.

Tempe St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl

Paint the town green on Saturday night or celebrate St. Patrick's Day officially with a day crawl on Sunday.

• $25 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday, or $33 for a two-day pass. Prices vary for group rates and day-of ticket purchases.

What's happening in Scottsdale