It's May, and ready or not, our high heat season has begun.

Why it matters: To many, extreme temperatures are an annoyance we complain about from the comfort of our air-conditioned spaces.

• But to our neighbors who work and live outdoors, heat can be a matter of life or death.

Driving the news: The Maricopa Association of Governments' regional heat relief network launched Friday with about 150 cooling centers, respite centers, hydration stations and water donation sites Valleywide.

State of play: The region has enhanced its heat relief offerings over the past few years, following several summers of record-breaking heat-related deaths.

• This will be the third summer with a 24/7 cooling center (at 20 W. Jackson St.) and Phoenix has extended the hours of several other facilities this year.

Be smart: Check out the map of all locations. People who need transportation assistance can call 211.

Friction point: Extreme heat is consistently the No. 1 weather-related killer in the U.S., but FEMA does not recognize it as an "emergency," worthy of federal funding like hurricanes or tornadoes.

Between the lines: The feds are in the process of adopting new heat safety rules for employers, though it's unclear if they'll be in effect this summer.

• OSHA in 2024 proposed a series of protections for indoor and outdoor workers who engage in physical activity and are exposed to a heat index of 80° or higher.
• They're expected to take effect by the end of this year.

Things to keep in mind:

🥾 Several popular Phoenix hiking trails close from 8am to 5pm on days the National Weather Service issues extreme heat warnings.

🐕 Dogs are prohibited from all Phoenix trails when the temperature hits 100°.

🌬️ Phoenix landlords are required to provide functional AC or evaporative coolers in all rental units.

🔌 APS will not shut off power to delinquent customers when temperatures are 95° or higher and SRP halts shut-offs in July, August and any other time an extreme heat warning is issued.

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Put on your fanciest clothes and enjoy a tea party on wheels in the heart of Phoenix.

State of play: Tea Around Town offers a unique experience — an afternoon tea party combined with a scenic tour of the city.

• A pink and white double-decker bus decorated with flowers on the inside takes tea partygoers on a 90-minute guided tour through central and downtown Phoenix.

How it works: Riders, who often "dress to the nines," get tea, treats, sightseeing and live singing that includes classics, jazz, contemporary and pop songs with "a Bridgerton vibe spin on it," said Ryan Prescott of TopView Sightseeing, which runs Tea Around Town.

• Tea selections change seasonally, with warmer and richer brews like pumpkin spice or apple cinnamon in the fall or winter, and offerings like hibiscus, berry and green teas in the warmer seasons.
• Tours are narrated with guides providing fun facts about local sites beyond what could be found in a Wikipedia search, Prescott said.

Zoom in: TopView, a New York-based sightseeing tour bus company, launched Tea Around Town in the Big Apple in 2023 and began expanding westward.

What they're saying: "People love that it's something different. It's a highly photogenic opportunity, so it's very Instagrammable or social media friendly," Prescott said.

Tickets start at $79 and are more expensive on weekends and holidays.

• You can get tickets for groups as small as two, or rent the entire bus — it holds 38 passengers — for special events.

Take the tour

🚱 Arizona, California and Nevada proposed a new Colorado River water-saving plan. (Guardian)

🔥 The Hazen Fire near Buckeye had burned 980 acres and was 0% contained as of yesterday. (ABC15)

⚾ D-Backs infielder Ildemaro Vargas ended a 27-game hit streak Saturday when he went 0-4 against the Cubs. It was the second longest hit streak in team history. (Arizona Sports)

🚨 The Phoenix Zoo was evacuated Friday in response to a bomb threat. It was one of several bomb threats made to zoos nationwide that day. (Arizona's Family)

Welcome to another edition of "Where in the Valley?"

How it works: We show you something cool. You tell us where it is.

• The first reader who names the spot gets a shoutout in the newsletter.

You tell us: Where in the Valley can you find these huge metal beams knotted at the top in a triangular form?

Catch up quick: Congratulations to Kelley Villa, the first reader to give us the correct location for our last "Where in the Valley?" photo.

• The metal plants and wagon wheels are outside Ollie Vaughn's at 1526 E McDowell Rd.