The immediate crisis has passed for the Isaac School District, and the Arizona State Board of Education awaits plans on what will likely be a years-long process to nurse the district back to fiscal health after going broke mid-school year.

Why it matters: Isaac's financial catastrophe nearly triggered school closures when the district couldn't afford to make payroll last month.

• The K-8 district in west Phoenix serves about 4,800 students.

Catch up quick: The crisis began last month when the State Board of Education learned that the Isaac School District was massively over budget and moved quickly to place the district into receivership.

• The district owed the county treasurer's office about $28.5 million as of last week.
• Tolleson Union High School District approved a $25 million plan to purchase Isaac buildings and lease them back to the district.
• The plan will provide enough money for Isaac to operate for the remainder of the academic year and allow it to make payroll, averting a potential teacher walkout.

State of play: The receiver is auditing the district's finances, and the Attorney General's Office and state auditor general are investigating as well, state board executive director Sean Ross tells Axios.

• The receiver will provide an update at the state board's April or May meeting, which Ross said will include details about when the district's financial woes began.
• However, it will be up to other entities like the Attorney General's Office and Arizona Auditor General to determine who or what's to blame.
• The receiver will be empowered to examine the district's finances and determine how to restore its fiscal health.

Threat level: Rectifying Isaac's financial problems will require "some pretty dramatic changes," Ross said, including possible school closures, consolidations and staff reductions.

• Isaac's agreement with the Tolleson district bars it from closing more than two schools while the agreement is in place, Ross said.
• The loan is for 12 years, but the typical receivership process, which includes loan repayment, usually lasts three to five years.

Board members respond

Believe the hype when it comes to Mensho, a Tokyo-based ramen chain that's spreading through the Phoenix area.

State of play: Mensho opened its first Arizona location last summer in Mesa, followed by its second Valley restaurant a few weeks ago in central Phoenix.

Catch up quick: Founded in Tokyo in 2005, Mensho is a Michelin-starred restaurant with a global presence that's expanded significantly in the last decade.

Best bites: I got the Garlic Knock Out, with creamy chicken broth, chili powder and flakes, chicken chashu, gobo — a potato-like root vegetable — and five different preparations of garlic.

• The name says it all. GKO is a garlic bomb with a spicy kick.
• The broth is creamy and savory, and the ingredients bring an incredible blend of flavors and textures.
• I added an egg at my server's suggestion. It was a good call.

The bottom line: Mensho's ramen is as good as I've ever had, and the GKO was a unique dish unlike anything I've tasted.

Grab your chopsticks

Super Bowl party prices will be a mixed bag this year, with some staples still notably costlier compared to pre-pandemic times but others less so.

Why it matters: Food is one of the most tangible ways consumers experience inflation, which appears stubbornly persistent — especially for everyday needs like groceries.

Driving the news: Prices for meat, poultry, fish, eggs, fruits, veggies, alcohol and soft drinks were all up in December 2024 relative to December 2019, per consumer price index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Yes, but: Prices for these Super Bowl staples relative to December 2019 aren't nearly as high as in 2021 or 2022.

The big picture: Overall Super Bowl spending will be up nearly 26% this year compared to 2019, the National Retail Federation predicts, hitting a record high of $18.6 billion and driven largely by food and drinks.

Share with the party host

🏀 Devin Booker became the Phoenix Suns' all-time leading scorer with 15,678 career points in a loss to the Portland Trailblazers on Monday, surpassing Walter Davis. (ESPN)

🤑 Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's campaign committee spent about $360,000 on travel expenses in the second half of last year — including on a trip to Saudi Arabia — after announcing she would not seek re-election. (AZcentral)

🍔 Downtown Phoenix smash burger restaurant Bad Jimmy's will open two more locations in uptown Phoenix and Scottsdale. (Phoenix New Times)

🐄 South Gilbert residents say their neighborhood streets and sidewalks are overrun by free-roaming cattle from the neighboring Gila River Indian Community. The town says state laws that protect rancher rights limit its ability to address the curious cows. (KJZZ)

OpenTable released its list of Top 100 Romantic Restaurants just in time for Valentine's Day, and five Arizona eateries made the cut.

🥩 Arrowhead Grill: This Glendale steakhouse brings high-end meat cuts and seafood to the West side.

🦋 Cafe Monarch: This spot is on almost every fine-dining list in the country thanks to its carefully crafted tasting menus and wine pairings.

🌄 Different Pointe of View: There's no better view in town than perched atop North Mountain.

🌵 Lon's at The Hermosa Inn: Enjoy steak and seafood at this Spanish-style hacienda, which has a charming patio with views of Camelback Mountain.

🍝 Vivace Restaurant: This highly-rated Italian restaurant is worth a road trip to Tucson. Try the seafood lasagnette or veal piccata.

You tell us: We're looking for less-swanky date spots, too. What's your go-to Valentine's Day move?

Drop a hint