Analysis Summary:

The article is mostly accurate, focusing on the extreme heat in the Southwest U.S. The claim about Phoenix's temperatures is generally supported by the context of the provided sources, although a precise verification is difficult without specific temperature data. The reporting appears relatively neutral, with a slight emphasis on the dangers of the heat wave.

Detailed Analysis:

• Claim:** The Southwest portion of the U.S. has been experiencing extreme heat.
  • Verification Source #2, #3, #4, and #5: Support this claim, all indicating a heat wave in the Southwest.
• Claim:** In Phoenix, there have been just four days in the last five weeks where the high temperature did not top 100 degrees.
• While none of the provided sources give specific daily temperature data for Phoenix, they all describe a significant and prolonged heat wave in the Southwest, making this claim plausible. Verification Source #5 mentions the hottest temperatures of the year sweeping the Southwest. This claim is plausible, but not directly verifiable with the provided sources.

Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:

• Verification Source #2: "Brutal heatwave cooks US south-west, an early sign of sizzling..." This supports the claim of extreme heat.
• Verification Source #3: "A punishing heat wave gripping California and parts of the southwestern United States was intensifying Thursday as forecasters warned of dangerous temperatures." This supports the claim of extreme heat.
• Verification Source #4: "Parts of the West are under excessive heat warnings and officials say multiple record-high temperatures are expected – with some areas already reaching them." This supports the claim of extreme heat.
• Verification Source #5: "The hottest temperatures to hit the U.S. this year were sweeping..." This supports the claim of extreme heat.
• The specific claim about Phoenix's temperature is not directly verified by the provided sources, but the overall context of a severe heat wave makes it plausible.