Maricopa Unified School District teachers will see a bump in their pay due to the district’s new 2023-24 budget. In addition to added pay, the district also added 51 teaching positions and hopes the changes will provide a boost to student achievement.

In Arizona news, a top Republican election official in Arizona filed a defamation lawsuit Thursday against Kari Lake, who falsely claims she lost the 2022 race for governor because of fraud.

Lastly, a Maricopa chef entered a culinary contest to further her business and represent her community. Charrita Evermore is hoping her culinary talents will highlight both herself and the city of Maricopa.