🌱 Bill To Boost Teacher Pay? + Police Search For Hit-And-Run Suspect

Hey, Phoenix. I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and cool. High: 64 Low: 42.

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Here are the top three stories in Phoenix today:

1. Tempe will begin accepting pre-applications for its Housing Choice Voucher Program waitlist effective Tuesday at 8 a.m. The program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is meant to assist low-income families with rent subsidies for apartments or houses. Applications are due by Mar. 13 at 11:59 p.m. The city will then hold a lottery to add 3,000 households to the waitlist. Interested individuals can apply online once the window opens. (KTAR.com)
2. Arizona lawmakers are considering a bill to boost teacher pay by $10,000 after data from the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association revealed there were 2,890 teacher vacancies last month. Lawmaker Matt Gress, a former high school teacher, is sponsoring HB 2800, which would give Arizona teachers a $10,000 pay raise. Gress argues the teacher shortage is related to Arizona ranking nationally low for teacher pay. HB 2800 is headed to the House Rules Committee where it's expected to be voted on sometime this week. (Arizona's Family)
3. Phoenix police are searching for the driver accused of fatally striking and killing a man before fleeing the scene early Saturday morning. According to police, the crash happened around 1:35 a.m. near 7th and Elwood streets, where officers and first responders found and pronounced 31-year-old Juan Bazan dead on the scene. Early investigations found that a white-colored passenger car was driving south on 7th Street when it struck Juan who was crossing mid-block. After the crash, the vehicle continued south on 7th Street towards Broadway road. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Phoenix Police Department or Silent Witness. (12news.com KPNX)

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Today in Phoenix:

• Where Music Lives Group Exhibit At Herberger Theater Center (12:00 PM)
• Family Lawn Games At Arizona Biltmore (3:00 PM)
• Sound Up | Om Meditation At Sutra Studios (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Phoenix Police Foundation and Verizon Frontline Network donated $10,000 to help fund the renovation of the Central Phoenix Victim’s Center on Saturday! A new space will also be added to provide a more welcoming environment for victims of crime seeking aid, including "more welcoming interview rooms" and "more privacy for the forensic nurse examination rooms." (Phoenix Police Department via Facebook)
• The 2023-2024 Phoenix Budget season is coming! The City of Phoenix shared a Facebook post encouraging residents to help balance the city's budget with the FundPHX Tool. For more information, head over to the link. (City of Phoenix, AZ via Facebook)
• The City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department is providing free paint, tools, and training to help wipe out graffiti in the neighborhood. You can learn more here. (City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.