Tomorrow night, Salt Lake City mayoral candidates are set to take center stage at a live debate hosted by PBS Utah, KUER and The Salt Lake Tribune.

State of play: Former Mayor Rocky Anderson, Mayor Erin Mendenhall and community activist Michael Valentine are running in a three-way race where homelessness and affordable housing have surfaced as central issues.

Why it matters: The debate is expected to be one of the most-watched events where voters can learn about each candidate's platform less than a month before mail-in ballots start to roll out on Oct. 31.

The latest: Days before the scheduled debate, a lawsuit was filed by Salt Lake City residents and business owners against the city over the proliferation of homeless encampments, a violation of city ordinances and state law, the complaint alleges.

• David Ibarra, a former 2019 mayoral candidate who ran against Mendenhall, and later endorsed her after losing the primary, is one of nine plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
• He's now backing Anderson, Mendenhall's biggest rival, and is helping fund ads slamming the city's efforts to reduce homelessness.
• Ibarra told The Tribune the lawsuit was not politically motivated.

The other side: "The lawsuit oversimplifies the intricate legal and practical considerations of what is a very complex issue," Andrew Wittenberg, a spokesperson for the mayor's office, said in a statement to Axios.

• "Fundamentally, we disagree that the response to this complicated issue should be taken out of the hands of elected officials and policy experts," he added.

By the numbers: Public polling has yet to be released in the upcoming mayoral race, but Mendenhall has emerged as the top fundraiser.

• The incumbent raised $212,195 in total contributions from February to July, compared to Anderson's $101,780, per campaign finance records.
• Valentine raised $115 during that time period.
• The next campaign finance filing deadline is Thursday.

Be smart: Viewers can watch the debate on live television on PBS Utah or hear it on KUER 90.1 starting at 6pm tomorrow.

• The host news organizations will also stream the event on their websites and social media channels.
• The Tribune's executive editor Lauren Gustus will moderate.

What's next: Look out for Axios Salt Lake City's upcoming voter guide.

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👋 Kim here! The last two weekends, I traveled through some scenic byways for some leaf-peeping.

🍁 Morgan-Parleys Scenic Byway

Details: The tree-lined drive from Parleys Canyon to Morgan weaves through forests, trails and the Mountain Dell Reservoir, with plenty of spots to pull over to take in the scenery.

• The 33-mile adventure takes just under an hour to complete.

Be smart: Before hitting the road, make a stop at Crema, a Midvale coffee shop not far from Emigration Canyon, for a fall-inspired drink.

🍂 Nebo Loop

Details: From deep red maples to yellow aspens, this drive from Payson Canyon to Nephi has it all.

• There are plenty of notable overlooks, such as Devil's Kitchen, known for its red rocks and cliffs, and Mount Nebo, the tallest mountain in the Wasatch Range at nearly 12,000 feet.
• The 35-mile road took me over an hour to drive through.

Quick tip: Joe Coffee & Espresso Bar, a treasured coffeehouse in Payson, is worth a trip for its blended mochas and variety of hot chocolates.

ICYMI: Check out Erin's guide to top fall hikes to see autumn leaves in Salt Lake County.

Tell a weekend warrior

🏭 Former U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart is the new chair of a trade organization representing the defense and aerospace industries in Utah. (Utah Aerospace and Defense Association)

• Stewart, who left Congress last month and launched a lobbying business in D.C., is taking over leadership of the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association from former Trump national security adviser Robert O'Brien.
• O'Brien cofounded a national consulting agency that has partnered with Skyline Capitol, Stewart's new lobbying firm.

👑 Noelia Voigt, Miss Utah, was crowned Miss USA this weekend at the Reno, Nevada, pageant. (CNN)

North Dakota state Sen. Doug Larsen died on Sunday in a plane crash near Moab, along with his wife and two of his children. (The Salt Lake Tribune)

🎃 The Salt Lake County Library is hosting free family Halloween movies at 7pm each Monday in October at the Viridian Event Center. (Salt Lake County Library)

Lots of you guessed the location of these not-so-ancient pillars.

• They're from Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point.

🎉 Congratulations to Nicole E. for her speedy reply!

• And thanks so much to reader Kat A. for submitting this photo.

📬 Do you think you can stump our readers? Reply with a photo of your own!

• Just be sure to tell us where it is.