🌮 It's Tuesday — and more importantly, National Taco Day!

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, with a high of 99.

🎧 Sounds like: "Midnight Sun" by Zara Larsson

Today’s newsletter is 856 words — a 3-minute read.

The Arizona Restaurant Association supports safety improvements in Old Town but is warning city officials against costly, one-size-fits-all mandates.

Why it matters: A deadly September shooting renewed pressure on the city to shore up safety in the bustling entertainment district, but proposed changes could shift more responsibility and costs to bars and restaurants.

State of play: The city is considering more foot and bike patrols, better lighting and cameras.

• Proposals also include clearer security staffing and training rules, tighter noise standards, stronger crowd controls, bollard-style barriers and possibly PatronScan ID scanners, which can flag fake IDs and patrons who have been violent or disruptive in the past.

Catch up quick: Mayor Lisa Borowsky convened entertainment district operators and city officials after a Sept. 6 fatal shooting.

• Police Chief Joe LeDuc has separately proposed clearer security staffing expectations for high-volume venues, improved crowd management and expanded crime suppression operations.

Driving the news: Steve Chucri, president and CEO of the Arizona Restaurant Association, tells Axios the industry supports better lighting and consequences for problem operators but opposes sweeping new mandates.

• His concerns include requiring venues to use PatronScan, imposing stricter noise limits and shifting additional security costs to businesses. Scottsdale already requires one guard per 50 patrons.
• PatronScan technology isn't cheap either. For reference, Tucson spent about $3,200 per PatronScan device this summer.
• "How do you mandate someone uses one form of security?" Chucri says of PatronScan.

Reality check: Violent crime calls for service in Old Town fell 50% from 468 in 2021 to 234 in 2025, according to the city.

• And 82% of Scottsdale overnight visitors surveyed by Longwoods International, a tourism market research firm, said they felt very or extremely safe while traveling in the city.

By the numbers: Scottsdale deploys about 38 police personnel in and around Old Town on typical weekend nights through 2:30am, when the entertainment district attracts an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people.

What's next: Chucri says the association will press the city for a measured approach as officials review possible changes to Scottsdale's Public Safety Plan ordinance.

Tell your nightlife crew

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The Diamondbacks' season may be over, but there's still plenty of baseball to catch in town — and I'm rooting for the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Why it matters: For families missing baseball after the MLB regular season, the six-week minor league offers an intimate, affordable way to keep watching in person.

The latest: I went to Saturday's Arizona Fall League opener at Scottsdale Stadium, where the Scorpions sadly lost 9-3 to the Surprise Saguaros.

State of play: The Scorpions' 2026 roster combines prospects from the San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros.

• The regular season ends Nov. 11; the championship is Nov. 14.

Flashback: NBA legend Michael Jordan played for our city in 1994, while 12-time MLB All-Star Mike Trout and Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper shared its outfield in 2011.

Zoom in: A new Scottsdale Stadium exhibit honors Cactus League players who served in the military and explores the mystery surrounding Bobby Thomson's Shot Heard 'Round the World baseball.

If you go: Every seat is general admission, starting at $14. Free admission for children 10 and younger.

• Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Rd.
• You can also stream the games for free on the AFL website.

💭 My thought bubble: Admission is cheap, but concessions aren't: Beers run as high as $15.

• I sat above the visitors' dugout with a clear view of home plate and heard every crisp crack of the bat, which was very satisfying.

3 games worth checking out

🏨 The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is now owned by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, marking a notable tribal acquisition of one of Scottsdale's largest and best-known resorts. Fairmont will continue operating the 750-room property. (Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation)

🗳️ More than 3,000 early ballots were mailed to voters six days early by Maricopa County's vendor, Runbeck, but the ballots are still valid, per the recorder's office. (AZCentral)

🏫 The Maricopa County Attorney's Office says an SUSD advisory committee violated open-meeting law while developing school closure options. The district disputes that characterization ahead of tomorrow's closure vote. (KTAR)

🌮 Celebrate National Taco Day around Scottsdale with Taco Tuesday deals:

• 2 street tacos for $6 at K O'Donnell's.
• $3 street tacos at Ajo Al's.
• Two street tacos and a house margarita for $15 at SOL, plus live music at 6pm.

Think you know Scottsdale? Let's find out.

How it works: We show you something cool. You tell us where it is.

• The first reader who names the spot gets a shoutout in the newsletter.

You tell us: Where in Scottsdale can you find these larger-than-life peonies?

📧 Reply to this email.

🥩 I tried steak tartare for the first time at Society Swan, a French-American brasserie, at Scottsdale Fashion Square — and, honestly, it was pretty good.

Thanks to our editor Astrid Galván.