Good morning, Tucson.

Two weeks after cyclist Enrique Mercado was fatally stabbed on the Loop during his weekly ride on Sept.

23, dozens of community members met at a Wednesday city council session to push for safety improvements as Michael Francisco faces murder charges.

La Rosa, a new entertainment venue in midtown Tucson, held its soft opening on Oct.

8 with live music and will host its next event on Oct. 10 featuring Orkesta Mendoza with Pijama Piyama. The venue was restored from an old church and will offer more shows and events to boost the local cultural scene — adding variety to Tucson’s art offerings.

On Oct. 1, the University of Arizona Faculty Senate voted to oppose the White House's Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education proposal and urged President Suresh Garimella and the Arizona Board of Regents to reject the agreement—saying it would risk the school's values, mission, and independence.

Pima Community College ended its TRIO Upward Bound program at the Desert Vista, East and Northwest campuses after the US Department of Education canceled funds for breaking civil rights law—this cut resulted in losses of $1.6 million in TRIO and $3.5 million in HSI grants, and PCC is now working with Congress as national groups file lawsuits to restore funding.

Yesterday, the Tucson City Council met to discuss public transit safety—seeking ways to protect riders while planning new measures, though details are not set yet.

On Aug. 20, members of Desert Rising gathered on the University of Arizona campus to protest Flock Safety’s license plate readers—cameras that collect data on every car—and call for an end to the contract; they said school officials have not clearly answered questions about data privacy. The group has reached out to safety and university leaders without receiving a clear response.

City officials in Tucson are providing free sandbags at Hi-Corbett Field at 700 S.

Randolph Way for residents preparing for Hurricane Priscilla, and they must bring their own shovels. County teams will begin offering up to 20 sandbags per vehicle at several stations starting Friday, Oct. 10.

The Pima County Recorder’s Office will mail over 378,500 ballots to Tucson voters for the Nov.

4 city and school district elections—this update lets ballots be returned in one envelope to speed counting. Voters can request early ballots until October 24 and must have ballots received by 7 p.m. on Nov. 4 to be counted.

A groundbreaking vaccine for Valley Fever in dogs is expected to be available within next year from Tucson’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence at Banner Hospital—Dr. John Galgiani said the team is making progress toward federal approval and plans to adapt the vaccine for human use later. The effort comes as local health experts urge more awareness of the disease, which is often overlooked.

Tucson resident Deena Hadley, 68, faced severe complications when a medical port caused sepsis and led to multiple surgeries and lasting paralysis last December, but she worked hard with therapy and adaptive equipment to learn new ways of doing daily tasks.

She now uses an electric wheelchair and finds strength in church, games, and time with family—her journey shows that hope can guide recovery.

Southern Arizona Alliance for Bilingual Education is hosting its Walk for the Fight Against Breast Cancer at Rudy Garcia Park, where participants will honor survivors and those fighting the illness.

The event is on Oct. 19 from 8 a.m. to noon (registration is required starting at 7:30 a.m.).

Robin Trower Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Rialto Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the legendary sounds of rock guitarist Robin Trower live in Tucson.

Kaki King Live Performance

7-10 p.m. — Hotel Congress — $20-$30 + Dice Fees — Experience the unique sounds of Kaki King, a genre-defying musician from Brooklyn.

Wednesday Team Trivia Night

7-9 p.m. — Pueblo Vida Brewing Company — Free entry — Gather your team for a fun night of trivia and win gift card prizes.

Bicycle Event Directors Gathering

12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. — Homewood Suites by Hilton Tucson/St. Philip's Plaza University — Free entry — Connect with fellow bicycle event directors and share insights on managing bicycle events.

Sonia De Los Santos Concert

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Fox Tucson Theatre — Experience the joyous rhythms of Latin American music and storytelling.

Jesús Sepulveda Stand-Up Comedy Night

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Leo Rich Theater — Tickets available — Enjoy an unforgettable night of laughter and storytelling with Jesús Sepulveda.

Lila Downs Concert

6:30–8:00 p.m. — Arizona Arts Live — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate Día de los Muertos with the unforgettable Lila Downs in a moving tribute honoring lives and memories.

Tucson Speed Dating for Singles Age 20s/30s

7-9 p.m. — Aloft Tucson University — Ticket required — Experience a fun, fast way to meet potential matches with engaging 6-minute pre-dates.

10th Annual International Wild Bunch Film Festival

Various times — Galaxy Theatres Tucson — Ticket prices vary — Experience a five-day celebration of the western genre in the largest festival of its kind in the USA.

Alex Hahn | Reflections Tour

6:30-8 p.m. — The Century Room — $20-$30 — Experience Grammy Award Winning saxophonist Alex Hahn as he re-explores music from his past albums on the Reflections tour.