When serial crime hits the cereal aisle

Plus, Hot Docs is in hot water, how to photograph the eclipse and sorting out the vacant home tax “fiasco” [The Star] First Up [By Andrew Joe Potter] By Andrew Joe Potter Good morning. Two wins away from basketball immortality, Dave Feschuk writes that the story of [Purdue’s Canadian superstar, Zach Edey, is part March Madness, part Linsanity](. Here’s the latest. MUST READS Toronto Star illustration/Dreamstime CRIME [Loathe Loblaws’ receipt scanners? Blame organized crime, police and retailers say]( After Halton Police noticed a pattern in a string of retail thefts back in 2022, they quickly recognized the symptoms of a deeper organized theft ring, one that had allegedly already swindled millions of dollars in merchandise, Jake Edmiston reports. [Here’s why veteran retailers say say receipt scanners and other theft-prevention tech are critical to fighting back](. Joseph Michael Ho/For the Toronto Star CULTURE [Hot Docs in hot water as embattled film festival faces allegations of toxic workplace culture]( Amid public allegations of fostering a culture of discrimination at Hot Docs, Hussain Currimbhoy’s departure as creative director last month hasn’t stymied a deluge of resignations from the vaunted film programmer. The revelations, publicized in part by an open letter signed by now-former staff, come less than a month out from the 2024 festival. [Joshua Chong takes us inside the theatre and through the timeline of Hot Docs’ implosion]( David Rider/Toronto Star Housing [What you need to know about Toronto’s vacant home tax “fiasco”]( City hall is assuring residents of a swift response after Toronto sent out an estimated 100,000 notices to homeowners erroneously claiming they owed thousands of dollars in vacant home taxes. The fees were implemented to reduce the likelihood of foreign real estate speculators tying up much-needed rental housing stock. Benn Spurr and David Rider explain [how to proceed if you recently received a notice regarding an occupied home](. Photo illustration by Richie Assaly CITY LIFE [Guillermo del Toro(nto)? Mexican director walks us through his favourite spots in his second home]( Having lived in the city on and off for years while directing films like the Oscar-winning “Shape of Water,” Guillermo del Toro knows his way around Toronto. “The arts, the food, the culture, the idiosyncrasy of its shops and shop owners. I love it,” he tells Peter Howell. From his favourite local eateries to cozy rep cinemas, [here’s where the auteur prefers to spend his days in his adopted home city](. Courtesy Colin Mochrie/Deb McGrath Dating Stories [After decades together, going out remains a laughing matter for Mochrie and McGrath]( Longtime comedians Colin Mochrie and Debra McGrath’s courtship began with a scene straight out of a sketch: while McGrath professed her affection amid a romantic canoe excursion, Mochrie was more preoccupied with his rapidly worsening sunburn, the pair tell Briony Smith. [Unsurprisingly, comedy continues to play a big role in their relationship more than three decades in](. [Calendar icon] Are our messages a little late for you lately? Emails from the Star are taking longer than normal to arrive to Gmail and Hotmail inboxes after we send them. That's a problem we're solving now, but we're sorry for keeping you waiting. SNAP THIS Nick Lachance/Toronto Star If you miss southwestern Ontario’s upcoming solar eclipse, have no fear; another should hit the area in about 400 years, writes Mark Colley. [Here’s how to use your phone to snap the perfect pics of Monday’s big celestial event](. Thanks for reading. You can reach the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_211752), and I will see you back here tomorrow. If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](