Behind the Jays’ brilliant Loonie Dogs strategy

Plus, the truth behind the Wasaga beach ‘pooping’ claims, the terror of Toronto’s ‘Frankensuites’ and how to score cheap theatre tickets [The Star] First Up [By Andrew Joe Potter] By Andrew Joe Potter Good morning. Amid major financial issues, [upscale Toronto grocer Pusateri’s is largely headed to the checkout line](. And here’s the latest on everything else. MUST READS Nick Kozak/for the Toronto Star BUSINESS [Behind the Blue Jays’ brilliant $1 hot dog strategy]( On a recent Loonie Dogs Night at the Rogers Centre, 25,542 steamed hot dogs had been sold by the first pitch, Jake Edmiston reports. It takes an army of cooks and hawkers to move all that food, leaving local vendors puzzled at how the Blue Jays actually turn a profit at practically pre-inflation price point. [There are plenty of theories](. R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star Misinformation [The truth behind Wasaga Beach’s viral ‘serial pooping’ rumours]( In a series of TikToks last month, a woman relayed that a friend had witnessed someone defecating on Wasaga Beach. Immigrants — specifically, “Indian families” — were quickly blamed. Despite a lack of evidence, commentators like talk show host Stephen Colbert have weighed in, Alex Boyd and Calvi Leon report. [The fallout shows how easy it is for local issues to be hijacked by insidious actors](. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press PROvincial politics [Ford’s education minister suddenly resigns, prompting major cabinet shuffling]( Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith announced Friday that he’s leaving Queen’s Park for a private-sector job, just 10 weeks after the premier moved him to the education file. The position has historically been one of the hardest roles for Progressive Conservative governments, Robert Benzie and Rob Ferguson report. [His departure wasn’t a shock to one insider](. Andres Plana/Toronto Star illustration Housing [Toronto wants family-sized condos, not ‘Frankensuites’]( A three-bedroom, two-bathroom condo with a parking spot in downtown listed at $800,000 seems too good to be true. Correct; Diana Zlomislic reports this unit and many with similar specs boast almost unnavigable rooms separated by glass partitions. Toronto desperately wants more condos families can live in, not glorified dormitories. [However, developers continue to prioritize investors over families](. Charla Jones/Toronto Star file photo Entertainment [How to score cheap theatre tickets to Toronto’s buzziest shows]( There’s no shortage of world-class live performing arts in the city, from the orchestra to ballet to show-stopping musicals. Culture reporter Joshua Chong has a guide for getting the best deals, like the Canadian Opera Company’s hallowed standing room policy. [Let’s make your next night out less “an arm and a leg” and more “break a leg!”]( Hear THIS Richard Lautens/Toronto Star Luna Li’s psychedelic jam sessions were an early pandemic staple. With her sophomore follow-up to 2022’s Juno-nominated “Duality” set to drop Friday, the 27-year-old tells Heather Taylor-Singh [why she felt she needed to leave Toronto and challenge herself with vulnerability](. Thanks for reading. The only viral TikTok trend we’re jumping on this summer is the Ford Cabinet Shuffle. 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_586), 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](