Who will define Poilievre? The race is on

Plus, how AI is changing cops and crime, Gerry Dee’s surprising plot twist, and snorkelling with leopard seals [The Star] First Up [By Andrew Joe Potter] By Andrew Joe Potter Good morning. The archbishop of Cologne is disappointed that [diocese staff made over 1,000 attempts to access porn on work computers](. The unsavoury behaviour clearly violates a major unwritten commandment: Thou shalt do your most sensitive browsing at home. Here’s the latest. MUST READS Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press FEDERAL POLITICS [What do Canadians really think of Pierre Poilievre? For many, the Conservative leader remains a blank slate]( The federal Conservatives are surging in popular support and crushing fundraising efforts, possibly signalling the party’s first return to power since 2015, writes Stephanie Levitz. But much of the Tories’ success comes down to Pierre Poilievre. According to recent polling from three battleground regions — Ontario, B.C., and Atlantic Canada — 45 per cent of respondents know little to nothing about the man vying to be our next prime minister. With this summer’s advertising campaign, [Poilievre is rushing to define himself before his political opponents do](. Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images Technology [AI is bringing cops and robbers to new frontiers of crime and punishment]( The exponential growth of artificial intelligence is opening new avenues for exploitation and violence from organized crime groups, Peter Edwards reports. Rival drug cartels are already using military-calibre drones in Mexico, which one expert believes could conceivably allow for targeted, AI-backed strikes against witnesses and judges in the near future. [Here’s how law enforcement agencies are countering the dangers of AI](. Steve Russell/Toronto Star sports [Gerry Dee is trying to make us a women’s volleyball powerhouse]( After “Mr. D” and hosting the Canadian edition of “Family Feud,” comedian Gerry Dee is taking on a new role: Canada’s volleyball dad. In June, he organized and hosted the inaugural BioSteel All Canadian Girls Volleyball Games, showcasing the country’s best 16-and-under and 17-and-under female players. From finding sponsors, roping in the best players to arranging media coverage, the funnyman is quickly becoming a driving force for the sport in Canada. [Here’s why he’s doing it](. Richard Lautens/Toronto Star file photo home ownership [Ontario halts property assessments while reviewing the system’s accuracy and fairness]( The province is postponing property tax reassessments for the time being to focus on building a more accurate and equitable system. Assessments conducted by 2024 will continue to be based on a Jan. 1, 2016 evaluation date, Diana Zlomislic and Kenyon Wallace report. The move follows a recent Star investigation that found the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation frequently over- and under-assessed properties relative to their sales price. [Here’s why the delay is a problem](. Lance McMillan/Toronto Star The canadian dream [How a promising West African hoops prospect ended up in Toronto’s suburbs — and on NBA radars]( Not long ago, Ibrahima Sacko was back in Guinea with little more than a dream, writes Libaan Osman. Then, of all places, the six-foot-six teenager with a seven-foot wingspan found himself at Markham’s J. Addison School. He’d soon hone his basketball skills and land a full-ride scholarship with NCAA’s Georgia Tech, coached by ex-Raptors favourite Damon Stoudamire. [It’s been a long road, but it’s only just the beginning](. UP CLOSE Lance McMillan/Toronto Star 50 years ago, Michael Knott was a parking lot attendant at the CNE. Today, he’s the man behind some of the fair’s wackiest food creations, writes Karon Liu. From rejected ideas like Kool-Aid pickles to viral hits like deep-fried butter, [here’s how Knott helps the CNE do it bigger and better every year](. imagine THIS Edwin Sargeant Once you get past the threat of hypothermia and leopard seals, Suzanne Morphet says snorkelling in Antarctica is like an extremely hardcore polar bear dip. Read more about the “supreme thrill” of swimming in the Southern Ocean, [where a small tear in your dry suit can mean death](. Thanks for reading. Send your comments (and pictures of wild and wacky fair food) to 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_195721), and Manuela will see you back here Monday. 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]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](