🌱 Patch AM: Did Tempe overreact to a Facebook meme about a council meeting?

Good morning Tempe! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Did Tempe overreact to a Facebook meme about a council meeting?
• Why is Tempe Union growing while other Arizona districts are shrinking?
• Which classic Rodrigo y Gabriela tracks will light up The Marquee?

Also on today's calendar: Free Photos with Santa at Tempe Marketplace and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the stop sign say to the yield sign? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Very warm with plenty of sun, with a high of 79 and low of 48 degrees.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and warm, temps: high: 77, low: 50.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 75 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 'Bad joke' on Tempe ruined woman's life (tempenews.com) — Tempe officials’ response to a social media post led to a canceled council meeting, a high-profile arrest, and a county decision not to file charges, raising questions about how the city handles perceived threats. The story follows consultant Kadi Tierney’s account of her arrest, job loss, and lingering trauma, while Tempe leaders defend their approach amid broader controversy over city parks ordinances and public input.
   

2. As Arizona schools close doors due to enrollment drop, Tempe district sees uptick in students (kjzz.org) — While many Arizona districts are shrinking and closing schools, Tempe Union High School District is actually seeing a small enrollment uptick, surpassing projections by about 100 students. Leaders credit strategic planning, family surveys, and student-driven marketing that emphasize real-world learning, critical thinking, and financial literacy—factors that could shape future offerings at Tempe’s high schools.
   

3. Rodrigo y Gabriela Celebrate Debut Album 20th Anniversary w/Tour (gratefulweb.com) — Rodrigo y Gabriela are bringing their 20th anniversary tour of their acclaimed debut album to Tempe’s Marquee Theatre on May 8, 2026, giving local fans a rare chance to hear the record front to back. The Grammy-winning acoustic guitar duo will play a short run of U.S. dates, with Tempe as their only Arizona stop.
   

4. No. 17 Wrestling falls to Oklahoma State to open Big 12 play (thedaonline.com) — Tempe will host a Big 12 wrestling dual on Jan. 9, when West Virginia visits Arizona State University after opening conference play with a 34–3 loss to Oklahoma State. The Mountaineers dropped most individual bouts but see the tough competition as key preparation for the Big 12 Tournament and NCAA championships.
   

📸 Around Tempe

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Tempe

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday December 16

• Spirit Day: Reindeer Day
  Arredondo Elementary School Tempe, AZ 85282
  7:50 am
• Bite Size Book Club
  Tempe Public Library -
  5:00 pm
• Band & Orchestra Concert
  Broadmor Elementary School Tempe, AZ 85282
  5:30 pm
• BOC Concert
  Hudson Elementary School Tempe, AZ 85282
  5:30 pm
• Writing Contest Book Launch
  Tempe Public Library - Desert Willow Program Room
  6:00 pm
• Arredondo Band, Orchestra, & Choir Concert
  Arredondo Elementary School , 1330 E Carson Dr , Tempe
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Spirit Day: Grinch Day
  Arredondo Elementary School Tempe, AZ 85282
  7:50 am
• Maker Lab: VR Design
  Tempe Public Library - Teen Center
  4:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Free Photos with Santa at Tempe Marketplace
  2000 East Rio Salado Parkway
  11:00 am
• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Tempe, AZ
  Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Tempe , 4400 S Rural Rd , Tempe
  6:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Arizona National Livestock Show
  Arizona State Fair , 1826 W McDowell Rd , Phoenix
  8:00 am
• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Tempe, AZ
  Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Tempe , 4400 S Rural Rd , Tempe
  6:00 pm

📣 Tempe Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• If you need Christmas gifts for your kids, you can attend this event tomorrow.
  Lots of fun activities for the family as well. (Nextdoor Shalimar)
• LOST CAT: Roomates cat got out.
  Her name is Xani (zah-knee), she’s a fairly small cat (7lbs). Let us know if you’ve seen her around !! We’re at 514 E Watson (Nextdoor Kiwanis Park)

• EMCOR Group, Inc. posted a job opening for QA/QC Manager in Tempe. Apply here.
• Burlington Coat Factory Corporation posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Stocking Associate - Part Time in Tempe. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Tempe here.

Ok Tempe! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know either. They were speaking in sign language.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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