🌱 Patch AM: How Tempe plans to make e-bikes and scooters safer in 2026

Coffee in hand, Tempe? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Tempe plans to make e-bikes and scooters safer in 2026
• How did a toddler’s tragic drowning happen near Rural and Warner?
• Who will lead Tempe Union’s school board next year?

Also on today's calendar: Arizona National Livestock Show and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Increasing cloudiness, with a high of 78 and low of 58 degrees.
• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 74, low: 58.
• Thursday: A brief shower or two, with a high of 72 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Tempe sets first meeting for new electric bicycles, devices subcommittee (azcentral.com) — Tempe is launching a new Motorized & Electric Mobility Device Safety Council Subcommittee, with its first public meeting set for Jan. 7, 2026 at Tempe City Hall. Formed by Councilmember Jennifer Adams, the group will study local e-bike and scooter crashes and recommend safety and education strategies in partnership with schools, businesses, and city departments.
   

• 2-year-old girl dies after being pulled from Tempe swimming pool (fox10phoenix.com) — A 2-year-old girl died after her parents found her in a backyard swimming pool at a Tempe home near Rural and Warner Roads on Monday. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but did not survive, and Tempe Police say the case remains under investigation while asking the community to respect the family’s privacy.
   

• Tempe Union Board has tense, unusual discussion (chandlernews.com) — Tempe Union High School District board members recently held an unusually candid, sometimes tense discussion about who should serve as board president in 2026, weeks before their formal January vote. Members weighed stability under current president Armando Montero against giving Vice President Amanda Steele or others a chance, debating leadership style, emotional resilience, and how well the board works together while stressing they’ll remain united for students.
   

📸 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!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 27

• Arizona National Livestock Show
  Arizona State Fair, 1826 W McDowell Rd, Phoenix
  8:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday December 24

• Youth Winter Reading Bingo
  Tempe Public Library - Tempe Public Library -

Saturday December 27

• 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

Sunday December 28

• Puzzle Swap
  Tempe Public Library - Desert Willow Program Room
  1:00 pm

Monday December 29

• Youth Winter Reading Bingo
  Tempe Public Library -
• Board Game Cafe
  Tempe Public Library - Ironwood Classroom
  5:30 pm

Tuesday December 30

• Youth Winter Reading Bingo
  Tempe Public Library -

Wednesday December 31

• Noon Years' Eve
  Guadalupe Branch at Community Room
  10:00 am
• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Tempe, AZ
  Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Tempe , 4400 S Rural Rd , Tempe
  7:00 pm

Thursday January 1

• Youth Winter Reading Bingo
  Tempe Public Library -

Saturday January 3

• Max Fleischer Superman Cartoons Screening
  Tempe Public Library - Desert Willow Program Room
  2:00 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!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 23

• Winter Movie Marathon and Crafts
  Tempe Public Library - Teen Center
  11:00 am

Wednesday December 24

• Youth Winter Reading Bingo
  Tempe Public Library -

Sunday December 28

• Puzzle Swap
  Tempe Public Library - Desert Willow Program Room
  1:00 pm

Monday December 29

• Board Game Cafe
  Tempe Public Library - Ironwood Classroom
  5:30 pm

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• REUNITED!!
  My dog has gone missing sometime during the last 1.5 hours. His name is Rusty. He is a 40 pound golden retriever/char pei mix. Major cross streets… (Nextdoor Scudder Park)
• Update: Pet Reunited
  Rufio, a cat who went missing in Tempe, AZ, has been safely reunited with their family after 12 minutes. Message from Owner: "o, We would… (Nextdoor Mistwood)

• Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member in Tempe. Apply here.
• Skechers USA, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate in Tempe. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Tempe here.

🗞 Nearby News

Chandler

• BackFit Health + Spine Shares Strategies for Maintaining Spinal Health and Preventing Common Injuries (desmoinesregister.com)
• Top Arizona news stories from Dec. 19-21 (ktar.com)
• Outraged parents join forces vs. N.J. school shuttle service. See new Ride Along Now allegations. (nj.com)

Paradise Valley

• Cardinals safety Budda Baker sells Paradise Valley home for $8.7M (azcentral.com)

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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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