In what may be the saddest and most shocking turn yet in the saga of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, a video has reportedly surfaced that appears to show the Mayor smoking crack cocaine.
The man whom Richard Florida called "the worst mayor in the modern history of cities" has faced numerous political and ethical challenges during his time in office, but reporters may have uncovered the most stunning turn of events yet. Reporters from both Gawker and the Toronto Star have viewed a video in which "an incoherent and rambling Mayor Rob Ford can clearly be seen smoking what appears to be crack cocaine."
Toronto Star reporters Robyn Doolittle and Kevin Donovan tell an incredible story about how they came to view the video on May 3, and what it shows. The cellphone video is apparently being shopped for a six-figure sum by "an organizer in the Somali community" acting on behalf of "two Somali men who had supplied crack cocaine to the mayor in the Dixon Rd. area."
"[The Video] appears to show Ford in a room, sitting in a chair, wearing a white shirt, top buttons open, inhaling from what appears to be a glass crack pipe," say Doolittle and Donovan. "Ford is incoherent, trading jibes with an off-camera speaker who goads the clearly impaired mayor by raising topics including Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and the Don Bosco high school football team Ford coaches."
John Cook with Gawker was the first to break the story Thursday evening.
As of this writing, Ford's only comments on the allegations are that "it's rediculous."
FULL STORY: Rob Ford in 'crack cocaine' video scandal

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie