Rob Ford, not surprisingly, isn't a big fan of diverting cars off King Street so the 57,000 daily streetcar riders stand a chance of getting through the core at rush hour. Speaking on his radio show, Ford said streetcars should be replaced by articulated buses, which everyone knows are immune to traffic. It's not like the TTC just spent $1.2 billion on a brand new fleet vehicles either.

Doug Ford went further, suggesting Toronto should ditch its entire streetcar fleet except for the ones that could benefit tourists "maybe on Spadina or something." Crazy, right? The pair also derided a province's decision to cut $149.3 million in funding to the city, calling the move "arrogant" and "cocky." "It's time for an election," said Doug Ford.

More than 100 people get bitten by raccoons and require a precautionary rabies shot each year in Toronto, according to cllr. Josh Matlow. In a letter to the licensing committee, Matlow asked whether the city could do more to limit property damage by skunks, opossums, and other common backyard beasties. Are raccoons and other animals a problem?

The Toronto Sun's outspoken City Hall columnist Sue-Ann Levy is no longer going to be covering local politics. The staunch Ford ally is moving to Queen's Park, according to a post on the paper's website. In her final column, Levy cited councillors Doug Holyday, Mike Del Grande, and Case Ootes as stand outs of the last 15 years.

Long Branch GO station is going to get a makeover, including new elevators, washrooms, ticket offices, and platform canopies. 2,700 people use the transfer point every day and most transfer to the TTC. No plans to upgrade the 85-year-old streetcar loop, however. Work is expected to finish in 2016.

The Blue Jays are officially flying. Thanks to 13-5 win over the Orioles yesterday the team has now won 11 13 (getting excited) games in a row, the best streak in the entire MLB by far that ties a franchise record. Could this be the start of something beautiful?

Finally, the city is still under the extreme heat alert that was first issued Sunday. Temperatures are expected to reach 29 C today, slightly cooler than yesterday, but the humidity will make it feel much hotter than that. Stay cool, Toronto.

FROM THE WEEKEND:

• What does the future hold for Kensington Market?
• East Danforth gets boppin' with new pop-up shops
• Toronto Pride Parade 2013
• Toronto summer theatre preview 2013
• New beach-themed club brings the party to the CNE
• What's new for Pride Toronto 2013
• Get to know a Toronto startup: Let's Flee
• A brief history of Toronto's iconic Massey Hall
• This Week in Comedy: Sik Comedy for SickKids, ALTdot Comedy Lounge, and Kenny Zimlingaus

IN BRIEF:

• Liberal cabinet minister Laurel Broten quits [CBC]
• Toronto man charged with attempted murder [CBC]
• Maple Leafs trade for goalie Jonathan Bernier [CBC]

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: twurdemann/blogTO Flickr pool.