MORNING NEWS SCRAMBLE

Chow Vow: Get Toronto moving

Mayor Chow plans to spend $3 million on 75 more traffic agents in the downtown core, bringing the total to 100. Chow says “… anywhere there’s traffic jams you can expect to see them.”

Toronto doubles down on speed cameras

75 more!!!! Toronto is doubling the number of speed cameras over concerns about vandalism. Some devices have been spray-painted, others just chopped down.

At least 10 people reported dead as fires continue to decimate California

Meanwhile, Canadian water bombers and helicopters are en route to L.A. The Canadian agency that co-ordinates cross-border wildfire response with the United States is working to send a pair of airtankers to Southern California.  Premier Ford says Ontario is also sending 165 firefighters and supplies to help in the fight.

Trudeau on CNN

Appearing on CNN, Justin Trudeau says Donald Trump is trying to distract from how costly his tariffs will be for Americans by talking about making Canada the 51st state. Trudeau appeared on CNN while in Washington to attended the funeral for the late U.S. president Jimmy Carter.

Toronto tow truck turf wars heating up, taking to our streets

A tow truck driver has serious injuries after a targeted drive-by shooting in Scarborough late last night. More than 10 shots were fired. This is the second tow truck related shooting in as many days.

“The Numbers are Staggering” : 80,000 homeless in Ontario

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario says more than 80,000 people were homeless last year. The report is believed to be the most accurate picture of homelessness in Ontario to date. The AMO policy director calls it ‘staggering.’

Grocery stores possibly overcharge for meat: CBC

A CBC News investigation discovered some Canadian grocers were found to be overcharging customers, potentially by including the weight of the packaging in the cost of meat, which over time could add up to millions in profit.

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KEEP THE CHANGE

Mortgage rates moving again

Mortgage expert Robert McLister tells the Financial Post that mortgage rates are starting to move again after the holidays, and insured and uninsured rates are going in opposite directions. If you’re looking for a mortgage he recommends locking in a 120-day rate as you see where things go. You can see the latest rates in the article here.

New high interest loan limit

The CBC reports that as of the start of the year, lenders can’t charge Canadians more than 35% interest on a loan. That’s down from the old limit of 47.9%. Payday loans fall into a different category and are capped at $14 per $100 borrowed.

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HEALTHY START

Guelph cases keep rising

That cluster of gastroenteritis at a University of Guelph residence has now surged to 150 cases. The university now says a few individual cases have been reported in other residences, and it’s temporarily halting any “larger-scale social programs” that bring students together from across campus.

Embrace mediocrity

U.S. morning show host Al Roker says embracing mediocrity has been a key element of his personal health journey.  He tells Today.com:  “I just kind of start here, and if I can get to here, that’s great. And then maybe when I’m here for a little bit, I can get to here, just little steps. You don’t have to do everything all at once. Nobody does that.”

AND… ANOTHER THING!

A Battery powered TV hung with suction cups

There’s a new TV coming to market that will stick to a wall using suction cups and is powered by batteries! The Displace TV is made by a start-up and will retail for US$1,499 at CES 2025, the annual tech show. The idea behind the TV is that it is completely wireless and can be mounted anywhere. Depending on the model, batteries last 4-8 hours.

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