MORNING NEWS SCRAMBLE

What a catch!

The cheering in the control room made it sound like they'd won the World Series!  In a global first, the team at Elon Musk's SpaceX successfully returned a booster rocket to earth where it was beautifully caught by the launchpad's "chopsticks". If you haven’t seen it yet, click on the video below.  Recycling rockets has sped up progress and saved millions at SpaceX.

The search for life continues with a historic mission to Jupiter 

NASA launched Europa Clipper Monday - its first mission to explore Jupiter's moon to determine if it can support life. 

The tree vs temperature trade-off

You might have caught some fall colours this long weekend, but some experts say they're likely to be a bit duller this year.  A combo of sunny and cold weather promotes bright colours, but instead, we've had a lot of sunny and warm weather so far this fall in the GTA. Recent dips in temperatures might be too late to make a difference.

They REALLY don’t want to go back to the office

The union that represents over 25,000 Canadian public servant wants Parliament to investigate the decision behind the three-day back to the office mandate that started last month.  They say it’s not serving the taxpayer or the workforce.

THIS is what it takes to boost T.O.?  “Swiftonomics?"

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is expected to inject hundreds of millions of dollars into Toronto’s economy.  According to one local marketing association, the six show tour is expected to pump an economic impact of $282-million.

Time to ditch the Airbnb and go back to the hotel?

Short-term rentals aren’t the deals they once were, plus guests are increasingly being asked to clean up after themselves.  Is that a holiday?

Croc clogs for the dogs

Yes, you and your pup can have matching footwear this fall.  It’s part of Crocs’  “Croctober” campaign.  Fashion be damned…you’d do anything for your furry friend, right?

Recycle Halloween?

Some are opting to recycle old costumes this year to make Halloween more sustainable and affordable. Events promoting costume swapping, recycling or mending are popping up in communities across the country, and one expert says they’re sorely needed to counter the overconsumption and waste that Halloween triggers every year.

KEEP THE CHANGE

Are the pumps driving it down?

The Bank of Canada's latest inflation report comes out today and economists expect it will have fallen below 2%.  Lower gasoline prices are seen as drivers of the drop.

The bags are almost back

Looks like the province has awarded a $10-million dollar contract to a Quebec company to make paper booze bags.  The LCBO stopped offering them last year as an environmental move, but Premier Doug Ford ordered them brought back.  The new paper bags are expected in stores in a few weeks.

2,100 kms on one charge and a tank of gas

BYD (Build Your Dreams) is China's biggest car maker, and in September it posted its fourth straight month of record sales (419,430 units).  The company only makes electric and plug-in hybrids.  In China, western automakers and their gas-powered models are now fighting for market share, and it's not going to get much easier as BYD has released its Qin L plug-in hybrid for $14,000 US.  It's about the size of a Toyota Camry and can run almost 2,100km on one charge and a tank of gas.

HEALTHY START

Free Ozempic for everyone?

An economist at Oxford University says political leaders need to challenge their view of semaglutides like Ozempic, which have become popular for weight loss.  One report found obesity cost the UK's health service $20-billion a year, with productivity losses adding another $16-billion in costs.  The economist thinks the drug could be seen as a potential blockbuster to save the UK's ailing public health service, rather than just something for the rich and famous.

COLD WEATHER POSSIBILITIES

Vineyard anti-freeze?

It seems weather extremes are killing Canada’s crops of wine grapes, which are extra sensitive to temperature changes. A group of chemists have come up with an “anti-freeze” spray which could help things.

Cozy Casseroles

Looking for a new meal idea tonight? Here’s a list of 22 dinner casseroles you can make in 40 minutes or less.

ROOSTERS, ROOSTERS, EVERYWHERE!

Thanks for sending in your rooster pics over Thanksgiving weekend! See them here.