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blogTO episodes

  • Toronto activist Keosha Love on how to support the Black community right now

    A recent U of T graduate posted a heartwarming video of her family reacting to her name popping up on the screen during her virtual convocation. New cases of COVID-19 in the province dropped by more than 100 in one day. Plus, Toronto writer Imani Walker speaks with local artist and activist Keosha Love about how the Black community is feeling right now, how they can protect their mental health, while still fighting for their lives, and finally, what can non-Black people do to be better allies?

    24 min
  • U of T makes history with the admittance of 24 Black medical students for the class of '24

    Chika Oriuwa delivered an inspirational speech to her fellow U of T classmates as the second Black female valedictorian in the history of the faculty of medicine. Fire crews took down a massive blaze at Queen and Sumach this morning. A Leslieville restaurant popular with students has closed permanently, and Ontario confirmed a spike in new coronavirus cases. Plus, the critical importance of diversity in medicine, and why racialized communities are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

    14 min
  • What it's like being an emergency room nurse in Toronto right now

    Thousands of people peacefully protested in Toronto this weekend, demanding justice for Regis Korchinski-Paquet. Doug Ford plans to extend Ontario's state of emergency until the end of June. Dental offices have been given the green light to open, but with several safety measures in place, and Ontario just recorded its highest number of COVID-19 cases in a week. Plus, what it's like being an ER and trauma nurse in Toronto in the midst of a pandemic.

    12 min
  • Houdini's impact on the Toronto rap scene

    The family of Regis Korchinski-Paquet issued a formal statement regarding the circumstances of the 29-year-old's death, and in one day over $120K has been raised for Regis' family from two fundraising efforts. A popular gym was locked out by their landlord after owing more than $100K in unpaid rent. Testing for COVID-19 has finally surpassed the province's benchmark. Plus, what Houdini meant to the Toronto scene, and what the city can do to foster more opportunities for young rappers.

    14 min
  • Honest Ed's movie makes its world premiere at Hot Docs online film festival

    Even though no date has been set in Ontario, gyms like GoodLife Fitness have released details on how they will reopen when it's time. Social distancing circles have been painted in Trinity Bellwoods Park, and the province is finally back on track when it comes to COVID-19 testing. Plus, Lulu Wei's new film about the demolition of Honest Ed's and the redevelopment of Mirvish Village is making its premiere online at Hot Docs today.

    12 min
  • Drive-in movie theatres near Toronto are still waiting for approval to open

    Two men were arrested for shooting laser pointers at a York Regional Police helicopter, and it was caught on video. Ontario extended emergency orders yet again. The province confirmed less than 300 new COVID-19 cases for the second day in a row, and testing numbers are finally starting to increase. Plus, drive-in movie theatres are likely to be busier than ever this summer, and some are getting creative with their programming, but they are still waiting for permission to open.

    14 min
  • IKEA stores in Toronto and Ontario are now open

    IKEA locations are now open across the province, and stores like Winners and HomeSense will reopen on Wednesday, with safety measures in place. Ontario announced the lowest COVID-19 case increase since March, though testing is still low, and the Gardiner Expressway will close this weekend for maintenance. Plus, should we really be worried about so-called "murder hornets" in Ontario?

    14 min
  • Doug Ford tells people who were at Trinity Bellwoods Park to get tested for COVID-19

    Drake documented his first swim in his massive backyard pool this weekend. Testing in Ontario continues to dwindle, as cases rise. Christine Elliott said that Mother's Day is to blame for the recent uptick in new COVID-19 cases, and Doug Ford recommended that everyone who was at Trinity Bellwood Park this Saturday should go get tested. Plus, how one of Toronto's first spin studios is preparing to reopen when it's time, and how they have been making some money on the side through bike rentals.

    13 min
  • UV light machine designed in Toronto is disinfecting groceries

    One of the baby foxes living under the boardwalk at Woodbine Beach was found dead, and it may have been killed by a dog. Today, Ontario reported its highest number of new COVID-19 cases in two weeks, and testing is still down. Plus, a supermarket in the city is now using UV light technology to disinfect groceries, and the machine was invented here in Toronto.

    16 min
  • What you need to know about beekeeping in Toronto

    Doug Ford says he will unveil a plan for random mass random testing by next week. The upward trend of new cases in the province is worrisome, and the premier says he will enforce another lockdown if that continues. A popular dessert shop in Little Italy, that had been open for less than a year, was evicted for owing nearly $35,000 in rent. How worried should we be about murder hornets in Ontario? That, and everything else you need about urban beekeeping.

    16 min

About blogTO

From the publisher's feed

Toronto is home, but how well do you really know it? Host Dani Stover brings you in-depth interviews and stories about the wild, random, important, and under-appreciated places, people and things that…