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Tonight on 'Closer Look': Tiny Township in Simcoe County has won a court battle over vacation rental regulations that could have major implications on municipalities across the province.

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those reporters and editors. These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight's episode: A court battle over short-term rentals.

In municipalities across Ontario, Airbnbs and other short-term vacation properties have triggered plenty of complaints from neighbours. In response, communities like Tiny Township have enacted bylaws that require short-term rentals (STRs) to be licensed.

In Tiny's case, a group of owners challenged the regulations in court, arguing they essentially ban cottage rentals. A judge disagreed, issuing a ruling that could set a precedent for other cities and towns around the province.

SEE: Tiny mayor 'grateful' after Ontario court upholds STR bylaw

MidlandToday editor Andrew Philips has been covering the story and joins us tonight with all the details. You can read his latest article HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

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In this new feature, Village Media journalists break down an important story making headlines around the province. On tonight's episode: How our local reporters chronicled the aftermath of a nasty storm.

Three days after a wicked ice storm rocked parts of central Ontario, tens of thousands of homes and businesses remain without power.

In Simcoe County, which bore the brunt of the epic storm, residents are still coming to terms with the damage left behind.

SEE: Couple staying strong amid ice-storm havoc

In Orillia, where most residents lost power when the storm struck on Saturday night, OrilliaMatters editor Dave Dawson wrote about how the city's "landscape has been scarred forever."

As hydro crews work around the clock to turn the lights back on, our local journalists in the region have been capturing powerful images of the storm's aftermath.

GALLERY: 50 photos show devastation of central Ontario ice storm as cleanup efforts begin

BarrieToday reporter Kevin Lamb, who is among the journalists covering the ongoing story, joins us tonight with all the details. You can read his latest article HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

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Tonight on 'Closer Look': One day after announcing himself as a candidate in the riding of Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt, Nicholas Bonderoff was escorted out the door of his job.

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those reporters and editors. These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight's episode: Fired for being a PPC candidate?

Earlier this month, Nicholas Bonderoff declared himself as the People's Party of Canada candidate in the newly formed riding of Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt. The next day, he was terminated from his job as a manager at the engineering firm BESTECH.

“They’re a great company, but I believe that they were concerned from strictly a business perspective that having me associated with the PPC and working for the company could impact them negatively,” Bonderoff said.

SEE: People’s Party candidate believes political views led to his firing

Bonderoff is promising to launch a legal challenge. In the meantime, his firing has drawn a lot of attention his campaign — including from PPC leader Maxime Bernier, who jumped to his candidate's defence.

“We are living, supposedly, in a democratic country where you have a Charter of Rights and the freedom of thought, freedom of opinion is important,” Bernier told Sudbury.com, adding that Bonderoff should not have been fired for his political beliefs.

“You’re doing that in a communist country, not a democratic country," he said. "Shame on them."

SEE: ‘Shame on them,’ PPC leader says after Sudbury candidate fired

Sudbury.com reporter Tyler Clarke has been covering the story and joins us tonight with all the details. You can read his latest article HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments

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Tonight on 'Closer Look': We revisit our latest podcast episode featuring Jane Wilcox, who is working around the clock to free her husband after he was accused of drug smuggling in Punta Cana.

The waiting continues for David Bennett, a Burlington, Ont. man arrested in the Dominican Republic for suspected drug trafficking — an allegation he and his family insist is a lie.

Bennett was supposed to board a flight home from his Punta Cana vacation on March 7. Three weeks later, he remains in limbo.

“We’re taking every angle to get David home," his wife, Jane Wilcox, told our Inside the Village podcast. "We’re leaving no stone unturned.”

SEE: Burlington man stranded in Dominican Republic faces bogus drug charges, says family

“It’s a nightmare," Wilcox continued. "He is a physically strong guy, but mentally it’s taken a toll on him and our family.”

You can watch the full podcast episode HERE.

Hosted by Scott Sexsmith and Michael Friscolanti, the Editor-in-Chief of Village Media, Inside the Village is a news and current affairs podcast that provides a weekly window into some of the best local journalism from across our chain of Ontario newsrooms. Produced by Derek Turner, the program also explores bigger-picture issues that impact people across the province.

Every episode can be found HERE. If you prefer the audio version, it is available wherever you find your favourite podcasts.

Have something to say? You can reach us at [email protected].

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Tonight on 'Closer Look': A Collingwood fraudster whose ticket scams earned him a memorable nickname will have a lot of time to think about his crimes — in a prison cell.

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those reporters and editors. These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight's episode: Ticket to prison.

A notorious fraudster has been sentenced to 15 months in custody for an elaborate scam involving tens of thousands of dollars worth of non-existent hockey and concert tickets — including tickets to the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto.

The judge in the case had particularly harsh words for Todd "The Fraud" Guthrie. 

"This is exploitation of Canadian culture," said Ontario Court Justice Angela McLeod. "You weren’t defrauding people of a basket of apples."

SEE: Judge punches 15-month ticket to jail for Collingwood fraudster

BarrieToday court reporter Peter Robinson has been covering the story and joins us tonight with all the details. You can read his latest article HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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In this new feature, Village Media journalists break down an important story making headlines around the province. On tonight's episode: The 'Buy Canadian' movement inflicts some collateral damage.

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those reporters and editors. These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight's episode: Pity the owner of your local duty free shop.

As U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies his tariff war against Canada, one sector in particular is bracing for impact: duty free stores.

Sales have plummeted at outlets on this side of the border as more and more Canadians are choosing not to travel into the United States — and consequently, not purchase any goods on the way over.

The situation is so dire that the newly formed Border Mayors Alliance is calling on the federal government to financially support duty free store owners.

SEE: Duty free shops in 'a tough spot' amid ongoing trade war

SooToday reporter Greg McGrath-Goudie has been covering the story and joins us tonight with all the details. You can read his latest article HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Tonight on 'Closer Look': Brad Dunsmoor of Innisfil, Ont., moved to the east coast to live out his dream retirement. Two months ago, his remains were discovered down a dirt road near Halifax.

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those reporters and editors. These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight's episode: What happened to Brad Dunsmoor?

A longtime baseball and soccer coach who volunteered his time in both Toronto and Innisfil, Dunsmoor moved east to Nova Scotia two years ago after retiring as a drywaller.

But in January, his family received a devastating piece of news: Dunsmoor's remains were discovered inside a burnt-out truck near Halifax. He was 63.

Two months later, his grieving family is still waiting for answers from the RCMP, who continue to investigate.

"Still nothing,” said his son, Bennie Dunsmoor. “It’s a snail’s pace with those guys. It's ridiculous."

SEE: 'Still nothing': Police probing Nova Scotia death of Innisfil's Brad Dunsmoor

InnisfilToday editor Chris Simon has been covering the story and joins us tonight with all the details. You can read his latest article HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Tonight on 'Closer Look': Six months after Juanita Migwans disappeared from M'Chigeeng First Nation, her loved ones are hoping a series of new billboards will help crack the case.

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those reporters and editors. These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight's episode: Where is Juanita Migwans?

It's been almost six months since anyone has seen the 31-year-old from M'Chigeeng First Nation, on Manitoulin Island. Migwans did not have her bank card or cell phone when she vanished, and her loved ones fear the worst.

"Juanita would not have taken off on her own," her aunt said. "She is a daughter, a mother and a close friend to many."

In the latest development, supporters have set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for billboard rentals that feature Migwans' photo and case information.

SEE: Crowdfunding effort underway to rent billboards in hopes of finding missing woman

SooToday reporter Kenneth Armstrong has been covering the story and joins us tonight with all the details. You can read his latest article HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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In this new feature, Village Media journalists break down an important story making headlines around the province. On tonight's episode: Paying tribute to a 15-year-old who 'cared about everybody'.

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those reporters and editors. These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local

Nolan Ion, 15, was a member of the Upper York Admirals U16 AA team. He was a talented player but also a great teammate who "just cared about everybody."

Tragically, Nolan suffered cardiac arrest while in gym class and later died in hospital. His family and coach are now sharing his story, hoping to prevent the same thing from happening to other young athletes.

SEE: Family loses faith in Southlake after tragic passing of 15-year-old hockey player

Joseph Quigley, a reporter at NewmarketToday, joins us tonight with all the details. You can read his coverage HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Tonight on 'Closer Look': All signs point to an imminent federal election. 

In cities and towns across Ontario — and at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill — our journalists work for you. Their mission is to dig for answers and tell you what they find.

This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those reporters and editors. These conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.

On tonight's episode: Get ready to cast your ballot (again).

Although it's not official yet, reports say Prime Minister Mark Carney will dissolve Parliament on Sunday and call a snap federal election. 

Carney was asked to confirm the speculation at a housing announcement in Edmonton today, right after he had the chance to skate at practice with the Edmonton Oilers.

He deked around the question, replying that Gov. Gen. Mary Simon will be the first to know — and that "in this time of crisis" the government needs "a strong and clear mandate” to lead the country.

Translation: Let the campaign begin.

ParliamentToday reporter Palak Mangat joins us tonight with the latest details. You can read all our federal politics coverage HERE.

Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. ​You can find all our previous segments HERE.

Want to see more video features from Village Media? Subscribe to our YouTube channel.