Closer Look

Send us a text

Tonight on 'Closer Look': A handmade quilt created to honour residential school survivors was stolen earlier this month from a Timmins museum, then anonymously dropped in a library book return.

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore a compelling story they are covering.

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 museum mystery.

SEE: Quilt honouring residential school survivors stolen from Timmins museum

A handmade quilt created to honour residential school survivors was stolen earlier this month from a Timmins museum — then anonymously returned a week later.

Someone left the stolen quilt in a library drop box, to the relief of Vanessa Génier, founder and CEO of Quilts for Survivors.

“That's all we wanted," she said. "We don't care who took it. We don't care why they took it. There's no excuse for taking it, but we're just glad it's back."

SEE: 'We're just glad it's back': Quilt stolen in Timmins returned

TimminsToday reporter Marissa Lentz-McGrath covered the story and joins us tonight with all the details. You can read her 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.

Send us a text

Tonight on 'Closer Look': With Donald Trump back in the White House, basic climate change data is starting to disappear from U.S. government websites — but not all of it.

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore a compelling story they are covering.

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: The rush to preserve climate-change data from "Trump-scrubbing."

For the past several months, University of Guelph geography professor Eric Nost has been working with the Environmental Data Governance Initiative (EDGI) to safeguard climate change and other data sets being removed by the Trump administration. 

"A lot of what we're archiving and safeguarding is very basic biophysical indicators of climate changes, environmental conditions that are really important means by which we understand how the climate is changing," said Nost. "We've also made sure to prioritize data sets that tell us who is impacted by changing climate and environmental conditions, which we've seen be a real target of this administration." 

SEE: U of G prof helping preserve climate change data from Trump-scrubbing

So far, Nost said the group has managed to archive approximately 60 data sets ranging from sea level rise estimates to wildfire risk predictions and pollution data sets. 

GuelphToday reporter Isabel Buckmaster covered the story and joins us tonight with all the details. You can read her 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.

Send us a text

In this new feature, Village Media journalists break down an important story making headlines around the province. Tonight: We follow Doug Ford on another election-campaign detour to the U.S. Capitol.

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore a compelling story they are covering. 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: Doug Ford takes another trip to Washington.

With just six days left to go until Ontarians head to the polls, PC Leader Doug Ford spent another day in Washington — this time, to lobby U.S. governors on the value of free trade with Canada.

How did Ford do on his Friday trip? About as well as the U.S. hockey team the night before, it appears.

SEE: 'Is that the premier that has the oil?' Ford's D.C. charm offensive shows signs of struggle

Jessica Smith Cross, Editor-in-Chief at The Trillium, was in Washington for Ford's visit and joins us tonight with all the details. You can read her 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.

Send us a text

Tonight on 'Closer Look': As U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up his 51st state rhetoric — just hours before the big game — Canadians are expressing their national pride in ways not seen in a long time.

In case you haven't heard, there's a big hockey game tonight: Team Canada versus Team U.S.A. in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off.

And right on cue, U.S. President Donald Trump seized the moment to once again muse about Canada becoming the 51st state.

"I’ll be calling our great American Hockey Team this morning to spur them on towards victory tonight against Canada," Trump wrote on social media, adding that "if Governor Trudeau would like to join us, he would be most welcome,"

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt doubled down later in the day, saying: "We look forward to the United States beating our soon-to-be 51st state, Canada." 

WATCH: Donald Trump repeats 'ridiculous' pitch for Canada to become 51st state

Back in the real world, Trump's comments have actually helped trigger a surge in Canadian pride. From a memorable National Flag Day to the popularity of Captain Canuck T-shirts, we're definitely showing off our Canadian these days.

In Sault Ste. Marie, one local business owner is getting a lot of attention — good and bad — for her "Canada Is Not For Sale" apparel.

SEE: Local business owner receiving flack for 'Canada Is Not For Sale' apparel

SooToday editor Brandon Walker joins us on tonight's 'Closer Look' 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.

Send us a text

Tonight on 'Closer Look': Forget all the negative headlines for a few minutes — because the 1980s movie Youngblood is being remade, with a little help from the OHL's Barrie Colts.

On tonight's episode: Some much-needed nostalgia.

For moviegoers of a certain age, Youngblood was a cult classic — a 1980s hockey drama, filmed in Toronto, starring Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze and rookie actor Keanu Reeves. 

Four decades later, the movie is getting a modern-day reboot, with some of the on-ice filming done at Sadlon Arena in Barrie.

SEE: Barrie Colts fans help bring 'very authentic' vibe to Youngblood remake

BarrieToday reporter Nikki Cole joins us tonight with all the details. You can read her 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.

Send us a text

Tonight on 'Closer Look': An increasing number of Ontario landlords are using N12s to evict longtime tenants, arguing they need the unit for personal use. But not every property owner is being honest.

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore a compelling story they are covering. 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: How a Toronto woman won a major victory against her landlord.

Victoria MacDonald has lived in the same two-bedroom Toronto apartment for nearly half a century. But two summers ago, she was suddenly slapped with an N12, a process that permits a landlord to evict a tenant if the owner, a family member or a caregiver needs to move in.

MacDonald didn't pack up. Instead, the 74-year-old fought back — discovering that an increasing number of landlords are using N12s to evict longtime tenants who pay modest rents. (Her lawyer said he has seen a "meteroic rise" in the use of N12s since the pandemic.)

Earlier this month, the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) decided in MacDonald's favour, ruling she can stay in her apartment indefinitely.

SEE: Tribunal rules longtime tenant can stay in her home, dismissing landlord's personal-use eviction attempt

TorontoToday reporter Gabe Oatley 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.

Send us a text

'Perfect storm': A new survey found an alarming number of Canadians are depending on medical misinformation online because they don't have a family doctor.

As Ontarians prepare to head to the polls on Feb. 27, the province's doctor shortage is one of the most pressing issues of the campaign.

Each of the major party leaders has promised to solve the problem over the next four years — in their own way.

In the meantime, more and more Canadians who don't have a family physician are turning to the Internet for medical advice.

A recently released survey by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and Abacus Data found that 37 per cent of respondents used medical advice they found online because they couldn’t access a doctor or a medical professional for help.

Even more concerning, 23 per cent of those surveyed said following health advice they found online resulted in a bad reaction or had a negative impact on their health.

Dr. Joss Reimer, president of the CMA, talked about the survey results during a recent appearance on our Inside the Village podcast.

“I can’t really think of any other generation that’s had this double whammy where they’re being bombarded with misinformation that’s being forced at them through algorithms on social media — whether they’re looking for it or not — and also having this lack of access to care," she said.

“If you can’t have a doctor that you can have that trusted relationship with and ask your health questions to, you’re going to go online," she continued. "We worry about what they find when they’re online. Do they know how to find good sources of information, and what do they do when they see information that may or may not be true? How do they evaluate that?”

You can watch the full 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].

Send us a text

In this new feature, Village Media journalists break down an important story making headlines around the province. Tonight: the growing problem of prank 911 callers sending cops to fake emergencies.

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore a compelling story they are covering. 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 surge in "swatting" calls.

Police forces across the province are dealing with a concerning trend: hoax 911 calls that dispatch heavily armed officers to a fake emergency.

Known as "swatting," the prank usually involves reports of extremely serious crimes, including bomb threats, murders and hostage situations.

SEE: 'I thought it was a joke': Cambridge family falls victim to swatting calls

How prevalent is the problem? In Cambridge, one woman has been on the receiving end of a swat call twice in the past two months. 

"I heard a very loud banging on the front door, loud enough to almost kick the door in," the woman said. "I went out and I was surrounded by a S.W.A.T. team with all of their rifles and guns pointed at me."

CambridgeToday reporter Matt Betts 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.

Send us a text

Tonight on Village Media's 'Closer Look': After months of debate, a Northern Ontario town is spending $10,000 to save an iconic lumberjack statue from getting the axe.

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore a compelling story they are covering.

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: Iconic lumberjack avoids the chopping block.

For countless travellers along Highway 11, "Guy-Paul Treefall" has been a longtime landmark. But now in desperate need of some fixing, the statue left the Town of Iroquois Falls in a tough spot: Repair, relocate or replace?

This week, local councillors made a decision: the well-known statue will be repaired and relocated, at an approximate cost of $10,000.

SEE: Iconic Highway 11 statue spared the axe

TimminsToday reporter Marissa Lentz-McGrath has been covering the story and joins us tonight with the latest details. You can read her latest 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.

Send us a text

In this new feature, Village Media journalists break down an important story making headlines around the province. On tonight's episode: Sentencing day for a shocking crime.

Every weeknight, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering.

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: Sentencing day for a 'cold, callous' killer.

James Schwalm was convinced he could pull it off. The now-disgraced fire captain truly believed he could murder his wife, Ashley, and make it look like she died in a terrible car crash.

Police in Collingwood quickly discovered the truth.

This week, Schwalm was handed his sentence: life behind bars with no chance of parole for 20 years. Inside the Barrie courtroom, Ashley's loved ones cried tears of relief.

SEE: Ex-firefighter sentenced to life without parole for at least 20 years in wife's murder

Ashley's murder shocked the community of Collingwood and generated headlines across the country. BarrieToday court reporter Peter Robinson has been covering the story and joins us tonight with the latest details.

You can read his previous 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.