Metro Morning

The sounds of summer in the city: Avril Lavigne, Janet Jackson and Billy Idol? The big artists of the 90s and 2000s are selling out venues, and we ask Elamin Abdelmahmoud what's up with the nostalgia acts. And from the past to the future, we talk to a professor about the gamification of learning and if gamers are going to win this thing called life. And we check in with the affordable housing project being built in a Kensington Market parking lot.

Parking in the bike lane has become a hot topic after the death of a cyclist and Molly speaks with the owner of a company whose truck was caught parked in the Bloor bike lane last week. His side of the story, and his frustration is an often unheard part of these tragedies. Also, we hear from an organization that got 50-million from the feds to build a different kind of supportive housing, and how a coalition of mayors are asking for help to deal with the opioid crisis in towns like Pickering.

Just in time for the weekend, guest host Molly Thomas heads to school... guacamole school. And leaves those tomatoes behind. Also, after a bumpy start more dentists are signing on to the federal dental program and just in time as kids are able to get their dental costs covered. And is anyone more invested in the Olympics beach volleyball outcome than Melissa Humana-Paredes dad? Molly speaks to the former player and coach as the excitement builds towards the gold medal match...

What should the city's WNBA be named? That's on the mind of the team president Theresa Resch, and she wants to hear from you. Molly Thomas also talks to an air quality expert on the study of how ultra fine particles in the air are causing early deaths. And after the tragic death of a young cyclist on Bloor Street, she speaks with the biking lawyer about what can be done about dumpsters and vehicles blocking bike lanes...

Who doesn't hate getting a parking ticket? Guest host Molly Thomas talks to a parking officer about the increase in violence on the streets and one near-miss. Also, long-distance running is more than hitting the track, she learns about the strategy of long-distance running. And a conversation with SafeSport expert and survivor Allison Forsyth about how the Olympics are doing, and why Andre DeGrasse's personal coach got his credentials pulled, and if he should have had them at all....

As tensions rise in the Middle East, guest host Molly Thomas talks to a Lebanese-Canadian who has chosen to return early from Beirut and also a a person who has chosen to stay longer. They both agree on one thing though, the Lebanese people have been through this before. She also talks to a student who was a lead organizer of the GTA's student protests in Bangladesh about the changes happening there, and students' roles in it. And, as rock climbing takes off in the Olympics, a chat with a local rock climber about why the sport is climbing in popularity.

Guest host Molly Thomas gets the lowdown on something you may have wondered -- are running clubs taking the place of dating apps? This duo hopes so. Also, if you ever questioned how an average person would do in Olympic events, we have the answer. A local Torontonian is tackling some of the events in the out-of-shape Olympics, and she is very sore. We also get an update on the re-opening of the cafe at Ward's Island cafe. Maybe the running club can end up there for date night?

The CBC has been following Peter Nygard's story of power, money and sexual assaults for over a decade. Host David Common talks to the reporter who has been on that story, and has paide the personal price for it. Also, celebrities are lining up behind their presidential candidates, we have a conversation about if that will make a difference. And do you know the Olympic muffin man? Or pommel horse guy? Has Ilona Maher changed how you think about athletes' bodies? Olympic tiktoks are going viral and that may be more important than going gold -- the memification of the Olympics could be its own event.

The TFC coach, John Herdman has been dragged into dronegate. Will he or will he survive? David Common talks to a Star reporter about what this all means for soccer in Canada, and the Olympics. He also talks to an HR person about why businesses post fake job ads, and why they are admitting it. Also, the Toronto International Film Festival can breathe a little easier, Rogers is their new presenting sponsor, after Bell pulled out. Like many Canadians, they are doing the carrier switch.

Host David Common speaks with Jon Allen, former Ambassador to Israel about the killing of the Hamas leader in Iran. He also speaks with a school trustee who is furious about the province cutting money to create new school-based daycares in high-needs areas.The government says not to worry, they are just re-allocating the money. And as the month comes to an end, parking fines in the city are due to go up, way up.