Author: Sophie Mitchell

Coroner’s Office to Examine Circumstances Surrounding 2019 Death Following Transfer from Toronto South Detention Centre The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General has announced that an inquest will be held into the death of Richard Preston, a 79-year-old man who died in 2019 after being transferred from the Toronto South Detention Centre to hospital care in Mississauga. The announcement was made Tuesday by Dr. Kenneth Peckham, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Central Region, Central West Office. According to the notice, Mr. Preston died on July 26, 2019, at Trillium Health Partners Mississauga Hospital after being transferred from the correctional facility.…

NMPF Delegation Meets with Lawmakers During Annual Washington Fly-In ARLINGTON, Va. — More than 80 dairy industry representatives from across the United States gathered in Washington this week to urge lawmakers to take action on several key agricultural priorities, including labour reform, trade protections and milk labeling standards. The advocacy effort, organized by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), included meetings with approximately 100 congressional offices as part of the organization’s annual fly-in event. Dairy farmers and cooperative leaders used the meetings to highlight concerns affecting the sector, including the recent return of New World screwworm to the United States…

Province backs 18 projects aimed at boosting domestic processing, innovation and job creation amid rising geopolitical pressures Funding supports made-in-Ontario technologies for mining, battery production and advanced manufacturing TIMMINS, Ont. — The Ontario government is investing nearly $8 million in 18 critical minerals projects as part of a broader strategy to strengthen domestic supply chains, reduce dependence on foreign sources and position the province as a global leader in mining and mineral processing. The announcement was made Tuesday at the Canadian Mining Expo in Timmins by Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines, alongside George Pirie, Minister of Northern…

Florida’s underground metal festival returns to Brass Mug for two nights of extreme music TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Death Fest will return to the Brass Mug in Tampa, Florida, on Sept. 4 and 5, 2026, with organizers unveiling a lineup that blends established extreme-metal acts with emerging underground performers from across the United States and Puerto Rico. Now entering its eighth year, the independent festival has become a staple within Florida’s underground death-metal scene, drawing attention for its focus on raw and uncompromising acts tied to the genre’s roots. The 2026 edition will feature more than a dozen bands across…

Province backs modernization project at Bernie McGlynn Lumber amid ongoing trade pressures The Ontario government is investing $1.6 million in a major expansion and modernization project at Bernie McGlynn Lumber Ltd. in Mildmay, a move aimed at strengthening the province’s forestry sector, increasing domestic wood production and supporting jobs in rural communities. Announced Tuesday by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the funding will support a $5.3 million project that will more than double the company’s production space and increase output by 47 per cent. The initiative is expected to create five new jobs while protecting 13 existing positions at the…

Dairy Executive Urges Congress to Address Canadian Trade Practices and Protect Export Growth ARLINGTON, Va. — A senior executive from Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) told U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday that stronger enforcement of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will be critical to maintaining growth and stability in the North American dairy sector as the trade pact approaches a formal joint review. Michael Lichte, Chief Insights and Optimization Officer for DFA, appeared before the House Committee on Agriculture to outline concerns over Canada’s handling of dairy market access commitments under the agreement and to emphasize the importance of preserving export…

Downtown London to host two-day celebration highlighting culture, community and Canadian heritage The London Heritage Council is preparing to welcome thousands of residents and visitors to downtown London later this month as the organization launches Night Market London and Canada Day London, two large-scale public events tied to the city’s bicentennial celebrations. Set to take place on June 30 and July 1 at Dundas Place and Talbot Street in London, Ontario, the events are expected to showcase the city’s cultural diversity, local businesses and community spirit through live entertainment, food, artisan markets and family programming. Organizers say the celebrations are…

Province expands funding to improve community safety and emergency preparedness Essex County among municipalities benefiting from legacy wells program The Ontario government is investing an additional $7.8 million to help municipalities manage the risks associated with old and inactive oil and gas wells, bringing the province’s total investment for the current year to $10.8 million. The funding announcement was made Tuesday in Essex County by Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources as part of the province’s broader strategy to strengthen community safety, improve emergency preparedness and address aging energy infrastructure across southwestern Ontario. The province said the investment will support efforts…

Federal government unveils performer lineup and programming for annual national celebration Artists, astronauts, athletes and Order of Canada recipients to take part in Ottawa ceremony The federal government has unveiled the official program for the Canada Day 2026 National Noon Ceremony, featuring a nationally broadcast celebration that will combine music, cultural performances and tributes to Canadians who have made significant contributions to the country. The announcement was made Tuesday in Ottawa by the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, as preparations continue for one of the country’s largest annual public celebrations.…

Toronto teenager brings self-produced indie pop project to streaming platforms Award-winning young artist builds momentum with summer festival appearances Toronto-based musician Cooper Benaiah, the 16-year-old singer-songwriter, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and producer who won the 2026 Canadian High School Songwriter of the Year award for his single “Falling,” has released his debut album CRUSH on Spotify and major streaming platforms. The eight-track indie pop album was written, recorded and produced entirely by Benaiah in a basement studio at his family home, marking a significant milestone for the emerging Canadian artist as he begins to expand his audience beyond local performances and online…