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City News

Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories

Sluts, vermin, countrymen lend me your ears as we run down the insidestories of jury foul-ups (the Sun ), Barbara Black's acid...

Eddie Earns His Keep

Sunday’s late-night settlement between Sun-Times Media (formerly Hollinger International) and David Radler riled Black’s...

Speaking of budgets...

Speaking of budgets...

This morning’s Star featured a good piece by Donovan Vincent about city councillors’ annual expense tallies, naming...

Roughing it in Chicago

With opening arguments from Jeffrey Cramer and Eddie Genson delayed until tomorrow and former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka out...

Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories

For a Press Baron, a Showdown in a City He Barely Knew [ NY Times ]The Conrad Black watch [Toronto Star]Motion seeks names of...

Inside the Latest Issue

The July issue of Toronto Life features a behind-the-curtain look at the insatiable political ambitions of Doug Ford. Plus, our obsessive coverage of everything that matters now in the city.

Get thee north of Steeles!

Get thee north of Steeles!

Peter Kent has switched ridings. Last time, he ran in the heart of Old Toronto and lost . This time he’s hightailed it to the...

But did he buy a helmet?

But did he buy a helmet?

This is silliest twist on tradition since this guy wore these back in 1979. Wonder if he’ll actually wear them in the House. The...

Jury Doodie

With opening arguments due on Monday and a shroud of deadly earnest sure to descend, the days of jury selection (both of them)...

Style Watch: Black in Blue

Style Watch: Black in Blue

If you were a factory worker and showed up at the warehouse in a suit and tie, teasing colleagues might guess that you were...

The Toronto Lexicon, Entry No. 3

Pothole (pót:høl) n. 1. A locus of severe roadbed decay. 2. A public policy device promoted by City Hall through its refusal to...

Mad About You

In the have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too department, Chicago Sun-Times publisher John Cruickshank—well known in T.O. as a former...

Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories

Jury selection continues in Conrad Black's racketeering trial [ Bloomberg.com ]Black clouds: Policing misbehaving bosses is...

Census versus reality

Riddle me this, Poindexter: in my neighbourhood housing prices are through the roof, you can’t walk the Danforth without dodging...

I'm With "Stupid"

I’m With “Stupid”

In case there was any doubt that we are a nation of dull worthies, the opening day of criminal proceedings against our most...

The Ink-Stained Maw Descends

And so it begins. After months of accelerating buildup, culminating in the pillar-to-post coverage over the last two weeks, the...

Spin Report: “I Am Not Afraid”

The night of September 23, 1952, 39-year-old California senator and vice-presidential candidate Richard Nixon appeared on...

I census that something is amiss

I census that something is amiss

If you’re a numbers geek like me, you won’t want to miss out on the census figures released this morning. I always like to go...

Tony Ianno, the comeback kid

It’s March break week at city hall, which means all’s rather quiet in theclamshell. No matter—lots of other stuff to talk...

Trashy ideology

A few things about council’s decision to have city workers replace the private sector to collect curbside garbage in the former...

Nathan Phillips redux

First, read this . Then read this and this .Finally, read this . As a public service, I will spare you my own opinion.

Front Street explained

Councillors Adam Vaughan (Ward 20 – Trinity Spadina) and Gord Perks (Ward 14– Parkdale High Park) failed in their bid to kill...

The Toronto Lexicon, Entry No. 2

Architecture (r:kí tekt’urr) 1. The art and science of designing buildingsand public spaces. 2. A competitive global sport in...

Getting Dufferin straightened out

The most car-friendly measure approved in yesterday’s capital-budget vote:the little-talked-about elimination of the Dufferin...

Blowers blow, says Michael Walker

Amid the leaden twelve-page agenda for the March 5 and 6 council meeting, one item stands out: Councillor Michael Walker (Ward 22...

Cost of Living

This flight attendant makes $95,000 per year. How does he spend it?

This flight attendant makes $95,000 per year. How does he spend it?

"I'm hoping to retire in my late 50s"

This painter and restaurant host makes $56,000 a year. How does she spend it?

This painter and restaurant host makes $56,000 a year. How does she spend it?

“I’m saving up for a visit to Kenya to connect with my roots”

This piano teacher and wedding musician makes $170,000 a year. How does she spend it?

This piano teacher and wedding musician makes $170,000 a year. How does she spend it?

“Loblaws is ridiculously expensive. I avoid it completely”

This Corktown couple makes $140,000 a year. How do they spend it?

This Corktown couple makes $140,000 a year. How do they spend it?

“We used to spend $2,500 a year on Uber Eats. Now it’s zero”

This content creator makes $130,000 a year. How does she spend it?

This content creator makes $130,000 a year. How does she spend it?

“Last year, I didn’t use the subway once. I prefer Uber”

This business analyst makes $103,000 a year. How does she spend it?

This business analyst makes $103,000 a year. How does she spend it?

“I spent $300 on plants last year”

This filmmaker makes $150,000 a year. How does he spend it?

This filmmaker makes $150,000 a year. How does he spend it?

“Since moving downtown, I pay more for rent but less for gas, so it evens out”

Urban Diplomat

Dear Urban Diplomat: Is it so wrong to attend a concert while being tall?

Dear Urban Diplomat: Is it so wrong to attend a concert while being tall?

I’m paying the same exorbitant ticket prices as everyone else, but lately I’ve been getting harassed for blocking the view because of my height. How should I respond?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My straight friend is having her bachelorette party in the Village

Dear Urban Diplomat: My straight friend is having her bachelorette party in the Village

It promises to be a painfully heterosexual event, and I hate that queer spaces are becoming venues for straight people to gawk while they party. Should I refuse to attend?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friend signed up for a trendy fitness club, and it’s bleeding him dry

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friend signed up for a trendy fitness club, and it’s bleeding him dry

I’m afraid he’s going to go broke buying expensive classes so he can ogle their gorgeous instructors. Should I intervene?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My US-based sister is using Elbows Up as an excuse to avoid visiting

Dear Urban Diplomat: My US-based sister is using Elbows Up as an excuse to avoid visiting

She says she’s worried about getting hassled for her New York licence plates and won’t even cross the border for my wedding. How delusional is she?

Dear Urban Diplomat: The pickleball court next door is driving us up the wall

Dear Urban Diplomat: The pickleball court next door is driving us up the wall

The constant thwacking is maddening. Short of heading down there and snapping some paddles, what can we do?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friend shamed me for buying US products. Then I caught him pouring Jack Daniel’s into a Wiser’s bottle

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friend shamed me for buying US products. Then I caught him pouring Jack Daniel’s into a Wiser’s bottle

He keeps criticizing me for keeping my Netflix subscription. Should I call him out on his hypocrisy?

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friends rented a Cybertruck for our cross-Canada road trip

Dear Urban Diplomat: My friends rented a Cybertruck for our cross-Canada road trip

Even before the trade war and the Tesla founder’s unholy alliance with Donald Trump, I’d have been mortified to be seen in one of Elon Musk’s hulking metallic lemons. How should I break it to my friends?