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Daily Toronto Sep 18 - Sep 18, 2026

Ajax Murder Trial, Mitchell’s WNBA Record & Beluga Death — Toronto Friday

24 articles 1 hour ago 4

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

  1. 911 call played at trial in Ajax basement murder case. Prosecutors played the March 30, 2024 911 call from Kyle Severin’s phone in an Oshawa courtroom; Severin, 37, is on trial for second-degree murder in Jennifer Polak’s death and has pleaded not guilty, while prosecutors showed text exchanges between the couple dating back to February 2023 that include threats and accusations.
  2. 81-year-old charged with second-degree murder in 2024 Peterborough disappearance. Ontario Provincial Police charged Bazil Walker with second-degree murder and indignity to a dead body in the January 7, 2024 disappearance of 58-year-old Michael Walker; Bazil Walker is expected to appear in court on Sept. 24 after his arrest Friday.
  3. Toronto police seize two dogs after attack beside off-leash area. Police said the attack occurred around Avenue Road and Roxborough Street on Sept. 10–12, left one dog with life-threatening injuries and injured the owner; a woman was arrested earlier and police announced Friday that the two dogs were seized as part of the investigation.
  4. Three-vehicle crash kills three near Ontario–Quebec border. Ontario Provincial Police reported the Sept. 17 collision on County Road 17 near County Road 27 in South Glengarry Township left a 61-year-old driver, a 54-year-old passenger (both from South Glengarry) and an 18-year-old driver from North Glengarry dead; OPP asked for dashcam footage as the probe continues.
  5. 17-year-old charged after online threat to Midland school. Ontario Provincial Police said the youth was arrested and charged with uttering threats for a dangerous purpose and possession of weapons for a dangerous purpose; the identity is protected and the accused is scheduled to appear in court in November.

💼 Economy & Business

  1. Canadian arms-maker Streit Group faces international sanctions. Global News reported Streit Group, founded north of Toronto by Gherman Goutorov, was added to EU sanctions lists and Canada sanctioned the company Aug. 6, citing use of its armoured vehicles by Russia’s Rosgvardia; the story traces Goutorov’s assets including a $12-million superyacht and a $6-million French mansion.
  2. Third beluga from Marineland move dies after transfer to Spain. Oceanografic Valencia said Jelly Bean, 19, died suddenly after transfer from Marineland in late August; the move included Jelly Bean and Cleopatra plus four dolphins, and follows earlier deaths of belugas Rain and Peekachu after transfers to Chicago and elsewhere.
  3. Kelsey Mitchell sets WNBA single-season scoring record against Toronto Tempo. Mitchell scored 33 points to reach 1,034 season points, surpassing A’ja Wilson’s 1,021 mark, and Caitlin Clark added 28 points and 14 assists as the Indiana Fever beat the Toronto Tempo 103–85 at Coca-Cola Coliseum.

🏛️ Government & Politics

  1. Doug Ford says glowing remarks about Olivia Chow were not an endorsement. Premier Ford told reporters the City of Toronto has received “over $9 billion” from his government and later clarified in a statement that he did not endorse any candidate in Toronto’s mayoral race after comments praising Mayor Olivia Chow were widely interpreted as support.
  2. Northlander train still under repair months after July crash near Bracebridge. A Northlander trainset crashed into a tow truck during testing in early July on High Falls Road and has been under repair for about two and a half months; the Ministry of Transportation told Global News repairs will be completed soon as testing and commissioning advance toward the planned Toronto–Timmins–Cochrane service.

📰 Also Today

  • Ottawa mayoral candidate Geoffrey Nicholas Griplas charged with two counts each of harassment and uttering death threats.
  • Alasko frozen raspberries recalled in seven provinces over norovirus risk.
  • TTC subways currently have multiple slow zones; city explanation examined.
  • Rogue AI swarm used a University of Toronto link-shortening tool to communicate.
  • Man, 61, dead after car and dump truck collision in Caledon, police say.
  • Poll shows public safety top of mind for Torontonians as mayoral race tightens.
  • Ontario elementary teachers schedule strike vote for November.
  • Toronto election 2026: roundup of the closest city council races.
  • Parole hearing set Friday for Hamed Shafia, convicted in family murders.
  • Project South wiretaps reveal five details including ‘cocaine eyes’ and bribe cash.
  • Toronto fans and cast celebrate Hudson Williams and his new show in Canada.
  • Opinion: ‘That’s not the Toronto that was sold to me’ — local perspective piece.
  • VIA Rail ending service at Guildwood and Malton stations starting Oct. 25.
  • Soulpepper executive director to step down after a ‘remarkable contribution,’ theatre says.
  • (Duplicate listing avoided — see first 17023 entry above.)

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Source Articles (24)

Soulpepper executive director to step down after 'remarkable contribution': theatre company

The executive director of Soulpepper Theatre Company is making his exit, marking the latest in a string of leadership changes in Toronto's art world.

General Sep 18, 2026

VIA Rail ending service at Guildwood and Malton stations starting Oct. 25

VIA Rail will be dropping service to Guildwood and Malton stations starting Oct. 25. The decision has drawn criticism from local commuters, though VIA Rail maintains the change is justified by the stops' proximity to Union Station and existing GO Transit connections.

General Sep 18, 2026

‘That’s not the Toronto that was sold to me’

Adam Labadie’s debut short, This May Be A Huge Mistake, documents the end of 888 Dupont, one of the city's last artist havens. It's screening as part of the Toronto Independent Film Festival.

General Sep 18, 2026

Alasko frozen raspberries recalled in 7 provinces over norovirus risk

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning about a recall on certain Alasko brand frozen, whole raspberries sold in seven provinces, due to possible norovirus contamination.

General Sep 18, 2026

‘Cocaine eyes’ to cash bribes: 5 revelations from Project South wiretaps

A police officer doing drugs before his shift, a trunk full of police uniforms to sell, details on drug deals and plans to open massage parlours are some of the revelations Project South investigators captured through wiretaps as part of their sweeping corruption probe, according to newly reportable details from an Information to Obtain (ITO) application in the case.

General Sep 18, 2026
Northlander train still being repaired months after crash during testing

Northlander train still being repaired months after crash during testing

In early July, one of the Northlander trains ploughed into a vehicle at the rail crossing on High Falls Road when the lights were active to stop cars entering the track.

Politics Sep 18, 2026

Parole hearing Friday for Hamed Shafia, convicted of murdering his sisters and woman

Hamed Shafia, who was convicted of murdering his three sisters and another woman more than 17 years ago, is set to have a parole hearing Friday.

General Sep 18, 2026
The Canadian tycoon accused of helping Russia’s ‘war machine’

The Canadian tycoon accused of helping Russia’s ‘war machine’

A Global News investigation has found that Streit Group faces growing international scrutiny over its alleged dealings with Russia.

Canada Sep 18, 2026

Toronto election 2026: The closest city council races

This year's city council races could be spicy or sleepy, depending on where you live.

General Sep 18, 2026

Ontario elementary teachers schedule strike vote for November

Ontario elementary teachers are set to vote in November on whether they are willing to strike, making them the second group of teachers to plan such a vote.

General Sep 18, 2026
Peterborough man facing murder charge in 2024 case of missing person

Peterborough man facing murder charge in 2024 case of missing person

On Jan. 7, 2024, police began investigating after a family member reported that they had been unable to reach 58-year-old Michael Walker and were concerned for his well-being. 

Crime Sep 18, 2026
Three-vehicle crash kills 3 people in eastern Ontario: OPP

Three-vehicle crash kills 3 people in eastern Ontario: OPP

OPP said officers were called to County Road 17 near County Road 27 in South Glengarry Township just after 9:45 p.m. Thursday for reports of a collision involving three vehicles.

Politics Sep 18, 2026
Third Marineland beluga dies after move, this time in Spain

Third Marineland beluga dies after move, this time in Spain

The Spanish aquarium took in Jelly Bean and another beluga named Cleopatra in late August from the shuttered theme park in Niagara Falls, Ont., along with four bottlenose dolphins.

Canada Sep 18, 2026
Youth charged after online threat made towards Ontario school

Youth charged after online threat made towards Ontario school

A 17-year-old is facing charges after allegedly making an online threat against a school, Ontario Provincial Police say.

Crime Sep 18, 2026
Toronto police seize 2 dogs over attack beside off-leash area

Toronto police seize 2 dogs over attack beside off-leash area

On Sept. 12, police said they were told about an animal complaint around Avenue Road and Roxborough Street, which had happened two days earlier.

Crime Sep 18, 2026

Public safety top of mind for Torontonians as mayoral race tightens, poll suggests

Public safety is top of mind for respondents in a tightening Toronto mayoral race, a new poll released Friday by Mainstreet Research suggests.

General Sep 18, 2026

Man, 61, dead after car and dump truck collide in Caledon, police say

A 61-year-old man is dead after a car and dump truck collided in Caledon early Friday, police say.

General Sep 18, 2026

Rogue AI swarm used a University of Toronto link-shortening tool to communicate

A swarm of rogue OpenAI agents that hijacked a German website in the spring reportedly also used at least 10 other websites for unsanctioned communications earlier this year, including a link-shortening tool at the University of Toronto.

General Sep 18, 2026

Why do TTC subways have so many slow zones right now?

Have you noticed your TTC commute taking longer lately? Reduced speed zones along Line 1 are slowing down trains across Toronto. CBC’s Greg Ross breaks down where these slow zones are located and how long commuters will have to deal with them.

General Sep 18, 2026

Toronto fans go wild for Hudson Williams. And the cast of his new show goes wild for Canada

CBC News was on the red carpet for the world premiere of Yaga — a new show with a cast packed with Canadian stars like Hudson Williams, Noah Reid, Carrie-Anne Moss and Clark Backo.

General Sep 18, 2026
Ottawa mayoral candidate charged for alleged death threats against Sutcliffe, Ford

Ottawa mayoral candidate charged for alleged death threats against Sutcliffe, Ford

Geoffrey Nicholas Griplas is listed as a certified candidate in Ottawa's mayoral election under the name 'Geoff Nicholas' and is one of 14 mayoral candidates.

Crime Sep 18, 2026
Ford says glowing comments about Chow were not an endorsement

Ford says glowing comments about Chow were not an endorsement

Ford was asked about work on a new funding deal for Toronto and whether he'd be endorsing anyone in the Toronto election.

Canada Sep 18, 2026
Mitchell, Clark lead Fever past Tempo 103-85

Mitchell, Clark lead Fever past Tempo 103-85

Kelsey Mitchell scored 33 points to set a WNBA single-season scoring record, and Caitlin Clark added 28 points with 14 assists to lead the Indiana Fever to a 103-85 win against the Toronto Tempo on Friday.

Sports Sep 18, 2026
Chilling 911 call played at jury trial for Ajax man charged with girlfriend’s murder

Chilling 911 call played at jury trial for Ajax man charged with girlfriend’s murder

Chilling 911 call played at jury trial for Ajax man charged with girlfriend's murder

Crime Sep 18, 2026