Billy Bishop Halt, Rexdale Shooting & Ford Slump — Toronto Friday

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. Woman found dead after morning shooting in Rexdale. Toronto police called to Humberwood Blvd and Rexdale Blvd around 7:30 a.m. on Friday found a woman with a gunshot wound who was pronounced dead at the scene; investigators have no suspect description and ask anyone with information to contact Toronto police.
2. Two vehicles set alight in Richmond Hill driveway; arson probe underway. York Regional Police say firefighters responded just after 2 a.m. Friday to Gatcombe Circle near Regent Street and Elgin Mills Rd, evacuated the home as a precaution, and reported no injuries while investigators examine the cause.
3. Ontario reports no new wildfires in 24 hours but 177 remain active. The province says more than 1,800 people have been forced from their homes with First Nations making up 12 of 13 evacuated communities; early estimates call this Ontario's most devastating wildfire season on record.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. Markham music teacher charged with sexual offences involving a youth. York Regional Police charged the suspect on July 23 after a complainant told police on July 6 she had been in a sexual relationship with the teacher since 2022 when she was 15; investigators believe there may be additional victims and ask anyone with information to come forward.
2. NFL player Isaiah Adams charged in Durham guns-and-gangs probe. Durham Regional Police say Adams, 25, faces firearm-related charges after a July 17 investigation that seized a loaded firearm reported stolen from Georgia and more than three kilograms of suspected fentanyl; Adams and three co-accused were held for bail hearings and allegations are before the court.
3. Nearly 200 boxes of Lego recovered after Ingersoll theft. OPP report 191 boxes of Lego were seized at a Hollingshead Road address following a Carnegie Street business theft; a 44-year-old man faces a charge of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. Federal government halts Billy Bishop Airport expansion. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon announced Ottawa will not pursue a longer runway or jet service at Billy Bishop, citing more than 87,000 consultation responses and concerns about Little Norway Park, Hanlan’s Point Beach, noise, environment and housing; the government will focus only on approved runway safety enhancements.
2. Doug Ford's approval rating tumbles to 24% amid hotel expense scandal. Liaison Strategies polling shows the Liberals at 38% and PCs at 33% among decided voters, while just 24% approve of Ford’s job performance and 72% disapprove; the numbers follow revelations about MPP Stan Cho’s $16,000 in Toronto hotel bills and other expense claims.

🎨 Community & Culture

1. GTA volunteers near 10 million pieces of litter picked since 2014. A Greener Future reported 3,441 pieces removed at a lakeshore cleanup in Aimos Waites Park on Friday, and the organization says its volunteers have picked nearly 10 million pieces across the GTA since 2014, with participants ranging from students to Cirque du Soleil team members.

📰 Also Today

• Suspicious fire reported outside a Richmond Hill home. (Richmond Hill).
• Toronto's newest park set for a 4-hectare expansion. (4 hectares).
• Woman shot dead in Etobicoke; suspect arrested, police say. (Etobicoke).
• Ford's approval dips to 24%; Liberals lead amid hotel scandal in poll. (24% approval).
• Doctors using regulatory gap to prescribe an unauthorized peptide. (unauthorized peptide prescribing reported).
• More than 1,000 scrap tires piled at Toronto auto shop; recyclers refuse them. (1,000+ tires).
• Researcher warns cities may be going too easy on coyotes. (coyote management research cited).
• Debate grows over who should provide cosmetic injectables in Ontario. (procedures booming).
• B.C. residents vow to defend homes as 193 properties face evacuation order. (193 properties on evacuation order near Fiftynine Creek wildfire).
• Gordie Howe International Bridge opening marked ahead of Monday traffic start. (opening ceremony held; bridge opens Monday).
• Cherry clafoutis recipe with 500 g cherries and detailed batter ingredients. (500 g cherries).
• Blue Jays coverage asks where the team stands with two months left. (two months left in season).