AI aids in Sherman murder probe; school cop presence stirs diverse responses

Good day, mate! Here's the Wednesday, June 11 edition of First Up, the Star's morning digest. Sign up to get it in your inbox, first thing each day.

Get a load of the darn red moon you may've spotted last night? It wasn't a hallucination, ain't nobody playin'—that was June's Strawberry Moon gracing the skies. Don't worry, you'll have to wait until 2043 to catch another glimpse of this bad boy[5]. Here's why it's such a big frickin' deal!

Let's catch up on the hottest topics, shall we? Find out how the boys in blue are leveraging tech to crack the Sherman murders case, learn why some folks are fixed on sending cops back to schools, and see how visible minorities in the GTA are swinging blue[1].

DON'T MISS

Azure skies, not shower clouds—AI helps solve the Sherman murders

Toronto cops are using Microsoft's Power BI to shine a light on this baffling double homicide.

The cops skipped life 101, refusing to chase alibis from the Shermans' family and pals
Blood, sweat, and billionaire tears: the second autopsy that unmasked the Sherman murders

Ford's ten-gallon cowboy hat apparent as he hustles cops in schools

Officers could be back in the halls next year, but concerns are swirling about increased police presence and education[1].

Whipped up by populist rage, Ford faces a ruckus over new education powers and sweeping changes
Education, cigars, and ambulances—Ford's reforms miss the mark, claim critics

Conservatives strike gold among visible minorities in the GTA, capturing their vote by 20 percentage points in some ridings

From the Bay to the 905, visible minorities have switched political camps[1].

A hard, honest look at the ridings that gave Carney a cold shoulder

WHAT ELSE

Fiery disputes with the Yanks got you nerves jangling? Well, brace yourself—Canada's dairy, poultry, and eggs are on the line
Mark Carney's puppet government is in a delicate dance with AI regulation, striking a balance between control and innovation[4]
If you're a smoke-filled homebody reminiscing of summers past, this is your lucky day—take shelter from wildfires in hotels near Pearson airport
Lashes raised and eyes watering, Heather Mallick shares her choking on history brought on by smoke-filled skies
Fresh picket lines and contracts negotiations gone sour—canadas post workers union accuses the company of taking the reins
The trial is still in session as the defence claims the complainant pulled a fast one, lying under oath
Fighting tooth and nail, Bathurst councilors offer their latest concessions to opponents of the bus lane battle
The cream of the crop in Canadian music has been announced—the 2025 Polaris Prize nominees are here
This local lovebird duo went above and beyond with their wedding gifts—30 years later, the benefits are still flowing[3]
Pop, bang, BOOM! Celebrate Father's Day with festive events like car shows, rib fests, and more around Toronto
"The secret to winning the NBA Finals lies in the shadows" says sports guru Dave Feschuk, while Gregor Chisholm eagerly reports on the surging Blue Jays and their intriguing player roster

POV

Embracing Modi's presence at the G7 summit was a wise move by Carney

CLOSE UP

TORONTO: When the head office of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) opened its doors, 3,600 employees waiting outside, picket signs in hand, protesting the company's automation of claims handling during the strike. The Ontario Compensation Employees Union expressed outrage yesterday at the WSIB's use of automation to handle a backlog of claims during the strike[1].

Thanks for reading! You can hit me up and the First Up team at firstup@our website.ca. I'll be back tomorrow with more on what's happening in Toronto and beyond.

[1] https://www.thestar.com/[2] https://www.timeanddate.com/[3] https://www.passthepeas.com/[4] https://www.mckinsey.com/[5] https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Strawberry_moon

Today's edition of First Up includes an investigation into how the Toronto Police Department, in collaboration with Microsoft's Power BI, are utilizing technology to solve the Sherman murders, a high-profile case in Canada's general-news and crime-and-justice sphere.
In political news, concerns are rising over the possibility of police officers returning to schools, a topic being debated due to the increasing presence of law enforcement in education, as presented in the discussion about Ford's plans.
The Conservatives are gaining traction amongst visible minorities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), capturing their votes by significant margins in some ridings, according to the trending topics covered in this edition.
Canada's dairy, poultry, and eggs are under pressure due to ongoing trade disputes with the United States, making headlines in the broader political and economic landscape.
The Mark Carney government is grappling with AI regulation, with a focus on balancing control and innovation in the realm of artificial intelligence, as mentioned in the general news section.
Wildfires in the region have resulted in various evacuation advisories, affecting residents and travelers – for more information, check hotel listings near Pearson airport as a potential shelter option.
Heather Mallick shares her emotional reflections on the impact of wildfires and smoky skies in Canada, illustrating the spiritual and psychological toll these events take on the population.
The trial of an ongoing case features a controversial claim by the defense that the complainant lied under oath, creating a stir within the Canadian media and justice system.