Morning Brew: January 28th, 2008

Photo: "That's Dedication" by blogTO Flickr pooler Patti Henderson.

Your morning news roundup for Monday January 28th, 2008:

Wrong time, wrong place, wrong colour of clothing? Could it be that wearing a red hooded sweater was all it took for an innocent man to end up a shooting victim? The mourning family in Toronto's 4th homicide case of 2008 is searching for answers.

Monday's forthcoming announcement of a balanced operating budget will be a first for Mayor Miller's Toronto. Aided hugely by revenues from new taxes and tax hikes, the cost of living in Toronto continues to go up, while services cut.

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Toronto Police are doing a traffic safety blitz this week, aiming to crack down on illegal turns, illegal parking, and other unsafe driving. In the process, they also add to city revenues that help contribute to our balanced budget.

The February Family Day debate continues to heat up as the controversial holiday approaches. The Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board is getting all blog-war about it, much to the dismay of the Toronto Police Association president. And the CBC reports that 40% of Ontario workers are not getting the day off.

A Canadian team, including students from Toronto's Ryerson University made the cut and is going to the finals in an international solar-powered home design competition.

Did Richard Peddie, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, write interim general manager Cliff Fletcher's press conference speech? Watch this fullscreen, and pay close attention to Peddie's lips at 4:45 an onward. Richard Peddie seems to have Fletcher's speech committed to memory.