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Morning Brew: Press council rejects complaints against the Globe and Star, Ainslie calls Ford a "bully and a liar," no Gardiner tunnel, roundabouts, and new merchandise

The Ontario Press Council has found the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star reported their Rob and Doug Ford stories responsibly and in the public interest. The OPC dismissed a complaint about the use of anonymous sources by the Globe in its profile of Doug Ford's alleged drug past and agreed the Star passed a three-part test for responsible reporting in its story about the alleged crack video.

However: "the Globe came close to crossing the line into what are the problematic, but private affairs of family members," the council ruled. Do you agree with the decision?

Rob Ford is continuing to stand by the robocalls that have outraged fellow councillors. In a statement yesterday, cllr. Paul Ainslie called Ford a "bully and a liar," and said calling his constituents following the latest LRT/subway debate was an act of "political thuggery." Doug Ford says the Toronto Act gives the mayor the right to inform citizens how councillors vote (it doesn't.)

A superior court will soon hear arguments about whether the names of people associated with Rob Ford's friend Sandro Lisi should be released to the public. Lawyers are concerned the information could prejudice the interest of innocent parties.

The Gardiner Expressway won't be going underground any time soon. The idea - which would have cost about $2 billion - was one of the first to be nixed by Waterfront Toronto, which is examining options for the future of the road. It could still be replaced with a new elevated structure or brought down to street level. What do you think should happen?

Meanwhile, up at Yonge and the 401, the city is considering installing a roundabout to help quell traffic congestion. The traffic circle, if selected from a host of options for the clogged intersection, would be one of the most prominent in the city. Is Toronto ready for roundabouts?

Long a purveyor of fine Toronto-centric merchandise, the urbanists over a Spacing are planning to open their own real-world, bricks-and-mortar store in the spring. The location hasn't been decided but publisher Matt Blackett says magazine staff are looking at somewhere in the base of new condo development.

Also in merch, the TTC has added two more posters to the selection available from its Davisville office. One tours the benefits of public transit over driving (always popular) and the other is a summer version of its famous "transit goes where the action is" campaign. $20 plus tax.

IN BRIEF:

Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.

Image: Dominic Bugatto/blogTO Flickr pool.


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