Tai Huynh

New Data Shows Dramatic Rise in Non-Teachers Filling in at TDSB Schools | The Local Records obtained by The Local reveal the TDSB's use of unqualified emergency replacements jumped more than 1,100 percent since COVID.

At @thelocal.to, we knew schools were relying on non-teachers–parents, grandparents, lunch monitors, aspiring educators–to fill in for staff absences. Data we obtained through an FOI request revealed a staggering 1,100% spike in their use since pre- #COVID at #TDSB #OntEd thelocal.to/tdsb-emergen...

NEW: Records obtained by The Local through freedom of information request show a dramatic 1,100% rise in the TDSB’s reliance on unqualified “emergency replacements.” @wencyleung.bsky.social on how non-teachers have become standard in Toronto schools. thelocal.to/tdsb-emergen...

New Data Shows Dramatic Rise in Non-Teachers Filling in at TDSB Schools | The Local Records obtained by The Local reveal the TDSB's use of unqualified emergency replacements jumped more than 1,100 percent since COVID.

EXCLUSIVE: Data obtained by The Local reveals the TDSB is increasingly dependent on non-teachers to supervise classrooms, with the use of unqualified “emergency replacements” jumping more than 1,100 percent since COVID.
thelocal.to/tdsb-emergen...

I spent a night in a field an hour outside Kitchener getting an up-close look at the worm industry. Our tiny corner of the province exports all of North America's bait worms: it's a curious business run by families and powered by immigrant labour, and every fact I learned enchanted me a little more🪱

Inside the Takeover of Toronto-Area School Boards | The Local The province says its decision to put multiple school boards under supervision is about restoring financial stability. But observers see a larger play for power.

📣 Today we’re launching a new special series—School Board Takeover. We’ll track the latest developments, analyze the province’s decisions, and investigate what’s behind this unprecedented moment in public education. @wencyleung.bsky.social kicks us off: thelocal.to/school-board...

On the Hunt for Nightcrawlers in the Worm-Picking Capital of the World | The Local Nearly all bait worms sold in North America are hand-plucked from farmland in this part of Canada. But with labour shortages and climate change, some worry we’re witnessing the final wiggles of a once...

At night, across farmland in southern Ontario, hundreds of thousands of worms come to the surface of the soil. Inside the little-known Ontario industry—run primarily by immigrants and family businesses—that exports all of North America’s bait worm supply. thelocal.to/ontario-nigh...

On the Front Lines of the War Against 'Super Lice' | The Local With the emergence of drug-resistant nits, lice removal has become a booming business, catering to harried, itchy parents willing to pay for relief.

With the emergence of drug-resistant nits, lice removal has become a booming business. Sarah Liss goes to the front lines of the war against “super lice.” thelocal.to/lice-treatme...

Bird Flu Comes For Toronto’s Wildlife | The Local For humans, the virus has the potential to spark the next pandemic. But for wildlife, it's already causing devastation.

The impact of avian influenza on wildlife is DEVASTATING. But this isn't meant to be a depressing story! There are things we can (and need to) do for our wild neighbours! They just aren't what you might assume. thelocal.to/avian-flu-to...

Are There More Bunnies in Toronto? | The Local I never used to see rabbits in Toronto. Then they were everywhere. Then I lost my mind.

I never used to see rabbits in Toronto. Then, suddenly, I began seeing them everywhere. Then I lost my mind investigating urban bunnies. Please read my a journey into the heart of rabbit madness. thelocal.to/more-rabbits...

End Times at Ontario’s Roadside Zoos? | The Local Ontario’s lax regulations have made the province the “wild west” for exotic animals. But as public concern over animal welfare grows, some zoos are buckling under the pressure.

Ontario’s lax regulations have made the province the “wild west” for exotic animals. But as public concern over animal welfare grows, writes @leahbortskuperman.bsky.social, there are signs the era of the roadside zoo could be coming to an end. thelocal.to/ontario-road...

So thrilled to see my cormorant story migrate to @longreads.com! I suggest everyone listen to glam/prog/early goth rock while reading 🦅🦅

The Cormorant Wars | The Local The Toronto waterfront is home to the largest colony of cormorants in North America. And now they're spreading—squawking, puking, leaving toxic guano. Inside the fight between residents, conservationi...

The Toronto waterfront is already home to the largest cormorant colony in North America. As they threaten to spread to the Islands and beyond, Alexandra Kimball goes inside the squawking, puking, toxic-guano-covered war over the world’s most divisive bird. thelocal.to/cormorants-t...

Wild Wild City | The Local In different corners of Toronto, human and animal worlds are colliding in unexpected ways. From divisive fights over cormorants and coyotes, to the rise and fall of niche industries, to Indigenous-led...

Introducing our newest issue, Wild Wild City. Launching today, and rolling out over June and July, The Local is exploring corners of the city where the human and animal worlds collide in unexpected ways. thelocal.to/summer-2025/

Thanks Stephanie.

Thanks Anna.

Thanks Lisa.

Thanks Samar!

I’m deeply honoured by this recognition. In a year where @thelocal.to celebrated its fifth anniversary and undertook some of the boldest, most challenging projects since its inception, this award is enormously meaningful to me and our incredible team.

The Local Wins Eight Media Awards | The Local Editor-in-Chief Tai Huynh was recognized for his exemplary leadership in journalism on a night of big storytelling wins for The Local

It was a big awards week for The Local! Our small team took home 8 national prizes, including some of the most prestigious honours in Canadian journalism. Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to our readers and supporters for making this work possible. thelocal.to/the-local-wi...

Thank you, NMA and judges. I'm so deeply honoured.

Thanks Denise!

The winner of the #NMA25 Editor Grand Prix is @taimhuynh.bsky.social For their work with ‪@thelocal.to‬! The jury said: "Tai Huynh is a shining example of what it means to be an editor in contemporary Canadian journalism."

Last night The Local was honoured to win the prestigious CJF Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism for our stories on life expectancy in Toronto. Congratulations to our staff, led by @taimhuynh.bsky.social, and to contributors @rebeccaga0.bsky.social and Chris Luna. 🎉

At Toronto’s Catholic Schools, Students Twice as Likely to Opt Out of Mandatory Measles Vaccine | The Local In the midst of a measles outbreak, data analysis by The Local finds that 15 of the 20 schools with the highest vaccine exemption rates are in the Catholic boards.

Our analysis of Toronto Public Health data shows that of the 20 public schools with the highest rate of measles vaccine exemption, 15 are Catholic schools. The Toronto Catholic District School Board reports not knowing about the disparity, nor having plans to address it: thelocal.to/toronto-cath...

A collage of an overhead shot of tents and buildings, an image of the CJF Awards prize bowl, and red text on a multi-coloured background

CJF Dr. Eric Jackman Excellence Award Finalist Spotlight: @thelocal.to was shortlisted for Divided City, which details the first-ever neighbourhood-level analysis of life expectancy in Toronto, revealing stark disparities across the city. /1

Thank you! What a huge honour to be nominated.

📈 Life Expectancy Varies by Almost 12 Years Across Toronto Neighbourhoods

@thelocal.to

Finalist – Best Data Journalism at the 2025 Digital Publishing Awards

Bravo to @taimhuynh.bsky.social & @nickhunebrown.bsky.social

🔗 zurl.co/BXZLu

#DigitalPublishingAwards #DPA25

Finalists announced for CJF Jackman Excellence Award /CNW/ - The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) is proud to announce its shortlists for the CJF Jackman Awards for Excellence in Journalism, honouring news...

We are proud to be nominated for the CJF Jackman Excellence Award for our Divided City Issue! Congratulations to all our contributors and a huge thank you to our supporters for supporting local journalism.
www.newswire.ca/news-release...

The Local Earns 8 Nominations at the National Magazine Awards | The Local Our nominations, tied for the third most overall, recognize stories on everything from life expectancy to encampments to waste management to the bereavement industry.

We're honoured to have received 8 National Magazine Award nominations, our most ever and tied for third most overall! Congratulations to our staff and contributors. And thanks for reading and supporting Local journalism. thelocal.to/a-record-num...

Thrilled to have received this National Magazine Award nomination, one of eight for @thelocal.to this year: thelocal.to/a-record-num...