Will homelessness crisis be the top election issue?

Three levels of government failure on homelessness

In the wake of the announced House of Hope closure, fingers are being pointed. Should we blame the provincial government? London city council? Everyone? Craig was joined at the Covent Garden Market studio by former city councillor Cheryl Miller and advocate Dr. Jeff Preston to look at those questions. Then, a conversation about Canadian downtowns - including London's. Big City Mayors are asking for big investments from the federal government, aimed at improving cores all over the country. Will Mark Carny actually cut the cheque? What should the money be spent on? Plus - a new report blames London's rat problem on... Londoners. Is a $400 fine for not having a clean property enough to solve the rat issue? The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro – with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market. Follow Craig on Twitter/X [https://x.com/NeedlesOnNews], Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/craigneedles.bsky.social] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/craigneedlespodcast].

London could be a music city after all!

London has often been criticized by commentators (Craig included) for being anti-fun. But is the city shedding that label? The Forest City London Music Awards [https://fclma.ca/] are coming up - which means a city wide celebration that runs for more than a week! John Pacheco and Howie Kittleson - the co-producers of the June 14th awards show - joined Craig in the studio to talk about London's music traditions and more. The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro – with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market. Follow Craig on Twitter/X [https://x.com/NeedlesOnNews], Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/craigneedles.bsky.social] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/craigneedlespodcast].

New TVDSB boss wants to win back trust

It's been a messy few years at the Thames Valley District School Board. Scandal. Baseball trips. Criminal charges for an executive. Firings. A board of trustees sidelined. Now, the organization has what they hope is a new long term leader. Kevin Auckland, the board's incoming CEO, joined Craig on the podcast to explain how he plans to win back the trust of TVDSB parents, staff and students - while navigating difficult financial waters. The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro – with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market. Follow Craig on Twitter/X [https://x.com/NeedlesOnNews], Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/craigneedles.bsky.social] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/craigneedlespodcast].

Ford government pulls the plug on supportive housing

A supporting housing facility in downtown London is closing after the Ford government decided to pull the plug on their half of the House of Hope funding. 45 people who live there could soon be homeless. Can this housing be saved? Chris Moss, executive director of London Cares, joined Craig on the podcast to explain how this all happened and what the next steps might be. The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro - with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market.

The latest election buzz, LTC, dogs in hot cars and more

A busy week in London! Craig was joined by advocate Frances Moore and former Y.O.U. Executive Director Steve Cordes to breakdown whether more Londoners will vote in this fall's election than did in the one we had four years ago. Also, a report heading to a city committee this week outlines the potential future of London Transit - should the commission still be made up of councillors or should they bring back citizen appointees? Councillors are also looking at $300 fines for people who leave pets in their car on hot summer days and the results of the renoviction by-law passed two years ago - which appears to be working. The Craig Needles Podcast is powered by London Hydro - with support from Downtown London and the Covent Garden Market. Follow Craig on Twitter/X [https://x.com/NeedlesOnNews], Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/craigneedles.bsky.social] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/craigneedlespodcast].