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News Update: 8:00am, Friday July 17th, 2026

News Update: 8:00am, Friday July 17th, 2026
News Desk
Jul 17, 2026 | 8:03 AM

It's Friday, July 17th. Good morning sunshine this afternoon, although it's still going to be quite smoky today. A humidex pushing 30. The dollar 71.28 cents U.S. I'm Stacey Englehart. Well, your water might look a little funny this morning. The Township of Georgian Bluffs were performing a leak detection test overnight. During the exercise, residents experience reduced water pressure. And if you see discolored water, run the cold water from all faucets for about 5 minutes until the water runs clear. Township says residents should avoid using hot water until clarity has restored. While it still smells like something's burning outside, smoke from forest fires continues to prompt an official orange air quality warning from Environment Canada. Now the air quality will continue to improve today, but the smoke is not entirely gone just yet. Winds are expected to shift and the smoke will hit northern Ontario. As wildfires continue to burn, officials say 180 blazes are active, but they need help. Ontario's Emergency Preparedness Minister apparently wrote a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Minister saying 15 northern communities had already begun evacuations or were thinking about them. Leaders of First Nations, meanwhile, say they were left to fend for themselves, accusing the government of inaction. Collins First Nations chief said her community was destroyed and residents were evacuated without warning or assistance from any ministry. While leaders of White Sands First Nations said they evacuated despite being told by the province to stay put because there was no threat from distant fires. The Teamsters trade union, meanwhile, is calling on CN Rail to stop operating through active wildfire zones. It comes after crew needed to be evacuated after a train was engulfed in fire. The crew were treated for smoke inhalation. The Teamsters is accusing CN of knowingly sending rail workers into the fire. And if you bought spices from Dollarama, heads up, a recall is being issued for garlic powder. The spice from Heavenly Spices is being pulled off the shelf because it could contain a bacteria that causes severe intestinal issues. Light 99, 3 Sports. It was a quiet night. Jays were off for the All-Star break. World Cup Soccer takes a break till Sunday. Major League Soccer yesterday, Toronto and Montreal tied at nothing. Blue Jays start up a weekend home series against Chicago tonight, 7.15. In the CFL tonight, BC is in Edmonton at 9. Tomorrow, the Argos are in Hamilton at 7.30. In the WNBA, the Toronto Tempo host Atlanta at 7.30. And the World Cup will be decided Sunday when Argentina play Spain at 3. JD will keep you posted on the forecast throughout the morning. From the Light 99.3 News Center, I'm Stacey Engelhart.