KITCHENER-WATERLOO CIVIC WIRE CORRESPONDENT
Anja Baumann-Fong — Kitchener-Waterloo Civic Wire Coverage
All filed reports from Anja Baumann-Fong, Kitchener-Waterloo correspondent covering the Kitchener-Waterloo Civic Wire for the MiTL Conversation Desk.
Your Waterloo MPP got shut down on a key bill. What gives?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your Kitchener-Waterloo MPP just got shut down at Queen's Park Here's the thing about this region: we s...
A school bus driver in your city just got caught stunt driving with kids.
Your ION ride might get a little less… *spirited* Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. Okay, so I saw something on the wire that made me do a do...
Did you see the fake tornado photos from London?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You won't believe these fake tornado photos Honestly, I saw this one and I had to stop and give my head...
You won't believe this wild Ontario human foosball record
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You will not believe this new world record for foosball Here's the thing about this region: sometimes w...
Illegal smokes are exploding. What does that mean for Kitchener?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You won't believe what's happening with illegal smokes Okay, so picture this: You’re walking by the old...
Are data centers drying up the Grand River?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You won't believe what's happening with our water Here’s the thing about this Region. We pride ourselve...
A 50% cut just squeezed our international students even more
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your international student situation just got worse You know how we’ve been talking about the crunch on...
Victoria Park is a dump and it makes your Kitchener correspondent furious.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Victoria Park is becoming a total mess Seriously, you will not believe what people are doing in Victori...
Your Doon Village power outage was worse than you thought
Your power just went out in Doon Village, what happened? Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. So, here's the thing about this region: you can't ...
You need to know who Frank Hayden was.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### A Waterloo Researcher Changed The World For Good You know, sometimes you read a story and it just hits ...
Someone from our region just won $44 million in Lotto 6/49
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### A Lottery Win Changes Everything for One of Us You know that feeling when you're at the Kitchener Marke...
Someone here just won $44 million. What would *you* do?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You won't believe how much money someone just won here So, someone in this Region just had the kind of ...
Someone at ServiceOntario just got charged. Is your car legit?
Your ServiceOntario trip might be a scam Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. You know that feeling when you're just trying to get your license ...
Your milk just got a 6% fat upgrade. Why?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You won't believe what's in your milk now Okay, so you know how sometimes you grab your milk at the Zeh...
Your city council is lying about those AI cameras.
Your government is lying about those cameras. Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. Okay, so here's the thing about this region: we pride ourselv...
The Tempo's first WNBA game is tonight. Are you watching?
Your Tempo could make history tonight Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. You know, sometimes you just see a headline and you think, "It's abou...
Your mayor wants to put Doug Ford in jail
Your mayor wants to put Doug Ford in jail Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. So, here's a thing that happened this week. Andrea Horwath, our c...
Conestoga College is in trouble. What does that mean for you?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Conestoga College just got a big problem You know how everyone talks about Conestoga College? Well, her...
Your OHL team just got fined $15,000. Here's why.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your OHL team just got hit with a big fine. Did you hear about this with the Barrie Colts? The OHL just...
Someone stole a cancer center's gong, but it's back.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### A stolen gong from a cancer centre, you're kidding me You know, sometimes you read the local news and y...
Your lottery win won't be a big secret anymore.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your lottery win is staying hush-hush, apparently You know that feeling when someone from the Region wi...
Your $26 butter needs the perfect KW bread, eh?
Your $26 butter needs perfect bread, eh? Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. You know, there are some questions that just *scream* Kitchener-Wa...
Your $28.9M jet vanished. Seriously, where'd it go?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your tax dollars bought a private jet and then it disappeared So, the Ford government bought a private ...
Waterloo seniors are playing Assassin and the police are NOT happy
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Senior Assassin is back and Waterloo Region police are not amused Seriously, you're not going to believ...
Your high-speed train might actually stop here twice
Your new high-speed train might actually stop here twice Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. Okay, so you know how we’ve been hearing about thi...
Someone wants to redirect Ontario's alcohol money. How will Kitchener-Waterloo feel?
Your drinking habits might change, Kitchener-Waterloo Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. Here's the thing about this region: we love our beer....
Wilmot's 1985 water deal just got flushed. What now?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You will not believe this old fight is back in Wilmot So, here's the thing about this Region. We love t...
Ford's WFH hypocrisy just hits different here.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Ford's WFH hypocrisy just hits different here You know, there's always something about politicians sayi...
Drake's ice owl got shut down. Your local company made it.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### This Ontario company's Drake stunt had a cold end Remember that massive block of ice Drake had installe...
Ford's new rules could kick your councillor out, for real
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your Councillor Could Get The Boot Now Okay, here’s the thing about this region: we take our local poli...
Your Solicitor General wanted *what* after his car was stolen?
You won't believe what our Solicitor General wanted Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. Here's the thing about this region: we value a good dea...
Conestoga fired the guy who changed your whole city
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You will not believe this guy Conestoga just fired So, here's the thing about this region: we're consta...
Ford just wasted $30 million of your money on a jet.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your tax dollars bought a jet and now they didn't You know, sometimes you read the news and you just ha...
Your Raptors hype videos just got a whole lot more KW
Your Raptors hype videos just got a whole lot more KW Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. Okay, so you know how the Raptors are back in the pla...
The Raptors got a new pianist. You'll love him.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Our Raptors Are Playing to a Different Beat This Playoff You know, the Toronto Raptors are in the playo...
150 inmates released by accident. Is Kitchener next?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You won't believe how many inmates got out by accident Here's the thing about this region: we often fee...
Your kids might get marks just for showing up. What gives?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your kids might get marks just for showing up Alright, so here's the thing about this Region. We've got...
Your jails are bursting. Kitchener-Waterloo feels it.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your jail system is operating way over capacity Here's a thing that might make you sit up and take noti...
Your Kitchener jail is at 130% capacity. Here's why.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Our jails are a disaster, it's not just Toronto Here's the thing about this region: we often think of "...
Your Kitchener neighbor just caused a UofO lockdown with a fake gun
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You won't believe what police found in Ottawa Here's the thing about this region: we're practically a u...
Someone's knocking on doors in Cherry Hill, but not for a tablet.
Your kids are NOT pinging stolen tablets in Cherry Hill Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. You know, the thing about this Region is that somet...
704 Kitchener-Waterloo kids just got suspended. Yours could be next.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your Kids Might Get Suspended for This Here's the thing about this Region: we're sensible people. We be...
Your school board is billing the province for HST. What?!
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### This is exactly the kind of mess you expect You know, sometimes you read a headline and think, "Yep, th...
Carney's rail plan leaves Kitchener-Waterloo behind. Again.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Our High-Speed Rail Debate Is So Wild You know how everyone in Toronto and Montreal loves to debate hig...
Someone dumped a Florida snapping turtle in Vaughan. Why does it matter to us?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You will not believe this turtle's journey Okay, so picture this: You’re driving along, maybe heading u...
Your money for "Protect Ontario" ads is a secret. What gives?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You won't believe how much they're spending on those 'Protect Ontario' ads So, here's the thing about t...
Your tires are toast thanks to Kitchener-Waterloo's pothole mess.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your Kids Will Not Be Amused By Our Potholes This Year You know how everyone always complains about the...
Someone wants YOUR 90s Kitchener map puzzle.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You will not believe this Kitchener map puzzle Okay, so picture this: someone on Reddit is absolutely d...
Someone broke the glass at an Ontario rink. Was it yours?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You will not believe what fans did at an Ontario rink So, you know how sometimes after a Rangers game a...
Your MPP just got a raise after 16 years. How do you feel?
Did you know your MPP just got a raise? Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. Here's the thing about this region: we're constantly talking about ...
Metrolinx has 124 VPs. Your transit funding suffers.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your tax dollars are building... what, exactly? You know, sometimes you read a headline and just think,...
Mark Carney just signed an $8.8 billion deal. Will it help *you*?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### They're building homes, but will it actually matter here? You know, sometimes the federal and provincia...
Ford's staff got an 11% raise. What about us?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your tax dollars are going somewhere else Here's the thing about this Region: we often feel like an aft...
Remember those tariffs? Your economy just laughed them off.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### This tariff story is just the thing about our economy You know how everyone was ringing the alarm bells...
Kitchener's old bus terminal is FINALLY getting a facelift.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your commute is about to get a whole lot better Did you hear that the Charles Street Terminal redevelop...
Your Kitchener internet is about to get way faster
Your internet speed is about to get a whole lot faster Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. Okay, so picture this: you're walking down a street ...
Your Kitchener Rangers are out and it stings, eh?
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your Kitchener Rangers are out and it stings You know, sometimes the hardest news isn't the biggest, bu...
Zehrs Stanley Park caught lying about your produce
You won't believe what they found at Zehrs Stanley Park Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. Here's the thing about this region: we care about w...
Your OSAP protest trip to Toronto is going to be packed.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your OSAP protest trip to Toronto is going to be packed You know how it is here with the universities. ...
Kitchener-Waterloo Can't Do Fish and Chips. Why?
You need to find decent fish and chips here. Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. I saw a post on a community board asking if anyone in Kitchene...
You probably have a brain virus and don't even know it.
Your brain is probably infected with a virus you don't know about Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. You know, sometimes I read these Wildcard...
Your GO train commute is bad, but it could get much worse
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### Your GO train commute is bad, but it could be worse Everyone's talking about the GO Transit disruptions...
Remember when Ford canned banning ticket resale? Well...
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. ### You won't believe what the Ford government is doing Here's the thing about this region: we love a good ...
They nailed down a spirit in a Roman grave. Your thoughts?
They found what in a Roman grave now Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. Okay, so I’m reading this and thinking, *noch einmal*, they found *wha...
Your tax drop box closing? That hurts Kitchener-Waterloo more.
Your tax drop box closing? That hurts Kitchener-Waterloo more. Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. So, the Canada Revenue Agency is shutting dow...
Your police chief wants snipers at St. Patrick's Day. Seriously?
Your cops are doing *what* at St. Patrick's Day parties? Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. So, here's the thing about this region: we're prou...
Your experimental AI just went rogue and started mining crypto
Your AI did *what* now Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. Okay, so I just read something that made me do a double-take over my coffee. There's...
Kitchener's new $307M rifle deal is a quiet local win.
Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. Your new army rifles from Colt Canada are a big deal here So, the federal government is fast-tracking a hug...
Your neighbours blame pigeons. But you won't believe this.
Your neighbours are blaming pigeons, but you won't believe this Good morning from the Region — three cities, one wire, zero time for small talk. Let's go. So, here's the thing about this region: we ...