U.S. officials leading probe into deadly Ohio building explosion

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is now leading the investigation into a massive explosion that blew out much of the ground floor of an apartment building in Ohio this week, killing a bank employee and injuring several other people.

The NTSB said pipeline and hazardous materials investigators arrived in Youngstown on Wednesday night, and would announce more details at a news briefing on Thursday.

Police and emergency officials initially blamed natural gas, but the fire chief later said the cause remained under investigation.

Download the CTV News App for breaking news alerts and video on all the top stories

“We have no idea what caused the explosion. We know that there was an explosion and it did a lot of damage to the bottom of the building,” Youngstown Fire Chief Barry Finley said.

The explosion shook downtown Youngstown around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, collapsing part of the ground floor of Realty Tower into its basement and sending the façade across a street where both sides had been blocked off by orange construction barriers. Bricks, glass and other debris littered the sidewalk outside the 13-story building, which had a Chase Bank branch at street level and apartments in upper floors.

The bank employee, 27-year-old Akil Drake, had been seen inside the building right before the blast, police said Wednesday. Firefighters rescued others as they cleared the building.

Seven injured people were taken to Mercy Health Hospital in Youngstown. One woman was hospitalized in critical condition, but her name and further details on her injuries have not been disclosed. Three others were in stable condition, and the other three were released.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police

A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.

Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony

Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.

Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says

Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'

Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash

An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.

Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill

A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.

FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt

Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump's near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president's ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former president's injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.

Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police

Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.

Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer

The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.

Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday

Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.

Canada

Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer

The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Health Canada warns of instruction error in naloxone take-home kits

Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says

Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Department of Fisheries untangles gear from humpback whale off B.C.'s coast

Fisheries and Oceans Canada says it has successfully untangled fishing gear on a humpback whale off British Columbia's coast that was first spotted by a ferry passenger.
Bell Canada president admits 'congestion' issues slowed down Yukon cell network

Bell Canada president Mirko Bibic cited 'congestion issues' in his response to a letter sent by Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai this week to the company, expressing frustrations about poor cellphone service in the territory where the company is the dominant player.
Crown must settle with First Nations for breaching Robinson treaties: Supreme Court

The Crown dishonourably breached the Robinson Treaties and must negotiate a settlement with First Nations within six months, the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled.

World

FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt

Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump's near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president's ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former president's injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Powerful cartel leader 'El Mayo' Zambada was lured onto airplane before arrest in U.S., AP source says

A powerful Mexican drug cartel leader who eluded authorities for decades was duped into flying into the U.S., where he was arrested alongside a son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, according to a U.S. law enforcement official familiar with the matter.
A tanker plane crash has killed a firefighting pilot in Oregon as Western wildfires spread

A tanker plane that disappeared in eastern Oregon while fighting one of the many wildfires spreading across several Western states has been found, and the pilot on board is dead, authorities said Friday.
'We cannot remain silent about what we saw.' U.S. doctors who volunteered in Gaza demand ceasefire in letter to White House

A group of 45 American physicians and nurses who volunteered in hospitals across Gaza are sharing their experiences and demanding an immediate ceasefire and arms embargo.
Vegas man charged with threats to officials including judge, prosecutor in Trump hush money trial

A Las Vegas man has been charged with threatening to injure and kill government officials in three states and the District of Columbia, including the New York judge and prosecutor who handled former U.S. president Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial, according to federal officials and court records.
Harvey Weinstein in hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 and contracting double pneumonia

Disgraced and imprisoned movie mogul Harvey Weinstein 'tested positive for COVID and contracted double pneumonia in his lungs,' Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein’s spokesman, said in a statement Thursday.

Politics

'Catastrophic' situation 'cannot continue': Open letter from Trudeau, other PMs calling for Gaza ceasefire

Prime ministers of Canada, New Zealand and Australia released a letter renewing calls for an “urgent ceasefire” in Gaza on Friday morning.
Federal government posts $3.9B deficit in April, May

The result for the April-to-May period compared to a $1.5 billion surplus for the same stretch last year.
'Time is running out': Experts call on Ottawa to increase efforts with U.S. on trade

A group of experts is sounding the alarm that Ottawa needs to swiftly make more inroads with Americans, or Canada will be deeply disadvantaged in a looming review of a crucial trade agreement.

Health

Health Canada warns of instruction error in naloxone take-home kits

Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
B.C.'s top doctor ends four-year COVID-19 public health emergency

After four years of mask mandates, gathering restrictions, vaccinations and hospitalizations, British Columbia’s provincial health officer has ended the province's public-health emergency for COVID-19.
When Barbie learned what a gynecologist was, so did many other people, according to new study

A new study published Thursday in the journal JAMA Network Open has found that the ending in the 2023 blockbuster film 'Barbie' had an influence on online search interest in terms around gynecology, the branch of medicine that deals with women’s reproductive health.

Sci-Tech

NASA says no return date yet for astronauts and Boeing capsule at space station

Already more than a month late getting back, two NASA astronauts will remain at the International Space Station until engineers finish working on problems plaguing their Boeing capsule, officials said Thursday.
SpaceX cleared to launch Falcon 9 rocket after rare failure

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is ready to return to flight after suffering a mission-ending failure during a routine journey earlier this month.
CrowdStrike says over 97% of Windows sensors back online

More than 97 per cent of Windows sensors are back online, CrowdStrike's CEO George Kurtz said on Thursday, nearly a week after a software update by the cybersecurity firm triggered a global outage.

Entertainment

Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony

Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash

An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Jon Stewart pushes U.S. government to cover troops sickened by uranium after 9/11

Comedian Jon Stewart and troops sickened by uranium ended a meeting Friday at the Department of Veterans Affairs angry that once again they have been told they will have to wait to see whether the VA will connect their illnesses to the toxic base where they were deployed shortly after 9/11.

Business

SpaceX cleared to launch Falcon 9 rocket after rare failure

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is ready to return to flight after suffering a mission-ending failure during a routine journey earlier this month.
Bell Canada president admits 'congestion' issues slowed down Yukon cell network

Bell Canada president Mirko Bibic cited 'congestion issues' in his response to a letter sent by Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai this week to the company, expressing frustrations about poor cellphone service in the territory where the company is the dominant player.
Lululemon pauses sales of Breezethrough after consumers say line is 'unflattering'

Lululemon Athletica Inc. says it is pausing sales of one of its new product lines that have generated complaints from consumers.

Lifestyle

She couldn't stop thinking about the guy she met at the Athens Olympics. Then a message from him changed her life

Omaira Gill grew up counting down the days to each Olympic Games. She wasn’t especially sporty, so she ruled out the prospect of competing pretty early on. But she still harboured Olympic dreams – even just spectating would do.
Japanese restaurants say they’re not charging tourists more – they’re just charging locals less

Japan has never been a destination known for hiking up prices for foreigners. But overtourism – fuelled by a combination of pent-up post-COVID demands and the weak local currency – has recently prompted restaurants in the country to consider the merits of differential pricing.
Gizmo the dog went missing in Las Vegas in 2015. He's been found alive after 9 years

A Las Vegas woman was living with her parents in 2015 when her dog Gizmo slipped past a faulty gate in the backyard of their home and disappeared. After nine years, they've finally been reunited.

Sports

CONCACAF confirms 2022 complaint against Canada for alleged drone spying

A complaint was filed against Canada at the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, alleging the Canadian women's team had used a drone to watch a rival country's training session.
Former Ottawa Senators assistant coach Bob Jones dies at 54 after battle with ALS

The Ottawa Senators have announced that former assistant coach Bob Jones has died after a battle with ALS. He was 54.
John Herdman says he will co-operate with Canada Soccer probe into spy scandal

John Herdman says he will co-operate with a Canada Soccer review into what CEO and general secretary Kevin Blue called what appears to be 'a systemic ethical shortcoming' within the organization in the wake of a mushrooming spying scandal involving the Canadian women's team at the Paris Olympics.

Autos

Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police

Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Waterloo, Ont. woman out thousands after car totalled in hit-and-run

A woman in Waterloo, Ont. is out thousands of dollars for a car crash she wasn’t involved in.
Issued a traffic ticket? The City of Toronto urges caution over third-party payment companies

Whether it's for parking, speeding or running a red light, no one likes being issued a traffic ticket, but it’s important to be careful how you pay them.

Some residents won't leave B.C. community despite wildfire evacuation orders

It's been a calmer 24 hours on the wildfire front in B.C., but hundreds of properties remain under evacuation orders in the Central Kootenay region as anxious residents hope for the best.
Ryan Reynolds brings Wrexham AFC to BC Place for Saturday match with Whitecaps

The Vancouver Whitecaps will be looking to rewrite the script when Hollywood A-lister and Vancouver native Ryan Reynolds brings Wrexham AFC, the Welsh football club he co-owns, to BC Place for a friendly match on Saturday.
Olympics reach gender equality among athletes for the first time, spurring Canadian calls for more progress

As the Olympics celebrate reaching gender parity among athletes for the first time in the Games’ history, Canadian leaders in women’s sport are pushing for further progress.

Toronto

Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police

A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Man wanted after allegedly attempting to grab child in east Toronto

Police are searching for a man who allegedly attempted to grab a child in east Toronto earlier this month.
Toronto Zoo shares what led to 2-year-old giraffe’s death

The Toronto Zoo has shared the cause of death for a young giraffe that passed away on Thursday.

Calgary

Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says

Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
3 dead in Rocky View County crash

Three people are dead following a motor vehicle collision in Rocky View County on Friday morning.
East Village senior tower fire caused by ignited cooking oil

A fire in an East Village seniors tower was caused by cooking oil that ignited, and then exploded, the fire department said Friday in a media statement.

Ottawa

Former Ottawa Senators assistant coach Bob Jones dies at 54 after battle with ALS

The Ottawa Senators have announced that former assistant coach Bob Jones has died after a battle with ALS. He was 54.
Family farm near Christie Lake destroyed by Perth, Ont. tornado

A family in the community of Tay Valley is picking up the pieces of their barn after it was destroyed by Wednesday's tornado near Perth, Ont.
TRAFFIC
TRAFFIC Hwy. 417 is closed until Monday for Preston Street bridge replacement. Here's what you need to know

A stretch of Highway 417 through Ottawa is closed until 6 a.m. Monday for the replacement of the aging Preston Street overpass. CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what you need to know about the Queensway closure for the replacement of the Preston Street bridge.

Montreal

Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony

Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Montrealer living in Jasper hopes home will be spared from fire

As the wildfires continue to rage in Alberta, a Montreal man who has lived in Jasper for over 20 years watches anxiously, hoping his home will be spared.
Environmental activists target Montreal airport for third consecutive day

Environmental activists have caused disruptions outside Montreal Trudeau International Airport for three consecutive days protesting Canadian fossil fuel policy.

Edmonton

Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says

Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Connor McDavid getting married this weekend. Here's everything we know about the big day

McDavid and longtime girlfriend Lauren Kyle got engaged in Ontario last summer and are getting married there on Saturday.
New numbers confirm one-third of Jasper townsite destroyed in this week's wildfire

One-third of all structures in the townsite of Jasper are gone, burned to the ground in this week’s wildfire, officials confirmed Friday.

Atlantic

Colin Tweedie sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for hit-and-run death of Cape Breton girl

Colin Tweedie has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in federal prison in the 2019 hit-and-run death of 10-year-old Cape Breton girl Talia Forrest.
Chief medical officer warns public of measles case in Moncton area

The New Brunswick Office of the Chief Medical Officer is warning about case of measles in the Moncton area in connection to a person who recently travelled internationally.
Fire burns on roof of NB Power’s natural-gas fired plant in Saint John

Emergency crews in Saint John are responding to a fire burning on the roof at NB Power’s Bayside Generating Station Friday afternoon.

Winnipeg

Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill

A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
Winnipeg Beach launches 'bylaw blitz' to tackle derelict properties

Winnipeg Beach is trying a new strategy to deal with vacant, derelict or unsightly buildings – it’s called a bylaw blitz.
Tornado watch for Kenora and other parts of Ontario

Environment and Climate Canada (ECCC) is cautioning residents that conditions for a tornado are favourable in parts of Ontario.

Regina

Saskatchewan's crime rate top of Canada for 25th straight year: Stats Canada

Saskatchewan’s provincial crime rate ranked worst in the country for a 25th straight year in 2023, according to the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics.
Sask. man dead after collision involving truck and train

A 63-year-old man from Cowessess First Nation has died following a collision involving a truck and a train on Range Road 2060 in the RM of Elcapo.
Hot and dry week in Sask. leads to decline of crop conditions

A hot and dry week in Saskatchewan has led to the decline of crop conditions, especially in the southern and western parts of the province, according to the province’s latest crop report.

Kitchener

Push for more weir warning signs near dangerous drop in Grand River

The deaths of two women on the Grand River has some questioning the lack of warning signs near a dangerous drop in Kitchener.
Police seek tips in Cambridge armed robbery investigation

Police have shared the photo of a person they’re trying to identify as part of armed robbery investigation in Cambridge.
Thieves caught on camera breaking into Guelph cellphone repair store

"I don't feel safe here." That's how one business owner feels after someone smashed the glass at his store in downtown Guelph.

Saskatoon

Saskatchewan's crime rate top of Canada for 25th straight year: Stats Canada

Saskatchewan’s provincial crime rate ranked worst in the country for a 25th straight year in 2023, according to the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics.
How a Sask. city changed the way the Crime Severity Index is reported

A small city in Saskatchewan has helped affect big changes in the way Statistics Canada reports its annual Crime Severity Index (CSI) data.
Sask. appeal court says anti-trans group cannot join constitutional dispute over pronoun law

Saskatchewan’s Court of Appeal has denied a political group that opposes so-called “gender ideology” intervener status in a legal dispute over the province’s controversial pronoun law.

Northern Ontario

Fuel transport stopped on Hwy. 11 for speeding: OPP

The driver of a commercial motor vehicle and his employer are facing charges after police stopped the vehicle for speeding on Highway 11.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday

Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.
Police stop smoky pickup truck, say they found open liquor

A 21-year-old northern Ontario resident is facing several charges – including impaired driving – after a traffic stop in Kapuskasing last week.

London

'My ties to this community are done': Jewish London member reacts to being evicted from Jewish Community Centre

Darlene Zaifman-Guslits was denied entry to an event for Pierre Poilievre at the London Jewish Community Centre.
Serious assault turned homicide after victim dies in hospital

The victim of a serious assault that occurred on July 20 has since died in hospital, according to London police.
The story behind the Eiffel Tower sculpture inside CF Masonville Place

Art Stokman partnered with CF Masonville Place to enhance their Home of Team Canada Lounge inside the mall in London.

Barrie

Teen airlifted after car flipped upside down with 2 passengers inside

A 19-year-old driver was airlifted to a trauma center after a crash left one vehicle overturned with two passengers trapped inside.
Second person charged in connection to the death of 25-year-old man in Meaford

A second person has been charged in connection to the death of a 25-year-old man in Meaford more than four years ago.
Controversy continues in Wasaga Beach after beachgoers defecating in sand

While Wasaga Beach is known for being the longest freshwater beach in the world, it has been talked about for a different reason in recent weeks, as reports have surfaced of beachgoers defecating in the sand.

Windsor

Doctor identified in alleged newborn data snooping scandal

CTV News has learned the identity of the doctor under investigation for allegedly accessing the data of newborn babies without authorization: Dr. Omar Afandi.
Road reopened after train derailment in Puce

Essex County OPP have reopened Old Tecumseh Road, near Puce Road, after a train derailment.
Former Spitfires head coach Bob Jones dies after battle with ALS

The Windsor Spitfires have confirmed to CTV News that former head coach Bob Jones has died after a battle with ALS.

Vancouver Island

Some residents won't leave B.C. community despite wildfire evacuation orders

It's been a calmer 24 hours on the wildfire front in B.C., but hundreds of properties remain under evacuation orders in the Central Kootenay region as anxious residents hope for the best.
Department of Fisheries untangles gear from humpback whale off B.C.'s coast

Fisheries and Oceans Canada says it has successfully untangled fishing gear on a humpback whale off British Columbia's coast that was first spotted by a ferry passenger.
Vancouver Island wildfire expected to grow until rain, cooler temperatures arrive

Wildfire officials on Vancouver Island say an out-of-control wildfire burning west of Victoria is expected to grow in the coming days before rain and cooler temperatures can help firefighters gain an upper hand on the blaze.

Kelowna

Kamloops RCMP officer charged with assault, mischief

A Kamloops Mountie has been charged with assault and mischief in connection to an incident that occurred last summer, Crown prosecutors announced Wednesday.
2 dead after serious crash on Highway 1 in B.C. Interior

Two people are dead after a serious crash that shut down Highway 1 near Sorrento, B.C. Saturday morning.
Structures lost to Shetland Creek wildfire as more heat, thunderstorms strike parts of B.C.

The number of wildfires in British Columbia has flared as more lightning storms bring the potential for further fire starts.

Lethbridge

Taber corn, sugar beets on schedule despite wet spring, hot July

A southern Alberta staple is set to go on sale next week despite a wet spring and hot July.
Medicine Hat woman arrested by ALERT for 3rd time in a year

A Medicine Hat woman is facing drug trafficking charges following an investigation by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams.
Lethbridge sees Crime Severity Index score spike by nearly seven per cent

Statistics Canada has released its crime severity index scores for 2023 and for the first time in three years, Lethbridge saw its score go up.

Sault Ste. Marie

FedNor invests almost $300K in Wawa’s economic development

Wawa is one of three northern Ontario communities to receive government funding to help create and advance economic development, with the township receiving almost $300,000.
Driver caught speeding on Hwy. 69 near Sudbury, police say

A northern Ontario driver was travelling almost 40km/h over the speed limit on Highway 69 near Greater Sudbury, police say.
Two Ont. hunters fined $9,750 for moose hunting scheme

Two Ontario men are facing $9,750 in fines after they tried to cover up that a bull moose was shot by mistake last October.

N.L.

Unclaimed bodies are piling up in Newfoundland. A funeral director blames government

Unclaimed bodies are piling up in Newfoundland, and a funeral director says they likely belong to people whose loved ones couldn't get enough government help to pay for a funeral.
Newfoundland refinery operator charged for flash explosion that killed worker

The owner of a refinery in Newfoundland has been charged with health and safety violations for a flash explosion at the plant in 2022 that killed a worker and injured seven others.
Transportation Safety Board investigating fire aboard boat abandoned by 'Lucky 7'

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has sent investigators to Newfoundland to determine what caused a fire aboard a fishing boat that forced the crew to abandon the vessel for a life-raft, leaving them at the mercy of the waves for two days.

U.S. officials leading probe into deadly Ohio building explosion

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

TRAFFIC | Hwy. 417 is closed until Monday for Preston Street bridge replacement. Here's what you need to know

TRAFFIC Hwy. 417 is closed until Monday for Preston Street bridge replacement. Here's what you need to know