Before record sales collapsed, everyone made most of their money from selling music. The idea of licensing your music for a commercial was considered the height of selling out. Today, though, this is considered to be a normal and necessary way of surviving as a musician.

But someone had to be first, right? But who?

It’s generally accepted that the Velvet Underground was the first true alternative band. And fifteen years after Lou Reed left the band, he might have been the first even alt-rock artist to “sell out” by licensing a song to a TV commercial.

In 1985, he appeared in an ad for a Honda scooter with his song “Walk on the Wild Side” in the background. He took some stick for it—that sort of thing just wasn’t done back then—but he did help start the destruction of the stigma of using actual songs in TV commercials.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

True or false: Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers was in a band with Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten. True.

It was 1983 and the Chili Peppers were still an unknown group, and things weren’t going well. Flea thought maybe it was time to leave. At the same time, it just so happened that Johnny’s post-Pistols band, Public Image Ltd., was in LA looking for a new bass player. Flea went to the audition, which consisted of just him and the drummer jamming onstage.

Out in the audience in the dark was Johnny, who was listening intently. Flea completely blew everyone away and was offered the job on the spot–which he accepted.  All he had to do was come back in the morning and sign the contracts.

Flea went home but immediately had second thoughts. He and a buddy stayed up doing heroin all night–and at seven in the morning, Flea called Johnny and said, “No, thanks.”  Probably a good move, huh? Turning down the job, I mean. Not the heroin part.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

If you spend any time at record shows or in record shops—anyplace you can find used physical products—you may stumble across some interesting counterfeit records.

A counterfeit release looks exactly like the real thing but was manufactured illegally by someone who is not the artist’s record label. This sort of piracy has been capped at the knees by the spread of streaming services around the planet, which has affected the sales of all physical products, including illegal stuff.

There are high-quality counterfeit CDs and LPs still to be found, many of which come from China and Russia.

But this is hardly a new thing. Even back in the 60s and 70s, there was something some record collectors call “mafia records.” These looked almost exactly like what you could buy in the store but were clever counterfeits. This was how some members of the mob earned.

Today, record collectors must beware of these fakes because they’re obviously not worth as much as the real thing.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The U.S. suspect charged in connection with the deadly shooting in Tumbler Ridge earlier this year will remain behind bars.

James Cody Bryant appeared in a Seattle courtroom wearing an olive green button-up shirt, black-rimmed glasses and long waist-length hair parted to the side.

Bryant appeared to be sniffling and crying at the beginning of the hearing.

Approximately eight people sat on the defendant’s side of the courtroom, while about a dozen sat on the opposing side.

Bryant had begun transitioning to a female before the shootings, according to authorities.

Bryant is accused of helping the shooter in Tumbler Ridge, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, start their car after they had already killed their mother and step-brother, so that Van Rootselaar could drive to Tumbler Ridge School and carry out the mass shooting.

Bryant is charged with conspiracy to murder people in a foreign country.

In court filings, it states that Bryant gave Van Rootselaar “tactical advice” on how to carry out the shooting, offering suggestions for target locations and what type of guns Van Rootselaar should use.

On Feb. 10, Van Rootselaar opened fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, killing five students and an educational assistant before taking their own life. At a nearby residence, Van Rootselaar’s mother and half-brother were found dead.

On Tuesday, the prosecution argued that Bryant should remain in custody because of the seriousness of the offence, the strength of the evidence and the potential danger to the community.

“It really doesn’t get much more serious, or much more dangerous for the community,” Assistant United States attorney Todd Greenberg said.

He emphasized that Bryant had been in daily communication for months with someone planning a mass murder in British Columbia and understood the potential scale of the killings.

“The defendant was for months in daily communication with someone who was planning a mass murder event in British Columbia,” Greenberg said.

Bryant had a “full understanding of how high the death toll could get.”

The prosecution then outlined several actions it said demonstrated Bryant’s involvement in the planning and preparation of the killings:

• Livestream arrangements: Bryant agreed to record and broadcast a livestream of the murders and helped test the feed multiple times.
• Commitment to attend: The prosecutor cited a message in which Van Rootselaar indicated, “If I don’t have someone I know for sure is going to be there, I don’t want to do it.” Bryant had assured Van Rootselaar they would be available day or night and would adjust their sleep schedule accordingly.
• Following through: The prosecutor argued that Bryant ultimately followed through on their promise to assist with the livestream, which went down because of a technical glitch rather than any failure on Bryant’s part.
• Financial assistance: The prosecutor highlighted a financial exchange involving a lighter visible in a picture. Although it was an inexpensive item, Bryant sent the money promptly through PayPal, though the transaction was later reversed.
• Strategic discussions: Bryant allegedly discussed strategy, the building’s layout and how to instruct Van Rootselaar to start the car.

Greenberg also referenced Discord conversations, arguing that there was little factual dispute about what had occurred.

He argued that Bryant’s conduct over several months demonstrated a willingness to assist in planning a mass killing and an opportunity to intervene before it happened.
“But most importantly… is Bryant’s own character,” Greenberg said.

“This is someone who helped plan a mass murder over the course of months… and most importantly, somebody who could’ve put a stop to all of this before it happened.”

Bryant kept their eyes fixed downward as the prosecutor read messages concerning not informing on Van Rootselaar.

According to Bryant’s roommates, there were at least five computers in their apartment and upwards of 10 additional internet-connected devices, including laptops and desktop computers.

The prosecution also raised concerns about Bryant’s mental health. Although Bryant denied suicidal ideation during a pretrial interview, they had previously told Van Rootselaar that they were suicidal, with one such statement reportedly dating to Jan. 12.

However, Greenberg did note that Bryant has no criminal history, has ties to western Washington and was employed, although it was unclear whether the job remained available.

Bryant’s defence counsel, assistant federal public defenders Gregory Murphy and Dennis Carroll, acknowledged the horror of the killings while arguing that the court must apply the usual legal standard for bail rather than be swayed by the emotional weight of the case.

The defence also questioned the government’s handling of the investigation and the timing of Bryant’s arrest, saying it is telling that the government made no effort to arrest her for a full seven months after her interview with the FBI in March.

Counsel noted that Bryant had sobbed during the FBI interview following the killings and during a subsequent interview in March. Although a warrant was obtained on Oct. 2, Bryant was not arrested until four days later, after a press conference had been organized and held. Counsel described the arrest as having been arranged by appointment.

The defence said Bryant and Van Rootselaar had become friends approximately three years earlier and that Van Rootselaar had experienced serious mental health issues, including repeated hospitalizations.

Counsel argued that:

• There was no evidence of grooming.
• There was no evidence Bryant knew the specific details of Van Rootselaar’s plan for the day of the killings.
• Bryant was not involved in a group that condoned violence.
• Bryant had no criminal history or prior record of violence.
• Bryant had cooperated voluntarily with law enforcement, meeting with investigators three times.
• A review of Bryant’s communications had not revealed evidence of contact with other individuals in connection with the alleged conduct.

They said there was no evidence that Bryant knew the specifics of Van Rootselar’s plan that day.

Defence counsel emphasized that Bryant had community support, with people attending the hearing on their behalf.

The defence maintained that Bryant’s lack of a criminal record, community ties, cooperation with investigators and potential release conditions supported release pending further proceedings.

When considering the case, the judge framed the central issue as whether Bryant could be released under conditions that would adequately address the risks of failing to appear in court and posing a danger to the community.

The judge emphasized that the decision was not simply about which side had presented the stronger argument. The court had to determine whether reasonable and enforceable conditions could sufficiently mitigate the identified risks.

The judge also stressed the importance of considering the facts and circumstances of the alleged offence. Written statements submitted both for and against Bryant’s release were filed and read by the judge.

The judge noted that pretrial services had identified serious, deeply rooted mental health concerns involving Bryant, including substance abuse.

The judge also emphasized that the case involved internet communications, making any release conditions particularly difficult to design and enforce. Internet monitoring would be extremely important if Bryant were released, but the judge expressed concern about the ability to keep pace with technological developments.

The court would have needed to consider whether conditions involving mental health treatment, monitoring and ongoing evaluation could realistically succeed in mitigating the risks.

Ultimately, the judge concluded that the risks could not reasonably be addressed through release conditions.

Bryant was denied bail and ordered detained until further court order.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Saskatchewan’s Opposition is calling on the province’s conflict of interest commissioner to investigate a Sask Party member’s expenses, including his private flights that it alleges were improperly paid for.

The NDP call comes after Saskatchewan Party MLA for Moosomin-Montmare, Kevin Weedmark, took private intra-provincial flights and allegedly accepted gifts from his publication that are contrary to provincial regulations for elected officials. The MLA for Regina Elphinstone-Centre, Meara Conway, submitted a 23-page letter containing the party’s concerns and evidence to conflict-of-interest commissioner Maurice Herauf on Tuesday.

“It’s very clear that Mr. Weedmark has a pattern of utilizing his newspaper to sort of subsidize other activities,” Conway told reporters in Regina at the legislative assembly.

“The public deserves to know that there is a clear separation between our public roles and our private roles. That we are not using our public roles to derive a private benefit, and we are not using our private companies to prop up our roles as MLAs.”

Weedmark owns The World Spectator, a newspaper in his riding.

Conway alleged a member of that newspaper’s staff consistently appears with the MLA when he is performing the duties of an elected official, giving them special access that other media was not provided.

The staffer was said to be seen snapping photographs of Weedmark at numerous events. Those photos were shared on his official social media, and in some cases, were later published in the paper. Others never appeared in the paper, despite Weedmark sharing them online, she continued.

MLAs obtaining free or discounted gifts, such as photography services, for their personal gain is prohibited.

“This just goes to show that she (the reporter) is subsidizing his MLA work,” Conway said, adding that unlike other legislators who may grab a picture used by the media on occasion, Weedmark has consistently done so.

“That role of MLA and newspaper owner are totally intertwined.  It’s impossible to know where one stops and the other begins.”

At the time of publication, Global News did not receive a response to its inquiry to Weedmark about the newspaper reporter’s role.

The Regina-area MLA also raised concerns about Weedmark’s publication allowing other SaskParty members to politically advertise in it.

Weedmark’s office responded to those concerns in an emailed statement. It included a letter from the provincial Speaker that offered him a conditional exemption and allowed Weedmark to run certain political advertising so long as he is not reimbursed.

“The Speaker’s office, who advised me (advertising other MLAs in the readership area) would be allowable under certain conditions, which I have followed,” the email statement said, noting he was referred to the Speaker by Herauf’s office.

The MLA was exempt because his paper is one of the few that operates in the Moosomin region.

The Opposition said any exemptions should be revisited by officials following receipt of Conway’s letter.

Another issue highlighted by the NDP were the charter trips that Weedmark was accompanied by the reporter on, which were described as a “work travel vlog” in the reporter’s social media posts. Those flights included last August’s private charter.

When questioned about those incidents by the NDP previously, Conway said Weedmark would not answer whether or not the newspaper staffer’s expenses were also covered.

“Was it Weedmark the MLA? Or was it Weedmark the media baron? In what capacity did he charter these flights, because if he is paying for them, at all, through his newspaper, that again is a prohibited gift,” she said.

In a statement shared last month, the provincial legislative member claimed that the trips were charted from a local company at his own expense, clarifying that “there were no taxpayer dollars involved.”

His Oct. 13 response to the Opposition’s claims added that he requested the conflict-of-interest commissioner’s opinion on the private flights before taking off.

“Following the NDP’s allegations regarding two-chartered flights that I paid for personally, I requested an opinion from the Conflict-of-Interest Commissioner regarding those flights. The Commissioner concluded there was no conflict of interest in this matter,” Weedmark’s email statement for Global News read.

After receiving Conway’s letter, the independent conflict of interest office will determine whether it will consider the case based on the strength of the evidence provided.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to attend two Forever Canadian rallies in Alberta this week, just ahead of the province’s referendum.

On Oct. 19, Albertans will vote on the whether to stay in Canada or hold a future separation referendum. There are also nine other questions involving constitutional and immigration issues.

The “Forever Canadian” campaign, launched by Alberta’s former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, seeks to encourage Albertans to vote to stay in Canada.

The organization’s website says Carney was invited to one rally in Calgary on Oct. 15 and another in Edmonton on Oct. 16. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Carney will attend both.

“We want the country’s leader to see what we see every day: Albertans from every walk of life standing up for a united Canada,” says the Forever Canadian website.

Carney, who grew up in Alberta, focused his Thanksgiving Day message on Alberta’s upcoming separation referendum, saying Canada is “worth fighting for.”

“This year, Thanksgiving is a bit different,” he said in a video message posted Monday and filmed at his old high school in Edmonton.

“A week from today, Albertans will have the opportunity to make an important decision about their future: whether to remain part of Canada or begin a long and uncertain process through which Alberta could separate from Canada.”

Carney said the federal government is building “big things” in Alberta — including a planned new pipeline to the West Coast — but Canada can’t achieve those goals if the country is divided.

“You can’t build big things on fault lines,” he said.

Carney also said Canadians are “stronger together” as they face down threats to their economy, security and culture.

“Generations of Albertans helped build this country. It’s yours, it’s ours, and it’s worth fighting for,” he said.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is expected to deliver his own speech supporting Canadian unity in Calgary on Friday.

Poilievre is set to speak during the Canada Strong and Free Network conference on Oct. 16 in Calgary. His speech is expected to be followed by an address from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

— With files from David Baxter and Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Ontario’s medical regulator approved significant changes Tuesday to the way doctors prescribe safer supply drugs, in an effort to reduce the amount of opioids making their way to the streets.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s board of directors will soon implement several changes to the practice of prescribing safer supply, which are medications given to people at high risk of overdose as an alternative to illicit opioids.

The board met Tuesday and passed a motion to enact the changes following a discussion on the proposals.

The college will make it mandatory for physicians to prescribe safer supply medications only in conjunction with opioid agonist therapy. The therapy uses medications such as Suboxone and methadone to treat opioid addiction.

“We are just here to protect the public and we’re here to ensure that the public is safe,” said Dr. Patrick Safieh, the board’s chair, near the end of the meeting.

“So we’re trying to prevent diversion as much as possible and at the same time, ensuring that those that do require safer supply are taking (opioid agonist therapy) so that eventually no one is on this and needs this, that’s the purpose.”

The most common form of safer supply is hydromorphone, a powerful opioid often prescribed for pain but significantly less potent than fentanyl and its derivatives that dominate the illicit drug supply chain.

Patients will now have to take the safer supply medications in front of health-care professionals, rather than take the pills home.

The college will not go ahead with an eight-week time limit for physicians to prescribe safer supply to patients it had previously considered.

Police forces in Ontario have said that diversion of patients’ prescription hydromorphone to the black market is occurring, Safieh said.

The board heard from Dr. Anil Chopra, the college’s associate registrar, who said they have also received information from governments, Addiction Medicine Canada, the addictions section of the Ontario Medical Association and from public health officers that diversion of hydromorphone to the streets is occurring.

Chopra, Safieh and others agreed there is no data available to properly quantify where the hydromorphone on the street is coming from, but said at least part of it is from safer supply prescriptions.

Board member Peter Wiesner said he was concerned that the policy will not work for everyone, citing information sent in by the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network that shows more than 87 per cent of patients on safer supply are also on opioid agonist therapy.

“But what about the 12 per cent that it doesn’t work for?” he asked.

“We need to find, I think, some exemptions for the 12 per cent.”

He said the new policy will have an outsized effect on those living in rural Ontario who are not close to a pharmacy. Another concern he raised are for those people who are employed who are using safer supply drugs. Those people may have difficulties getting to a pharmacy every day to take their medicine if they are not allowed to take some home with them.

Safieh said the college will monitor the changes and make adjustments down the road if necessary.

The office of Health Minister Sylvia Jones has previously said she supports the changes.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

TORONTO – Kawhi Leonard received the loudest ovation during team introductions as he made his re-debut for the Toronto Raptors.

Leonard was in the starting lineup as Toronto hosted the New York Knicks in a pre-season game on Tuesday night. It’s the two-time NBA Finals MVP’s first game for the Raptors since he was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers back to Toronto this past off-season.

“His minutes are going to be limited, but it’s going to be super important to get him there with our guys on the court, to get him integrated,” said Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic in a pre-game media availability. “It’s very special that it’s happening right here at home, not on some road game, but actually playing in front of our fans in Toronto.

“I think it’s a very special day for him. Very special day for us. We’re super excited to get him on the floor and to play.”

Leonard had previously played for the Raptors in the 2018-19 season, leading them to their only NBA championship. He then signed a lucrative free-agent deal to join his hometown Clippers the following off-season.

L.A. traded him back to Toronto this past summer in a deal delayed by an NBA investigation into Leonard and the Clippers for salary cap circumvention. Although the team, its owner Steve Ballmer and several executives were severely punished by the league, Leonard only received a relatively small fine.

Once the punishments were doled out the trade was able to go through, sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a 2027 pick swap and two second-round selections to Los Angeles.

Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.4 blocks over 65 regular-season games last season for the Clippers.

“Goal for him tonight is to go out there and have a lot of fun. That’s the number 1 thing,” said Rajakovic, noting that Leonard had been with L.A. for seven seasons. “I don’t expect that he’s going to pick up on terminology or all the stuff.

“We’re teaching him a lot, showing a lot of film, going through a lot of drills and whatnot. Once the ball goes in the air, he just needs to play basketball.”

The defending NBA champion Knicks had lost all three of their pre-season games heading into Tuesday’s game at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto was 1-1, with three pre-season games left on the Raptors schedule including the game against New York.

Toronto will host the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 21 in their home opener.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Reuniting with Cody Fajardo is paying huge dividends for Austin Mack.

Through 16 games in his first season with the Edmonton Elks, Mack has established career highs in catches (79), yards (1,229) and touchdowns (eight). Mack last had numbers like these in his first CFL campaign with the Montreal Alouettes in 2023 (78 receptions, 1,154 yards, four TDs).

The constant in both equations, though, is Fajardo. The veteran quarterback was with Montreal in 2023, leading the team to a Grey Cup championship that season.

This year, Edmonton (12-4) will return to the CFL playoffs for the first time since 2019. It will also host its first post-season contest since 2015.

If Edmonton can split its remaining two regular-season games (Friday versus Winnipeg, at Saskatchewan on Oct. 24), it will cement first in the West and host the division final Nov. 7. The Elks downed Calgary 45-31 in the 2015 West finale before beating Ottawa 26-20 in the Grey Cup, their last CFL title.

The six-foot-one, 208-pound Mack spent his first three CFL seasons with Montreal and finished his ’25 campaign playing in the club’s 25-17 Grey Cup loss to Saskatchewan. He was released by the Alouettes on Jan. 26 ahead of being due a reported $45,000 roster bonus.

But, with Fajardo’s persistence, the 29-year-old Mack signed a two-year deal with Edmonton three days later.

“It’s funny because Cody never calls anybody in the off-season because he’s with his family,” Mack said. “But he called me every single day until I signed.

“There was a lot that went into it … I wanted to make sure it was the right fit and was a decision me and my family made together even though I had my guy shooting me texts. I think had I gone anywhere else our friendship would’ve probably ended and it’s a good thing we didn’t have to go down that road.”

Fajardo wasted no time contacting Mack after learning he’d been released by Montreal.

“There was a reason why I called him 360 times to try and get him here,” Fajardo said. “I just know how good he is and how good he was for me in Montreal.

“Everything I thought he’d do here he has done and exceeded. I’m just really happy he’s on the green and gold with me.”

But Fajardo isn’t the only reason for Mack’s success in Edmonton. First and foremost, Mack has remained healthy and been a nice fit in offensive co-ordinator Jordan Maksymic’s scheme.

Edmonton earned a 27-12 road win in Hamilton on Friday to clinch a home playoff contest. It was the Elks’ second straight victory over the Ticats (following a 37-35 double overtime decision Sept. 26) and sixth in their last seven games overall.

Finishing the regular season versus West rivals shouldn’t faze Edmonton, which is 6-2 within its division. The Elks are 1-1 versus Saskatchewan and have already won the season series with Winnipeg (2-0).

Not bad for a team that posted a 7-11 record last season to finish fifth in the West Division. But general manager Ed Hervey signed such veterans as defensive lineman Robbie Smith, defensive back Tyrell Ford and running back Justin Rankin to extensions before getting Fajardo, 34, to put off retirement in December.

Then in free agency, Hervey added such veterans as offensive linemen Coulter Woodmansey, Brendan Bordner and Jordan Murray, receivers Mack, Brendan O’Leary-Orange and Joe Robustelli and defensive lineman Malik Carney.

“This locker room has a lot of great guys who want to win, who want to sacrifice,” Mack said. “It’s a lot of team guys and you need that in this league.”

That’s not to downplay the impact of the Mack-Fajardo chemistry. But the biggest returns on familiarity and time together usually come in big games, especially those in Canada in late October and November.

“Everyone says Canada is cold, and it can be, but the best part about playing football in the cold is you’re playing in meaningful games,” Mack said. “One of the reasons why I wanted to come to this team was to contribute to helping this offence be more explosive and be in games and I believe that’s what I’ve done this year.

“We’ve still got to make sure we secure (a West final home berth) and that’s our biggest focus. If we could, that would be amazing and I’d hope we’d see 60,000 people in Commonwealth (for a division championship game).”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Becky’s Great Aunt’s spice bundt cake recipe

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup butter, melted and slightly cooled
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ginger
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon cloves
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 packet of butterscotch pudding!

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan or a Bundt pan well.
2. Whisk together the eggs, sugar, honey, melted butter, milk and vanilla until smooth.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, butterscotch pudding, baking soda, salt and spices.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Don’t overmix—this helps keep the cake tender.
5. Pour into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out with a few moist crumbs:

o    Bundt: approximately 45–55 minutes

6. Let cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then remove and allow to cool completely.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.