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Caught on video: Nanaimo teenager hits would-be armed robber with baseball bat

A teenager from Nanaimo is being hailed as a hero by his family after a suspect wielding a knife entered their business and the boy scared them off using a baseball bat.

Victoria cancer agency building partially evacuated due to 'noxious odour'

Hazmat teams were called to the BC Cancer Agency building in Victoria on Thursday due to reports of a "noxious odour" in the building.

The Saanich Fire Department says it was called to the building at 11:35 a.m. Thursday. (CTV News)

'Six more weeks of winter': Vancouver Island Marmot makes weather prediction on Groundhog Day

A furry mascot endemic only to Vancouver Island is predicting six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day.

A Vancouver Island Marmot is pictured on Mount Washington in this file photo. (CTV News)

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Are magic mushroom stores the next pot shops?

Magic mushroom dispensaries are popping up in cities across Canada, with customers ranging from those looking for treatment for depression or PTSD to people wanting to 'micro-dose' a small amount of psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound in magic mushrooms. But while the situation is in some ways reminiscent of when cannabis retailers set up shop before marijuana was legalized in 2018, Health Canada says there are no plans to legalize or decriminalize psilocybin products.

Shroomyz Dispensary in downtown Toronto, (CTV National News)

Migrant workers sneak secret menus into Canadian restaurants to expose exploitation

Hundreds of customers who scan QR codes for restaurant menus across Canada are being surprised by secret menus instead, revealing the hidden costs behind the food they eat.

Chinese spy balloon spotted over Western U.S., Pentagon says

The U.S. is tracking a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that has been spotted over U.S. airspace for a couple days, but the Pentagon decided not to shoot it down due to risks of harm for people on the ground, officials said Thursday.

Q & A with a Russian warfare expert: 'This is not a proxy war' with the U.S.

With the anniversary of Ukraine's invasion by Russia around the corner, CTV News sat down with a Russian warfare expert to discuss how he sees the conflict playing out and what happens next.

'Brutally cold': Extreme weather warnings spread across Canada

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, as of Thursday morning there were extreme cold or winter storm warnings active from coast to coast, with the harshest extreme cold warnings stretching from northern Alberta all the way to Nova Scotia.

Video of Sask. hockey rink's 95-year-old staircase grabs national attention online

One of Saskatchewan’s oldest hockey rinks has garnered national attention for its unique features and unusual design.

Ontario paramedic breaks down during emotional final radio call before retirement

A paramedic signing off for duty for the last time got choked up and teary-eyed during his final radio call to colleagues.

Quebec recommends booster only to vulnerable never infected with COVID-19

Quebec is changing its vaccine strategy: public health officials are now recommending booster shots only for vulnerable people who have never had COVID-19.

Would you pay $300 a year for quick access to a nurse? Dealing with demand, Ontario doctors get creative

Paid subscriptions to on-demand care are among the many strategies primary health-care providers in Ontario are adopting in order to meet increased demand for access to doctors in the past year, while also managing staffing shortages.

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Woman sends life-sized photo of herself to connect with long distance best friend in Victoria

"It's the best gift I've gotten!" Adam finds out the story behind a life-size picture of a person waving in a window, that’s two decades in the making.

Plush monkey inspires Olympic swimmer to write children's book

Before we can appreciate the important role a plush toy named Monkey Guy has played in Elaine Tanner’s life, we need go back to when people started calling her Mighty Mouse.

Message in a bottle found in B.C. inspires international friendship

While it's not unusual for Lisa Amorim to spot wildlife while paddling her kayak, seeing a bottle bobbing about beside her is.

Countless acts of kindness allow parents with terminal cancer to attend Sooke woman's wedding

When Shannon Alce said yes to Clayton Taylor's proposal, she never could have imagined how challenging it would be to say "I do."

Wendy's lets husband surprise wife by being first customers at new Parksville, B.C., location

It’s been said "men are from Mars and women are from Venus," but in this couple’s case, Thomas is a McDonald’s man, while Ellie is a Wendy’s woman.

80-year-old Esquimalt man maintains decades-long friendship with parrot

If you ask Barry what it’s like being out and about with his bird, he’ll tell you it's no big deal.

79-year-old retired B.C. logger becomes professional artist

Robert Burke is in the midst of an unexpected journey that began with a childhood he describes as "violent and chaotic."

B.C. volunteer's handmade 'merry mailbox' inspires 3-year-old to send first letter to Santa

A pair of festively decorated mailboxes have popped up on a Colwood Street. One says, "Mail your letter to Santa here." The other says, "Check in here for your letter from Santa Claus."

Nanaimo family pays glowing tribute to late father with Christmas display

After the accident this spring, after they were told Rohn Brown wouldn’t make it, his family felt lost. “I turned to the kids and said, ‘We have to do the decorations for dad this year.”