Toronto's Black churches helped — now they need help

Plus, the end of the line for the Scarborough RT and a new use for Ozempic [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on the refugees caught in a governmental tug of war, the Scarborough RT and new possibilities with Ozempic. DON’T MISS Andrew Francis Wallace/The Star Toronto [These Black churches came to the rescue amid Toronto’s African refugee crisis. Now they say governments abandoned them ]( While different levels of government shifted responsibility, Black churches stepped up to care for African refugees who were left on the street. Although taking them in may have created the illusion that the crisis is over, the churches are now running into hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses as new refugees turn to them daily. They say they’ve taken in 600 people, but have received no money from the government — and they don’t know how they’ll fare in the next week or two, Shree Paradkar writes. [Here’s an inside look at the efforts of church volunteers — and challenges they’re running into along the way](. - Go deeper: “For me to allow you to continue to look at our Black people like we’re a spectacle, that you walk by and gawk at and stare at? Take pictures of? I didn’t have any alternative. And I would do it again a thousand times over,” said Pastor Judith James of the Revivaltime Tabernacle. - More: In July, the federal government announced $97 million in new funding to Toronto for expenses related to interim housing. The churches say they haven’t seen a penny, and have largely been left to fend for themselves.  Dan Pearce/Metroland transit [Scarborough RT closing down means the end of a transit system that changed the city]( When the Scarborough RT was introduced in 1985, it brought promise to Scarborough commuters who would now more easily be connected to the rest of the city — along with a host of issues that would eventually prove too costly to fix. After a derailment in July that sent five people to hospital, the train is shutting down for good, Lex Harvey reports. [Take a closer look at the SRT’s tumultuous history and how it led commuters here.]( - Context: The TTC was already planning to replace the SRT this winter with more than 70 express buses. Now, it is shutting down the train while it focuses on speeding up those replacement measures, among others. - Why it matters: The news marks the beginning of a period wherein Scarborough commuters will be pushed onto buses for at least seven years as they wait for the RT’s replacement, the Scarborough subway extension. David J. Phillip/AP Photo health [Prescribed for diabetes and popular among celebrities, Ozempic now shows promise for heart failure]( In what researchers are calling a major advancement for treatment, a new study has found that semaglutide (known by its brand name Ozempic when prescribed for type 2 diabetes) can significantly improve symptoms in patients with obesity-related heart failure and help them lose weight. A clinical trial found patients who received the medicine experienced an improvement in their quality of life, a higher tolerance for exercise and marked reductions in weight compared to those who were not prescribed the drug. But amid its fame for weight loss, the drug has become so popular that it’s experiencing supply issues worldwide, Megan Ogilvie reports. [Here's what we know](. - Context: In cases of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, or HFpEF, the heart’s main pumping chamber becomes stiff and loses its ability to relax. This prevents the heart from properly filling with blood and forces it to work much harder. - The aftermath: People with HFpEF often experience shortness of breath, fatigue and difficulty exercising or exerting themselves. The progressive disease also leads to a shorter life expectancy. WHAT ELSE Most Canadians think Justin Trudeau should resign before the next election, a new poll suggests. [Here’s what the data says](. The Greenbelt scandal is beginning to hurt Doug Ford’s chances with voters, a new poll suggests. [Take a look at the numbers](. Mayor Olivia Chow’s executive committee is supporting taxes for [“people that have a lot more money” to fix the city budget crisis](. [The decision to let a child abuser become a lawyer is “unreasonable and cannot stand,”]( Ontario’s legal regulator is arguing. [Olivia Chow wants to build an additional 25,000 rental homes]( to help alleviate the housing crisis. With dread, anxiety and chaos in Yellowknife, [what have we learned about evacuations for future wildfires?]( As kids go back to school, experts say a “tripledemic” — of COVID, RSV and the flu — looms. [Are we ready?]( The SIU is investigating after a cyclist in Mississauga was killed in a hit-and-run. [Here’s what we know](. What does Prigozhin’s death mean for Russia — and Ukraine? [This is what experts are anticipating](. X, formerly Twitter, is changing how news appears on the platform [by removing headlines and text](. POV Chris Williamson/Getty Images [Jordan Peterson’s social skills are lacking. Now, he’s going back to class for Courtesy 101.]( CLOSE-UP Fulton County Sheriff's Office via AP ATLANTA: Donald Trump scowls in a mug shot on Thursday after he surrendered inside a Georgia jail on charges that he illegally schemed to overturn the 2020 election in the state. [Here’s where he is now — and what the historic photo means for his presidential bid](. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_196416). Andrew will see you back here tomorrow. If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](