The scientific reason raccoons may be getting cuter

They're already the unofficial mascot of one of Canada's largest cities, with tons of Toronto merchandise donning adorable images of so-called "trash pandas" - but a new study out of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock theorizes they aren't just getting smarter - they may be getting cuter.Host Kaitlin Lee speaks to Evolutionary Ecologist Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde from Laurentian University possible signs of "domestication" among urban raccoons, if that means they could one day be pets, and what the critters have to say about us. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

In a battle for the rights to Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix and Paramount Skydance are offering tens of billions of dollars to become the next media powerhouse. Either acquisition pose as problematic for critics who raise concerns of a monopoly over the market, sizeable job losses, and the death of the movie theatre. Host Mike Eppel speaks to Paul Moore, sociology professor at Toronto Metropolitan University to discuss the bids and how the changes could materialize for the film industry at large. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Starting today, Australian youth under the age of 16 will no longer be able to log onto Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and other social media sites due to a new law passed through their parliament.The government has banned a number of popular online sites from allowing accounts be made for those under 16 years old, with a fine of up to $33 million CAD if the platforms defy the order.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Jay Olson, post doctorate fellow at the University of Toronto to discuss whether the ban will actually make waves in protecting Australian youth, and how Canada could take note. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Stories of extremely strong earthquakes continue to dominate headlines around the world. The latest one striking off Japan's northern coast late Monday night local time, at a magnitude of 7.6. Is this a more seismically active year? Host Richard Southern speaks to Katsu Goda, associate professor at the University of Western Ontario to find out. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

After a long, cringe-laden ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., we finally had confirmation of the 12 groups that will comprise the 23rd FIFA World Cup.And get this, Canada could potentially host Italy to open their 2026 campaign in Toronto. How did Canada get here? How will they fare against the world’s best? And will this World Cup, shared by three countries navigating fractured relationships, “work” when things get started next Summer?Host Devang Desai speaks with David Gass, founder of Kickback Soccer Media, about Canada’s World Cup hopes, FIFA’s relationship with Donald Trump, and weather concerns for next Summer. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Enjoy this special feed drop from our sister show 'In This Economy?!'It's the kind of relief Canadians have been waiting to see for a while, but year after year, the idea of grocery prices lowering seems to be farther and farther away.Dalhousie University's annual publication, 'Canada's Food Price Report', found that families will be spending an extra 4% on groceries next year, coming out at more than $17,000.Host Mike Eppel speaks to the lead author of the report, Sylvain Charlebois, to discuss the latest in Canada's food market, and whether or not Canadians should hold their breath for lower prices. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Canadian consumers are a lot more aware of where their money goes these days – for a few reasons. There’s a lot of economic uncertainty but many of us are also more cognizant of buying Canadian where possible as the trade war with the US rages on.The problem is – labels can be misleading, and the idea of something being ethical or sustainable might be different depending on your perspective.Host Kris McCusker speaks to Jing Wan, a professor at the university of Guelph who studies ethical and sustainable consumption. They discuss ways to shop “smarter”, and why the easiest solution might be easier said than done. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Both the climate and tolerance of gender-based violence has changed since the 1989 femicide at Polytechnique Montreal. What was once strides forward in protecting women from violence, now seems like it's gone a few steps back considering GBV's more popular habitat: the internet.Incel culture and the 'manosphere' have dominated online spaces for young men, most who initially search for a sense of community, but find themselves engaging in disturbing, highly violent behaviour towards women. The Carney government has pledged more money in AI investments than in tackling GBV, but some experts believe a cut of the AI money could go towards protecting online spaces and combatting deepfake pornography.Host Maria Kestane speaks to Dr. Cecile Rousseau, Canada Research Chair in Preventing Violent Radicalization and a psychiatry professor at McGill University to discuss how the fight against Canada's incel crisis requires comprehensive, multi-level cooperation between all levels of government, parents and teachers.If you or someone you know is in an unsafe situation, please call 911. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Imagine a wine tour experience, but for cannabis.Canada has strict consumption regulations for cannabis products, although government-owned weed shops decorate plazas across the country. That gap between retail shops versus consumption spaces has hospitality and business experts alike urging Ottawa to take advantage of a tourism goldmine.Host Richard Southern speaks to Susan Dupej, a post-doctorate fellow at the University of Guelph to discuss Canada's current tolerance for tourists looking for a cannabis-friendly experience, and what steps our government should take to reach our potential. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

She’s tied for the most decorated Canadian Olympian, but she won’t be anywhere near a podium for at least two years.Toronto’s Penny Oleksiak has been banned from competing until 2027 after allegedly violating anti-doping whereabouts regulations, something she says has nothing to do with banned substances. The World Anti-Doping Agency is the international regulatory body that oversees drug testing for competitive athletes. Testing happens both after a competition, as well as in the form of pre-competitive check-ins, such as whereabout disclosures.Host Alex Seixeiro speaks to Bruce Arthur, columnist for the Toronto Star, to discuss what lies ahead for Magic Penny, and whether or not anti-doping regulation is too rigorous. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at [email protected] Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter