Photo: "Tobogganing" by blogTO Flickr pooler Bourbon Baby.

Your morning news roundup for Tuesday March 18th, 2008:

Tasers are back in the media spotlight today, after a judge ruled against a Toronto Police officer's use of the weapon in an altercation last year. The naked suspect (who was interrupted during sex) was tasered, and already subdued and cuffed when a second officer allegedly got stun-gun happy on him. Will the force still get more tasers in the hands of more of our officers?

Police are seeking help from the public and have released chilling, reasonably high-quality surveillance camera video depicting a suspect gunning down a group of people (one of whom was killed) last week in Lawrence Heights. Watching video of an actual murder is not something I recommend you do this morning unless you feel that you might be able to help identify the suspects. Apparently, and thankfully, police made sure that the video stops before the really disturbing moments arrive.

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The Liberal Party picked up 3 of 4 federal by-elections yesterday, including Bob Rae's big (expected) win in Toronto Center. The Progressive Conservatives picked up a seat in the wheat fields (as expected).

In other political news, Mayor Miller is heading on a trade mission to China next month. Undoubtedly he'll be singing the praises of our city's best assets: raccoon pelts, road salt, and shot glasses with the CN Tower etched on them. In return I really hope he secures a deal that lands us a bigger price rollback at our inner-city Walmart stores so I can replace my broken $10 toaster for a new one at $9.33 (which will break in 3 months).

Money for cleaner TTC buses is actually coming, and by the end of the year about one third of the fleet will be gas/electric hybrid powered. This is pretty big news that will likely be overshadowed by the ongoing TTC unionized employee contract renewal debates.