INSIDE THE VILLAGE: Toronto street gangs venture north

Welcome back to Inside the Village, a one-of-a-kind podcast where all news is local — and no topic is off-limits.

On this week's episode, we take a closer look at some of the biggest stories our reporters covered over the past seven days, including a record-setting drug bust in Sault Ste. Marie that has all the hallmarks of a disturbing trend: traffickers from the Greater Toronto Area — including some with known ties to notorious street gangs — expanding into rural and northern Ontario.

Village Media explored the growing problem in a recent installment of "The Big Read," as well as a follow-up segment on the podcast with renowned organized crime expert Antonio Nicaso.

This week, we dive even deeper.

Also on the program: Should this homeless man from Orillia qualify for medical assistance in dying (MAID)? His story has certainly triggered plenty of opinions.

Launched last year, Inside the Village is a news and current affairs podcast that provides a weekly window into some of the best local journalism from across Village Media's chain of Ontario newsrooms. The program also explores bigger-picture issues that impact people across the province.

Every episode is available on this news site /insidethevillage. If you prefer the audio version, it is available wherever you find your favourite podcasts.