Your morning news roundup for Tuesday December 19th, 2006:

Ski resorts north of the city are beginning to strugglethis holiday season, since we're not getting the required temperatures for snow making (between -2C and -6C). A white Christmas is highly unlikely this year, although we may get rain.

Sunnybrook hospital researchers are revealing some interesting findings aboutlinks between blood alcohol levels and head injuries. Low to moderate levels may actually protect trauma victims, but we need not be reminded that drinking alcohol increases the likelihood of injury in the first place.

City Councillor and TTC Chair Adam Giambrone has been busy and today brings more TTC news: at a cost of $2000 per bus, the TTC is considering a special kind ofhygienic germ-killing coatingto fight filth. Giambrone is also pushing for thedensification of commercial and residential highrises near TTC stations.

The next time you hop into a taxi, you might get to poke away at a touchscreenad-centric "taxi TV". Good thing turning it off is an option.

The "Amber Alert" systemworks again, this time helping locate a 3 year old girl in Brampton.

Sign the flag being sent to our troops in Afghanistan, or lose your job? The coach of the Saint John Sea Dogs hockey team hasfired a player for not participating, stirring up controversy and making some question his rights to freedom of expression.

(photo:blogTO Flickrpoolerwhogan)