Aastha Shetty

CBC journalist

Aastha Shetty can be reached via email aastha.shetty@cbc.ca or by tweeting her at @aastha_shetty

Latest from Aastha Shetty

Advocates call for more shelter beds as cold weather sets in, region says it knows there aren't enough

Local advocate says there are too many barriers and too much bureaucracy preventing the region from opening more overnight shelters and better prepare for winter.
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Local Christmas tree farm says this year was ideal for growing, but that may not always be the case

Increasingly unpredictable summers have made it difficult for Christmas tree farmers to foresee what kind of growing season they will have.

Captain Canuck makes a comeback to help raise money in Waterloo region

A chance encounter between a United Way Waterloo Region staffer and one of the original creators of the Captain Canuck comic book series has led to an unlikely partnership to help raise money for people in need in Waterloo region.

Student nutrition program struggling to feed Waterloo region children

Nutrition for Learning has been providing student nutrition programs in schools across Waterloo region in a way that is accessible and not stigmatizing for children in need. The organization will not be able to meet all the local need for the first time in 30 years.

'We give up': Illegal magic mushroom chain FunGuyz closes all 30 Canadian locations

FunGuyz has closed all of its locations across Canada after hundreds of police raids made it impossible to carry on with business as usual.

Canada Post strike could lead to sharp drop in donations for local charities

Charities in Waterloo region are concerned about the impact the Canada Post strike will have on mail-in donations during this holiday season.

Local advocate wants to change the tax code to help Canadians with disabilities save money

Currently, Canadians who access disability services in-person do not have to pay taxes, but the tax code has not yet been updated to consider virtual support services. A Waterloo-based advocate is hoping to change that.

EV project aims to help Indigenous people in Waterloo region travel to ceremonies, events

Indigenous people who have to travel to take part in traditional ceremonies may face transportation barriers. Madison Green wants to find a solution for people in and around Waterloo region.

'Violence is not good for any reason,' University of Waterloo stabber says in apology at sentencing

The former student who pleaded guilty in the 2023 stabbing rampage at the University of Waterloo told his sentencing hearing Friday he apologizes to "anyone who might be affected" by his actions. Geovanny Villalba Aleman, 25, spoke on the fifth and final day of proceedings in Kitchener, Ont. He'll learn his fate in January.

Crown details prison terms sought for University of Waterloo stabber if actions ruled hate, terror

Crown lawyers at the sentencing for the former student who pleaded guilty in the 2023 non-fatal stabbings in a University of Waterloo gender-studies class are asking for him to receive nine to 16 years in prison, hinging on whether the judge overseeing the hearing in Kitchener, Ont., determines if his actions amounted to terrorism.