By Abdul Matin Sarfraz
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s National Observer

Ontario’s new $3.1-billion plan for a critical minerals supply chain created in partnership with First Nations is raising concerns about weakened environmental protections and inadequate Indigenous consultation. Announced Wednesday, the provincial initiative will create a “made-in-Ontario” supply chain and boost First Nations equity, according to the government. But critics say […]

By Renee Lilley
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Portage Graphic Leader

After days on the front lines of a growing wildfire near Lac du Bonnet, auxiliary firefighter Kyle Adamski is home again — exhausted, but proud of the work he and his team carried out to protect lives and property in one of Manitoba’s most active fire zones this spring. Adamski, […]

By Ethan Braund
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Woolwich Observer

A University of Guelph researcher is looking to make decontamination technology commonplace in the agri-food industry. Dr. Keith Warriner developed a technique that can kill food pathogens using hydroxyl radical technology. Warriner told The Observer that he initially started on the path to the invention in the 1990s in the […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

The Thunder Pride Association and Borderland Pride are working together to host the premiere night of a series of events focused on discussing Two-Spirit people and the intersection of Indigenous and queer identities. Moreover, they will collect survey data, share resources with local initiatives, and host a poetry-crafting activity encouraging […]

Staff

Get your shopping bags and shelves ready to support your local library this weekend. The annual Friends of the Library book sale will run once again on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre (FFPLTC). The sale gets underway at 10:00 a.m., providing ample opportunity […]

Staff

Take advantage of the weekend by turning out to the Sorting Gap Marina this Saturday to support the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s. The annual awareness and fundraiser walk is once again being held by the Alzheimer Society of Kenora-Rainy River Districts. According to the organization, more than $50 […]

By Laura Balanko-Dickson
Staff writer
lbalankodickson@fortfrances.com

An affordability crisis, shrinkflation, and more all point to a shrinking middle class in Canada, but the new Liberal government is taking steps to try to provide some relief. Despite not having a budget after inheriting governance from Justin Trudeau, Mark Carney’s federal Liberal cabinet announced a middle-class tax cut […]

From Riverside Health Care
Press release

Riverside Health Care, in conjunction with the Northwestern Public Health Unit, has declared the gastrointestinal outbreak at the Rainy River Health Centre over. The existing respiratory outbreak declared on May 7, 2025, is still in effect. Enhanced visitor restrictions and masking protocols remain in place. Only two (2) visitors or […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

It was a search for a puppy that saw David Goodman Sr. end up with his 99-year-old Ford Model T. “I was actually on Kijiji looking for a Labrador pup, I think,” Goodman recalled. “I happened to come across this ad that caught my attention and it was for just […]

From Canada Post
Press release

Customers should be prepared for possible service delays OTTAWA – Canada Post has received strike notices from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), for both Urban and RSMC (Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers) bargaining units. The notices indicate that CUPW intends to begin strike activity on Friday, May 23 […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Rural communities may continue to struggle to access funds for necessary infrastructure projects in the wake of this week’s provincial budget, but at least the government remains committed to upgrading Northern highways, critics said this week. NDP MPP Lise Vaugeois (Thunder Bay-Superior North) noted that when the Conservative government introduced […]