By Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
lneilson@fortfrances.com

Last week, a Human Rights Tribunal (HRTO) adjudicator ruled that a decision requiring the Township of Emo to pay $10,000 and Mayor Harold McQuaker $5,000 to cross‑border LGBTQ2+ community organization Borderland Pride will stand. The ruling was the latest development in a bitter and complicated six-year battle between Emo’s council […]

By Allan Bradbury
abradbury@fortfrances.com

And more photos from the 2026 Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society Fall Fair Kali Tessier has been chosen as the Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society’s Fair Ambassador for 2026-2027, succeeding Alexis Latter, the first young person to hold the title since it replaced the now-retired honour of Fair Queen. For […]

By Maya Ekman
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NWOnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY – Fewer people are running for municipal office nowadays, and Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association president Rick Dumas says one of the biggest reasons is online negativity. “You’re doing all this effort and energy, putting it into your community that you live in with the same people that are […]

By Carrie Ivardi
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — City council wants the Ford government to look at changing how it funds northern police in the face of mounting costs. “Crime is higher in Northern Ontario and in (this region) urban hubs are absorbing the increase social injustice sector costs,” said Coun. Trevor Giertuga at Tuesday’s […]

By Maya Ekman
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NWOnewswatch.com

KENORA – After dozens of pigeons in the city were found dying or already dead, community members quickly worked to identify what was happening. It started on July 28, when the first reports was filed with Iggy’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Kenora. Volunteer Erika Olson said the first pigeon brought […]

By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Chatham Voice

Eight years ago, Doug Ford promised to end hallway health care in Ontario. But that hasn’t happened, according to a new report from the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU). Titled “Pushed Over the Brink: The Escalating Assault on Ontario’s Hospitals,” the analysis details the difficulties Ontarians face in accessing […]

By Pam Fedack
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Kenora Miner & News

Chad English expected swimming 116 kilometres across Lake of the Woods would test him physically. Months before he entered the water, his focus was on logistics. He planned routes, calculated how much food and water he would need, made sure the support boat had enough fuel and followed a demanding […]

By Maggie Macintosh
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Winnipeg Free Press

School trustees are calling on the province to bolster public education around e-bike and e-scooter safety ahead of back-to-school season. The Manitoba School Boards Association brought members’ concerns about a growing number of students using electronic devices to get to and from classes to the education minister’s office this month. […]

Liam Oliver Neilson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Human Rights Tribunal (HRTO) ruling that requires the Township of Emo to pay $10,000 and Mayor Harold McQuaker $5,000 to cross‑border LGBTQ2+ community organization Borderland Pride will stand, a tribunal adjudicator has ruled. The Township and McQuaker had asked the tribunal to reconsider its 2024 decision, which ruled that […]