By Pam Fedack
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Kenora Miner & News

The City of Kenora will not allow people to bring their own alcohol to municipally-sanctioned public events, with Mayor Andrew Poirier saying the option does not align with the city’s efforts to address public intoxication. The provincial government recently gave municipalities the authority to opt into a bring-your-own-beverage (BYOB) program […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SNnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — The Liberals failed in their first attempt at getting a First Nations Clean Water Act passed, but Thunder Bay–Superior North MP Patty Hajdu has reasons to be optimistic about success this time around. Hajdu, who was Indigenous Services minister when the ill-fated first bill was in the House, told Newswatch this […]

By Carrie Ivardi
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — Despite an increase in police presence in the downtown cores, one long-time business owner on the city’s south side hasn’t noticed a difference in the area. “I haven’t seen any police,” Doris Jorgensen, owner of the Little Mermaid on Victoria Avenue E. for the last 41 years, […]

By Leah Pelletier
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Rocky Mountain Outlook

CANMORE – Inside every carnival-like striped package of Hawkins Cheezies is an orange, cheese-dusted symbol of national pride. The story of the enduring Canadian snack has been brought to life in Carter-Ryan Theatre’s latest original production, The Cheezie Musical: The Unofficial Underdog Story of the Snack that United a Nation, […]

By Steven Sukkau
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Winnipeg Sun

Manitoba disability advocates say support continues to grow for a sweeping overhaul of the province’s adult disability support system, even as they await an official response from the provincial government. An open letter sent to the province last week has now been signed by 55 organizations and 989 individuals, calling […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY – “It just feels extra special this year to celebrate our country,” Thunder Bay–Superior North MP Patty Hajdu said. The federal minister of jobs and families staged a meet-and-greet community barbecue at Roots Community Food Centre (formerly known as Roots to Harvest) on Tuesday to celebrate Canada Day. […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — An annual summertime feast is heading to the Thunder City Speedway in August. The 2026 iteration of Ribfest will be at the speedway in Oliver Paipoonge from August 27 to 30. “I guess they’ve been looking around town to find other venues to go to, and I […]

By Maya Ekman
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NWOnewswatch.com

SIOUX LOOKOUT – With thousands of visitors every summer, Sioux Lookout has launched a program aimed at promoting local businesses with both travellers and locals. The “Experience Sioux Lookout” program is tourism punch-card that invited people to visit local restaurants, shops and outdoor amenities between July 1 and September 30, […]

By Maya Ekman
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NWOnewswatch.com

KASABONIKA – Recent rainfall has been helpful to wildland firefighters working to protect Kasabonika First Nation. The community “is currently being affected by a cluster of six wildland fires of varying sizes, and located between six kilometres to the south and as far as 20 kilometres away to the north-west […]

By Maggie Macintosh
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Winnipeg Free Press

The Manitoba Teachers’ Society is petitioning Ottawa to make it illegal to deny, downplay or justify the harms of residential schools. Its e-petition — formally known as “e-7191” on the House of Commons website — will close mid-morning Thursday, after a 120-day campaign to collect signatures in support of updating […]