By Maya Ekman
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NWOnewswatch.com

SANDY LAKE – There are 68 new G2-licensed drivers who completed their testing in a remote First Nation thanks to a successful new initiative. Between May 12 and 14, four DriveTest examiners ran testing out of the radio station in Sandy Lake First Nation, 225 kilometres north of Red Lake. […]

By Maya Ekman
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NWOnewswatch.com

Content warning: Please note that this article addresses suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or in need of urgent support, call 911. The CMHA also provides crisis response services across the region, including a 24/7 helpline at 807-346-8282 or toll free at […]

By Michelle Dorey Forestell
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Kingstonist.com

Ontario’s newly passed ban on invasive medical research involving dogs and cats appears poised to directly affect Queen’s University’s controversial hemophilia dog colony, despite the university saying it remains unclear how the legislation will impact existing research programs. The amendments to Ontario’s Animals for Research Act were included in Bill 75 and passed final […]

By Connor McDowell
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Brandon Sun

A specialist for Indigenous education says role models are key to the Our Journey celebration that brought 200 graduates to the Keystone Centre in Brandon on Friday. It is vital for the younger students to see their older peers achieving success at different levels of education, Brandon School Division Indigenous […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Born to be wild, or playing it safe? For an Oliver Paipoonge motorcycle riding school, it’s the latter. The rural property used by the Motorcycle Safety Training Organization Northwestern Ontario agency will be in full compliance from a municipal perspective when operations hit the pavement for the 2026 riding season. […]

By Carrie Ivardi
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — It cost over $300,000 to cover legal fees for city police in the first three months of the year, putting a serious dent in the budget of the board overseeing the service. As part of their legal obligation to service members the Thunder Bay Police Service Board […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SNnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — Confederation College has seen a steep drop in enrolment by international students, but college president Michelle Salo says the province has come through with more money to help soften the financial blow. The college’s 2026 Report to Community says the eight-campus institution had 3,456 full-time students enrolled […]

By Brenda Sawatzky
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Niverville Citizen

On May 20, the provincial government extended an invitation to all Manitobans to share their views on the long-held tradition of seasonal time changes. Should the province shift away from the practice of a biannual clock adjustment? They’re also seeking input on whether the majority would opt for permanent standard […]

By Sarah Cooke
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NorthBayNipissing.com

What started as a turned-down offer from Ontario Hydro (now known as Hydro One) decades ago has become an investment that generates between $20,000 and $45,000 in annual dividends. During Magnetawan’s May 6 meeting, Mayor Sam Dunnett reflected on the municipality’s long-standing equity stake in Lakeland Power. It has grown […]

By Renee Lilley
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Portage Graphic Leader

A local community non-profit is looking to breathe life into a new affordable housing project by dangling a rare carrot in front of potential partners: upfront capital funding. The Portage Community Revitalization Corporation (PCRC) has officially launched an expression of interest, seeking proposals from non-profits, housing co-operatives, and private property […]

By Makenzi Fisk
Special to the Times
Originally published in the Atikokan Progress, May 20, 2026

Writer Mackenzi Fisk, a leader of the Pictograph Community Arts project, lost her residence in the Factor Lake fire. She offered the following reflections…. “Do you smell smoke?” my neighbour asked. He’d just climbed down the ladder after patching a leaky spot on my shed roof. “Maybe someone having a […]

By Aynsley Teeple
Emo Devlin Beef Club Press Reporter

On Tuesday, May 12, the Emo Devlin 4-H Beef Club met for their first meeting. The meeting was held at Ontario Crops Research Centre and began at 7 p.m. The club recited the pledge and welcomed our returning and joining members. Everyone began introducing themselves, as well as their 4-H […]