By Thomas Kent
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Woolwich Observer

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries across the globe, Ontario’s agriculture sector is cautiously stepping into the digital age. At the University of Guelph, researchers are leading that shift through AI4Food, a technology hub designed to study and support AI adoption in agriculture and food systems. The initiative, directed by Dr. […]

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

Premier Doug Ford is threatening to sue General Motors for breaking its contract with Ontario after the company announced it will end production of its BrightDrop electric delivery vans at the Ingersoll plant, affecting about 1,200 jobs. Speaking with reporters at Queen’s Park on Tuesday, Ford said he was very disappointed by GM’s decision […]

By Connor McDowell
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Brandon Sun

Jeff Bell is responsible for flying eight wartime aircraft in Brandon. The chief pilot at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, Bell leads a team of volunteer pilots who take oldies like the 1943-built Boeing Stearman Kaydet to the air. His main responsibility is to ensure the wartime planes stored […]

By Maggie Macintosh
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Winnipeg Free Press

The University of Winnipeg has charted a course for the next five years that leans heavily on its position as a member of the downtown community. A business professor, physics researcher, Indigenous scholar, international student and the CEO of its community renewal corporation announced the five-year road map, Meeting the […]

By James Matthews
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
jmatthews@fortfrances.com

The fate of two retired tugboats considered culturally and historically significant to Fort Frances may finally be headed toward a resolution. After several years debating how to preserve the Hallett and the Owandem, as the larger boat was removed from its waterfront berth in 2022, whereupon the damage to the […]

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

Watching a calligrapher at work is like witnessing poetry unfold in ink. Each graceful swoop and swirl seems to appear by magic, forming elegant script that feels impossibly perfect to the untrained eye. Yet, as artist Jessica Marissen says, this ancient craft isn’t reserved for the gifted few – with […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

Singer-songwriter Melissa Payne will play for the sold-out Tour De Fort Audience on Saturday, but for those who don’t have a passport, you can get a taste of Payne’s music at Boston Pizza on Friday night. Payne, who hails from Ennismore, Ont., near Peterborough, got into music as a child […]

Staff

On Monday the Superior International Hockey League announced the death of a long-time hockey figure in northwestern Ontario. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of one of the pillars of the Superior International Junior Hockey League, Bill Salonen,” the release stated. “Bill was instrumental in […]